President Bola Tinubu has appointed seven new ministers to his cabinet, further shaping the direction of his administration. The appointments were announced following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, marking another significant reshuffle within the government.
Notable among the new appointees is Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who will serve as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while Jumoke Oduwole has been assigned to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Nentawe Yilwatda was chosen to replace suspended Minister Betta Edu as the head of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi was appointed as the new Minister of Labour & Employment, a critical role as the country faces employment challenges.
In other appointments, Idi Mukhtar Maiha will take on the position of Minister of Livestock Development, and Yusuf Abdullahi Ata has been named Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. Suwaiba Said Ahmad was appointed Minister of State for Education, further bolstering the leadership in a sector undergoing reform.
Additionally, President Tinubu approved the appointment of Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), which will now assume the responsibilities of the dissolved Ministry of Sports Development. Sunday Dare, the former Minister of Sports under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, has been named Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation. He will work from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
This reshuffle reflects Tinubu’s strategy to address key national issues and streamline governance as the administration continues to evolve. Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on the new ministers’ impact across various sectors.
In a significant move aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s energy landscape, President Bola Tinubu has unveiled new fuel pricing options for motorists. During a meeting with executives from the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu announced that motorists can now choose between purchasing petrol at N1,000 per litre or compressed natural gas (CNG) at N200 per Standard Cubic Meter.
“This initiative allows motorists the flexibility to select their fuel source while encouraging a shift towards more sustainable energy options,” said Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman. He emphasized that the government will also provide incentives for commercial drivers to convert from petrol to CNG at no cost.
The President praised NIPCO for its contributions to Nigeria’s energy transition, particularly its support for the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for private sector investments, which is crucial for expanding the country’s CNG infrastructure.
NIPCO director Ramesh Kasangra expressed gratitude for the government’s support and reiterated the company’s commitment to investing in infrastructure to make CNG more accessible across Nigeria. With over 40 years of experience in various sectors, NIPCO aims to play a pivotal role in the country’s energy transition efforts.
This initiative marks a transformative step towards enhancing energy efficiency and promoting economic growth, as Nigeria continues to navigate its energy challenges.
Ganduje vows to keep APC’s strategy for capturing Ondo, Oyo, and Osun a secret, saying he won’t reveal the party’s tactics.
On Sunday, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledged to secure victories for his party in Ondo, Oyo, and Osun states.
Ganduje predicted that the APC would achieve victory throughout the entire Southwest, beginning with the Ondo governorship election on November 16.
Ganduje spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, while leading the APC National Working Committee.
He stated, “In this geopolitical zone, we must achieve full support for the APC. Ondo State should take the lead in these efforts. As for Oyo and Osun states, we’ll bring them under our control without disclosing our strategies just yet. We are carefully planning to ensure unwavering backing for President Bola Tinubu.”
In the upcoming election, we are firmly supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa. We have organized at the national level to ensure a successful outcome and I am pleased to announce that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will serve as Chairman of the National Campaign Council.
This election is a necessary undertaking. We are inspired by the substantial gathering of stakeholders, which demonstrates unity, solidarity, and enthusiasm within the party.
“We anticipate receiving 90 percent of the votes in the upcoming governorship election. It’s important to go from house to house and engage with neighbors, ensuring they turn out to vote.”
……Scores 14 Communities High on Quality Delivery, Timely Completion
The Chairman, Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga, has presented ‘certificates of completion’ to fourteen communities across the State, for completing the first twenty-eight micro projects funded in 2024.
Adeaga, who was accompanied on the Board’s Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation tours alongside members of the board and management of the agency on Tuesday 15th October, 2024 and ended the exercise at Igboora, Ibarapa Central local government on Monday.
Among the communities visited are Lagbedu Orile at Ogo-Oluwa local government, Ajaawa, Olorunsogo-Ifesowapo at Ogbomoso North local government, Oremeji-Atolu-Idi Oro at Ona Ara local government, Ibadan, Ope-Odu/Alapata/Oja Baale community at Lagelu local government, Irewolede community at Ogbomoso South local government, Abebi-Opo Yeosa-Ifesowapo community at Ibadan North local government, Ibadan and Oorelope community, Oorelope local government.
Others are Okan-Awuru community at Saki East local government, Sepeteri, Irawo Parapo community at Atisbo local government, Lagun community at Lagelu local government, Ibadan, Olorunbawase/Oke Odo community at Ibarapa Central local government, Igboora, Idera Oluwa community at Ibadan North-East local government, Ibadan, Aroro Makinde community at Akinyele local government and Kobomoje-Ogundepo community at Ibadan South-East local government, Ibadan.
According to the Chairman, many of the communities implemented construction or renovation of blocks of classrooms with provision of new furniture with VIP toilets and drilling of motorized boreholes, while others undertook the construction of community health centers, stocked with basic health equipment, with drilling of boreholes and some constructed culverts and line drainages to control flood.
In his words, Adeaga scored the fourteen communities high in their performance, saying they did the job within the specific time allotted, used quality materials for the works and collaborated to give the projects the required maintenance after completion to ensure sustainability.
“I score the communities 85% for the job they have done, it is a testimony to the fact that they have adopted the projects as their own from the first day they were funded and started the works, you can see the quality materials used for the works, it gives us the assurance that the projects will outlast their generation, because they also gave us assurance that they will monitor and give it the best utilization.
“These fourteen communities have given us hope that the efforts of our amiable governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to put smile on the faces of communities across the State on the strategic intervention areas of education, water, health and erosion control, are not in vain, we appreciate them for staying the course and owning the project.
“As we used this milestone achieved on the first projects funded in 2024 to celebrate the one year in office of the board’s Chairman of the agency, we appreciate the Governor for his support by approving another twenty-eight project after the one just completed and another one hundred and thirty two micro-projects for sixty-six communities that was disbursed last week, which is unprecedented.
“Like it was reported after the disbursement last week, the Governor also graciously approved the review of the project fund from #15million per Community Development Plan (CDP) to #18million naira to cushion the effects of the current materials’ price increase, this goes to show that he is very interested in the well being of our people.
“I also want to appreciate the support of the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders in the effort of developing the communities, while not forgetting the resilience of the workforce at the agency, they did very well,” Adeaga said.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order restraining the Lagos State Government from vaccinating school children without the written consent of their parents or guardians. The ruling came after an application filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Equity International and Initiative, seeking to stop the state from administering vaccines to children in schools.
Presided over by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, the court ruled that the Lagos State Government, along with its agents and officials, must halt any planned vaccination of children in schools until the Motion on Notice is determined. The respondents in the case include the Lagos State Government, Commissioner for Education, Permanent Secretary of Basic and Secondary Education, and others.
The ruling affects the proposed mass vaccination campaign that was set to begin on October 23, 2024, as outlined in official circulars. The court emphasized that no vaccination should be carried out without prior written consent from parents or guardians.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Barrister Mobisola Odimegwu stated that the court’s order puts the planned mass vaccination on hold until December 9, 2024, and urged Nigerians to stay informed about health measures and vaccination options.
The Ogun State Police Command on Friday confirmed the mob killing of a motorcycle thief, John Udoh, in the early hours of Friday at Atoyo Okeigbo community, Aruba Sagamu, while his partner, Peter Ubong, was critically injured.
An irate mob has beaten an alleged motorcycle thief identified as John Udoh, to death at Atoyo Okeigbo community, Aruba Sagamu, in Ogun State.
The suspect’s alleged accomplice, Peter Ubong, was critically injured during the incident which occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 18, 2024.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday said that a five-man gang invaded the community at about 2:am, attacked one Emeka Ruben and stole his motorcycle valued at N1.2m.
A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver in Lagos, Andrew Nice Omininikoron, has denied allegations of raping and murdering 22-year-old passenger Oluwabamise Ayanwola, claiming that three male passengers committed the crime.
Testifying before Justice Sherifat Sonaike during court proceedings, Omininikoron, led by his counsel Abayomi Omotubora, alleged that the men raped Ayanwola and threw her out of the bus.
Omininikoron was initially arraigned in March 2022 on charges of rape, conspiracy, and murder. Prosecutors accused him of conspiring to rape and kill Ayanwola on February 26, 2022, after she boarded his bus along the Lekki-Ajah expressway.
The defendant admitted to illegally picking up Ayanwola after official hours at Chevron bus stop, and described how three male passengers later boarded the bus and one pointed a gun at him. He claimed the men assaulted Ayanwola before pushing her out of the bus.
Despite his claims, Omininikoron fled after learning Ayanwola was missing and was later arrested in Ogun State. Under cross-examination, he denied knowledge of voice notes Ayanwola sent to a friend during the journey, expressing concern for her safety.
The trial has faced delays, with Justice Sonaike expressing displeasure and adjourning the case to October 21, 2024, for further examination.
The Nigerian film industry is in mourning following the death of popular Nollywood actor and Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) national secretary, Chief Alhaji Ayobami Olabiyi, also known as Bobo B. The actor reportedly passed away after a brief illness at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Olabiyi, a beloved figure in Nollywood, was the former governor of TAMPAN’s Oyo State chapter and was known for his contributions to the industry both on and off the screen. His death was confirmed by the current TAMPAN Oyo State governor, Bose Akinola, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
Olabiyi had been scheduled to appear on a movie set in Oyo last month but was unable to do so due to his declining health. He was later admitted to UCH, where he passed on.
In a statement, Akinola said, “I have a directive to announce the death of our TAMPAN national general secretary, Chief Alhaji Musadshir Ayobami Olabiyi ‘Bobo B.’ May God give his family and the entire TAMPAN members globally the fortitude to bear the loss. Insha Allah, Amen.”
Colleagues have taken to social media to express their grief, paying tribute to the late actor’s jovial nature and impact on the industry. Fellow actor Abidemi Temitayo recalled a fond memory from a movie set, expressing shock at his sudden death, while Princess Adenike Ajoke prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
Olabiyi’s passing marks a significant loss for Nollywood, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the growth of Nigerian theatre and film. The industry will miss him dearly.
The current minimum wage in Lagos state is N85k. I will come back in January and report that I have raised the minimum wage of public workers in Lagos to N100k. I believe my people deserve decent wages.
The statement was made known today by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sango-Olu while featuring in a programme Politics Today on Channels TV as anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.
