News & Announcements

President Bola Tinubu’s selection of 45 ministers, according to All Progressives Congress president Aliyu Audu, is insufficient. Audu is a member of the party’s Presidential Transition Council’s Media Strategy Subcommittee.

This was said by Audu on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.

While not stating a particular number of ministers to be appointed, he said, “I don’t think 45 is even enough. I don’t think 48 is enough. We have a population of over 200 million. We are in a crisis.”

According to Audu, it was widely acknowledged that more local governments needed to be established in order to bring governance closer to the people during Bola Tinubu’s term as governor of Lagos State.

“A lot of people thought he was taking it too far but look at how Lagos has moved in 24 years and how every other state has moved in 24 years.

“I’m not talking about potential. I’m not talking about what it used to be before but I’m talking about sheer growth between then and now,” he said.

The new commissioners for the state ministries under his administration were sworn in on Tuesday by the governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu.

The governor advised the people of the State to have patience with his administration as steps were being taken to improve their lives while delivering the swearing-in ceremony at the International Conference Center Kasarawa Airport road.

The governor while addressing the new commissioners, said his administration had met an empty treasury, “things were in shambles, and many structures were in a state of dilapidation.”

Thus he charged them, “as such, you should brace up for the task ahead.

“You should be  transparent  and ensure due process in the discharge of your official responsibilities, “

“This administration is on a rescue mission and together with your wealth of experience we will salvage the state,” Aliyu added.

“We will work wholeheartedly with the fear of Allah, saying that no administration will work effectively and efficiently without members of the state executive who are the engine seat of any successful administration.

“I am optimistic with the caliber of people appointed as members of the state executive council, this administration will deliver the much-expected dividend of democracy to the citizens of the state,” he expressed.

Speaking on the current economic situation in the country, the governor said, “I want to appeal to all the good people of Sokoto State to be patient as plans are being rolled out to reduce sufferings and hardships being experienced as a result of the high cost of living and skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities.”

“We are coming up with packages to mitigate the effect of subsidy removal and other hash economic policies of government.

“I want to assure you that, my administration is committed to making sure that we deliver on the mandate given to us by the electorates, and urge you to join us in prayer for Allah to bring to an end to banditry and kidnapping that has negatively affected the lives of our people.

“We will do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of the people, “I urge you to give your maximum cooperation and support needed to move the state forward.”

Thousands of members of the APC flocked to the event site to watch the swearing-in, and the chief judge administered the oath of office to Justice Muhammad Saidu Sifawa.

Bello Sambo Danchadi, the ruling party’s most recent director of public relations, was posted to the Ministry of Information by the governor as soon as she was sworn in. The commissioner was then posted to other offices.

Mary Nkeki, a 27-year-old Chibok female, has also been rescued by Operation Hadin Kai Theatre Command soldiers.

Nkeki, who was rescued on Monday of last week, claimed to be married to Adam, a former Boko Haram terrorist.

During an incursion into the insurgents’ stronghold, members of the 81 Task Force Battalion at Dikwa managed to save the Chibok girl.

Nkeki “is number 55 on the list of the abducted Chibok girls,” Maj. Gen. Gold Chibuisi, the theater commander for Operation Hadin Kai, told reporters on Monday.

“While in captivity she was forcefully married to one Adam, a Boko Haram terrorist.

“Since her rescue, she has undergone thorough medical examination in our medical facility. Equally, she has been adequately resuscitated and will be handed over to Borno state,” he said.

After being turned over to the officials of the Borno State Ministry for Women Affairs, Nkeki spoke with journalists and revealed that she had given birth to two female children for Adam, who later passed away.

When she was asked if she would get married, she said, ‘’I already have a husband. I am married to Adam. We fled from captivity together.’’

She claimed that she and her husband, Adam, turned from terrorism and fled the terrorist stronghold at the Dikwa axis, where they were both rescued by the military.

Since their rescue, she was separated from Adam, who, according to The PUNCH, was transported to the camp of the repentant rebels.

Mary is the 16th young woman whom the military has just saved.

Adegboyega Oyetola, the newly appointed Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has stated that he finds it challenging to hold such a position in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He spoke on Monday evening in Abuja outside the reception that the APC chapter in Osun State and other stakeholders hosted for him.

The minister assured that he would succeed in the presidential mandate granted to him, even if he acknowledged that it was difficult for him to be chosen to lead a new ministry.

Oyetola praised President Bola Tinubu for thinking highly enough of him to appoint him as a minister.

He also expressed his gratitude to the event’s organizers, stating that the amount of unity shown was inspiring and will inspire him to do even more for Nigerians.

The minister continued by saying that in order to be successful in the new ministry, he would need the support and cooperation of all parties.

“I thank almighty God for this wonderful opportunity to serve and the people of Osun for coming all the way from the state to celebrate with me here.

“I am indeed happy seeing people from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, coming to celebrate with me.

“I feel challenged to be made a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because it comes with a lot of responsibilities.

” I pray that the Almighty will see me through.

“Being a new ministry, I will have to start from the scratch, and I trust God Almighty to succeed and deliver on my new mandate,” he said.

Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, has warned the Economic Community of West African States from intervening militarily in the Niger Republic.

After President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and imprisoned by generals in Niger, the ECOWAS defense chiefs on Thursday expressed their willingness to take part in a standby force that would restore democracy to the country.

In a statement via X, formerly known as Twitter, El-Rufai said, “As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria.

“Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.”

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, was sentenced to eight years in prison after coming home following a 15-year exile.

aboard advance of the upcoming election to choose the next Thai leader, he arrived on Tuesday morning aboard a private jet.

Upon his return, he was then given an eight-year term based on prior convictions for crimes he alleges were motivated by politics.

According to the BBC, conservative royalists have long feared Mr. Thaksin, Thailand’s most successful elected leader, and have supported military coups and contentious court proceedings to weaken him.

But despite being overthrown by a military coup years ago, the flamboyant, politically aspirational telecoms tycoon is now back. Hundreds of devoted fans who had camped overnight to greet him cheered as he touched down in Bangkok’s major airport. He momentarily exited the airport terminal and approached a portrait of the king and queen while being flanked by his two daughters and son.

The 74-year-old was transported right away to the Supreme Court, where he was found guilty three times and given an eight-year term. He was then taken to Bangkok Remand Prison.

Given his senior age, the prison officials there said he will be kept in a ward with particular medical equipment. The first five days of his 10-day quarantine—during which he will be restricted to his room—will also start right away, according to the officials.

According to prison officials, Thaksin will be able to submit a petition from behind bars right away. It has been rumored that he may ask the king for a royal pardon. One to two months may pass during the process.

At the State House Conference Center in Abuja, 45 ministers-designate are currently being sworn in as members of the Federal Executive Council.

The Ministers’ citation was read by Aguri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, and their oaths were then administered.

Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, administered the oath of office.

The Senate confirmed 45 of the 48 nominees the President sent as ministers-designate on August 7.

According to their respective states of origin, the ministers-designate were sworn in.

The swearing-in ceremony was held less than a week after President Bola Tinubu announced the portfolios for the nominees for the ministerial positions, which included Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and Nyesom Wike as the former governor of Rivers State.

The Economic Community of West African States has rejected Niger junta’s three-year power transition plan.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, stated this during an interview with the BBC on Sunday.

The head of the military junta in Niger Republic, Gen.Abdourahamane Tiani, on Saturday, said he would relinquish power within three years and warned that any intervention by foreign forces would not be “a walk in the park.”

He stated in a televised address broadcast by Tele Sahel, “Our ambition is not to confiscate power. The transition period will not exceed three years; meanwhile, political parties are urged to submit their vision for the transition within 30 days.

“There’s availability for any dialogue, provided that it takes into account the aspirations of the people of Niger. However, any intervention will open Pandora box and will not be a walk in the park.”

His warning followed the arrival of an ECOWAS delegation in the country for a final diplomatic push before deciding on military intervention against the junta.

But in the BBC interview, Musah said that  Tchiani’s proposal was just a smokescreen for dialogue and diplomacy. 

He said, “ECOWAS is not accepting any prolonged transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand over in the shortest possible time.”

He added that the “military aspect is very much on.”

“The earlier they give power back to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility that is defending the territorial integrity of Niger, the better for them.”

Meanwhile, pro-junta protesters on Sunday took to the streets of Niamey to restate their support for the military takeover of power in Niger Republic.

According to AFP, the demonstrators chanted slogans hostile to former colonial power France and West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, which is considering a potential military operation to reinstate elected president Mohamed Bazoum if ongoing negotiations with coup leaders fail.

Although the Sahel state’s new military leaders have officially banned protests, in practice, those in support of the coup are allowed to go ahead.

The demonstrators waved placards saying “Stop the military intervention” and “No to sanctions”, in reference to the financial and trade restrictions imposed by ECOWAS four days after the coup on July 26.

Leader of the Niger Republic junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has said that the army would hand over power to a civilian government within the next three years.

Tchiani who stated this in a nationwide address on national television on Saturday night also said that in one month’s time, the junta would form a committee to begin to work on a new constitution of the country.

The speech was made shortly after meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation led by former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

As of the time Tchiani addressed Nigeriens, the ECOWAS delegation was still in Niamey.

According to Tchiani, while Niger does not want to go to war and the military leaders’ door is open for discussions, they will defend themselves if the need arises.

“Our ambition is not to confiscate power,” said Tchiani during the address, specifying that the duration of the transition “cannot go beyond three years.”

“If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walkover some people believe in,” he added.

In the 12 minute speech, Tchiani announced the launch of a “national dialogue” which will last thirty days.

The dialogue will lead to the formulation of “concrete proposals” with a view to laying “the foundations of a new constitutional order.”

“ECOWAS is preparing to attack Niger by setting up an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army”, Tchiani said without citing a country.

He also denounced the “illegal” and “inhuman” sanctions of the West African economic bloc.

Earlier yesterday, Abdulsalami had told journalists that the ECOWAS delegation’s meeting with the junta went well and had opened a door for further talks.

The meeting was a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful solution with the military rulers who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

The delegation met with Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine who received them at the airport.

Members of the delegation also met with the head of the junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, for about 90 minutes and later with ousted President Bazoum.

Abdulsalami did not go into details of the discussion with the detained president.

“We met him (Bazoum) and heard his side of the story. He told us what was done to him and the challenges he is facing. We will communicate this to ECOWAS leaders. Doors for talks are now open for a lasting solution.”

Recall weeks ago, Bazoum was quoted in a series of text messages to a friend as saying that he had been “deprived of all human contact” , with no one supplying him food or medicine.

Bazoum had also said he had been living without electricity, a similar situation for all Nigeriens after Nigeria cut off electric power in response to the coup.

The overthrown president said all of the perishable food he was supplied with had since gone bad, and he was now eating dry pasta and rice.

The junta had, last week, granted Bazoum access to his doctor.

Meanwhile, a senior envoy of the United Nations on Saturday arrived Niamey for further talks with military rulers.

Flooding in Niger caused by heavy rains has killed 27 people and affected more than 70,000 since July, the authorities said on Saturday.

The rainy season between June and September often triggers deadly flooding in the mostly desert West African nation, including in the arid northern regions.

As of August 18, the floods have caused 27 deaths, injured 30 people and affected 71,136, the humanitarian action ministry said.

The regions of Maradi, Zinder and Tahoua were hit hardest and 6,530 houses have collapsed, according to the ministry.

The capital Niamey, home to two million people and frequently the scene of deadly flooding, has been spared for now.

Last year’s rainy season caused 195 deaths and affected 400,000 people.

Niger’s weather services say the rainfall is due to climate change that has struck the country for several years.