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Category: Politics

  • Yilwatda commends Tinubu’s leadership and Renewed Hope Agenda

    Yilwatda commends Tinubu’s leadership and Renewed Hope Agenda

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Profesor Nentawe G. Yilwatda, has lauded President Tinubu for the sacrifices he has made in service to the nation, expressing strong confidence in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The APC leader noted that Tinubu’s economic policies are beginning to yield results, with key indicators showing signs of stabilization and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s economic trajectory.

    According to a statement on Thursday, Yilwatda said he had the privilege of breaking the fast with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday, during an interfaith breaking of fast with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the State House, Abuja.

    He emphasized that Nigeria’s diversity in religion, culture, and political affiliation strengthens the collective faith in the nation and should inspire unity, tolerance, and dialogue for national progress.

    Yilwatda also commended Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law, following his assent to the Electoral Law of 2026 and the signing of the Electoral Bill.

    Professor Nentawe was appointed as the National Chairman of the APC on July 24, 2025, after serving as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and previously as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His appointment drew controversy, with critics questioning his past role as an INEC commissioner and remarks he made regarding the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

  • Engr. Dave Umahi condoles family of slain Ebonyi monarch

    Engr. Dave Umahi condoles family of slain Ebonyi monarch

    ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi has paid a condolence visit to the family of His Royal Highness Eze Francis Igwe, father of the former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, in Alike Ikwo Local Government Area. The visit follows the brutal killing of the traditional ruler by alleged kidnappers.

    In a statement by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister (Media), Umahi condemned the act and urged the bereaved to remain steadfast in faith despite the painful loss. He described the killing as a disturbing reflection of society’s cruelty, saying, “When I heard of this occurrence, it was like a dream. The people that did this are not human beings.”

    He added, “Such strange acts show the Bible is being fulfilled. He was a father to us, a man of wisdom, committed to God and humanity. My prayer is that the wrath of God will be upon those responsible.”

    Umahi consoled the family, pledging support: “Your mother is now our mother; we must care for her. I commend the Governor for his efforts to save our father, though it pleased God otherwise. I assure you, I am part of your family, and you have my shoulder to lean on.”

    Former Deputy Governor Barr. Kelechi Igwe thanked the Minister for standing with them: “On behalf of HRH Eze Igwe’s family and cabinet, we are grateful. The storms you have weathered teach us to be strong, and we are strong.”

  • Fubara swears in commissioners, urges commitment to progress in Rivers State

    Fubara swears in commissioners, urges commitment to progress in Rivers State

    PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday swore in newly confirmed commissioners, charging them to deliver progress and strengthen governance in the oil‑rich state.

    Speaking after the swearing‑in ceremony, Fubara urged the commissioners to harness their expertise and experience in accelerating development across Rivers State. “Today, I charged our newly sworn‑in Commissioners to bring their very best to the service of Rivers people. The task before us is clear: to harness all our expertise and experience into delivering progress, strengthening governance, and accelerating development across our state. We remain committed to building a better Rivers State for all,” he said in a statement.

    The new appointments come amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s leading oil‑producing regions. Analysts suggest that the cabinet reshuffle may help ease the charged political environment, which has been marked by frequent infighting.

    Last week, Newpost Africa reported that the convoy of former governor Rotimi Amaechi was attacked by hoodlums suspected to be politically sponsored, further escalating tensions in the state. The incident has heightened concerns about political violence and instability in the region with presidential aspirant, Mr Peter Obi, calling for accountability.

    Observers say the inclusion of new commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet could provide fresh momentum for governance and development, while also serving as a stabilizing factor in the state’s turbulent political climate.

    The governor’s call for unity and service underscores his administration’s focus on delivering tangible progress to the people of Rivers State, even as political rivalries continue to shape the state’s landscape.

  • Muslim foreign ministers condemn closure of Al‑Aqsa Mosque gates amid regional tensions

    Muslim foreign ministers condemn closure of Al‑Aqsa Mosque gates amid regional tensions

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have jointly condemned the closure of the gates of Al‑Aqsa Mosque/Al‑Haram Al‑Sharif in Jerusalem.

    In a statement issued Wednesday, the ministers said that “security restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship, coupled with discriminatory and arbitrary access restrictions to other places of worship in the Old City, constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship.”

    The ministers declared their “absolute rejection and condemnation of this illegal and unjustified measure, as well as Israel’s continued provocative actions at Al‑Aqsa Mosque/Al‑Haram Al‑Sharif and against worshippers.” They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

    They reiterated that the entire Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound, covering 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and affirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al‑Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority with jurisdiction to administer the mosque and regulate entry.

    The ministers called on Israel to immediately reopen the gates and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers’ access. They also urged the international community to adopt a firm position compelling Israel to halt ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

    It remains unclear how Israel, already engaged in heavy fighting with Hezbollah in the north and with troops stationed along the Gaza frontier beyond the Yellow Line, will respond. Overall, Israel is at war and on its highest level of alert, making it difficult to suggest that it could reopen the mosque gates at a time when it is battling on multiple fronts.

  • Nigeria reaffirms commitment to partner collaboration in health sector reform

    Nigeria reaffirms commitment to partner collaboration in health sector reform

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with development partners as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes nationwide.

    Speaking at the 2026 Health Development Partners Retreat, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate emphasized the need for stronger coordination, transparency, and alignment of partner investments with national health priorities. He noted that effective collaboration between government and partners remains critical to advancing Nigeria’s health sector reform agenda.

    According to a statement from the Ministry, deliberations at the retreat focused on practical steps to improve coordination across federal, state, and local government levels, strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, and ensure that partners deliver on commitments under the Health Sector Compact. Participants highlighted the importance of enhancing visibility of investment portfolios and improving communication mechanisms to support accountability and reduce fragmentation in programme implementation.

    Stakeholders underscored the need to reinforce existing coordination platforms under the Sector‑Wide Approach (SWAp), identifying Technical Working Groups and other governance structures as key mechanisms for improving cross‑agency collaboration. Development partners reiterated their commitment to aligning investments, avoiding duplication, and ensuring that new initiatives are implemented in line with the principles of the compact.

    The retreat also examined the implications of evolving fiscal and financing policies across government levels for the implementation of key health initiatives. Opportunities identified included strengthening monitoring systems through dashboards such as the Results Monitoring, Evaluation and Tracking (RMET) platform, advancing a Technical Assistance Pooled Fund, expanding health insurance coverage, and leveraging private sector participation to support service delivery.

    The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge by the Federal Government and development partners to deepen collaboration, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and support Nigeria’s drive toward a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable health system.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Lamido Abubakar Yuguda as CBN Deputy Governor

    BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Lamido Abubakar Yuguda as CBN Deputy Governor

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the nomination of Lamido Abubakar Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The appointment, announced in a statement by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, is subject to Senate confirmation in line with Section 8(1) of the CBN Act, 2007.

    According to the statement, Yuguda’s nomination follows the redeployment of former Deputy Governor Bala Bello, who was recently appointed Special Adviser to the President on Political Economy. The President urged the new appointees to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism, and commitment to Nigeria’s economic stability and growth.

    Yuguda, a seasoned economist and financial expert, last served as Director‑General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 2020 to 2024. He holds a B.Sc. in Accountancy from Ahmadu Bello University (1983) and a Master’s degree in Money, Banking and Finance from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (1991).

    He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Yuguda began his career at the CBN in 1984 as a Senior Supervisor in the Foreign Operations Department. He later worked as an economist in the Africa Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 1997 and 2001, before returning to the CBN, where he rose to become Director of the Reserve Management Department until his retirement in 2016.

    His nomination marks a return to the apex bank, where he is expected to bring decades of experience in fiscal governance, financial regulation, and international economic policy to Nigeria’s monetary leadership.

  • Nigeria Senate confirms Oyedele’s appointment as Minister of State for Finance

    Nigeria Senate confirms Oyedele’s appointment as Minister of State for Finance

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the confirmation after lawmakers cleared the nominee through a voice vote during plenary. Oyedele replaces Doris Uzoka‑Anite in the role.

    Before his appointment, Oyedele chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, where he played a key role in designing Nigeria’s new tax regime. According to a Senate statement, his confirmation followed a screening session in which senators questioned him for more than two hours.

    During the proceedings, Oyedele described his nomination as a call to serve Nigeria at a critical time. “With over two decades of experience working with national governments, multilateral institutions, and global corporations, my journey across the private sector, academia, and public policy has focused on fiscal governance and economic transformation,” the 50‑year‑old told lawmakers.

    He added: “This moment is not about personal accomplishments; it is a call to serve at a time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities. I am deeply honoured to appear before this distinguished chamber today. I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me through this nomination, and I thank the Senate for the opportunity to share my vision.”

    The confirmation marks a significant step in Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal management and economic policy framework.

  • Increased terrorist attacks: We are in control––Defence Minister

    Increased terrorist attacks: We are in control––Defence Minister

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report) — March 11, 2026 —Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, says the country’s military maintains control over insecurity despite renewed terrorist attacks in the North East.

    Musa gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja after a strategic meeting with Service Chiefs to review operational strategies nationwide. He said the meeting assessed the current security situation and strengthened efforts to defeat terrorists and other criminal elements.

    “We had a quick meeting to review our strategy in all theatres. We are aware of the issues, but I assure Nigerians the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to keep the country safe,” he said.

    The minister acknowledged military casualties but stressed terrorists and bandits were suffering heavier losses. “We know we have suffered some casualties, but terrorists and bandits are taking more. We are eliminating their commanders and destroying assets,” he added.

    Musa urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces, warning that tackling insecurity required a whole-of-government and society approach. He cautioned against false information on social media, noting that misinformation could undermine security efforts and troop morale.

    He appealed to media organisations to avoid amplifying terrorist propaganda through videos and materials produced by criminal groups. “When you use their videos and pictures, you give them the opportunity to shine and demoralise our troops,” he said.

    Musa further urged citizens to report suspicious activities, warning that those aiding terrorists would be treated as accomplices. He thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the Armed Forces and congratulated the new Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, assuring him of strong collaboration.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the meeting comes amid a resurgence of attacks in the North East. The military has lost personnel in recent days while eliminating scores of terrorists and their commanders. (NAN).

  • Peter Obi urges women and youth inclusion at REFELA Conference in Gambia

    Peter Obi urges women and youth inclusion at REFELA Conference in Gambia

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — Nigerian politician and 2027 presidential aspirant under the All Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Peter Obi, has called for greater inclusion of women and youth in national development strategies. He made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing participants at the REFELA National Conference in Banjul, The Gambia, themed “Accelerating Representation, Safeguarding, and Strengthening Women’s Rights.”

    Serving as both Guest Speaker and Chief Guest of the occasion, Obi aligned his remarks with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain.” 

    He stressed that the prosperity of nations is directly linked to how seriously they invest in their people, particularly women. “When women are given equal access to education, finance, and leadership opportunities, they become not just participants but critical drivers of national development,” he said.

    In a statement issued Wednesday, Obi emphasised that for countries like Nigeria, The Gambia, and other African nations, sustainable prosperity requires deliberate investment in human capital. He highlighted education, healthcare, skills development, and economic inclusion for women and youth as the foundation for growth.

    Obi, widely recognised as the leader of the Obidient Movement with strong youth support, noted that empowering women, fostering accountability, and prioritising education would enable Africa to transform potential into tangible progress. “This is development as freedom,” he declared, urging governments to embrace inclusive policies that build shared opportunities for all.

  • Nigerian Army launches landmark simulation training workshop, aims for operational excellence

    Nigerian Army launches landmark simulation training workshop, aims for operational excellence

    Abuja, Nigeria (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — The Nigerian Army has commenced its Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria (LFSCN) Training Workshop, themed “Leveraging Joint and Multi-Agency Capabilities to Strengthen Troops’ Adaptability and Resilience during Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations.”

    Declaring the workshop open on March 10, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waheed Shaibu, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to enhancing operational readiness through simulation-based training. He described the initiative as a vital tool for improving adaptability, decision-making, and coordination without the logistical constraints of large-scale field exercises.

    According to a statement by Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Adebowale David Adejimi, the COAS urged participants to fully engage in discussions, share professional experiences, and explore innovative approaches to strengthen operational effectiveness. He emphasised that insights gained from the workshop would significantly improve joint and multi-agency collaboration in tackling contemporary security challenges.

    The event drew senior officers from Army Headquarters departments, commanders from various units and formations, as well as representatives of selected paramilitary agencies. Participants will benefit from lectures delivered by seasoned resource persons, followed by intensive interactive sessions designed to foster cooperation and innovation in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

    The Nigerian Army views simulation training as a cornerstone of modern military preparedness, ensuring troops are equipped to respond effectively to complex and dynamic operational scenarios. By leveraging joint and multi-agency capabilities, the workshop underscores the Army’s determination to achieve excellence in safeguarding national security.