NIGERIA NEWS
Procedure and Personalities Power Game at Senate’s Ambassadorial Screening Drama – THISDAYLIVE
The screening of ambassadorial nominees is ordinarily a ritual steeped in routine, an institutional checkpoint where credentials are verified, regional balances observed and the broad outlines of Nigeria’s foreign policy ambitions quietly affirmed. But last week’s proceedings before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs ruptured that calm, exposing the deeper political undercurrents shaping the Bola Tinubu administration’s diplomatic reset. Sunday Aborisade reports.
What unfolded in one of the Committee rooms of the National Assembly last week was not merely a procedural disagreement; it was a vivid illustration of how personality, power, precedent and partisanship intersect in the confirmation of those who will represent Nigeria abroad.
At the centre of the storm was Reno Omokri, a high-profile non-career ambassadorial nominee whose screening triggered a heated exchange between two senior lawmakers, Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume.
Their confrontation, played out in raised voices and sharp procedural arguments, momentarily hijacked the session and drew national attention to what is often a perfunctory exercise.
A day earlier, another incident, this time involving a career diplomat who could not name all three senators from his home state, had already placed the competence and preparedness of nominees under a harsh spotlight.
Together, these episodes transformed the screenings into a broader conversation about standards, symbolism and the Senate’s constitutional role in shaping Nigeria’s external face.
Beyond the drama, the ambassadorial screening exercise reflects a moment of transition in Nigeria’s foreign service. President Tinubu’s submission of 65 nominees, 34 career and 31 non-career, signals an intention to recalibrate diplomatic missions after months of vacancies and acting appointments.
The list blends seasoned diplomats with political heavyweights, former governors, retired service chiefs and presidential allies, underscoring the dual character of Nigeria’s ambassadorial system: professional diplomacy on one hand and political representation on the other.
It was within this context that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Mohammed Bello, a former governor of Niger State, commenced a staggered screening process.
The approach, grouping nominees and, where applicable, allowing former legislators and senior public office holders to take a bow and go, followed long-standing parliamentary convention. Yet, as events would show, convention itself can quickly become contested terrain when personalities collide and political stakes rise.
The flashpoint came during the screening of a mixed group of nominees that included four career diplomats and Omokri, a non-career nominee and widely known public commentator.
Senator Ndume, representing Borno South, moved a motion that the group be allowed to take a bow and leave, arguing that the career diplomats were already familiar to the committee and that Omokri’s public profile made further questioning unnecessary. Before the motion could be formally seconded, other senators indicated interest in speaking, prompting the chairman to recognise additional interventions.
What might have remained a minor procedural detour escalated sharply when Senator Oshiomhole was recognised to speak while Ndume insisted that no debate could proceed until his motion had been duly seconded.
Oshiomhole rejected that position, insisting that recognition by the chairman conferred the right to address the committee. The disagreement quickly degenerated into a shouting match, halting proceedings for nearly 20 minutes and forcing the chairman to repeatedly appeal for order.
At stake was not only the fate of a single motion but the authority of the chair, the interpretation of Senate rules and, implicitly, the influence individual senators wield within committee deliberations.
When calm was partially restored, Oshiomhole used his contribution to mount a spirited defence of Omokri, portraying him as a pragmatist capable of growth and national loyalty despite past criticisms of President Tinubu and the ruling party. He argued that the President’s willingness to nominate former critics demonstrated political maturity and inclusiveness, qualities he said deserved commendation rather than suspicion.
Ndume, however, maintained that the absence of any formal petition against Omokri rendered prolonged debate unnecessary.
His insistence on procedure, that a motion not seconded was dead, stood in contrast to Oshiomhole’s emphasis on discretion and political judgment. The exchange laid bare differing philosophies of legislative oversight: one rooted strictly in rules, the other in political context.
For many observers, the clash was emblematic of the Nigerian Senate itself, a chamber where procedure often masks deeper struggles over influence. Both Oshiomhole and Ndume are seasoned politicians with reputations for independence and strong personal convictions. Their confrontation, some lawmakers privately admitted, was less about the nominee in question than about who sets the tone and pace of deliberations within powerful committees.
While the episode raised concerns about decorum and efficiency, others argued that it represented democracy in action, however untidy. Parliamentary scrutiny, they noted, is rarely a sterile exercise, especially when nominees carry significant political baggage or symbolism.
If Thursday’s confrontation highlighted political tension, Wednesday’s screening underscored anxieties about competence. Emmanuel Adeyemi, a career diplomat from Ekiti State with impressive academic credentials and foreign postings, stumbled when asked to name all three senators representing his state. After correctly mentioning Senate Leader OpeyemiBamidele and Senator YemiAdaramodu, he faltered, unable to recall Senator Cyril Fasuyi. The situation worsened when a member of his delegation was seen hurriedly searching online for the missing name.
The lapse drew sharp rebukes from committee members. Senator AsuquoEkpenyong described the incident as symptomatic of a deeper malaise, warning that Nigeria’s international image could ill afford such moments of unpreparedness. Senators Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson echoed the concern, stressing that attention to detail and political awareness were essential attributes for diplomats expected to project the country’s interests abroad. Though pleas were made for leniency, the damage had been done.
The incident exposed a paradox within the screening process. Career diplomats are presumed to possess technical expertise and institutional knowledge, yet their insulation from domestic political realities can become a liability in a system where ambassadors are also expected to navigate Nigeria’s internal political landscape with confidence.
Underlying both episodes is the enduring debate over the balance between career and non-career ambassadors. Advocates of professional diplomacy argue that training, protocol mastery and continuity are indispensable in a complex global environment.
Supporters of political appointments counter that envoys must also be trusted representatives of the President, capable of advancing political and economic interests with authority and access.
President Tinubu’s nominee list reflects an attempt to blend both approaches.
Alongside experienced diplomats such as Sulu Gambari and Maimuna Ibrahim are political figures including former governors IfeanyiUgwuanyi and Victor Ikpeazu, retired military chiefs Abdulrahman Dambazzau and Ibok-EteIbas, and outspoken political actors like Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri.
The Senate’s task, therefore, extends beyond individual vetting to ensuring that the overall composition of the diplomatic corps aligns with Nigeria’s strategic priorities.
The frequent resort to the “take a bow and go” convention also came under renewed scrutiny. While the practice is designed to expedite proceedings for former lawmakers and senior officials already known to the Senate, critics argue that it risks weakening accountability. In an era of heightened public scrutiny, even symbolic questioning, they contend, reassures citizens that no nominee is above examination.
Senate Leader, OpeyemiBamidele defended the convention, noting that many nominees had previously served in the National Assembly and were well known to their colleagues. Yet the Omokri episode demonstrated that familiarity does not always translate into consensus or calm.
Beyond the theatrics, the screenings are a prelude to a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions. Years of underfunding, prolonged vacancies and shifting geopolitical realities have weakened the country’s presence abroad.
The Tinubu administration has signalled its intention to reinvigorate diplomacy as a tool for economic recovery, security cooperation and diaspora engagement. The quality, credibility and cohesion of Nigeria’s ambassadors will be central to that ambition.
In the end, the uproar in the Senate chamber was uncomfortable, at times unedifying, but ultimately revealing. It exposed the tensions inherent in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, between procedure and politics, expertise and loyalty, efficiency and debate.
For a public often shielded from the inner workings of legislative oversight, the spectacle offered a rare glimpse into how decisions shaping Nigeria’s global representation are contested and concluded.
As the Senate moves to wrap up the confirmation process, the challenge will be to rise above personality clashes and focus squarely on substance. Nigeria’s ambassadors will soon carry the nation’s flag abroad; the process that produced them must, despite its imperfections, reflect the seriousness and responsibility of that task.
The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to urgently investigate rumours circulating on social media about the collapse and, in some cases, the death of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The upper chamber also asked the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to work with the NSA to uncover the people responsible for spreading the false reports.
The resolution followed a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam of Benue North West under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders.
Zam expressed concern over the rumours, which had been circulating online for more than 48 hours, and described them as dangerous and unacceptable.
He said that the Senate President, as Nigeria’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such misinformation.
Zam condemned claims that Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London. He called the reports fake, irresponsible, and misleading.
Zam urged security agencies to identify those behind the false claims and ensure they face legal consequences.
He also noted that similar rumours had recently targeted former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, highlighting a growing trend of misinformation aimed at national leaders.
Responding to the motion, Senate President Akpabio acknowledged the challenges of controlling social media narratives. He said people cannot be prevented from publishing what he described as “garbage in, garbage out.”
He asked the Senate members whether the matter should be formally referred to the NSA and DSS for investigation.
The proposal was put to a voice vote and unanimously adopted. The NSA and DSS are now mandated to investigate the source, intent, and spread of the rumours.
By Adeola Badru
Apprehension gripped residents along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway in Oluyole Local Government Area, Oyo State, yesterday after a powerful blast from Eminent Quarry sent shockwaves through homes and businesses.
The explosion, which occurred at around 7:50 pm, caused buildings to shake violently and sparked widespread panic, with residents fearing for their lives and demanding immediate action from authorities.
Communities affected include Orisunmibare, Ekefa, Ajayi, areas surrounding Aramed Hospital, and several corporate establishments near the quarry site.
Eyewitnesses reported that the sudden blast threw the entire area into chaos, with residents running into the streets in fear.
“Our buildings shook as if an earthquake had struck. Many of us ran out of our houses in fear, thinking Nigeria was under a terrorist attack,” said a resident of the Orisunmibare community.
Another resident criticised the timing of the blast, which occurred late in the evening in a densely populated area.
“This is not just noise pollution; it is a direct threat to human life. Children, the elderly, and patients at Aramed Hospital—everyone was terrified,” they added.
Community leaders, however, described the quarry’s operations as wholly incompatible with human habitation, alleging that the company has continued blasting activities without proper regulation, community consultation, or adherence to safety standards.
Medical personnel in the area also expressed concern over panic-induced health complications, particularly among patients with heart conditions, hypertension, or anxiety disorders.
Residents and community leaders are now calling on regulatory and security authorities, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Ministry of Solid Minerals, emergency management agencies, and law enforcement, to urgently investigate Eminent Quarry’s operations, assess compliance with safety and environmental laws, and suspend further blasting until a thorough inquiry is conducted.
“We are not opposed to legitimate business,” a community spokesperson said, “but no company has the right to operate in a manner that turns peaceful communities into war zones.”
Residents warned that continued silence or inaction by authorities could escalate tensions, emphasising that their demand is simple, as they called for safety, accountability, and respect for human lives.
As of press time, Eminent Quarry had not issued a public statement regarding the incident, as the communities insisted that the matter cannot be treated as routine and are urging the Oyo State Government and relevant federal agencies to act decisively to prevent what they fear could become a tragic and avoidable disaster.
They said the quarry, located beside Aramed Hospital along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, has been carrying out highly unregulated blasting activities.
“The latest evening blast caused widespread panic, with residents fearing a warlike situation, highlighting urgent concerns over safety, regulation, and the wellbeing of neighbouring communities,” the residents said.
The post Apprehension grips residents as quarry blast rocks houses in Ibadan appeared first on Vanguard News.
Ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election in Osun state, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has assured of unity among members of the party in the State, just as he affirmed members’ support for the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji.
Dr Oyetola, who is also the Leader of the APC in Osun State, gave the assurance when the Chairman of the APC 2026 Osun State Governorship Primary Committee and Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo and his Ondo state counterpart, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa paid him a courtesy visit at his Ileri Oluwa Office in Oshogbo.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Oyetola emphasised that the APC in Osun State is more cohesive than ever, describing the party as a united family working with a shared purpose to reclaim the state from what he termed the bad governance of the present inept administration in the state.
ALSO READ: 2027: PDP rallies ex-governors, ministers for strength
“The APC in Osun State is fully united and solidly behind our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji,” the Minister said. “Our collective resolve is to rescue Osun State and return it to the path of purposeful, people-oriented governance.”
Dr Oyetola attributed the current strength and unity of the party to sustained leadership and strategic engagement across the state.
He noted that under his leadership as party leader, the APC in Osun has witnessed transformational growth, attracting hundreds of thousands of new members from other political parties. According to him, this wave of defections includes prominent political figures and serving federal lawmakers who have aligned with the APC’s vision for Osun State.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji to provide effective leadership and deliver good governance to the people of the state, stressing that the party’s choice of candidate reflects its commitment to competence, integrity and development-driven leadership.
Dr Oyetola also commended the APC national leadership for constituting a credible and experienced governorship primary committee, describing the visit by Governor Okpebholo, Governor Aiyedatiwa and other committee members as a demonstration of the party’s seriousness and internal democracy.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has called on the people of the state to see the New Abia Project as their collective responsibility, charging them to rise and build a homeland that shall be the pride of their race.
Otti said this at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, where he officially unveiled and signed into law the 25-year development plan with assurances of its sustainability over the period of the plan (Abia State 25-Year Development Plan 2025-2050).
Otti told the citizens that all that is required of all Abia people is to believe and do their part as empowered citizens and work collectively to achieve the dream that they all hold.
He said that a society that seeks progress must wholly commit itself to the discipline of planning, the culture of goal setting and the systematic allocation of resources in ways that guide the economy along predetermined trajectories.
Otti, however, said that the 2025-year development plan is not to cast Abia in the light of an imaginary El Dorado by 2050 but to present a holistic development framework upon which the government’s policy direction and resource allocation outlook would be evaluated.
He further explained that the 25-Year Abia State Development Plan is a dynamic document that captures Abia’s resource advantages as a state, its current position on the development ladder and where it hopes to be in the next 25 years.
The governor told the people that having a development plan is not a license to daydream, as there are many challenges ahead, but stressed that all the pitfalls have been carefully noted and are in line with the government’s determination to achieve the priority targets as captured in the plan.
He said that the legislative framework to instil discipline in execution is in place, as well as the ability to realistically anticipate bumps and outline mitigation measures.
“We have anchored our aspirations on a firm legislative foundation through the State House of Assembly, so what we unveil is more than a proposal; it is a binding law that this administration and the ones to succeed it are obliged to follow over the next two and a half decades.
“Beyond the legislative imprimatur which makes the outlook in the Plan difficult to sidestep in pursuit of some fanciful but unconnected projects and programmes, this document represents the collective aspirations of every segment of our community, every demographic and every socio-economic interest.
“It has also made conscious accommodation for the needs of future generations. It then follows that whoever wishes to make changes to the Plan would have to return to the people and convince them of the rationale for pressing to sail in a different direction.
“The uniqueness of the document before us is in the fact that it is not the ideas of a few eggheads but the expectations of the entire Abia community going into the future.”
According to him, starting from the 2026 fiscal year, Abia’s annual budgets, project mapping and implementation plan would draw extensively from the broad outlines set out in the Development Plan.
He said that the document would provide the basis for evaluating Abia’s progress and identifying gaps on critical measurement parameters, as the document has outlined specific milestones on central indices like education, healthcare delivery, general infrastructure layout, public transportation, housing, water and sanitation, environment and other bodies of indicators that are relevant to our targets.
Otti said that “the enabling law guiding the implementation of this plan has mandated that a holistic review be undertaken at the end of every five years, so by 2030, we shall gather again to evaluate the progress that has been made, identify where we have fallen short and then make projections into the future, leaning into what may have been learnt.”
He added that while it is given that a review will be undertaken at the end of every five years, provisions have also been made for the government to respond quickly and recalibrate expectations in the event of any major socioeconomic upheavals that are proven to disrupt projections or shatter the underlying assumptions of this plan.
“We do not pray for disruptions, but should there be any untoward development locally or globally over the implementation period, let it be known that we have also set modalities in place to reassess our priorities.”
Otti recalled that a few weeks ago during the presentation of the 2026 appropriation bill, he announced that Abia’s target in the next fiscal year is to reach for self-sufficiency in the implementation of its recurrent expenditure.
He stressed that the idea is to raise the state’s capacity for internal revenue generation such that it shall use what it raises from within to keep the government and its institutions running, pay salaries and meet its obligations to retirees.
“With the latitude provided by projected higher internal revenue, we shall then commit 100% of the receipts from external sources to the execution of capital projects.
“The calculation is that as we deliver more impactful infrastructure projects, we further boost the productivity of our factor assets, leading to higher public sector income from within.
“With the ongoing efforts at streamlining the revenue generation system using bespoke technology tools, the transformation of the public transport system and the expansion of the urban corridor to adequately harness our real estate potential, I can optimistically forecast that in the next decade, we shall become less and less reliant on income from external sources.’
Governor Otti also acknowledged the existence of a 30-year development plan launched by the previous government in 2020 but stressed that unfortunately, the local and international fundamentals have drastically changed, requiring that a new and more realistic plan be put in place.
He said that the new plan, which was mapped out after a thorough study of the old one, will help reposition Abia and enable it to mine the new wave of opportunities that have developed in the larger macroeconomic space on account of landmark legislation, constitutional changes and executive decisions of the new federal and state administrations.
Speaking further on the old plan, Otti said that beyond the notable external events, the speed of progress recorded on multiple economic frontlines in the state over the last 30 months has also necessitated some key changes in the original plan.
He added that many of the principal assumptions in the 2020 plan have since become obsolete, making it necessary to recalibrate and recast the foundational pillars for a more resilient economic superstructure.
Otti, who said a word of appreciation to the state’s partners from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for their professional insights and committed support to improved governance architecture, which is at the heart of the document, acknowledged them for their guidance in reviewing the original plan put together by his predecessors.
He thanked them for injecting fresh ideas that align with his governance vision as captured in his manifesto, the Transition Council documents, appropriation documents and general policy framework of the State Government.
“Thank you for scouring through thousands of documents in the effort to produce a plan that would stand the test of time. As you may be aware, putting a brilliant plan together, as you have done, is only the beginning of the journey.”
Otti said that to better appreciate the rationale for putting in so much work on a 25-year development plan, an observant person could have taken note of the body of partners joining Abia for the presentation of the plan.
“You would observe in an instance that we now enjoy a great amount of goodwill from leading players in the regional and multinational development space.
“The confidence of global institutions in Abia is rising, and you would agree with me that the attention of development partners in any community raises public expectations and demands the adoption of significantly bolder initiatives to signpost the beginning of a new era.
“This event ultimately speaks to three things: the first is the readiness of Abia to mine the gains of the new opportunities in the macroeconomic space; the second is the codification of our development vision into a holistic framework to form the foundation of future prosperity; and the third is to announce the emergence of Abia as a major development frontier in this region and beyond.”
The Governor thanked members of the State’s Economic Management Team and equally commended the leadership and members of the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council (AGEAC) for providing important directions.
“We owe the co-chairs of AGEAC, Prof. Arunma Oteh, Emir Muhammed Sanusi, Mr Bolaji Balogun and Mrs Ifueko Omogui Okauru, and other members a debt of infinite gratitude for their tireless commitment to the New Abia project,” Otti said.
Otti said he is glad to acknowledge the multidimensional contributions of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) to the successful completion of the 25-year development plan.
Please follow and like us:
Former President Mohammadu Buhari was not supportive of Osinbajo’s presidential ambition in 2023 because Tinubu was in the contest, according to a new book.
The revelation is contained in “From Soldier to Statesman: The legacy of Muhammad Buhari”, written by Dr Charles Omole.
According to Omole, Buhari found it strange that Osinbajo could contest against Tinubu in that manner.
Omole quoted Buhari as saying, “I don’t know Osinbajo from anywhere, I met him only through Tinubu”.
He wrote that Tinubu’s selection was perceived as a reward for his role as a political godfather and financier of the All Progressives Congress.
According to Omole, there was an anti-Tinubu consensus among the cabal, but “ironically, Buhari’s strict enforcement of the rules may have indirectly aided Tinubu, as Buhari’s fastidiousness repeatedly thwarted the cabal’s plans to impose another candidate.”
He wrote, “Sources also said that Buhari was not impressed that Osinbajo did not ‘consult’ him or seek his advice. Instead, Osinbajo simply ‘informed’ him.
“The president was quoted as having wondered how his Vice President could go against his benefactor in such an open way.”
Omole added that A’isha Buhari’s support for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 election attracted the ore of powerful cabal under Buhari, but he said the First Lady was unperturbed.
He added, “Aisha Buhari’s enthusiastic support for Tinubu’s candidacy challenged the powerful cabal. However, she remained unconcerned. Seeing her exuberance, Tinubu visited Aisha and asked for her assistance in organising the women’s campaign with his wife, Sen. Remi Tinubu. She agreed, and the APC Women’s Campaign Council was established.”
On Consensus Omole said, “There was an anti-Tinubu consensus among the cabal. Ironically, Buhari’s strict enforcement of the rules may have indirectly aided Tinubu, as Buhari’s fastidiousness repeatedly thwarted the cabal’s plans to impose another candidate. His insistence on a free and fair process indirectly benefited Tinubu.
“The cabal aimed to impose a candidate at the APC primary, a plan that was halted by Buhari himself.”
Related
Four people are currently receiving medical care after a plane accident occurred in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
The affected aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, was involved in an incident that caused it to somersault at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.
Providing confirmation of the incident on Tuesday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) revealed that the aircraft, registered as 5N-ASR, had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before the flight crew declared an emergency midair and redirected the plane to Owerri.
Details of the incident were made public in a statement signed by the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.
The bureau stated that all four occupants were on board at the time of the accident and that no loss of life was recorded.
“Airport emergency response services were immediately activated and arrived at the scene promptly.
“Officials confirmed that there was no post-crash fire, and flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as the runway remained active with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident,” Oladeji said.
She added that arrangements were underway to retrieve and relocate the damaged aircraft from the crash site to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the wreckage.
In a related development, the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., confirmed that the agency had initiated its investigative processes in line with its mandate.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are relieved that no fatalities have been reported so far. The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the site,” he said.
Captain Badeh Jr. further stated that more updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device on Sunday morning at a military checkpoint in Pulka town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and residents.
The explosion, which occurred as troops were manning the checkpoint, has stirred fresh concerns about the lingering threat posed by extremist groups in the region.
According to a security source who spoke with Daily Trust, the attacker was a suspected member of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) who had been hiding in the Mandara Mountains.
The source said, “Some people revealed that he passed the night close to the military checkpoint, planning the heinous act.
“In the morning, when the road was opened for passersby, he pretended to be one of them and detonated the bomb in their midst. Five soldiers lost their lives instantly.”
Another resident said Sunday’s blast was the first suicide attack recorded in the area in over a year, adding that the incident underscored the need for a fresh security approach.
“For over a year now, this is the only suicide attack that has been recorded here, and it calls for a new approach by security operatives to avert a recurrence,” he said.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of previous suicide bombings in Gwoza and other parts of Borno State.
On June 30, 2024, two female suicide bombers detonated explosives during a wedding ceremony in Gwoza town, killing 18 celebrants, including children and a pregnant woman.
Similarly, on June 21, 2025, at least 11 civilians were killed and several others injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at a viewing centre in Konduga Local Government Area.
NIGERIA NEWS
“I Thought They Wanted to Give Us Something” – Corps Members Sent Away from PPA Without Warning
- A female NYSC corps member has sparked online debate after revealing that she and several colleagues were abruptly dismissed from their Primary Place of Assignment.
- Expecting a possible end-of-year gesture, the corps members were instead told to submit their PPA letters, which were marked “rejected” and stamped, raising questions about whether such actions comply with NYSC regulations.
A female corps member has taken to social media to express shock after she and several colleagues were suddenly dismissed from their Primary Place of Assignment (PPA).
The lady, identified on X as @barokahoyin, revealed that the organization asked them to report to the office with their PPA letters. Expecting a festive gesture, she was stunned when they were all rejected instead.
“I Thought They Wanted to Give Us Something”
Recounting the confusing experience, she wrote:
“They actually just sacked all of us in my ppa, I didn’t know corp members usually get sacked. I hope we remain sacked till January ending tho. They asked us to come with our ppa letter this morning, I was thinking maybe they wanted to give us something for December oh, only for them to write rejected on all of our letters, and stamped it,”.
The sudden mass “rejection” has sparked a debate online, with many questioning if such a move aligns with NYSC regulations, while others shared similar stories of unexpected dismissals during their service year.
In other news…. Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has revealed plans to take legal action against Pastor Chris Okafor, alleging that he broke a promise to marry her and instead wed another woman.
Ogala shared her claims during a live interview with media personality Daddy Freeze, where she discussed her past relationship with the pastor and the circumstances that led to their separation.
The actress explained that her decision to pursue legal action stems from the promise of marriage she says Pastor Okafor made to her.
During the interview, she also addressed questions about her conduct while married to her former husband. Ogala admitted to having a phone-based relationship with Pastor Okafor at that time, describing it as a mistake she regrets. She clarified that their interactions did not involve any physical contact.
When asked if she could substantiate her claims, Ogala stated that she possesses chat logs, screen recordings, and a video showing the date and phone number of the recipient.
Daddy Freeze cautioned her against publicly sharing these materials, noting that doing so could breach privacy laws.
Ogala, however, remained firm, saying she had instructed her lawyer to pursue the case. She maintained that Pastor Okafor’s decision to marry another woman after allegedly promising to wed her provided sufficient grounds for legal action and that she is ready to present her evidence in court.
As of the time of reporting, Pastor Chris Okafor had not issued a public response to Ogala’s allegations.
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has clarified that he will not engage in public disputes with Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Refinery, over recent allegations.
In a statement issued Wednesday through NMDPRA X account, Ahmed dismissed reports claiming he had responded to Dangote’s claims, saying the purported statement “did not emanate from me.”
“My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me,” Ahmed said.
Acknowledging the allegations and the public attention they have generated, he explained that he deliberately chose not to engage in public exchanges, citing the sensitive nature of his role as a regulator.
Ahmed noted that Dangote has submitted the matter to a formal investigative body, expressing confidence that due process will objectively examine the issues and clear his name.
“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat.
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Dangote had approached the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over claims that Ahmed spent $5 million on his children’s tuition.
The ICPC confirmed receipt of the petition on Tuesday.
All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, has accused the Senator representing Abia South senatorial district, Enyinnaya Abaribe, of sponsoring attacks in the South East.
Naija News reports that Igbokwe, in a post via his Facebook page, called Abaribe a bandit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an ethnic bigot and a sponsor of evil.
According to Igbokwe, Abaribe has been one of the supporters of the butchers of the South East for nearly 15 years and has been silent about the killings in the South East.
He further threatened that Abaribe will not return to the Senate in 2027.
He wrote, “Please do not waste your precious gift of time on this IPOB bandit, ethnic bigot and sponsor of evil in the SE called Senator Abaribe. He is IPOB, UGM, ESN and BDF sponsor and father. He has been one of the supporters of the butchers of South East for nearly 15 years. Our people were slaughtered like goats and he kept quiet. Many towns and villages were sacked for years and Abaribe maintained a grave silence.
“He is positioning himself to return to the Senate in 2027. Not anymore. This is your last chance in the Senate after this dispensation. Just take mental notice of this. You cannot continue to go to the Senate matching on the blood of our people. The blood of the hundreds of our people killed will fight you to the end.”