News
Tinubu suspends Rural Electrification Agency executives over corruption scandal, names acting management
President Bola Tinubu has placed the Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad-led executives of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on an indefinite suspension over alleged corruption..
A statement by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday, said Mr Tinubu suspended Mr Ahmad-led management team over a N1.2 billion corruption case.
The presidency said on Thursday that Mr Ahmad was suspended indefinitely alongside, Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, the Executive Director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, Executive Director, Technical Services, and Sa’adatu Balgore, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF), over the N1.2 billion scandal.
Furthermore, President Tinubu has ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent mis-expenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies,” the statement read in part.
New management team
In the place of the suspended executives, President Tinubu appointed a new acting management team headed by Abba Aliyu as the Managing Director/CEO of the agency.
The rest of the new acting executive officers are: yoade Gboyega, Executive Director, Corporate Services; Umar Abdullahi Umar, Executive Director, Technical Services; Doris Uboh, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF); and Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.
Read the presidency’s statement in full here.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU SUSPENDS RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY MANAGING DIRECTOR AND TEAM FROM OFFICE
In the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, alongside three Executive Directors of the Agency, from office:
(1) Olaniyi Alaba Netufo — Executive Director, Corporate Services
(2) Barka Sajou — Executive Director, Technical Services
(3) Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF)
Furthermore, President Tinubu has ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent misexpenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.
By the directive of the President, the following qualified Nigerians are appointed to serve in the new management team of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in acting capacity with immediate effect:
(1) Abba Abubakar Aliyu — Managing Director/CEO
(2) Ayoade Gboyega — Executive Director, Corporate Services
(3) Umar Abdullahi Umar — Executive Director, Technical Services
(4) Doris Uboh — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF)
(5) Olufemi Akinyelure — Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project
President Bola Tinubu expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties and reiterates his determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals who are entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 7, 2024
A final-year student at Government Day Secondary School, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Miss Praise Malachi, tragically lost her life to flooding while rushing home to check her SSCE results, which a friend had told her were excellent.
The 16-year-old had earned a scholarship from the Centre for Girls Education, Zaria, in recognition of her outstanding academic performance.
Her father, Emmanuel Malachi, recounted that around 6:00 pm after heavy rain, Praise’s friends informed her at his shop about her results. Excited, she hurried home to check them on her phone but slipped while crossing a small river formed by severe erosion and was swept away by the floodwaters. Her body was recovered the next day in Hunkuyi, Kudan Local Government Area.
Neighbors Danladi Mudi and Emma Yashi explained that the area’s worsening erosion has made it highly prone to flooding, with several children having lost their lives in similar incidents before.
Habiba Mohammed, Director of the Centre for Girls Education, described Praise as an exceptional student and expressed deep sorrow over her death. She urged authorities to address the erosion problem and build a bridge on the dangerous road to prevent further tragedies.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has instructed its field offices along the River Niger to enhance flood preparedness in response to rising water levels upstream in the Republic of Benin.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, urged residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert and begin relocating to safer, elevated areas.
Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states were identified as high-risk zones. She also called on state governments to strengthen their emergency response agencies and activate contingency plans.
News
NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation
Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.
The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”
The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.
The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.
“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”
The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.
“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.
Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.
Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.
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