News
Basic Information about Tinubu’s SGF Appointee, George Akume
A former Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
Shortly after four days in office, Tinubu has made several appointments, including the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as his new Chief of Staff and a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, as Deputy Chief of Staff.
Here are things you should know about Mr Akume
George Akume was born on December 27, 1953, and is from Wannune Tarka Council Area of Benue State.
He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan in 1978 and a Master’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations from the same university in 1986.
Akume was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and served as the Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015.
He was also the Governor of Benue State from May 1999 to May 2007 and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army.
Akume was re-elected Senator for Benue North-West in the April 2011 elections, running on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria. He won another term in 2015 but lost to Senator Orke Jev of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019.
In 2019, President Buhari appointed Akume as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
News
Wike begs court to jail striking FCTA Workers
The substantive matter has been adjourned to March 25, 2026.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has asked the National Industrial Court to commit striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to prison for alleged disobedience of a subsisting court order.
The workers resumed their strike despite a January 27 order by Justice
Subilim directing them to suspend industrial action pending determination of a suit filed by the Minister.
To enforce compliance, Wike’s legal team, led by Ogwu Onoja SAN, obtained Form 48 — a “Notice of Consequence of Disobedience of Court Order” — warning the workers they could face contempt proceedings and imprisonment.
The notice, dated January 29, was signed by the Registrar of the Industrial Court, Olajide Balogun.
Justice Subilim had earlier ruled that strikes must halt once disputes are referred to the Industrial Court, citing Section 18(1)(E) of the Trade Disputes Act.
He emphasized that public interest in maintaining industrial peace outweighs any inconvenience caused by suspending strikes.
Despite this, the workers continued their action, arguing they had filed an appeal against the ruling.
Wike’s counsel countered that only an express stay of execution could justify resuming the strike, insisting court orders must be obeyed.
The substantive matter has been adjourned to March 25, 2026.
The strike, which began January 19, has disrupted operations across FCTA Secretariat, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals.
The standoff now sets the stage for possible contempt proceedings, as the Industrial Court weighs enforcement of its authority against the workers’ defiance.
News
Sharia: Indonesian couple caned 140 times for sex and alcohol offences
Under Aceh’s Islamic criminal code, sex outside marriage is punishable by 100 strokes of the cane, while consuming alcohol carries 40 strokes.
•Getty Images : A woman was crying during the public caning in Aceh
A couple in Indonesia has been caned 140 times for having sex outside marriage and drinking alcohol because it violates Sharia, or Islamic religious law.
The 21-year-old woman fainted after three female officers took turns striking her with a rattan cane, while she cried. After she collapsed, she was carried off the stage by female officers to an ambulance.
The couple were caned on Thursday along with four others, including an officer from the Islamic police force, who were all found guilty of violating Sharia.
Caning is a common punishment for breaking Islamic law in religiously conservative Aceh, although the practice has long drawn criticism from rights groups who say it’s cruel.
Under Aceh’s Islamic criminal code, sex outside marriage is punishable by 100 strokes of the cane, while consuming alcohol carries 40 strokes.
News
Edo Gov Okpebholo Reshuffles Cabinet
The Governor said that he is confident the adjustments will enhance coordination, policy implementation, and governance in the State.
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has announced the reshuffling of his cabinet aimed at strengthening governance and efficiency in the state administration.
The changes were confirmed on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor.
The statement reads:
” Vincent Osas Uwadiae has been redeployed from the Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources to the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development as Commissioner.
Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, previously Commissioner for Lands and Housing, is now Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Also, Gani Audu, former Chief of Staff, has been nominated as Commissioner for Oil and Gas Resources, pending confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly.”
The changes take effect from January 30, 2026.
According to the statement, the Governor said he is confident that the adjustments will enhance coordination, policy implementation, and governance in the State.
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