News
Fubara Swears In Commissioner, Declares Oko-Jumbo-Led Assembly Legitimate
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara who was screened and confirmed as a commissioner by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led assembly earlier on Monday.
The swearing ceremony was held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt at about 5 pm.Giving his charge after the oath-taking ceremony, Governor Fubara defended his recognition of the Oko-Jumbo-led assembly, insisting that it is the lawfully recognised legislative arm.
Governor Fubara, however, expressed his disappointment with the police for not doing enough to unravel the facts about the bomb explosion in Port Harcourt some weeks ago.
He claimed that the relevant authorities were silent because the suspects in the attack were not his supporters.
“I’ve not been hearing anything and I’m wondering, after how many weeks now, the Nigeria police are still not able to come out and make a statement about the attempt by someone – who I don’t know what his name is – tried to detonate dynamite in front of Hotel Presidential,” Fubara said.
“I’m still wondering why it doesn’t happen. But if it’s maybe any other thing that has to do with us, they will say they should even charge the person for terrorism.
”The Rivers State governor recalled how his supporters were arrested and charged with terrorism for crimes they did not commit.
But Fubara said he will continue to rely on God’s grace and protection to govern the state.
He immediately assigned the new commissioner to the Ministry of Finance.He said he had been searching for a diligent person to man the sensitive office.
According to Governor Fubara, though the new commissioner is not an accountant, he had observed him to be dutiful and diligent since they met during his campaign for the governorship election in 2023.
Earlier, the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers gave Governor Fubara seven days to re-present the state’s budget for the year.
They gave the order in their sitting on Monday, the first in several months. Fubara had presented the budget to lawmakers loyal to him when his current Chief of Staff Edison Ehie presided as the Speaker.
While that budget was passed and signed into law, the Amaewhule-led lawmakers want a re-presentation, adding another twist to the unending crisis in the oil-rich state.
The move came in the wake of a court verdict that nullified the expulsion of Amaewhule and 24 others from the state assembly by the Rivers State High Court.
News
Homicide: Killer husband on the run for alleged murder of wife
Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Tragedy struck at number 21 Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, mainland Lagos.
A mother of three simply identified as Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Eye-witness neighbours who confirmed the incident said that her body has since been deposited at a mortuary after she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Olowoora area of the community.
Following the incident, the alledged killer husband has fled, leaving the survived three children with the dead wife’s elder brother at Akute.
The case was reported to Adigboluja Police station Ojodu-Abiodun.
News
Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day on January 15
The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.
Previously known as ‘Armed Forces Remembrance Day‘, the name has been officially changed to ‘Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.’
The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.
“January 15 is set aside annually by the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the living personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) while acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have paid the supreme price to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity as well as the lives and properties of its citizens.
He urged the media to adopt “Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day” in all their future reportage.
“The AFN once again appreciates the media’s unwavering support in the fight against insecurity and looks forward to even stronger collaboration ahead, he said.
News
Farouk Ahmed: Dangote Takes Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss to EFCC
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
- • Aliko Dangote and Farouk Ahmed when the going was good.
The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This move follows the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned along with sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624)337.”
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, “…to investigate the complaint of Abuse of Office and Corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting”
The petition also stated that: “The commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies”
The development reinforces Dangote’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
It will be recalled that on December 14, 2025, Dangote raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, alleging that the former regulator is living far beyond his legitimate means.
According to Dangote, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended elite secondary schools in Switzerland, incurring costs running into several millions of dollars—an expenditure that raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum industry.
Dangote listed the schools attended by Mr. Ahmed’s children: Faisal Farouk (Montreux School), Farouk Jr. (Aiglon College), Ashraf Farouk (Institut Le Rosey), and Farhana Farouk (La Garenne International School), noting that each child spent six years in these institutions.
He estimated annual tuition, travel, and upkeep per child at $200,000, totaling approximately $5 million for their secondary education.
Additionally, Dangote alleged that Mr. Ahmed spent another $2 million on tertiary education for the four children, including $210,000 for Faisal’s 2025 Harvard MBA program.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as ₦10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.
The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.
-
Health2 days agoWHO Names Nigeria’s Professor Martins Emeje Co-Chair of Traditional Medicine Advisory Group
-
Sports2 days agoFenerbahçe wants to buy Ademola Lookman from Atlanta for €42m
-
Crime3 days agoNigerian Troops Neutralise Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Weapons in Plateau State Raid
-
Politics2 days ago2027: LP’s Baba-Ahmed declares presidential ambition
-
News3 days ago141 million Nigerian households to live in poverty this year – Report
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Family Mourn the Loss of Twin Son Nkanu Nnamdi
-
Business2 days agoPRovoke Media 2025 Influence 100: Dangote ‘s Anthony Chiejina Ranks Among Most Powerful Global Communications Leaders
-
News3 days agoNiMet Forecasts Three Days of Haze and Sunshine Across Nigeria
