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President Tinubu confers CFR national honour on Bill Gates
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest honours, reserved for individuals who have significantly impacted national development or advanced the country’s standing globally.
From left: Bill Gates and President Tinubu / State House photo.
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on American philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
This was in recognition of his contributions to health, education, and poverty alleviation, particularly in Nigeria and across Africa.
The honour was presented during Gates’ visit to Nigeria, which included meetings with President Tinubu and other officials to discuss reforms in the country’s primary healthcare system.
His itinerary also includes participation in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event and engagements with scientists and stakeholders working to expand AI-driven health solutions
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest honours, reserved for individuals who have significantly impacted national development or advanced the country’s standing globally.
Gates, who is 69, said his ongoing engagement with Africa is both a “moral responsibility and a strategic investment.”
News
FG slams 8-count charges on Adeyemi over fake agency ” I’m not a criminal”, he defends
It was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.
Photo: Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi
The Federal Government has filed an 8-count charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, over the controversy trailing the agency.
Adeyemi, however, fought back claiming that he was given an appointment letter.
Adeyemi, during an appearance on Channels Television claimed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila gave him an appointment letter, insisting that he is not a criminal.
However, it was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.
In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the charges were filed by the Police on November 27, 2025, against Adeyemi and two accomplices at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Onanuga said Adeyemi is expected to appear in court on July 27, 2026.
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NDC calls for Gbajabiamila sack over fake agency scandal
The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) agency involving one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the agency .
In a statement signed on Friday by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party urged President Tinubu to suspend the Chief of Staff to allow for what it described as a transparent and unbiased investigation into the allegations.
The NDC’s demand is sequel to claims made by Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the alleged PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns over transparency and accountability within the current administration. It questioned how the purported agency allegedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and reportedly operated domiciliary, Pounds Sterling and Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite being disowned by the Presidency.
The party also queried claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly approved 314 staff positions for the agency, asking how such approvals could have been granted if the organisation was not officially recognised.
The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.
News
US ends military operations in Nigeria, withdraws 200 soldiers
Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.
Photo: General Dagvin R.M. Anderson
The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin as both countries expanded cooperation against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.
Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja remained active, particularly in intelligence operations targeting the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).
Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.
However, he noted that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.
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