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Killings: Tinubu Orders Overhaul Of Nigeria’s Security Architecture

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed a total revamp of Nigeria’s security architecture following a series of deadly attacks in Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara States.

The directive was issued on Wednesday during a high-level meeting with the nation’s security chiefs at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu expressed grave concern over the unrelenting violence across the country.

The announcement came through a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In it, Tinubu was quoted as saying, “Enough is enough,” in condemnation of the brutal killings of innocent citizens.

Following the meeting, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu briefed State House correspondents, revealing that the President had instructed a fresh and aggressive approach to the country’s insecurity.

“Mr President gave us the chance to come and brief him again. It lasted very long. We gave him an update on what was going on,” Ribadu stated.

He emphasized that even while Tinubu was away on official visits to Paris and London, he remained actively engaged, giving constant directives to security agencies.

“Today, we had the opportunity to come and brief him again, and it lasted hours. It was a very detailed briefing, and it was exhaustive.

We listened, and we took instructions from him. He gave us new directives. The fact is that Mr President is insisting that we work harder to restore security in the country,” Ribadu explained.

The NSA added that the security team had been to areas affected by recent violence, following a direct order from the President.

“We gave him information on what has been happening and assured him of our commitment.

“We had carried out his instructions. We went to places with incidences of insecurity, such as Plateau, Benue, and Borno States.
We went to those particular three states. We gave him feedback because he had directed us earlier to go and meet with the political authorities there,” he said.

According to Ribadu, President Tinubu stressed the need to involve local governments and community leaders in addressing the security situation more effectively.

“The issue of insecurity often is not just at the higher levels. It involves the subunits. They are the ones who are directly with the people, especially when some of the challenges border on community problems.”

“We need to work with the communities. We need to work with the local governments, and we need to work with the governors.
The President directed that we work more with governors,” Ribadu explained.

He concluded by noting Tinubu’s deep concern and resolve “he said, ‘Enough is enough’. We are working to ensure that we restore peace and security. We were all at the meeting with the President, armed forces, police, and intelligence community.”

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Wike Applauds Okowa, Oborevwori For Joining APC, Supporting Tinubu

Ifeanyi Okowa, 

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong approval of the recent defection of former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing it as a bold endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

The commendation came through a statement issued on Wednesday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, in Abuja.

Dr. Okowa, who was the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general election, officially switched allegiance to the APC alongside Governor Oborevwori and several PDP leaders in Delta State—effectively dismantling the PDP’s political structure in the state.

Describing the move as a clear show of confidence in President Tinubu’s governance, Wike said the defection underscores the growing recognition of the President’s dedication to national development.

“I commend Okowa and Gov. Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision, which must have been informed by good governance and commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the oneness and development of Nigeria,” the minister stated.

Wike urged more Nigerians to take a definitive stance and join in supporting Tinubu’s administration, rather than remaining undecided or disengaged.

“That is what I have always told people to come out and say, not to be running up and down when they have problems.

They have come out at the right time to show support for Mr President so that the people of Niger Delta can benefit more from the government, and I commend them for it,” Wike said.

He further noted that Okowa’s public declaration of support for Tinubu vindicates his own decision to back the President in the lead-up to the 2023 elections.

According to Wike, “Okowa’s open endorsement of Tinubu is a vindication of the position I took in 2023, which was based on the interest of a united Nigeria.

“I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election, others are now seeing and are joining the ‘Renewed Hope train’.”

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FULL LIST: Oborevwori, Other Sitting Governors Who Switched Political Parties

 

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State officially joined the growing list of sitting governors who have defected from one political party to another while still in office.

On Wednesday, he announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was welcomed into the All Progressives Congress (APC) by senior party figures.

Oborevwori’s political shift, while significant, follows a familiar pattern in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Over the years, several governors have crossed party lines mid-tenure, often reshaping the political dynamics in their respective states.

Sheriff Oborevwori
Having won the 2023 governorship election under the PDP, Oborevwori’s switch to the APC was officially confirmed during a press briefing.

Senator Ebiowou Manager and Information Commissioner Aniagwu Charles described the development as one with “serious implications for 2027.”

Aminu Tambuwal
The former governor of Sokoto State has a well-documented history of political movement. He initially defected from the PDP to the APC while serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In 2018, he returned to the PDP while still governor and contested for the party’s presidential ticket, which he lost to Atiku Abubakar—himself a political defector from the APC back to the PDP.

Tambuwal is not the only Sokoto leader with such a history.

Other notable defections include:

  • Attahiru Bafarawa: From the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) to PDP
  • Aliyu Wamakko: From PDP to APC

Abdulfatah Ahmed
The former Kwara State governor gained attention for multiple party switches.

He defected from the PDP to the APC in 2013, and later returned to the PDP in 2018.

Boni Haruna
While governing Adamawa State between 1999 and 2007, Haruna defected from the PDP to the Action Congress (AC).

Ikedi Ohakim
Ohakim was elected governor of Imo State in 2007. During his tenure, he left the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and joined the PDP.

Murtala Nyako
Governor of Adamawa from 2007 to 2008, Nyako also changed allegiance, leaving the APC for the PDP.

Rochas Okorocha
Elected as Imo State governor in 2011 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Okorocha later defected to the APC while still in office.

Additional defections include:

  • Mahmuda Shinkafi (Zamfara): From ANPP to PDP
  • Bello Matawalle (Zamfara): From PDP to APC

Several other states have witnessed similar shifts by sitting governors, including Benue, Ondo, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa.

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Provide Evidence Of Quadri’s Illegal Detention, Police Tell Lawyer

 

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has called on Inibehe Effiong, the lawyer representing Alabi Quadri, to provide proof that Quadri was detained beyond the legal limits as stipulated by the constitution.

The commissioner also revealed that a committee has been established to investigate the arrest and detention of the 18-year-old, who gained attention during the 2023 presidential election for standing in front of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s convoy.

According to Ben Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police, Quadri was arrested in January in connection with a street altercation in Amukoko, a Lagos suburb.

He was charged alongside four others, and the court ruled that they should remain in custody while legal proceedings continue.

The incident drew media attention, leading a human rights lawyer to take up Quadri’s case.

Eventually, a magistrate’s court in Apapa, Lagos, struck out the case for lack of evidence.

Following this, Commissioner Jimoh said that the police are thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Quadri’s arrest and detention to determine whether he was unlawfully detained beyond the time allowed by law.

“The law permits us to detain between 24-48 hours, depending on the proximity of the court of competent jurisdiction to where the person is being held.”

“It is expected that investigations should begin before an offender is apprehended,” Jimoh explained.

Quadri’s lawyer, Effiong, had previously accused the police of manipulating Quadri’s age for prosecution purposes and of detaining him unlawfully.

In response, Commissioner Jimoh dismissed this as hearsay.

He stated that after reviewing the records, he found no evidence to suggest that Quadri had been held beyond the legally permissible timeframe.

“In the record I checked, he was brought in a day before he was taken to court. But if the lawyer has a different opinion or evidence that this boy has been in detention beyond a reasonable doubt, he should present it,” Jimoh said.

The police commissioner also urged Effiong to provide concrete evidence of the unlawful detention claims so that further investigation could take place.

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Air Peace Stops Flights Nationwide

 

Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across the country following an ongoing strike by employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

In a statement released on Wednesday, the airline announced “We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Air Peace is suspending all flight operations nationwide with immediate effect.

“This decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, which are critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Without these reports from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.”

The airline emphasized that safety remains its top priority, saying “As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.”

“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologize. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”

NiMet workers began an indefinite strike over unresolved issues concerning their conditions of service.

The action has already disrupted flight schedules, with many flights being diverted due to the unavailability of destination weather reports.

The strike is being led by three major aviation unions: the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

In a circular addressed to their members, the unions explained their reasons for resuming the suspended strike “In the light of management’s inability to address our given concerns and being that we can no longer continue to cope with present hardships and especially as the ultimatum given to the management has expired, we have no choice than to resume the suspended strike.

Accordingly, all staff of Nimet nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw all service from the agency indefinitely with effect from midnight of Tuesday, April 22, 2025 without exception until otherwise directed.”

The unions lamented what they described as “exceedingly unjust remunerations conundrum” and accused the agency’s management of reneging on agreements signed as far back as January 29, 2025.

The fallout of the strike is already impacting flight safety.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that with the strike in full effect, NiMet can no longer provide vital aviation data such as Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), meteorological trend forecasts, or climate information from its 56 synoptic stations nationwide.

These services are essential for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

A source familiar with the situation revealed:
“As of this morning, Nimet is in total lock down and no cease fire in the pipe line.”

“Air Traffic Controllers and other aviation unions would join the strike in solidarity. All other 56 synoptic offices, Agro stations, Marine stations and Aeronautic stations have been shut down.”

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501 Blind Candidates To Participate In 2025 UTME – Prof. Okebukola

 

No fewer than 501 blind candidates are scheduled to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across eleven designated centres nationwide.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Professor Peter Okebukola, during a press briefing ahead of the special UTME for blind and other candidates with special needs.

JEOG was established in 2017 by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, with Professor Okebukola appointed to oversee a smooth and inclusive UTME experience for visually impaired and differently-abled candidates.

Professor Okebukola announced that this year’s examination will take place between April 28 and April 29, covering 20 subjects.

“The candidates take the same test papers as the regular candidates and standards are not lowered in any form,” he emphasized.

Highlighting the inclusive policies championed by JAMB, Okebukola, who also serves as President of the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi-Africa), praised Professor Oloyede for his efforts in ensuring equal access to higher education across the continent.

“As I normally review every year, in the last one week, I have conferred with members of GUNi-Africa on how blind candidates aspiring for higher education in Africa are treated in their countries and all are in agreement that Nigeria, Professor Oloyede, stands clearly out as the best,” he said.

He also revealed that 84 blind candidates who are prima facie qualified for admission—having at least five O-Level credits—will have their UTME registration fees refunded on the spot during the examination.

In addition, he highlighted several forms of support that JAMB has been providing for blind candidates since 2017.

“The other five ‘goodies’ that Oloyede has been showering on the candidates since 2017 are—free hotel accommodation for the blind candidates and their guides, free Braille slate and stylus, customised T-Shirts, free meals through the examination period, and transport supplementation for the blind candidates and their guides,” Okebukola stated.

He further noted that, “This year and for the second time, JAMB, through JEOG, will implement the bimodal system of UTME administration. This involves Fully-Braille and Fully Read-Aloud. Candidates have a choice of mode.”

“JEOG has been resourced by JAMB to make the experience of the two modes of test administration pleasant for the candidates,” he added.

According to Okebukola, JEOG has witnessed steady participation over the years, with 348 candidates in 2022, 313 in 2023, and 529 in 2024.

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Enugu Ministry, NGO Collaborate On Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives

 

The Enugu State Government is deepening its commitment to sustainable agriculture through new partnerships, as the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation teams up with the South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), a non-governmental organization focused on development initiatives.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by SSDO to his office in Enugu on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Patrick Ubru, emphasized the importance of strategic collaborations in unlocking the state’s agricultural potential.

“We welcome and value partnerships that help us fully harness our vast agricultural resources and strengthen the value chain,” Ubru said.

Reiterating the state’s dedication to food security and agricultural development, Ubru noted that the ministry is open to working with organizations committed to enhancing farming practices and boosting production.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he stated.

“In Enugu, a significant portion of our population—both in urban and rural areas—relies on farming for their livelihood.”

He commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s ongoing efforts to support registered and verified farmers with improved inputs, knowledge, and modern techniques, describing the initiative as a major shift toward transforming agriculture into a viable business.

On his part, SSDO Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Ilechukwu, expressed his organization’s interest in partnering with the ministry to implement sustainable agriculture programs across local communities in the state.

“We are committed to supporting the government’s efforts to enhance farming practices, ensure food security, and promote climate-resilient agriculture,” he said.

Highlighting the growing challenges posed by climate change, Ilechukwu explained that SSDO’s approach will center on agroecology, resilience strategies, and policy advocacy—key pillars for building a sustainable food system.

“This partnership represents a significant step toward developing an agricultural ecosystem that not only empowers farmers but benefits the wider community and strengthens the state’s food economy,” he added.

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Lagos Faces Shortage Of 66,000 Healthcare Workers – Commissioner

Governor Sanwolu, 

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the state urgently needs an additional 66,000 healthcare professionals—33,000 doctors and 33,000 nurses—to meet the medical needs of its growing population.

At the 2025 ministerial press briefing marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, explained the scale of the shortfall.

“There is an urgent demand to exponentially increase quality healthcare professionals in Nigeria,” he said, emphasizing the pressing need for expanded human resources in the health sector.

According to Abayomi, Lagos currently has only 7,000 doctors, a fraction of what is required to serve the state’s population adequately.

He added that similar deficits exist among nurses and other critical healthcare personnel.

To address the situation, the commissioner said the government is banking on the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health (UMH) to help close the gap.

“Within 5 years, UMH will produce about 2,500 healthcare workers (HCWs) annually in Lagos State. Other cadres will include laboratory scientists,” he noted.

On health insurance, Abayomi revealed that only 1,252,959 residents have enrolled in the state’s health insurance program—representing just 4.17 percent of the total population.

He said that 419 health facilities are currently offering services under the scheme.

Nonetheless, he expressed optimism about the impact of recent reforms “The new mandatory nature of the state health insurance act would significantly scale up the size of the pool of funds for the State Health Insurance Scheme.”

In terms of infrastructure, the commissioner provided updates on ongoing hospital projects across Lagos.

He stated that the New Massey Street 150-bed Children’s Specialist Referral Hospital is now 70 percent completed.

The 280-bed Ojo General Hospital and Staff Quarters in Iba, Ojo, has reached 75 percent completion, while the Mental Health Institute in Epe stands at 65 percent.

Abayomi assured the public that “all three health facilities will be commissioned for use in April 2026.”

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Over 135,000 Residents In Lagos Living With HIV – Health Commissioner

 

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that a total of 135,224 residents in the state are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

This revelation was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, during the 2025 ministerial press briefing held to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

Providing updates on the state’s public health initiatives, Abayomi noted that the government has actively involved more than 100 religious leaders as ambassadors in the fight against HIV and AIDS, aiming to drive awareness and community engagement.

On cancer control efforts, the Commissioner shared that the state has provided free cervical cancer screening to 154,228 individuals, and 8,613 patients have received treatment through thermal ablation.

Additionally, he mentioned that 300 men have undergone prostate cancer screening.

In a broader health update, Abayomi highlighted the state’s initiatives to combat hypertension and diabetes.

He stated that 667 blood pressure monitors, 770 glucometers, and 332 stethoscopes have been distributed to general hospitals and primary health centres.

“The government has screened 312,927 people for hypertension and diabetes,” he said.

Citing Lagos’ population of 30 million, the commissioner estimated a 20 percent prevalence rate for hypertension.

“Seventy per cent of them are unaware of their condition,” he disclosed.

He further revealed that the obesity rate in Lagos stands at 12 percent, while diabetes affects about 6 percent of residents, with half of them also unaware of their status.

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Benue Attacks: Ortom Cancels 64th Birthday Celebration In Solidarity With Victims

 

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has opted to forgo any celebration of his 64th birthday in light of the continuing violent attacks plaguing parts of the state.

The announcement was made on Wednesday through a statement by his media aide, Mr. Terver Akase, in Makurdi.

While expressing gratitude for the outpouring of goodwill messages and prayers from within Benue and across the country, Ortom made it clear that the worsening security situation required solemn reflection rather than celebration.

“In light of the ongoing intensified invasion, attacks, and senseless killing of innocent Benue people by herdsmen across various local government areas, Chief Ortom has decided not to hold any celebration,” the statement read.

“Instead, he has chosen to use the occasion to demonstrate solidarity with the victims and their families, who have suffered grievously from the attacks.”

He extended his “deepest sympathies to all affected families,” and urged Benue residents to keep praying fervently for the victims and for peace to be restored.

“He calls on everyone to seek divine intervention to end the carnage and restore peace and security to the state, as well as other parts of the country,” Akase added.

Furthermore, Ortom called on the people to intercede in prayers for Nigeria’s leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

He prayed that “God grants them wisdom, strength, and divine guidance to confront and overcome the security challenges facing the State and Nigeria at large.”

Despite the somber mood, Ortom acknowledged God’s grace over his life, stating he remains thankful “for His mercy, good health, and blessings over the past 64 years.”

He reaffirmed his enduring dedication to “the service of God and humanity in the years ahead.”

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