Tinubu Appoints Imam, Agbasi As Chairman, MD Of FERMA

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Governing Board and Management of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). A statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said this was for a renewable term of four years, in accordance with Section 2(3) of the FERMA Amendment Act, 2007 The board members are: Chairman of FERMA Board — Engr. Imam Ibrahim Kashim Imam Managing Director of FERMA — Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi Member (NARTO) — Yusuf Lawal Othman Member (FMW) — Engr. Ibi Terna Manasseh Member (FRSC) — ACM Shehu Mohammed Member (Finance) — Babatunde Daramola-Oniru Member (South-South) — Hon. Preye Oseke Member (South-West) — Hon. Oye Ojobe Member (South-East) — Dr Kenneth Ugbala Member (North-Central) — Sen. Timothy Adudu Member (North-East) — Engr. Abubakar Bappa Member (North-West) — Aminu Adamu Papa The president urged the new appointees to continue to uphold effective and efficient service delivery in the agency. He said that the agency was set to play a central role in the sustainable health of growth-enabling infrastructure nationwide.

Tinubu Tells Supreme Court To Dismiss Atiku’s Appeal 

President Bola Tinubu, who contested as the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election, has officially requested the Supreme Court to reject the appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition party.  Tinubu’s response, which was presented by his legal team, comes in response to Atiku’s notice of appeal. This move follows the prior judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on September 6, which dismissed Atiku’s petition challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.  The tribunal cited Atiku’s failure to substantiate the claims in his petition and concluded that his case lacked merit. Atiku subsequently filed a notice of appeal with 35 grounds before the Supreme Court on September 18, seeking to have the tribunal’s findings and conclusions overturned.  He argued that the tribunal had made “grave errors and gross misrepresentations” that resulted in a miscarriage of justice. In his response, President Tinubu maintained that the presidential election petition tribunal had rightfully reached its verdict and upheld his election. He emphasized that the appellants had failed to substantiate their allegations and provide any compelling reason for the apex court to overturn the lower court’s findings. Tinubu also characterized Atiku’s appeal as “abusive in nature” and urged the Supreme Court to dismiss it.  He stated that the appeal lacked merit and bona fide and urged the court to affirm the lower court’s decision.  The legal battle continues as both parties await the Supreme Court’s decision.

Atiku’s Lawyer Accuses Tinubu of Submitting Forged Certificate To INEC

Following the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records by the Chicago State University, Kalu Kalu, a lawyer representing Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has made allegations that Tinubu submitted a counterfeit degree certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the elections. Kalu, who spoke in a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, contended that despite Tinubu and his supporters vehemently denying the allegations, the documents obtained from Chicago State University support the claims of forgery. He pointed out several discrepancies, including the use of a female name on the qualifying certificate from South West College to Chicago State University, indicating that the document may not belong to Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Additionally, he said that the admission form from Chicago State University suggests that Tinubu attended Government College Lagos and graduated in 1970, even though the school was established in 1974. “The document indicates that the certificate’s owner is a black American, contradicting Tinubu’s claim of not having dual citizenship. Finally, there is an inconsistency between the name “Ahmed” on the document from Chicago State University and “Adekunle” on the NYSC certificate submitted to INEC,” Kalu argued. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is seeking to overturn Tinubu’s election through legal means after the Presidential Election Tribunal dismissed his petition. As part of this effort, he initiated a case in the United States to obtain the President’s academic records, which have now become a subject of controversy. Kalu emphasized that the Supreme Court, under established legal principles, allows for the introduction of fresh evidence under certain conditions, which he believes have been met in this case. He asserted that a party found to be at fault should not be permitted to benefit from its illegality according to the law.

Tinubu Sacks FIRS Boss, Nami, Appoints Zacch Adedeji 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hon. Zacch Adedeji as the new Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity), disclosed in a statement on Thursday. Tinubu also directed the erstwhile FIRS Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, to proceed on three months pre-retirement leave, as provisioned by Public Service Rule (PSR) 120243, with immediate effect, leading to his eventual retirement from service on December 8, 2023. Hon. Zacch Adedeji is hereby appointed in acting capacity for a 90-day period before his subsequent confirmation as the substantive Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service for a term of four years in the first instance. He most recently served the nation as the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, following meritorious service terms as the Oyo State Commissioner of Finance and as the Executive Secretary / CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). Adedeji is a First Class graduate in accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. He also holds an MSc degree in accounting from the same OAU. The new FIRS chairman also holds a PhD public sector finance, OAU. He is a fellow, ICAN, CITN, alumnus, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, ex-manager, Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) and ex-commissioner for finance, Oyo State. He is also former Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). By these directives of the President, the new appointment takes immediate effect.

Tinubu commits to strengthening Military at NDC graduation

In a commitment to bolster the capabilities of the Nigerian military, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Defense Minister Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, pledged to utilize his constitutional powers to ensure the military is well-equipped and prepared to fulfill its constitutional mandate of safeguarding the nation. This announcement was made during the graduation ceremony of participants from the National Defense College (NDC) Course 31, held in Abuja on Friday. President Tinubu praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria as one of the nation’s most esteemed institutions and assured that the government would consistently recognize the dedication and patriotism of the military’s brave men and women. He commended the commandant and management team of the college for their diligent efforts in nurturing a group of strategic leaders for the armed forces, various government ministries, departments, agencies, and even representatives from allied countries in the course. The president acknowledged the college’s track record of producing intellectually adept, courageous, patriotic, and morally upright military and civilian leaders. He noted that the college’s approach of fostering comprehensive knowledge across diverse thematic areas had contributed to identifying sustainable solutions not only to Nigeria’s security and development challenges but also extending its impact across Africa and beyond. President Tinubu expressed his confidence that the graduates of Course 31 would effectively apply the knowledge, expertise, and skills they acquired during the program to tackle the current and emerging security and developmental issues facing the nation. This commitment to empowering the Nigerian military stands as a testament to the government’s dedication to ensuring the country’s security and prosperity. “Our dear country is faced with the flora of challenges including insecurity, social economic hiccups, climate change and migratory issues, ‘the so-called Japa syndrome’. “We are confronted by systematic corruption, crude oil theft, reduce national productivity, weak infrastructure, weak revenue base, rising domestic and external debt among others. “Those challenges demand creative and purposeful driving leadership to mitigate. “Since coming into office, I have rolled up my sleeves myself to confront and address them frontally and we shall overcome with the special grace of God. “I must admit that those challenges will require the deployment of knowledge and insight you have acquired from this college,” he said. The president said he had taken some essential policy steps such as removal of oil subsidy and liberalisation of foreign exchange rate among others, to reposition the Nigerian economy for prosperity and inclusive growth. He added that he rejigged the leadership of the armed forces and police among others to usher in fresh perspective to dealing with the security challenges, urging the participants to go back to their respective services and agencies and align with the visions of the new leadership. Tinubu said the world was currently faced with myriads of threats such as the disruptive effect of emerging technologies, cyber threats, unconstitutional change of government in African sub-region. He urged the military to help the governments to build resilience against the recent spate of the democratic recession in West Africa and building stronger assistance and mitigation to all the challenges. “I am banking on you to provide creative leadership solutions towards addressing those national, regional and global challenges,” he added. The president also pledged to ensure the completion of the college’s permanent site before the end of his first term to enable the college to conveniently transmute into a full-fledged Defence University.

Tinubu’s 100 Days: Navigating the challenges, high expectations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming Nigeria’s president when he was declared the president-elect of the February 25, 2023, presidential election. On May 29, 2023, during his inauguration as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he wasted no time in expressing his commitment to hit the ground running. In his address, he humbly requested not to be pitied, emphasizing that he had actively pursued the presidency. President Tinubu’s first 100 days in office were marked on September 5, 2023. However, an in-depth assessment of his administration within this relatively short timeframe may not fully reflect the promises he made to the Nigerian people. It is essential to consider the challenges inherited from the previous administration under Muhammadu Buhari, which endured eight years of economic difficulties. President Tinubu had pledged to alleviate the burdens faced by the poor, and this commitment generated enthusiasm and high expectations among the populace. One notable policy shift was the sudden removal of the controversial oil subsidy without accompanying palliative measures mentioned during his inauguration speech. Following this move, Nigerian oil marketers and fuel racketeers swiftly increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N186/ltr to N575/ltr and later to N617/ltr. Their rationale was that the price adjustment was a response to global oil prices and associated costs. Additionally, changes in the exchange rate led to a depreciation of the Naira against other currencies. Subsequently, Nigerians experienced increased living costs, including rising food prices, transportation expenses; rent hikes by landlords, and higher school fees, among other challenges. Before he assumed office Nigerians had eagerly awaited the 2023 general elections as an opportunity for change. Youth and political sentiment were strongly geared toward effecting a transformation in various aspects of the country’s political landscape. Some politicians capitalized on the public’s anger and youth mobilization, switching parties they viewed as more conducive to their political ambitions. It is widely acknowledged that the previous administration, led by former President Buhari, faced significant criticism for its handling of the economy. While promising change, the administration was perceived to have delivered misery and despair, corruption, which the government pledged to combat, appeared to flourish. While it is essential to address economic challenges and leadership issues in Nigeria, this article primarily focuses on the treatment of individuals who have served the nation diligently and those, who upon identifying institutional weaknesses or leadership shortcomings, have sought to enrich themselves. Recent developments in the political arena bring into question the treatment of individuals like Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended CBN Governor, and Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Both face various charges, possibly related to their actions while in office during the previous administration. It is important to recognize the valuable contributions of these individuals during their tenure. For instance, Godwin Emefiele, as the CBN Governor, played a pivotal role in propping up the economy during times of fiscal uncertainty. His interventions and policies were instrumental in averting economic crises, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, Abdulrasheed Bawa demonstrated zeal and effectiveness in his role as the anti-corruption czar. However, they may have inadvertently crossed ethical boundaries while executing their duties as directed by the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) in alignment with political agenda. For example, Godwin Emefiele’s foray into politics and a controversial Naira redesign policy attracted political criticism, while Abdulrasheed Bawa’s aggressive pursuit of corruption cases earned him powerful enemies. While this discussion does not intend to justify their actions or inactions in office, it however raises questions about the treatment they currently face. Is this treatment an incentive or disincentive for individuals to serve their nation? President Tinubu’s administration has already made bold policy moves, although they have resulted in unexpected hardships for Nigerians. With the appointment of his cabinet after nearly 80 days in office, Nigerians anticipate selfless dedication from him and his team. Concerns have arisen regarding the inclusion of certain politicians, including former governors with underwhelming performance records, in the cabinet. Nigerians hope to avoid a repeat of past experiences, where ministers seemed ill-prepared, leaving the Central Bank of Nigeria to take on responsibilities beyond its mandate to prevent economic collapse. Given the current economic challenges, Nigerians expect President Tinubu to uphold his commitment to hold non-performing ministers accountable. This approach should ensure that the Central Bank of Nigeria can fulfil its constitutional responsibilities as outlined in BOFIA 2007 without unnecessary political interference. Preserving the CBN’s independence is essential for effective monetary policy and economic stability. In conclusion, while it is crucial to address economic woes and leadership issues, it is equally important to safeguard institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria from unwarranted political interference. Nigeria’s economy depends on CBN’s stability and effective functioning, and it is essential to protect this national heritage. *Chisom Adindu writes from Umuahia, Abia State

Tinubu’s election victory uncontestable, Tribunal rules

*Dismisses all petitions against him The Presidential Election Petition Court on Wednesday dismissed all the three petitions filed before the cit which challenged the February 2023 presidential election that produced Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the winner. The five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsunami unanimously held that the petition by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP)and the Allied Peoples Party (APM) lack merit. Giving the verdict, the court held that the Petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt that the presidential election was marred by malpractice and irregularities. Consequently, the court held that the return of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as elected President by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is right and subsists.

Tinubu attending G20 Summit in India to attract FDI – Presidency

President Bola Tinubu is attending the G20 Summit holding from September 9-10 in New Delhi, India to attract private capital for the development of the nation’s critical infrastructure, the Presidency has said. Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the summit was predicated on the urgent need to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the country. The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. Ngelale said that the president would focus attention on meetings with business executives of the world’s most valuable companies to discuss investment in the critical sectors of the economy for the creation of employment. “We are focused on engagements that will be dealing with critical sectors of the national economy, involving steel development, electricity generation, transmission and distribution, shipyard building capacity, and several other industries, which we know to be labour intensive. “Mr President will be hosting a CEO roundtable, which will be made up of more than 20 chief executive officers of major industries across multiple sectors of the Indian economy to ensure that we leverage on their interest in investing in the country. “In addition, there will be at least five meetings with the CEOs of five major industries in India, including Jindal Steel and Power Company, among a few others that would have a very important impact on our ability to develop the steel sector in our country,’’ Ngelale said. He said that Tinubu would also meet with the President of Brazil, President da Silva, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and a few other heads of state on the sidelines of the G20. “The G20 is a major event for our country at this time and we are going to ensure that we take maximum advantage of the opportunities presented to bring value to the country. “To create jobs for our people and ultimately, to generate and expand existing revenues in the country to ensure the government can effectively fund and sponsor its programmes and policies across sectors. “When we arrive in India next week, there will be live updates from India, which I will be providing daily to ensure that Nigerians have full access into what our President is doing on their behalf,’’ he said.

Tinubu rejigs NDDC Board nominees, drops Akinjo, Okang; nominates Atikase, Duke

In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu has authorized changes to the nominees for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board. Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made this announcement in a statement issued in Abuja at the weekend. The alterations involve the nomination of a new representative for Ondo State, as Mr. Victor Akinjo steps aside to make way for Hon. Otito Atikase. Additionally, Mr. Asi Okang, the previous nominee for Cross River State, has been replaced by Hon. Orok Duke. Furthermore, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, has been reappointed for a second term. However, Dr. Ogbuku will continue to serve in an acting capacity until his reappointment is confirmed by the Senate. These changes reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring effective representation and leadership within the NDDC board.

Tinubu felicitates with VP Shettima on his 57th birthday

President Bola Tinubu has warmly congratulated Vice President Kashim Shettima on his 57th birthday on Saturday, hailing him as an exemplary political leader. In a statement released by Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential spokesman, Tinubu expressed his well-wishes for the former Borno Governor and praised his remarkable qualities. Tinubu commended Shettima for consistently displaying wisdom, character, compassion, and bold leadership throughout his distinguished career in both the private and public sectors. He recognized Shettima’s enduring loyalty to the nation and his unwavering commitment to societal improvement. The President highlighted Shettima’s impressive journey, which began as a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri before transitioning into the banking industry. Subsequently, Shettima served Borno State as a Commissioner in five different ministries, showcasing his dedication to public service. Tinubu acknowledged Shettima’s extraordinary courage in overseeing Borno State for eight years, a period marred by a deadly insurgency in the North East. “Despite formidable challenges, Shettima demonstrated remarkable intellect and innovative problem-solving skills,” Tinubu said, adding that he played a pivotal role in nurturing future leaders and fostering institutions for the sustainable development of Borno State and its residents. ‘’This remarkable public servant defied all odds in the region with a ferociously intellectual mind and an innovative doggedness to solve dynamic problems with dynamic solutions. ‘’He built high quality leaders and institutions for the sustainably developing future of Borno State and its people,’’ the President said.