Category Nigeria News

The North-West Governors’ Forum has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as a public holiday across all states in the region in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in a hospital in the United Kingdom.

In a statement signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, the governors expressed shock and sorrow over the passing of the elder statesman.

“The North-West Governors’ Forum receives with shock and deep sorrow the news of the passing of our beloved former President, General Muhammadu Buhari, who breathed his last yesterday at a hospital in the United Kingdom,” Radda said.

He described Buhari as a “father, leader, and the pride of the Northwest region,” adding that he lived a life marked by “service, integrity, and sacrifice for the betterment of Nigeria.”

As part of the region’s tribute, Radda announced the unanimous decision of the governors to observe Tuesday as a public holiday in all North-West states. 

“This gesture reflects the deep reverence we hold for a man who dedicated his entire life to serving Nigeria and humanity,” he stated.

According to the statement, the remains of the late former President will arrive in Katsina at approximately noon on Tuesday, while the burial ceremony is scheduled for 2 pm.

“We call on all Nigerians to join us in prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul,” Radda urged.

He also extended condolences on behalf of the Forum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Katsina State, and Nigerians at large.

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Monday paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, eulogising his sterling qualities.

Buhari, 82, died on Sunday in a London clinic in the United Kingdom. Following his death, tributes have been pouring in from many, including President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Bakare, who was a running mate to Buhari in the 2011 general elections, described the late president as a colossus who did his very best for the country.

He said there was no written agreement for the late President to hand over power to him.

READ ALSO: I Thought Buhari Was A Religious Fundamentalist Until We Became Close – Tunde Bakare

“There was no written pact between us. He is late, I will never say anything unfair about him,” he stated.

The cleric also hailed Buhari for giving presidential aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) the opportunity to nurse their ambitions.

He recalled how the former president gathered all the aspirants at the State House for party members to support whoever emerges as the APC presidential candidate.

“He did his best. One night before the primary, he invited all the presidential aspirants. We sat with him in the conference hall of the villa.

“He said, ‘I have allowed the governors to choose who will succeed them or to go for a second term if they are going for a second term. I am asking you today to allow me to also freely choose the person I desire to succeed me,’” Bakare said.

According to him, the decision went well with party members, including the then-Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Jigawa governor, Mohammed Badaru, as well as the former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has inaugurated the newly reconstituted boards of key commissions in the state, including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

He charged members of the agencies to uphold discipline, competence, integrity, and a commitment to service.

Other commissions whose members were inaugurated include the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board.

The members were nominated by the administrator and screened by the National Assembly following the emergency rule in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony on Monday at Government House, Port Harcourt, Ibas emphasised that the effectiveness of the commissions was vital to stabilising governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting good governance in the state.

Addressing the newly sworn-in chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas stressed the need for credible local government elections that genuinely reflected the people’s will.

“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.

“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” he added.

He reminded them that RSIEC’s independence was critical to sustaining peace, grassroots governance, and stability, urging fairness, professionalism, and impartiality even under pressure.

To the state civil service commission, the administrator called for an end to mediocrity in public service, advocating merit-driven recruitment, capacity-building, and promotion practices.

“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardised practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

He revealed that comprehensive training and systemic reforms were already in motion.

The state local government service commission was tasked with professionalising the local government system.

“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he added.

For the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Ibas highlighted the need to revitalise primary healthcare services across the 23 local government areas.

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational—focusing on maternal health, immunisation, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.

He stressed the need for data-driven management, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring a functional referral system.

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled multiple illegal refining sites and arrested 50 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, with a major focus on Rivers State. 

The operations, carried out between June 30 and July 13, 2025, also led to the confiscation of over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the discovery of numerous illegal connection points designed to compromise pipelines.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah.

In Rivers State, troops sustained the clampdown on attempts to re-establish new illegal bunkering hubs, particularly along the Imo River axis. Seven illegal refining sites were dismantled around Obuzor and Ozaa West in the Ukwa West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of Abia and Rivers states, respectively.

The troops also destroyed 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, three large coolants, and recovered over 6,000 litres of crude oil.

READ ALSO: Troops Arrest Two Suspects, Recover Weapons In Taraba

At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, another illegal refining site was destroyed.

Dugout pits filled with 3,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,000 litres of crude oil were handled in line with operational procedures.

In addition, a reservoir stocked with over 3,000 litres of chemicals used for illicit refining, 14 metal drums, five sacks containing over 250 litres of AGO and DPK, and a 300-metre plastic hose was seized.

Three suspects were also arrested.

Similar operations in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, led to the dismantling of more illegal storage sites.

In Delta State, troops intercepted one speedboat and a locally made wooden boat along the Jeddo waterways in Warri South LGA.

The boats contained 86 sacks filled with over 1,720 litres of stolen products.

At Obiaruku Community in Ukwuani LGA, troops uncovered 24 jerricans of 25 litres each filled with illegally refined AGO. Another wooden boat loaded with stolen petroleum products was intercepted at Ugbokodo Creek, Warri South LGA.

In Bayelsa State, troops intensified surveillance and seized a wheelbarrow and a 70-kg gas cylinder believed to be primed for pipeline sabotage at Ikarama in Yenagoa LGA.

At Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, several litres of stolen products were recovered, and suspects arrested.

Also, in Akwa Ibom State, a raid on a warehouse in Ukanafun LGA led to the discovery of 15 jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO.

Danjuma reaffirmed that troops under the 6 Division will continue to dominate the operational environment—both on land and waterways—to deny oil thieves and other criminal elements the freedom to operate.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), not to inaugurate the newly confirmed chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, pending judgment in an ongoing legal dispute.

The presiding judge, Justice Frank Onyiri, gave the directive on Monday after all parties presented and adopted their final written arguments.

The suit was filed by the former commission members appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging their removal by the Sole Administrator.

In an earlier ruling from April 2025, the court instructed both parties to maintain the status quo. 

READ ALSO: FG Orders Immediate Reforms At FMC Abuja, Plans Nationwide Training

Justice Onyiri adjourned the matter to September 29, 2025, for final judgment.

The claimants—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others—argued that they were lawfully appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, and had received official letters of appointment.

They claim that documentation of their confirmation was already submitted to the Clerk of the House, reinforcing the legitimacy of their appointments.

In a sworn affidavit by Ben, the group maintains that Ibok-Ete Ibas lacked the legal authority to suspend them or appoint new officials to the commission.

The lawsuit listed the sole administrator, the Accountant General of Rivers State, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and 11 others as defendants.