Category Nigeria News

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of two Commissioners of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Those confirmed are Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello, who was re-appointed, and Dr. Animashaun Fouad Olayinka, newly appointed as Commissioner.

The confirmation announced by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Power, presented by its Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), during plenary.

Also confirmed were the nominations of three non-career ambassadors, the first set of nominees submitted by President Tinubu two weeks ago and screened by the upper chamber last week.

Those confirmed are Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are from Ogun State, Aminu Muhammad Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, CFR, from Oyo State.

The confirmations followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which conducted the screening exercise.

READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees

Sixty-four other ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate and screened are yet to be confirmed.

President Tinubu forwarded the names of the three non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation on November 26.

It was the first list of ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate by Tinubu since he became the President on May 29, 2023.

The President followed that up by nominating 32 other persons for ambassadorial roles, including a former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu; former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.

Others on the list include a former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, and a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro.

Ondo Senator and businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim; a former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, also made the list of nominees.

A breakdown of the list shows that there are four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six on the non-career ambassadors’ list.

Others who were nominated as non-career ambassador designates are Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia; a former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Tasiu Musa Maigari; a former Commissioner in Plateau State and ex-deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Yakubu N. Gambo.

A former Senator from Plateau, Nora Ladi Daduut; Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State; ex-First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi; former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State were also nominated.

Apart from these, Tinubu also nominated career ambassadors and high commissioner-designates.

They are Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), and Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno) are equally on the list of nominees.

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to introduce urgent measures to protect Nigerian farmers from the impact of falling agricultural produce prices and rising production costs.

This was part of resolutions during plenary following a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), highlighting the growing challenges facing local farmers amid recent government policies aimed at reducing food prices nationwide.

He commended the Federal Government for easing the burden on consumers through waivers and special approvals for large-scale food imports, a move that has helped lower food prices and provided relief to many Nigerians.

He, however, noted that the same policy has inadvertently created severe difficulties for local farmers.

According to the motion, while farm-gate prices for agricultural produce have continued to decline, the cost of critical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides remains extremely high.

This imbalance, according to him, has distorted agricultural markets and triggered massive post-harvest losses, as farmers struggle to sell their produce at fair or profitable prices.

READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees

The Senate, therefore, asked the Federal Government to design and implement a special emergency intervention package aimed at cushioning farmers affected by the collapse in farm-gate prices.

The upper chamber also urged government to introduce broad-based subsidies for fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs to ease the burden on farmers.

Additionally, the lawmakers resolved to advise state governors to prioritise support for local farmers by encouraging investments in agriculture and taking deliberate steps to curb post-harvest losses.

Alleged Collapse

During plenary, the upper chamber also directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate widespread rumors on social media alleging the collapse and, in some cases, death of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The resolution followed a point of order raised under order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over the reports that had circulated within the last 48 hours.

Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, noting that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misinformation.

Responding to the matter, the Senate President acknowledged the difficulty of controlling social media narratives, stating that people cannot be prevented from writing what he described as ‘garbage in, garbage out’.

He, however, asked whether it was the wish of the Senate that the issue be referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.

The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate widespread rumors on social media alleging the collapse and in some cases, death of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The resolution followed a point of order raised under order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over the reports that had circulated within the last 48 hours.

Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, noting that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misinformation.

READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees

Responding to the matter, the Senate President acknowledged the difficulty of controlling social media narratives, stating that people cannot be prevented from writing what he described as ‘garbage in, garbage out’.

He, however, asked whether it was the wish of the Senate that the issue be referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 11 out of the 18 passengers abducted by unknown gunmen along the Benin–Akure Highway.

The passengers were kidnapped on Friday, December 12, around Obarenren village in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. They were travelling in a vehicle belonging to a popular commercial transport operator in the state when the attackers struck.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, told Channels Television in a telephone interview that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.

READ ALSO: Elderly Cleric Killed In Kano, Suspect Lynched By Mob

According to the police, the vehicle was ambushed at gunpoint, and all the occupants were forcefully taken away by the suspected kidnappers.

Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Command in the area immediately launched a rescue operation in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, local vigilantes, and hunters. The security team combed nearby bushes in search of the suspects and the abducted passengers.

The operation yielded results on Sunday with the rescue of 11 of the 18 abducted passengers. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining seven passengers.

Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed optimism that his administration’s delivery of infrastructure across the state will reinforce public trust and translate into increased support for President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Fubara spoke on Tuesday during the commissioning of the 5.94-kilometre Ihuowo–Ihuama Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area, a project awarded in October 2024.

He said the road project underscores his government’s commitment to responsive governance and addressing the pressing needs of the people.
He described the intervention as a basic responsibility of any people-oriented administration.

The governor noted that the road had previously served as a death trap and an epicentre of crime and kidnapping, adding that its completion would significantly improve security and safety in the area.

READ ALSO: APC Formally Registers Gov Fubara As Party Member

Governor Fubara believes that his administration remains focused on service delivery to improve the living conditions of residents across Rivers State.

According to him, while every administration has a definite lifespan, his government will beremembered for its simplicity, openness to public concerns and prompt response to the needs of the people.

The governor also assured the traditional ruler of the area that requests for additional roads and other infrastructure would be granted, pledging sustained development interventions.

A fire broke out Monday night and razed a section of Gombe timber market – destroying goods worth millions of naira.

While details are still sketchy, an eyewitness told Channels Television that the fire service truck that was coming to put out the fire hit a tree and crashed, unable to reach the fire spot.

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