Defect With Me To APC Or Resign, Eno Tells Commissioners

Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, has instructed all of his commissioners and appointees to either defect from their positions or resign.

Governor Eno confirmed what has been rumored as rumors on social media for a while when he issued the directive on Thursday at the State Executive Council.

If you haven’t heard that I’m moving party by now, you should know what else, according to Governor Eno.

He informed the commissioners and appointees that they are not required to join him in the APC and that they cannot permit them to remain in his cabinet while they are members of another party.

READ ALSO: &nbsp: Supporting Tinubu’s Second Term Isn’t a PDP – Umo Eno Betrayed.

“So, we want our commissioners, members of the Excos, appointees, because some of you are telling me not to join me, that you are free, that you are absolutely free, but that you won’t be in my state executive council,” commissioners, and members of the Excos have been informed.

You should just be prepared to resign as soon as I announce that I’m moving because you are an appointee and I value your loyalty. You can’t play anti-party in my cabinet; it’s just a threat. You should normally not even anticipate it, he told the appointees. “I won’t beg you to come,” he said.

The governor claimed that despite his admiration for the PDP, he cannot guarantee a winning outcome in the party’s ongoing internal conflict.

I support the PDP, and I want to continue, but it’s obvious that I don’t have a plan in place to ensure that our elections will go smoothly, not because we won’t win. We will win this election in this state today thanks to the hard work that everyone of us has put forth, even if we run against a single party. There is no denying that. Although we’ve put a lot of effort into it, we are aware that our party is not unified at the national level.

Ibas Announces Phased Rehabilitation Of Rivers State Secretariat

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state administrator of the Rivers, has made plans for the State Secretariat Complex’s gradual rehabilitation as part of his commitment to enhancing the welfare of the workforce and public service.

He made the announcement at the workshop’s 4-day transformational leadership training, which his administration co-sponsored with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

The workshop, which took place in Port Harcourt, aimed to impart cutting-edge leadership abilities to local government administrators, directors, and senior officers in order to implement governance reforms.

Also read: Ibas Promises To Address Security, Development Obstacles in Rivers, and More.

Ibas emphasized that while capacity-building initiatives like the workshop are crucial, the workplace must also promote excellence and productivity.

I went for a thorough walk, floor by floor, to first-hand assess the state secretariat’s working conditions. The issues were sobering because of the erratic power supply, malfunctioning elevators, unsanitary conditions, and lack of work tools. He remarked that we cannot demand top performance while skipping the essentials.

The Administrator announced a gradual renovation of the State Secretariat to give employees a modern, efficient, and dignified workspace, as well as a review of public service welfare policy to increase employee motivation while keeping resources at hand.

He declared, “God willing, I will make sure that your work environment displays the respect and dignity your service deserves.”

Local government council administrators were also instructed by the Administrator to use the knowledge gained during the training to deliver effective governance.

He also urged them to submit development plans in two weeks.

In less than two weeks, I urge you to go back to your councils, conduct thorough needs assessments, and submit strategic plans for high-impact projects. He advised that these plans must be in line with the specific requirements of your communities.

The Auditor-General for Local Governments will be given the authority to strictly monitor resource utilization, ensuring that Rivers State residents receive the best value for every dollar spent, according to him.

The acting head of service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, praised the training as historic because it was the first of its kind for Rivers State civil servants in a long time.

She expressed confidence in the initiative’s ability to improve service delivery.

Governor Yusuf Bails Out Stranded Kano Students In Cyprus With ₦2.24bn

84 Kano students who had been stranded in Northern Cyprus for years have been paid the outstanding tuition and fees paid by Kano State governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

After the previous administration suspended funding for their overseas scholarship program, students were languishing for years after being forced to endure academic and financial limbo as a result of the intervention.

The state paid a total of $ 2.24 billion to the Near East University in Cyprus, clearing all debts and granting certificates to the affected students, according to a statement released by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, director general of media and publicity to the governor.

The statement read, “A total of $22 billion, $240 million, have been paid to secure the certificates of the students who have waited for more than five years.”

READ MORE: &nbsp: Kano Judiciary Demotes Registrar, Retires Senior Official Over Misconduct.

Former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso introduced a foreign scholarship program, but funding was cut while Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was in office.

Students without support were evicted from hostels, locked out of classrooms, and left homeless in a foreign country as a result of the discontinuation.

“These students endured intolerable trauma,” they said. Some of them faced harassment, mockery, and nearly deportation. Kabiru Ibrahim, the father of one of the affected students, said that this intervention is not just financial. It is also moral and humanitarian.

28 medical students and graduates from the fields of nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, computer science, and biomedical sciences are among the beneficiaries. The majority of the recipients have completed their studies but are unable to access their certificates due to unpaid fees.

The Governor has even gone one step further by directing all returning students to work for the Kano State civil service.

“Our state benefits from these young professionals.” Governor Yusuf stated in a statement that we will welcome them home as well as give them opportunities to advance our country.

Many parents have openly cried of joy over what they described as the “end of a nightmare” as a result of the decision.

“It’s the happiest day of my life,” I declare. The mother of one of the medical graduates, Fatima Suleiman, expressed her joy at seeing her son begin his career.

The administration’s courageous action has been praised by human rights organizations and members of the Nigerian diaspora who have previously condemned the students’ neglect.

Kano Judiciary Demotes Registrar, Retires Senior Official Over Misconduct

The Supreme Court of Justice of Nigeria (Kano State Judicial Service Commission) has taken significant disciplinary measures against judicial officers who have been found guilty of misconduct, including the mandatory retirement of a senior registrar.

The decisions were made at the JSC’s 82nd meeting on Wednesday, according to Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary.

The commission’s actions came after the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which had looked into a number of allegations, were recommended, according to Jibo-Ibrahim.

READ ALSO: NJC Rejects Acting Imo CJ’s Appointment, Suspends Three Other Justices, and READ ALSO:

Abuse of office

After the JPCC discovered in four separate complaints that included insults, intimidation, and office abuse, plaintiff-registrar Salisu Sule was elevated to a grade level, according to Jibo-Ibrahim.

Sule had previously received a warning letter dated December 19, 2024, but the commission was forced to impose a more severe penalty as a result.

According to his explanation, “investigation revealed that Sule frequently harassed and intimidated the public with the name of the judiciary in the course of his duties.”

Senior registrar retired from forgery

In a more serious case, the JSC required the Principal Registrar’s mandatory retirement from his position at the High Court Headquarters in Kano because of gross misconduct.

According to Jibo-Ibrahim, the JPCC found Danmaraya guilty of fabricating an affidavit, affixing the High Court seal, and inscribing a fake receipt number despite knowing for themselves that he is not an oath commissioner.

Magistrates are reinstated

The Commission reinstated two magistrates who had previously been suspended, Chief Magistrate Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti and Chief Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, in a different decision.

According to Jibo-Ibrahim, the Commission decided that Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti and Rabi Abdulkadir should resume sitting and carry out their judicial responsibilities.

He did point out that both magistrates were “admonished to uphold the highest standards of integrity, diligence, and professionalism in the discharge of their judicial functions.”

The Commission’s commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in the state judiciary is seen in the disciplinary actions.

Insurgency: Governor Zulum Returns To Marte In Bid To Restore Peace

After a night out in the community on Saturday, Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, returned to Marte on Thursday.

In the Lake Chad region, ongoing efforts were made to restore peace, restore trust, and promote sustainable development.

Bulum, who left Maiduguri last week, has been coordinating security plans and building resilience among the region’s affected by the most recent rise in Boko Haram attacks.

The governor has visited the communities of Marte, Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa, and Ajiri 9 times since last Saturday.

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Governor Zulum and military commanders met behind closed doors to discuss ways to help restore peace to Marte and the surrounding communities during the visit.

I am here to evaluate the effectiveness of our recent “resettlement” of the residents. I’m delighted to see that the neighborhood is fully supported and that soldiers are stationed. In Marte, normal economic activities have resumed, according to Zulum.

He continued, “I’m very happy, and in the name of Allah, normalcy will soon return.” ”

At the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba, the governor was accompanied by members from the constituencies of Marte, Monguno, and Nganzai. Sugun Mai Mele, the commissioner for local government and emirates; Engr. Bawu Musami, the commissioner of agriculture; Barr and the Permanent Secretary of Government House. among other senior officials is Muhammadus Ali Busuguma.

‘FG quickly responded.

Governor Zulum made an appeal to the Federal Government on Sunday to use decisive tactics to prevent Marte town from becoming a target for Boko Haram/ISWAP rebels.

However, Governor Zulum praised the Federal Government and the military for responding to his request on Thursday to protect Marte from invading the insurgents while speaking to journalists in Marte town.

According to him, “The federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces have responded favorably to our request to improve security in the affected communities.” Numerous troops and equipment have been deployed.

INEC Creates AI Division To Improve Election Conduct

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division will be a part of the ICT Department, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sam Olumekun, the Commission’s national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, signed a statement on Thursday that made this known.

He claimed that the new division’s creation should continue to use AI’s advantages and its negative effects on elections.

Through centralized AI governance, the division, in Olumekun’s opinion, will help the commission better coordinate and maximize existing technology investments.

Read more about INEC’s personal information for 2025 Anambra Governorship candidates.

He added that the initiative will also improve voter engagement, risk management, and decision-making.

Additionally, it will use automated voting, predictive analytics, and intelligent safeguards to increase electoral credibility.

“This initiative places the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities within our ICT infrastructure.

“It’s also a significant step in our ongoing reform of the electoral process in those areas where the Commission is only required to take administrative action.”

In order to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on elections, INEC disclosed that it had spoken at several conferences with colleagues from around the continent.