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October 24, 2024 Tinubu Dismisses Five Ministers, Reassigns 10, and Nominates Seven New Candidates

Tinubu Dismisses Five Ministers, Reassigns 10, and Nominates Seven New Candidates

Months after mounting pressure for President Bola Tinubu to revamp his cabinet, the former Lagos State governor took action on Wednesday by dismissing five ministers. In addition, he reassigned 10 ministers to new portfolios and nominated seven fresh candidates for Senate confirmation.

Tinubu, a prominent figure in the All-Progressives Congress (APC), initially appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate promptly screened and confirmed them. One minister, Betta Edu, was suspended in January, and another, Simon Lalong, transitioned to the Senate.

There had been growing demands for a cabinet reshuffle due to public dissatisfaction with some ministers' performance, particularly in light of the country's surging inflation, severe economic challenges, and increasing insecurity. In September, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the president planned a reshuffle but did not specify a timeline.

During Wednesday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Tinubu dismissed Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Minister of Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Minister of Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development).

In their place, Tinubu nominated several new ministers, including Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, officially ending Betta Edu’s tenure. Other appointees include Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Idi Maiha for the newly created Livestock Development Ministry, Yusuf Ata as Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.

Additionally, the President abolished the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee various regional commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, South East Development Commission, and others.

Tinubu also scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development, transferring its responsibilities to the National Sports Commission to foster a more dynamic sports economy. The Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture were merged into the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.

The reshuffle brought new appointments, such as Sunday Dare, former Minister of Sports, being named Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, and Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

In his closing remarks, Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing ministers for their service and urged the newly appointed and reassigned officials to dedicate themselves fully to their roles, emphasizing the administration’s determination to set Nigeria on a path of irreversible growth.

October 23, 2024 Halima Abubakar Apologizes to Apostle Johnson Suleman for Her Falsehoods

Halima Abubakar Apologizes to Apostle Johnson Suleman for Her Falsehoods

Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has issued an apology to Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries for defaming him. In her apology, Abubakar acknowledged spreading falsehoods about Suleman and causing him distress through her social media posts.

The conflict between Halima Abubakar and Apostle Suleman began in 2022, when the actress fell ill following an altercation with the clergyman. During her sickness, her family publicly urged Suleman to stay away from her. However, many speculated that Abubakar was suffering from an autoimmune disease, a claim she later refuted by sharing her medical report.

In a letter addressed to Apostle Suleman, Halima Abubakar expressed deep regret for her actions and sought his forgiveness. She acknowledged the harm her allegations had caused to Suleman, his wife, Dr. Lizzy Suleman, their family, and the Omega Fire Ministries leadership.

The letter stated: “I admit that I made false allegations against you and regret the damage I caused to you, your wife, your family, and the leaders of Omega Fire Ministry. With this letter, I humbly ask for forgiveness, recognizing that my apology cannot undo the harm, pain, and distress I caused. I ask you to find it in your heart to forgive me, as I was not thinking clearly at that time. I’m truly sorry for all the hurt and distress I caused you, your family, and your ministry.

RELATED: “Leave Our Sister Alone” – Family Raises Alarm Over Actor Halima Abubakar’s Deteriorating Health, Calls Out Apostle Suleman

October 23, 2024 FG Withdraws Money Laundering Charges Against Binance Executive Gambaryan

FG Withdraws Money Laundering Charges Against Binance Executive Gambaryan

On Wednesday, the Federal Government dropped the money laundering charges against Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at Binance Holdings Limited. Gambaryan, along with Binance’s U.S. Head of Financial Crime Compliance and the exchange's British-Kenyan Regional Manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, faced charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving $35 million.

Initially, both Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were held by the Office of the National Security Adviser. However, Anjarwalla escaped lawful custody on March 22, 2024, while Gambaryan was later arraigned in April. After his arraignment, Gambaryan was remanded to Kuje Correctional Facility.

RELATED: Binance Official’s Wife Appeals to Nigerian Government to Halt Husband’s Trial, Seeks U.S. Assistance

October 23, 2024 Umahi Gives Julius Berger Seven-Day Ultimatum on Abuja-Kaduna Road Project

Umahi Gives Julius Berger Seven-Day Ultimatum on Abuja-Kaduna Road Project

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given Julius Berger a seven-day ultimatum to accept the Federal Government's offer of ₦740.79 billion for the completion of the 82km section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road. This was announced during a visit to the Minister by Julius Berger's new Managing Director, Dr. Pier Lubasch, and outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Lars Richter, at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement from the Minister's Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna, the contract could be terminated if Julius Berger does not accept the offer. The Minister stressed that despite the Federal Executive Council's approval of the funds, delays in mobilizing for the project are causing significant hardship for road users, and the government is bearing the brunt of the situation.

Umahi criticized the company's delay tactics, which have led to the contract price increasing from ₦710 billion to ₦740 billion. He stated that if Julius Berger does not proceed with the project, the Ministry will find another contractor to complete the job within a reasonable budget.

He expressed disappointment that a company like Julius Berger, which has benefited from government contracts over the years, is being unreasonable in its pricing, especially given Nigeria's current economic challenges. The Minister urged the contractor to either accept or reject the reviewed contract amount within seven days, warning that the government would not tolerate being held hostage by inflated pricing.

Umahi emphasized that the offer is final and non-negotiable, stating that negotiations had dragged on for 14 months without resolution, and it was time to move forward. He also reiterated the need for construction companies working with the Ministry to offer realistic pricing and value for money in support of Nigeria's road infrastructure development under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The new Managing Director of Julius Berger promised to respond soon, hoping for a resolution that would allow the project to commence without further delays. Meanwhile, the outgoing managing director explained that the visit was primarily to introduce his successor to the minister.

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