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A’Ibom Liaison Office, Lagos Opens Condolence Register for Late First Lady

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2024

Eric

In a bid to give indigenes and well-meaning residents of South West Nigeria the opportunity to condole with the first family as well as the people and government of the state on the passing of First Lady, HE (Mrs.) Patience Umo, the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office in Lagos has opened a condolence register in its Victoria-Island Lagos office.

According to Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant to Governor (Lagos Liaison), apart from being by popular demand, the Register became necessary to enable a lot more people express their thoughts on the memories and legacies of the late First Lady who has been lauded by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora including President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nigerian Governors Forum, immediate past Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Ministers, heads of federal parastatals, Senior Pastors, members of the clergy, gospel artistes and so many others.

Mr. James who noted that the Register would be accessible during office hours and working days, stressed that the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has earlier affirmed that though the wheel of state would not stop because of this personal loss, he was immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the demise of his dear wife.

Describing the condolence messages as warm and comforting, Governor Eno had noted that he and his entire family have drawn a lot of strength from the shower of love which has helped them bear this huge loss, adding that the memories of his late wife would be cherished forever.

Governor Eno had also remarked that his wife who left the world on September 26, 2024 at the age of 57, was married to him for 38 years and lived a fulfilled life by all standards. He affirmed that she was not only a great achiever but source of inspiration who touched many lives.

In his words “The encouragement, the comfort and the support we have received from well-meaning Nigerians have given us that hope, strength and the ability to continue to look forward”

He stated that the departed First Lady was a perfect example of the Biblical virtuous woman, his closest prayer partner, cheer leader and best critic, and recalled that she coined the nickname “Golden Boy” which changed the tide of attacks on his person during the gubernatorial primaries and helped him cruise to a resounding victory.

Governor Eno revealed that his administration would continue to sustain and broaden the vision and programmes initiated by the Office of the First Lady as a way of immortalizing his late dear wife.

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Tinubu Nominates Oyedele As Minister of State for Finance, Moves Anite-Uzoka to Budget Ministry

Published

21 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has announced that “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Anite-Uzoka.

“Mrs Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

“President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Mr Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Mr Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

“Mr Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

“He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

“He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

“Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

“Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.”

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Defection: Atiku’s Son, Adamu, Resigns As Adamawa Commissioner

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Adamu Abubakar, the first son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has resigned as Adamawa State’s commissioner for works and energy development, days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated 2 March 2026, was addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. He gave no reason for his departure.

The timing is pointed. Fintiri announced his defection to the APC in a statewide broadcast last Friday, saying his cabinet and the PDP’s state structure had moved with him. Within 24 hours, 22 commissioners and special advisers publicly announced they were following suit. Abubakar, whose father remains one of the PDP’s most prominent national figures, was not among them.

In a statement issued Monday night, Abubakar’s media aide Abdulaziz Jauro said the former commissioner thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda. He also expressed gratitude to his father “for granting him the moral support and blessing to serve the people of Adamawa State” — a line that, read in context, suggests Atiku was consulted on the decision.

Abubakar said his resignation was not a withdrawal from public life. “This does not mark the end of his commitment to public service,” the statement read, “but rather the beginning of new avenues for developmental collaboration.”

The resignation leaves unresolved the question of whether it reflects a political break with the governor over his defection or a personal decision unconnected to the broader party realignment now reshaping Adamawa’s political landscape.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.