Headlines

Borno Gov’s Office Turn Boxing Ring

Published

9 years ago

June 20, 2016

Our Reporter

By Yahaya WAKILI, Maiduguri

APC Chairman/Legislator In Fisticuff
Govt Officials At War Over Ramadan Largesse
Dep Gov, Commissioners, Others under Probe Over Rice Theft

The economic hardship seems to be biting harder on top Borno state Government officials as key members of the Governor Kashim Shettima’s kitchen cabinet have resorted to open altercations and fisticuff, right inside the Governor’s office over the sharing of Ramadan largesse, given by the Governor. Eye witness accounts have it that leader of the House of Assembly, Honorable Zakariya Mohammed and state APC Chairman, Ali Dallori, alias Ali Tablet, last week openly took on each other right in front of Governor Kashim Shettima, when the legislator confronted the party chairman to release money given to him for politicians, and stop playing around as if nothing was given. nationalTRAIL gathered that, the Governor released over N300 million through the party Chairman for disbursement to Government officials, party leaders and stakeholders in the state, in lieu of the usual rice and sugar given to them every year, but that the money was not quick in reaching the beneficiaries, leading to allegations that the Chairman had cornered the money for his personal use. According to our source, members of the Assembly had expected their share to be released to the house leader, but when he enquired from the Chairman where their own share was, the party Chairman took offence, and shouted him down, thereby provoking the leader, who went for his collar, and knocked him down, before he was pulled back by other officials present. Apparently embarrassed by the encounter, Governor Shettima was said to have stormed out of the office, after asking the warring parties to take the fight elsewhere, and not in his presence, even as our correspondent learnt that there may be moves to suspend the legislator from the party for unruly behavior. Our correspondent further reports that at a meeting of the party’s state working Committee on Saturday, severe sanctions against the legislator by the party were agreed, to serve as deterrent to others who are said to form the habit of challenging party officials over issues of welfare. This is even as top Government officials, including the Governor, Kashim Shettima, his Deputy, Usman Durkwa and some commissioners have been fingered as having hands in the theft of rice and diversion of other relief materials donated to IDPs across the state, an issue that is currently being investigated by the security agencies.
Initial investigations reveal that, Government officials have been in the habit of negotiating with dealers in Maiduguri, Gombe and Kano to buy off relief materials entrusted to them for distribution to IDPs, with those meant for the Southern part channeled through the Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, but never delivered to their destinations. Our correspondent reports that it is an open secret that, materials clearly coming from Government stores meant for IDPs are being sold the open market, which may have attracted the attention of security agencies, leading to the probes, even as some traders from Gombe and Kano were said to have been taking delivery of relief materials from highly placed Government officials. People from the southern part are accusing the Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, who hails from there as being responsible for the disappearance of their own relief materials. nationalTRAIL learnt that, Governor Shettima was particularly irked by remarks credited to the Deputy Governor, whom he learnt had told people earlier that all his actions were based on instructions from his Governor, even as all others being questioned claimed to have received instructions from above on the sale of the items.. Governor Shettima although has claimed ignorance of the diversions, even in the face of the seeming indictments and widespread cries by the public, remains at the centre of the storm, as youths have been openly challenging him, resulting into a physical confrontation with some of them recently. Our correspondent reports that, while relief materials worth billions of naira are being donated for the upkeep of IDP, hundreds of them are dying of hunger, as the item are being diverted by people who have been put in charge of them. Only recently, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu had alerted on the theft of relief materials by Borno state Government officials, with a threat to get those responsible arrested, and last week some street urchins engaged the Governor and his commissioner for Justice, Kaka Shehu in a street fight, when they were accused of being part of the conspiracy to shortchange IDPs. Part of the Governors problems with the people of the state which has drastically affected his rating has been the issue of the alleged diversion of relief materials donated to IDPs by Dangote group and other donors, even as the state Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa finds it difficult to travel home following allegations that he has soiled his fingers in the deals. Investigations reveal that, against the background that relief material worth over N2 billion may have been diverted, top Government officials have been running from pillar to pole as the Police and the Directorate of State Security services, DSS, last week waded into the matter, with a view to identifying those who have been shortchanging IDPs. Governor Kashim Shettima had told a meeting with security operatives last week that, he initially thought the allegations of theft of the rice and other materials were mere media conjectures, but events have proven that they are true. Shettima was personally at some of the IDP camps where he saw the degree of deprivations and hunger plaguing the IDPs, with some of them even dying in his presence from hunger, reports indicated.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.