Government
MINISTER COMMENDS DIRI’S PERFORMANCE IN HEALTH SECTOR
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, has praised Governor Douye Diri for prioritising the health of Bayelsans. Prof. Ali-Pate gave the commendation on Tuesday while inaugurating the newly established Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre at the 500-bed hospital within the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, as part of activities marking Governor Diri’s fifth anniversary in office.
The facility was established to address non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, stated that the Health and Social Welfare Minister noted that tackling a major health issue like non-communicable disease in Nigeria was a strong statement of commitment by the governor as it touches the lives of millions of people. Alabrah added that the minister said what the Bayelsa State government was doing in the health sector was in line with the federal government’s health policy where states invest their resources and the federal government complements that to address the needs of the people. Alabrah also stated that Prof. Ali-Pate equally commended Governor Diri for appointing a seasoned health professional as Commissioner for Health, saying Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe’s performance made the federal ministry sought his services at the national level.
Governor Douye Diri, in his remarks, said his government broke the jinx by equipping the 500-bed hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and inaugurating the Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre. He said the centre was conceived due to the death of his mother in 2013 from renal failure and that he desired to have such facility to treat those with similar health conditions. “I feel very fulfilled that our people will no longer die of renal failure. I feel fulfilled that we can now offer these services to Bayelsans and to Nigerians,” Governor Diri said.
The governor acknowledged the immediate past governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who donated N500 million to the Bayelsa Medical University, noting that the fund had been judiciously used. He stressed that his administration does not play politics with development as the facility will not only serve Bayelsa but also other neighbouring states who have students in the university. Daniel Alabrah stated that the governor also expressed his gratitude to the former governor of Rivers State and current honourable Minister of the FCT, saying “I do not play politics with development and whoever assisted us, we will always acknowledge and recognise you publicly.”
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, said the centre was a leap forward in renal care and an active drive towards universal access to healthcare. Prof. Brisibe stressed that inaugurating the centre was a defining moment in the state government’s efforts to address the growing burden of kidney disease in the country and in Bayelsa. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Health Minister also inaugurated the Zipline Aerial Logistics Delivery System complex and an 800-metre concrete access road at Elebele. Present at the events were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayaowei, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, Chief Solomon Agwana, as well as top government functionaries.
Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has appointed Chiamaka Nnake as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), making her the first female and youngest person to occupy the position in the state’s history.
The appointment, announced on Monday, is seen as a significant step toward promoting youth inclusion and gender representation in governance.
At 39, Nnake brings over 13 years of professional experience spanning finance, economic planning and public sector strategy. Prior to her appointment, she served as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Anambra State, where she played a key role in resource mobilisation and socio-economic reforms.
She has also held leadership roles across several state institutions, including chairing Solution Fun City Limited and contributing to the activities of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service Board, and the Small Business Agency.
Recognised for her reform-driven approach, Nnake served as Anambra’s Reform Champion for Ease of Doing Business and as focal person for Social Investment Programmes. She is currently Nigeria’s Chairperson for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme.
Before joining public service, she worked as a Senior Strategy Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she led over 30 engagements across multiple sectors and earned the firm’s CEO Award in 2021.
Nnake also contributed to the development of the Anambra Vision 2070 blueprint, a long-term strategy aimed at transforming the state’s economic outlook.
An alumna of Lagos Business School, she holds an MBA and graduated with First-Class Honours in Accounting from Benson Idahosa University. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has completed executive training at Harvard Kennedy School. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved a ₦10,000 monthly salary top-up for civil servants and local government workers as part of an emergency measure to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices.
The intervention, announced in a statement on Monday, will run for an initial period of three months, beginning in April 2026. It is expected to benefit thousands of public sector employees across ministries, departments, agencies, and all 33 local government areas in the state.
The move comes in response to the sharp increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) following the nationwide removal of fuel subsidies, which has significantly raised transportation costs and overall living expenses.
According to the state government, the temporary wage boost is designed to ease the financial burden on workers, particularly those who depend on daily commuting.
“The Governor has approved this temporary salary top-up specifically to cushion the effect of the petrol price increase on our dedicated workforce,” the statement read, adding that the measure is not a permanent salary adjustment but a targeted relief effort.
The administration noted that the situation will be reviewed at the end of the three-month period in June 2026, with the possibility of extending the support or introducing alternative interventions depending on economic conditions.
Labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Oyo State, have reacted positively, describing the initiative as timely in the face of mounting cost-of-living pressures.
The salary top-up adds to a series of worker-focused policies implemented by the Makinde administration, including regular salary payments, clearance of pension arrears, and other welfare programmes.
With inflation and fuel costs continuing to strain household incomes nationwide, similar relief measures are increasingly being adopted by state governments to support public sector workers.
Government
EU Pledges €700m Security Support as Nigeria Strengthens Strategic Partnership at Abuja Dialogue
The European Union and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties following the 8th Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue held in Abuja on Monday.
EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, on her first official visit to Nigeria, underscored the country’s strategic importance as Africa’s most populous nation, a major economic hub, and a political force, stressing that its stability is critical to the wider region.
“Nigeria is a key partner to the European Union, and there is strong potential to deepen our cooperation even further,” Kallas said during a joint press briefing with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
She noted that EU-Nigeria relations have steadily expanded in recent years and expressed optimism about sustaining that momentum.
Security Cooperation
Both parties highlighted growing security concerns, particularly the rise in jihadist activities linked to groups such as Boko Haram, which continue to threaten regional stability.
Kallas reaffirmed Europe’s support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, stating, “Nigeria is a bulwark in the fight against terrorism, and Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria.”
Over the past decade, the EU has committed more than €700 million to support counterterrorism, rule of law, stabilisation initiatives, and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
The recent launch of the EU-Nigeria Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue further strengthens this collaboration.
Trade, Investment and Development
The EU remains Nigeria’s largest trading and investment partner, accounting for over a quarter of the country’s trade volume. More than 200 European companies currently operate in Nigeria, employing about 130,000 people.
Through its Global Gateway initiative, the EU is advancing new projects in Nigeria across digital innovation, agriculture, and healthcare, with €66 million in grants and €221 million in concessional loans.
An EU-Nigeria Business Forum scheduled for June in Lagos is expected to further boost investment flows and partnerships.
Technology and Migration
Discussions are ongoing for a Science, Technology and Innovation agreement under the Horizon Europe, described as mutually beneficial for both parties.
On migration, progress has been recorded on the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement, aimed at ensuring safe and dignified return of Nigerian migrants without legal stay in Europe.
Kallas commended Tuggar’s role in advancing the negotiations, noting that the agreement demonstrates that trust can deliver results, even on sensitive issues.
Regional Stability and Future Outlook
The dialogue also addressed regional challenges across West Africa, including unconstitutional changes of government, Sahel-based insurgencies, and humanitarian crises.
The EU reaffirmed its support for ECOWAS as a key framework for maintaining regional stability and democratic order.
On critical minerals, Kallas disclosed that while no formal agreement has been signed, discussions are ongoing to explore areas of cooperation.
She also welcomed signs of de-escalation in attacks on energy infrastructure, noting their destabilising impact on the region.
Reiterating Europe’s position, Kallas said, “The EU is a reliable and predictable partner for Nigeria. We believe in this partnership, and today’s dialogue marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase in EU-Nigeria relations.”