General News
AMBASSADOR GABRIEL TANIMU ADUDA BOWS OUT AFTER 22 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has formally retired from the Federal Civil Service after twenty-two years of dedicated and meritorious service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ambassador Aduda, who holds the distinction of being the youngest Nigerian ever appointed as a Federal Permanent Secretary, completed the mandatory eight-year tenure at just 53 years of age, seven years ahead of the statutory retirement age of 60.
Principal Superintendent of Press, Patience Ituke, in a statement, said Ambassador Aduda’s career journey, which traversed several key ministries, culminated in his stewardship at the Ministry of Defence, where he provided exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s national security and defence capabilities. Patience Ituke further stated that during his tenure, Ambassador Aduda championed critical reforms and institutional innovations with far-reaching implications for the Armed Forces and national defence.
Ambassador Aduda’s notable contributions include revitalizing Nigeria’s Defence Industry through the establishment of the Defence Industry Regulatory Department, centralizing defence procurement across the Armed Forces, reviving the Veterans’ Hospital Project, and advancing humanitarian demining efforts. In addition to institutional reforms, Ambassador Aduda prioritized staff welfare, restoring staff buses that had been grounded for decades and easing transportation challenges for employees.
In his farewell message to staff, Ambassador Aduda expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God and deep appreciation to his colleagues for their cooperation and support throughout his service. “Whatever we sow, we shall surely reap,” he reminded staff, charging them to continue rendering selfless service to the nation with the fear of God. Patience Ituke quoted Ambassador Aduda as saying his civil service journey was “an honour and a privilege,” emphasizing that the opportunity to contribute to nation-building across different ministries was a source of deep personal fulfillment.
Following his exit, Ambassador Aduda formally handed over the affairs of the Ministry to Dr. S. M. Attah, Director of Army Affairs Department, who will serve as Acting Permanent Secretary. Ambassador Aduda’s tenure will be remembered for its hallmark of innovation, discipline, and results-driven governance, leaving behind a legacy of reform and renewed capacity in Nigeria’s defence sector.
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, 2026, following his arraignment on alleged corruption-related charges.
El-Rufai was on Tuesday brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa.
During the proceedings, the former governor was docked on one count out of a 10-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The charge, according to his counsel, Ubong Akpan, relates to alleged deposits into a domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings.
El-Rufai was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
Despite pending applications earlier filed before the court, Justice Aikawa proceeded with the arraignment and subsequently adjourned the matter to March 31 to consider all outstanding applications, including the bail request.
No bail application was moved or granted during Tuesday’s session.
Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, Akpan maintained that there was nothing unusual about the proceedings, adding that the defence team was yet to be served with processes relating to other potential charges.
The case is expected to resume on the adjourned date for hearing of the bail application and other pending matters.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.