Government
Tinubu Mourns Victims of Terrorist Attack in Ngoshe Community
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the victims of the recent terrorist attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended heartfelt condolences to families affected by the attack carried out by Boko Haram.
Tinubu lamented the loss of innocent lives, including military personnel, as well as individuals who were caught in friendly fire during an aerial interdiction operation by the Nigerian Air Force targeting fleeing terrorists.
The President described the incident as a “heartless assault” on innocent citizens and urged residents of Borno and other parts of the country not to succumb to fear.
He commended the military for their swift response, which he said resulted in the killing of several terrorists and forced others to retreat.
Tinubu also directed the military and other security agencies to urgently intensify efforts to rescue individuals kidnapped during the attack.
Furthermore, he tasked the armed forces to strengthen operations aimed at protecting civilians across the country and preventing attacks on military formations, particularly in the North-East region.
The President prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the attack and the friendly fire incident, while extending sympathies to their families and the government of Borno State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of four new Permanent Secretaries into the Federal Civil Service to fill existing vacancies and strengthen public service administration in Nigeria.
The appointments were disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Eno Olotu.
According to the statement, the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Mrs. Warrens Bekearedebo Augusta (Bayelsa State), Mrs. Jones-Nebo Nkiruka Bella (Enugu State), Mr. Aminu Sani Yargaya (Kano State), and Mr. Shoretire Ayinda Kamil (Ogun State).
The government explained that the appointments followed a rigorous and transparent selection process, reflecting the administration’s commitment to meritocracy, professionalism, and excellence within the federal civil service.
Officials said the new Permanent Secretaries are expected to bring their wealth of experience and administrative expertise to their respective roles, helping to strengthen governance and improve service delivery across government ministries and agencies.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack congratulated the appointees and commended the president for prioritizing professionalism and competence in the public service.
She noted that the appointments demonstrate the administration’s commitment to building a competent, results-oriented civil service capable of meeting the needs of Nigerians and supporting national development goals.
The Federal Government has inaugurated a Textile Steering Committee to lay the groundwork for a Cotton, Textile, and Garment Development Board, aimed at reviving Nigeria’s struggling textile industry.
The initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which focuses on industrial growth, job creation, and economic diversification.
Speaking at the Abuja ceremony, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, highlighted that the textile sector, once a major contributor to the economy and rural livelihoods, has faced declining production, poor infrastructure, inconsistent policies, and competition from smuggled products.
He urged the committee to prioritise local content and public-private partnerships, assuring government support for implementing their recommendations.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Abia Ifiok Bassey includes representatives from key industry associations such as the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, Apparel and Accessories Manufacturers Association, and the National Cotton Association of Nigeria.
Coordinator of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Forum, Anibe Achimugu, described the move as a historic step toward rebuilding Nigeria’s cotton, textile and garment sector and coordinating policy, investment, and standards across the industry.
Government
Shettima Sets Up Committee to Develop Funding Framework for Nigeria’s Nutrition Interventions
Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced the establishment of a Nutrition Financing Subcommittee to develop a sustainable funding structure for Nigeria’s nutrition interventions.
The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) chaired by the Vice President, where he also called for the ring-fencing of nutrition financing to ensure that policy commitments translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The newly constituted subcommittee has been given 30 days to develop a financing roadmap that will be presented to the council and the National Economic Council (NEC) for review and final adoption.
The committee will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, and includes the Ministers of Education, Water Resources, Women Affairs, and Science and Technology, alongside the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health. The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will serve as the secretariat.
Shettima also directed that development partners and private sector investors be involved in the process, including the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Speaking after the meeting, the Vice President stressed the need to urgently pursue the National Nutrition Bill to establish a stronger legal and institutional framework for coordinating, financing, and monitoring nutrition interventions across sectors.
“Council recognises the importance of establishing a strong legal and institutional framework to sustain coordination, financing, and accountability across sectors. Council therefore resolves that the National Nutrition Bill should be pursued with urgency,” he said.
According to him, budgetary allocations for nutrition programmes must be matched with timely releases and effective utilisation, adding that ministries, departments and agencies must ensure approved funds for nutrition-related initiatives are implemented accordingly.
Shettima also highlighted the importance of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project (ANRiN) 2.0, describing it as a key initiative for addressing service delivery gaps in states with high malnutrition burdens. He urged state governors to expedite necessary actions to ensure the programme is effectively implemented.
“If our efforts are to succeed, they must not stop at the federal level. Nutrition outcomes are ultimately determined within households and communities,” the Vice President said, calling for stronger state and grassroots participation.
The council also emphasised that women must remain at the centre of nutrition interventions, noting their critical role in household nutrition, childcare, and food systems.
Shettima stressed that financing remained the central challenge in Nigeria’s nutrition reform agenda.
“Budgeting without release is not financing. Allocation without predictability is not reform. Nutrition must be protected,” he said, adding that government agencies must now account not just for budget figures but for measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
He also called for improved budget tagging, tracking, and reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in nutrition financing.
Earlier, the council received updates on the Food and Nutrition Security Preparedness Plan, the Nutrition 774 implementation framework, and the proposed nutrition legislation.
Representatives of state governments, development partners, and stakeholders, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor of Kwara State, Muhammad Sanusi II of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and UNICEF, reaffirmed their support for nutrition-focused programmes across the country.
The council was also informed that State Councils on Nutrition have already been inaugurated in nine states Abia State, Adamawa State, Borno State, Cross River State, Jigawa State, Plateau State, Rivers State, Yobe State, and Zamfara State, with more states expected to follow.