Top Headlines from Naija News, Wednesday, 18th October 2023:
- Reports indicate that ACP Odunmbaku passed away peacefully in his residence within an estate in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa.
The Police Spokesman in Bayelsa State, CSP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the unfortunate event without delving into specifics.
- President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of Ahmed Galadima Aminu as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). Aminu is set to serve for an initial term of four (4) years.
The confirmation of this appointment came through a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Tuesday. Ngelale highlighted that Aminu, the new Executive Secretary/CEO of PTDF, most recently held the position of General Manager of the Education and Training Department at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
- President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, granted his approval for the constitution of a fresh leadership team for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), pending Senate confirmation.
The newly appointed members include Dr. Musa Aliyu, who will serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the ICPC, and Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, who will take on the role of Secretary to the Commission at ICPC.
- President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Arabi is set to serve a term of four years in the first instance.
In line with this, President Tinubu has also dissolved the Board of NAHCON. The outgoing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has been directed to proceed on a three-month pre-retirement leave, effective from October 18, 2023, as provisioned by Public Service Rule (PSR) 120243.
- A mob, suspected to be Fulani Okada riders in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, killed a 45-year-old police inspector named Festus Onori. The unfortunate incident occurred while Inspector Onori was on his way to church with his wife and three children on a Sunday.
The incident unfolded when a commercial motorcyclist, believed to be of Fulani origin, collided with Inspector Onori’s vehicle from behind in Okpanam. After the minor accident, Inspector Onori parked his vehicle a short distance away to ensure the safety of the Okada rider and passenger. However, over 20 men armed with sticks and clubs pursued him, prompting him to retreat into his car.
- On Tuesday, October 17, during the Senate’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for an urgent closed-door meeting following the departure of Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who had been ruled out of order.
Senator Ndume, representing APC Borno South, had raised a point of order concerning alleged unaddressed errors made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ndume’s concern was related to a motion brought by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South) regarding the reopening of the Nigerian-Niger border. The issue was that Senator Kawu did not state the title of his motion.
- The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no case submission application by Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu. The application challenged the homicide and domestic violence-related suit filed against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Osinachi Nwachukwu passed away on April 8, 2022, with allegations from colleagues in the music industry suggesting she was maltreated by her husband, Peter Nwachukwu. Following her death, the Nigeria Police arrested Peter Nwachukwu and the case was later handed over to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for prosecution.
- The committee of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly investigating the alleged misappropriation of relief aid has called upon Governor Abdullahi Sule’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nawani Aboki, and Mr. Bello Akoza, the Overseer of Ekye Development Area.
Mr. Abel Bala, Chair of the Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, issued the summons on Monday while some council Chairmen were being questioned in Lafia.
- A set of conjoined twins born at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has unfortunately passed away, as confirmed by Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH. The twins, conjoined from the upper to the lower part of their bodies, had a complex connection that required careful assessment.
The hospital had previously announced the successful delivery of the conjoined twins, detailing that they were fused at the lower chest and abdomen (thoraco-omphalopagus). The birth was a rare event for the hospital and was celebrated as a medical milestone.
- The youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has set a three-day ultimatum for Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to either return to his official duties at the Governor’s Office in Akure or resign.
This ultimatum was declared on Monday at the PDP secretariat in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, during a protest denouncing the prolonged absence of the governor.