Author: The Whistler Newspaper

President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore-in two newly appointed ministers, Mr Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power and Mr Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the President’s Office in the State House, Abuja, shortly after Tinubu received Madagascar’s President, Michael Randrianirina, on a courtesy visit.

The Oath of Office was administered in the presence of Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials.

The inauguration marks the formal commencement of the ministers’ responsibilities as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The swearing-in follows recent cabinet adjustments approved by the president to strengthen policy implementation and enhance performance in key sectors of government.

Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, is a fiscal, economic and institutional reform strategist with more than 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors.

He holds a First Class Degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as well as Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration.

Before his appointment, he served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major transformational and public-sector reform initiatives.

His professional engagements have covered institutions such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Shell, Huawei, General Electric, MTN and Odu’a Group.

Enikanolaiye, from Kogi , holds a First Class Degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he emerged the best graduating student in his faculty.

He also obtained a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy with Distinction from the University of Lagos.

The diplomat joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1982 and rose through the ranks to become Permanent Secretary, a position he held until his retirement in August 2017 after 35 years of service.

During his diplomatic career, he served in Nigeria’s missions in Ethiopia, Serbia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and was later appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India.

Before his appointment as minister, Enikanolaiye served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

He is a recipient of several honours, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award.

The Senate in May screened and confirmed Tegbe and Enikanolaiye as ministers following Tinubu’s request.

Tinubu Swears-In Power, Foreign Affairs Ministers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of three persons following the derailment of the Warri-Itakpe train in Agbor, Delta State.

The Corporation added that four coaches left the rail track during the incident which occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The Managing Director of NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said in a statement that the emergency response team and other relevant authorities are currently managing the situation and providing necessary assistance.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed a serious train accident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor at Agbor, Delta State,” the statement read.

“Rescue and emergency response operations were immediately activated. All passengers on board have now been accounted for.

“Sadly, three fatalities have been confirmed at this time.

Opeifa, while stating that relevant authorities will continue to assess the full circumstances surrounding the incident, added that support is being provided to affected passengers.

He said the thoughts and prayers of all Nigerians are with the victims and their loved ones.

The Corporation advised members of the public to rely only on verified information and official updates from the Nigerian Railway Corporation as investigations and response efforts continue.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will officially begin the commissioning of several high-impact legacy infrastructure projects across the nation’s capital on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, as part of his third anniversary celebrations.

Speaking with newsmen during a high-level site verification tour to assess final delivery arrangements and mobilization frameworks on Monday, June 8, 2026, the Minister stated that the President will commence with the commissioning of stage two of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Main Carriageways, which he said was 100 percent complete.

 Wike, who was visibly excited at the rapid engineering turnarounds achieved across multiple strategic arterial corridors within the territory during the visit, said, “Tomorrow, the President will start the commissioning of the OSEX road, which was the first place we visited this morning”.

The Minister further disclosed that the commissioning itinerary will extend through a packed multi-day calendar to celebrate the administration’s third anniversary, adding that the President will commission the strategic Arterial Road N5 in Life Camp on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, which will be followed on Thursday by the commissioning of the newly dualized Highway 105 (Airport-to-Kuje carriageway), providing critical economic links to outlying development zones.

“These three projects are one hundred percent complete and ready for commissioning. What is important to us is that we have been able to achieve the timeline, and I commend the various contractors that are involved for keeping to their promises”, the Minister remarked.

Beyond the city centre, Barr. Wike further confirmed that President Tinubu will also visit the satellite towns to personally inaugurate vital interventions within the Area Councils.

While specific targets remain confidential, the Minister disclosed that the spread is proof of the administration’s commitment to touching the lives of the rural dwellers.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his consistent support to the FCT Administration, which, he said, made the achievements possible.

“The credit must go to Mr. President, who has given that directive and support for us to go this far. I have always said that one of the things about leadership is the will to continue with projects that may not have been initiated by you, but you continue and complete those projects”, the Minister stated.

Responding to questions regarding completed FCT bus terminals that are yet to open for commercial operations, Wike urged residents to remain patient with the mandatory bureaucratic process. He clarified that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has already approved a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) lease structure, and the concessionaire is presently consolidating public transportation fleets to match modern requirements.

“For you to give a private individual to run a government facility, it has to pass through a procurement process”, Wike explained. “Government process is not easy; bureaucracy is involved, and once you have achieved that, be patient. We don’t want to commit ourselves to go and run that business because we know that it won’t work. The person going to manage the facility has pleaded with us that he is assembling the buses and the taxis to ensure that it takes off smoothly”.

President Tinubu begins project commissioning in Abuja Tuesday

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, swore in Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. 

The short event took place at the Presidential Villa in the presence of the ministers’ spouses and senior government officials. 

Following the resignations of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to further their political careers, the President nominated the two new ministers, who the Senate duly cleared on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The new Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, born in Ibadan, Oyo State, is a renowned fiscal, economic and institutional reform strategist and stakeholder engagement expert with over 35 years of professional experience across the public and private sectors.

He holds a First Class Degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Switzerland) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (Birmingham).

He worked as a Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Africa, where he led transformational initiatives, including the design and implementation of major presidential reforms, the articulation and implementation of a strategy for subnational governments.

Joseph Tegbe was also involved in fiscal policy restructuring at all levels of Government. He has worked with organisations such as the Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Revenue Service, Shell, Huawei, General Electric, MTN, and Odu’a Group, among others.

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye from Igbagun, Kogi State, holds a First Class Degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and won the Dean’s Prize as the best student in his faculty. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos with Distinction.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 1982 and rose to the position of Director. He was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry in 2016, from which he retired on 4th August 2017 after 35 years in service. 

As a career diplomat, Ambassador Enikanolaiye served in many of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, notably Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Belgrade (Serbia), Ottawa (Canada) and London (UK). His last foreign service posting was as Nigeria’s Head of Mission in New Delhi (India). 

He is a recipient of several merit awards, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award, the Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award, and a Distinguished Fellow of the National Defence College, among others.

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye was, until his appointment, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, on Foreign Affairs and International Relations in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially inaugurated Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The ceremony was held on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was attended by family members of the appointees, cabinet members and other top government officials.

The appointments followed vacancies created by the exit of former Power Minister, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, both of whom resigned to pursue governorship ambitions in their respective states.

Following their nomination by President Tinubu, Tegbe and Enikanolaiye were screened and confirmed by the Senate on May 6, 2026.

Tegbe, a native of Ibadan in Oyo State, is widely known for his work in economic, fiscal and institutional reforms. He brings more than three decades of experience from both the public and private sectors, with a strong background in policy execution and stakeholder management.

Enikanolaiye, from Igbagun in Kogi State, graduated with a First Class degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he emerged as the best graduating student in his faculty and earned the Dean’s Prize.

He later obtained a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, graduating with distinction.

A seasoned diplomat, Enikanolaiye has represented Nigeria in several countries, serving in diplomatic missions in Ethiopia, Serbia, Canada and the United Kingdom. 

His most recent overseas assignment was as Nigeria’s Head of Mission in New Delhi, India.

Before joining the Federal Executive Council, he served as Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and International Relations in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

Tinubu swears in new Ministers for Power, Foreign Affairs

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a self-styled native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, for an alleged contract scam to the tune of N1,098,961,500 (One Billion, Ninety Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only).

The couple were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Usman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on a six-count charge bordering of obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 17(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Taiwo and Omotola were arrested when a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a proprietor of a private school in Delta State, petitioned the EFCC alleging that the first defendant, Taiwo, approached her to finance a road construction contract purportedly awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Kenechukwu further alleged that a total sum of N1,980,000,000.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira Only) was paid into Taiwo’s account domiciled with Access Bank Plc.

Investigation further revealed that the couple invested the proceeds of the illicit activities in the acquisition of two properties in Ado-Ekiti, namely: Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located on Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti

The Commission had on Monday, May 25, 2026 secured the interim attachment of the two properties.

Count 2 of the charge reads:

“That you, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and Awolegan Omolola Omotola, sometime between January 2024 and November 2025, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,098,961,500.00 (One Billion, Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) from one Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, which was paid to you through Olorunbukunmi Taiwo’s account number 0027303340 domiciled with Access Bank Plc, by falsely representing that same would be used to execute a road construction contract awarded to you by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), a pretence you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and order the remand of the defendants.

Justice Usman adjourned the matter until Thursday, June 11, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, and commencement of trial. The judge also ordered the remand of the defendants in the EFCC holding facility.

‎The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 8, 2026, arraigned the duo of Olivia Dike and Azeez Muniru Siyanbola for an alleged N560,000,000,00( Five Hundred and Sixty Million Naira ) theft before Justice R.O. Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The defendants were arraigned alongside a company, Eniafelamo Global Seven Nigeria Limited, on a three-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N560m.

‎One of the counts read: “That you, Olivia Dike, Azeez Muniru Siyanbola, Eniafelamo Global Seven Nigeria Limited and one Taoheed Lekan Abdrahman (at large), between July, 2024 and February, 2025 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly stole and converted to your use the cumulative sum of N560, 000,000.00 (Five Hundred and Sixty Million Naira only), property of Peachland West Africa Limited and lyke Stephen Okpaji, thereby committing a crime, Stealing, contrary to Sections 278(1) (b) and 285(9) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

‎The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

‎In view of this, prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed for the remand of the defendants in a Correctional centre.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until July 10, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.

The judge also ordered that the first defendant be remanded in a female custodial centre and the second defendant in a maximum security Correctional facility.

Reports have emerged suggesting that former Adamawa State Governor, Bindow Jibrilla, may be considering a return to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The claim was made by political commentator Imran Wakili in a post on X on Monday.

According to Wakili, indications from political circles in Adamawa State suggest that Bindow could leave the ADC within days amid growing dissatisfaction with recent developments within the party in the state.

Wakili further alleged that the former governor feels his years of loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were taken for granted

He wrote: “Whispers making rounds in Adamawa suggests that former Governor Bindow Jibrilla may be on his way out of the ADC and back to the APC within days.

“According to what I gathered, the former governor feels deeply disappointed by recent events within the Adamawa ADC and believes his years of steadfast loyalty to Atiku Abubakar and the political structure have not been adequately appreciated and have been taken for granted.”

DAILY POST reports that neither Bindow nor the ADC had officially commented on the claim as of the time of filing this report.

Bindow, a former APC governor of Adamawa State, has remained an influential figure in the state’s political landscape, with his next political move likely to attract attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027: More trouble for Atiku as Gov Bindow allegedly plans to leave ADC for APC

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 8, 2026, brought two individuals and a company before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged N560 million theft case.

Those arraigned are Olivia Dike and Azeez Muniru Siyanbola, alongside Eniafelamo Global Seven Nigeria Limited. They were docked before Justice R.O. Oshodi on a three-count charge bordering on stealing.

The EFCC alleged in a statement that the defendants dishonestly converted a total sum of N560,000,000 (Five Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) belonging to Peachland West Africa Limited and Lyke Stephen Okpaji.

One of the counts read “That you,  Olivia Dike, Azeez Muniru Siyanbola, Eniafelamo Global Seven Nigeria Limited and one Taoheed Lekan Abdrahman (at large), between July, 2024 and February, 2025 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly stole and converted to your use the cumulative sum of N560, 000,000.00 (Five Hundred and Sixty Million Naira only), property of Peachland West Africa Limited and lyke Stephen Okpaji, thereby committing a crime, Stealing, contrary to Sections 278(1) (b) and 285(9) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

All the defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them in court.

Following their plea, prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, urged the court to fix a trial date and also requested that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre pending further proceedings.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to July 10, 2026, the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

The court also ordered that the first defendant be remanded in a female custodial centre, while the second defendant be remanded in a maximum security correctional facility.

EFCC drags company, two others before Lagos court over alleged N560m theft

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), on Monday, rescued a female victim who sustained fractures to her arm and leg in a hit-and-run accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The LATSMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, isaid the incident occurred at EFF Bus Stop inward Marwa, where an unidentified motorist allegedly knocked down the victim and fled the scene, leaving her critically injured.

“The unfortunate occurrence, which transpired today, involved an unidentified motorist who reportedly absconded immediately after knocking down the victim, leaving her critically exposed and unattended along the busy expressway,” Taofiq said.

Taofiq said LASTMA officials monitoring traffic along the corridor immediately evacuated the victim from the roadway and alerted the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

He added that the agency also implemented traffic control measures to prevent secondary accidents and maintain the free flow of traffic on the expressway, and that LASAMBUS officials subsequently arrived at the scene and evacuated the victim to the General Hospital, Odan, for urgent medical attention and further evaluation.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the growing incidence of hit-and-run cases, describing such acts as morally and legally unacceptable.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive traffic management and emergency response interventions across the state.

“Every motorist bears an inherent civic and moral obligation to uphold the sanctity of human life. Fleeing the scene of an accident after causing injury to another road user is not only an abdication of responsibility but also a grievous affront to humanity and the rule of law,” Bakare-Oki said.

He also commended the collaboration between LASTMA and LASAMBUS personnel, noting that their swift response ensured the victim’s timely evacuation and the restoration of normal traffic flow along the affected route.

LASTMA Rescues Hit-And-Run Victim In Lekki is first published on The Whistler Newspaper