Author: CKN

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

Elder statesman and convener of the Igbochukwu Organisation, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has expressed regret that Nigeria’s former head of state, retired General Yakubu Gowon, intentionally omitted the fundamental truths regarding the genocide against the Igbos during the Nigeria versus Biafra war from 1967 to 1970.

He stated that at the age of 90, the former Head of State should have taken a cue from former military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida by addressing all the webs of deceit or uncertainty surrounding the events that led to his conflict with Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, shortly after the Aburi Accord was established.

He emphasised that he and other Nigerian elders, including Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo, Theophilus Danjuma, and President Bola Tinubu, should have recognised by now that it is imperative to stop misleading the younger generation, particularly as they approach the end of their lives.

Obidigbo, who mentioned that he took time to reflect on the significant historical lessons presented in Gowon’s ‘My Life of Duty & Allegiance’ before making his remarks, observed that the entire biography resembled a command narrative designed to reflect a personal stance on the contentious issues that contributed to Nigeria’s troubled framework.

“I can assert without hesitation that Jack failed to include the essential facts and truths concerning the most significant historical challenge that has affected Nigeria’s political economy. It is possible that, accustomed to the command and control dynamics of the military, which remains his domain, the former Head of State prioritised loyalty to the institution over the nation.

“One aspect that I believe Gowon should have expanded upon is the reality that Biafra and the attempted secession by the Eastern Region was not originally Ojukwu’s concept. The former Head of State is aware that Ojukwu was a casualty of unforeseen circumstances and the unintended repercussions of the pogrom in Northern Nigeria that led to the conflict,” he remarked.

According to Obidigbo, “I know this to be true. In April 1967, Ojukwu received visitors in August, which included the then British Deputy High Commissioner to the Eastern region, Mr. Roland Walter Parker, the Managing Director of Shell BP Development Company, Mr. Stanley Gray, Mr. Frederick Stephens, the chairman of Shell International, who was visiting Port Harcourt at that time, and a representative of Sir David Hunt, the then British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

“The purpose of these visitors’ assignment to Enugu was to persuade Ojukwu to withdraw the Eastern region from Nigeria, and to discuss the future of petroleum exploitation in a new nation anticipated to emerge from the then Eastern region. They believed that Gowon had received British support to abandon the terms and conditions for peaceful association as agreed upon in the Aburi Accord in Ghana.”

Furthermore, Obidigbo stated that Ojukwu revealed he informed the visitors that, given the itinerant nature of his people, Nigeria provided them with the necessary space to conduct their affairs. He also expressed that, since the country was in its formative stages of unity, such a secession might not serve the best interests of the new nation, Nigeria.

Additionally, Ojukwu conveyed to his visitors that he lacked the resources and adequate materials to wage a full-scale war against Nigeria, which was collaborating with Britain and other Western allies. He concluded that any discussions regarding the fate of oil at that time were not only premature but also decisions that he could not make alone.

The elder statesman noted that it was at this point that the British agents assured Ojukwu of their complete support, both locally and internationally, which included funding, weapon supplies, and the immediate release of the accumulated royalties that Shell was withholding from Ojukwu.

Biafra: At 90 you’re expected to tell the truth – Obidigbo slams Gowon over autobiography

NWFL Super Six Play-off debutants Abia Angels upset Rivers Angels at the Adokie Amesiemaka Stadium in Port-Harcourt to grab their first win of the competition.

Winner David’s header which found the back of the net in the 26th minute proved decisive in the encounter as the Abia ladies stun the former champions.

The coach Mario Eshalomi tutored Abia Angels held Bayelsa Queens to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture and now lead the play-off table with four points from two matches thereby announcing themselves as genuine title contenders.

Elsewhere, Christopher Danjuma’s Nasarawa Amazons rallied to beat defending champions Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in their second fixture for the day.

Nasarawa Amazons now have six points from two games, while Bayelsa Queens have recorded one point from same number of matches.

Edo Queens bounced back from their opening day defeat to Nasarawa Amazons to thrash FC Robo Queens 4-1 and ease some pressure off coach Moses Aduku.

It was Robo Queens’ second defeat of the play-off competition following last Saturday’s 3-2 loss to former champions Rivers Angels.

Matches will continue in the NWFL playoff on Wednesday.

Abia Angels Stun Rivers, Claim First Women’s Super Six Victory is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspects in possession of dangerous weapons during a raid on criminal hideouts in Damaturu.

The command, in a statement issued on Monday by its public relations officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, indicated that the raid on criminal hideouts followed directives from the Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, to police operatives in the state.

“During the operation, three suspects, all residents of Moduri Ward, were apprehended in possession of dangerous weapons and suspected charms believed to be used for protection during criminal activities or violent confrontations with rival groups.

“The suspects arrested are Yusuf Garba, 19; Dauda Kolo, 22; and Rabiu Hamza, 20. Exhibits recovered include four knives measuring approximately 20 inches each and four heavy sticks as well as one machete,” the command added.

It said investigations have commenced to ascertain the motive behind the possession of the deadly weapons, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate currently at large.

“The command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, while intensifying efforts to address youth hooliganism, drug and substance abuse, and other related violent crimes across the state,” the statement said.

Police arrest three suspects with dangerous weapons in Yobe