BANNER NEWS

Year: 2026

  • ADC coalition of professionals rallies for 2027, vows grassroots push on Good Governance

    ADC coalition of professionals rallies for 2027, vows grassroots push on Good Governance

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Coalition of Professionals, a support group for HE Malam Nasir Elrufai has reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting good governance as it intensifies preparations for massively mobilizing for ADC for the next general election.
     This resolve was made clear at a strategic meeting held yesterday, 8th January 2025 in Portharcourt , Rivers State where members reviewed progress and agreed on concrete steps to strengthen the coalition’s political structure and objectives
    At the meeting, the coalition resolved to put in place a solid and functional framework that will run from the state level down to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the wards .
    . Members agreed that building a strong grassroots structure is essential for effective mobilization, coordination, and electoral success. The coalition emphasized that good governance must begin from within, through discipline, transparency, and effective organization.
    Participants noted that the planned state and LGA structures would serve as platforms for voter education, community engagement, and the promotion of issue-based politics. They stressed that professionals have a responsibility to bring competence, integrity, and accountability into the political space, especially at a time when citizens are demanding better leadership and responsive governance.
    The Support Group also restated its alignment with the vision of its Principal, HE Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a well-known advocate of good governance, accountability, and institutional reform.
     Members described his leadership philosophy as a guiding influence on the coalition’s mission to build credible and people-oriented political structures.
    Speaking on behalf of the Principal, *Mr. Chapp* Jumbo Jonathan charged all state and LGA coordinators to work diligently and remain committed to the task ahead. He urged them to focus on building systems that are not only well organized but capable of evolving into a strong political machinery that can win elections.
    According to him, success in elections depends on planning, teamwork, and sustained grassroots engagement, maintained that 2027 is beyond politics but a poll to live or act otherwise and we all die.
    Mr. Jumbo further emphasized that good governance starts with proper organization at the party level, noting that the structures being established must be active and result-driven.
     He encouraged State Officers and LGA coordinators to see their roles as responsibilities to serve, mobilize, and inspire confidence among party members and the wider public.
    As the next election season draws closer, the ADC Coalition of Professionals expressed confidence that its focus on professionalism, strong structures, and good governance will appeal to voters seeking credible alternatives.
     The coalition of Professionals concluded the meeting with a renewed determination to lead by example and translate its vision into electoral success and effective governance.
    Those who attended the meeting include Archbishop Iyango Eric Lazarus, Patron, Alhaji Adamu Salihu, Patron, Dr Thankgod Okpara, Dr Harold Orji, Dr Lasbury Adindu, Mrs Ngozika, Hon, Prince Ajubo, Hon Jenny Benson, *Good Governance: ADC* *Coalition of* *Professionals Takes the* *Lead*
    The ADC Coalition of Professionals, a support group for HE Malam Nasir Elrufai has reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting good governance as it intensifies preparations for the next general election
     This resolve was made clear at a strategic meeting held yesterday, 8th January 2025 in Rivers State where members reviewed progress and agreed on concrete steps to strengthen the coalition’s political structure.
    At the meeting, the coalition resolved to put in place a solid and functional framework that will run from the state level down to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the wards .
    . Members agreed that building a strong grassroots structure is essential for effective mobilization, coordination, and electoral success. The coalition emphasized that good governance must begin from within, through discipline, transparency, and effective organization.
    Participants noted that the planned state and LGA structures would serve as platforms for voter education, community engagement, and the promotion of issue-based politics. They stressed that professionals have a responsibility to bring competence, integrity, and accountability into the political space, especially at a time when citizens are demanding better leadership and responsive governance.
    The Support Group also restated its alignment with the vision of its Principal, HE Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a well-known advocate of good governance, accountability, and institutional reform.
     Members described his leadership philosophy as a guiding influence on the coalition’s mission to build credible and people-oriented political structures.
    Speaking on behalf of the Principal, *Mr. Chapp* Jumbo Jonathan charged all state and LGA coordinators to work diligently and remain committed to the task ahead. He urged them to focus on building systems that are not only well organized but capable of evolving into a strong political machinery that can win elections.
    According to him, success in elections depends on planning, teamwork, and sustained grassroots engagement.
    Mr. Jumbo further emphasized that good governance starts with proper organization at the party level, noting that the structures being established must be active and result-driven.
     He encouraged State Officers and LGA coordinators to see their roles as responsibilities to serve, mobilize, and inspire confidence among party members and the wider public.
    As the next election season draws closer, the ADC Coalition of Professionals expressed confidence that its focus on professionalism, strong structures, and good governance will appeal to voters seeking credible alternatives.
     The coalition of Professionals concluded the meeting with a renewed determination to lead by example and translate its vision into electoral success and effective governance.
    Those who attended the meeting include Archbishop Iyango Eric Lazarus, (Patron), Alhaji Salihu Adamu, (Patron) Dr Thankgod Okpara, Dr Harold Orji, Dr Lasbury Adindu, Mrs Ngozika, Hon, Prince Ajubo, Hon Jenny Benson, Barr Benjamin Ojiji, Mr Samuel , Mr LIoyd Brown , Dr Leton Sirjoe Deedua, and All 23 LGA Coordinators of the State and other State Officers amongst others .
  • UNICROSS: Relishing Prof. Francisca Bassey’s Scorecard in 315 Days As VC

    UNICROSS: Relishing Prof. Francisca Bassey’s Scorecard in 315 Days As VC

    By Dr Peter Iyali
    After a prolonged leadership crisis in the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, the Visitor to the University, Governor Bassey  Otu, took decisive action on February 26, 2025, by appointing Prof. Francisca Bassey, a highly regarded, results-oriented administrator as Acting Vice Chancellor. Her outstanding performance during this interim period paved the way for her confirmation as substantive VC on July 17, 2025, where, in a rigorous interview process, she emerged top among contenders, impressing the Governing Council with her clear articulation of a practical and ambitious vision, coupled with the undeniable evidence of her exceptional achievements in just five months as Acting VC.
    315 days at the helm, Prof. Bassey has proven the Visitor right in his judgment to appoint her as the second substantive female VC of the institution. Bassey, a Professor of organic chemistry has orchestrated a symphony of transformations across all campuses, turning challenges into opportunities and elevating the institution’s stature. Her energetic approach is not only addressing long-standing infrastructural deficits but also fostering an environment ripe for academic excellence and innovation.
    From the outset, Prof. Bassey prioritized campus safety and visibility, securing and installing solar 100 street lights around the main campus and staff quarters at no cost to the university. This initiative has dramatically reduced nighttime hazards, allowing students and staff to navigate freely after dark. Illuminating pathways that were once shrouded in darkness has instilled a sense of security that permeates daily university life.
    Water scarcity, a perennial plague at the Okuku Campus, was swiftly tackled through a comprehensive water project. Reactivating the borehole and reticulating water directly to hostels has ensured a reliable supply, alleviating the burdens on students who previously struggled with basic needs. This achievement not only enhances living conditions but also supports academic focus, as hydrated and comfortable learners perform better, marking a pivotal step toward holistic student welfare under her stewardship.
    Also, to enhance security, she has successfully lobbied and secured approval for a police station at Okuku Campus to deter threats and create a safer learning environment.
    Prof. Bassey’s strategic thinking was relished in recovering the former Heritage Bank building, now repurposed for the CRUTECH Micro Finance Bank. This initiative has streamlined financial services on campus, providing accessible banking for the university community and generating internal revenue streams. Reclaiming this asset is a clear demonstration on how resourceful leadership can transform idle properties into vibrant economic hubs, directly benefiting the institution’s financial health and operational efficiency.
    Nevertheless, in a historic first for the Ogoja Campus, she secured a building now under renovation to serve as the inaugural hostel accommodation. This breakthrough addresses the long-standing issue of student housing shortages, enabling more learners to reside on-site and immerse themselves in campus life. The impact is transformative as it’ll reduce commute-related stresses and enhance a stronger sense of community, which in turn elevates retention rates and academic engagement.
    In a bid to give a facelift to the university’s main entrance gate, Prof. Bassey has secured the commitment of Zenith Bank Management to remodel the  gate to enhance its aesthetic appeal. This facelift not only beautifies the institution’s facade but also signals a commitment to making a lasting first impression on visitors, prospective students, and stakeholders. Such enhancements elevate UNICROSS’s brand, capable of attracting partnerships and investments that propel future growth.
    Her negotiation prowess secured NDDC’s approval for renovating and reconstructing of the abandoned 500-unit hostel in Calabar campus. She has also secured Tetfund approval for the complete renovation of the university auditorium, revitalizing a key venue for events, lectures, and cultural activities.
    Accreditation readiness was bolstered through the renovation and furnishing of offices for Heads of Departments. There’s also an ongoing project to furnish and make Heads of Departments offices ensuite. These upgraded spaces provide conducive environments for administrative work and ensuring smoother operations as well as compliance with standards. The ripple effect is a more efficient faculty, empowered to deliver top-tier education.
    Similarly, she has commenced the renovation and standard furnishing of offices for Deans, starting with those of Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences. Beyond giving these important expanded management staff a conducive environment to work, she aims to create hubs for strategic planning and research coordination with the initiative.
    Also, several lecture halls have received much-needed attention with the reconstruction and repair of seats that have now transformed worn-out venues into comfortable learning spaces. This upgrade minimizes distractions, enhances attendance, and supports interactive teaching methods, ultimately raising the bar for educational delivery. Her emphasis on these fundamentals reflects a deep understanding that quality infrastructure is the bedrock of academic success.
    Moreso, laboratories are being constructed, equipment to furnish, and equipped existing ones to provide state-of-the-art facilities for hands-on learning in sciences and technology have been procured and installation is ongoing. These advancements bridge the gap between theory and practice and have equipped students with practical skills that enhance employability and research output.
    Wellness took centre stage with the construction, furnishing, and equipping of a modern gym for the department of Human Kinetics. This is even as she secured the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission’s licence for the department of Broadcasting to operate the university radio station. Essential studio equipment was also provided.
    Besides, the abandoned Ogoja Campus guest house has been reconstructed, renovated, and converted into classrooms and staff offices, with four buildings fully furnished and a dwarf fence under construction to prevent encroachment and bush fires.
    To enhance the institution’s IGR, the Bassey’s administration has established a 10-hectare oil palm plantation in Okuku Campus, which is set to expand to 30 hectares this year. The Centre for entrepreneurship development has also been equipped to collaborate with some departments technical departments to go into several businesses like furniture making, blocks production, fashion designing, welding, etc. Equipments for all these and those to set up bakery and photo studio for business and hands-on training of students on vocational skills are already on ground and being installed.
    Also, she has secured the Governor’s approval for intra-campus road construction and a mini stadium to improve accessibility and recreational facilities. Better roads facilitate smoother logistics, while the stadium promotes sports and fitness. For a university that has long decried government’s lack of investment in infrastructure, in less than a year in office, she has changed this narrative.
    Notwithstanding, staff welfare improved markedly with the implementation of the new minimum wage and improved subvention to ensure fair compensation that motivates employees. And to boost staff morale, she organized the first ever staff week in UNICROSS where outstanding staff were celebrated and presented with awards and gifts.
    A monumental 4 billion Naira Public Private Partnership has been secured for a hostel project to address accommodation deficits on a grand scale. Existing Students hostels across campuses are under renovation, demonstrating her administration’s commitment to students welfare.
    Under her watch also, she has seen to the creation of a new Faculty of Computing to advance technological education that equips students for the digital age. While the Faculty is currently making use of a temporary venue, approval has been secured for the construction of a state-of-the-art building for the new faculty.
    Also, long-abandoned structures like the Art Exhibition building and Wood Products Engineering building are currently being renovated, reviving specialized spaces for creative and engineering pursuits. These restorations preserve heritage while enabling modern usage, enriching curricula and inspiring artistic and technical excellence.
    Similarly, e-learning at UNICROSS has been revolutionized through the procurement of six state-of-the-art interactive boards, creating cutting-edge facilities that seamlessly blend technology with teaching and learning. Under Prof. Bassey’s leadership, all three campuses have been elevated into fully smart campuses, bolstered by reliable, high-speed internet infrastructure that drives superior teaching, groundbreaking research, and seamless collaboration. This comprehensive digital transformation has powerfully enhanced remote and hybrid learning models, rendering quality education far more accessible, engaging, and inclusive, dramatically broadening the university’s reach and ensuring its adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving academic world.
    Another longstanding challenge inherited from previous administrations, the dysfunctional student results viewing portal has been decisively resolved. Prof. Bassey oversaw the meticulous migration and integration of over five million results covering more than five academic sessions. Today, students can effortlessly access and view their results from the comfort of their homes or anywhere with internet connection, eliminating needless travel, reducing administrative bottlenecks, and bringing immense relief and convenience to the entire student body.
    Senate meetings have been elevated to a fully hybrid format, allowing members from distant campuses to participate effectively without the burden of traveling to Calabar. This thoughtful innovation has delivered substantial cost savings for the university while minimizing the risks associated with long-distance travel for staff. The General Studies Examinations that used to be a challenge has been addressed as students can now write a computer-based exams and see their results immediately upon clicking the submit button.
    Her administration has also forged strategic collaborations with prestigious local and international institutions, including Zhenjiang College in China and the Soho-Skyrun Group, to foster robust academic exchanges, cutting-edge research partnerships, and valuable industrial training opportunities for students and staff. Additionally, a landmark partnership with the Nigerian Air Force has opened doors for specialized training programmes benefiting both students and faculty.
    Building on this momentum, vocational training has surged forward with the procurement of advanced drones, high quality still cameras, and professional video cameras. These state-of-the-art tools are dedicated to equipping students with in-demand skills in photography, cinematography, and related fields that directly bridge the gap between academia and industry. Beyond empowering graduates with marketable expertise that enhances employability, these initiatives are aimed at generating internal revenue through innovative training programmes and services.
    Indeed, with these  mouthwatering achievements in just ten months, Prof. Bassey has raised the bar to unprecedented heights. Her visionary leadership has not only delivered visible, lasting impact in UNICROSS but also laid a solid foundation for sustained excellence. The future under her stewardship promises even greater milestones, more innovative projects, stronger partnerships, and deeper empowerment for students, staff, and the entire university community. The institution is on an upward trajectory, and she is undeniably the driving force behind this new era of progress.
    Iyali is National President of Alumni Association, UNICROSS
  • Jigawa sacks school feeding contractors over fraud, substandard meals

    Jigawa sacks school feeding contractors over fraud, substandard meals

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Jigawa State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties has dismissed and suspended several school feeding contractors over alleged fraud and supply of substandard food items to public schools.
    The affected contractors were accused of inflating student enrolment figures and serving poor-quality meals, particularly in some boarding schools in Dutse Local Government Area.
    The irregularities were uncovered during an unannounced inspection of schools by ministry officials and inspectors on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as part of routine compliance checks.
    Briefing journalists in Dutse, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, Auwal D. Sankara, said the surprise visits were aimed at safeguarding students’ welfare and ensuring contractors adhere strictly to programme guidelines.
    At the Girls Model Boarding School, Kudai, a contractor, Jibrin Maifata, was found to have inflated the school’s population to 1,008 students instead of the actual headcount of 681. He was immediately suspended after meals served were adjudged unfit for consumption.
    Inspectors also rejected a supply of low-quality rice at Government Commercial Secondary School, Dutse, while the Chairman of the School Feeding Contractors, Alhaji Sule Zai, was dismissed over lapses recorded during the exercise.
    Similarly, three contractors at the School for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Dutse—Kamalu Sulaiman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abanderi and Alhaji Umaru Chamo—were suspended for supplying incomplete food items.
    However, inspectors recorded full compliance at the School for the Visually Impaired, Limawa, where student figures matched the actual headcount. The contractor was retained but cautioned to improve meal quality and nutritional standards.
    Sankara reaffirmed the Jigawa State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, stressing that the administration of Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi would sustain routine and surprise inspections to ensure transparency, accountability and quality service delivery in the school feeding programme.
  • Rivers Lawmakers Accuse Fubara of Constitutional Breaches, Commence Impeachment Process

    Rivers Lawmakers Accuse Fubara of Constitutional Breaches, Commence Impeachment Process

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of alleged constitutional breaches and gross misconduct.

    The impeachment notice was presented on Thursday during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, marking a fresh escalation in the prolonged political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

    Reading the notice, the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, alleged that Governor Fubara’s actions contravened provisions of the 1999 Constitution, warranting his removal from office.

    The lawmakers maintained that their move was in strict compliance with constitutional procedures.

    According to the Assembly, the impeachment notice was endorsed by 26 legislators, forming the constitutionally required majority, and would be formally served on the governor within seven days, as stipulated by law.

    The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to ensure proper service of the notice, stressing that the Assembly was acting within its legislative powers and responsibilities.

    In a related development, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Linda Stewart, also read out a separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, signalling that the impeachment process extends to both top executive officers.

    Governor Fubara has been enmeshed in political turbulence since assuming office over two years ago, with deep divisions between the executive and legislature paralysing governance in the state.

    The crisis has often been linked to the lingering political rift between Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, whom many observers accuse of exerting influence over the Assembly.

    This latest move marks the second impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara. In February 2025, President Bola Tinubu intervened by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the House of Assembly for six months in a bid to restore order.

    With the renewed impeachment push, the political future of Rivers State appears increasingly uncertain as stakeholders brace for another round of high-stakes confrontation.

     

  • VP Shettima not wrong to warn Wike about party leadership – Obono-Obla

    VP Shettima not wrong to warn Wike about party leadership – Obono-Obla

    By Our Reporter
    A lawyer and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has defended Vice President Kashim Shettima over his recent remarks on party leadership in Rivers State, following a warning issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

    Wike, speaking recently in his community, told PDP and community stakeholders that he remained the leader of both the PDP and APC in Rivers State, cautioning APC leaders to steer clear of the state. He further declared that he would determine who emerges as governor in the next general elections.
    However, the Vice President, while responding to questions during a visit to Enugu State, pushed back against Wike’s assertions. Shettima stressed that the leader of the APC in Rivers State is Governor Siminalayi Fubara, not the FCT minister.
    Shettima explained that although he is the Vice President of Nigeria and the second-in-command within the APC, party leadership at the state level rests with the sitting governor. He cited his home state of Borno, where Governor Babagana Zulum serves as the party leader.
    Reacting in a statement, Obono-Obla said there was no real dispute over party leadership, noting that by long-standing party practice, the governor of a state is regarded as the party leader.
    “Be that as it may, if governors assume such a toga by convention within the party, then the Vice President is not entirely wrong to make such an assertion,” Obono-Obla said. He, however, added that directing the remark at Wike may not be appropriate, as Wike is not a member of the APC in Rivers State.
    The former presidential aide pointed out that the APC constitution does not expressly designate elected governors as party leaders in their states, but that the role has evolved through convention and implied practice.
    He observed that the arrangement has remained controversial, with critics arguing that some governors exploit the absence of clearly defined roles to concentrate power, often encouraging cronyism and godfatherism.
    Obono-Obla therefore called for clearer provisions in the APC constitution to properly define party leadership roles at the state level, saying this would help curb abuse of convention and strengthen internal democracy within the party.

  • Pregnant women, two others die from suspected Lassa fever in Nasarawa

    Pregnant women, two others die from suspected Lassa fever in Nasarawa

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Four persons, including two pregnant women, have died from suspected Lassa fever in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, triggering heightened health concerns and emergency containment measures.

    Following the development, the General Hospital in Awe has been shut down, while health workers, including the Medical Superintendent, have been placed under isolation as a precaution against further spread of the disease.

    The outbreak reportedly began when a woman was rushed to a health facility in Awe with symptoms suspected to be Lassa fever but died before receiving treatment. Her husband later developed similar symptoms and also died.

    Speaking on the situation, the Disease Surveillance Officer in the area, Mallam Ahmad Yahuza Abdullahi, blamed the fatalities on poor handling of suspected cases and severe logistical constraints affecting surveillance efforts.

    Abdullahi lamented that none of the Disease Surveillance Officers across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State had been provided with motorcycles, a situation he said hampers prompt response to remote communities.

    He added that although the state government deployed an ambulance to Awe to evacuate six suspected cases to Lafia for isolation, the patients reportedly escaped before laboratory test results were released.

    Health workers in the area have also raised alarm over the lack of protective equipment. A nurse at the General Hospital, Awe, Mr. Ovey Polycarp, said fear had gripped staff due to the absence of basic protective gear.

    According to him, the two pregnant women were brought to the hospital almost simultaneously with symptoms initially resembling malaria, but their conditions rapidly deteriorated to bleeding and haemorrhage, eventually leading to their deaths.

    Confirming the incident, the Director of Public Health at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Attah, said only one case of Lassa fever had so far been officially recorded in Awe LGA, noting that the patient died before laboratory results were released.

  • EFCC Seizes Malami’s N213bn Assets, Warns of Plot to Undermine Anti-Graft War

    EFCC Seizes Malami’s N213bn Assets, Warns of Plot to Undermine Anti-Graft War

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured an interim forfeiture order for 57 high-value properties worth about N213.23 billion allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, intensifying its crackdown on alleged grand corruption.
    The assets, spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states, were ordered forfeited by the Federal High Court in Abuja following an ex-parte application moved by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
    In granting the order, the court held that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, and therefore forfeited to the Federal Government pending final determination of the matter.
    Justice Nwite further directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be made, and adjourned the case to January 27, 2026, for compliance.
    The forfeiture came less than 12 hours after the same court granted Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and his son Abdulaziz Malami bail in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties, as they face an alleged N8.7 billion money-laundering charge, with trial fixed for February 17.
    According to court filings, some of the properties are allegedly linked to Malami’s wife and sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman, and include luxury hotels, duplexes, shopping plazas, schools, oil and gas stations, warehouses, agro-allied factories and vast tracts of land.
    Among the listed assets are multi-billion-naira hotels in Maitama, Jabi and Asokoro, luxury duplexes in Wuse II and Gwarimpa, commercial properties in Kano and Kaduna, and over 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, alongside residential estates and institutional buildings.
    As the legal battle unfolds, the EFCC has raised the alarm over what it described as a coordinated plot by opposition politicians to discredit and destabilise the Commission ahead of the 2027 general election.
    In a statement on Wednesday, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the agency had uncovered plans to unleash a campaign of calumny against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, aimed at frustrating investigations and prosecutions of high-profile suspects.
    Oyewale alleged that a network of “paid jobbers” comprising politicians, academics, so-called civil society actors and Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora had been mobilised to accuse the Commission of political bias and intimidate it into inaction.
    He warned that the campaign was likely to intensify as the political climate heats up, stressing that the EFCC would neither be distracted nor cowed into abandoning its constitutional mandate.
    Reaffirming the Commission’s non-partisan stance, Oyewale said both ruling and opposition party figures were currently under investigation or facing trial, insisting that no individual enjoys immunity from anti-corruption scrutiny.
    “The EFCC will not be pressured or blackmailed into selective disclosures or partisan conduct,” he said, adding that the Commission remains committed to justice, accountability and the rule of law without fear or favour.
  • Dangote asks lawyer to withdraw case against Farouk Ahmed

    Dangote asks lawyer to withdraw case against Farouk Ahmed

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has advised his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, to withdraw the petition he submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
    The petition was against the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.
    Recall that in December, Dangote had asked the anti-graft agency to prosecute Farouk Ahmed for allegedly using his office to divert public funds for self-gains and pursuit of private interest to the detriment of the Nigerian people.
    He had maintained that he has substantial facts to back up his claims against Ahmed.
    It was learnt that the petition was withdrawn after another agency of government took over the matter.
    Confirming the development in a statement, the spokesman of the ICPC, John Odey, said despite withdrawal, the agency would continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate.
    He also stressed that continual investigation was in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.
    “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2025, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” submitted to the Commission by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
    “The letter from O.J Onoja SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
    “The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.
    “The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”
  • Suspend New Tax Laws Now, Labour Warns as Cross River Halts Fresh Assessments

    Suspend New Tax Laws Now, Labour Warns as Cross River Halts Fresh Assessments

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    Organised labour has again warned the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of the newly signed tax reform laws, raising fears of a nationwide confrontation with workers if the policy is enforced without review.
    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said the tax laws were drafted and implemented without the input of workers in both the public and private sectors, despite workers being among the country’s largest taxpayers.
    NLC President, Joe Ajaero, issued the warning in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking at the launch of a memoir in honour of former NLC President, Hassan Summonu, held alongside celebrations marking his 85th birthday.
    Ajaero argued that the new tax regime places additional financial burdens on low-income earners and the poor, describing it as regressive and unfair, particularly for workers already grappling with severe economic hardship.
    He accused the Federal Government of deliberately excluding labour from the presidential tax reform process, warning that laws which tax the national minimum wage and deepen poverty cannot be described as progressive or just.
    According to him, proceeding with the implementation of the laws without broad stakeholder engagement could undermine public trust, weaken tax administration, and threaten democratic stability, urging the government to pause, rethink, and redirect the policy.
    The labour leader also demanded the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Board and called on the Federal Government to urgently address workers’ wages ahead of the next national minimum wage negotiations.
    Meanwhile, in a related development, the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS) has directed all revenue consultants operating in the state to immediately suspend the issuance of new tax assessments for the collection of state levies.
    The directive, contained in a press release issued on January 6, 2026, followed the commencement of the Tax Reform Acts on January 1, 2026, and is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, 2025.
    Executive Chairman of CRIRS, Prince Edwin Okon, said the suspension would remain until further notice and forms part of broader reforms designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency, while also eliminating multiple taxation and revenue leakages.
    He added that the state has ended cash-based tax collections, directing taxpayers to pay only through approved digital platforms or designated government accounts, assuring residents that the reforms are meant to simplify processes and promote fairness rather than impose additional burdens.
  • Let’s give renewed passion, energy to Carnival Calabar — Duke

    Let’s give renewed passion, energy to Carnival Calabar — Duke

    By Our Reporter
    Wife of former Cross River State governor and initiator of Carnival Calabar, Mrs Onari Duke, has called  on the authorities in Cross River State to renew passion, commitment and fresh energy to sustain and reposition the annual cultural fiesta.
    Mrs Duke made the call in Calabar during activities marking the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar, noting that the landmark edition offered an opportunity to consolidate the event’s global acceptance and past achievements.
    She said the one-month-long celebration, held from December 1 to 31, attracted dignitaries and participants from several countries, reaffirming its status as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.”
    “Renewed passion and energy are required to drive Carnival Calabar to even greater heights,” she stressed.
    At the event, Mrs Duke formally handed over leadership of the Bayside Band to a former Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Eric Anderson, following the expiration of her two-year tenure as band leader.
    She thanked members of the Bayside Band for the opportunity to serve and urged them to give the new chairman maximum support to ensure continuity and growth within the association.
    Mr Anderson, who is also Leader of the Diamond Carnival Band, was unanimously selected as Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Band Association during a day-long carnival appraisal meeting involving band leaders and officials of the Carnival Commission.
    Mrs Duke expressed optimism that Anderson’s “youthful energy” would help revitalise the association and effectively address emerging challenges in the carnival ecosystem.
    Speaking, too, former Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, Leader of the Calas Vegas Band and a three-time carnival winner, said the development signalled the beginning of a more vibrant era for the association.
    In his response, Anderson pledged to build on the gains of past leaders to deliver improved carnival outings, while congratulating band leaders and commending Governor Bassey Otu for releasing funds that ensured the success of the 20th edition of Carnival Calabar.