The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were observed conducting mass burial rites for approximately 30 of their members following a series of devastating airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Credible military sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists conducted burial rites in the Mallam Fatori axis after a series of precision air interdiction missions carried out by the Nigerian military under Operation HADIN KAI.

The sources said the strikes were executed after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) reports confirmed the movement of ISWAP fighters along waterways around the Kaniram Island area.

An ISR platform had earlier observed a large number of boats estimated at over 30 positioned along the riverbank, with associated human activity indicating the presence of terrorists coordinating logistics and movement.

Following positive identification, air assets conducted multiple precision strikes on the targets.

“The initial strike disrupted and destroyed several of the boats used by the terrorists for transportation and logistics,” a source said.

Subsequent strikes targeted fleeing and regrouping elements within nearby vegetation, leading to further neutralisation of fighters.

According to Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), more than 30 terrorists were killed across the engagements, while several others were seen escaping into adjoining hideouts.

Further intelligence, including post-strike imagery and intercepted visuals, later confirmed that ISWAP members conducted mass burial rites for those killed during the operation in the Mallam Fatori axis.

“The burial activities observed serve as clear confirmation of the scale of losses inflicted on the terrorist group,” the source added.

In a related development, additional strikes were carried out at nearby locations, including Sowolwolo, where a separate group of terrorists was engaged and eliminated.

Military authorities noted that the sustained air operations have significantly degraded the operational capability of ISWAP elements in the Lake Chad region, particularly their mobility and ability to coordinate attacks.

The Nigerian military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups and consolidating gains recorded in ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the North East.