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President Knocks Perm Secs For Slowing Down Governance

“What he said was that the service is slowing down his agenda. He was very angry that his programme is being frustrated. He said that he expected the civil service to respond positively to the yearnings of over 220 million people, and it has a duty to give them hope.

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President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to senior civil servants for the accelerated payment of welfare packages to workers nationwide.

He warned that the bureaucracies undermining the expeditious payment of benefits would not be tolerated and directed that a monthly briefing by the Head of Service and submission of key performance indicator reports should be made to his office for review.

This also includes quarterly interactive meetings between the president and the body of permanent secretaries.

“Before the next meeting, I want to see progress in the civil service… Why are we slowing that down? It is not just shameful. It is unacceptable,” Tinubu said when he met the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Body of Permanent Secretaries, and some Directors-General of agencies at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed details of Thursday’s meeting in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu directs expeditious processing of welfare benefits, demands monthly KPI reports.’

The President said policies impacting the welfare of the people and the economy must be treated with urgency, diligence, and a strong sense of duty.

He asked them to rededicate themselves to their duties and work towards improving the lives of Nigerians by acting with dispatch on matters that border on the welfare of citizens.

The President also warned that the ineffectiveness and unnecessary bureaucracy that result in the delay of interventions in the economy and programmes targeting vulnerable citizens will not be tolerated.

Consequently, he directed that a monthly briefing by the Head of Service and submission of key performance indicator reports be made to his office for review and that quarterly interactive meetings between the President and the Body of Permanent Secretaries now be scheduled.

Furthermore, the President mandated the Head of Service and the Body of Permanent Secretaries to consistently measure progress in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

“I have been sending people to check the level of work that gets done. Service to the nation is extremely important. We are to change the narrative on Nigeria.

“You and I can change the perception about Africa, not just Nigeria. We might not get it 100 per cent right, but if we are focused, I think we can totally change and reshape the trajectory of our country in the right direction,’’ he said.

President Tinubu asked public servants to always think and work with a generational understanding of their role in shaping national history, knowing that they serve as the engine room of the government and that their actions will affect more than 200 million people in the country and abroad.

He stated, “Let us make our children’s dreams come true. Why are we slowing that down?

“It is not just shameful. It is unacceptable. We made a pledge to bring our people out of poverty. You should not increase their vulnerability.

“Help Nigerians to get out of these problems, do not compound the tough situation with unacceptable delays.”

A presidential source who was privy to the discussions at the meeting told our correspondent that the president was dissatisfied with the performance of the senior civil servants, who, he said, were slowing down his agenda.

Citing the slow payment of the monthly wage award of N35,000 and the non-payment of the N500bn promised to businesses last October, Tinubu said he expects the service to do better.

The source said, “What he said was that the service is slowing down his agenda. He was very angry that his programme is being frustrated. He said that he expected the civil service to respond positively to the yearnings of over 220 million people, and it has a duty to give them hope.

“He was angry because, in October, the President made a lot of promises to Nigerians. One of them was that he was going to make some money available to businesses in terms of grants, aids and so on and provide about N500bn.

“But since then till now, nothing has been done. The President was not happy that the N35,000 wage award to civil servants was not paid until he started calling them. He called all the way from Ethiopia, asking ‘what is going on with this money I promised the people?’ Although it is a six-month award, they have only paid till December 2023. They promised to pay the rest later this week.

“The theme of what he said here is that he was just not happy with the service and he expects them to do better. He wants the service not to compound the poverty of the people.”

Before President Tinubu’s address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, briefed him on the performance of the service concerning previously established KPIs across multiple assessment streams.

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim

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A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.

 

One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.

 

Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.

 

In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”

 

He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.

 

“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.

 

He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.

 

The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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