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Defence Minister Vows Protection For Military Personnel On Lawful Duty After Standoff With Wike

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Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has said no officer or soldier on lawful duty would be punished as a result of the altercation that ensued between soldiers and the Minister of the FCT, Barr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Tuesday

 

Speaking on the occasion of the ministerial briefing to flag off the 2026 Armed Forces remembrance day celebration at the National Defence College, Badaru said: “We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well.”

 

Recall that after the altercation between the minister and the officer who led soldiers to safeguard a landed property in Abuja, a coalition of retired veterans of the Nigerian military had vowed that their members would mobilise and occupy the ministry of the FCT in Abuja if the officer who, it said, was acting on a lawful order, was punished in any way.

 

On the security challenges confronting the country, the minister said: “Under the leadership and direction of President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Defence has achieved significant operational milestones in safeguarding national security and protecting territorial integrity through improved synergy among the services and security agencies,.

 

“Within the tenure of this administration, our troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. Over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.

 

“These coordinated operations have led to the dismantling of key terrorist enclaves, the neutralisation of notorious bandit commanders and the restoration of peace to hundreds of communities, allowing displaced persons to return home.

 

“Our commitment to securing Nigeria’s vital economic assets is equally evident in the South-South, where over 1,900 illegal refining sites were destroyed.

 

“These expanding operational capabilities are underpinned by significant strategic modernisation. Let me be clear that despite these successes, the remnants of criminal elements still pose threats to our peace and security.

 

“Accordingly, the President has consistently directed the ministry of defence and the Armed Forces to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts until all remaining threats are eliminated.

 

“However, the task is not for the government alone. This is why we are strengthening a whole-of-society approach that brings together government, civil society, traditional institutions, academia, and the private sector in a common front against insecurity.

 

“The signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, Act in 2023 marks a milestone in indigenous defence production, positioning Nigeria as an emerging hub for defence technology in the region.

 

“Coupled with the procurement of advanced platforms, including Armoured Fighting Vehicles, AFVs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and naval vessels, this modernization enhances our operational readiness and will eventually reduce our reliance on imports.

 

However, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, alleged yesterday that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, retd, was deceived into purchasing land in Abuja that had originally been designated for park and recreational purposes.

 

In a post on his X handle, Olayinka claimed that the retired naval officer was “duped” by individuals, who sold the land to him and several others, despite its status as non-residential property.

 

He argued that rather than directing anger at officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, who were enforcing land-use regulations, the former naval chief should focus on taking action against those who sold the disputed land.

 

“Vice Admiral Gambo was scammed. He needs to use his military might against the person who sold land meant for park and recreation to him to build duplexes, not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties,” Olayinka wrote.

 

According to him, the land in question was allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation.

 

He said: “In 2022, the company wrote to the then FCT minister, seeking approval to change land use purpose to residential.

 

“While still waiting for response to this request, the company decided to partition the land and sell to people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff.

 

“The then FCT minister declined the request to change the land use purpose from park and recreation to residential.

 

“Meanwhile, Santos Estate Limited already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former CNS, who is building duplexes on his own.

 

“Like I said earlier, shouldn’t the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him, rather than using military might to hold on to a property on which he was duped?” he queried.

 

On comments made by Lt. General Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, Olayinka said: “I read the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi Campaign, Buratai has done his job.”

 

 

 

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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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

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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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.

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