The remains of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, were laid to rest in Kano on Wednesday.

Na’Abba’s corpse was flown into the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport from Abuja.

The late speaker’s corpse was received by family members, friends and top government functionaries around 3 pm.

The corpse was then conveyed to the emir’s palace for a funeral prayer, which was held at about 5:30 pm.

The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zahradeen.Na’Abba’s corpse was buried at Dandolo Cemetery, Goron-Dutse, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

Na’Abba died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja after a protracted illness.

Some of the prominent personalities that attended the funeral prayer included the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima; the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam; and the senator representing Kano South senatorial district, Abdulrahman Kawu-Sumaila.

Others were former governors of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau and Rabiu Kwankwaso and former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, as well as some members of the state and national assemblies.

Following the death of Ondo State former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a member of the State Executive Council, Dare Aragbiaye, has tendered his resignation from office.

Mr Aragbaiye, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties in the cabinet, resigned shortly after the death of Mr Akeredolu.

In the copy of the resignation letter obtained by The Gazette, Mr Aragbiaye said his decision to resign from the cabinet was based on the death of Mr Akeredolu, to whom he pledged his loyalty even to his death.

“My decision to resign is based on the unfortunate death of my principal, a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Oduniayo Akeredolu, SAN CON, whom I am loyal to even in death.

“I sincerely thank his excellency for the opportunity granted me to serve in his administration as a member of the State Executive Council, first as a Head of Service and now special adviser.

“Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” an excerpt from his letter read.

Until his resignation, Mr Aragbaye was part of the cabal in the cabinet that controlled the government in the absence of Mr Akeredolu, who refused to hand over power following his protracted illness.

Meanwhile, Mr Aiyedatiwa, who had been acting as the governor in the absence of Mr Akeredolu, would soon take the oath of office as the substantive governor of the state.

He is expected to be sworn into office by the state’s chief judge, Olusegun Odunsola.

Tributes and condolence messages continue to trail the passing of Ondo State former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who died in the early hours of Wednesday.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki said Mr Akeredolu’s journey from serving as an attorney-general in Ondo to becoming the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and eventually the governor of Ondo State is a “remarkable, inspiring, and accomplished life, by all standards.”

“As I join his dear family, my mother’s kinsmen and women in Owo Town, where the late governor also hailed from, the people of Ondo State, and the Nigerian Bar Association in mourning the passing of this giant, we take solace in the fact that he left behind a legacy marked by service to our nation,” Mr Saraki added.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Mr Akeredolu as a “quintessential gentleman who took the finesse to governance.”

“A two-term elected governor of the Sunshine State, Akeredolu was a politician of class because he was never known for destructive politics,” Mr Atiku added while expressing his condolences to the late governor’s family.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also penned a condolence message where he described the late politician as a “leader that placed the interest of his people above every other consideration; a man of integrity and strong conviction, with a strict work ethos and never paid lip service to the welfare of the people of the state.”

“He was a fearless lawyer who spoke truth to power, regardless of whose ox was gored.

“As governor, Chief Akeredolu left his footprints in the sands of history, executing landmark projects and implementing people-oriented policies that earned him a second term in office,” he added.

Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, also mourned Mr Akeredolu. A statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said Mr Akeredolu was one of Nigeria’s finest and that his “wise counsel and constructive contributions will be missed.”

The All Progressives Congress Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, wrote that the party shares the grief of the Akeredolu family and the people of Ondo State.

“His dedication to ensuring peace, stability, and unity within the state will forever be remembered. Governor Akeredolu’s departure leaves a significant void in our political landscape.

“His absence will be felt by all who had the privilege of working with him, collaborating on projects, or simply experiencing his remarkable leadership firsthand,” Mr Ganduje said.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, chronicled the contributions of the late governor in a statement that the palace’s media office released.

“When we were challenged at the grassroots by invaders who masqueraded as herdsmen, Aketi worked with stakeholders across South-West and the national level to deliver our mandate of security and prosperity.

“This birthed Amotekun and other initiatives through which our people are safer and more confident to embark on their lawful businesses daily.

“He was an honest, bold and courageous leader whose legacy will never be forgotten. If Akeredolu tells you anything, that is the way it is,” Mr Ogunwusi said.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Lekan Balogun, said Mr Akeredolu was an “indefatigable politician and legal icon.

“In politics, he proved himself an enigma, winning gubernatorial elections on two different occasions and but for his untimely death, he would have succeeded in governing his Ondo State for two terms of eight years; that’s not a mean achievement,” he added.

Mr Akeredolu died after his battle with prostate cancer. He sought medical care in Nigeria and abroad, which kept him out of official government functions in the months leading up to his demise.

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, is dead.

Sources said the governor died on Wednesday at 67.

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state said arrangements were being concluded to swear in his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The state government has yet to speak on the matter.

Efforts to get confirmation from the Alagbaka Government House proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Richard Olabode, did not take his calls nor respond to text messages sent to his phone by one of our correspondents.

Also, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, did not take her calls when PUNCH Online contacted her on the matter.

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the secretary to the government of the federation, Sen. George Akume, as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

The president commended Mr Akume for his consistency and perpetual dedication to duty in coordinating the affairs of government.

Mr Tinubu’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, stated in Abuja on Tuesday that the president noted Mr Akume’s rich portfolio of leadership experience and laurels.

“The country has been blessed with the dedication and sure-handedness of Sen. Akume,’’ Mr Ngilale quoted the president as having said.

While wishing Mr Akume good health and strength, the president implored him not to relent in his diligent service to the country, Ngilale stated.

The president also noted Mr Akume’s attainments as governor, minister, senator, and top-flight public servant, which he brought to bear on his current role.

He extolled Mr Akume’s temperance, affability, harmony, and stability which he consistently personifies as he coordinates activities between the executive and other arms of government.

“He makes himself accessible, focused, and dependable in bridging the divide between policy and implementation.

“George Akume is one of the most reliable citizens this country can boast of.

“The people of Benue have attested to his sterling leadership principles and leveraged his remarkable talent for so many years because of what he has always stood for.

“He will be with you in the best of days, and even most reliably, in the worst of days.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, has celebrated Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on his 56th birthday.

The forum’s chairman, Gov Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, celebrated Makinde in a statement issued by the forum’s Director-General, Cyril Maduabum, in Abuja on Monday.

Mohammed said that the forum celebrated Makinde’s genuine performance in office as Governor of Oyo State in over four years.

Makinde’s performance, according to him, was evident in life-impacting projects in infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare service delivery, power generation, SME funding, security, and safety—a wholesome transformation strategy for generational change.

“This progress is also being felt in the reorganised solid mineral sector, aviation sector upgrade, improved civil service welfare, transportation, culture, and tourism, road networking and urban renewal, trade and investment drive, and youth and women empowerment, among others.

“We are proud to say that the state’s economy has recorded a remarkable leap. The forum acknowledges his numerous contributions to the growth of our forum and his nationalistic approach to governance,’’ Mohammed said.

He noted that they celebrated Makinde’s valuable contributions in his capacity as vice chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and to the growth of the nation, praying for more divine guidance for him generally in his line of service.

He assured Makinde of the forum’s unalloyed support as he presides over the affairs of his state.

Nigerian foremost dramatist, Prof Wole Soyinka has said that President Bola Tinubu ignored his advice not to run for presidency.

Soyinka, who paid a courtesy visit to Tinubu, at his Lagos home, said he was there to see how the President and his wife were doing after ignoring his advice.

The literary icon said he has submitted a seven-point agenda to the President during the visit he described as an “embarrassing” one.

“I came here with a seven-point agenda. And we had a very thorough discussion on those items,” Soyinka told reporters after the visit.

“Actually, it’s an embarrassing visit because when I visited him the last time, it was to try and persuade him not to run for office.

“I told Atiku and himself to please leave the ground so young people could run. That’s the last time we met about five years ago.

“So I came to see how he was doing after ignoring my advice. I came to see how both he and his wife were weathering Nigeria, and to wish them a Happy Christmas,” he said.

The Sokoto State government, on Saturday, distributed N25 million and essential food items to the resident communities in preparation for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Maryam D’Mass, the special adviser to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu on resident community and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), inaugurated the distribution, emphasising its aim to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the society.

Ms D’Mass expressed her satisfaction with the administration’s commitment to the well-being of all citizens in Sokoto state.

She assured the gathering that the gesture is a groundbreaking and sustainable effort, marking the first time a state government has provided relief materials to resident communities in the state.

“I am pleased to inform you that the present administration prioritises the well-being of all citizens in Sokoto state.

“This act reflects our commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence, and I assure you that it will be an ongoing initiative.

“We should sustain our support and prayers for the government to continue to excel so that we can enjoy more dividends of democracy at our doorsteps,” she urged.

Ms D’Mass further assured the resident community of equal treatment with any other citizen in the state.

She said the distribution would cover 25 groups, with each group receiving 10 bags of 50kg rice, 10 cartons of spaghetti, five 25-litre jerry cans of vegetable oil, and a cash amount of N1 million.

The special adviser expressed gratitude to the governor and Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) for the opportunity to serve the state and the resident community.

Olubunmi Dare, the chairman of the Association of Communities Resident in Sokoto (ACORS), appreciated the state government’s concern and support for their members.

Mr Dare emphasised the need for all the resident communities to maintain the peaceful environment experienced in the state.

The Lagos government has released trucks impounded by LASTMA during a special operation on Friday.

The commissioner for transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

Mr Osiyemi said the trucks were impeding traffic flow on the Cele-Apapa-Tincan axis.

“Following a constructive meeting with truck associations, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his magnanimity, has ordered the release of the impounded trucks.

“However, a stern warning accompanies this gesture; the government retains the capacity to enforce and remove offending trucks persistently.

“This move underscores the government’s commitment to collaboration with Stakeholders for the overall benefit of traffic management in the state,” Mr Osiyemi said.

He urged truck operators to align with the broader vision of establishing a conducive and effective transportation system for the benefit of businesses and Lagos residents.

Yobe State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the 2024 finance and appropriation bills of two hundred and sixteen billion, nine hundred and fifty million Naira for the recurrent and capital services.

The House passed the bills into law following the adoption of the report of its standing committee on finance and appropriation on the 2024 finance and appropriation bills.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Buba Ibrahim Kalallawa said in the 2024 budget estimate, a total of over N96.130 billion representing 44% was allocated to recurrent expenditure, while over N120.870 billion representing 56% is for capital expenditure.

The chairman said the House reduced the size of the proposed budget presented to the House with fifty million naira to ensure a realistic budget estimate.

The lawmaker also noted that the budget will be utilized in the areas of improving commercial activities, provision of agricultural inputs for job opportunities to the teeming youths, basic infrastructure, completion of all ongoing projects, among others.

He called on the internally generated revenue agencies in the state to ensure proper remittance of revenue to enable the state government to finance the 2024 proposed budget for more dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Presiding over the sitting, the Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Chiroma Buba Mashio commended the members for their various contributions towards the quick passage of the 2024 budget.

Recall that Governor Mai Mala Buni had on 14th November, 2023, presented to the State Assembly the sum of N217,000,000,000.00 as budget estimate to cover both recurrent and capital expenditures for the 2024 fiscal year.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has approved the release of bond certificates worth N1.6 billion for 346 retirees under the contributory pension scheme.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Ibrahim Akibu, on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Mr Adeleke said the beneficiaries cut across primary school teachers and local government staff, among other retirees.

He said about 182 primary school teachers and 164 local government staff were among the beneficiaries of the bond certificates.

Mr Adeleke said the presentation ceremony would take place on December 21.”

This is another phase in the fulfilment of my open resolve to clear backlogs of salaries, pensions and emoluments issues within the public service.

“We have commenced payment of inherited half salaries and other emoluments owed public licence servants by the past administration,” Mr Adeleke said.

According to him, the presentation of the bond certificates is a continuation of the commitment of the state government to worker’s welfare in and out of service.

On Tuesday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) injected 201 fresh hands into the security apparatus of the airports, with a charge to be “as watchful as the eagle.”

This came as the organisation’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit graduated the cadets to enhance the safety and security of air travellers at the nation’s airports.

FAAN managing director Olubunmi Kuku said the graduation/induction ceremony of the STP 123 Basic Course for 201 aviation security cadets was in response to challenges in the sector.

She admonished the new inductees to use lessons from the training to prepare them to be the “vigilant sentinels of our skies.”

The FAAN boss urged them to adopt the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, remembering that the safety and confidence of passengers rested in their hands.

“You, dear cadets, are our eyes and ears. Commit all our civil aviation regulations to heart and be as watchful as the eagle. Each time a plane takes to the skies or lands safely, acknowledge that you played a vital role in making it happen,” she said.

Ms Kuku said FAAN would continue prioritising the safety, security and comfort of passengers and other stakeholders while ensuring that staff were committed to excellent public service delivery.

The FAAN chief added that the safety and comfort of passengers were at the core of FAAN’s operations. She said the induction ceremony marked a significant milestone not only in the careers of the trainees but also in the journey of FAAN towards bolstering the nation’s aviation security.

“It is also one of our strategic responses to the increase in the volume of passengers using our airports. Permit me to remind us that the safety and security of lives and property are at the core of our business.

“As such, we deploy all human and material resources to ensure we provide the nation with the best-trained personnel to carry out our various job functions with an emphasis on Aviation Security,” she said.

Ms Kuku explained that the STP 123 Course was an eight-week residential training designed to integrate new cadets into the civil aviation industry. She added that the training was to help them implement, monitor and enforce aviation security measures proactively in accordance with locally approved regulations.

“They also underwent physical training to equip them for the long hours. All these are to ensure we offer our darling customers the best service possible,” she said.

Ms Kuku thanked President Bola Tinubu for all his input, encouragement and support in improving the fortunes of the aviation sector and raising its contribution to the nation’s GDP.

The commandant of aviation security at FAAN, Femi Apata, said the eight weeks of intensive training were meant to tackle the dynamics of threats.

Mr Apata listed areas of training that encompassed all areas of the sector, adding that a portion captured security, banditry, and terrorism.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has commiserated with victims of a tanker crash at Mararaban Jama’a, Kuru district of Jos South LGA.

The governor stated this in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Gyang Bere, on Tuesday.

A tanker conveying petrol crashed in the Mararaban Jama’a area and destroyed many shops and other properties worth millions.

The governor, who described the incident as unfortunate, thanked God that no life was lost in the accident.

However, he prayed for a speedy recovery for those who sustained various injuries during the incident.

Mr Mutfwang, however, appealed to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations as they travel during this festive season.

He reaffirmed his commitment to providing a conducive and peaceful atmosphere for all citizens to carry out their lawful duties without intimidation.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dele Momodu, has said President Bola Tinubu cannot be the headmaster of state and Federal Government.

Momodu said Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis between Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike was legally absurd.

Fubara and Wike have been at rheads over the control of Rivers State’s political structure and finances.

The rift had led to lawmakers in the state Assembly defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and some Commissioners resigning from the Fubara-led executive council.

In a bid to resolve the crisis, Tinubu brokered a peace deal between Wike and Fubara at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

During the meeting Tinubu issued an eight-point resolution as part of the peace deal.

Reacting on Instagram, Momodu wrote: “The directives to Rivers State by a Federal President is really absurd in legal terms. No President can be a Headmaster of both State and Federal.

“What manner of democracy are we practicing that allows a President to intervene in the internal affairs of opposition parties and over-rules the Constitution unchallenged, and our politicians comply as if they are in a slave camp.

“Opposition parties must vehemently oppose this brazen attempt at forcing a one-party dictatorship on Nigeria.”

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday sympathised with the ruling Sabah family, the government, and people of the State of Kuwait over the passing of the Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

This was contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja.

Applauding the achievements of the late Emir in such a short time, the Nigerian leader described the monarch as a man of great compassion, peace, and mercy, who granted amnesty to political prisoners and dissidents, fashioning a progressive and stable state.

Tinubu also commiserated with the ruling House of Sabah, and all those who mourned the painful loss.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to show the Emir mercy and grant him a place in Aljannah Firdaus.

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday at the age of 86.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah al-Sabah, the minister of his emiri court, made the announcement in a statement aired on state television on Saturday.

All is now set for the Supreme Court to deliver judgment to decide the fate of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, today, Friday.

Kanu has been in detention since June 2021 when he was rearrested in Kenya and subjected to extraordinary rendition to Nigeria.

With his return, the Nigerian Government arraigned him before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a four-count charge of treasonable felony, conspiracy to commit treasonable felony, illegal importation of radio equipment, and defamation of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The charges were later withdrawn by former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who replaced them with a fresh 14-count charge bordering on terrorism and membership of a proscribed group.

The court reduced the charges to seven counts which the Appeal Court later quashed.

Displeased by the verdict of the Appeal Court, the Nigerian Government filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

Commenting on the much-anticipated judgment, an Abuja-based socio-political activist, Deji Adeyanju, said the Supreme Court should admit Kanu to bail.

He said: “My hope is that the Supreme Court will deliver a judgment that is acceptable to everyone, but no matter what the Supreme Court delivers, it will not be acceptable to some.

“In the case of Ojukwu vs the Lagos State government, once the right-thinking members of the public go home believing that the judiciary is biased, then it defeats the purpose for which the judiciary was set up. Our appeal to our judges is that they should deliver a judgment that will make citizens have confidence in the judiciary.

“Politicians must not be bad losers, they must learn to accept defeat when they lose elections.

“Kanu should be admitted to bail; bail is not an escape from justice. It’s an opportunity for the defendant to amply defend himself. In my view, this idea of turning people into political prisoners is unacceptable.”

The Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS) says it has grown its monthly revenue collection from N1.9 billion in May to about N2.97 billion in October.

The CRIRS chairman, Edwin Okon, disclosed this in Calabar on Thursday during an interactive stakeholders’ session and training on best practices for tax consultants operating in Cross River.

Mr Okon also used the occasion to announce plans by the government to introduce property tax in the state.

The chairman, who gave the projection of the state revenue service to raise N35bn as internal revenue in 2024, noted that the state could grow beyond the projection if all worked with a common purpose.

Mr Okon attributed the steady rise in tax collection since he assumed office in June to the cooperation of stakeholders and appealed for more resources to enable the government to have more resources at its disposal.

He said, “We are the owners of this state and it’s only us that can help us to build the state. I am happy to report that our monthly revenue of N1.9 billion in May grew steadily to N2.3 billion in June, N2.4 billion in July, N2.6 billion in July and now to N2.97 billion in October.

“We have also seen a remarkable improvement from the MDAs’ collection that has hovered around N3.8 billion since 2012 to N6.8 billion as of November 2023. We have our strategies on how we are following this, but it, however, comes with challenges.”

Mr Okon also mentioned that “as for our N35 billion internal revenue projection for 2024, we are looking more in the direction of the informal sector.”

On the challenges of multiple taxation, the CRIRS, while acknowledging the situation, called on the stakeholders to devise a workable solution.

The Cross River government had projected to spend N250 billion as its capital and recurrent expenditure in the 2024 fiscal year.

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated 107 gas and electric-powered buses and taxis in Maiduguri, Borno State.

This is an effort geared towards mitigating the effects of fuel subsidy withdrawal, and is intended to improve public transportation.

The media aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, shared photos on his X handle on Monday.

He wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned 107 gas and electric-powered buses and taxis in phase II of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s metro transport scheme in Maiduguri.

“I read that the initiative was designed to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy withdrawal, aims to enhance public transportation. God bless Gov. Zulum!”