President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Media Aide, Aliyu Audu has turned in his resignation letter. Aliyu Audu, who until his resignation, was the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, said he would not want be part of one-part system which Tinubu’s government is sliding into. The resignation was dated June 8, 2025 and was submitted through the office of the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Aliyu Audu thanked Ajuli Ngilale, who also technically resigned as Special Adviser on media and publicity to President Tinubu last year, for nominating him for the position. He also thanked the president for considering him worthy to serve in his government, pledging his support even outside the government.
A 76 year old retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped from his home in Odo-Ape, in Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, had died in captivity. Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that Ajayi’s lifeless body was found by his family after paying a ransom of ₦10 million for his release. The kidnappers abducted Major Ajayi from his house on May 21, 2025, at about 11:30 pm after firing several gun shots indiscriminately. It was learnt that the initial ransom demand of ₦50 million by the kidnappers persisted for an extended period as the family was unable to make up the amount, even as their captor relapsed into health challenge with no access to necessary medication. It was also reported that the kidnappers communicated to the family that their request for his medication to be sent to him would incur an additional charge, a concession that the family could not afford. It was learnt that when the kidnappers realised that Ajayi’s health condition was deteriorating, they lowered the ransom to ₦10 million naira. A source hinted that Ajayi family, under the impression that he was still alive, promptly consented to pay the reduced amount of ten million naira for his release. “Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.” The remains of the retired army officer have been deposited in the mortuary of Kabba Specialist Hospital. Source: Vanguard.
Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume, has lamented the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Borno State and Nigeria in general. In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ yesterday, June 8, Senator Ndume said: “the situation in Borno is deteriorating rapidly. “Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It is becoming a full-blown crisis.” The senator said that Boko Haram Insurgents are so bold now that they are targeting high-value equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns. He said that in some cases, the insurgents not only destroy these assets but also cart away weaponry and equipment. He expressed worry that violent conflict, banditry and sabotage have extended across the country, saying: “all six geopolitical zones are experiencing security challenges in varying degrees. “Even in the South-South, we are grappling with economic sabotage like oil theft. At this point, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region.”
President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has boasted that his group of companies have paid a combine total of N450 billion in taxes to the Nigerian Federal Government in 2024. According to him, the amount he paid in tax has ranked his group as the highest tax-paying one in Nigeria. Speaking to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, Dangote stressed that the companies have therefore contributed more in taxes than all the country’s banks combined. He said that apart from paying N450 billion in taxes last year, the Group is committed to spending additional N900 billion on road infrastructure across Nigeria. He said that the Deep-Sea Port Access Road is one of several roads that has been built and being developed by the Dangote Group under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme. According to Dangote, the Deep Sea Port Access Road is “one of eight major road projects totalling 500 kilometres, including two in Borno State that will eventually link Nigeria to both Chad and Cameroon.” He described President Tinubu as a courageous leader whose administration has revived investors’ confidence in the private sector. He also thanked the President for envisioning and implementing the Lekki Deep Sea Port project and assured him of the private sector’s support for expanding infrastructure nationwide. Dangote said that the road leading to the state-of-the-art Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals will be named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, in his honour. “The Dangote refinery complex is, in many ways, your brainchild. Mr President, let me just say one thing — the main road leading into our refinery is now to be known as Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road.” The President responded by shaking hands with Dangote in a moment, drawing applause from the dignitaries in attendance.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has described as misleading information the story coming from the Police Service Commission (PSC), about its inability to access verification service platforms. A statement today, June 5, by the NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications Unit, Dr. Kayode Adegoke made it clear that all its verification service platforms are functional and accessible to all partners, including all security agencies. “The Commission is aware of the purported ‘inability of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to access the NIMC verification server. “This information is not only misleading but also inaccurate.
“To set the record straight, the NIMC granted verification access to all Nigerian Police formations for the verification of the National Identification Number (NIN). “The NPF, PSC and other security agencies have been enjoying uninterrupted verification services for over five years. “NIMC has provided top-notch verification services for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, as conducted by the PSC and at no time have there been any complaints or issues regarding NIN Verification by the NPF or PSC. “The Commission has a robust and harmonious working relationship with the Nigerian Police Force and the Police Service Commission. “The Information Communications and Technology (ICT) department of the Nigeria Police Force is actively managing the long-standing verification and integration service between the NIMC and all Nigeria Police formations. “NIMC will continue to provide flawless verification services for the purpose of recruitment, security mapping, cybercrime control, and any other security matters.The framework by which NIMC provides services to the security agencies was recently restructured for standardization and effective implementation, following consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and NPF has confirmed the verification services have continued to be available. “We therefore believe that any service interruption experienced by PSC may be due to internal matters. “NIMC is committed to providing excellent verification services to the PSC, NPF and all its partners but the terms and conditions inherent must be adhered to for uninterrupted flow of service.”
The Nigerian Government has grounded at least 60 private jets across major Nigerian airports as part of a crackdown on owners who have allegedly failed to pay import duties running into several billions of naira. According to information, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which spearheaded the operation, said that several luxury aircraft—including Bombardier Global 6000, 6500, and 7500 series— are affected. The clampdown has also led to the sealing of private jet hangars at Lagos and Abuja airports. Source The PUNCH.
Leadership and members of the National Union of Electricity Employees are on the verge of another industrial action to press home their demands for better work deals. The workers are threatening to down tools and shut down power supply in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Niger States under the franchise of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company. In a notice letter to AEDC, by the Assistant Secretary General, Liaison, Opaluwa Simeon, the union listed 13 unmet demands of the NUEE, including non-remittance of pension deductions for 16 months, non-implementation of a national minimum wage of N70,000, non-confirmation of staff on acting employment, non-promotion of staff, non-payment of a 2024 productivity bonus and others as reasons for the planned strike action. The union said that the planned strike action is a continuation of the November 27, 2024, suspended strike and will commence anytime from the receipt of the notice. The union vowed to commence mobilisation of its workers within the four states to shut down electricity supply until their demands are met. It said that electricity workers have been neglected by AEDC, raising the company’s collection by over 95 billion in the last 90 days. The union said that several members have lost their lives due to pressure and precarious work conditions. “It is worthy of note to remind you that workers, within the last 90 days, have raised the company’s collection by over 95 billion. This milestone was achieved through dedicated services without the provision of necessary working materials, business districts are no longer funded. “It is also worthy of note that we have significantly lost a huge number of members to death owing to pressure and precarious work conditions. “Consequent upon the above, you are hereby put on notice of our readiness to resume the suspended action on the 27th of November, 2024, and this shall commence anytime from the date of the receipt of this letter without an additional notice. “Councils are by this letter directed and put on notice to commence full mobilisation across the AEDC franchise areas of Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and FCT for an effective action. “The struggle shall be sustained until victory is achieved, as a people united can never be defeated,” the notice letter said The union’s demands include: 1. Non-remittance of pension deduction for 16 months. 2. Non-Implementation of the National Minimum Wage. 3. Non-promotion and the continuous stagnation of members of staff for over 10 years. 4. Non-Confirmation of Staff on Acting Appointment. 5. Non-regularisation and proper placement of appointments. 6. Refusal to convert ad hoc staff to permanent status. 7. The complete collapse of health services owing to the non-payment of Hospital bills. 8. Non-Remittance of 10 Months PA YE. 9. Refusal to complete the work on the Review of Conditions of Service. 10. Non-implementation of the already completed work on career path. 11. Undue board interference with the day-to-day running of the company. 12. Non-payment of union checkoff off dues and other third-party deductions. 13. Non-Payment of 2024 Productivity Bonus.
Director of Governmental Relations in the Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP), Mallam Abdullahi Idris has said that Eid-ul-Adha, which comes up tomorrow, June 6, is not only a time for sacrifice and devotion but also an opportunity to embody the values of compassion, generosity and peaceful coexistence. Idris, who is also a member of the GIMP’s Governing Board, in a statement today, June 5, stressed the importance of inclusive charity and compassion during Eid, a virtue which he said is the hallmark of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “We encourage all Muslims to offer charity and goodwill to the less privileged in their communities, regardless of their religious background.” He said that such gestures would foster national unity and uphold the Islamic principles of mercy and justice. According to him, Prophet Muhammad consistently demonstrated kindness to people of other faiths, especially during festive periods, thereby setting a timeless example for Muslims worldwide. He advised Muslims to extend acts of kindness and religious tolerance to their non-Muslim neighbors in the spirit of the sacred celebration. He also called on Islamic scholars, community leaders and media professionals to amplify messages of peace and tolerance during the Eid season. He explained that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners is a non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works to promote peacebuilding, tolerance, and religious harmony through ethical media engagement and dialogue across Nigeria.
Muslims from all over the world gather on the Arafat plain, in the Holy land of Saudi Arabia today, June 5, to offer a day-long prayers and supplications as the Hajj rites reach the zenith.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, is scheduled to chair the public presentation of a Book, titled: Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspective on Online Publishing,” published by Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The public presentation, scheduled for June 17, 2025 at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, would be attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including government officials, captains of industry, media practitioners and other professionals, representatives of international organisations, directors of non-governmental organisations. President of GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo, in a statement, said that the minister has over three decades of experience in broadcasting, newspapering, public relations and advertising. The statement gave a brief rundown of Alhaji Idris, who was sworn in as Minister of Information and National Orientation on August 21, 2023, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His academic background includes degrees in English Studies from Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and Bayero University, Kano. As an entrepreneur, he established notable media outlets such as Blueprint, WE FM Radio station and Rapid Television in Abuja. He is a prominent figure in professional associations such as National Institute of Public Relations, African Public Relations Association, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria. As the founder of Bifocal Communications, a leading public relations and communications consultancy, Alhaji Idris has served both local and transnational corporations. Beyond his professional endeavours, Idris is committed to social responsibility through the Mohammed Idris Malagi (MIM) Foundation, which has positively impacted many lives. As a reward for his contributions to the development of his immediate environment and beyond, The Etsu Nupe conferred “Kaakaki Nupe” on him. GOCOP president said that the proceeds of the book would be used to fund the N2.3 billion GOCOP MEDIA CENTRE, a multi-purpose resource centre comprising a secretariat, a 21st Century library and event halls, among others. She said that the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) was established to promote professionalism in online publishing, ensuring its members uphold the fundamental principles of journalism. Comprising seasoned editors and senior journalists with distinguished career in print and electronic media, GOCOP’s membership has traversed the online publishing, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the future of journalism globally. “With 120 corporate publishers as members, GOCOP continues to uphold the highest standards of online journalism.”
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