News

Eno Names Daughter Acting First Lady, Remi Tinubu Backs Akwa Ibom Gov

Published

9 months ago

October 5, 2024

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has praised Governor Umo Eno’s decision to appoint his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, to take over the role of First Lady of Akwa Ibom State following the passing of his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

During a condolence visit to the Eno family in Uyo on Friday, Senator Tinubu expressed her support for Helen Eno Obareki’s appointment, noting that it reflects practices seen in the United States and is a thoughtful way to sustain the late Patience Eno’s legacy, particularly through her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).

Senator Tinubu was accompanied on the condolence visit by Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, as well as wives of state governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, reflected on his deep bond with his late wife.

“I married her when she was 19, and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because she was truly a gift from God, a source of comfort and succor,” he said.

“We went through many challenges together, and we shared in both victories and losses. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me. She was my embodiment of the biblical virtuous woman, my greatest supporter, and also my toughest critic. Her absence will be felt for the rest of my life,” he added.

On the transition of the First Lady’s duties, Governor Eno introduced his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, stating, “It is not an easy task ahead. But to maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare.”

The governor expressed his full confidence in his daughter’s ability to preserve the values and vision of her late mother, pledging to sustain the projects initiated through the First Lady’s Office.

In her response, Senator Tinubu acknowledged Pastor Patience Eno’s support for her own national pet project as well as her dedication to her husband’s ARISE governance agenda.

“Politics aside, we are all Nigerians, and one of the things I thank God for is the opportunity to show love and care when we meet people. I want to thank God for Patience’s life, though short, she completed her race. May God comfort you, your family, and your children. I will always be here for you,” she assured the governor.

Turning to Helen, Senator Tinubu offered words of encouragement: “Helen, your mom didn’t bring you to me for nothing, and it’s a blessing that your mom’s colleagues and the Vice President’s wife are here to support you. I know you well, and I believe God will guide you. You will accomplish even more than your mother, and He will grant you good health.”

Governor Eno, addressing rumors of him taking a second wife, made light of the situation during a separate condolence visit from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon,” he said, joking that he doesn’t have the money to pay another bride price.

He emphasized that the vacancy left by his late wife cannot be filled, saying: “Her legacy will live on in our hearts. She initiated several projects, and that’s why I introduced our daughter, Helen, to the First Lady. She will step in to coordinate the work, ensuring that the Office of the First Lady continues the programs my wife started.”

News

NIS Inaugurates Digital Expatriate Residence Permit Platform

Published

44 minutes ago

July 16, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will inaugurate a new digital platform for the application of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) on August 1.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinlabi said that the development was in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the NIS and enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of its services.

He said that the new portal, accessible at https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, was designed to enable applicants submit their CERPAC applications online without the need for physical forms.

According to him, effective from August 1, the use of physical CERPAC forms will be discontinued.

“All CERPAC applications after July 31 must be submitted solely through the online portal, ‘’ he said.

The NIS spokesman noted that the digital transition was aimed at improving the user experience and ensuring a seamless application process for both individuals and corporate organisations taking immigration responsibility for expatriates.

Akinlabi advised applicants who have paid but have yet to submit their CERPAC forms to do so on or before July 31, to avoid losing their application status and associated payments.

“Similarly, individuals and companies with pending submissions are strongly encouraged to complete all processes within the stipulated timeline to avoid any inconvenience.

“Any form not submitted before the deadline will be rendered void and invalid.

“All enquiries and correspondence related to this transition should be directed to the service through the office of the Public Relations Officer,” he said.

He, however, reaffirmed the service commitment to delivering more efficient and technology-driven immigration services in line with global best practices.

News

Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N335m, Hospital, Five Filling Stations To FG

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a final forfeiture of several assets, including N335 million, a hospital, five filling stations, among others, to the Federal Government.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved the motion to that effect.

Yusuf prayed the court to grant the final order, forfeiting the property in Schedules I and II to the Federal Government, the commission having complied with all the directives of the court.

Justice Nwite, in a ruling, held that the lawyer’s application was meritorious and accordingly granted it.

“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and reviewed the affidavits in support of the motion.

“I am of the view that this application is meritorious.

“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-graft agency had filed the motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2024.

The motion was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.

The EFCC, in its affidavit in support deposed to by Tahiru Ahmed, an official in the office, averred that the forfeiture motion fell within the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The official stated that on Aug. 13, 2024, the court made an order for interim forfeiture of the property listed in the schedules to the application.

The court had ordered the commission to publish the assets in any national daily and on its website, inviting all persons or bodies who might have an interest in the said property to show cause why they should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

“The said orders of the court were complied with, and the publication was made in Punch newspapers on Sept. 4, 2024,” he stated.

Amend stated that since publication of the interim order of forfeiture, nobody had come forward to show interest in the said property.

He said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the final forfeiture application, “as no person will be prejudiced in any way.”

News

BREAKing : Court Frees Fayose, Upholds No-case Submission In Money Laundering Trial

Published

4 hours ago

July 16, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday morning discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in his long-standing money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, effectively ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant further defence.

Fayose had been standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud during his tenure as governor.

However, after years of legal proceedings, the court found that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient to sustain the charges.