News

JUST IN: Tinubu Reconstitutes Leadership Of 12 River Basin Devt Authorities

Published

10 months ago

December 18, 2024

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the executive management teams for 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, signaling his administration’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency of these critical organizations.

The newly appointed executives are expected to leverage their expertise to boost agricultural productivity, manage water resources, and foster rural development in alignment with the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

The new appointments were made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The appointments reflect a commitment to regional representation and technical expertise, aimed at enhancing water resource management and agricultural productivity.

The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, covering Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states, will now be led by Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun (Chairman, Oyo), Engr. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru (Managing Director, Osun), Ayo Oyalowo (Executive Director, Finance, Oyo), Dokunmu Olufemi Oyekunle (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Ogun), Suleiman Oris (Executive Director, Agric Services, Lagos), and Engr. Julius Oloro (Executive Director, Engineering, Lagos).

In the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, serving Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi states, the team includes Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko (Chairman, Bauchi), Samuel Mahmud Mohammed (Managing Director, Taraba), Hon. Usman Babandubu Bakare (Executive Director, Engineering, Taraba), Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo (Executive Director, Finance, Gombe), Hon. Isa Matori (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Bauchi), and Hamman Dikko (Executive Director, Agric Services, Adamawa).

For the Chad Basin Development Authority, covering Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, the appointed members are Prof. Abdu Dauda (Chairman, Borno), Tijjani Musa Tumsa (Managing Director, Yobe), Barr. Bashir Baale (Executive Director, Finance, Yobe), Iliyasu Muazu (Executive Director, Agric Services, Adamawa), Engr. Mohammed Shetima (Executive Director, Engineering, Borno), and Vrati Nzonzo (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Borno).

The Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, which oversees Edo, Delta North, Ondo, and Ekiti, has Hon. Mike Ohio Ezomo (Chairman, Edo), Femi Adekanbi (Managing Director, Ondo), Dr. Austin Nonyelim Izagbo (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Delta), Hon. Johnson Oghuma (Executive Director, Agric Services, Edo), Adegboyega Bamisile (Executive Director, Finance, Ekiti), and Bayode Akinduro (Executive Director, Engineering, Ondo).

In the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, which serves Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states, Chief (Barr.) Ebikemi Boi Bosin (Chairman, Delta), Hon. Amgbare Ebitimi (Managing Director, Bayelsa), Chief (Mrs.) Mary Alagoa (Executive Director, Finance, Rivers), Dr. Austin N. Izagbo (Executive Director, Engineering, Delta), Mr. Felix Kurogha (Executive Director, Agric Services, Bayelsa), and Barr. (Dr.) Nnamdi Akani (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Rivers) will lead the team.

The Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, covering Niger, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), includes Haruna Y. Usman (Chairman, Niger), Dangajere Shuaibu Bawa Jaja (Managing Director, Kaduna), Mohammed Usma (Executive Director, Finance, Niger), Dr. Abdullahi A. Kutso (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Niger), Ayuba Waziri Tedde (Executive Director, Agric Services, FCT), and John Hassan (Executive Director, Engineering, Kaduna).

For the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, which operates in Kwara and Kogi states, Alh. Abdullateef Alakawa (Chairman, Kwara), Engr. George Olumoroti (Managing Director, Kogi), Engr. Babajamu Adeniran (Executive Director, Engineering, Kwara), Hon. Abdullahi Sadiq (Executive Director, Agric Services, Kogi), Engr. Alanamu Ayinla Abolere (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Kwara), and Hon. Abidemi Adeyemi (Executive Director, Finance, Kogi) are appointed.

In the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, which serves Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kogi states, Dr. Amos Gizo Yadukso (Chairman, Plateau), Engr. Ninga Terese (Managing Director, Benue), Chief Chris Takar (Executive Director, Engineering, Benue), Hon. Yusuf Omaaki (Executive Director, Finance, Nasarawa), Hon. Hassan Omale (Executive Director, Agric Services, Kogi), and Okibe Timothy Ogomola (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Benue) will provide leadership.

The Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, covering Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi states, is headed by Senator Emmanuel Anosike (Chairman, Anambra), Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka (Managing Director, Imo), Nwebonyi Priscilla Nkechi (Executive Director, Finance, Ebonyi), Hon. Evaristus Asadu (Executive Director, Engineering, Enugu), Barr. Onukwubiri N.Ojigwe (Executive Director, Agric Services, Abia), and Barr. Abigail Igwe (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Anambra).

In the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, serving Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi states, Mamman Da’u Aliyu (Chairman, Jigawa), Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi (Managing Director, Kano), Tijjani Musa Isa (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Jigawa), Hajiya Zainab Gamawa (Executive Director, Agric Services, Bauchi), Baffa Dandatti Abdulkadir (Executive Director, Engineering, Kano), and Hon. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso (Executive Director, Finance, Kano) will oversee operations.

For the Cross River Basin Development Authority, which oversees Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, the appointees are Mr. Wabilly Nyiam (Chairman, Cross River), Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho (Managing Director, Akwa Ibom), Effiwatt Otu Eyo (Executive Director, Finance, Cross River), Ms. Ebiere Etuk Udoh (Executive Director, Agric Services, Akwa Ibom), Engr. Charles Usua Akpan (Executive Director, Engineering, Akwa Ibom), and Dr. Ndom Abia (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Akwa Ibom).

Finally, the Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority, covering Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina states, will be led by Hon. Bello Yahaya Wurno (Chairman, Sokoto), Abubakar Mallam (Managing Director, Kebbi), Kabiru Ladan Maigoro (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Zamfara), Abubakar Ibrahim (Executive Director, Finance, Katsina), Muttaka Badaru Jikamshi (Executive Director, Agric Services, Katsina), and Mansur Aminu (Executive Director, Engineering, Zamfara).

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the appointees would bring their wealth of experience to bear in improving the efficiency and productivity of the RBDAs for the benefit of all Nigerians.

News

Two Schoolchildren Electrocuted In Anambra During Rainfall

Published

2 hours ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

Tragedy struck in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday when two schoolchildren were electrocuted while taking shelter from the rain at a roadside shop.

The incident, which occurred at St. Peter’s Claver Junction, threw the community into mourning.

Eyewitnesses and CCTV footage revealed that several pupils had gathered at the shop to escape the downpour when the tragedy happened.

A resident near the scene, who pleaded anonymity, recounted, “Several pupils were taking shelter at the roadside shop during the heavy rainfall. But tragedy struck when the wet bodies of two of the schoolchildren came in contact with a live metal, and they were instantly electrocuted.”

According to witnesses, panic spread as the children collapsed instantly, while others narrowly escaped.

The shop owner was said to have not yet opened for business when the incident occurred.

“It took the intervention of some security officers and passers-by, who used protective gloves to evacuate the bodies,” another eyewitness said.

The incident came just days after a similar tragedy in the same Nnewi area, where a woman was swept away by floodwaters in the Uruagu community.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, noting that an investigation was underway.

“The facts are not clear yet, but the divisional police officer has been directed to find out the details for a comprehensive report,” Ikenga stated.

The latest tragedy adds to recent cases of electrocution in the state.

In May, a three-year-old girl was killed in Awka after stepping on a live cable belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

Residents had reportedly alerted officials about the fallen high-tension wire, but it was not repaired until after the fatal incident.

A resident, identified as Uche, said, “The cable fell on Friday and wasn’t fixed until Sunday, after it had electrocuted the girl. The officials even requested ₦30,000 to fix it but didn’t show up until it was too late.”

The repeated incidents have reignited public concern over poor electricity infrastructure and safety negligence in Anambra communities.

News

Oyo Orders Traders To Vacate Airport Road In Two Weeks

Published

2 hours ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Oyo State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to traders operating along Airport Road, Old Ife Road, and Onipepeye areas of Ibadan to vacate the roadside or face enforcement action.

The directive was detailed in a Tuesday statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju.

He warned that the state would no longer tolerate roadside trading or the placement of container shops on drainage.

According to the statement, “the government has provided markets and other designated spaces for trading across the city, making it unnecessary and unsafe for traders to occupy roadsides.”

The government said the action was necessary to safeguard lives, prevent environmental hazards, and protect public infrastructure.

It also warned that trading on walkways and blocking drainage channels increases the risk of flooding and undermines the state’s efforts to promote tourism.

“The government has a duty to protect citizens from all manner of danger,” the statement said, noting that roadside trading exposes people to serious risks.

The ultimatum expires on October 27, after which enforcement will begin.

The government said “non-compliance could lead to the confiscation of goods and prosecution of offenders.”

It appealed for cooperation from residents to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment in the state.

News

Admissions: Mathematics No Longer Compulsory For Arts Students, Says FG

Published

2 hours ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics, the Federal Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.

For years, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their contemporaries in sciences and social sciences, have been mandated to have five credits, including mathematics and English language, to secure admission into higher institutions.

“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.

“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:

“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.

“Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.

“Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs,” a statement by the FME’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, said.

An education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja, hailed the reform.

“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers.”

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education.

The ministry also approved a comprehensive reform of admission entry requirements into all tertiary institutions across the country, increasing the average annual intake from about 700,000 to one million students.

According to the government, the new policy aims to expand access to higher education and create opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 admissions each year.

The minister explained that the reform became necessary after years of limited access, which left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission despite meeting the required standards.

“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.

“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed—putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,’’ he said.

The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.