President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated six executive directors to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), forwarding their names to the Senate for confirmation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development was announced on Friday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, three of the nominees are returning directors seeking reappointment, while the remaining three are new appointments.

If confirmed by the Senate, all six nominees will serve five-year terms.

The three nominees seeking reappointment are Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director of Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community.

The newly nominated directors are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ms Ogechukwu Modie, Executive Director of Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib, Executive Director of Corporate Services and Administration.

President Tinubu has asked the Senate to give the nominations prompt consideration to ensure continuity within the Authority and strengthen its regulatory and oversight responsibilities.

The President also approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board/Authority and Legal Adviser, subject to the completion of the statutory procedures outlined in Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

It will be recalled that Tinubu appointed Engr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the chief executive of the agency in April.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it has trained some of its personnel to carry firearms and plans to deploy them during the 2027 general elections to strengthen its monitoring operations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The commission’s Director of Public Education, Demola Bakare, made this known during a virtual National Stakeholders Workshop on the 2027 General Election.

The workshop was organised by Praxis in collaboration with the Human Resources Development Centre of the University of Lagos.

The online programme, scheduled to hold over three Thursdays in November, focuses on ways to identify, monitor and report corruption to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during the event, Bakare said election monitoring should commence months before voting takes place.

He emphasised that election monitors must be familiar with Nigeria’s electoral and criminal laws before embarking on their assignments.

According to him, elections are vulnerable to corruption because of the intense political competition involved, while electoral fraud often flourishes when offenders believe they can act without facing punishment.

“Elections usually become corrupt because it is a political competition. Electoral fraud thrives when everyone engages in it,” he said.

Bakare maintained that prosecuting and punishing individuals found guilty of electoral offences would serve as a deterrent to others.

He noted that although elections provide citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders and hold them accountable, the mere conduct of polls does not automatically guarantee effective democratic governance.

The ICPC official identified bribery, vote buying, abuse of public resources, intimidation, procurement fraud and manipulation of electoral records as practices capable of compromising the credibility of elections.

He warned that these offences could transform elections into instruments for protecting the interests of influential politicians instead of allowing citizens to freely determine who governs them.

Bakare also urged election monitors to remain impartial and avoid showing support for any political party or candidate.

He advised them to carry out their responsibilities within the provisions of the law while taking necessary precautions to protect themselves.

The director further stressed the importance of preserving evidence collected during monitoring exercises, explaining that such materials must be properly documented and handled to ensure they can be relied upon in court when necessary.

He added that monitors should submit reports containing specific and actionable information, follow up on their findings and forward them to the relevant authorities for appropriate action.

Referring to the 1993 presidential election, Bakare observed that its continued recognition as a benchmark in Nigeria’s electoral history demonstrates that the country can still conduct credible elections.

He urged Nigerians to play an active role in ensuring that the 2027 general elections are free, fair and transparent.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and his partner, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, have welcomed their second child together, a baby girl named Liora Audrey.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Turkish champions Galatasaray announced the arrival of the newborn on Thursday, October 30, through a post on their official X account.

The Istanbul-based club congratulated the couple and wished their daughter a long, healthy and happy life.

In its announcement, Galatasaray wrote: “Our Football A Team player Victor Osimhen and Stefanie have welcomed a baby girl into the world.

“We congratulate the couple Victor and Stefanie; we wish their newborn baby Liora Audrey a long, healthy, and happy life!”

The birth marks the couple’s second child together and has attracted congratulatory messages from fans in Nigeria and Turkey.

The development comes weeks after Ladewig reportedly escaped unhurt in a minor road accident in Istanbul while pregnant. The incident had raised concerns among supporters, but she sustained no injuries.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Nigerian forward is expected to return to Galatasaray ahead of the club’s upcoming league fixture against Konyaspor.

Despite battling a series of injury setbacks this season, Osimhen has scored nine goals and provided three assists in nine appearances across all competitions. His contributions have also helped Galatasaray maintain their position at the top of the Turkish league.