Headlines
Buhari Sacks Postmaster General, NCC Chairman, Others
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, sacked Postmaster General of the Federation, Mr Bisi Adegbuyi.
The NIPOST boss was replaced by Dr Ismail Adewusi.
Buhari’s media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, announced the replacement of Adegbuyi in a statement made available to one of our correspondent.
He also announced other appointments in parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The parastatals affected are the Nigerian Communications Commission; National Information Technology Development Agency; Nigerian Postal Service; Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited; and Galaxy Backbone Limited.
At the NCC, Prof Adeolu Akande (South-West) replaced Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (South-West) as Chairman, Board of Commissioners, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Mr Uche Onwude (South- East) also replaced Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (South- East) as Non-Executive Commissioner.
The Presidency said that at the National Information Technology Development Agency, Dr Abubakar Sa’id replaced Prof Adeolu Akande as board chairman, while Dr Habibu Imam (North-West) replaced Dr Lawal Bello Moriki (North-West).
In the same agency, Dr Mohammed Sa’idu-Kumo was named as a board member.
Another change took place at the Galaxy Backbone Limited, where Prof Muhammed Abubakar replaced Mr Yusuf Kazaure.
Similarly, at the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited, Mr Yusuf Kazaure replaced Chief George Moghalu as board chairman.
Dr Najeem Salam replaced Mr Samson Osagie as Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, while Prof Abdu Ja’afaru Bambale replaced Kazeem Raji as Executive Director, Technical Services.
In addition, Hadi Mohammed replaced Mohammed Lema Abubakar as Executive Director, Administration.
Adegbuyi who was appointed as the PMG and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST in August 2016 did not complete his tenure in office before his sacking by Buhari.
Sources at NIPOST revealed that Adegbuyi did not expect his removal from office.
A source said, “This is coming as a surprise.
“Nobody saw this coming. The PMG had no inkling that he was going to be removed and what made this even more difficult to understand is there was no reason given for the development.
“The PMG was looking forward to repositioning NIPOST in line with the partial commercialisation policy.”
Last week, Adegbuyi had addressed journalists, mapping out his future plans for NIPOST.
NIPOST is currently engaged in a spirited campaign to retain the collection of stamp duties.
The Punch
Former governor of Anambra State, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially defected to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, was among the attendees.
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
