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Ita Enang Confirms Removal as Buhari’s Senate Aide, Appointed as Aide on Niger Delta Affairs
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Ita Enang has confirmed a report published earlier by PREMIUM TIMES on President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to renew his appointment as the president’s aide on National Assembly Matters.
PREMIUM TIMES broke the news that Mr Enang, a former senator from Akwa Ibom state, would not return as Mr Buhari’s senior special adviser on Senate because of the perception within the presidency that he was unable to manage the relationship between the president and Bukola Saraki-led Senate.
The relationship between President Buhari and the eighth Senate was characterised by deep animosity.
“He (Enang) didn’t have the temperament to deliver anything substantial,” a source within the presidency had said of Mr Enang’s performance as Mr Buhari’s aide.
“Despite the experience he has and the senators being his former colleagues, he could not resolve the frequent crisis the senators were having with the president.”
The president picked Omoworare Babajide, a former senator from Osun state, as Mr Enang’s replacement, the source said.
Mr Enang, the source had said, would be compensated with a new position – the president’s adviser on Niger Delta matters.
The former senator, apparently unaware of the development within the presidency as at that time, disputed the PREMIUM TIMES report.
“My name is Senator Ita Solomon Enang, and I am the National Assembly Liaison officer; Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate),” Mr Enang said on Planet 105.9 FM Uyo, on August 13, a day after the PREMIUM TIMES report.
Mr Enang’s media aide, Essien Inyang, and people sympathetic to the former senator gleefully promoted the claims on Facebook.
A photo showing Mr Enang in an office, with Nigerian flag at the background, was also promoted on the social media site by his media aide, with the message “Work more, talk less!”
The intention, perhaps, was to discredit the PREMIUM TIMES report.
Mr Enang also granted press interviews in Abuja, telling reporters he was still President Buhari’s aide on National Assembly Matters.
But on Tuesday, eight days after the report, Mr Enang’s media aide, Mr Inyang, posted on Facebook: “Meet Senator Ita Solomon Enang, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs”, therefore confirming the report by this newspaper.
Mr Inyang in another post said the new appointment was an “elevation” for Mr Enang.
Many of Mr Enang’s supporters have taken to Facebook to congratulate him and to also thank Mr Buhari for the appointment.
“May God continually bless us with many more opportunities as Akwa Ibom people. May we equally use such openings for the benefit of our people,” Onofiok Luke, a House of Representatives member from the state, wrote on Facebook about the appointment.
Mr Luke, a former speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, congratulated Mr Enang on the appointment.
Premium Times
Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic extra-time winner as England overcame an unfortunate Norway to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Bellingham slid home the winning goal in the first half of extra time after a second Norway goal was ruled out by the VAR for an Erling Haaland foul.
Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead, but Bellingham equalised with a brilliant finish — although England were fortunate the goal stood after the ball struck the Spidercam during the build-up.
England rode their luck at times but will now face either Switzerland or old rivals Argentina as they seek to reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1966.
New York Times
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed relief and joy over the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“It is such a big relief for all of us. Right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much,” the governor told Channels Television.
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed delight over the successful rescue of abducted children and teachers, commending the military, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force for ending their 56-day captivity.
The President said the security operation led to the arrest of eight suspected abductors while several others were neutralised, describing the outcome as a major relief for the victims, their families and the nation.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the security agencies for what he described as their tireless efforts in securing the victims’ release.
He also sympathised with the children, teachers and their families over the trauma they endured during the prolonged ordeal
The President further commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support as they recover from the ordeal.
The schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued after about 56 days in captivity.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the victims were freed through the efforts of security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said.
He disclosed that eight members of the kidnapping gang were arrested during the rescue operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Onanuga said the rescue operation did not involve any exchange or concession to the kidnappers, noting that a notorious gang leader whose release had been demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
He added that security agencies would provide a full account of the operation soon.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release was demanded by the kidnappers, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” he added.
In a video shared alongside the statement, a woman believed to be one of the rescued teachers was seen thanking President Bola Tinubu for securing their release. The schoolchildren were also seen eating biscuits and joining the teacher in chanting, “Thank you, sir,” at the end of her remarks.
“Hello sir, our father, we are grateful. Mr President, sir, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us. We could see your hand in this. Thank you very much. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive today. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much,” the teacher said.
