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SGF, SSG offices not creation of law – Anyim
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, on Thursday, said the Offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Secretary to State Governments were not a creation of the law.
He stated that Sections 171(1)(2) and 208 of the 1999 Constitution only specified the SGF and the SSGs as officers whom the President and governors have the authority to appoint to exercise their executive powers.
Speaking at the first meeting of the Forum of the SGF and SSGs, Anyim, who was also a former Senate President, wondered if the omission from the Constitution was deliberate or an oversight.
He said, “The office of SGF/SSG is not a creation of law. Section 171(1)(2) and 208 of the Constitution only mentioned the SGF/SSG as officers the President/governor has powers to appoint in the exercise of his executive powers.
“First Schedule, Part 2, Paragraph 10 and Section 209 of the Constitution only mentioned the offices of SGF and SSG as offices subject to code of conduct processes and nothing more.
“I don’t know whether it was deliberate or oversight that the framers of the Constitution omitted to establish the office of SGF/SSG in the Constitution but went ahead to talk about his appointment.
“Being executive appointees under Section 171 and 208 of the Constitution, we must be sure that the role of SGF/SSG is limited to the executive arm of government.”
Anyim said the offices of the SGF and SSG “should be institutionalised or protected by law.”
“So, the first step to institutionalise the roles of SGF/SSG is to institutionalise the office by law.
“The advice of the Attorney General of the Federation should be sought on how to establish a common repository for the entire government of Nigeria, i.e. the three arms. At present, there is no effective mechanism to coordinate or synergise the activities of the three arms of government.”
Speaking, the SGF, George Akume, emphasised the need for harmonising efforts and working together in synergy to build stronger, more adaptive governance structures capable of meeting the diverse needs of the Nigerian populace.
He said, “In these challenging times, the importance of policy coordination and implementation is more critical than ever. As Nigeria navigates a complex array of socio-economic, environmental, and security challenges, we must take clear, unified action across all levels of government.
“The success of our national agenda depends on how effectively we align federal, state, and local policies, ensuring that they are not only well-conceived but also consistently implemented. Achieving this requires a deep commitment to collaboration and a shared vision of our common goals.”
Bandits have killed a monarch,his wife, his son, and three other residents in a deadly night attack on Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents said the attack happened on Thursday night when the armed men, numbering about four and arriving on two motorcycles, stormed the palace of the monarch and opened fire on him and his family members.
According to a resident who requested anonymity, the attackers entered the community without raising suspicion, reportedly exchanging greetings with locals in the native dialect before heading straight to the royal residence. Once inside, they opened fire, killing the traditional ruler, his wife, and his son on the spot.
The attackers were said to have spent about 20 minutes in the community. After the assault on the palace, they reportedly moved to a nearby compound where they killed two additional residents and left another person injured before fleeing the scene.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as coordinated and deceptive, noting that the gunmen initially blended in with residents before launching the attack.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident, stating that five people were killed and one person sustained injuries.
He added that security operatives, including police personnel, have since visited the scene.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive full details of the attack at the time of filing this report.
Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.
Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Nigeria is set to experience one of the highest increases in food insecurity worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, compiled by agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, raised fresh concerns over worsening hunger levels driven by insecurity, economic hardship and declining humanitarian funding.
According to FAO findings, about 4.1 million additional Nigerians could fall into acute food insecurity in 2026, placing the country among those with the largest increases globally.
Reacting to the development, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Mr Alvaro Lario, said “the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to contain”.
“We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” warning that the situation is placing growing pressure on global stability.
FAO noted that about 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute hunger in 2025, with conditions expected to remain severe into 2026.
In Nigeria, the situation is being worsened by continued insecurity in key farming regions, rising inflation and limited access to food.
According FAO projections, over 34 million Nigerians may experience crisis level hunger between June and August 2026, during the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Hussein Gadain, said the combined impact of armed conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and cuts in global aid funding is pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that without immediate action, millions more could slide into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
BREAKING: Benue boils again as bandits invade palace, kill monarch ,wife, son three others
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
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