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Just in: Tinubu drops Uzodinma as chairman APC Convention Committee
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has andorsed a major reshuffle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s crucial 2026 National Convention, removing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as Chairman of the National Convention Coordination Committee and replacing him with former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bello Masari.
The move, widely seen as strategic, signals a recalibration of internal party dynamics as the ruling party prepares for a convention that could shape its leadership structure and electoral outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Uzodinma, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), was initially appointed to head the powerful convention coordination committee, a body tasked with overseeing planning, logistics, consensus-building, and political negotiations for the APC’s national convention. However, under the new arrangement approved by President Tinubu, Uzodinma has been reassigned to serve as Treasurer of the Convention Planning Committee, a role that, while still important, places him in a less visible leadership position.
Hon. Bello Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a seasoned party stalwart with deep roots in the APC’s predecessor structures, has now been named Chairman of the Convention Coordination Committee. Party insiders say Masari’s selection reflects President Tinubu’s desire to inject broader experience, balance, and perceived neutrality into the sensitive process of convention planning, especially at a time when internal alignments and ambitions are beginning to crystallize.
Beyond the leadership reshuffle, President Tinubu also approved a significant expansion of the Convention Planning Committee. The membership of the committee has been increased from 73 to 90, an adjustment that party sources say is intended to accommodate more stakeholders and reflect the APC’s diverse political, regional, and ideological composition. The expansion has brought in several prominent figures, including Senator Barry Mpigi and Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, alongside other top party chieftains.
The inclusion of Senator Barry Mpigi has particularly drawn attention within political circles. Mpigi, who represents Rivers South-East Senatorial District, is widely regarded as a close political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before his appointment into Tinubu’s cabinet, has continued to play an influential role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Mpigi’s addition to the convention committee is being interpreted by many observers as another signal of Tinubu’s broad-based political approach and his willingness to accommodate figures linked to different power centres.
Midnight fire on Saturday destroyed more than 10 shops at the Terminus Market in Jos, Plateau State.
Witnesses said that the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m., after traders had closed for the day.
The latest incident comes three months after a section of the market was gutted by a similar night fire.
Our correspondent, who visited the market on Sunday morning, reports that more than 10 shops were affected, with clothes and shoes burnt to ashes.
The cause of the fire could not be immediately confirmed by market authorities, though some victims suggested it might have been caused by an electrical fault.
Firefighters and emergency responders were said to have acted swiftly to contain the blaze, preventing what many feared could have escalated into a major disaster.
A witness, Mr. Silas Lawrenzo, said that firefighters, including a team from the National Emergency Management Agency, worked alongside the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, and the Plateau State Fire Service to bring the fire under control.
He said the coordinated and rapid response helped contain the flames, limiting damage and preventing the fire from spreading across the busy commercial hub.
The media reports that the market has experienced three separate fire incidents in the past year, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The Inspector General of Police,Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has hailed the professionalism of Nigerian journalists and corrected a misconception about their roles in society cautioning that they should not be treated like beggars, instead accorded the full compliments of professionals deserving of respect
The IGP who commended Federal capital Territory journalists and sought stronger police- media partnership when he spoke as a special guest at the FCT NUJ council congress Saturday, said he has always had a mutually beneficial relationship with the media, recognising their professionalism that is deserving of respect and therefore they should never be treated as beggars
The calm and ever- smiling police chief said, “I have always had a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with journalists. They are professionals who deserve respect and should never be treated as beggars,”
Disu commended them for their role in informing the public and contributing to national development, describing his relationship with the media as one built on mutual respect and professionalism.
He emphasised that journalists should be regarded as respected professionals rather than beggars, noting that the media plays a critical role in society, while calling for stronger collaboration between the police and the media, stressing that a healthy partnership would enhance public trust and improve security communication.
The police chief further urged both police officers and journalists to conduct themselves responsibly at all times, noting that good conduct leaves lasting impressions in society.
Responding, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, congratulated the new IGP on his appointment and described him as a longstanding friend of the press.
She expressed confidence in his leadership and assured him of the council’s readiness to collaborate with the police in reporting security matters objectively
Ike also revealed that the IGP would be invited as a special guest to the council’s 2026 Press Week celebration.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to promoting responsible journalism and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening security and governance in the territory.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, was today honoured with the *Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025* by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
The Managing Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, *Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara*, described the award as recognition of his vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives that align with the NPA’s vision to become the *Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa*.
Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the Authority’s Spokesman, highlighted the invaluable support of the *Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola*, which has been instrumental in achieving these remarkable successes. Key highlights include:
– Sustained port efficiencies contributing to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 2025 (per NBS and NESG reports), driven mainly by exports via NPA platforms.
– Successful execution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy for crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, saving billions in FOREX, enhancing energy security, improving trade balance, and creating jobs.
– Completion of Nigeria’s membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), paving the way for the National Single Window (NSW) project.
– Technical guidance enabling a significant rise in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, serving landlocked neighbours and recovering cargo lost to competing ports.
– Pioneering election of a Nigerian agency as President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) since 1972, with Dr. Dantsoho also leading PAPC, boosting Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and securing re-admission to IMO Category C.
These successes position NPA to deliver major 2025 projects, including the $1 billion reconstruction of Tincan Island Port Complex, rehabilitation of key ports, new deep seaport developments, and eco-friendly operations.
Champions Newspaper conferred the award in appreciation of NPA’s pivotal role as a leading trade facilitation platform driving national economic prosperity through Nigeria’s maritime endowments.
Midnight fire engulfs Jos main market destroying ten shops
Journalists are professionals deserving Respect- IGP Disu
NPA wins Champions Newspaper’s “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025”
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