President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jami’u Abiola, son of late Moshood Abiola, as senior special assistant to the president on linguistics and foreign matters.

Segun Imohiosen, director of information, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in a statement, said the appointment takes effect from November 14, 2024.

“This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended”

Until his appointment, Jami’u has served as the special assistant to the president on special duties in the Office of the Vice President.

The statement said President Tinubu tasked the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has halted the free bus service system in the state.

The governor had earlier on Wednesday approved the free bus services for residents of the state through the Edo City Transport Service.

In a press statement released by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the initiative was described as part of the administration’s effort to entrench its policy direction.

The free bus service, according to the governor, was to cover the Benin metropolis and the three senatorial districts of the state (intra- and intercity routes) and was intended as a commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.

However, in a subsequent statement on Wednesday night, Itua said the earlier announcement regarding the approval of the free bus services should be disregarded.

The statement read: “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded.

“The governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of the state-owned Edo City Transport Service, operators of the free bus services.

“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public.”

A medical doctor, Donatus Nwasor, has been abducted by gunmen from his private clinic in Utagba-Uno, the Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Nwasor was abducted around 8.15 pm on Tuesday.

A source from the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that an auxiliary nurse at the clinic raised the alarm after witnessing the abduction.

The source said, “As her boss entered his car after closing around 8 pm and on the ignition, suddenly, a call came.

“While the car was running, he stepped out to answer a phone call. Suddenly, about five men came out of a nearby bush and hit him down, dragged him into his car and drove away.

“One of the kidnappers’ rubber sandals fell off at the clinic premises, and they drove towards the Ugiliamai / Iselegu area.”

Further investigations by the community revealed that the doctor’s car was later found abandoned near Iselegu Junction along the expressway heading to Asaba.

“A group of Anti-Cult personnel in Utagba-uno led by Mr Ugobueze got there around 9.10pm and found a car with all the doors opened without anyone inside. It was confirmed that it was Dr Nwasor’s car,” the source added.

Efforts to trace the abductors led to the discovery of a walkway sign in the bush near Obi-Ukpo in Onicha-Ukwuani.

The source disclosed that Nwasor’s family and concerned individuals have been informed, and the matter has been reported to the Nigeria Police Force, Kwale Division.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the command, Bright Edafe, said he had not received the information as of the time of filling this report.