News
Tinubu swears in eight perm secs, 18 RMAFC commissioners
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in eight newly appointed federal permanent secretaries and 18 commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The brief ceremonies were held inside the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, just before the commencement of the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The swearing-in, which was conducted in two batches of four each, was anchored by the director of media in the office of the president, Abiodun Oladunjoye, who read the citations of the appointees.
The new permanent secretaries include Onwusoro Ihemelandu (Abia State), Ndiomu Philip (Bayelsa State), Anuma Nlia (Ebonyi State), Ogbodo Nnam (Enugu State), and Kalba Usman (Gombe State). Others are Usman Aminu (Kebbi State), Oyekunle Nwakuso (Rivers State), and Nadungu Gagare (Kaduna State).
Similarly, President Tinubu swore in 18 newly appointed federal commissioners of the RMAFC, alongside a federal commissioner for the Federal Character Commission and a member of the National Population Commission.
The RMAFC commissioners, whose appointments were confirmed by the Senate last August, include Linda Oti (Abia), Akpan Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Enefe Ekene (Anambra), Prof. Steve Ugba (Benue), Chief Eyonsa (Cross River), Aruviere Egharhevwe (Delta), Nduka Awuregu (Ebonyi), Victor Eboigbe (Edo), Wumi Ogunlola (Ekiti), Ozo Obodougo (Enugu), and Kabir Mashi (Katsina).
Others are Adamu Fanda (Kano), Dr. Kunle Wright (Lagos), Aliyu Abdulkadir (Nasarawa), Bako Shetima (Niger), Nathaniel Adejutelegan (Ondo), Saad Ibrahim (Plateau), Modu-Aji Juluri (Yobe), Bello Garba (Zamfara), and Mohammed Usman (Gombe).
Also sworn in was a member of the Federal Character Commission, and a member of the National Population Commission.
Also, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon. Kayode Oladele, was sworn in as a member of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), representing Ogun State
Mrs. Olukemi Victoria Iyantan (Ondo), was also sworn in as commissioner National Population Commission (NPC).
President Tinubu urged the newly inaugurated permanent secretaries and commissioners to uphold diligence, innovation, and commitment in the discharge of their duties, emphasizing the importance of their roles in advancing the administration’s governance and development agenda.
The upper chamber approved the appointments after considering the report of its Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, presented by its chairperson, Abdullahi Yahaya.
Yahaya, the senator representing Kebbi North Senatorial District, said the nominees have been screened at the committee level and that they possessed all the requirements for the positions.
He said the appointments would ensure fairness and federal representation in all the geo-political zones.
“This confirmation brings the commission to its full complement, with every state having representation,” Mr Yahaya added.
The swearing-in ceremony was followed by the commencement of the FEC meeting.
Just before the FEC commenced, members of the Council observed a minute of silence in honour of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jeremiah Useni, who passed away on January 23, 2025.
Present at the Council meeting were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Head of Service, Didi Walson-Jack, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as Ministers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Catholic faithful and in deed the whole world are still waiting for a new pope as plumes of black smoke emanated from the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican earlier today as the voting by the conclave of Cardinals to elect a successor to the late Pope Francis ended without electing a new pope.
A muted roar went up from the faithful gathered at Rome’s St. Peter’s Square as soon as the black plume of smoke went up, with many consequently streaming out of the place to wait for the next voting round about 5.30pm Nigeria time.
White smoke from the chimney signals a new Pope has been elected.
The last conclave, which elected Francis in 2013, lasted two days and involved five ballots.
In 2005, when Pope Benedict XVI was chosen by the assembled cardinals, the process also lasted two days and took four ballots in total, while the conclave to elect John Paul II in 1978 took three days and eight ballots.
Of the modern conclaves, 10 since the beginning of the 20th century, the average length of time was three days and seven ballots.
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, Easter Monday, aged 88.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet have issued a warning to foreign visitors planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States: Do not overstay your visas.
While the U.S. government says it welcomes fans from around the world to experience the incredible venues and vibrant American culture, officials are making it clear that all visitors must leave the country once their authorized stay ends.
In a video posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that any visitors who overstay their visas will face action from the appropriate authorities.
“I know we will have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games. But when the time is up, they will have to go home — otherwise, they’ll have to talk to the Secretary,” the Vice President said.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation also emphasized the importance of respecting visa rules, while encouraging visitors to explore more of the country during their stay:
“We’re going to encourage everyone to go on a road trip to celebrate our great country. So if you’re coming to see some soccer, go on a road trip and see America. Don’t overstay your visa. Don’t stay too long. But when you come, actually see this great country that we’re going to celebrate over the course of the next year.”
This warning appears to be directed, in part, at some football fans in Ghana who have publicly expressed intentions not to return home after attending the tournament in the U.S.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the premier international men’s football (soccer) tournament, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with matches held in 16 cities across the three countries. It marks the first time three nations have jointly hosted a World Cup, and only the second time multiple countries have done so — the first being Japan and South Korea in 2002.
The 2026 tournament will also feature a historic expansion to 48 teams, up from the previous 32, making it the largest World Cup in history.
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