National News

Faceless Petition Against Lamuwa Addressed to President Tinubu Surfaces

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

…Sources Insist it is a Product of Lobbyists for Juicy Ambassadorial Postings

By: Michael Mike

Some faceless officers of the federal ministry of foreign affairs have accused Ibrahim Lamuwa, suspended permanent secretary in the ministry, of “multiple cases of sexual harassment and other infractions, even as they called for the review of ambassadorial posting that he oversaw.

In June, Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, a married female aide of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, accused Lamuwa of sexual harassment and
allegation denied by Lamuwa, who claimed that he turned down Ajayi’s request to pay her bills during an overseas trip and was the reason for the hatchet job on him.

The permanent secretary following allegation from Ajayi and subsequent request to the Head of Service by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for enquiry into the case had faced probe from the Office of Head of Service, National Assembly and ICPC.

However, a new twist was introduced to the entire issue when a letter dated July 3 was addressed to President Bola Tinubu by some employees in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the aegis of “concerned and patriotic foreign service officers,” claiming that the accusation against Lamuwa by Ajayi was not the first of its kind.

They added that sexual harassment allegations against the permanent secretary have become “a recurring feature in his entire public service career,” including harassment of children.

They also alleged in the letter that: “His unbridled sexual assaults and harassment on minors and women is legendary.

“Cases include harassment of neighbours’ children, as a young officer, while occupying government property at the foreign affairs quarters in Gwarimpa, Abuja; the inglorious removal from his post in Canada to avoid an impending declaration of persona non-grata (PNG), and sexual assault cases involving a large number of locally-recruited staff in our mission in Dakar, Senegal.

“In Senegal, while serving as ambassador and principal representative of Mr President, ambassador Lamuwa threatened a female bank official, saddled with the management of the embassy’s account, that he would ensure the movement of the mission’s account to another financial institution in the event that she does not agree to engage in sexual activities with him.

“It took the voice recording of the incident before Ambassador Lamuwa could withdraw from his inherent evil intentions.

“More recently at the ministry’s headquarters, a married female policy officer tasked with the implementation of presidential reforms could not resist the intense pressure, and she succumbed to Ambassador Lamuwa’s threat and was duly rewarded for her compliance in the yet-to-be-released 2024 posting exercise without due diligence.

“All these incidents could have been avoided if a system of checks and balances was in place in the administration of the ministry, with the appointment of under-secretaries.”

Aside from the issue of sexual harassment, the group also accused the permanent secretary of sabotaging the ministry.
“In the last 24 months, all Nigerian missions abroad have received 20 percent of their budgeted allocation.”

They claimed: “The affected missions wrote to Amb. Lamuwa, more than 21 months ago, to appeal for the budget shortfall, a result of the government’s policy on the unification of the exchange rate, to be brought to the attention of Mr President, but Ambassador Lamuwa rather devised a plan to suffocate missions and utilize the untoward situation for his personal gains.

“With the assistance of the director of finance and account (DFA), Amb. Lamuwa suppressed all missions’ desperate appeal and began to peddle a misrepresentation to the honourable minister of foreign affairs and other high-level government officials that missions are financially buoyant and the only reason they were writing was that officers at posts, who are diligently serving the country, wanted an excuse not to return. Even with several inquiries from the state house, Amb. Lamuwa remained obstinate in his covetous plot.

“The far-reaching implication is that the jaundiced posting, as he had orchestrated and implemented, will give him unimpeded control over all the missions more than Mr President and the honourable minister of foreign affairs.”

They said embassies and offices in Asia—Rome, Geneva, Brussels, Tehran, and Bern—are drawing in debt and unable to pay rent and salaries.

They accused Lamuwa of demonstrating impunity by claiming to be well-connected to principals at the State House, particularly the office of the vice-president.

“Ambassador Lamuwa is not an example of what the civil service should promote or be proud of, as he has indeed shown great disrespect and disregard for the service and government processes,” the group added.
“Such individuals are a potent threat to society and should be confined to the walls of rehabilitation or correction facilities.”

The concerned ministry of foreign affairs officers asked President Tinubu to “direct a wider investigation of the issues stated in the letter to ascertain the facts and for necessary actions”.

A highly placed officer in the ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the letter by the faceless group who the product of those who are looking for ways to rubbish the ambassadorial posting that Lamuwa superintended over.

He said: “The rule is that if you are writing a petition you should be bold enough to put your names on it. And that the excuse that the officials might be victimized is never acceptable as it would be hard to persecute officers that may be more than ten in the civil service for writing a petition.”

He added that at the moment against the rule of the foreign service that career officers should not lobby for posting many career ambassadors waiting to be posted are lobbying emirs, kings, imams, pastors and officials in the presidency to help them get what they see as favourable and juicy posting.

He said while it is already in the public domain the allegations against Lamuwa, but the faceless petition to the president without first addressing it to the minister was a ploy to rubbish the entire process of ambassadorial posting which is almost concluded in order to smuggle some names of the list and to position them for “juicy” postings.

Faceless Petition Against Lamuwa Addressed to President Tinubu Surfaces

National News

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr

Published

30 minutes ago

March 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Federal Government, the minister urged Muslims to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which define the Ramadan period. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to reflect on these virtues beyond the fasting season as part of efforts to build a more harmonious society.

Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, noting that collective responsibility remains key to the country’s stability.

He further encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.

The declaration underscores the government’s continued commitment to promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr

National News

Nigeria–UK Investment Surge to Generate Jobs, Deepen Economic Ties

Published

34 minutes ago

March 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria–UK Investment Surge to Generate Jobs, Deepen Economic Ties

By: Michael Mike

A new wave of multi-million-pound investments by Nigerian and British firms is set to create hundreds of jobs in both countries, reinforcing growing economic ties and positioning Nigeria as an emerging driver of global innovation and capital.

The investment push comes ahead of the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom, where both nations are expected to consolidate gains under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), a framework aimed at boosting cooperation across key sectors.

At the centre of the development is an aggressive expansion by Nigerian banks and fintech companies into the UK market, alongside renewed commitments by British firms to scale operations in Nigeria.

In a major boost to Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, Twinings Ovaltine has unveiled a £24 million production facility in Lagos—its first on the African continent. The plant is projected to create over 100 direct jobs while strengthening export capacity across West Africa.

Nigeria’s financial institutions are also increasing their global footprint. Zenith Bank has launched a new branch in Manchester, with plans to generate dozens of jobs and deepen trade links between Africa and the UK. The bank is also considering a future listing on the London Stock Exchange as part of its long-term expansion strategy.

Likewise, Fidelity Bank is expanding its UK presence following the rebranding of Union Bank UK to FidBank UK, with plans to significantly grow its workforce and capital base. Other players such as FCMB are leveraging the UK as a strategic hub to roll out cross-border payment platforms aimed at facilitating trade between Africa and the global market.

The fintech sector is driving a substantial share of the new investments. LemFi has committed £100 million over five years, designating London as its global headquarters, while Moniepoint plans to expand its UK workforce to 100 employees by 2026. Digital bank Kuda Bank is also scaling up its UK operations as it eyes broader international growth.

Beyond finance and technology, the creative industry is emerging as another pillar of collaboration. EbonyLife is set to establish EbonyLife Place London, a move expected to create new jobs while amplifying African storytelling on a global stage.

Officials say the growing investment flows highlight increasing confidence in both economies. UK authorities point to the country’s stable regulatory environment and access to global capital, while Nigeria’s expanding digital and creative sectors continue to attract international interest.

Education and skills development are also receiving attention, with new partnerships between institutions such as the University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos focusing on cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence, digital technology, and healthcare innovation.

With bilateral trade now estimated at £8.1 billion annually, analysts say the latest round of investments signals a shift in UK–Nigeria relations—from traditional trade to a more dynamic partnership driven by innovation, talent, and shared economic ambition.

The coming days are expected to yield further announcements as both governments seek to unlock new opportunities capable of delivering long-term growth and job creation for their citizens.

Nigeria–UK Investment Surge to Generate Jobs, Deepen Economic Ties

National News

Babani assumes office as LCBC chief, pledges stronger regional security, cooperation

Published

6 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Babani assumes office as LCBC chief, pledges stronger regional security, cooperation

By: Zagazola Makama

The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Head of Mission of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Amb. Ibrahim Babani, has pledged to strengthen regional collaboration to tackle security and developmental challenges in the Lake Chad Basin.

In his inaugural address, Babani underscored the importance of strengthening the MNJTF, the regional military coalition tasked with combating insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

He called for increased collaboration among troop-contributing countries and greater support from international partners, noting that sustained joint operations remain essential to degrading terrorist networks operating across porous borders.

He expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the LCBC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, President of Chad, for supporting his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as other member states for endorsing his emergence.

Babani emphasised that peace and security would remain a top priority of his administration, particularly through enhanced support for the MNJTF, a regional military coalition combating insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

He called on troop-contributing countries to sustain active participation in joint operations, while also urging international partners to scale up support for counter-terrorism efforts.

Babani’s emphasis on strengthening the MNJTF reflects growing concerns over renewed insurgent activities across the Lake Chad region, especially in border communities spanning Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The new LCBC boss paid tribute to his predecessor, Amb. Mamman Nuhu, acknowledging his leadership in stabilising the commission and advancing its core mandates.

Babani pledged to sustain and build on these achievements, while introducing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and institutional performance.

He also disclosed plans to engage member states on the recovery of outstanding financial contributions, a move seen as vital for funding regional programmes and sustaining operations of the commission.

Babani has emphasised teamwork, dialogue and collaboration as guiding principles of his leadership, expressing confidence in the capacity of the LCBC and MNJTF teams to overcome prevailing challenges.

He also pledged to uphold due process and ensure inclusivity in decision-making, noting that collective ownership of the commission’s goals would drive its success.

Beyond security, Babani pointed out key priorities of the LCBC, including sustainable management of shared water resources, environmental conservation, regional economic integration and conflict prevention.

These areas are critical to addressing the root causes of instability in the Lake Chad Basin, where climate change, shrinking water resources and economic hardship have contributed to displacement and insecurity.

Development partners, including the European Union, the African Development Bank and the German development agency (GIZ), were acknowledged for their continued support to the commission’s programmes.

Babani’s investiture in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad, signals not just a change in leadership, but a renewed commitment by member states to confront the complex challenges confronting the basin through collective action and strengthened partnerships.

The Lake Chad Basin, shared by Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, has for over a decade remained at the epicentre of insurgency driven by extremist groups, alongside the devastating impact of climate change and dwindling water resources.

These challenges have combined to displace millions, disrupt livelihoods and strain already fragile governance structures across the region.
The dual role of Babani as head of both the LCBC and MNJTF places him at the intersection of security coordination and development planning—two critical pillars for stabilising the region.

Stakeholders noted that effective coordination among member states and sustained international backing remain critical to consolidating recent gains against terrorist groups. They argue that enhanced intelligence sharing, logistics support and joint planning will be crucial in maintaining pressure on such groups.

Beyond security, Babani highlighted the need to tackle underlying drivers of conflict, including poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation and competition over shrinking natural resources. The LCBC’s mandate, which spans water resource management, ecosystem conservation and economic cooperation, is seen as critical in addressing these issues.

Stakeholders say aligning these interventions with security efforts will be key to achieving sustainable peace in the region.

As Babani takes over the reins, expectations are high that his tenure will consolidate gains in regional security while advancing development initiatives that address the root causes of instability.

The Lake Chad Basin remains a region of strategic importance, not only for its member states but for the broader Sahel and West African sub-region.

How effectively the LCBC under Babani navigates the interplay between security and development may well shape the future of millions of people whose lives depend on the restoration of peace, stability and economic opportunity.

Babani assumes office as LCBC chief, pledges stronger regional security, cooperation