National News
TEXT OF THE PRESS BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION/ CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION COUNCIL, BOSS MUSTAPHA, CFR, ON THE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES MARKING THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION HELD ON THURSDAY 18TH MAY, 2023 AT THE ROTUNDA HALL, OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TAFAWA BALEWA WAY, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA

TEXT OF THE PRESS BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION/ CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION COUNCIL, BOSS MUSTAPHA, CFR, ON THE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES MARKING THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION HELD ON THURSDAY 18TH MAY, 2023 AT THE ROTUNDA HALL, OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TAFAWA BALEWA WAY, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA
Protocol
I welcome you all to the World Press Conference organized to brief Nigerians and the entire world on the program of activities planned for the 2023 Presidential Inauguration.
- Let me begin by thanking you for honoring our invitation. The presence of both local and international media houses here today is an indication that Nigerians and the global community are desirous of supporting the process of democratic transition of power from one administration to the other.
- The upcoming event is historically significant to this great nation and the international community, particularly Africa because of the democratic values and lessons in nationhood. For these reasons, we have chosen, ‘NIGERIA: Better Together’, as the theme for the 2023 transition.
- I am delighted to inform you that May 29, 2023 will mark the 7th consecutive democratic transition of power in Nigeria and on that day, we shall all be ushering in the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- The significance of the above is underscored by the desire of this administration to lay a solid foundation for seamless transition of power by institutionalizing the process through legislation. In February, 2023, the President through Executive Order 14, approved the establishment of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC). The 24-member Council inclusive of two representatives of the President-Elect was inaugurated on 14th February 2023.
- The Council is charged with the responsibility of facilitating and managing Presidential Transition. In the course of this process, the PTC established three main Committees namely: (i) Inauguration Committee under Chairmanship of the SGF; (ii) Transition Documents Committee under the Chairmanship of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and (iii) Security, Facilities and Intelligence Committee under the Chairmanship of the National Security Adviser.
- In furtherance of discharging it‘s functions, the PTC also interfaced with leading democratic nations including the United States of America and the Republic of Kenya, as part of its learning efforts to pick up useful lessons in line with international best practices. It is important to also state that these countries have specific legislations on Presidential Transition, some of which date back to 1963. It is our expectation that a specific legislation on presidential transition in Nigeria, would be passed soon.
- The PTC also built on the foundation laid by the Transition Technical Task Team (TTTT) which I inaugurated in December 2022. The Task Team is the product of a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and development partners including FCDO-PERL; NESG, NGF; KPMG; TBI and we remain grateful to these partners.
- Gentlemen of the press, let me once again assure Nigerians and indeed the global community of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the seamless transfer of power to President-Elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- In demonstration of this commitment, the President has directed all relevant government institutions to cooperate with and support the transition process through engagement with the President-Elect’s Team. It is for this reason that President Buhari amongst other things, approved the inclusion of the team as part of the Federal Government delegation to the World Bank/IMF Spring meetings in Washington DC in April, 2023.
- It is with great delight, therefore, that I unveil the schedule of activities marking the 2023 Presidential Inauguration. They are as follows:
Date
Activity
Venue
Thursday, 18th May, 2023
World Press Conference by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
The Rotunda Hall , Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBD, Abuja
Tuesday 23rd May, 2023
Regimental Dinner in honor of the Commander in Chief
Armed Forces Officers Mess @ 7:00pm
Wednesday, 24th May, 2023
Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting
Council Chambers, Presidential Villa
Thursday, 25th May, 2023
Investiture of the President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect with the National Honors of
Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) respectively and Handover of Transition Documents
State House Conference Centre @ 10:00am
(Guests to be seated by 9:00am)
Friday 26th May, 2023
Public Lecture and Jumaat Prayer
National Mosque @ 10:00am & 1:30 pm
Saturday 27th May, 2023
Inauguration Lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by His Excellency, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, former President of Kenya
International Conference Centre, @ 10:00am
(Guests to be seated by 9:00am)
Saturday 27th May, 2023
Children’s Day Program
(i). Parade; and
(ii). Children’s Party
(i). Old Parade Ground @ 10:00am
(ii). State House Conference Centre
@ 2:00pm
Sunday, 28th May, 2023
Inter-denominational Church Service
National Christian Centre @ 10:00am
(Congregation to be seated by 9:00am)
Sunday, 28th May, 2023
Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night
State House Conference Centre @7:00PM
(Guests to be seated by 6:00 pm)
Monday, 29th May, 2023
Inauguration Parade/Swearing-In
Eagle Square, CBD @ 10:00am.
All Guests to be seated by 8:30am
Monday, 29th May, 2023
Post Inauguration Luncheon
State House Banquet Hall @ 1:30 pm (Strictly for Mr. President with brother Presidents, Heads of Government and his invited guests).
- All events will be broadcast live on all major stations and streamed on various social media platforms. Detailed information including accreditation arrangements, would be provided by the Media and Publicity sub-Committee.
- So far invitations have been sent to the Presidents and Heads of Government as well as Heads of International Organisations. We are also glad to report that many of these invitees have confirmed attendance in person.
- Ladies and gentlemen, this event is historic for our nation and I enjoin every one to embrace this moment as proud Nigerians. It is a moment made for togetherness, unity, peace and progress.
- Finally, let me assure everyone that adequate arrangements have been made for the safety and security of all people throughout the inauguration period.
- I thank you for listening. I will now take your questions.
TEXT OF THE PRESS BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION/ CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION COUNCIL, BOSS MUSTAPHA, CFR, ON THE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES MARKING THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION HELD ON THURSDAY 18TH MAY, 2023 AT THE ROTUNDA HALL, OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TAFAWA BALEWA WAY, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA
National News
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau

Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.
The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.

Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.
Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
National News
UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series

UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), in partnership with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have wrapped up a major national initiative to support State-led electricity market reforms.
The State Learning Workshop Series focused on Electricity Market Development, Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) and energy modelling software.
Workshops in Lagos, Calabar, Kano and Jos have been successfully completed, drawing participants from all the 36 States and the FCT and setting a strong precedent for what lies ahead.

These sessions equipped policymakers, regulators and stakeholders with the tools to design robust, sustainable and investor-ready electricity markets at the State level, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
Reflecting on the significance of this initiative, the Director-Legal/Head Power Desk at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Chijioke Chuku,, stated that: “Nigeria’s electricity future depends on the capacity of our States to lead with vision, clarity, and technical precision. Through the workshop series, we are equipping States not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to take charge of their electricity markets. The NGF is proud to partner with UKNIAF in ensuring that the promise of the Electricity Act 2023 becomes a lived reality across the country.”
The sessions in the State Learning Workshops covered: The legal and regulatory pathways for setting up State Electricity Markets; Commercial models for private sector investment; Integration of State plans into Nigeria’s National IRP;
Practical training on the software platform for energy modelling.
The initiative drew from lessons learned in the course of UKNIAF’s work supporting the Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Oyo State Governments—early movers in electricity market development—in setting up their markets.
It also drew from experience gained in the course of UKNIAF providing technical support to the Federal Ministry of Power in drafting both the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria’s first National Integrated Resource Plan, both of which were approved very recently.
With States now empowered by the Electricity Act 2023, this series is a timely and strategic effort to ensure capacity, coordination, and sustainability in Nigeria’s decentralised energy landscape.
UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series
National News
Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community

Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed three persons and injured three others in an attack on Galadi town, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Sources confirmed the incident saying the attack occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 27.
The sources said the bandits stormed the town, shooting sporadically, which resulted in the deaths and injuries.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were mobilised to the scene. The corpses and injured victims were evacuated to Galadi Primary Health Care Centre for autopsy and treatment.
Meanwhile, a manhunt for the fleeing culprits has been intensified, as the bandits escaped before the arrival of the joint forces,” the sources said.
Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community
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