Bayelsa State has been thrown into shock following the sudden death of Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The Former Senator slumped in his office around midday and was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Eyewitnesses and officials at the Bayelsa Government House said the deputy governor collapsed unexpectedly while attending to official duties. His death has also been confirmed by Lere Olayinka, Media Aide to the FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

Efforts to revive him at the hospital were unsuccessful.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, aged 60, had served as Deputy Governor since February 2020 and previously represented Bayelsa West in the Nigerian Senate.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death are still emerging, and the Bayelsa State Government is expected to release an official statement soon.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has cleared Ambassador-designate, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Naija News reports that Fani-Kayode was cleared after his appearance before the Senate.

Fani-Kayode, who is also a former Minister of culture, was given the ‘bow-and-go’ privilege.

It was gathered that during the screening, after a brief introductions, former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers were asked to “take a bow and leave,” in line with Senate tradition.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the continued use of the “bow and go” procedure for certain nominees, saying it is reserved for individuals with established and verifiable records of public service.

Speaking during the screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees, Bamidele explained that anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege,

He noted that their legislative history and public profile are already well known to lawmakers.

Recall that President Tinubu submitted a 32-member list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 29 for confirmation.

The list includes 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career appointees, who are expected to be posted to countries where Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations and to international organisations such as the United Nations.

The nominations attracted attention due to the inclusion of high-profile political figures. Notable names on the list include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and Fani-Kayode.

Women also feature in the list, with four career diplomats and six non-career nominees.

A United States Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft is currently conducting operations over Babana, a strategic border crossing between Nigeria and the Benin Republic known for militant smuggling activity. Babana has long served as a key transit route for armed groups, particularly Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), who exploit the porous border to smuggle weapons and supplies. Security expert, Brant Philip, confirmed the ongoing surveillance in a post on (formerly Twitter) on....TAP TO CONTINUE READING