News April 30, 2026 Uplifting Women Support Initiative Moves to Empower Vulnerable Girls, Young Mothers, Honours Amb. Ofuchukwu, Kraus

A women-focused advocacy group, Uplifting Women Support Initiatives (UWSI) has intensified efforts to support vulnerable girls and young mothers, stressing the need to restore hope, dignity and opportunities for those facing social exclusion. 

The group stated this Abuja while honouring two prominent women for their contributions in enhancing the growth and welfare of women and girls. 

The awardees include, Nigeria's Ambassador designate to Israel, Amb. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu who was presented with certificate of appointment as the Champion of Maternal Hope and Female Dignity and Chief Executive Officer of Smart City Development Group, Sharon Kraus, who bagged the Voice for the Girl Child and Vulnerable Mothers. 

Speaking at the occasion, the ambassador-designate, Amb. Ofuchukwu described the recognition as a call to duty, pledging to continue advocating for women's empowerment, access to education and community-based support systems for young girls. 

"I see it as a call to duty to the women, as a call to represent women, empower women, uplift women in our various communities. And I'm ready and excited to get the job done. We're looking forward to seeing that women, young girls in various communities get the required education that they need and empowerment programmes too that they need. 

"I want to encourage All the girls out there to get focused in life, acquire the necessary education that is needed. If you're not opportune to get the education that you need, acquire a skill, empower yourself through this and get to the top", she advised". 

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Smart City Development Group, Sharon Kraus, reaffirm her commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, particularly young girls, assuring them that their voices are heard and their future matters.

"I believe in partnerships and collaboration. There's a synergy whereby we could come together and do greater impact. I look forward to being with various women to impact this nation. I'm honoured", she said. 

According her, supporting women is what she has been doing for a very long time, having been inspired by her father. 

A member of the Board of Trustees of the organization, Lady Maria Ejielo said many young girls who become pregnant are often abandoned by their both families and partners, leaving them exposed to hardship, depression and uncertain about their future. 

"Vulnerable daughters that will give birth in their family, sometimes, the parents will get angry with them, that they are disgracing the family, and they will move out, and become so vulnerable. Those people that impregnated them will also deny them. They will just be moving from one place to another, and some of them will be so depressed", she said. 

A PR strategist, Mr. Alex Nwankwo congratulated the awardees for their contributions in raising the bar of the welfare of women and girls. 

Other members of the organization are Felicia Adi, National coordinator, Amb  Elizabeth AVOSUAHI DANIEL, Secretary General, Dr Yagana mala kachala, National Women Leader 

and Zainab Jublin, National Director Mobelizasion

News April 30, 2026 FG declares Friday, public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Friday as public holiday to enable workers to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government.

This is contained in a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo commended Nigerian workers for their hard work and dedication to national development, adding that their efforts remained essential to Nigeria’s growth and prosperity.

The minister encouraged workers to embrace patriotism, productivity and dedication to service.

“These qualities are crucial for sustainable development,” Tunji-Ojo emphasised.

According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to supporting the welfare and security of all workers by creating a favourable environment for economic growth.

He encouraged workers to mark the day by reflecting on the importance of unity and hard work in nation-building.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated workers across the country on a peaceful May 1, 2026, Workers’ Day celebration. (NAN)

News April 30, 2026 JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

This was contained in a statement released by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday. Tuggar recently stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the same vein, the President has nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Until his nomination, Ambassador Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Enikanolaiye is a distinguished diplomat and seasoned public servant with over three decades of exemplary service in Nigeria’s foreign service. He has previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held key diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.

According to Onanuga, the President noted that the appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships.

He added that President Tinubu congratulates the appointees and urged them to work diligently to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability, and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.

News April 30, 2026 JUST IN: Four months after appointment, Tinubu sacks NMDPRA CEO, nominates replacement

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the public interest.

SolaceBase reports that the President has also approved the nomination of Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) on Thursday said this decision, made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.

President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Authority Chief Executive for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

The President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth.

News Politics April 30, 2026 BREAKING: Tinubu endorses Obafemi Hamzat

President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the 2027 governorship aspiration of Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos.

In a post on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Tinubu gave the endorsement during a meeting with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC) at the State House, Abuja.

“President Tinubu formally endorses the Lagos APC consensus governorship candidate Obafemi Hamzat at a meeting with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council, led by Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” Onanuga wrote.

More to follow…

News Politics April 30, 2026 Abia South : Ikonne picks nomination form, tells Abaribe to step aside after 2 decades

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State and senatorial aspirant for Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne, has told the lawmaker representing the district, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, to brace up for an exit from the Senate.

Abaribe has spent nearly two decades representing Abia South in the Red Chamber, a tenure Ikonne claims has not translated into meaningful development for the district.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday morning shortly after obtaining his nomination and expression of interest forms, Ikonne pledged to deliver effective representation for Abia South from 2027 if elected, while urging Abaribe to prepare to vacate the seat.

Ikonne, who previously served as Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) under former President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that his entry into the race stems from what he described as an urgent need to improve the quality of representation for Abia South. He argued that the district has endured years of under-performance at the National Assembly.

He reiterated that his ambition is anchored on service, development, and a commitment to restore purposeful representation for the people of the district.

Responding to questions about his chances, Ikonne issued a direct challenge to Abaribe, asserting that after almost two decades in the Senate, it was time for the incumbent to return to Ohuru village and focus on local matters, including settling land disputes, insisting that his prolonged stay in office has not yielded meaningful progress for the area.

He said: “If you are familiar with Senator Abaribe very well, you will realize that he is an attention seeker and a media creation. He has long lost touch with the grassroots and our people are saying enough of his noise-making, it is time for him to return to village.

“Currently, Abia South does not look like a district with his representation in the Senate. That is why I have stepped forward, to offer real representation, align our people with the federal government, and attract the federal presence and development our district deserves,” Ikonne stated.

He further noted that his aspiration is focused on delivering tangible results through infrastructure development, empowerment programmes, strategic interventions, and enhancing the district’s national relevance.

Ikonne also expressed optimism about the role of the 11th Senate, describing it as one that would consolidate on the reforms and political gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to steer Nigeria in a positive direction.

He called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion, to support the President’s reform agenda, which he described as aimed at laying a foundation for long-term national transformation and prosperity.

With his acquisition of nomination forms, the race for the Abia South Senate seat appears to be gathering momentum, signaling a potentially decisive contest ahead.

 

News April 30, 2026 BREAKING: Supreme Court fixes date for judgement on ADC leadership dispute

The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, April 30, for judgment in the leadership dispute rocking the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The apex court had reserved judgement in the case, prompting the opposition party to petition the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) that time was not on its side.

However, on Wednesday, the apex court announced that the judgement would be delivered by 2pm, on Thursday.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, had fixed the matter for judgment after parties adopted their final written addresses.

Mark, who leads a faction of the party, is challenging the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which ordered parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute.

In his appeal, the former Senate President argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction and insisted that the crisis bordered on internal party affairs, which courts lack powers to adjudicate.

The suit was initiated by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is contesting the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership of the party.

Other respondents in the appeal include the ADC, its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and a former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

Mark is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership other than his faction, pending the determination of the appeal.

However, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court was properly seized of the matter.

In a letter dated April 28, 2026 and signed by Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, ADC counsel, the Mark-led faction said if the judgment of the apex court is not delivered within the next three days, the ADC “stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Election”.

The Mark-led faction said the development would deny the constitutional right of millions of Nigerians to contest the elections under the platform of the party.

“My Lord, this appeal was graciously heard expeditiously on the 22nd April, 2026 and judgment was thereafter reserved to a date to be communicated by the court,” the letter reads.

“However, My Lord, we are most respectfully constrained to request for my Lord’s kind intervention and directive in ensuring that the judgment is rendered timeously having regard that INEC the 4th Respondent in the said Appeal purportedly, acting pursuant to the judgment of the lower court in

“Appeal No: CA/ABJ/145/2026 acted to remove or de-recognize the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaving the ADC without leadership at the moment even though the ADC remains a recognized registered political party in Nigeria.

“My Lord, we also respectfully draw Your Lordship’s attention to the INEC Timetable for the 2027 General Elections and the activities in readiness which have already commenced.

“Your Lordship’s would find attached copies of the INEC Press Release de-recognizing the leadership of ADC and the Revised INEC Timetable for the 2027 General Elections.

“My Lord, the ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 General Elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant Appeal.

“Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Elections.

“This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have subscribed to the ideals of the ADC and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice.

“My Lord, we are mindful of the enormous responsibilities and workload of this Honourable Court. We are equally aware that justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied. The entire political future of our client and the legitimate expectations of its members nationwide now hangs in the balance.”