Senate Confirms Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, As INEC Commissioner

Senate confirms Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, as INEC commissioner. Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Ms Abubakar-Sadiq and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, a retired rear admiral, as national electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing the North-East.

President Bola Tinubu had, on February 17, written to the Senate to confirm Ms Abubakar-Sadiq’s nomination.

During plenary on Thursday, Bako Lalong, the senator representing Plateau South and chairman of the Senate committee on electoral matters, presented the committee’s report recommending Ms Abubakar-Sadiq’s confirmation.

He noted that the committee’s recommendation follows a thorough review of her credentials.

“We adopted the methodology of asking for her curriculum vitae. We did the screening of the nominee,” Mr Lalong said.

“She presented her papers, after carefully scrutinising all the relevant documents of the nominee and due consideration of her level of exposure, experiences, performances, qualifications, and integrity,” he added.

Members of the Senate accepted the committee’s recommendation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Ms Abubakar-Sadiq and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

“I congratulate the confirmed nominee for her elevation, and pray that she will add value of our electoral system, at a time Nigerians are in dire need of credible elections and at a time when the national assembly has made the necessary laws to ensure transparency in elections and that every vote in Nigeria counts.

Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq

“I wish you a very peaceful and productive stay in INEC as a national commissioner. I do know that she will bring her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her services to our nation,” Mr Akpabio said.

He also commended Mr Tinubu’s appointments and nominations of women to serve in various parastatals.

“Whilst at the same time, congratulating the president for continuing to point out women and bring them on board to serve the nation in various capacities,” Mr Akpabio said.

Obi: Lack Of Planning Behind Nigeria’s Fuel Price Hikes

Obi: Lack of planning behind Nigeria’s fuel price hikes. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has blamed the recent sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices in Nigeria on the country’s lack of strategic planning, warning that external shocks to the global economy quickly affect local prices.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi highlighted the impact of the ongoing US-Iran conflict on global oil markets, saying, “A few weeks ago, petrol was selling for less than ₦1,000 per litre, but today it costs over ₦1,200 per litre.

“Diesel, which was also priced below ₦1,000 per litre, is now over ₦1,500 per litre. These rapid increases illustrate how quickly external shocks can affect the Nigerian economy.”

Obi explained that most countries maintain strategic petroleum reserves to cushion their economies against supply or price shocks, but Nigeria lacks such a buffer.

“The underlying issue is a lack of planning. Countries that engage in planning create buffers against shocks, while those that do not remain vulnerable to them,” he said.

The former presidential candidate’s warning comes as petrol prices hit about ₦1,300 per litre in various parts of the country on Monday following a hike in gantry prices at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from ₦995 to ₦1,175 per litre. Some stations were reported selling petrol for as high as ₦1,350 to ₦1,400 per litre.

Economists and members of the Organised Private Sector have warned that the price surge could trigger inflationary pressures on goods and services, forcing businesses to adjust budgets and pricing strategies to cushion the impact on consumers.

Peter Obi

The OPS urged the Federal Government to strengthen efforts to boost local refining capacity and find innovative ways to tackle recurring fuel price spikes.

The Nigeria Labour Congress also criticised repeated petrol price hikes, while international developments, including potential emergency oil reserve releases by G7 nations, were cited as attempts to stabilise global oil supply.

Obi concluded his statement with a call for structural reforms, saying, “The old maxim remains true: when a country fails to plan, it has already planned to fail,” emphasising the need for long-term planning to insulate the country from global shocks and protect the economy from sudden price hikes.

ICPC Sets For Stronger Ties With Federal Fire Service In Anti-Corruption Drive

ICPC sets for stronger ties with Federal Fire Service in anti-corruption drive. In a move to deepen inter-agency cooperation and promote a culture of integrity in public service, the Lagos State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Zone A Headquarters of the Federal Fire Service in Lagos.

The delegation, led by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Mr. Alexander Chukwurah, fsi, recently called on the Zonal Command, with the aim of fostering synergy and enhancing mutual understanding between the two critical public institutions.

Discussions during the high-level engagement focused on forging a robust institutional partnership that would not only strengthen operational effectiveness but also build a shared framework for accountability and transparency.

Central to the dialogue was a mutual agreement to organise cross-training sessions designed to build capacity across both agencies. Under this arrangement, the ICPC will offer training on its mandate, anti-corruption strategies, and preventive mechanisms, while the Federal Fire Service will, in turn, equip ICPC personnel with essential fire safety skills and emergency response techniques.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Chukwurah underscored the importance of collective action in the fight against corruption, noting that sustainable development relies heavily on the ethical conduct of public institutions. He commended the Federal Fire Service for its readiness to collaborate and stressed the need for continuous synergy in promoting good governance.

ICPC

In his response, the Zonal Controller (Lagos and Ogun State), ACG Ahmad Mohammed Gana, warmly received the ICPC team and affirmed the Service’s commitment to the proposed capacity-building initiatives. He described the partnership as timely and essential, especially in an era where inter-agency collaboration is crucial to improving public service delivery.

As part of the visit, the ICPC presented Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to the Federal Fire Service, aimed at reinforcing public awareness and advocacy against corruption.

The event concluded symbolising the beginning of a strategic alliance focused on institutional effectiveness, ethical renewal, and improved service delivery to the Nigerian public.