President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in six newly appointed Federal Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) and two Federal Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The commissioners were inaugurated at the State House, Abuja, following their confirmation by the National Assembly.

The ceremony took place shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President.

The six NPC commissioners inaugurated are Kolawole Alabi (Ekiti), Nasiru Mu’azu (Zamfara), Dr Isaka Yahaya (Kwara), Prof.

The two RMAFC commissioners sworn in are Hajiya Amina Gamawa, representing Bauchi State, and Abdullahi Mukhtar, representing Kaduna State.

The commissioners took their oaths of office before officially assuming their responsibilities.

Present at the ceremony were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, among other top government officials.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Nigerian Army says vehicle conveying candidates of the 91 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) from Obinze Barracks, Owerri to Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria was involved in an accident along Owerri–Port Harcourt Expressway

The army noted that the unfortunate incident resulted in multiple casualties in which two lives were lost; a soldier, 13 candidates and the bus driver sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, in a statement on Sunday in Enugu, said that the accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 27.

Ayeni said that the critically injured victims were immediately evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri; while others are receiving medical treatment at the Brigade Medical Centre (BMC).

“The accident occurred at about 5:30 am, approximately two kilometres from Obinze Barracks along the Owerri–Port Harcourt Expressway, when one of the buses conveying the candidates was involved in a collision with a tipper truck.

“Regrettably, the bus conductor and one candidate succumbed to their injuries despite efforts to save their lives.

“Their families have been informed accordingly.

“While one soldier, 13 candidates and the bus driver sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been taken to medical facilities,” he said

The spokesman said that Maj.-Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, had extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.

Ayeni said that the GOC also wished the injured personnel and candidates a speedy and full recovery.

He noted that an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident had commenced.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to ensure the safe movement of the remaining candidates to Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

“The Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army urges members of the public to disregard any misleading or unverified information circulating on social media regarding the incident.

“The public is encouraged to rely only on official statements issued by the Nigerian Army,” he added.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State would soon establish an agency to regulate activities that result in erosion and other environmental menace on its waterways.

This followed the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the rights of Bayelsa and Lagos states over the control and management of above the surface activities on their waterways.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Wednesday during the 189th meeting of the state executive council in Government House, Yenagoa.

Diri said both states successfully challenged the Federal Government at the apex court over the control of their waterways, resulting in the landmark judgement.

According to him, the state’s Attorney-General was studying the judgment and would provide the legal framework for the establishment of a state waterways agency.

He said: “Our government joined hands with that of Lagos State and we were in court with the Federal Government over the control of our waterways. At the end of the day, that partnership yielded results as the Supreme Court gave judgement in favour of both states.

“I have directed the Attorney-General to study the judgement and we shall now set up our own waterways agency so that activities taking place on our waterways, including the transportation of black sand and other resources, will be properly regulated under the authority of the Bayelsa State Government.”

The governor warned against illegal and unregulated black sand mining activities in the state, stressing that while the government supports youth employment and economic opportunities, all resource extraction must be carried out legally and sustainably.

He noted that black sand is a valuable natural resource deposited in Bayelsa and must be managed responsibly to avoid repeating the environmental devastation caused by decades of oil and gas exploration.

“There is no government, particularly the government of Bayelsa that is doing so much to engage our youths and create opportunities for them to work that will at the same time prevent them from earning a living. We want our youths to work, but we want them to engage in legitimate activities,” he stated.

He expressed concern that indiscriminate mining of black sand could lead to severe environmental consequences, including erosion, environmental degradation and the destruction of coastal ecosystems.

“We are already suffering from the challenges of oil and gas exploitation, environmental pollution, environmental degradation and the loss of aquatic resources. We do not want a repeat of that experience through the unregulated mining of black sand.”

He stated that some operators, including foreigners, had been extracting and transporting black sand from the state’s waterways and coastal areas without the necessary authorisation from either the federal or state governments.

“Initially, some of these operators were not even engaging with government authorities. They were taking black sand from the high seas and transporting it without proper certification, authorisation or regulation. Such activities cannot be allowed to continue.”

He directed the Ministry of Environment to intensify engagement with mining operators and explore opportunities for value addition within the state rather than allowing raw materials to be extracted and exported without tangible benefits to the Bayelsa people.

“Going forward, we intend to back these measures with law. It will no longer be a matter of executive directives alone. A bill will be prepared and taken to the House of Assembly so that all stakeholders can contribute, and when passed, everyone will be guided by the law.”

Diri urged youths and members of the public to seek accurate information about government policies rather than relying on misinformation, assuring them that the administration’s objective is to ensure that Bayelsa’s natural resources become a blessing rather than a source of environmental and economic challenges.

He directed the Commissioners for Information, Orientation and Strategy, and her Environment counterpart to collaborate in educating the public on the government’s position regarding black sand mining and the responsible management of natural resources in the state.

On power supply, the governor appealed for patience from residents over the ongoing expansion of electricity distribution under the state’s independent power project.

He explained that outages and delays were caused by infrastructure upgrade requirements and recent gas supply disruptions resulting from a leakage on the pipelines.