Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has sacked the State Commissioner for Health, Adamu Sambo, and announced new appointments during a swearing-in ceremony for three newly appointed commissioners and the Chief Security Adviser.

Governor Mohammed explained the reason for the sack, saying: “We had to drop the former Commissioner of Health not because he was found wanting but because we had to make a leadership decision. We wish him the best and will find a place for him in the government.”

The Governor also announced the discontinuation of the appointment of a commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government, following the passing of the previous commissioner and the introduction of new local government legislation.

“We are also here to fill the vacancy created as a result of the voluntary retirement of three commissioners so that at least every local government will be given parity and representation in the cabinet as required by the constitution. We have dropped one of the commissioners, the former Commissioner of Health, because we have to reposition ourselves, thus reducing the cost of governance and shrinking the establishment for the government as well as implementing the Supreme Court judgment on local government. Henceforth, we will no longer have a Commissioner for Local Government,” Governor Mohammed stated.

The new appointments include Dr. Sani Dambam as the Commissioner for Health, Zainab Babbatanka as the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Engr. Mohammed Abdulkadir to the Ministry of Commerce, and Dr. Ahmed Abdurrahman as the Chief Security Adviser.

The Senate has postponed the public hearing on the alleged sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum sector to September 10-12, 2024. The hearing, which aims to investigate the substantial expenditures on maintaining the nation’s refineries, overpayments to transporters, and the importation of hazardous petroleum products, was initially scheduled for an earlier date.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee, explained that the postponement was necessary to facilitate broader consultations with stakeholders and to address legislative requirements.

“While we deeply regret all inconveniences it may have caused all the stakeholders collectively or individually, this decision was taken purely and solely in the national interest,” he stated.

The committee has engaged in discussions with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as private stakeholders in the downstream and midstream petroleum sectors.

The hearing will now take place from September 10 to 12, 2024, and will involve key stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representatives from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Ports Authority, among others.

Bamidele assured that the committee would inform all stakeholders of the new date in a timely manner and that the decision to postpone was made to provide a comprehensive perspective on the public hearing, aiming to identify sustainable solutions to the issues facing the petroleum sector.

The International Family Foundation has pinpointed poor parenting as a critical factor contributing to moral decadence in Nigeria.

This was made clear during the foundation’s annual South Eastern convention held at the Beautiful Gate Hotel in Awka.

In his keynote address, titled “Moral Decadence in the Society: The Role of the Family”, Engr. Sir Onyebuchi Onwuteaka, Assistant Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), emphasized that poor parenting has severe consequences, including:

– Lack of discipline and responsibility

– Inadequate guidance and support

– Poor role modeling

– Ineffective communication

– Emotional instability

– Academic underachievement

– Social mal-adjustment

According to Onwuteaka, “Moral decadence has reached an alarming level, with its effects manifesting in all aspects of life.” He urged parents to adopt good and godly parenting practices, passing on positive values to their children.

Prof. Emeka Oguzie, IFF National President, represented by Amb. Onyekwere Geoffrey, expressed dismay that parents have fallen short in offering essential guidance and support for their children’s healthy development.

Hon. Obinna Okolo, Chief Host and Anambra State Coordinator of the Foundation, highlighted the convention’s objective: “to provide a platform for exploring the significance of family values in building a society characterized by morality, ethics, and compassion.”