•Departs Abuja Wednesday for Equatorial Guinea on official visit

President Bola Tinubu early Tuesday afternoon started presiding over the meeting of the National Council of State.

The meeting held at the Council Chamber of the State House Abuja had in attendance former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

Former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar joined virtually.

Also present for the meeting were the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akpabio and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Governors Saminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Usman Ododo of Kogi State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, Kefas Agbu of Taraba State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara State and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State were among the governors present as of the time the meeting started.

Governors Alex Otti of Abia State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa states joined virtually, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike attended physically.

Former Chief Justices Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammed were also in attendance.

Others present are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Works, David Umahi among others.

This is the first meeting of the National Council of States to be held since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

The meeting is coming days after the EndBadGovernance protest which saw many Nigerians taking to the streets to demand for good governance in the face of economic hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidies and high cost of living.

The National Council of States is an important organ of the government which advises the Executive arm of government on policymaking. It also plays a consent role.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu will tomorrow (Wednesday) depart Abuja for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on a three-day official visit to honour the invitation of President Teodoro Mbasogo.

A statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale on Tuesday, said President Tinubu would hold meetings with Mbasogo, and sign agreements on oil and gas and security.

“The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, and others who will sign agreements and review opportunities to improve bilateral relations,” said Ngelale. (Pieced together from reports by Channels TV and NAN)

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