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Just In: Bernard Doro Resumes Office
Bernard Doro on Tuesday officially assumed duty as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu
Doro becomes the fourth person to head the ministry, taking over from Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who now serves as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
The new minister, accompanied by his wife, Dr Naomi Doro, and other well-wishers, was received by the Minister of State, Dr Yusuf Sununu; the Permanent Secretary, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata; and other senior officials of the ministry.
Speaking during his maiden address to ministry staff and heads of agencies, Doro outlined his vision and reaffirmed his commitment to President Tinubu’s poverty-reduction agenda.
He vowed to prioritize programmes aimed at lifting more than 60 per cent of Nigerians currently experiencing multidimensional poverty.
The minister stressed that collaboration and diligence within the ministry would be crucial to achieving the administration’s goal of “making hope a reality” for the poor.
Doro said, “I have lived in the UK for over two decades, so there will be a bit of adjustment to make, but I believe that by leveraging your experience, technical knowledge, and my willingness to learn, we can take this ministry to greater heights.
For some reason, there have been great expectations of me, I’m not sure why, but the bar has been set so high, and I need to work extra hard to make sure that I even get to half of the bar that has been set for me.
“I believe that we will work together to achieve even beyond that. So, my goal is simple. Mr President wants to renew the hope of Nigerians, and especially those at the bottom of the economic ladder.
“This country, by statistics, has over 60 per cent multi-dimensionally poor people. I’m sure we can do better with the resources that we have as a country. And it is our job, as the humanitarian affairs ministry and poverty reduction, to help those people move up from where they are.
“We can help them to make sure that we achieve social mobility. We can do this because of the experience that is in the house, and we will do this by working together and by collaborating. We will do this by ensuring that we are accountable to one another.
“The goal is to make sure that we make hope a reality for those demographics that we are serving, and we would be selfless in doing that.”
Doro also stated that trust is vital to achieving the ministry’s set objectives.
He said, “It feels at home, and I must say it feels like a family, and I want to believe that I can understand the culture here and be part of that culture. You can rest assured that the positive aspects of the culture here will be maintained. And where we need to rejig, we’ll need to challenge ourselves.
“I can see a team here, and a team is not just people who work together; it is people who actually trust one another. I believe that one element that is important for us is that we can trust one another as we work together, because that is how we can achieve the intended objective.
“I am taking over from someone who is a friend, who is a mentor. And it’s indeed a big shoe to fill, a big shoe to step into, but one thing that gives me courage is the fact that I have got experienced individuals here, and I know that you will support me to not only get into the shoe,but to walk in it comfortably.”
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.
Tinubu has made less formal visits to Britain several times in his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid and defence. London is also home to a massive Nigerian diaspora.
King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the president and his wife in Windsor, west of London, on a sunny afternoon as artillery fired Salutes
The Nigerian president and his wife earlier chatted with heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine at a hotel in Windsor.
The party then rode in carriages to the historic Windsor Castle, followed by cavalry in red and gold livery.
These include a Yoruba beaded throne presented to Queen Elizabeth II during an official visit in 1965.
They were also to view photographs of a Yoruba woman known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who became a protegee of Queen Victoria after being captured as a slave and taken to Britain by a naval captain.
In the evening, Charles and Tinubu were set to give speeches at a lavish state banquet.
‘Renewed chapter’
Nigeria’s presidency said the visit signalled a “renewed chapter” and reflected a shared commitment to “advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties”.
Calling the visit “historic”, London announced Nigerian companies, including banks, are expanding operations and creating hundreds of jobs in Britain, strengthening it as a global hub for African business.
Likely on the agenda are issues ranging from major Nigerian port renovations backed by Britain as well as trade, which reached £8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year to September 2025, an 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase.
On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian pastor, is set to preach at London’s Lambeth Palace — the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury — on Thursday and meet representatives of the Church of England.
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK took place in 1989, although Tinubu was received by Charles in September 2024.
Before the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, Charles also visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales.
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