Drama on Arise TV set as Presidential aide slams Rufai Oseni on live interview programme

A live interview on Arise Television took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when Presidential aide Daniel Bwala and TV anchor Rufai Oseni engaged in a heated exchange over Bwala’s decision to serve in the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, despite his previous vocal criticisms.

Oseni questioned Bwala on why he chose to align with a government he had once openly criticised, probing whether political convenience was behind his shift in allegiance.

The tension escalated when Bwala, visibly frustrated, retorted, “Don’t ask me questions like I’m a secondary student.”

The exchange grew more intense as Oseni continued pressing Bwala for clarity on his change of stance, drawing attention to the apparent contradiction between his past remarks and his present role.

Bwala however, responded saying: “My decision to serve is based on national interest, not personal gain. People evolve, perspectives change, and governance is about making an impact.”

Senator Nwoko succeeds late Senator Ubah, as Chairman, Senate committee on Refinery Turnaround Maintenance

Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) has been named the new Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee charged with looking into the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

This nomination comes after Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the former chair of the committee representing Anambra South, passed away tragically.

The ad-hoc committee was initially created by the Senate on October 24, 2023, in response to mounting complaints regarding the millions of dollars spent on refinery maintenance, even while these vital facilities were still not operating.

The committee is charged with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the maintenance process and reviewing all contracts related to the rehabilitation of the refineries.

Senator Ubah, upon his appointment last year, had committed to ensuring a transparent, accountable, and thorough investigation. He emphasized that the committee’s work would focus on uncovering any signs of mismanagement, corruption, or inefficiencies that may have plagued the refinery turnaround efforts. Ubah had also outlined plans for site visits, extensive stakeholder engagement, and a robust review process to gather all the necessary information for informed recommendations to the Senate.

With Senator Nwoko now at the helm, the Senate anticipates that the committee’s findings will drive accountability and spur much-needed improvements in the management and rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries.

A Berlin-based palliative care Doctor is suspected of killing at least 10 people, more than double the number initially assumed, the public prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.

Prosecutors had at first identified four victims in the case, but later raised the number to eight.

The prosecution spokesman, Michael Petzold said they now believe the 40-year-old man, who is in custody, is also responsible for the deaths of two severely ill women aged 25 and 57.

The doctor, who worked for a nursing service, was arrested in August and initially charged with four counts of manslaughter as well as arson, after allegedly trying to cover up his actions by starting fires in the patients’ flats.

Prosecutors subsequently examined the documents from other patients, while more bodies were exhumed for forensic examination.

The doctor is also being blamed for the deaths of six women aged between 61 and 94 as well as two men aged 70 and 83.

He is alleged to have administered a “mixture of various medications” to the victims in September 2021 and June 2024 out of a desire to kill.

The doctor has so far remained silent on the allegations, Petzold said.

A team of investigators has continued to look for any indications of further crimes.

Palliative care doctors support terminally ill patients to alleviate their pain.

According to the public prosecutor’s office, the affected patients were not in an acute terminal phase at the time of the acts.(dpa/NAN)