Transportation

President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) observed a minute silence on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack on a #AbujaKadunaRail train on Monday.

A day after the attack, Buhari convened a meeting with service chiefs and issued an order mandating that they “deal” with anyone found in illegal possession of an AK-47 gun.

According to Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, who visited the scene of the tragedy on Tuesday, eight people were killed in the attack.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai visited injured survivors in hospitals in Kaduna.

FRCN Abuja

Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari is presiding over the 38th virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja,

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari are physically attending the meeting.

Eleven Ministers are physically attending the meeting. They are, Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Justice, Abubakar Malami, Agriculture Sabo Nanono and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Industry Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva as well as that of Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba.

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and other Ministers are participating in the weekly cabinet meeting from their various offices in Abuja.

Bello Wakili

Education

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday, approved the establishment of 20 additional private universities in the country.

Nine of the private universities are located in North-Central, three in South-South, two in South-East, five of them in North-West and one in South-West.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the minister said the approved universities will get their provisional licenses from the National Universities Commission, NUC.

He gave the names of the approved institutions as Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State; Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State; Maranathan University, Mgbidi, Imo State; Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State, and Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State.

Others are Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State; Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State; Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State; NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State and Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State.

Also approved are James Hope University, Lagos, Lagos State; Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano, Kano State; Capital City University, Kano, Kano State; Ahman Pategi University, Pategi, Kwara State, and the University of Offa, Offa, Kwara State.Others are Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State, Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State; Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja; Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State.

FRCN Abuja

Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari joined the 28th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo from his home, Daura in Katsina State.

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd), said the Muslim opening prayer while the minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the Christian prayer.

In attendance are the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Funds Office, Mrs. Habiba Lawal, standing in for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who is self-isolating

Fifteen ministers physically attending the meeting are the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Works and Housing, Babtunde Fashola, Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, Education, Adamu Adamu, Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami and Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), Environment, Mohammed Abubakar, Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikpeazu.

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and other ministers are participating in the weekly Council meeting from their various offices in Abuja.

Bello Wakili