Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent Nigeria at the second United Nations Food Systems Summit, with a diplomatic gesture that underlines Nigeria’s expanding agricultural diplomacy — a donation of 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds to Ethiopia.
The Vice President’s aircraft landed at the Bole International Airport at 4:26 p.m. local time, where he was warmly received by Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and senior Nigerian officials, including Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia, Ambassador Nasir Aminu.
Others at the airport included Dr. Suleiman Dauda, Finance Attaché; Wing Commander Gabriel Batubo, Deputy Defence Attaché (Air Force); Deputy Head of Mission, Ambassador Macy Ogbede; and First Secretary, Mr. Jangado Ishaku.
Shortly after arrival, the Vice President held a strategy meeting with members of the Nigerian delegation, including the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), Marion Moon.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima was briefed on Nigeria’s expected deliverables and engagements at the high-level summit.
Vice President Shettima is scheduled to join global leaders for critical sessions on transforming the coffee value chain and will participate in roundtables and other strategic meetings aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s food systems and agricultural resilience.
The summit, holding from July 27 to 29, serves as a global stocktake on the progress made since the inaugural 2021 Food Systems Summit and is expected to galvanize renewed commitments toward inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems.
Nigeria’s agenda at the summit, as outlined by the Vice President during a pre-summit briefing in Abuja, focuses on three strategic objectives: positioning Nigeria as a leader in African food systems reform, aligning global partnerships with local agricultural priorities, and championing a private sector-led transformation model for food security across the continent.
Meanwhile, in a major gesture of bilateral agricultural cooperation, Nigeria presented Ethiopia with 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds, sufficient to cover an estimated 600 hectares of farmland.
The donation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Efa Muleta Boru, and follows Ethiopia’s earlier donation of 2,000 Haas avocado seedlings and 2,000 coffee seedlings to Nigeria in June 2025.
The seedling exchange underscores a growing partnership between the two African giants and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural transformation plan, anchored on what officials have termed “Green Revolution Diplomacy” — using agricultural collaboration as a platform for strengthening diplomatic ties and confronting shared food security challenges.
Vice President Shettima is also expected to participate in ministerial roundtables on public finance, trade, and responsible investment, alongside field trips and networking sessions that showcase innovative and scalable food systems solutions.
A former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Chief Anthony N.Z. Sani has said the North would rather allow President Bola Tinubu have a second term in 2027 and wait till 2031 to have one of its own installed as the next president.
This, according to Sani, will enable the North to also have the presidency for two terms of eight years.
The ex-ACF scribe told The Nation in an interview in Kaduna that this thinking in that part of the country will likely count against the ambition of former vice president Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, in 2027.
“The political dynamics surrounding zoning currently favour President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Continuing, Sani said Tinubu “has only one term left, and after 2027, power is expected by many to return to the North in 2031. That prospect alone will influence how the North votes.
“Tinubu, being the only southern candidate constitutionally limited to one more term, is likely to get the support of voters who are thinking beyond 2027.
“Southern voters, because of the zoning arrangement and the quest for fairness, would not want the presidency to return to the North just yet.
“They would prefer the presidency remains in the South until 2031 so they can complete their expected eight years before power shifts again.
“Therefore, it is unlikely that the South would vote massively for a Northern candidate in 2027.”
Sani also said most northern voters “would also strategically vote for Tinubu, not only out of loyalty to the late Buhari, but also because it aligns with their long-term interest of producing the next president in 2031.
“Supporting Tinubu in 2027 means the North can present a strong case for power to return to their region after his final term.”
Sani said the influence of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari would also play a role in Tinubu’s bid for a second term, especially in the North because, according to him, “Buhari was able to command the loyalty and support of most northern voters largely because he was widely perceived as an honest, disciplined, transparent, principled and austere leader.”
He added: “Northerners saw him (Buhari) as someone who would never dip his hands into public funds for personal gain. That image gave him an uncommon kind of cult followership, especially among the poor.
“With his demise and the evolving political alignments ahead of 2027, I do not think that his political influence will fade or wane substantially, at least not so soon.
“His legacy is still fresh in the hearts of many, especially in the rural North, and that will continue to shape voting patterns for some time to come.
“With the passing of President Buhari, I believe President Bola Tinubu may still prevail among northern voters for two key reasons.
“First, because the influence of Buhari, particularly in the North, is still very strong and may not diminish significantly before the 2027 elections.
“Second, because of the politics of zoning and rotational presidency, which is very important to many Nigerians today.
“You may recall that when Buhari was still alive, he made it clear he did not support the coalition of opposition forces against the APC.
“He publicly distanced himself from such efforts, which showed that his loyalty remained with the APC platform that brought him to power.
“That endorsement of continuity with the APC by Buhari still matters to many of his supporters today.”
Warns region’s leaders, politicians against blame game
More knocks for Kwankwaso over neglect claim
Former Senate President David Mark said yesterday that the North has itself to blame for the various socio-economic challenges currently bedeviling it.
Mark said that given the human and natural resources available to the region, there should have been no reason for it to lag behind.
He therefore asked leaders from the region to stop the blame game and face the reality by collectively finding solutions to the problems.
“These challenges did not develop overnight nor will they disappear until we resolve to take deliberate, collective and decisive action,” the interim National Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) said.
He spoke while delivering a keynote address entitled “Unity and Social Cohesion: A Panacea to the Challenges facing Northern Nigeria” at the Third expanded meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) North.
He said: “We must first admit that we are the architects of our problems. We must stop the blame game if we truly and genuinely want to find a lasting solution.
“If we are to overcome our present travails, we must return to the principles of justice, equity, mutual respect, and shared purpose that once made Northern Nigeria a beacon of hope, peace, unity and development.”
Citing the security challenge in the North, mark said: “Over the last decade, banditry, terrorism, insurgency and communal clashes have turned our villages into battlegrounds, displacing millions and crippling our economy.
“Despite its vast resources, the North remains the poorest region in the country, with alarming rates of illiteracy, unemployment and poor infrastructure.
“Mistrust between and among ethnic groups and religious communities has been exploited by selfish and desperate interests, leading to violent conflicts.
“Instead of uniting for common goals, our elites often prioritise personal and sectional interests over collective progress.
“The challenges facing Northern Nigeria are intricately interconnected.
“Insecurity scares away investors, which, in turn, deepens poverty.
“Poverty fuels desperation and crime. Ethnic divisions weaken our collective resolve to demand good governance.
“Political fragmentation ensures that no meaningful development takes root in our region.
“This is not the North that we inherited.”
However, Mark said overcoming the challenges should start with a shared commitment to reject division and embrace unity, stressing that leaders “tone down our inflammatory statements and return to that golden era when we used to have genuine and deep respect for each other.”
He added: “After all, not long ago we treated each other, first and foremost, as brothers and sisters; when the appellation Northerner captured our collective essence before our ethnic, sectional and religious affiliations.
“Too often, as politicians, we exploit ethnic and religious differences in order to win elections, and thereafter, we leave our people hopelessly divided. The destructive weaponisation of ethnicity and religion we saw in the last election is unacceptable.
“The major cause of division in Northern Nigeria is the perception of marginalisation. We must ensure fairness in appointments, resource allocation, and opportunities.
“Resentment grows when any group feels excluded. But when all see themselves as equal stakeholders, peace flourishes.
“Ignorance is the biggest enemy of unity, social cohesion and development. We must invest in education that teaches our children the value of diversity.
“Let our schools, churches and mosques preach tolerance. Let our media promote stories of cooperation.
“For as long as we continue to treat investment in education with levity and frivolity, for that long shall we continue to reap poverty and insecurity.
“We cannot continue to expect solutions from elsewhere. Northern Nigeria used to be the safest part of Nigeria.
“There were no armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism or fraudsters, but today the story in the North is different.
“The Native Authority, the precursor of today’s Local Government Area, used to have an effective community policing infrastructure where villagers protected each other.
“We have to find a way to reorganise our people in their villages to return to these age-old and tested practices.
“Wherever conflicts arise, we must choose dialogue over inflammatory rhetoric, peace mediation over mutual annihilation, repentance and forgiveness over vengeance.
“Too much blood has been shed in our land. It is time to make peace.
“The North is bleeding profusely, and we are the only ones who can heal it. Let us commit today to: Reject hate speech and divisive politics.
“Invest in unifying projects—education, healthcare and infrastructure. Hold each other accountable for our actions and inactions. Shake hands across the divide and restore our bond of brotherhood.”
Mark’s comments came on the heels of Thursday’s allegation by the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, that the federal government has been giving preferential treatment to southern Nigeria at the expense of the north.
The former Kano State governor had claimed that “most of the national budget is now tilting in one direction in this country.”
He alleged that the north was not getting its fair share of road construction.
His allegations were immediately countered by Works Minister David Umahi and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, who, in separate statements, listed projects either completed or ongoing in the north, including Kano, Kwankwaso’s state of origin.
They said Kwankwaso’s claims were off the mark.
Arewa Think Tank tackles Kwankwaso over Tinubu ‘neglect’ claim
In its own reaction yesterday, a northern policy advocacy group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), labeled the former governor’s statement as a calculated attempt to stoke regional tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Convener of the group, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said Kwankwaso’s claims were not only misleading but also aimed at reviving old fault lines for political gain.
“Arewa Think Tank will not support any divisive rhetoric along ethnic, religious or regional lines,” Yakubu said, wondering why Kwankwaso did not speak up when the North faced critical infrastructure deficits under previous administrations.
He warned that resorting to regional politicking would do more harm than good to national unity, and could also undermine Kwankwaso’s chances on the national political stage.
“Such dirty politics will not take him anywhere. It’s time we focused on facts, not emotions,” ATT added.
Yakubu insisted that President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have both demonstrated commitment to balanced national development, including massive projects across Northern states.
He cited the Kano River Irrigation Scheme, commissioned in 2023 and operational under the current administration, as a clear example.
“There’s no North versus South debate here. The list of projects ongoing in the North is long and measurable,” the ATT Convener stated.
He backed his position with official data from the Federal Ministry of Works, showing that as of late 2024, 52.48% of ongoing “legacy” road projects—totalling 1,414km out of 2,735km—are located in the North, while the South accounts for the remaining 48%.
Of the 82 road projects funded through Sukuk bonds, 45 are in the North. For the 260 emergency road interventions carried out nationwide, 108 were executed in the North and 98 in the South.
Yakubu also cited a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) briefing where Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, clarified that project awards are based on technical need and existing commitments; not regional bias.
He noted that ₦507 billion was approved for the Abuja–Kano Expressway alone, while just ₦24 billion went to a Southeast project.
He listed other active projects in the North including the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (starting in Kebbi), the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria– Kano Expressway (with over N777 billion in phased funding), and roads linking Sokoto–Illela, Mararaba–Keffi, Kaduna–Jos, Zaria–Sokoto, and Abuja–Lokoja.
In the rail sector, Yakubu pointed to the Kano–Kaduna Standard-Gauge Railway, now receiving a $255 million loan from the China Development Bank, as part of a $973 million funding package to enhance Northern connectivity to Abuja.
He said Kwankwaso’s allegations were not only false but also reckless, especially in a fragile political climate.
“Nigerians must resist the temptation to fall for emotional manipulation. Politicians must be held to a higher standard of accountability,” Yakubu said.
He further argued that the North currently enjoys a slight edge in both the number and scope of federal infrastructure projects. “To suggest otherwise without facts is dishonest and irresponsible, more so coming from someone with presidential ambition.”
ADC unstoppable in the North – Babachir Lawal
Addressing reporters yesterday at the end of the expanded meeting of the National Political ConsultativeGroup (NPCG) North, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, said the ADC was on course to take over the North.
“The truth of the matter is that we started out as what we call a Consultative Forum for Northern politicians, but as the momentum was going on, it appears that the whole of the North has decided that they will join ADC,” he said.
He added: “Our people have encouraged us, they have directed us, and have mandated us to organise ourselves in the manner that we deliver whatever we want through the ADC.”
He claimed that some serving governors and legislators would team up with the party in due course..
Earlier on the sideline of the meeting ADC interim National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed the fear of the coalition being hijacked, stressing that the opposition party is not built around an individual interest or ambition.
According to him, “the process for the building of the party ensures that the party does not coalesce around any individual. And like I repeatedly emphasised, the ADC is not built for anybody’s ambition.
“ADC is a party that is determined to give a different trajectory to Nigerian politics. We don’t have any predetermined agenda. We don’t have any favourite aspirants or candidates.
“We are not having that conversation at the moment. Nobody has ever had any conversation about who will be the party’s flag bearer.
“We believe that it is too early in the day. Our focus now is to build a political party that is strong enough to deliver on the mission that we have set for ourselves.
Coalition against Tinubu’s government will collapse soon
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has opted out of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
He, however, said the return of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in the state next year is not negotiable.
Oyetola, who governed the state between 2018 and 2022 and lost his re-election bid to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke, broke the news of his non-participation in the APC governorship primaries at a meeting of party stakeholders in Osogbo on Friday.
He said the APC has enough qualified, competent and people of outstanding track records who could aspire to the office.
He said this was “a unique selling proposition to feast on, and we will continue to complement the federal government’s efforts on all fronts.”
Oyetola tasked the governorship aspirants of the APC in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State to embrace peace and be each others’ keepers by avoiding a campaign of calumny, bitterness and politics of acrimony.
He said the party would not spare any legitimate effort to return to power, describing it as strong and able to unseat Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Commenting on the coalition moves by some politicians against President Bola Tinubu, Oyetola said the coalition poses no threat to APC.
“It is crystal clear that the coalition is drifting to collapse,” he said.
“This has no iota of effect on us, particularly in Osun.
“We knew this since it is the same TOP that metamorphosed to Omoluabi and later ADC.
“We are resolute to come victorious in the future elections, and this is incontestable.”
He applauded the leadership and members of the party for their continuous commitment to the growth and development of the party since 2022, assuring them of his avowed commitment to lead the party to victory come 2026.
Speaking on the need for members of the party to mobilise massively for the Continuous Voter Registration and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), Oyetola described the move as a prerequisite for victory.
Prominent members of the APC seeking the governorship ticket include the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji; Prince Dotun Babayemi; Senator Jide Omoworare; Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi; Kunle Adegoke, SAN, and a Professor of Mathematics in the US, Rafiu Durodoye.
The Osogbo meeting was co-presided over by the APC state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, and Chairman of the Elders’ Caucus, Chief Sola Akinwumi.
Also in attendance were APC State Secretary, Alhaji Kamorudeen Alao; Treasurer, Hon. Femi Kujembola; former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Protocol, Ambassador Issah Niniola; former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Adejare Bello; member House of Reps representing Ilesa North Federal Constituency, Hon. Wole Oke; former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; Hon. Wale Afolabi; former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, and former national and state assembly lawmakers.
Governorship aspirants Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly called AMBO; Babajide Omoworare; Prince Dotun Babayemi; Barrister Kunle Adegoke and Senator Mudashiru Hussein were also there as were local government chairmen and councillors, APC local government chairmen, APC state and local government EXCOs, stakeholders at wards, local government areas and state, among others.
The Super Falcons emerged champions of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after pulling off a stunning second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco in a pulsating final.
The Moroccans had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half, capitalizing on early momentum and a roaring home crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
But the Nigerians, showing the grit and pedigree that has made them the most successful team in the tournament’s history, roared back after the break.
A spirited second-half display saw the Super Falcons flip the script in dramatic fashion, scoring twice to silence the home fans and reclaim the continental crown.
With this victory, Nigeria completes the 10th WAFCON title.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has advised Nigerians to reject the coalition and its platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) describing its new leaders as naysayers and unpatriotic.
Wike said the coalition was only interested in grabbing power from President, Bola Tinubu, despite all of them having no records of achievement in the various past positions.
He said Tinubu on assumption of office took some painful but necessary decisions that would eventually turnaround the country for good insisting that some intoads had been made.
Wike spoke at the university’s 35th Combined Convocation and 50th Anniversary of the University of Port Harcourt shortly after the institution decorated him with Honorary Doctor of Science degree in Political Science. To further honour the Minister, the university
named its Convocation Arena, which was built by Wike in 2024 after him.
The arena was officially inaugurated by the Rivere Sole Administrator, Ibok Ibas as part of activities of the university’s 35 Combined Convocation and 50th Anniversary.
The University also conferred on the Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri an honorary doctoral degree
The Minister observed that members of the coalition were preoccupied with peddling lies and hate against Tinubu and his government.
But he said some of the policies of the administration had started yielding fruits citing the steady drop in the price of fuel and others.
Wike said: through his Renewed Hope Agenda he has with the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund among other remarkable initiatives starting the dramatic transformation of tertiary education landscape in such a way that soon no willing child will be denied access to qualify education because of economic hardship.
” Our country is undoubtedly on the path of positive ascendency and very soon the impact will be visible even ro the blind and obvious even to the cynically minded”.
Addressing the coalition, he said: “We must resist the purveyors of lies, hate and division who seek to destroy our country.
“These men and women who coalesce under the banner of so called Coalition and propelling a division of grandeur and perpetual fight for relevance and political power.
“If you interrogate their profiles will find that they have been in office for almost all their lives. Yet they have nothing concrete to show of their achievements in building an enduring nation
” In only two years of this administration they are congregating and aerigating to destroy rather than build and rather than reconstruct our hithero battered country for which most of them have been active dramatis personae in the willful destruction of our politics and economy which they painfully orchectrated in their respective tenure in office.
“We know these naysayers and you are enjoyed to reject them and their unpatriotic drum beats of division and failed propaganda”.
The FCT Minister said his support for the University of Port Harcourt both as Governor and a Minister, was borne out of the positive influence the federal institution had on him as an alumnus.
Wike said: “It is in the light of the foregoing that I have always strongly believed that every alumnus should give back to the university as a mark of pure gratitude.
“This also explains why I freely give to this institution whenever I have had the opportunity to so do”.
Wike recalled that throughout his duty tours, he had always referred to himself as a happy alumnus of the UNIPORT insisting that all his positive gestures were a deliberate pursuit of commitment to gratitude for a university he said gave him a lot.
He said: “To this extent, you would recall that even though this university was established in 1975 as a conventional university, there was no Law faculty in this university.
“So when I became a Minister of State (for) Education, I saw it as an opportunity that we must have a faculty of law.
“I’m glad that the Vice-Chancellor said it here today that today, we have a Faculty of Law. I did not only end at that; I said there must be a befitting faculty of Law building, and I insisted, and today, we have that faculty of Law,” the former Rivers State Governor stated.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, recalled that the first convocation of the university in 1982, was held in the old arena.
He said: “We are proud today, to celebrate the 35th convocation in our 50th year of existence in this fantastic edifice, built two years ago by Rivers Government during Wike’s administration,” he said.
In his remarks, Ibas lauded the contribution of Wike to the development of the institution saying that the conception and construction of the arena under Wike’s stewardship, reflected his enduring legacy in infrastructural and educational development.
He said: “The ultra-modern convocation arena, now proudly inaugurated, is a testament to what is possible when vision is aligned with commitment. Your Excellency, we honour your foresight.
“This arena, both in design and purpose, is not only a venue for convocation, it is also a sanctuary where dreams are validated; where academic journeys culminate in triumphs; and where future leaders will be publicly honoured.
“It will involve policy dialogues, innovation exhibitions and ceremonies that shaped the character and capacities of generations to come,” he said.
Ibas said that the edifice was symbolic, adding that it represented continuity and a bridge between legacy of excellence and the promise of tomorrow.
Lagos has been named one of the world’s best nightlife cities, clinching the 14th spot globally and placing second in Africa, just behind Cape Town, South Africa.
The ranking was revealed in a recent report by Time Out Magazine, which surveyed thousands of city dwellers and consulted nightlife experts to compile its list of the top nightlife destinations around the globe.
According to the report, 79% of Lagos residents rated the city’s nightlife positively, highlighting its vibrant energy, late-night food spots, and buzzing club scene.
Here are the four African countries with best nightlife:
1. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town tops the list of African cities with the best nightlife. Known for its scenic beauty by day, the city transforms after dark into a buzzing hub of rooftop bars, beachfront lounges, live jazz venues, and trendy clubs. Long Street and Camps Bay are hotspots where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy world-class drinks, music, and vibrant social scenes.
2. Lagos, Nigeria
Ranked 14th globally and second in Africa, Lagos is renowned for its energetic and eclectic nightlife. From Afrobeats-fueled dancefloors in clubs like Quilox and Cubana to beachfront lounges and open-air concerts, the city never sleeps. With 79% of locals rating the nightlife positively, Lagos offers a dynamic mix of local culture, music, and non-stop entertainment.
3. Cairo, Egypt
Cairo’s nightlife blends tradition and modernity. Whether it’s sipping tea in a centuries-old café, enjoying live Arabic music, or partying on a floating Nile River club, the Egyptian capital offers something for everyone. Its late-night hours and cultural richness make Cairo a distinctive nightlife destination in North Africa.
Marrakech combines the charm of ancient medinas with the excitement of modern lounges and rooftop bars. After dark, the city’s pulse can be felt in its lively souks, stylish riad parties, and chic nightspots like Theatro. It’s a nightlife experience steeped in Moroccan flair, drawing travelers from across the globe.
Many people were feared dead in a boat mishap on the River Shiroro on Saturday afternoon.
It was gathered most of the deceased were women and children.
The incident occurred when a wooden passenger boat capsized near Zumba in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred around 2:30 pm on Saturday as the boat, carrying passengers and goods, was en route the popular Saturday market in Zumba from Guni, a riverside community in Munya Local Government Area.
The boat was said to have capsized shortly after departure.
Eyewitnesses said the boat struck a submerged tree and split in two, throwing all onboard into the river.
Panic and confusion followed with passengers struggling to stay afloat in the fast-moving current.
“As soon as it hit the tree under the water, it just broke apart,” said a source near the Zumba market, who added that the boat was loaded with people and market-bound goods.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties remains unknown but local divers have launched a frantic search and rescue operation.
Efforts are ongoing to recover bodies and search for possible survivors.
This incident occurred a few days after the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) launched the lifejacket and safety awareness campaign tagged No Life Jacket, No Boarding across riverine communities in Niger state to reduce boat mishaps and enhance waterway safety.
It was noted that none of the passengers was wearing any lifejackets despite NIWA’s stand on zero tolerance over non-use of life jackets.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has refuted the recent claim by former Kano Governor Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has marginalised the North in federal road infrastructure projects.
The Minister described the allegation as “absolutely false, misleading, and self-serving.”
He urged the former Governor to apologise to the President for misleading Nigerians and retract the unfounded statement, which he described as lacking in both fact and substance.
Umahi also urged Kwankwaso to rely on the factual information he had provided in the interest of Nigerians and national unity.
He further appealed to Nigerians to disregard Kwankwaso’s claims, assuring them that President Tinubu remains firmly committed to developing every part of the country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God.
For emphasis, the Minister challenged anyone with contrary facts regarding the road projects he presented, inviting them to an open debate.
“To my brother Senator Kwankwaso, you owe our dear President an apology and a duty to withdraw your statement using the information I have provided for the benefit of Nigerians and the unity of the nation.
“I request the good people of Nigeria to ignore Senator Kwankwaso’s misleading statement and know that President Tinubu is evenly committed to developing every part of this country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God,” he said.
Accusing Kwankwaso of political opportunism, the Minister said: “This statement, in my view, is part of his struggle, along with a few others, to inherit the impeccable legacy of our late President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I consider the statement as one made out of desperation and as part of his struggle, along with a few others who believe that they can inherit the impeccable legacy of our dear late President Muhammadu Buhari, and that the only way available for them towards achieving the same is to be divisive and pretentious.
“Trying to be like our late President Buhari cannot be a job of three decades and cannot be done with deceit.
“I think our younger generation has such a chance and it must be worked for through hard work, honesty, transparency, and commitment to the unity of our country, a legacy that our late President Buhari achieved in all his life on earth. May God continue to bless his legacies and give him a peaceful rest, Amen”.
To counter the allegations, Umahi provided updates on major ongoing federal road projects across all six geopolitical zones, emphasizing the Northern region.
According to him, the four legacy projects of the Tinubu administration include the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with 175km under construction; the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, with 378km ongoing in the North; the 465km Trans-Sahara Highway, with 59km under construction in Ebonyi State; and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road, measuring 439km and currently undergoing redesign to rigid pavement.
“Out of the total length of these legacy projects, the North accounts for 52% while the South has 48%. Within the segments already under construction, the North has 756km ongoing, compared to 409km in the South,” he said.
He added that Kebbi State alone has 316km under construction and Sokoto has 240km ongoing. In contrast, Lagos has just 220km, “Yet people only mention Lagos-Calabar and ignore the massive work in the North,” Umahi remarked.
Providing further details, Umahi cited the 275km dualized Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria road, part of a 750km corridor being handled by four contractors at ₦824 billion, while also listing the 700km Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, valued at ₦764 billion.
Other key Northern projects, according to the Minister, include the 256km BUA Tax Credit road spanning Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano states; the 156km Zaria-Hunkuyi road; the 49km Kano Northern Bypass; the 110km Kano-Maiduguri Section V; and various Dangote Tax Credit roads in Borno State.
According to him, additional projects in the North include the 76km Malando road in Kebbi; the 250km Benue to 9th Mile road; and the 86km Lokoja-Okene dualization project.
Turning to Southern Nigeria, Umahi highlighted several completed and ongoing projects, which include the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin road, and critical repairs on the Third Mainland, Eko, and Carter bridges.
In the South East, he explained that the Enugu-Onitsha road (107km) is being funded by the MTN Tax Credit Scheme, with an additional 72km stretch undertaken by CBC, adding that the Enugu-Abakaliki road and access roads to the Second Niger Bridge are also under construction, along with the 61km Lokpanta-Enugu road.
In the South-South, ongoing projects include the Eleme-Onne road, the Eket Bypass, East-West Road Section 2, the Nembe-Brass road, and the Bodo-Bonny road by Julius Berger.
Umahi announced that a comprehensive list of inherited and ongoing projects would be published shortly.
He noted that out of the inherited Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL) Tax Credit projects, the North has 53% while the South has 47%. Of these, the South East receives only 4% and the South West 5%. “Yet the President never complained but continued funding them,” he said.
“I have been under pressure from South West stakeholders for major roads like Ibadan-Oyo, Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa, and Ore-Sagamu, but limited funding is a challenge.
“The Carter Bridge is so deformed it needs to be demolished. The Third Mainland Bridge is closed to heavy trucks due to underwater defects.”
“Mr. President has continued to fund critical projects irrespective of region. These are all part of our economic corridors. I will publish details of ongoing projects above ₦20 billion next week,” Umahi said.
Lamenting the situation, Umahi accused certain political figures of deliberately spreading falsehoods for political gain, saying, “Unfortunately, some political leaders aim only to deceive Nigerians and gain political favour instead of promoting unity.”
The Minister, however, challenged anyone with contrary facts to an open debate, saying, “I am ready to explain further and even face a public debate to set the record straight.
“I repeat, Senator Kwankwaso should apologize to President Tinubu and Nigerians. His claim is not backed by facts. Let the truth be known. Let us focus on building a united and developed Nigeria. The facts are there for everyone to see.”
Lists roads, rail, energy, health, agriculture, education projects across Northern geopolitical zones
President has been fair to all parts of the country – Umahi
Afenifere slams ex-Kano governor over ‘alarmist rhetoric’
Brandishing figures and photographs, federal government officials yesterday rejected claims by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso that the Tinubu administration has been concentrating federal projects in southern Nigeria at the expense of the north.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, dismissed the allegations as wrong.
He listed 43 projects spanning the health, road, rail/metro, agricultural, waterway/trade, energy/gas, housing and national programme sectors being executed or already in place in the north.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and the Minister of State in the ministry, Abdullahi Yusuf Atah, stormed Kano to showcase the housing units, asphaltic paved roads, culverts and drainage systems, electricity and water in the Renewed Hope City (RHC) and Renewed Hope Housing Estate (RHHE) in the state.
Works Minister David Umahi published a list of road projects being handled by his ministry and declared that the President has been fair to all parts of the country in the distribution of roads.
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, said Kwankwaso’s comments were out of tune with the facts of the matter.
It said the former governor’s criticism was grossly misleading, describing it as a deliberate attempt to paint President Bola Tinubu in bad light.
Dare, in a rebuttal on his verified X handle @SundayDareSD, said that contrary to Kwankwaso’s claims, President Tinubu has the North covered.
“Senator Kwankwaso. You are wrong. North not neglected; President Tinubu has the North covered,” he said.
He listed the samplers as follows:
*Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway
*Sokoto-Badagry Expressway
*Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina Expressway.
AGRICULTURE
*$158.15m Agriculture Value Chain (VCN) Programme for nine Northern states
* Kolmani Integrated Development Project (Bauchi and Gombe states)
* Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) — a six-year World Bank–funded programme to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land and improve climate resilience in Northern Nigeria states.
* Kano River Project (irrigation scheme) — large-scale integrated irrigation development in Kano State, commissioned in 2023 and operational under the current administration.
HEALTH
* Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna (North West)
* Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina (North West)
*University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau (North Central)
* Reference Hospital, Kaduna (North West)
* Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (North West)
* Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi (North East)
* Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre Complex, Ilorin, Kwara (North Central)
* Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Yobe (North East)
* Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau (North Central) — additional expansion
* Reinvigoration of about 1,000 Primary Health Centres, PHCS in the North
* Zaria–Hunkuyi–Daya Road (Sections I, II & III – 152.67 km) — rehabilitation project in Kaduna and Kano states
* Reconstruction of Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road (49.55 km) — strategic corridor reconstruction in Borno State
ENERGY AND GAS
* Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline (AKK) (614 km)
* Gwagwalada Power Plant (FCT, Abuja – connected with AKK pipeline)
* ABIBA Solar Power Station, Kaduna (50 MW) — planned solar power plant to boost renewable energy capacity in Kaduna State
RAIL AND METRO
* Kaduna–Kano Rail Line (203 km, part of Lagos-Kano Rail Project)
* Kano–Maradi Rail Line (285 km, linking Kano, Jigawa, Katsina to Maradi in Niger Republic)
* Kaduna Light Rail System — N100 billion budget allocation to develop light rail public transport in Kaduna
* Abuja Metro Line Rehabilitation (Abuja Light Rail)
WATERWAYS & TRADE CORRIDORS
* Trans-Sahara Trade Route — infrastructure development to connect trade routes from Calabar through Nasarawa and Abuja towards Northern Nigeria and beyond
NATIONAL PROGRAMMES & INSTITUTIONS
* National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) — renewed mandate and leadership for desertification combat in Northern Nigeria
* Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) — ongoing erosion control and watershed infrastructure development in the North.
In another post yesterday, Dare drew attention to the ongoing construction in Kano of 2000 units under the Renewed Hope Housing.
His words: “The Federal Government through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is currently constructing 250 units Renewed Hope estate in 12 states across the six geo- political zones of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
“The Federal Government is also constructing seven Renewed Hope Cities, one in each geo-political zone and FCT, with the Kano, Lagos and FCT cities in advanced stage, while the take- off in the remaining four zones of North East, North Central, South South and South East is in the offing.
•Inset: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, left, inspecting the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Kano, yesterday.
Housing ministers inspect FG estates in Kano, express satisfaction
Ahmed Dangiwa, an architect, and Yusuf Atah, a Kano native, were conducted round the estate by the site engineers.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the inspection, the Housing Minister expressed satisfaction at the quality of work.
“We have seen that the work is ongoing and confirmed that the quality is standard according to specifications,” he said.
“Today, we have given the contractors a time limit – to complete the project in the next six weeks.
“We want to ensure we commission this project by the end of August and start selling the houses to the Nigerian public who are interested.
“There are no modifications due to the fact that we have the state controller of Housing who is doing a thorough supervision and gathering intelligence on the projects. And we are happy with the quality, pace and level of completion.
“From the look of things, the remaining things are internal fittings, electrification and water.”
Works Minister Umahi gave a breakdown of the road projects being executd by his ministry across the country and said:
“ Senator Kwankwaso’s claim that President Tinubu’s administration is marginalizing the North in road infrastructure development is absolutely false, misleading, and self-serving.
“ As Minister of Works, I have verified facts to prove otherwise.
“The four legacy projects of President Tinubu demonstrate a commitment to fairness and equity:
– Other projects in Borno, Kebbi, Benue, and Kogi states
“ In contrast, major ongoing projects in the South include:
– Completion of Lagos-Ibadan expressway
– Completion of Lagos-Sagamu road – Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin road
– Repairs of Carter bridge, Third Mainland bridge, and Eko bridge
– Projects in South East and South-South regions
“ I will publish a comprehensive list of ongoing projects next week, including those above N20 billion. President Tinubu is committed to developing every part of the country with fairness and equity.
“Senator Kwankwaso’s statement is divisive and misleading. I challenge him to a debate to set the records straight.”
Tinubu not marginalising North, Afenifere slams Kwankwaso
Afenifere, in a statement in Akure, Ondo State by its National Organising Secretary, Otunba Kole Omololu, said Kwankwaso’s statement was not only grossly misleading but also deliberately incendiary.
It said that contrary to Kwankwaso’s claim, no region has benefitted more from concentrated federal presence over the past decade than the North.
It said the south has also at one time or the other suffered neglect and cited the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, which it said were left uncompleted for many years.
“But less than two years into President Tinubu’s administration, Kwankwaso is crying foul,” Afenifere said.
Afenifere added that Kwankwaso may be unaware that the Tinubu administration has initiated and awarded several critical infrastructure projects in the North, including the dualisation of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega Road, and the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia corridor.
Others are: the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, neglected by past regimes, is being fast tracked.
“Just last week, President Tinubu approved billions of naira for infrastructure projects in Katsina, Borno and Niger states,” it said.
Describing Kwankwaso’s comments as “alarmist rhetoric,” Afenifere warned that such statements not only distort the truth but could also inflame regional tensions.
Continuing, Afenifere said: “Development is a gradual process, and Tinubu has not yet reached the halfway mark of his term. By 2027, and indeed by 2031, every region, including the North will feel the impact of this administration.
“We must rise above ethnic saboteurs and sectional agitators masquerading as patriots. Let statesmen, not ethnic lords, shape the national conversation.”
Kwankwaso, speaking during the Kano State Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the 2025 Constitutional Amendment on Thursday, had claimed that “most of the national budget is now tilting in one direction in this country.”
Kwankwaso said most roads in the north remained in deplorable conditions while the federal government continued to allocate lump budgetary allocations for infrastructural development in the southern region.
“We are told that there is a road from the South to the East. We support infrastructure anywhere in this country…and any other thing that is good for the masses, but a situation where government is taking our resources and dumping it in one part of the country and other parts of the country are left just like that, I don’t believe that is the right thing to do by the government itself,” Kwankwaso had said.
