Education in Zamfara is one of the leading sectors attracting serious attention from Governor Dauda Lawal administration. For the 2026 fiscal year, the sector is prepared to receive over a hundred billion naira investments from the state government— in areas of infrastructure and capital projects, capacity building of teachers, furniture and instructional facilities acquisition, among others.
Allocation to Administrative Unit
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology — N47.39 billion
Political party membership registration is a key step to ensuring a vibrant democracy, because it is the key to having one’s voice heard in shaping party’s direction, participation in primaries and selection of candidates who’ll represent one’s interests, and an opportunity to influence policies and ideology, participate actively in party activities, meetings, and even leadership. A card carrying member of a political party often get access to party funding, training, and other resources, an opportunity to click with like-minded people and potential allies, contribute to shaping the party’s stance on key issues, and build a political career.
For young people, party membership can be a game-changer, because it will connect them with experienced politicians and professionals who can guide them, get involved in youth wings, campaigns, and other party activities and invariably build connections and experience that can lead to roles in government, politics, or public service. It is also a fundamental route to community engagement, understanding issues, and making a difference and name, thus building a political structure and asset.
Since the commencement of the nationwide e-registration of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), millions have registered in less than a week of the exercise.
In Benue State, the state Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia led the line up of millions of old and new supporters of the APC in obtaining his membership card.
At the flag-off of the e-registration on Monday, January 12, 2026, the governor said it is a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the party’s structure and demonstrating its numerical strength.
The flag-off ceremony took place at the RCM Primary School, Ihugh, the headquarters of Mbadede Council Ward in Vandeikya Local Government Area, where the governor urged all APC members to return to their wards and register, noting that the process was simple, fast, and would take only a few minutes.
To ensure that no party supporter is left out, Governor Alia has directed party officials and elected local officials across the 23 local government areas of the state to mobilize party members to participate in the exercise. The Local Government Areas with the highest number of registered APC members are taking home a surprise package.
The has a clear message to all party supporters. “In 2023, you demonstrated to the entire world that Benue is APC. You demonstrated through the ballots that you love me and Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We have both remained faithful to the promises set out in our policy blueprints. I therefore urge you to come out and use this opportunity to once again demonstrate that you are ready to vote for consolidation. My administration will give priority attention to the most registered areas because this is an APC administration.”
He therefore tasked all council chairmen and party chairmen at the Local Governments in the state to give the registration agents all the needed support and to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.
For APC Benue’s number 001, “This is the beginning of another level of progression of the All Progressives Congress. It is something that has not happened with any political party in Nigeria.” It is an apt bragging right. Because the e-registration would help the party accurately determine its strength at the ward, local government, and state levels.
Unlike the 2023 voter registration, the APC e-registration is designed to clearly showcase party membership, seriousness, and direction. That’s why the party leadership took time to train the registration personnel before deploying them across the state. “I want the whole Nigeria and the world to know that when we say Benue State is APC, we are ready to demonstrate it by action, backed by facts and reality on the ground.”
The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Berger Alfred Emberga, described the flag off as a critical step towards deepening internal democracy within the APC, stressing that a robust, accurate, and verifiable membership database would strengthen governance, enhance party cohesion, and boost grassroots mobilisation.
“This e-registration exercise is fundamental to the future of our party. I urge my colleagues in the Benue State House of Assembly, party leaders, and members across the state to participate actively and mobilise their constituents to ensure a successful and credible exercise,” Hon. Emberga said.
While urging the people of Benue State to remain steadfast in their support for the Alia administration, the Honourable Speaker also encouraged APC members and supporters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He stressed that widespread PVC ownership is essential to enable party members to vote for Governor Alia and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the APC e-registration, Hon. James Ornguga, alongside the State Chairman of the party, Chief Dr. Ben Omale emphasised the importance of accurate data capturing. They noted that the exercise would reposition the party for improved organisation, accountability, and electoral success.
They applauded Governor Alia for funding and supporting the e-registration exercise, describing the gesture as a clear demonstration of the governor’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive, and data-driven party structure.
Orgunga particularly called on local government chairmen, party executives, Stakeholders and political gladiators to give full support to registration agents and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the exercise across all wards of the state.
The State Coordinator of the APC e-Registration, who is also the State Organizing Secretary of the party, explained that the registration process is straightforward, requiring only voters card and a National Identity Card.
Omale, on the other hand, has nothing but commendation for President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party for the initiative. He thanked Governor Alia for sponsoring the exercise in the state, urging all APC faithful in Benue to embrace the e-registration, so as to formally confirm their membership.
Already, the e-registration has gathered momentum, recording huge turnout which necessitates the training of additional registration agents. The quick intervention in the 276 wards will address the early challenges linked to manpower and logistics, speed up the ongoing e-registration exercise, and avoid delays that could discourage interested members. The additional agents are to support those already deployed, ensuring wider coverage and smoother registration for prospective members.
The APC State Caretaker Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, said the electronic registration is critical to building a credible and verifiable membership register that reflects the true strength of the party while the e-registration coordinator, Hon. James Ornguga, said the supplementary training is a booster session designed to equip the new agents with the technical skills required to handle the digital platform and take the registration exercise closer to the grassroots.
“Our aim is to make the process inclusive and efficient. With more agents at the ward level, people will be able to register without unnecessary delays,” he said.
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Benue State Government just last week engaged with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and a World Bank team to activate the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) in the state. This is a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at empowering women economically across Nigeria.
With a $500 million funding, the project targets over 4 million women in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection.
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who has always prioritised issues of women empowerment since coming into office, has therefore given a nod for the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) to roll in the state. The governor’s support for women is a deep-rooted initiative anchored on the belief in their capacity to transform society.
For Benue State, which has approximately 3,329,000 women, about 50.3% of the total population, leveraging the opportunity offered by the NFWP-SU is not only rational but necessary to raise their economic status, given the fact that the programme seeks to increase access to financial services for women, provide training and resources for income-generating activities, and offer support for vulnerable women and communities.
During the engagement with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Makurdi on January 13, 2026, the discussions focused on improving women’s livelihoods, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting inclusive development across selected local government areas in the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Theresa Odachi Ikwue, described the engagement as timely and strategic, as the the programme aligns with the development agenda of Governor Alia which prioritises human capital development and grassroots economic empowerment.
The women empowerment programme will kick start in Vandeikya, Okpokwu, and Gwer East Local Government Areas, and according to the the ministry, women aged 18 to 70 years are eligible to benefit, but must have valid National Identification Number (NIN).
With this, it has become imperative for families and community leaders to support women in communities, whether mothers, wives, sisters or elderly relatives, to obtain their NIN, in order to fully participate in the programme and access its economic and social benefits.
Mr. Afolabi Olajide of the Federal Project Coordinating Unit said the Nigeria for Women Project seeks to institutionalise Women’s Affinity Groups to support income generation and community development, while
Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi, Monitoring and Evaluation Anchor, said Benue State is participating in the second phase of the project, with technical support from Abuja and the recruitment of qualified civil servants from the selected local government areas.
The Co-Task Team Leader of the NFWP-SU, Mrs. Yetunde Fatogun said the programme is designed to address gender inequality and improve women’s economic participation while adhering to World Bank recruitment and quality standards.
As the programme gets set to roll, the next phase would involve advocacy visits to the leadership of Vandeikya, Okpokwu, and Gwer East Local Government Areas.
This is no doubt a big intervention programme that will further deepen the state government’s unwavering commitment to women, especially those struggling to meet their basic needs, those displaced by conflicts, urity_: Conflict and displacement have disrupted economic activities, and women facing barriers to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment
Governor Alia has initiated several programmes to empower women in Benue State, including the Project 774 Explode, an initiative that provides financial assistance, skills acquisition training, and mentorship to women. Over 5,000 women benefited from the programme across the 23 local government areas of Benue State.
There is also the No Woman, No Nation, and Alia Cares programmes initiated to uplift 6,000 women from poverty and promote gender equality.
The government also offers grants and soft loans to women through their cooperative groups to kick-start trade, agriculture, petty businesses, and other ventures.
The Alia administration also provided skills acquisition training for women in various fields like fashion design, catering, ICT, welding, carpentry, and solar energy installation. The statement government has also facilitated loans from the Bank of Agriculture Grants for over 27,600 women to support their economic empowerment initiatives.
These initiatives demonstrate Governor Alia’s commitment to empowering women in Benue State. These programs have improved the lives of many women in the state, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to the state’s economic growth. The governor’s commitment to empowering women has been praised by various stakeholders, including the National Association of Women Journalists.
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Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi, has reacted to a recent press release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the court proceedings before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
Affirming his respect for the commission’s mandate and the sanctity of the judicial process, Gebi contends that it is necessary to provide essential context to the facts presented in court to ensure the public is not misled.
In a statement, he said the matter arose from a legitimate “friendly loan” intended for a business venture, which did not yield the expected results within the anticipated time frame. At no point was there an “intent to defraud,” Gebi stressed.
Emphasising he never denied the debt, the former lawmaker explained that even before the issue was taken to the EFCC, and throughout the duration of the case, he had remained consistent in making payments.
“As the prosecution witness admitted in court, payments were made in installments, including N20 million, N34 million, and N12 million, demonstrating my unwavering commitment to settling the obligation despite my financial setbacks,” he noted.
Concerning the cheques mentioned in the testimony, Gebi clarified that they were not to be presented for payment without his prior clearance, as they were intended as a form of security/guarantee while he worked to recoup the business losses.
“Their presentation to the bank, which subsequently led to them being dishonored, was done without my consent and served only to criminalize a civil delay,” the statement reads.
Confirming the completion of all outstanding payments, Gebi said he had fulfilled his financial obligations to the complainant, apologized to the loanee, Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru, for the delay, and thanked her for her magnanimity.
“I remain a law-abiding citizen with the utmost respect for the laws of Nigeria. I have cooperated fully with the legal system for over a decade regarding this matter and will continue to do so until the formal conclusion of the case.
“While the presentation of these facts in court may seem intended to portray me in a negative light, I take this experience in good faith as a lesson in business and personal responsibility,” Gebi added.
On Abuja’s highways, danger often comes not from reckless drivers alone but from vehicles stacked with goods so high they defy logic. From foodstuff to furniture, cars and buses haul loads many times their size, often tied down with nothing more than frayed ropes. At speeds above 120 kilometres per hour, one loose item can trigger a deadly chain of crashes, yet this peril has become a daily reality in the country’s capital. NICHOLAS KALU reports.
On a bright afternoon along the Abuja–Keffi Expressway, cars whizz past at frightening speeds. Among them, a small commercial bus with bags of yams and rice piled high on its roof sways precariously from lane to lane. The ropes holding the load are loose, and one bag dangles dangerously close to falling. Drivers behind honk and attempt to manoeuvre away, but traffic on the busy expressway offers little room. At 120 kilometres per hour, one mishap could set off a chain of collisions with devastating consequences.
This scene is not unusual in the Federal Capital Territory. It is part of the troubling realities that residents of Abuja have come to live with. Across the city’s highways and adjoining roads, vehicles are routinely overloaded with goods of all shapes and sizes, ranging from foodstuffs and building materials to furniture and household items. Often, the loads tower over the vehicles themselves, sometimes ten times the size of the car or bus carrying them. For many, it feels like an accident waiting to happen, yet the menace has become almost normalised, exposing road users to constant danger.
The problem has grown so common that it now defines the driving experience on major highways such as the Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Keffi, and Kubwa Expressways. A trip on these routes reveals buses with luggage stacked far above their height, trucks burdened with goods strapped loosely with fraying ropes, and private cars pressed into service as moving vans. The lack of proper restraints on these loads means items frequently fall onto the road. At such high speeds, drivers swerving to avoid fallen cargo risk colliding with other vehicles, and what starts as a minor slip of rope can quickly escalate into a multi-vehicle pileup.
Residents recall terrifying near misses and tragic accidents that have their roots in this culture of reckless overloading.
A taxi driver, Samuel Edet recounted a close call that still shakes him. “I once saw a bus carrying so many bags of rice that the roof caved in slightly under the weight,” he said. “One bag slipped off and landed in the middle of the highway. Cars swerved, and there was almost a pile-up. It was only God’s mercy that saved us that day.”
Experts in trauma medicine attest to the toll such accidents take. Dr Musa Ahmed, a trauma surgeon at the National Hospital in Abuja, said the injuries are often catastrophic.
“We see patients from highway crashes where overloaded vehicles are involved. The impact is usually worse because the cargo itself becomes a weapon. Victims arrive with multiple fractures, crushed bones, severe head trauma, and internal bleeding. In many cases, survival is impossible by the time they are brought in. Overloading is a silent killer on our roads, and unfortunately, it is claiming more lives than many people realise.”
A grim incident last year underscored this danger. A truck overloaded with cement bags lost control along the Abuja–Keffi Expressway, toppling onto a commercial bus and killing several passengers instantly. Not long after, another vehicle carrying iron rods shed part of its load on the Kubwa Expressway. One rod pierced the windshield of a trailing car, causing the driver to lose control and spark a crash involving three other vehicles. These are not isolated events but part of a recurring pattern that exposes the inadequacy of enforcement in Abuja.
Comparing Abuja and Lagos
What makes the situation more frustrating for residents is the awareness that the problem is not insurmountable. In Lagos, where traffic density and road safety concerns are just as severe, there is a more visible enforcement of regulations. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has built a reputation for being proactive and uncompromising. Drivers in Lagos know that overloading a vehicle, whether with passengers or goods, attracts swift consequences. Vehicles are often impounded, and heavy fines are imposed.
In Abuja, however, the enforcement presence is far less pronounced. Overloaded vehicles move freely on major highways without fear of arrest. The result is a perception of lawlessness that emboldens offenders. “When you drive in Lagos, you see how strict the officials are,” said Fatima Suleiman, a civil servant who shuttles between Abuja and Lagos. “If you try to overload your car or bus in Lagos, you will not go far before someone stops you. Here in Abuja, nobody cares. You see small cars carrying loads meant for a truck, and nobody stops them. It is frightening.”
The contrast between the two cities is stark and raises questions about the priorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Road Safety Corps, both of which have mandates to keep roads safe.
The FCTA has made attempts in the past, but these have been sporadic and inconsistent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the administration ordered a clampdown on overloaded vehicles, though the focus then was mainly on passenger overloading rather than cargo. The measure faded once the pandemic eased, leaving the roads to their familiar chaos.
The Federal Road Safety Corps has been more active. Early this year, it launched an inter-agency task force on the Kaduna–Abuja highway to enforce a ban on overloading, particularly targeting trailers that carry goods and sometimes passengers in unsafe numbers. In Abuja, officials say they apprehended more than a hundred offenders in a single week during a special enforcement exercise.
Yet, for all these efforts, the sight of dangerously loaded buses and trucks remains a daily reality in the capital. Enforcement is undermined by several factors. Some officials admit privately that vehicles owned by politically-connected businesses are difficult to impound. Corruption and insufficient manpower also mean many offenders escape punishment. For residents, the impact of these gaps is all too clear on the roads they use every day.
The frustrations of Abuja residents echo a deep sense of fear and helplessness. For some, each trip on the highway feels like taking a gamble. “Every time I drive to work on the Kubwa Expressway, I am tense,” said Chinedu Okafor, a logistics operator. “There are trucks loaded with goods piled higher than the vehicle itself. I know that if anything falls off, it could be me or the car next to me that ends up in the hospital. We overload because transporting in batches is expensive, but the truth is that the risk is too high. If authorities enforced the rules properly, we would have no choice but to comply.”
Commercial drivers are often caught between the need for economic necessity and safety concerns. Rising fuel prices and harsh operating conditions prompt many to overload as a means of maximising each trip. But the cost of one accident, both in human lives and financial ruin, far outweighs the savings. Civil society advocates argue that the government must take into account these economic pressures by introducing policies that reduce the incentive to overload. Subsidized weigh stations, affordable logistics hubs, and targeted support for small transporters could help curb the practice without pushing operators into deeper hardship.
Why Abuja cannot afford to ignore the crisis
The menace of overloading is not just about traffic discipline. It is a matter of public safety that carries implications for health, emergency services, and the city’s image as the nation’s capital. Each overloaded vehicle that speeds through the highways poses a direct threat to other road users. In a city where thousands commute daily, the potential for mass casualties in the event of a serious crash is frightening.
Emergency workers also face difficulties when responding to crashes involving overloaded vehicles. Heavy cargo makes rescue operations harder, slows down evacuation, and sometimes traps victims under weights too heavy to lift quickly. In critical moments where every second counts, this delay can mean the difference between life and death.
The broader consequences are equally troubling. Frequent road accidents strain the healthcare system, already under pressure from other emergencies. Families lose breadwinners, and the economy suffers from lost productivity. For Abuja, a city that aspires to reflect the nation’s best face, the prevalence of such reckless road practices undermines its credibility.
The way forward
There is growing consensus that urgent steps must be taken to bring the situation under control. Experts point to a combination of strict enforcement, public awareness, and infrastructural support as the way forward. For enforcement to be effective, it must be consistent and free of favouritism. Every overloaded vehicle, regardless of ownership, must be apprehended and penalised. The FRSC and FCTA must also expand their manpower and logistical capabilities to cover more routes and intercept offenders in real time.
At the same time, sustained public enlightenment is crucial. Many drivers remain unaware of the full dangers of overloading, or they choose to ignore them for economic reasons. Continuous campaigns through radio, television, and social media, backed by transport unions, can help drive home the message that overloading is not just illegal but deadly.
Technology also has a role to play. With surveillance cameras and digital monitoring, authorities can track offenders more efficiently. Mobile inspection points at the entry and exit routes into Abuja would also help intercept dangerously loaded trucks before they merge into high-speed traffic.
For residents, what matters most is that something concrete is done, and soon. “It feels like we are just waiting for a disaster. The authorities must act before more lives are lost. Abuja cannot continue to ignore this problem,” said Fatima Suleiman.
A call to responsibility
Abuja’s highways mirror the city’s image as a growing urban hub. But beneath the glistening new roads lies a hidden danger in the form of reckless overloading. The menace is already costing lives, and without decisive intervention, it will claim many more.
The responsibility lies with both the government and citizens. While authorities must enforce the law, drivers and transporters must recognise that no economic gain is worth the blood spilt in preventable crashes. In Lagos, a firm stand against road indiscipline has produced measurable results. Abuja, too, can achieve this, but only if enforcement is taken seriously and the culture of impunity is dismantled.
As the city grows and its roads become busier, the urgency of this task cannot be overstated. Overloaded vehicles are ticking time bombs on Abuja’s highways. Unless the problem is confronted with the seriousness it deserves, the capital risks becoming a city where every journey carries the shadow of tragedy.
A northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for getting the European Union’s decision to remove Nigeria from its list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorist financing.
In a statement by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, ATT said the delisting, which took effect on January 9, reflected the success of sustained reforms in Nigeria’s financial and regulatory systems under the Tinubu administration.
Yakubu noted that the delisting by the European Union Commission followed resolutions taken at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenaries.
During the sessions held in June and October, last year, Nigeria was adjudged to have made sufficient progress in strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
“The removal of Nigeria from the EU high-risk money laundering list is a strong endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to financial transparency, institutional reforms, and global best practices.
“It sends a powerful signal to the international community that Nigeria is back on the path of credibility, responsibility, and economic competitiveness,” the statement said.
The EU Commission, in its updated list of high-risk jurisdictions, also removed Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania, after their successful exit from the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.
According to the commission, Nigeria and the other delisted countries have closed key technical and operational gaps in their AML/CFT regimes and fulfilled commitments outlined in their FATF action plans.
Yakubu said Nigeria’s delisting would have far-reaching implications for the economy, particularly in easing financial transactions with European countries.
The ATT convener explained that Nigerian banks, businesses and other financial institutions would no longer be subjected to automatic enhanced due diligence requirements, which were previously imposed on transactions involving high-risk jurisdictions.
“This development will reduce compliance costs, improve the ease of doing business and enhance Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign direct investment, especially from the European Union.”
“At a time of intense global competition for capital, this achievement strengthens Nigeria’s standing as a reliable economic partner,” Yakubu added.
He also praised key institutions involved in the reform process, including the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), regulators, law enforcement agencies and the National Assembly, for their collaborative role in strengthening Nigeria’s financial integrity architecture.
He referenced remarks by the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Anite, who described the delisting as a “big win for Nigeria” and a boost to trade and investor confidence.
The ATT convener also alluded to the comments by the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Bakari, who called the decision an important external validation of Nigeria’s reform efforts.
Yakubu recalled that Nigeria was removed from the FATF grey list last October, having been placed on it in February 2023, a development that had negatively affected investor confidence and capital inflows.
The ATT convener noted that studies by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had shown that grey-listed countries typically suffer significant reductions in foreign investment.
“President Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated that with political will, coordination and national ownership, Nigeria can overcome long-standing structural challenges.
“This achievement should, however, not lead to complacency. Sustaining these gains requires continuous reforms, vigilance and adaptation to emerging financial crime risks,” Yakubu said.
According to him, the EU delisting places a renewed responsibility on all stakeholders to maintain momentum ahead of Nigeria’s next FATF mutual evaluation scheduled for 2027.
Yakubu added: “The Arewa Think Tank urges the Federal Government to build on this success by deepening reforms, strengthening institutions and ensuring that Nigeria’s financial system remains resilient, transparent and globally competitive.”
The organization said the EU decision not only reinforced international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system but also underscores the country’s role as a cooperative and responsible participant in the global financial architecture.
Youths and gender inclusiveness dominated memoranda submitted by APC members at the North-East public hearing on the party’s constitutional amendment in Maiduguri on Monday.
Declaring the hearing open, Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum, commended the APC National Executive Committee for creating a platform to strengthen internal democracy.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, Zulum endorsed greater gender inclusiveness and emphasised increased youth participation in political activities at all party levels.
He described the proposed amendment as timely and strategic, aimed at strengthening internal democracy, enhancing transparency, and improving grassroots mobilisation.
“Central to these reforms are decentralisation of power, improvement of candidate selection, and increased representation of women and youths, the driving force of the party,” Zulum said.
The governor urged participants to prioritise transparency, inclusiveness, credibility, and fairness in candidate selection and all party processes.
Zulum also advocated mandatory regular local elections, consultations, and engagements to sustain the party’s vitality at the grassroots.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the constitution review followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to accommodate Nigerians’ diverse interests within the party.
Represented by Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, Yilwatda assured that all memoranda submitted would be carefully considered.
Similarly, APC National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankiya, expressed optimism the review would produce a transformative constitution rooted in justice, fairness, equity, and democratic ideals.
Kankiya said the amendment would address administrative lapses and strengthen the party’s internal mechanisms.
In his presentation, Constitution Review Committee Chairman and Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni, said the review aimed to ensure fairness in democratic processes.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, Buni said the amendment was inspired by President Tinubu’s performance across various development sectors.
He expressed confidence that state-level party executives and stakeholders had scrutinised the constitution and submitted necessary amendments.
Buni urged party executives to strictly adhere to rules during congresses to avoid unnecessary litigation.
He also proposed amending sections denying party executives and State Working Committee members the right to vote for aspirants during primaries.
National Deputy Women Leader, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, submitted a memo seeking to reposition women for greater political participation.
Meanwhile, Gombe State did not submit a memo, citing confidence in the review committee’s integrity and competence.
Taraba called for a constitutional provision requiring defectors seeking readmission to secure endorsements from at least two-thirds of ward members.
Similarly, Bauchi State urged firm measures against defections, proposing that defectors should not contest elective offices immediately after joining the APC.
Governor Uba Sani has pledged that Kaduna State will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election because of the dividends of democracy that he has brought to the state and the country at large.
The governor, who listed projects that were executed by Federal Government and those that it has attracted in Kaduna State, spoke on Sunday during a stakeholders’ engagement on the ongoing e-registration of APC members across the country.
Addressing Zone 2 stakeholders, Governor Uba Sani said that Kaduna State is targeting 2.5 million members in the ongoing exercise because APC is now the dominant party in the State.
The Governor argued that his inclusive development model, where projects are spread across the state and President Tinubu’s projects in Kaduna State, have made members of the opposition to defect to the APC in large numbers.
According to Governor Uba Sani, the President has supported the Kaduna State Light Rail project to the tune of N1 billion, which he described as unprecedented in the whole of northern Nigeria.
He maintained that no other subnational has enjoyed this kind of support, apart from Lagos State, for the execution of the Light Rail Project in the whole of Nigeria.
‘’Only three weeks ago, I was in China, in the company of the Director General of Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, who has also decided that Kaduna State would be the pilot state to embark on a major poultry project.
‘’The project will generate at least 350,000 jobs. Already, the federal government has approved $200 million for it and Kaduna State will have the biggest poultry project in South-Saharan Africa and the ground breaking will be done in the next three weeks,’’ he added.
The Governor added that the project will also support 10,000 direct and indirect small businesses, particularly SMEs, those that are allied to poultry farming.
‘’ Again, we must thank our leader, President Bola Tinubu, for approving the construction of Mando to Birnin Gwari road, which is very critical, as well as re-construction of Kwoi to Jama’a road,’’ he added.
Governor Uba Sani also said that a lot of projects have also been approved in partnership between Kaduna State Government and the office of the Right Honourable Speaker, Tajuddeen Abbas, in the current budget, for Zone 1.
He pointed out that Zone 1, or northern senatorial district, has benefited more than any zone in Kaduna State, adding that having House Speaker Abbas has been a blessing.
The Governor added that Zone 1 is also lucky to have the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who has done very well in supporting Kaduna State generally.
‘’When you look at some of the major projects that we are embarking on, under ACRESal, addressing erosion and other climate issues, he has played a pivotal role in that regard.
‘’In the next one or two months, we will be doing ground breaking for one of the major projects in Zaria and Rigasa, totaling about N53 billion, courtesy of the support and effort of the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas.
‘’So I can say that we are very lucky, we have people that are working for the Federal Government from our State that have been able to attract very important projects to our state,’’ he added.
Governor Uba Sani further said that with all that the State Government has done for the people of Kaduna State and the projects that President Tinubu has attracted to the subnational, it will be one of the leading states in the e-registration exercise.
Earlier, the Governor had held similar engagements with stakeholders from Zone 2 on Saturday, comprising APC members from Kaduna North and Kaduna South, Chikun, Kajuru, Igabi, Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas.
On Sunday, the Governor and senior government officials also met with stakeholders from Zone 1, which is made up of Zaria, Sabon Gari, Soba, Makarfi, Kubau, Kudan, Ikara and Lere local governments.
Likewise, he interacted with stakeholders from Zangon Kataf, Kachai, Jaba, Jemaá, Kaura, Kaura, Kagarko and Sanga local governments of zone 3, or southern Kaduna senatorial district on Sunday.
The chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mahmud Ismaila, has assured lawmakers’ commitment to pass the draft bill seeking to ensure protection and provide life skills for the girl-child.
Ismaila gave the assurance during a one-day follow-up critical stakeholders’ meeting on the strategic institutionalisation of life skills under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, organised by the Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government in Abuja.
The discussion focused on policy reforms and legislative actions, including updates on a draft bill to institutionalise life skills as a co-curricular subject across public secondary schools in Kaduna State.
The lawmaker assured stakeholders of the Assembly’s commitment to fast-tracking the draft bill.
“The essence of this bill is to protect our children and ensure quality education through Life Skills,” Ismaila said.
According to Ismaila, lawmakers would focus on ensuring the law is implementable, avoids duplication and clearly delivers its intended objectives.
He added that the Assembly had advised the Ministry of Education to establish a technical committee to refine the draft bill and develop an interim policy framework pending its passage into law.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Director, Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE), Habiba Mohammed, said discussions had moved beyond pilot programmes to system-wide reform aimed at embedding Life Skills permanently within the state’s education framework.
Mohammed said, “What we are seeing today is a shift from project-based experimentation to long-term system reform. Evidence from multiple programmes shows Life Skills education improves school retention, strengthens decision-making among girls, delays harmful practices, and improves relationships between schools, families, and communities.”
Mohammed noted that CGE’s Safe Space model, which blends life skills, literacy, numeracy, health education, and mentorship, has been implemented for over 18 years across Northern Nigeria, delivering consistent results across different communities.
In her remarks, AGILE Project Coordinator for Kaduna State, Maryam Dabgaji explained the push for institutionalisation was driven by the scale of investment already made under the World Bank-supported project and the need for sustainability beyond its lifespan.
“The AGILE project is nearing closure, and a lot of investment has gone into Life Skills education. We want the state government to sustain this investment by making Life Skills part of the normal school system, so that it continues even after the project ends,” Dabgaji said.
She explained that broad stakeholder buy-in, including from religious leaders, parents, legislators and budget authorities, was critical to avoiding community resistance and ensuring effective implementation.
“Life Skills cannot be institutionalised by pronouncement alone,” she said. “There must be policy backing, budget lines, trained teachers and mentors, and community understanding,” she added.
Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Information, Bashir Mohammed, said the initiative aligned with the state’s commitment to inclusive governance and long-term peacebuilding.
He said the ministry will work with local governments and community structures to drive awareness and public understanding of the reform
Mohammed said, “When Life Skills are integrated into education, the benefits are not only immediate; they extend decades into the future. A child who acquires skills early is less likely to depend on government jobs and more likely to contribute productively to society.”
The meeting, held under the AGILE project, brought together state lawmakers, education policymakers, religious and community leaders, civil society groups, and development partners.
Participants reviewed progress on a draft bill seeking to make Life Skills a co-curricular, non-examinable subject across public secondary schools in Kaduna State, as well as pathways for embedding the programme into existing education policies and budgets ahead of the AGILE project’s closure.
The Zamfara Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has set up a 16-member technical committee to identify a suitable site for a proposed airstrip in Anka LGA.
Mr Jamilu Bello, the Ministry’s Information Officer, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Gusau on Sunday.
The airstrip will be constructed by the Federal Government to enhance security operations across Zamfara State.
The Zamfara government will provide the necessary land, while the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Airspace Development will oversee construction.
“Zamfara State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, inaugurated the committee to identify a sustainable location for the airstrip in Anka LGA,” Bello said.
The committee will be chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Haruna Dikko, with Amiru Musa, Director of Civil Engineering, serving as Secretary.
According to Bello, the committee will provide professional leadership and technical expertise throughout the exercise.
Members include representatives from the Ministries of Local Government and Housing, Zamfara Geographic Information System (ZAGIS), Anka Local Government, the Anka Emirate Council, and security agencies.
The Ministry also deployed a technical team, led by the Director of Civil Engineering, to conduct field inspections, stakeholder consultations, and technical assessments.
Bello noted that a suitable land parcel would be recommended and formally designated for the project.
“The initiative aligns with Gov. Dauda Lawal’s commitment to improving connectivity, supporting security operations, and promoting socio-economic development through strategic infrastructure,” he added.
