The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Illegal mining fuels insecurity in Niger – Commissioner tells Police

    Illegal mining fuels insecurity in Niger – Commissioner tells Police

    Illegal mining has moved beyond regulatory breaches to fuel wider criminal activities and insecurity and has become a major driver of insecurity in Niger State, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Muhammed Qasim Danjuma, has disclosed.

    Danjuma stated this during a visit to the Niger State Police Command headquarters in Minna, where he warned that unregulated mineral extraction is no longer just an economic or environmental issue but a growing security threat.

    READ ALSO; Obi’s defection sets teeth on edge

    He said illegal mining operations now provide cover for criminal elements, contributing to violence, environmental degradation and instability in host communities across the state.

    “Our vision is a Niger State where mineral resources contribute to prosperity, not criminality,” the commissioner told the police leadership, adding that illicit mining activities undermine public safety and sustainable development.

    Danjuma called for the revival of the state’s illegal mining task force, unregulated mining describing it as a key step in confronting the security risks linked to unregulated mining pointing that unregulated mining now provides cover for criminal elements, leading to environmental degradation, loss of revenue and rising instability in host communities..

  • Tax Reforms Act: Groups name speaker Tajudeen Abbas as Man of the Year

    Tax Reforms Act: Groups name speaker Tajudeen Abbas as Man of the Year

    Three prominent civil society organizations, led by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET), have named Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the Man of the Year 2025 for his exemplary leadership in promoting transparency, particularly in handling the controversial tax reform laws.

    The groups praised Abbas for his pivotal role in championing transparency within Nigeria’s governance framework, particularly through the swift and public release of certified tax reform documents amid swirling controversies.

    In a joint statement issued here in Jos on Saturday, the organizations highlighted Abbas’ dedication to accountability as a beacon for Nigerian democracy in their annual review of 2025’s key figures and events.

    Signed by Dr. Adebayo Lion Ogorri, Executive Director of CESJET, Comrade James Awe and Danladi Danjuma, the statement described Abbas as a “trailblazer in restoring faith in public institutions.”

    It emphasized his decisive actions in overseeing the disclosure of four critical tax reform laws, which were signed into effect by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

     These measures, the groups argued, not only quelled misinformation but also set a new standard for legislative integrity.

    “Abbas’ leadership exemplifies why he deserves this honor,” the statement read. “In a year marked by fiscal challenges and public skepticism, he steered the House toward unprecedented openness.

    “By mandating the immediate release of verified copies of the tax acts—including the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the National Revenue Service Establishment Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act—he ensured that Nigerians could access authentic records without delay.

    “This move directly addressed concerns over discrepancies in circulating versions, proving his commitment to evidence-driven reforms that prioritize fairness and national development.”

    The CSOs built a compelling case for Abbas as Man of the Year by pointing to his hands-on guidance throughout the tax reform journey.

    Read Also: PSAN, 99 other CSOs throw weight behind NASS action on tax reforms ACT

    From facilitating broad consultations with stakeholders to leading intense committee reviews and plenary discussions, the groups said Abbas insisted on processes that were inclusive and grounded in Nigeria’s economic needs.

    They added that his prompt response to a lawmaker’s alert about inconsistent document versions—triggering an internal probe and public dissemination—demonstrated proactive vigilance.

    According to them, this not only safeguarded the laws’ authenticity but also reinforced public trust in the National Assembly as a custodian of accurate records.

    “In an era where opacity breeds distrust, Abbas has shown that transparency is not just a policy but a principle,” the statement added, urging other leaders to emulate his approach.

    Beyond the tax reforms, the organizations lauded Abbas for navigating numerous political and institutional challenges in 2025, maintaining unity in the House despite intense pressures.

    The groups pointed to his role in fostering harmony among diverse interests, facilitating progressive legislation, and championing initiatives like open parliament events that enhanced public engagement and earned global acclaim.

    Abbas’ efforts in supporting youth and women empowerment through policies and constituency projects, as well as his active parliamentary diplomacy—positioning Nigeria prominently in regional and international forums—were also highlighted as key achievements.

    The CSOs described 2025 as a defining year for the 10th House under Abbas, where he emerged as a pillar of stability, service, and accountability.

  • Benue Marine Carnival 2025: Unlocking marine and blue economy wealth of the Food Basket State

    Benue Marine Carnival 2025: Unlocking marine and blue economy wealth of the Food Basket State

    By Lubem Gena

    When the serene banks of River Benue in Makurdi burst into colour, music, boat races and cultural splendour during the maiden Benue Marine Carnival 2025, it was far more than a festive spectacle. It was a bold declaration of economic intent.

    It was Benue State confidently announcing to Nigeria and the world that its vast inland waterways—long admired, yet historically underutilised—are ready to be transformed into engines of growth, employment, tourism and sustainable development.

    Held at the Makurdi Golf Course Waterfront on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, the carnival marked a historic inflection point in Benue’s economic narrative. For decades, the state has rightly worn the crown of Nigeria’s Food Basket, anchored on agriculture as its dominant economic identity. Yet, beneath this agrarian strength lies another immense natural endowment: the River Benue—one of Nigeria’s most strategic inland waterways, rich in commercial, recreational and ecological value.

    The Marine Carnival, aptly themed “Showcasing the Economic Potentials of River Benue,” brought this latent asset into sharp national focus. It redefined how Benue can diversify its economy at a time when subnational governments are under increasing pressure to expand revenue sources, reduce dependence on federal allocations and create sustainable jobs for a growing population.

    The success of the Benue Marine Carnival is inseparable from the strategic foresight of the Alia administration. Declaring the carnival open through his Chief of Staff, Barr. Moses Atagher, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, underscored the global relevance of the marine and blue economy, describing it as a multi-billion-dollar industry that Benue State can no longer afford to ignore.

    READ ALSO; Still on Nigeria’s re-designation as ‘country of particular concern’

    This vision found concrete institutional expression in the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy—an audacious yet timely policy decision that aligns Benue with emerging global and national economic priorities.

    Equally significant is the appointment of Hon. Denis Ter Iyaghigba, a committed industry expert with over two decades of hands-on experience, as the pioneer Commissioner. His leadership has provided the ministry with technical depth, strategic clarity and operational momentum.

    Governor Alia’s public commendation of Hon. Iyaghigba for “a job already well done” reflects not only confidence in the ministry’s direction, but also an understanding that governance must anticipate future opportunities rather than merely respond to present challenges.

    At first glance, the Benue Marine Carnival dazzled with entertainment—boat races, swimming competitions, manual sand dredging contests, cultural performances and beach football. But beneath the spectacle lay a carefully thought-out economic logic.

    The carnival functioned as a live economic exhibition, demonstrating real-life marine activities capable of evolving into sustainable industries. Boat displays and races showcased inland water transportation as a cheaper, safer and environmentally friendly alternative to overburdened road networks. Manual dredging competitions highlighted the economic relevance of sand dredging when properly regulated, especially for construction and infrastructure development. Swimming contests and water sports pointed to the immense tourism, leisure and recreation economy that River Benue can support.

    In essence, the carnival translated abstract policy concepts into tangible, income-generating possibilities—making the blue economy real, practical and relatable to investors, youths and riverine communities.

    One of the most immediate economic derivatives of the Benue Marine Carnival is tourism development. Events of this scale naturally attract visitors, media attention and spending, stimulating local businesses across the hospitality value chain. Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, entertainers, artisans and informal traders all benefited directly from the influx of participants and spectators.

    More significantly, Hon. Iyaghigba’s announcement of plans to partner with the Makurdi Golf Club to develop a permanent beach and carnival site signals a long-term tourism and leisure strategy. A dedicated waterfront destination has the potential to transform Makurdi into a recreational hub, boost internally generated revenue and reposition the city as a destination for festivals, conferences and leisure tourism.

    Such waterfront development also carries powerful urban renewal implications—encouraging infrastructure upgrades, environmental sanitation, safety management and private sector investment along the river corridor.

    Perhaps the most compelling impact of the Benue Marine Carnival lies in its contribution to employment creation and youth empowerment. Over the two days, fishermen, boat operators, divers, artisans, entertainers, media professionals and event managers found opportunities for income, exposure and networking.

    In the long term, a thriving marine and blue economy ecosystem promises thousands of direct and indirect jobs—spanning aquaculture, boat building and repairs, marine logistics, tourism services, water safety, environmental monitoring and value-chain businesses.

    For a youthful state like Benue, this represents a critical pathway to tackling unemployment while reducing rural-urban migration.

    By actively involving young people in competitions and demonstrations, the carnival also served as a skills-orientation platform, sparking interest in marine-related vocations many had never considered viable career paths.

    The presence of members of the Benue State Executive Council—including the Commissioner for Lands, Rev. Dr. Frederick Lanshima Ikyaan; the Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy and Transport, Hon. Joseph Jir; and other senior government appointees such as Mr. Solomon Iorpev, Special Assistant to the Governor on Strategic Communication, and General Godwin Malu (rtd), Special Adviser on Internal Security—projected a strong image of inter-ministerial synergy and political unity.

    Goodwill messages from private sector leaders, including the MD/CEO of Novus Microfinance Bank, Mrs. Patricia Goja, and the MD/CEO of Benue State GeoMining Company Limited, Dr. Erdoo Mongol-Aga, further underscored a commitment to sustainability.

    The participation of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and the Benue Association of Maritime Cadets (BAMC) reinforced the state’s seriousness about safety, regulation and professionalism in marine activities.

    By celebrating River Benue as an economic asset, the carnival reinforced the importance of waterway protection, safety and environmental sustainability. Activities were designed not only to entertain but also to educate—helping communities understand that economic exploitation of water resources must go hand-in-hand with conservation. This approach aligns squarely with global blue economy principles, which emphasise the sustainable use of aquatic resources for long-term prosperity without degrading ecosystems.

    As the carnival ended on a high note—with prizes awarded across swimming, dredging, boat racing and football competitions, and electrifying performances by top entertainers—it became clear that Benue had achieved far more than a successful event. It had launched a brand.

    Hon. Iyaghigba’s assurance that the carnival will be grown into a flagship national event reflects a clear understanding of its strategic value. With consistency, improved scale and stronger partnerships, the Benue Marine Carnival can join the ranks of Nigeria’s iconic economic and cultural festivals—drawing national and international attention while anchoring long-term development.

    The Benue Marine Carnival 2025 stands as a bold and visionary intervention—redefining Benue State’s economic identity beyond agriculture alone. It demonstrated how culture, policy, investment and community participation can converge to unlock dormant wealth.

    By turning River Benue into a stage for opportunity, the Alia administration has taken a decisive step toward economic diversification, youth empowerment and sustainable growth. The carnival was not just an event; it was a statement of purpose—clear, confident and forward-looking.

    For Benue State, the marine and blue economy is no longer a distant concept. It has arrived—colourfully, convincingly and with immense promise.

  • Ilorin walkways and my teacher-friends

    Ilorin walkways and my teacher-friends

    • By Rafiu Ajakaye

    One of the important legacies of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are the many walkways in every part of the capital city Ilorin. Beyond being pleasing aesthetics which set the new Ilorin apart from its old self, these walkways come with lifestyle change and numerous health benefits for everyone. They reduce incidents of vehicles hitting pedestrians, potentially causing injuries and deaths. 

    But equally significant is the platform for exercise that these beautiful walkways offer to all. We need to sit less, walk more, and reduce the sedentary lifestyle which experts blame for the many cardiovascular complications that we see everywhere. Ibn Khalidun, historian and social philosopher, in fact linked sedentary lifestyle to the fall of many civilisations. So, kudos to the Governor for the thoughtful addition to the infrastructure in the state. It is one of his many legacies that our children will inherit and carry to the future. 

    These walkways have been accompanied by upgraded roads in every part of the city and beyond, especially in Offa town. But this infrastructure is seriously threatened by our general habits as a people. As I walk through these walkways every other day or on weekends, I observed that the roads, the walkways, and the drainages can only survive if we change our habits as a people. 

    Along with relevant government agencies doing their bits, people need to intentionally stop littering footpaths or dropping wastes as they drive by. I observed that virtually all the water outlets built to the walkways on Offa Road, for instance, are heavily littered with water sachet, trash, and other things. 

    The durability of public infrastructure hangs on how well we handle them. Burning trash on the road or improper refuse dump through water outlets of the walkways is a dangerous practice. Often, the difference between the lifespan of our infrastructure and the ones in Europe or US is the habit of the populace. To keep our infrastructure good and durable, our mindset needs to change. It is our headache if roads or schools built in two years collapse owing to the devil-may-care attitude to facilities done with our money. Let us care a lot more. That begins from every home: let’s decide to drop all the habits that damage public infrastructure. 

    A duty to ourselves

    A few weeks ago, we debated to no end how esteemed teachers and Professor Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, SUBEB chief, picked trash at Amule Elementary School in Ilorin East. Painfully, we ignored the main issue: a collective inability to maintain standards and ethics to the extent that we have normalised things that we shouldn’t have. A Primary 3 pupil, for context, should have the orientation that trash is meant for the bin and that it is simply unacceptable to throw garbage from a moving vehicle to the road. Such basic orientation, among other things, will save us many problems. 

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct four travellers in Kwara

    As part of education multiplier effects, I plead that we adopt concerted cultivation in child rearing to refocus the trajectory of our nation right from the homestead. 

    Finally…

    My love for our teachers is unmistakable. And so does the Governor. They deserve every good thing that life has to offer. It is cheery, therefore, to have the Governor approve 27.5% Teachers Specific Allowance (TSA), a move the NUT has commended. For context: the approval of the 27.5% TSA (in this form) is a 2012 prayer answered in 2025. Our teachers deserve it. 

    But the best is the enemy of the good. In addition to the TSA, which is exclusive to them, my teacher-friends want to also get the 30% peculiar allowance approved for civil servants in the core service. My reading of this position is that they just want better pay. It is normal for humans to want more. But there is a problem with their saying they want to benefit from the peculiar allowance which, right from the Federal Government where it emanated from, is meant for certain categories of workers. 

    The Peculiar Allowance was designed by the former Head of Service of the Federation Dr. Yemi Esan and Minister of Labour and Productivity Dr. Chris Ngige as a policy instrument to bridge the gap between what workers in the parastatals and agencies earned and what the core civil servants earned. It is a salary harmonization policy. 

    These core civil servants do not earn TSA or CONMESS (for doctors) or CONHESS (for nurses), among other benefits, hence the peculiar allowance. 

    As genuine as the campaign for improved welfare of my teacher-friends is, I fear that the fight to earn peculiar allowance is risky for everyone. Workers in other sectors may well agitate for the same. And my teacher-friends risk losing their TSA to counter agitations of equality from elsewhere. What is sustainable in many human endeavours is equity, not equality. 

    Two points need to be made here. The approval of the 27.5% TSA will add roughly N1.3bn to the wage bill every month, effective January 2026. That’s around N15.6bn more annually. This already has its consequences for governance deliverables, especially at the local government level, because tradeoffs are now inevitable for them. The money for the TSA is a tradeoff for other things they will not be able to do in the new year. But I feel that our teachers deserve it.

    Also, the approval of TSA, which is calculated based on the new minimum wage, still places teachers above those in the mainstream service even with their 30% peculiar allowance. For instance, a level 7 step 1 in the core service will now earn 99,978.65 after the 30%, whereas a level 7 step 1 TSA teacher will earn N101,623.94. And while Level 8 Step 1 TSA teachers will now earn N106,648.57, their counterpart in the core service will earn N103, 962. 38. The gap continues like that. 

    If the government acceded to my teacher-friends’ request to also earn peculiar allowance, it means that a level 7 step 1 TSA teacher would earn N132,111.12 — exactly N32, 132.47 more than their mate in the core service. This will further widen the gap the government had sought to reduce, defeat the whole essence of the peculiar allowance and wage harmonization policy, and trigger an unending service-wide civil war that will further destabilise the system. Stability is underrated.

    Dear teachers, this administration cares for you, and this is glaring from the progress so far made in massive school infrastructure upgrade and your welfare: 345% outstanding salary arrears since 2016 paid up; prompt and full payment of salary; promotion arrears from 2017 fully implemented with 2025 already approved; disparity between TESCOM and SUBEB workers bridged; two new minimum wages implemented back to back; regular capacity building for SUBEB teachers since 2019; deductions of cooperatives restored; and annual incremental steps restored since the last three years — a first in many years. 

    The administration can only beat its own record and it always will because we do not doubt that you are a critical part of our journey. But let’s not trigger a civil war in the process. You always have the esteemed regards of this administration. Compliments of the season, everyone!

  • AFAN Jigawa hosts peace dialogue to strengthen farmer–herder relations

    AFAN Jigawa hosts peace dialogue to strengthen farmer–herder relations

    The Jigawa State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has convened a high-level peace dialogue between farmers and Fulani herders in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Peace Initiative.

    The engagement brought together stakeholders from the farming and livestock sectors, traditional institutions, academia, and government agencies to address recurring disputes, deepen understanding of government policies, and improve collaboration for rural security and agricultural growth.

    Speaking after the technical session, AFAN Chairman in Jigawa State, Engineer Auwalu Garba, praised President Tinubu for placing peace and security at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda. He also commended Governor Umar Namadi for translating the national vision into actionable programmes.

    Garba cited the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and the National Institute for Dairy Development (NIDDA) to strengthen dairy value chains, including brachylla and lap-lap production, as a significant step for livestock development in the state.

    He said AFAN organised the forum to promote awareness and enhance harmony between farmers and herders, noting that peaceful coexistence is essential for sustainable agriculture.

    Garba welcomed the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development by both the federal and Jigawa governments, describing it as a milestone capable of modernising the sector, increasing revenue, and improving livelihoods.

    While acknowledging persistent challenges, especially limited access to credit facilities and grants, Garba said the dialogue also aimed to enlighten farmers and herders on available interventions and the need to comply with regulations to benefit from them.

    Addressing the role of politics in farmer–herder conflicts, he attributed most crises to ignorance rather than intentional provocation and urged sustained sensitisation, education, and community engagement.

    He added that communication gaps remain a major concern, as many farmers and herders have limited access to radio or digital platforms. This, he said, reinforces the need for consistent grassroots outreach.

    Stakeholders at the forum affirmed that the AFAN-led initiative demonstrates the Renewed Hope Agenda in action through dialogue, inclusion, and awareness to foster lasting peace, strengthen food security, and support sustainable development in Jigawa State and beyond.

  • 2027: Kano support groups vow to support Gbenga Hashim’s presidential ambition, renew strategies

    2027: Kano support groups vow to support Gbenga Hashim’s presidential ambition, renew strategies

    Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, four support groups backing the ambition of Dr. Gbenga Hashim have converged in Kano, pledging to strengthen grassroots mobilisation to ensure his emergence as President.

    The groups, which held separate meetings before a joint session, declared that they would no longer support politicians who use loyalists as mere stepping stones to power and abandon them afterwards.

    They affirmed an unwavering commitment to Dr. Hashim’s candidacy, insisting that his leadership would place Nigeria on the path of development, peace, and progress.

    The organisations include the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement led by Hajiya A’isha Mustapha; the Gbenga Hashim Group (Party Structure) led by Miko Isyaku; the Gbenga Hashim Support Group led by Khalifa Muhammad; and the Gbenga Hashim Vanguard.

    According to a statement issued by Abdurazak Hamzat, National Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, the groups passed votes of confidence on Dr. Hashim and urged members to return to the grassroots to mobilise broad-based support for his presidential aspiration.

    Addressing supporters, the National Coordinator, Abdulrazaq Hamza, expressed appreciation to all loyalists backing Dr. Hashim, describing him as a prepared and capable leader ready to serve the nation.

    “We should continue to mobilise support for Dr. Gbenga Hashim. He has advised and assisted governments of many countries to achieve economic growth and development. He will definitely provide the leadership Nigerians are yearning for if he becomes our president in 2027,” Hamza said.

    Similarly, the North-West Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Vanguard, Aminu Bala, stressed the need for inclusiveness, urging support groups to relate with and welcome individuals across party lines to broaden the support base for Dr. Hashim.

    He underscored the strategic political importance of Kano, describing it as a major political hub whose support could significantly influence other states in the region to rally behind Dr. Hashim’s presidential aspiration.

    Chief of Staff to Dr. Gbenga Hashim, Mr. Kamaldeen Sani Adebayo, said the aspirant’s track record as a successful global businessman with enterprises in Nigeria and across several countries qualifies him for the nation’s highest office.

    He conveyed Dr. Hashim’s goodwill message to the various support groups and assured them that he would remain committed to them, adding that they would not be abandoned if he eventually emerges as the democratically elected President of Nigeria.

    In her remarks, the Kano State Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, Hajiya A’isha Mustapha, charged coordinators from all local government areas of the state to intensify their mobilisation efforts to ensure victory for Dr. Gbenga Hashim in 2027.

    The convergence also featured goodwill messages from leaders of the various support groups, all reaffirming their resolve to work collectively towards the success of Dr. Hashim’s presidential ambition.

  • Popular Adamawa PDP grassroots politician leads Guyuk/Shelleng supporters to APC

    Popular Adamawa PDP grassroots politician leads Guyuk/Shelleng supporters to APC

    A former Chairman of Guyuk Local Government Area in Adamawa State and longtime Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Kube Dwana, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), taking with him supporters from Guyuk and neighbouring Shelleng LGAs.

    Dwana formally announced his decision at the APC Secretariat in Guyuk Ward, a development that has unsettled what remains of the PDP in both local governments.

    His influence in the area was said to have stemmed from his role in past elections and decades of helping to strengthen the PDP’s political standing.

    Explaining his move, Dwana said he chose to leave the party he helped build because of what he described as the quality of national governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “I find it compelling to align with people in good governance under the same boat,” he said.

    The former council chairman, who served between 2009 and 2010, added that Tinubu’s policy direction and key appointments — including that of former Chief of Defence Staff, now Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa from Southern Kaduna, as well as Professor Nentawe Yelwatda’s emergence as APC National Chairman — influenced his decision and convinced his supporters to follow suit.

    Guyuk APC Ward Chairman, Linus Nathaniel, welcomed Dwana into the party, describing his entry as a significant boost given his broad appeal in both Guyuk and Shelleng.

    Similarly, Ibrahim Suleiman, coordinator of the Kube Dwana political structure in Shelleng, said the defection reflects a worthy acknowledgment of President Tinubu’s leadership.

  • NGO, CSOs fault one-year delay in federal board inaugurations

    NGO, CSOs fault one-year delay in federal board inaugurations

    The convener of the forum of NGOs and CSOs for sustainable public service, Comrade Abdullahi Shiro, has criticised the prolonged delay in inaugurating chairmen and members of federal government boards, agencies, and parastatals appointed more than a year ago, describing the situation as governance in suspension.

    In a statement issued by the forum, Shiro drew a comparison between the swift legislative treatment given to ambassadorial nominations and the stalled inauguration of domestic governance structures.

    He argued that while ambassadorial postings received accelerated approval from the National Assembly, federal boards with more immediate impact on citizens continue to await activation.

    The group stressed that board appointments are not ceremonial or political privileges, but constitutionally established instruments for policy direction, institutional checks, and strategic oversight.

    It warned that failure to inaugurate these boards centralises power within management structures, weakens transparency, and undermines the purpose of corporate governance.

    Citing the importance of the affected sectors to national development, the forum called on the Federal Government to immediately inaugurate all recently appointed Chairmen, Board Members, and Chief Executives, issue the requisite instruments of office, and allow the institutions to resume full operations.

    According to the statement, more than a year after the Federal Government unveiled an extensive list of appointments—explicitly stating that they would take immediate effect—many of the agencies remain inactive due to the absence of formal inauguration, take-off briefings, and instruments of office.

    This, the forum said, has stalled board-level governance and prevented appointees from convening meetings, approving policies, exercising oversight, or providing strategic direction.

    The group noted that this vacuum has eroded accountability, slowed reforms, and weakened service delivery, creating what it described as a widening gap between presidential intent and operational reality.

    The delayed inauguration affects more than forty-six strategic institutions, including the National Youth Service Corps, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, Nigerian Postal Service, Nigerian Railway Corporation, NIMASA, the Industrial Training Fund, river basin authorities, research councils, and numerous Federal Medical Centres and Teaching Hospitals nationwide.

    The forum stressed that these boards oversee critical sectors such as youth development, aviation, power, education, health, science and technology, infrastructure, environment, finance, maritime services, and social protection.

    It added that many of the institutions are already grappling with funding shortfalls, industrial disputes, infrastructural decay, and declining public trust.

    It argued that the prolonged delay is directly responsible for stalled approvals, weak oversight mechanisms, and sluggish responses to operational needs, especially within the health sector, where timely decisions are vital for national well-being.

    The group urged the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to reform and institutional efficiency through concrete administrative action.

    It noted that Nigerians increasingly expect governance outcomes that go beyond public announcements and translate into tangible results.

  • Niger youths solidly behind Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — Limateef

    Niger youths solidly behind Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — Limateef

    The newly appointed Director of the Niger State Chapter of the City Boy Movement, Ambassador Ahmad Abubakar, popularly known as Oga Limateef, has expressed appreciation to the leadership of the movement over his appointment, assuring that youths in Niger State remain firmly aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

    Limateef, a leading youth advocate and Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Limateef Group, described the appointment as a call to service and a clear reflection of the growing confidence in the role of young people in national development.

    He specifically thanked Mr. Seyi Tinubu for what he described as consistent leadership, vision, and mentorship, noting that his example continues to motivate young Nigerians to embrace purposeful engagement, unity, and civic responsibility.

    The Niger State Director also expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Shoga, for finding him worthy of the responsibility and entrusting him with the task of mobilising and coordinating youths across the state in support of the Federal Government’s development agenda.

    According to Limateef, youths in Niger State remain fully supportive of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing visible interventions and sustained engagements with the state as key drivers of trust and confidence.

    He referenced major milestones such as President Tinubu’s visit to Niger State for the inauguration of the Food Security and Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, the commissioning of modern farming equipment under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the remodelling and commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna.

    He also noted the administration’s swift interventions during periods of emergency as further evidence of the President’s commitment to the welfare of the people of Niger State.

    Limateef also acknowledged the humanitarian intervention of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who donated N1 billion through the Renewed Hope Initiative to victims of the flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area.

    He described the gesture as a demonstration of empathy and responsive leadership, adding that her visit to elder statesmen, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), whom she referred to as “fathers of the nation,” underscored her respect for leadership and national unity.

    He further commended the youth-focused engagements of Seyi Tinubu in Niger State through the Renewed Hope Youth Engagement Initiative (RHYE), particularly his outreach to young people during his Ramadan visit to Minna, noting that such engagements have strengthened youth participation, trust, and inclusion in governance.

    Limateef said these engagements clearly demonstrate that the First Family holds Niger State in high regard, assuring that the people and youths of the state will continue to give their support and goodwill to the Tinubu administration.

    Reaffirming his commitment, he assured that the City Boy Movement in Niger State will continue to mobilise, sensitise, and engage young people through constructive dialogue, unity, and development-oriented initiatives in line with the Renewed Hope vision.

    “This appointment is an opportunity to serve. Niger youths are fully on board with the Renewed Hope Agenda, and we remain committed to contributing positively to its success through unity, inclusion, and active civic engagement,” he said.

  • Jigawa distributes 70 motorcycles to boost school monitoring, curb out-of-school children

    Jigawa distributes 70 motorcycles to boost school monitoring, curb out-of-school children

    The Jigawa State Government has intensified efforts to address the challenge of out-of-school children with the distribution of more than 70 motorcycles to education monitors to enhance school supervision and improve access to remote and hard-to-reach communities across the state.

    The Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Isah Yusuf Chamo, flagged off the distribution at a brief ceremony, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening school monitoring, improving access to rural schools and ensuring that no child is left behind.

    Prof. Chamo explained that the motorcycles were procured following the approval of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, after education monitors raised concerns about the difficulty of accessing rural senior secondary schools, particularly during the rainy season.

    “We have over 300 senior secondary schools in Jigawa State, many of them located in rural areas. Some are extremely difficult to access, particularly during the rainy season. These challenges affect effective monitoring and our drive to bring out-of-school children back into the classrooms,” the commissioner said.

    He noted that the lack of mobility had limited the ability of monitors to regularly visit schools, assess learning conditions and identify gaps contributing to school dropouts and poor enrolment in rural communities.

    “With these motorcycles, monitors can now reach every nook and cranny of the state, observe what is happening in our schools and report promptly. This will help government to identify problems early, provide support where needed and address factors pushing children out of school,” he added.

    The commissioner stressed that constant monitoring remains key to addressing challenges such as absenteeism, poor infrastructure and low enrolment, which often fuel the out-of-school children crisis.

    Prof. Chana assured that adequate logistics and maintenance support would be provided to ensure the sustainability of the initiative, noting that monitors already receive allowances which would also cover vehicle maintenance.

    On the beneficiaries, he disclosed that the motorcycles would be shared among two categories: 49 education monitors covering senior secondary schools across the 27 local government areas, and members of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs).

    According to him, 17 motorcycles were allocated to SBMC members under the Ministry of Higher Education, while the remaining 10 for SBMCs would be provided through the basic education sector to ensure effective grassroots monitoring.

    He expressed optimism that the intervention would significantly strengthen education oversight, boost enrolment and contribute to reducing the number of out-of-school children in Jigawa State.