Over one million Nigerians nationwide will receive a 10kg bag of rice each as the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) launched the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project, valued at N16 billion, on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony in Kano, the chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote, said the distribution of one million bags of 10kg of rice to the poor and most vulnerable Nigerians in the 774 Local Government Areas is in line with the core values of his company and Foundation.

Dangote, represented by his daughter Marya Aliko Dangote, said: “This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values.”

He said the Foundation was kicking off the distribution in Kano State, after which it will proceed to other states while ensuring that the food reaches those who need it most in all the Local Government Areas of Nigeria.

Mr Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest person, said food remains a basic human necessity, which is why the Aliko Dangote Foundation embarked on a food distribution programme across the States.

“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state,” he added.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our Foundation focuses on improving Nigerians’ living conditions through support for projects that tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level.

“Your Excellency, I believe today’s event will help tackle hunger and help the most vulnerable people break their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people. I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians. This job should not be left to the government alone. Instead, we need a public-private partnership to help us fight the scourge.

I commend the government at all levels for addressing the food crisis. I am sure that with time, we shall overcome these challenges; therefore, let us support the government in achieving its target of a better life for Nigerians, “he said.

Governor Abba K. Yusuf of Kano State, who flagged off the Annual National Food Intervention Project, said the intervention reflects Mr. Dangote‘s unwavering commitment to addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo, said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice would be distributed across the state‘s 44 Local Government Areas.

He described Mr Dangote as humane: “A similar event took place last year, during which he oversaw the distribution of foodstuffs to the poor in this arena.”

He said the state government has set up a committee comprising relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board, and security agencies to ensure transparency in the distribution process.

Speaking to newsmen, Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the Annual National Food Intervention Project is a way of giving back and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

She said Mr Dangote is passionate about philanthropy and committed to ensuring that hunger is eradicated or reduced to a minimum in Nigeria.

“We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told newsmen on the sideline of the Kano Government House, the flag-off venue.

The Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah Board in Kano, Dr Mujahid Aminudeen, thanked the Aliko Dangote Foundation for the initiative and urged more Nigerians to emulate Mr Dangote in the humanitarian cause.

He said the Hisbah Board would ensure the products reach the targeted beneficiaries.

Ibrahim Ahmed, a representative of the poor and vulnerable, thanked Mr. Dangote and prayed that God would help him in his businesses.

[Leadership]

The federal government has expressed opposition to the proposals by the National Assembly for creation of nearly 200 new universities in the country.

It said with almost 200 bills in the National Assembly for establishment of new universities, there is a growing concern that the system is becoming overwhelmed.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja yesterday during the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing.

Daily Trust reports that the country currently has 278 universities, 64 of which are federal; 67, state; and 147, private.

The government had, last month, announced a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities “to enhance the quality and sustainability of private universities, ensuring that only institutions with the necessary financial and academic capacity are granted licenses.”

The minister yesterday emphasised that strengthening the capacities of the existing universities is more important than establishing new ones.

He said: “They (lawmakers) are passing a lot of bills. Today, I can tell you that there are almost 200 bills in the National Assembly. We can’t continue like this. Even though we have a lot of them, the capacity for a university to admit is not there. What we need to do now is to rebuild the capacities so that we can offer more viable courses to our citizens.

“We need to stop this (the 200 bills for new universities) from happening. There is so much pressure on the president. We have to, at least, be sensitive to it as well.

“I understand the sentiment of our legislators. They want to show that they are working. We know they are working. But then, we have enough assets, we have enough opportunities out there for students to go to universities.

“What we now need to do is to begin to mobilise more resources to develop infrastructures, build engineering workshops, build laboratories in these universities, recruit international standard teachers, so that we can begin to get these universities to develop, to deliver high quality of education that will be known for as a country.

“Today, if you care to know, we have 64 federal universities, 67 state universities and 147 private universities. If you look at the entire enrolment together, the private universities account for just 7.5% of total undergraduate enrolment. I will tell you the meaning of the number. The total number of undergraduate enrolments today is just about 875,000, which is, at least, fairly low.

“We have universities with less than 1,000 undergraduate students, and there is this intense demand for more universities to be opened. We have to stop that.”

Daily Trust reports that it is not only the legislators that are obsessed with pushing for the establishing of universities as constituency project or for status symbol.

For instance, while the government has put temporary stop to the process of registering new private universities, it has, however, continued to give approval for the establishment of federal universities, some at the instance of some powerful individuals in the executive arm, or through collaboration with the legislators.

Not long ago, President Tinubu assented to two separate bills establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.

On February 3, the president also approved the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in the Ogoni town of Tai, Rivers State.

The president had earlier assented to the takeover and conversion of the forfeited privately owned NOK University, Kachia in Southern Kaduna to Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, among others.

Also within the time under review, the federal government approved the establishment of 11 private universities.

These include: New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi, Abuja; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State; Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State and Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Others are Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State; Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo State; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.

Senate, reps mum

When contacted for reactions to the government’s opposition to the National Assembly’s proposals for creation of 200 new universities, the spokesmen of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and Honourable Akin Rotimi respectively, neither answered several calls nor replied text and WhatsApp messages sent to their mobile telephone lines by our correspondents.

The deputy spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese and the chairman of the House Committee on University Education, Hassan Fulata, also declined comment.

School feeding, vocational training for almajirai; grants for Tsangaya teachers  

Alausa said the government had devised measures to provide almajirai with school feeding and vocational training programmes; and grants for Tsangaya and Quranic teachers.

“We have had programmes before that just brought numeracy and literacy to these schools. We are adding vocational education to the Almajirai.

“We have done a clear mapping of these Almajirai, and we are also including the Tsangaya schools and the Quranic schools. We have now laid out clear delivery link indicators that we will be using to give grants to the teachers of these Almajiri schools.

“We are linking those grants to the extent in which they let us bring in numeracy, literacy, and vocational skills. We now have skills that they can learn quickly; vulcanising, plumbing and electrical work,” he said.

The minister also said the mallams teaching the Almajirai need financial support.

“When government starts giving this financial support, those kids will not go out. And it is also linked to what’s causing the migration. Over 90% of those kids are coming from the rural areas. Those parents don’t have money to feed their kids. That is why they send them to the urban areas to be trained on how to recite, memorise the Quran, and other trainings.

“We are also going to the source of the problems. We are designing some conditional transfers. That is why this school feeding is really key to us.

“By the time we go right into the communities, we’re helping the mothers with conditional cash transfers. That is linked to the children going to school. We will monitor the attendance percentage. If they don’t meet over 75% attendance in school, they won’t get those grants. As we do that, year after year, the number of kids, the large urban migration of these kids will reduce significantly and also, the ones that are already there, we are now incentivising, collaborating with the mallams, and those schools who are working with sub-national governments.”

The minister said most of the 115 almajiri schools built by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan were dilapidated.

He said the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Almajiri Commission were collaborating on how to revitalise the schools.

“The Almajiri Commission will take over those schools. They can operate schools now. So, they will be operating those schools.

We’ve designed additional funding from UBEC to the Almajiri Commission for the Nomadic Education Commission as well.

“We’ve designed our own pay-for-performance which UBEC will be using. So, going forward, we will be seeing a lot of improvement in the level of instruction that we are giving to our kids in these almajiri schools and our kids across the country. It’s not a case of just disbursing money and not monitoring that money. That has changed completely, it has changed forever.”

The minister also called on specialised universities in the country to stop offering courses outside of their mandates.

He stressed the need to reduce the number of non-technical courses offered in specialised universities and, instead, make them available in conventional universities.

Alausa further stated that the Education Tax Fund would continue indefinitely.

“What we need to do now is to begin to open up more resources to develop infrastructures, build engineering workshops, and build laboratories in these universities,” he stated.

Govt declares 6-month free skills training

Alausa also announced that the government would offer six-month free skills training to Nigerians to address the two million job gaps in the country.

He said the ministry was implementing measures to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to meet the country’s skill gaps.

“We are doing this through our Digital Training Academy (DTA), which will equip students with the skills needed to support various industries. Based on UNESCO data, there are 650,000 vacancies in software development methodologies, 280,000 in cybersecurity, 160,000 in IT and automation.

“Others are 150,000 in AI and machine learning, 120,000 in cloud computing, and about 60,000 vacancies worldwide in natural language processing. Add that together, we have almost two million job vacancies out there. So what we’re doing with Digital Training Academy is working with trainers now, that will offer six- months to people, young engineers, to get this training.”

He said the ministry was putting measures in place to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to meet the areas of need of the country, saying, “We are doing this through our Digital Training Academy (DTA) to give students skills to service the industries.”

“We, as a government, will pay for their internet services, pay for their certification- Cisco certification, End of Career certification, and Google certification,” he said. 

Alausa said this strategy would give Nigerians new digital skills that they need to stand out in the world.

He added that the training would be launched on or before June 2025.

Speaking on vocational and technical training in schools, the minister said President Tinubu had approved N120 billion as a start-up for students’ entrepreneurial mode.

He said they are presently focusing on the value chain in technical education where practical education would be given to train artisans.

He explained that a dual mode of training would be given, which would allow students to spend three days in school, one day for gigantic training and one day in the workshop. 

Alausa said the government was working on a clear strategy to improve the country’s education sector by increasing access, improving quality and enhancing the education system for foundational learning.

Tinubu approves N40bn for National Library completion

The minister also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved N40 billion to commence work on the uncompleted National Library site to support academic and research needs.

 [DailyTrust]

President Donald Trump on Thursday ​shut the possibility of halting the tariffs imposed on Canada, declaring that “we really don’t need them.”

Speaking at the Oval Office at a meeting with NATO Secretary ​General​ Mark Rutte, the President emphasized that he would not change his mind on the trade levy.

“We’ve been ripped off for years​; ​we’re not going to be ripped off anymore​,” Trump asserted. ​”No, I’m not going to bend at all​.”

The United States leader complained that his country had been “subjected to costs that we should not be subjected to.”

​Trump said America spends $200 billion a year to “subsidize Canada” and can not continue despite his “love” for the country and its people.

“We don’t need anything that they gave; we do it because we want to be helpful. But it comes a point when you just can’t do that; you have to run your ​own country​.”

“​And to be honest, Canada works only as a state​. We don’t need anything they have,” Trump maintained, dismissing Canada’s aluminum, steel, cars, ​energy, and lumber​.

He also referenced the map and decried separation of the neighbors. “If you look at the map, they drew an artificial line right through it​, between Canada and the US.”

​”Somebody drew it many, many decades ago, and it makes no sense. It ​(Canada) is so perfect as a great ​and cherished state​.”

The President said Canada would be allowed to retain its anthem, adding “Keep it, but it will be for the state, one of our greatest states, maybe ​our greatest stat​e.”

Trump, however, admitted there would be “a little disruption” amid the trade war, “but it won’t be very long​. They need us; we really don’t need them. We have to do this​, I’m sorry.”

[DailyPost]

The federal government yesterday outlined strategic initiatives being undertaken to optimize its assets, enhance efficiency and improve sustainability, as part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on borrowings and increase government’s revenue.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun said the strategic initiatives have led to noticeable reduction in the nation’s dependence on high-cost commercial borrowing.

In his address at the opening of a two-day high-level interactive session in Abuja, Edun said the government is moving away from high-cost borrowing to alternative funding sources such as revenue generation, concessional loans, and strategic investments.

The event focused on strengthening collaboration for sustainable financial management and national development, bringing together members of the Senate and House Committees on Finance, heads of agencies, and directors from the ministry.

Edun stated that the administration has reached a stage where resource optimization takes precedence, leading to a shift away from borrowing from commercial markets. According to him, this shift is part of broader efforts to promote fiscal responsibility and reduce the financial strain caused by expensive loans.

“We want to enhance public transparency, reduce waste, and foster accountability in public financial management while optimizing our resources.

We are at that optimization stage, where there is less focus on borrowing, particularly from the commercial markets, which is quite high. We are focusing more on optimizing assets and attracting private sector investment, whether domestic or foreign. That’s the collaboration I keep referring to, and it emerges at every stage,” Edun said.

He expressed confidence in the government’s economic strategy, insisting that by using macroeconomic tools, Nigeria can significantly reduce poverty and promote sustainable development. He stressed the need for mutual respect, cooperation, and collaboration among key stakeholders in serving under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This event demonstrates the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Finance to partner with critical stakeholders at various levels in driving sustainable economic growth and sound financial management for our dear country,” he added.

The Lead Speaker at the event, Senator Ita Enang, delivered a presentation on the importance of seamless coordination between the Executive and the Legislature in advancing economic policies. He pointed out that legislative committees must obtain a resolution from their respective chambers before conducting investigative hearings involving government officials.

“Although you are the overseeing committee, you cannot, without a House resolution, invite a Minister or head of an agency to conduct an investigation over a matter. This is because you are a committee of the House, and before the House can receive such a report, it must reference its resolution authorizing the inquiry,” Enang explained.

To enhance the transmission of bills between the Executive and the National Assembly, he recommended the establishment of an Economy Coordination Liaison Mission within the Ministry of Finance. According to him, this mission should work closely with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development and the Budget Office of the Federation to facilitate smooth interactions with lawmakers.

Enang noted the presence of liaison officers from institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who monitor and advance bills relevant to their mandates.

He proposed that these institutions’ liaison personnel should operate under a unified directive from the Coordinating Minister of the Economy to ensure coherence in policymaking and prevent conflicting economic measures.

“The entirety of this economic sector liaison personnel should, under the directive of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, work in coordination with finance and related committees of each chamber of the National Assembly. This will prevent institutions from working in silos and producing outcomes that, while strengthening individual agencies, could inadvertently harm the national economy,” he stated.

[TheNation]

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has again written to the State House of Assembly, informing the lawmakers of his intention to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House for consideration and approval.

The governor, in a letter dated March 13 and addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said he intends to prevent the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other day within March that the House may deem fit.

Fubara said his decision is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and in response to the lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget.

He recalled the bitter experience of visiting the Assembly Quarters with his entourage, where the lawmakers were temporarily sitting to present the budget, but he was denied access to the complex.

The letter read, “You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March 2025, for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.

“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified true copy of the judgment and accompanying enrolled orders.

“Therefore, we were simply complying with both the order of the Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.

“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.

“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the state and our people should take priority over political conflicts.

“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, by 11.00 a.m. or any other date within March 2025 that you may consider convenient.

“Thank you for the kind consideration of my request by the House, and please accept, Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my highest regards.”

[Punch]

Peace in Ukraine is fragmented in pieces like a broken Chinese enamel in the sun. Ukraine is where Europeans have been engaged in a senseless slaughter for eleven years now.

To Western Europe,  peace has assumed an urgency as the deliberate moves of the United States, US, in pulling the plugs, has exposed that part of the world  as being vulnerable like a typical neo-colony.

  As late as February 14, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was still bragging that there will neither be  a ceasefire nor negotiations as long as there are Russian troops on Ukrainian soil and President Vladimir Putin remains President of Russia. Last week he adopted the hare-brained Western European leaders insistence that even if there is to be a ceasefire, it must cover only the air and sea, not the battle fields on the ground.

However, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Zelensky agreed to a  ceasefire on all fronts for at least a month if Russia agrees. In a joint statement with the US in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine“expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation.”

A ceasefire to which, from all indications, Russia will accede is the easiest step to mending peace in Ukraine. The peace in that country  was  broken on February 22, 2014  when the extreme right overthrew  elected President Viktor  Yanukovych.  This second coup in four years against democratic elections was baptised “Revolution of Dignity”. The first was called the “Orange Revolution”. Both coups, which stopped the same President Yanukovych, were staged when pro-Western elements in Ukraine, realised that they could not win democratic elections against pro-Russian Ukrainians.

After the second coup, the Crimea Peninsula held a referendum in 2014 to opt out of Ukraine and join Russia. The pro-Russia regions of Donetsk and Luhansk which have been winning the democratic elections, decided that either the constitutional order be restored or  they would opt out of Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces was unleashed on them. Also, to carry out the ethnic cleansing of the pro-Russian Ukrainians, a special neo-Nazi army called the Azov Battalion, was  created in May, 2014.

This is the origin of the Ukrainian Civil War which rages until today. Also, irregular Russian forces had  crossed the border to fight on the side of the rebels.

In September 2014 both Ukraine and the separatists signed a12-Point Peace Agreement in Minsk which provided for a ceasefire, prisoners exchange, deliveries of humanitarian aid, withdrawal of heavy weapons and agreement on co-existence. But the agreement broke down and the civil war continued.

To stop the conflict, Germany and France brokered a second peace agreement called MINSK II. This 13-point agreement, signed by  Ukraine, Russia, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe , OSCE, and the leaders of  Donetsk and Luhansk  provided for immediate, comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, OSCE monitoring and dialogue on interim self-government for Donetsk and Luhansk, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledgement of special status by parliament.

The other points in the agreement were pardon and amnesty for fighters, exchange of hostages and prisoners, humanitarian assistance, resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions, Ukrainian restoration of  control over state border, and withdrawal of foreign armed formations, military equipment, mercenaries. It also provided for constitutional reform, including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk, elections in both regions, and the  intensification of   the Trilateral Contact Group’s work which included representatives of Russia, Ukraine and OSCE.

However, the Kyiv government refused to implement the agreement, preferring to press with its advantage of a regular military and heavy weapons being supplied by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO.  

Given the massacres in the separatist regions, Russia cried out repeatedly to Western European leaders, especially Germany and France that had played pivotal roles in the making of MINSK II. Both countries reacted positively. The then German Chancellor Angela Merkel cried herself hoarse asking the Ukrainian authorities to implement the peace agreement, but was ignored.

Russia kicked over the years against the massacres  in Ukraine to which most of the world appeared indifferent. When it threatened to intervene in the civil war, Macron flew to Moscow to talk with Putin and tried  to give assurances.

On February 23, 2022, seven years after MINSK II, Putin  announced Russia’s recognition of the rebel regions of Ukraine and its decision to intervene.

He told the world: “One cannot look at what is happening there without compassion. It was simply impossible to endure all this. It was necessary to stop this nightmare immediately – the genocide against the millions of people living there, who rely only on Russia, hope only on us. It was these aspirations, feelings, pain of people that were for us the main motive for deciding to recognise the people’s republics of Donbas.”

Putin also announced ‘a special military operation’ in Ukraine. He said: “Its goal is to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years. And for this we will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation.”

The next day, February 24, 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian War commenced.  On February 28, 2025, President Donald Trump met Zelenskyy in the White House  with the former asserting that Zelenskyy’s insistence against a ceasefire and peace agreement with Russia was unacceptable to the US. 

This week’s acceptance of a ceasefire with Russia opens the road to peace in Ukraine. But the more difficult issues are actual negotiations and  a possible agreement.

  Since the conflict began, Russia has seized a fifth of Ukraine. So a major challenge is what happens to those areas, or would the Ukrainian borders be redrawn? What happens to the separatist areas of Ukraine? Would their peoples be allowed full or limited autonomy?

One of the objections of Russia is its virtually being hedged in from various sides by an ever-expanding NATO. So, will Ukraine agree not to join it? 

A positive in the  expected negotiations, is that they can build on the foundations of the MINSK II Agreements.

Whatever happens, once a ceasefire is agreed and it holds, the avoidable slaughters in Ukraine will cease and some ten million Ukrainians would be free to return to their homes and start rebuilding their lives. Also, the possibility of a nuclear war would greatly diminish.

The road to peace in Ukraine, even if it be bloody and paved with broken bones under an  asphalt of shattered dreams, is worth taking.

Former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, has said that he sought the permission of former President Muhammadu Buhari before he left the All Progressives Congress, APC, and joined the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

He spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, monitored by our correspondent in Kaduna, yesterday.
According to him, there was nothing he does without seeking the consent and advice of Buhari.

He said: “The APC has derailed, the party is no longer abiding by its founding principles. Everyone is working for himself, looking for money. The government is commercialised, everything has a price tag.

Justice has been kept at bay, those who worked for the party were ignored instead of being compensated. If there is any position or appointment, they give it to a Lagos boy, etc.

“That is why we’ve been speaking, we spoke, we said this is not the party we know. The party is dead. I said the only option is for me to meet Pastor Tunde Bakare, because he dragged me into APC. He took me to Buhari. I did not join the APC because of Buhari, it was Pastor Bakare, who dragged me to APC and courtesy demands I should let him know.

“Buhari too, I told him I was leaving the party, I sought his blessings and prayers. He said he has given me his blessings and prayers. We are the ones in politics, he (Buhari) is now father of the land and has been praying for us, so what remains?

“I’ve publicly denounced my membership of the party, they can go and hold on to the party, they can eat the party alone like food,we’ve given up.”

Asked if he decided to leave the party to avoid being expelled, El-Rufa’i said it would have been much better for him to be expelled from the APC.

“That would’ve been much easier for me, but look at it, as I kept on saying, I did not leave the party, it’s the party that dumped me. Why did it left me? First of all, I was marginalized, not involved in all party activities. Not that I was invited and refused to honour the invite, I was completely sidelined.

“Secondly, what we had planned to implement when we form government, it’s not what’s being implemented,” he alleged.

On the widespread assertion that he left the party because he was not considered for the ministerial appointment, El-Rufa’i said that was just a popular view.

“But did I even look for the ministerial position? I know those who even paid money to be appointed as ministers.

“Yes, I was at the screening because the President begged me. It was in the public glare, not the two of us for him to say he had never begged me. It was in Kaduna where he begged me to come and work with him. Even then, I did not agree until when we sat down and he told me what he wanted. That the problem of electricity had refused to allow the country to progress. He said he would like to be the President that would finally resolve the power problem and he begged me to come and help him achieve that. I told him that I would look at the challenge he gave me and would consider working with him. I thought he meant it.”

[Vanguard]

Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, says security operatives have arrested Jafaru Sani, the education commissioner under his administration.

El-Rufai was the governor of Kaduna from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023.

In a post published via X on Thursday, El-Rufai alleged that the ex-commissioner was abducted by a group he described as a “police kidnapping gang” linked to Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna.

The former governor claimed that Jafaru was “remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police first information report or charges by the state ministry of justice”.

“Our colleague and versatile former commissioner during the El-Rufai Administration, Mallam Jafaru Sani, has been abducted in Kaduna by Uba Sani’s kidnapping gang claiming to be the police this afternoon,” the post reads.

“Jafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police first information report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.

“On inquiry, we have learned that Jafaru is being charged with money laundering—a federal offense that neither the State Judiciary nor even the Police have jurisdiction to adjudicate or investigate.

“Jafaru’s real crime is his resignation from the APC and joining the SDP—and having been proposed by me as the replacement ministerial nominee representing Kaduna State in August 2023.

“The tactics are similar to those used against another colleague of ours – Bashir Saidu when he was abducted on the 31st of December 2024 and kept in captivity for 50 days before he was released on bail!

“The ignominious role of some henpecked and compromised magistrates and high court judges in the Kaduna State judiciary remains a source of great concern to us.

“We are watching and waiting as no condition is permanent, and there will be accountability for all decisions and actions, one day, soon.”

Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, was not immediately available for comments when contacted by TheCable.

On March 10, El-Rufai announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Before leaving the APC, the relationship between El-Rufai and his successor, Uba Sani, had gone sour.

The former Kaduna governor supported Sani’s governorship ambition in the build-up to the 2023 elections. However, the duo fell out months after Sani assumed office.

Sani had accused the el-Rufai administration of leaving a huge debt and liabilities, which he said hindered governance in Kaduna.

Subsequently, the Kaduna house of assembly commenced a probe of the former governor over the allegation of public funds diversion and money laundering.

El-Rufai has also criticised Sani’s administration, recently accusing him of being a sycophant to President Bola Tinubu.

The ex-Kaduna governor had said Sani’s support for the president was because of the N150 billion reimbursements to Kaduna by the federal government in the past 18 months.

A boom is returning to the construction industry in Akwa Ibom State, thanks to the over 32 projects currently ongoing or soon to be flagged off by Gov. Umo Eno. No fewer than 6,000 workers would be employed in these projects for which over N600 billion was voted in the 2025 Appropriation Bill. But to realize the full multiplier effects of these investments, the government must award some of the projects to indigenes of the state and mandate the construction companies to buy materials from Akwa Ibom building material markets. Gov. Umo Eno has recently asked Akwa Ibom people who have experience in construction to register their businesses on a portal that will open on Monday so that they could be part of the construction boom in the state. This is quite commendable. An increase in government spending on infrastructure projects leads to an increase in economic activity, creating a multiplier effect.

Besides, construction plays important role in contributing to the GDP of an economy. It creates jobs, both directly and indirectly, and this boosts consumer spending. Construction activity also stimulates demand for building and construction materials, services and labour. It also adds to the stock of infrastructure in the economy, and this improves efficiency and productivity. For this reason, I commend Pastor Umo Eno for the huge investments in such a wide variety of projects covering many sectors: tourism; education; transportation, media, health, aviation, etc.  

Among the projects under construction are Senior Citizens Centre; Command and Control Center; Convention Center; ARISE Leisure park; General Hospital; Judiciary Staff quarters; schools; AKBC Headquarters; Renal/Dialysis Center; AKICORP Building and Ibom Hotels, Abuja. Others include NUJ Auditorium; EXCO Clinic; Mother & Child Hospital; Aviation Village; renovation of House of Assembly and many others. There are also various road projects under construction across the state.

I’m particularly excited that the government is not resorting to borrowing to finance these projects, as there’s adequate cash coverage for them. Indeed, this is the first time since 1999 that the state’s indebtedness is actually falling as the government is not only not borrowing, but is actually paying down. 

It is notable that the MSMES (micro, small and medium enterprises) is also receiving attention. Part of the series of town hall meetings that is kicking off on Saturday, March 8, will include provision of N2 billion in grants to farmers and small businesses in the communities to be visited by the governor.

I don't usually do this. The exchanges about Kemi speak so much about us as black people and I think we all should be reminded of this. Here's is a lady who has achieved what no black person, male or female, has EVER done: lead one of the oldest political parties in modern history and serve as a shadow Prime Minister of the UK. That position, among other things, gives her access to exclusively guarded information about one of the leading economies in the world. And to add, she has been in post longer than the last female leader. What do we do in response? We pick her faults and openly wish her to fail. What's wrong with us black people? 

I have repeatedly reminded people who try to denigrate her and will say the same here: encourage your daughters and sons to learn the lessons of Kemi's success. She may not become the PM of the UK. However you cannot take away that she's made a mark in history. She is undoubtedly an inspiration for black young and up and coming. She came back to the UK at 16. She didn't attend a UK ivy league university. She had no godfather that we know of to push her up (compare with Kamala in the US or many of her compatriots back home). Before she turned 50, she is leading the UK Conservative Party. Let's get serious here: that's a great deal to have achieved. Just look around you and see how many Nigerians here in the UK are still struggling within a much longer time frame.

Now, let's look at some of the accusations. They say she's said bad things about her country, Nigeria. Who hasn't? And when did that become a problem? Many of those who say these things have themselves said worse things even on this forum. No, others have said, she should have used her influence to try to change rather than talk about them. Again, I don't know when influence became exclusive of talking. Donald Trump has said far more terrible things about America and built his MAGA movement on that. He got away with it. But oh, I forgot Kemi is black! Besides her achievements, Kemi is leading the Conservative Party at a most difficult time when its rating has seriously diminished and it faces an onslaught from the far right that's increasingly emboldened. That would be hard for anyone to handle. Why then should anyone mock her on that? Those who pick on her deliberately disparage the enormously difficult challenges she is up against. And do you think it would do her any good as leader to present a divided commitment to the country she aims to lead? No, she cannot be helped if she were to play up to Nigeria and her dubious governance record. She has to detach herself and show she mean it that she's undivided in her commitment to the UK and it's core values. In some sense, Nigerians who deride her, including the Vice-President, are doing her the favour she so requires. 

Anyway, the truth in all these is that the issue those diminishing Kemi have is not about what she has said or not said. I think they all must be honest with themselves and admit that theirs is probably an extension of the low complex far too many black people carry about themselves. Fortunately, Kemi has proved the skeptics to be wrong: a black person can indeed do it. Our daughters and sons need more of such inspiration. Let's celebrate Kemi more, please.

Professor Victor Ayeni 

London, United Kingdom