AFNews World

NUT President, NLC Deputy President Felicitate Gov. Uba Sani on Birthday Bomba Dauda  The President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Audu Amba, has congratulated the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, on the occasion of his birthday. In a congratulatory message issued on Tuesday, Comrade Amba described Governor Uba Sani as a calm, inclusive, and people-oriented leader whose administration is firmly anchored on peacebuilding, dialogue, and sustainable development. He noted that in a state as diverse as Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani’s leadership has contributed significantly to fostering unity, restoring public trust, and strengthening security, while also prioritising key sectors such as education, infrastructure, healthcare, and social welfare. According to him, the governor’s commitment to good governance and effective collaboration with federal institutions has continued to inspi...

Marghi Lists Uba Sani's Five Major Wins for Kaduna Malam Nuhu Mohammed Marghi, Managing Director of Marghi Global Phones Ltd and Vice Chairman of the APC in Kaduna South, has identified five major achievements of Governor Uba Sani as the governor marks his 55th birthday, describing his administration as “results-driven and people-centred.” Marghi said Governor Uba Sani’s first major win is infrastructure renewal, noting that the administration has ended the era of abandoned road projects across Kaduna State. According to him, rehabilitated urban and rural roads have improved mobility, reduced transport costs and reconnected communities to economic opportunities. Marghi who is also the MD of Clayco Construct Ltd, cited health sector revitalisation as a defining achievement, pointing out that nine hospitals abandoned for nearly two decades have been remodelled, equipped and made functional, restoring dignity to public healthcare and improving access for citizens. On secur...

Forum, Yari Roundtable Laud Appointment of Senator Yari as Geregu Power Board Chairman  The Forum of Development Experts (FDE) and the Yari Roundtable have commended the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, as the new Chairman of the Board of Geregu Powe r Plc, describing it as a timely and strategic move for Nigeria’s power sector. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, the groups said Senator Yari’s appointment reflects confidence in his leadership capacity, experience in governance and commitment to national development. According to the statement signed by Dr. Bawa Mohammed  and Mr . Philip Darofai , Geregu Power Plc, as a key player in Nigeria’s electricity generation value chain, requires visionary leadership capable of strengthening corporate governance, improving operational efficiency and supporting national efforts to stabilise power supply. “The appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Board Chairman o...

Northern Group Accuses EFCC of Bias, Demands Fair Treatment for Malami ...Alleges Political Targeting   A northern advocacy group, Northern Concern Citizens (NCC), has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of bias and political targeting in its handling of allegations against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. In a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday, the group alleged that the anti-graft agency was ignoring court orders and fabricating allegations against Malami, particularly questioning the credibility of asset valuations linked to the former minister. The group in the statement signed the Coordinator, Comrade Musa Mohammed claimed that Malami was being unfairly singled out for investigation because of his decision to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as politically motivated. “Others within the APC who have defrauded and siphoned public funds are moving freely ...

‎2 Soldiers, Many Killed in Twin Boko Haram Attacks on Adamawa Communities By Tom Garba, Yola  ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched twin attacks on communities in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State over the Christmas period, killing at least two soldiers and several civilians, injuring dozens, and destroying properties worth millions of naira. ‎ ‎The first attack occurred on Christmas Eve, December 24, targeting Dugwaba District, a known vulnerable area near the border with Borno State.  ‎ ‎Insurgents invaded the community around midnight, engaging security forces in intense gunfire. Troops from the 144 Battalion, police anti-terror units, and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) responded to distress calls, successfully repelling the attackers.  ‎ ‎However, two soldiers lost their lives in the clash, with their bodies later transferred to Yola and buried according to Islamic rites. Eyewitnesses described the situation as "gravely deplorable,...

DAM FOUNDATION UNVEILS TRANSFORMATIVE INITIATIVES IN KOGI ..... Focuses on equipping youths and small-scale entrepreneurs It was a beehive of activities recently in Okene, Kogi state as the DAM Foundation, a non-profit organization marked the unveiling of three transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening education, community development, and economic empowerment.  The event which was witnessed by the Executive Governor of Kogi state, His  Excellency, Usman Ahmed Ododo, also had the Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi. The event underscored the Foundation’s growing role in driving people-centered development and redefining socio-economic progress in the state. The major highlight of the unveiling was the commissioning of a modern hostel facility, a landmark initiative dedicated to social welfare and dignified living, as well as the DAM Civic Centre; a state-of-the-art space envisioned to serve as a hub for sports, commu...

Improved Security: NUT President Praises Gov. Uba Sani The National President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and Vice President Education, International E1 Africa Region, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, has commended Governor Uba Sani for the improved security situation and peaceful coexistence currently being experienced in Kaduna State. Comrade Amba made the commendation at the 2025 Kafanchan Day Annual Cultural Festival, themed “Synergising Culture and Citizen Participation for Community Development,” where he served as Chairman of the event. According to him, the achievements recorded in the area of security are a direct result of the governor’s political will and commitment to inclusive governance. “We must appreciate the dogged determination of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, for the improved security situation and the peaceful coexistence being enjoyed across the stat...

NIGERIA’S LAUDABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR WITH ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA Ph.D, DG ENERGY COMMISSION OF NIGERIA     In the last two years of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigerians and foreigners alike have witnessed a huge surge in the country’s leap towards visible and sustainable growth in the renewable energy sector. This becomes more evident as the country moves towards closing the energy gap, thereby, ensuring power stability for all Nigerians.   Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN led by the indefatigable Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha as Director General/Chief Executive, introduced the Renewable Energy; brining into the homes of Nigerians, the gains of solarization ensuring that critical sectors of the economy enjoy stable power supply.   According to Dr. Mustapha, “Renewable energy (RE) solutions present a practical and sustainable way to addre...

REBUTTING THE REGRESSION NARRATIVE: KANO’S TRUE DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY By Aminu Hussaini In recent commentary portraying Kano State as a place where development is allegedly “in reverse,” facts have been sacrificed on the altar of political rhetoric. Such claims, repeated by some commentators including Garba Mohammed, do not withstand scrutiny when measured against the visible, verifiable and ongoing development outcomes across Kano State. The assertion of regression collapses the moment one steps outside social-media SoundBits and examines realities on ground. Kano is not declining. Kano is undergoing a deliberate, people-centred rebuilding process whose results are increasingly evident. Infrastructure: Development You Can See, Not Just Talk About - One of the loudest claims of regression is that Kano’s infrastructure has stalled. This is demonstrably false. Across the metropolis and major towns, rehabilitated and newly constructed roads have eased mobility, reduced travel...

Islamic Groups Caution Muslim Leaders Against Meddling in Tax Reform Matters A coalition of Islamic groups has cautioned Muslim leaders and clerics across the country against undue interference in ongoing tax reform discussions, warning that such matters are technical, constitutional and should be handled by relevant government institutions. The groups, under the umbrella of the Coalition of Islamic Organisations for National Development (CIOND), made their position known in a statement issued on Wednesday, stressing that tax reform policies are economic and administrative issues that should not be politicised or religiously coloured. According to the statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Sheikh Abdulrahman Musa, while Islam encourages justice, accountability and fairness in governance, it does not support the distortion of public policy debates through sentiments that could inflame religious tensions. “The issue of tax reform is a national economic mat...

Group Dismisses Dangote’s Claims Against NMDPRA Chief, Passes Vote of Confidence on Farouk The Forum for Good Governance and Economic Development (FGGED) has dismissed recent claims allegedly made by the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, describing the allegations as unfounded, misleading and capable of undermining regulatory stability in the petroleum sector. In a statement issued today and made available to Journalists, the forum said it had carefully reviewed the claims attributed to Dangote and found them to be “lacking in factual basis and unsupported by regulatory or operational realities within the downstream petroleum industry.” The Forum in the Statement signed by its  Secretary,Dr. Abraham Japhet further passed a vote of confidence on Engr. Ahmed, commending his leadership of the NMDPRA and his commitment to ...

Coalition Dares Dangote to Name His Preferred NMDPRA CEO Amid Pressure Allegations A  group has challenged billionaire industrialist, Aliko Dangote, to publicly disclose who his preferred candidate for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) would be, amid allegations of attempts to forcefully edge out the current CEO, Engr. Farouk Ahmed. The group, operating under the banner of the Coalition for Market Transparency in Energy Reform, alleged in a statement on Wednesday that sustained pressure against the NMDPRA leadership was driven by vested interests seeking to reverse ongoing efforts to open Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector to healthy competition. “If Mr. Dangote succeeds in pushing out Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Nigerians deserve to know whose interests the next NMDPRA CEO will serve,” the group said. “Will the successor be a regulator for the market or a proxy for private commercial inte...

How Dr. MB Shehu is Transforming RMAFC to a World-class Institution  By Salisu Ibrahim  Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), a key Institution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is becoming more visible and impactful in its pursuit of fair and equitable distribution of the nation's resources.  Thanks to the visionary leadership of its Chairman, Dr Muhammad Bello Shehu whose strategic approach to leadership, good governance and accountability is leaving a transparent and accountable footprint in the Commission's fiscal operations. The country is now witnessing a robust fiscal operations in fulfilment of the Commission's Constitution role. The Constitution has mandated RMAFC to monitor revenue accruals and disbursements as well as determine  remuneration for public office holders. This task is by no means daunting, yet the Commission's management under the Chairmanship of Dr. Muhammed Bello Shehu is up and doing in meeting up with...

Ganduje's Independent Hisbah Initiative, a recipe for dangerous politicization of religion  By Aminu Hussaini  _"Nigeria's history is replete with examples of how religious tensions can escalate into violence and instability. In this opinion, the writer examine the proposed Independent Hisbah initiative by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Governor of Kano State, and warned that at moments of national anxiety, leadership is revealed not by noise but by restraint."_ In an era when insecurity stalks daily life and the national mood is brittle with fear, any political actor who toys with public order, pursues disaster. This is why the recent push to create an “independent Hisbah Fisabilillah” by former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje deserves no applause, but serious public scrutiny.  Let us be clear: this is not a debate about faith, morality or the place of religion in society. Kano has long negotiated the coexistence of culture, belief and gove...

Group Dismisses Allegations Against CAC Registrar-General The National Forum for Good Governance (NFGG) has dismissed allegations of misconduct leveled against the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, describing the claims as unfounded, malicious and politically motivated. The allegations followed a petition formally received by the House of Representatives, calling for an investigation into the alleged unlawful tampering with the corporate records of Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd and Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd by the CAC Registrar-General. The petition, written on behalf of the two companies, alleged that some corporate records were altered to favour a contending party in an internal dispute. However, in a statement issued on Sunday, the National Chairman of the forum, Chairman is Dr Mukhtar Mustapha Bebeji, expressed strong confidence in the integrity, professionalism and leadership of Magaji, insisting that the accusatio...

Shehu Sani Sponsors Painting Competition, Says Art Can Promote Peace, Unity and National Development Former Kaduna Central Senator,  Comrade Shehu Sani , has reaffirmed the power of art as a tool for peacebuilding, unity and national development as he sponsored the  National Museum of Art and Technology Painting Competition  held on Wednesday at the  Kaduna Museum . The event brought together  young artists, students, cultural enthusiasts, curators and community leaders  who showcased a rich collection of artworks depicting themes of peace, diversity, tolerance and social harmony. In his remarks, Senator Sani said the competition was designed to  encourage creativity among young Nigerians , while providing them a platform to express themselves freely through visual arts. He noted that art remains a  universal language  that can bridge ethnic, religious and political divides. “Art has the power to heal, to unify and to inspire,” ...

Kano at a Turning Point: Building on Government Successes to Secure a Sustainable Housing Future By Barr. Aminu Hussaini As Kano State continues to affirm its position as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic economic and population hub, a major opportunity lies ahead: transforming its growing urban landscape through smarter planning, stronger regulation and deeper collaboration with the private sector. In recent years, the state has witnessed a rapid rise in demand for residential land, driven by population growth, urban migration and economic expansion. While this heightened demand has encouraged private developers to supply residential plots at unprecedented scale, an increasing number of these private layouts emerged without adequate planning, infrastructure or regulatory approval, placing both residents and government agencies at risk.Government Achievements: A Foundation Worth CelebratingDespite these challenges, the Kano State Government under the leadership of AKY has made ...

NSNCM Backs Matawalle, Urges President Tinubu to Retain Him as Minister of State for Defence The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement (NSNCM), a coalition of 598 registered associations across the 19 Northern states and Northern communities in the 17 Southern states, has declared firm support for the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain him in office in the interest of national security. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the National President of the movement, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said the organization—one of the largest socio-political coalitions in the region—convened the briefing to commend recent security appointments by the President and to restate the importance of continuity within the defence leadership. Dr. Aliyu applauded President Tinubu for appointing General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence, describing him as a “detribalized, highly accomplished and ...

'A Fit Choice': The Case for Gen. Musa as Nigeria's Next Defense Minister By Tom Garba As the echoes of Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar's resignation still reverberate through the corridors of power in Aso Rock, one name towers above the speculation swirling in Nigeria's security circles: General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), the recently retired 18th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).  With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu facing mounting pressure to fill the vacancy amid a relentless wave of banditry, insurgency, and cross-border threats, the appointment of Gen. Musa as the next Minister of Defence isn't just a logical step, it's an imperative, a masterstroke that could redefine Nigeria's fight for peace. Badaru's abrupt exit on December 1, citing health concerns in a terse letter to the President, comes at a precarious juncture.  Tinubu's administration, already lauded for bold reforms, cannot afford a misstep here. Enter Gen. M...

Christian, Muslim Leaders Hail Yari’s Peace Efforts, Urge Politicians to Emulate Him Christian and Muslim leaders in the North, under the umbrella of the Interfaith Unity Forum, have commended Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari for his sustained efforts toward promoting peace, unity and sustainable development across the region. The leaders praised the former Zamfara State Governor for convening the recently well-attended Yari Roundtable for Interreligious Harmony held in Abuja and Kaduna, which brought together prominent clerics from both faiths to chart a new course for peaceful coexistence. In a joint message signed by the co-chairs and secretaries — Pastor Eziekel Jeremiah Garba, Sheikh Muhammad Sabiu, Sheikh Nafiu Salman and Evangelist Musa Simon — the forum said Senator Yari deserved recognition for “restoring interreligious harmony among Christians and Muslims in the North.” They noted that the platform he created was helping to rebuild trust and strengthen communal bonds. “We ...

Northern Forum Urges Northern Senators to Confirm Reno Omokri as Ambassador The Northern Forum for Good Governance has appealed to Northern Senators to support and ratify the nomination of Mr. Reno Omokri as one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees. In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Dr. Musa Mohammed  ,the group said Omokri has demonstrated “the capacity to lead and represent Nigeria effectively at any level,” adding that his nomination is a welcome development deserving of national support. President Tinubu recently forwarded 32 ambassadorial nominees— including Omokri — to the Senate for confirmation, just days after sending an initial list of three names. However, sources within the National Assembly revealed that the Senate is currently grappling with internal disagreements, largely triggered by Omokri’s inclusion on the list. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and a prominent social media commentator, had in the ...