Rountrip

By Arome Audu From the sun-kissed savannas of Kebbi State to the corridors of power in Abuja, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku Bagudu's rise is a masterclass in visionary leadership. With a career spanning over a decade of impactful governance, Bagudu's remarkable journey has been marked by a string of groundbreaking achievements that have left an indelible mark on the lives of Nigerians, particularly his people in Kebbi. As the current Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, he continues to soar to new heights, leveraging his expertise and vision to drive economic growth, development, and prosperity for the nation. From senator to governor, and now minister, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu's career trajectory has been a masterstroke of visionary leadership. Born on December 26th, 1961, Bagudu's impact on Kebbi State as senator and governor continues to resonate deeply with its people. His legacy of monumental achievements remains unmatched, with the Zuru Emirate Road standing as ...

By Sani Aminu Aliyu In Zamfara State, a sense of desperation hangs in the air like a thick fog. Bandits roam freely, kidnapping and killing with impunity, while Governor Dauda Lawal sits at the center of the chaos, his administration embroiled in corruption and mismanagement. The state's economy lies in shambles, and citizens live in constant fear, wondering if their leader is more interested in exploiting the state's resources for personal gain than protecting its people. With lives lost and livelihoods destroyed, the people are crying out for drastic action - a state of emergency that would bring much-needed relief and restore order to their troubled state. Zamfara State is currently navigating a tumultuous landscape of socio-political upheavals, marked by a near-total collapse of governance and economic activities that have hit rock bottom. Given the state's dire economic situation, security challenges, and the evident ineptitude of Governor Dauda Lawal, it's abundan...

The North West Development Vanguard (NWDV) has criticised the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, over the rising insecurity in the country, particularly in Benue and Plateau states where dozens have been killed in multiple attacks. The group is also calling for his immediate dismissal over what it describes as gross incompetence and political opportunism amid escalating security crises in Benue and Plateau states. In a statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Aminu Sani, and Secretary, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, the group condemned the minister’s handling of the deteriorating security situation in the country. “The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has failed in his primary responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians. His continued stay in office is a threat to national security and a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian people,” the statement reads. The group highlighted recent attacks in Benue and Plateau states, whe...

A group known as the Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership has strongly condemned the escalating crisis in Zamfara State, calling for a state of emergency to be declared due to Governor Dauda Lawal's alleged disregard for the rule of law and inaction on insecurity. The group cited the ongoing power tussle between the governor and the Zamfara State House of Assembly, which has resulted in two parallel leaderships and a breakdown in governance. The group's executive director, Patriot Abel Adams, expressed deep concern over the state's worsening security situation, with 14 local government councils experiencing rampant insecurity, killings, and destruction of properties. Adams accused Governor Lawal of being one of the worst-performing governors in the country, lacking the capacity to govern and engaging in frivolous spending while the people suffered. According to Adams, the governor's actions have emboldened bandits and kidnappers, who have sacked whole communit...

By Toby Prince In 2021, a new dawn broke in Nigeria's oil and gas sector with the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), a game-changer designed to oversee the nation's most prized resources. Born out of the need for transparency, accountability, and efficiency, the NUPRC's mission was to optimize the country's upstream petroleum operations, ensuring that the riches beneath the Niger Delta's soil translated to tangible benefits for the Nigerian people. With Engr. Gbenga Komolafe at the helm as its pioneering Chief Executive, the commission embarked on a journey to transform the industry, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, fostering innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible. Four years later, that decision to place the nation's petroleum future in the hands of the NUPRC and Komolafe has proven to be a masterstroke, as the commission continues to shape the industry's future with bold ref...

By Moses Oduh With unyielding dedication and a visionary spirit, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu is spearheading a revolution in Nigeria's constitutional history. As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, the Deputy Speaker is galvanizing efforts to reshape the nation's future, fostering a new era of unity, progress, and prosperity. Nigeria's constitutional journey has been a winding path, marked by twists and turns since its inception under British rule. The nation's history has been shaped by a succession of creations, reviews, and amendments, with each step aiming to craft a document that truly reflects the people's aspirations. Despite the efforts of successive administrations, the 1999 Constitution has remained a work in progress, with many challenges still to be addressed. Under civil or democratic rule, the review of the Constitution has been a persistent theme, with lawmakers striving to create a document that meets the people's yearnings. C...

The Civil Rights Watch (CRW) has condemned recent remarks by Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), warning him against issuing threats to peaceful protesters demanding the restoration of democratic governance in the state. Reacting to a recent report in which Ibas, through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, stated that the emergency rule in Rivers grants him “sweeping powers” to act as he pleases, CRW said such utterances are not only anti-democratic but an affront to the fundamental rights of all Nigerians. Segun Adekunle, President of the Civil Rights Watch, in a statement on Thursday, described Ibas’s tone as tyrannical, reckless and unbecoming of a man appointed to restore order in Rivers State. “This country is battling real threats in Benue and Plateau where terrorists have turned communities into graveyards. Yet, the sole administrator of Rivers thinks the real enemy is unarmed women marching peacefully for democracy? That tel...