News Agency of Nigeria
Tinubu to initiate more projects in North- Information Minister

Tinubu to initiate more projects in North- Information Minister

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By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu will initiate more developments in the Northern Region through positive people-oriented policies and programmes.

 

 

Idris stated this in an interview on the sidelines of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-citizens’ Engagement on Tuesday in Kaduna.

 

 

The theme of the event is ‘Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizens Engagement for National Unity’.

 

 

The programme was organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

 

 

The minister explained that before Tinubu’s election, he was in Kaduna, and engaged with the leaders from the Northern part of the country and made promises ranging from security, to agriculture, economy and governance.

 

 

“Now that the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has invited us; Tinubu said we should come here in our numbers, all of us from the Northern part of the country, that he has appointed to deal with some of these issues.

 

 

“We have come here to answer their questions. We have come here to lay down all those things that the President said he was going to do, when he made those promises.

 

 

“The President has already fulfilled many of them. Many of them are still being awaited and he will instigate more developments for the Northern Region through positive initiatives and people oriented policies and programmes.

 

 

“Remember that this is just the midterm of the administration. We believe that by the time the President ends his first term, we would have answered most of the questions that they have asked.

 

 

“By then, we will have kept most of these promises. Already, many of them have been kept. And you can see from the mood in the hall; almost everyone here is happy,” Idris said.

 

 

The minister further reiterated that over 60 leaders from the northern part of the country, serving in the current administration, have been invited to the event.

 

 

He stated that they were at the event to tell Nigerians, especially people of the North, what the government of Tinubu said it was going to do, what it has done and more it would do.

 

 

“Very senior people from the northern part of the country are all happy that we have come. They are happy that we are engaging in this high-level manner.

 

 

“This is unprecedented. It is the first time that Ministers in this high number will come here to talk to the citizens in this kind of manner; please note that, is not going to be a one-off thing.

 

 

“We’ll continue to engage the people from time to time, because, this is the best form of having better collaboration between the government and people in the position of leadership,”Idris said.

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that while the first plenary session concentrated on national security, the second was governance and the economy.

 

 

The Federal Government’s team on defence, security, governance and economy did justice to the topics through presentations of the laudable achievements of the Tinubu-led administration. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

North’s elites must share blame for region’s woes – Ex-Niger Gov. Aliyu

North’s elites must share blame for region’s woes – Ex-Niger Gov. Aliyu

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By Hussaina Yakubu

Former Niger Gov. and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr Mu’azu Aliyu, says Northern Nigeria’s persistent challenges are the product of elite complacency, institutional neglect, and decades of misguided policy choices that long predate the current administration.

 

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement, held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, Aliyu said while the Tinubu administration inherited many of the region’s problems, Northern political and intellectual elites must accept part of the responsibility.

 

“Our problems didn’t start today, and they weren’t caused solely by this government.

 

“Many of us who watched and did nothing must also bear the blame. We failed to act when it mattered most.”

 

The engagement, convened by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, builds on its 2022 meeting with presidential candidates and aims to deepen inclusive governance through structured dialogue between policymakers and citizens across Northern Nigeria.

 

Aliyu listed insurgency, banditry, poverty, the growing number of out-of-school children, porous borders, and youth unemployment as urgent concerns.

 

He warned that the growing disconnect between governments and citizens is fuelling mistrust, misinformation, and public frustration.

 

“There’s a communication vacuum between governments and the governed.

 

“That gap is breeding frustration and eroding public trust. This forum is a deliberate attempt to bridge that divide.”

 

He advocated institutionalised, town hall-style meetings nationwide, citing successful global examples where such civic engagement has shaped policy and strengthened democracy.

 

“Let’s be clear: there’s a big difference between governance and partisanship. Governments must listen to the people, and citizens must be bold enough to speak up—with respect and clarity,” he said.

 

Aliyu reaffirmed the foundation’s non partisan stance, stressing its commitment to promoting leadership rooted in justice, equity, and good governance.

 

He also commended platforms like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), and Arewa House for consistently demanding accountability.

 

“Together, we must remind our leaders that if they escape accounting here, they won’t escape it in the hereafter,” he warned.

 

Aliyu also condemned the long-standing delays surrounding the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and the Baro Inland Port, calling both unfulfilled federal promises “frauds.”

 

“The Mambilla project is a 40-year-old scam. Kill it or come clean. As for Baro Port, government must complete it and dredge the River Niger,” said the former governor.

 

In his remarks , the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, urged President Bola Tinubu to renew his commitment to Northern development, citing the region’s overwhelming support in the 2023 presidential election.

 

“Of the 8.8 million votes that brought this government to power, the North alone delivered 5.6 million.

 

“We believe the region has earned the right to benefit from the promises made during the campaign.”

 

He disclosed that Northern leaders had formally presented key expectations to Tinubu during a meeting on May 30, 2024.

 

Top among their demands were enhanced security, revived agriculture, improved education, and investment in energy and infrastructure.

 

Dalhatu acknowledged that such interventions take time but stressed the need for the Federal Government to begin reflecting Northern concerns more clearly in its policies and programmes.

 

He said, “Our advocacy has been peaceful, respectful, and well-intentioned.

 

“We aim to support the President in delivering on his promises—especially to Northern communities still plagued by insecurity and poverty.”

 

Dalhatu praised the foundation for sustaining dialogue and encouraged continuous citizen-government engagement as a means to strengthen democracy.

 

“We must keep these conversations going—to promote understanding, unity, and accountability,” Dalhatu added.

 

On his part, the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, called for a sharper federal focus on education and infrastructure in the North, warning that current neglect undermines national development.

 

He decried the region’s disproportionate share of the country’s estimated 20 million out-of-school children.

 

“If even half of the N15 trillion federal budget were channelled into education we could build schools, train teachers, and drastically cut down the out-of-school population.”

 

Abdullahi also criticised the state of road infrastructure in the North-East, describing it as among the worst in the country.

 

He added, “Good roads are not a luxury they are a necessity for economic growth.”

 

Abdullahi urged fair representation in federal appointments and expressed concern over recent developments at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including the relocation of departments to Lagos and what he described as lopsided leadership appointments.

 

He further called for the strategic location of agro-allied industries in Northern Nigeria to reflect the region’s agricultural potential.

 

“If we truly want Nigeria to develop, then the North must be industrialised along its natural endowments.

 

“We must continue to engage constructively. These conversations are necessary for progress and we hope to see greater inclusion and responsiveness going forward.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Tinubu has kept his promises- Northern Governors’ Forum

Tinubu has kept his promises- Northern Governors’ Forum

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By Hussaina Yakubu

The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, has said that President Bola Tinubu has kept the promises made in 2023, adding, “he is still keeping them.”

 

 

Yahaya made this known at a two-day Interactive Session on Government-citizens’ Engagement Organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) at the Arewa House, on Tuesday in Kaduna.

 

 

He said that the theme of the programme,  ‘Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-citizens’ Engagement for National Unity’, speaks to the very heart of what makes democracy meaningful.

 

 

According to him, true democracy and good governance are not a one-way street, but a continuous dialogue between leaders and citizens.

 

 

Yahaya said: “Forums like this are crucial to building public trust and strengthening citizens participation in governance.

 

 

“They are not just meant to showcase achievements, but to create spaces where citizens can question, suggest, and hold power accountable.

 

 

“As leaders, we must have the humility to accept our mistakes where we err, and make adjustments where possible, based on the needs and feedback of the people.

 

 

“As we review, engage with representatives of the Federal Government, let us do so with fairness and wisdom.”

 

 

The Governor added that the North’s partnership with Tinubu’s administration had yielded concrete results, from infrastructure to security and governance.

 

 

“In 2027, we must reward performance and hard work, and by that measure, President Tinubu has earned our continued support.”

 

 

He recalled that when Tinubu stood before them during the 2023 campaign, he made specific commitments to Northern Nigeria.

 

 

“The North, believing in President Tinubu’s vision, voted strongly for him, contributing to over 60% of Tinubu’s winning votes.

 

 

“Today, we gather not for empty rhetoric, but to examine those promises and assess the level of progress so far.

 

 

“What we find is an administration that has delivered meaningful results for our region despite facing significant national challenges.”

 

 

According to him, this shows that democracy can only work when leaders deliver on their promises.

 

 

He said that leaders can only deliver when citizens are engaged, and policies and programmes are designed and implemented in ways that reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.

 

 

“I make bold to say that the evidence of progress is visible across our region.

 

 

“Thanks to Mr President’s renewed hope agenda, many projects started by the previous administration are now racing towards completion.

 

 

“These include the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project, and continuation of drilling activities in Kolmani Oilfields.

 

 

“These projects promise to bring industrial growth and energy security to Northern Nigeria.”

 

 

According to Yahaya, new infrastructure projects are also coming up, including various inter-state road networks like and the ambitious Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway that will connect Northern producers to southern markets.

 

 

Others are agriculture value chain initiatives targeting Northern states, expansion and upgrade of healthcare facilities, saying all points to a deliberate policy towards uplifting the wellbeing of the people.

 

 

“On the security front, we have witnessed significant progress.

 

 

“Through coordinated military operations and improved intelligence gathering, over 300 bandit kingpins and terrorist commanders have been eliminated, disrupting criminal networks that terrorized our communities.

 

 

“While challenges remain, the trajectory is clear – the siege on our people is being lifted.

 

 

“The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development addresses a generations-old challenge, providing a framework to modernise our pastoral economy.

 

 

“This administration has also demonstrated commitment to our youth through targeted grants and renewed efforts to tackle the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions and international partners.”

 

 

Yahaya said there was no doubt that the economic reforms undertaken by Tinubu’s administration, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate floatation, have come with debilitating side effects.

 

 

“However, these were necessary measures in order to stabilise our economy for long-term growth. The pain is real, but so is the progress.”

 

 

Yahaya said that to sustain and build on these gains, all Northern stakeholders must play their parts, adding, “our state governments must complement federal initiatives with local investments in infrastructure and human capital development.

 

 

“Traditional rulers and religious leaders should continue their vital role in community mobilisation and conflict resolution.

 

 

“Business leaders and civil society must maintain their constructive engagement.

 

 

“Our region’s decisive support for this administration was rooted in the understanding that the North-Southwest alliance is not merely political arithmetic, but a stabilising force for national unity.”

 

 

In attendance were serving and former Governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), National Security Adviser (,NSA) Service Chiefs, and ministers.

 

 

Others were: Aides, Heads of government parastatals, MDAs and Captains of industries from the North.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Unite against poverty, destitution, Shettima urges northerners

Unite against poverty, destitution, Shettima urges northerners

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North

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged northerners to form a single force to fight poverty and destitution irrespective of their political affiliations, religious persuasion, tribal or sectional backgrounds.

Shettima made the call when he hosted a delegation of Southern Kaduna stakeholders on a thank you visit to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the southern Kaduna stakeholders, led by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, were at the Villa to thank President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, Kaduna State.

The Vice-President declared that the people of the north had no business  fighting one another, saying “what binds us together supercedes whatever divides us.

“Let’s unite and fight the scourge of poverty, destitution and backwardness.”

Shettima said President Tinubu had directed the Minister of Education to capture the new Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, in the 2025 budget to enable the institution start academic activities by September.

Shettima also empahaised the need for northerners to accommodate and tolerate one another for the common good of the region.

“We should learn to accommodate and embrace one another; because for us in the North we are all united by our common heritage of poverty and destitution.

“The North is the poverty capital of the world. Of the 22 million out-of-school children, 20 million are from the North. So, we have no business fighting one another.

“We are essentially the same people. The Nok culture is one of the most celebrated cultures in Africa,” said Shettima.

The Vice-President commended Sani for the ongoing reconstruction of some major artery roads in Southern Kaduna.

Sani assured that Kaduna State government would issue the Certificate of Occupancy of the Southern Kaduna University, Kachia, land within seven days.

On his part, Mr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, said the university would bring new opportunities to youths and women in the state and across the country.

“This university will offer various courses in areas of applied sciences, medicine, pharmacy, nursing and physiotherapy.

“The President has mandated that the first set of students of the university should be admitted during this academic session.

“I have commissioned a team of senior staff at the Federal Ministry of Education as well as the National University Commission to immediately do the verification of the asset that is there,” said the minister. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Adopt non-kinetic approach to addressing security challenges– ACF

Adopt non-kinetic approach to addressing security challenges– ACF

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By EricJames Ochigbo

Secretary-General of Arewa Consultative Forum, Mr Murtala Aliyu, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity in the north.

Aliyu stated this while featuring at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.

The ACF scribe expressed regret that the zone, which used to be a quiet and nice place to live in, had now become an epicenter of insecurity.

“From Boko Haram in the North-East to farmer-herders crisis in the North-Central and banditry in the North-West, various governments had made efforts. Though we have achieved some milestones, there is still a lot to be done about the insecurity in the country.

“In moving from one place to another, like from Funtua to Gusau, Gusau to Kauran-Namoda, Kaduna to Birni-Gwari, parts of Danbua to Maidugiri, Biu to Damaturu, pray that you are not kidnapped for ransom. There is still the risk.

“So there are still challenges in the security of the nation and government must take steps to finding solutions to it; government has mostly used the kinetic approach and I think there is a need for expansion beyond the kinetic approach.

“I know there were cases where bandits were engaged; some of them had given up and captives were released,” he said.

According to Aliyu, insecurity in the north is already affecting food production, as farmers are not allowed to go to their farms, adding that even where they farm, they have to pay some unofficial taxes which add to the prices of food.

“Free movement is affected; the confidence of community members is affected; these are some of the challenges that government needs to sit down and address,” he said.

The secretary-general said that as a socio-cultural group, the forum was marking efforts to ensure security of lives and property in the zone.

He said that ahead of the 2023 general elections, the forum met with the five leading presidential candidates and presented papers to them containing its major concerns.

Aliyu said that this papers contained actions requiring urgent attention, including security, education and poverty alleviation.

Aliyu said that the forum tasked all the candidates to prioritise the issues raised, adding that the north covers almost 80 per cent of the country’s landmark and hosts more than half of the population.

“If you have about 75 per cent of land mass submerged in insecurity and over half of the population in a tensed environment, then you are in trouble,” he said.

Although the secretary-general acknowledged that there had been great progress under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, he, howeve, said that there was still much to be done to secure the zone.

He said that the report of the forum’s security committee, headed by a former Chief of Army Staff, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau and a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, would be ready soon.

“We have done similar things on peace and reconciliation among communities in the north, between farmers and herders, on religious tension and so on.

“That committee is working and soon, the draft report will be ready and when we finish finetuning it, it will be out for the public,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

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