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Zaria Groups Endorse Speaker Abbas For Another Term, Cite Track Record On Infrastructure, Education

Zaria Groups Endorse Speaker Abbas For Another Term, Cite Track Record On Infrastructure, Education

A coalition of Zaria-based civil society groups and members of opposition political parties has endorsed Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, for another term as member representing Zaria Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The endorsement was announced on Friday by the Convener of the group, Ishaq Alhassan Alhassan, during a press briefing attended by representatives of CSOs, NGOs, traditional and religious leaders, academia, youth leaders, and other stakeholders.

Alhassan said the decision followed three years of “objective observation, independent assessment, and engagement” with the lawmaker, rather than political patronage.

“Today is not about politics; It is about participation, principles, and progress. Above all, it is about our collective responsibility to speak honestly when leadership delivers measurable results,” he said.

According to Alhassan, the coalition chose to hold the Speaker accountable rather than act as “cheerleaders or perpetual critics.”

“We asked difficult questions about infrastructure. We demanded improvements in healthcare. We advocated for better educational opportunities. We challenged him on youth unemployment, economic empowerment, transparency, sustainability, and equitable development,” he stated.

To deepen civic engagement, the group convened the Zaria Youth, Peace and Development Roundtable_, a non-partisan platform that brought together elders, academics, professionals, civil society, traditional institutions, and government representatives to assess projects across the constituency.

“We toured projects across the constituency, listened to stakeholders, identified achievements, acknowledged shortcomings, and proposed practical recommendations for improvement,” Alhassan said.

The convener listed what the coalition described as “significant investments” by the Speaker in the last three years:

Education: Renovation of 96 out of 116 primary schools and 20 out of 41 secondary schools; construction and full equipping of 4 new secondary schools; ongoing construction of 7 new higher institutions under the Zaria Education City; annual sponsorship of over 20,000 students for WAEC, NECO and JAMB; historic N5 billion scholarship for Zaria students; construction of 2 faculty buildings at ABU Zaria and renovation of ABU Congo Campus; conversion of FCE Zaria to FUE; and construction of 1,000-capacity hostels at ABUTH Nursing School and Leather Research Institute, Samaru.

Health: Construction of eleven 20-bed hospitals across 8 LGAs in the zone; two 80-bed hospitals in Zaria; award for the construction of a new cancer center in Shika; and renovation of ABUTH Tudun-Wada, Zaria.

Agriculture: Distribution of over 200 trucks of fertilizer to farmers; 70 tractors; and over 10,000 planters, tricycle trucks, harvesters, sprayers and other farm equipment in 3 years.

Youth & Others, Training of over 20,000 young people in different skills, with N250,000 startup capital given to many; and distribution of over 3,000 motorcycles to teachers and LGA education supervisors to improve teaching and learning in Zaria.

He, however, noted areas still requiring attention, including maintenance, quality assurance, transparency, community participation, and faster completion of ongoing projects.

“Our endorsement today is therefore not emotional; It is an informed decision based on promises, performance and perpetual progress,” he said.

“We are endorsing Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, for another term, because we believe continuity matters. The ongoing projects deserve completion. The institutions being established deserve to become fully operational. The momentum that has been built across education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth development deserves to be sustained.”

Alhassan stressed that the endorsement was not a waiver for accountability.
“An endorsement is not the end of accountability. It is a renewed commitment to continue asking questions, offering constructive criticism, and ensuring that every project delivers value to the people,” he said.

He urged residents to support “leadership that listens, leadership that delivers, and leadership that welcomes scrutiny,” while charging the Speaker to ensure the completion of projects for the benefit of all citizens.

“History remembers not only those who begin great works, but those who complete them and ensure that every citizen benefits from them,” he added.

The coalition concluded the briefing by formally endorsing Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas for another term as Representative of Zaria Federal Constituency.

“You Are A Disgrace”: Birnin Gwari Residents Condemn Senator Lawal Adamu Over Remarks On Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road Flag-Off

“You Are A Disgrace”: Birnin Gwari Residents Condemn Senator Lawal Adamu Over Remarks On Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road Flag-Off

Residents of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have condemned Senator Lawal Adamu for what they described as “derogatory remarks” mocking the recent flag-off of the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, an event attended by the Emir of Birnin Gwari.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by community leaders, the residents said the Senator’s comments were insensitive to the suffering of the people and an affront to the traditional institution.

“You are a disgrace,” the statement read in part. “At a time when our people are beginning to see hope with the flag-off of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, attended by our revered Emir, Senator Lawal Adamu chose to mock the ceremony instead of supporting it.”

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, last week flagged off the reconstruction of the 200km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, a project residents say has been neglected for over a decade despite incessant attacks and economic losses along the corridor.

The Emir of Birnin Gwari, HRH Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, was in attendance alongside government officials, contractors, and community members. Community leaders described the event as a major step toward restoring security, trade, and movement in the area.

The residents accused Senator Adamu of playing politics with a project that directly affects the lives of thousands of Birnin Gwari people who have endured banditry, kidnapping, and poor road infrastructure.

“For years we cried out. Now that the road is finally being worked on, a Senator from our state is busy mocking the effort. That is not representation,” said Malam Suleiman Idris, a community youth leader.

Another resident, Hajiya Aisha Musa, said: “The Emir was there to give royal blessings and to show that our people support development. To mock that gathering is to mock the entire Birnin Gwari people.”

The group called on the Senator to apologize publicly and to join hands with stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the road project.

The residents further urged political leaders in Kaduna State to prioritize development over partisan attacks, noting that infrastructure, security, and the economy remain the key concerns for the people.

“We appreciate any effort aimed at developing our area. What we need now is unity and support, not ridicule,” the statement added.

As of press time, efforts to get Senator Lawal Adamu’s reaction were unsuccessful.

The Kaduna State Government has described the road reconstruction as part of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda aimed at opening up rural areas and improving security across the state.

Nigeria Hosts Global Security Summit: JIBWIS & Muslim World League Lead Historic International Conference

Nigeria Hosts Global Security Summit: JIBWIS & Muslim World League Lead Historic International Conference

Nigeria is set to host a historic global gathering as Jama’atu Izalatil Bidiah wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria), in strategic collaboration with the Muslim World League, presents an epoch‑making International Conference on National Security for Sustainable Socio‑Economic Development. This monumental event will take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, from 11th to 13th August 2026.

This high‑profile international conference will bring together eminent Islamic scholars, global thought leaders, policy experts, diversity advocates, and senior government officials from within and outside Nigeria. At a time when nations are grappling with complex security challenges, socio‑political tensions, and ethno‑religious concerns, this conference stands as a beacon of hope — a platform designed to foster dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and chart a sustainable path toward peace, stability, and development.

The conference will be declared open by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, underscoring its national importance and global relevance. Distinguished personalities, including judicial leaders, security experts, and international delegates, will participate as guests of honour and keynote contributors.

This landmark collaboration between JIBWIS Nigeria and the Muslim World League reflects a shared commitment to promoting diversity, social harmony, cooperative engagement across communities, and peaceful coexistence. It builds upon previous high‑level engagements between world Islamic and Christian leaders, reaffirming the belief that religion and cultural diversity remain powerful forces for unity, stability, and societal progress.

The conference will feature:

High‑level plenaries — focusing on national security and development within a global context
Dialogue sessions on diversity — promoting social harmony and inclusive coexistence
Expert panels — addressing extremism and strengthening community resilience
Global partnership roundtables — advancing sustainable socio‑economic development

As Nigeria welcomes the world to Abuja for this transformative event, JIBWIS Nigeria and the Muslim World League extend heartfelt appreciation to all invited dignitaries, partners, and participants. Together, we look forward to shaping a promising future built on peace, diversity, and shared prosperity.

ECN COMMISSIONS AFRICA’S FIRST BAREFOOT RENEWABLE ENERGY COLLEGE IN KOGI

ECN COMMISSIONS AFRICA’S FIRST BAREFOOT RENEWABLE ENERGY COLLEGE IN KOGI

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has marked a historic milestone with the commissioning of the Barefoot Renewable Energy College (BARECKS) at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State. As Africa’s first purpose-built institution for practical renewable energy education, research, innovation, and workforce development, BARECKS is a flagship initiative of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, modeled after India’s renowned Barefoot College.

The institution provides practical renewable energy training to Nigerians, irrespective of their educational background, while bridging the gap between hands-on technical skills and university-backed research. The landmark facility was commissioned on Tuesday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Dignitaries present included His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN; the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello; Former Attorney General of Nigeria, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN; the Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Professor Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu; members of the APC National Working Committee, traditional rulers, legislators, development partners, captains of industry, ECN directors and staff, and other distinguished guests.

In their remarks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other dignitaries described BARECKS as a landmark renewable energy achievement for Nigeria and Africa. They also commended the leadership of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, applauding the Commission’s achievements over the past two years and describing his appointment by President Tinubu as well deserved.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi described the college as a transformative national asset that will drive research, innovation, technology development, skills acquisition, and job creation, positioning Nigeria and Africa at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.

He noted that BARECKS combines practical field-based training with academic excellence and features world-class facilities, including renewable energy laboratories, photovoltaic and solar thermal workshops, battery storage and power electronics laboratories, mini-grid simulation platforms, wind and bioenergy training facilities, electric vehicle charging modules, and energy efficiency laboratories.

The Director-General added that the commissioning of BARECKS, alongside the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant, reflects the Energy Commission of Nigeria’s commitment to building world-class institutions that will accelerate renewable energy innovation, strengthen human capital, and support Nigeria’s sustainable economic development.

2027 in View: “We Are United Under One Umbrella” — Uba Sani Holds Strategic Meeting With Kaduna APC Aspirants

2027 in View: “We Are United Under One Umbrella” — Uba Sani Holds Strategic Meeting With Kaduna APC Aspirants

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has convened a strategic meeting with aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming the party’s commitment to unity, cohesion and collective victory.

The closed-door meeting, attended by party stakeholders and aspirants from across Kaduna State, focused on strengthening internal democracy, fostering reconciliation and positioning the APC for a successful outing in the next general elections.

Among those present was the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of TGNews, Mr. Tom Garba, who previously contested to represent Lere West Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Garba described the engagement as timely and critical to the future of the ruling party.

According to him, the meeting demonstrated Governor Uba Sani’s determination to build a united APC capable of delivering good governance and retaining the confidence of the electorate.

“We are united under one umbrella of party unity. Today’s meeting was crucial because it brought together leaders and aspirants with a common purpose—to strengthen our party and ensure victory in 2027,” Garba said.

He noted that the atmosphere of the meeting reflected mutual respect and a shared commitment to placing the interests of the APC above individual ambitions.

Garba further commended Governor Uba Sani for providing inclusive leadership and creating a platform where party members could freely exchange ideas on strategies for sustaining the APC’s political dominance in Kaduna State.

Supporters believe the meeting signals the beginning of broader consultations expected to shape the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections. The gathering also underscored the importance of unity at a time when political parties across the country are intensifying efforts to consolidate their structures ahead of the polls.

With the 2027 electoral cycle gradually approaching, the Kaduna APC appears focused on strengthening internal cohesion, promoting dialogue among aspirants and presenting a united front, a strategy party leaders believe will enhance its chances of securing another electoral victory at both the state and national levels.

Muslim -Muslim Ticket: Christian Group Sends Petition to U.S President

Muslim -Muslim Ticket: Christian Group Sends Petition to U.S President

PETITION ON THE DANGERS POSED BY THE CONTINUATION OF A MUSLIM-

MUSLIM PRESIDENCY TO THE SURVIVAL OF CHRISTIANS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

TO:

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

THE WHITE HOUSE,

1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW,

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

ATTENTION:

1. The Honorable Secretary of State of the United States;

2. Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives

3. The Heads of Diplomatic Missions of the United States and allied nations accredited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We write as Christian Youth Aliance of Nigeria (CYAN), a group made up of human rights defenders, and members of Christian communities across Nigeria to, firstly, renew our appeal for sustained American attention to the deteriorating security of Christians in Nigeria. We commend the decision to redesignate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a step whose principal value so far has been to discredit propagandists who worked to portray murdered Christians as casualties of ordinary banditry, rather than what communities on the ground know them to be: targeted religious genocide.

The CPC designation has, however, not stopped the killing; just this week, at least 30 Christians were killed in Naridon community in Kaduna State (reported by the Associated Press and multiple Christian advocacy groups).

As we write today, a political decision unfolding in Abuja threatens to entrench and consolidate the Christian genocide in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu’s retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the upcoming 2027 election is, in our assessment, the single gravest political threat to the safety of Christians in Nigeria, particularly the northern region. The Tinubu-Shettima ticket of 2023 was the first same-faith presidential ticket fielded by a major Nigerian party since 1999, and it broke a longstanding convention under which the country’s two highest offices were shared across its religious divide.

This is not just a symbolic grievance, but a palpable one which transcends politics and has led to Christian exclusion in Governance and in matters of faith. It has emboldened the Jihadist armed groups that already operate with impunity in Christian-dominated communities.

This danger is not hypothetical, and it is not confined to rhetoric. It is visible in Nigeria’s political system, which has been willing to elevate and tolerate the likes of Isa Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who delivered sermons in the mid-2000s, wherein he prayed openly for the victory of al-Qaeda and the Taliban and preached violent jihad as an obligation for Muslim faithful in Nigeria. Although Mr Pantami publicly renounced these statements, it is highly noteworthy that he only did so at the time of a raging call by Nigerians for his resignation.

Under the current Muslim-Muslim Presidency, taxes collected from persecuted Christians are budgeted for the rehabilitation and reintegration of jihadists, so-called “repentant terrorists”, who are placed on Government payrolls, while Internally Displaced Persons (predominantly Christians) are left in ruins.

We are also aware that the Nigerian government has retained international lobbying and public-relations firms since the CPC redesignation, a matter of public record, documented in filings under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act.

In December 2025, weeks after the CPC redesignation, a Kaduna law firm, Aster Legal, acting on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, retained the Washington publicaffairs firm, DCI Group, under a contract reported at nine million dollars, purposely to expressly communicate Nigeria’s protection of Christian communities to American audiences (as reported by The Africa Report and confirmed in FARA filings; the agreement was signed December 17, 2025). There is also a separate foreign-agent registration by another firm, Valcour LLC.

We do not object to Nigeria defending its record; we ask only that Congress and the State Department do not allow paid narrative management in Washington to substitute for verified improvements on the ground in Nigeria. The test of progress should be the safety of Christian communities, not the polish, however well-financed, of Abuja’s messaging to American audiences.

Since the CPC redesignation, the United States and Nigeria have also moved toward direct security cooperation, including a joint working group, U.S. intelligence-gathering flights over Nigeria since late November, 2025, and a joint operation on Christmas Day in 2025. We welcome this cooperation and cite it here because it underscores our central point that diplomatic and security engagement, not lobbying contracts, is the appropriate channel for addressing this crisis.

Nasir el-Rufai, Former Kaduna State Governor, the architect of the MuslimMuslim ticket, in his second term as Governor of Kaduna State, was the main advocate for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. In 2023, he was seen, in a video circulated broadly across Nigerian media, telling an audience of Islamic clerics that the Muslim-Muslim arrangement would endure and would silence the Christians in Nigeria. We cite this because it was said openly, by a sitting Governor to a receptive audience, and never retracted. It illustrates precisely the political mentality we hereby ask to be repudiated. The Muslim-Muslim Presidency is being treated by its architects not as an accident of political convenience, but as a deliberate statement of dominance over Christians in Nigeria.

The present Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, a moderate Muslim, by picking a Christian as his running mate, has corrected the divisive Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by his predecessor.

We urge you to employ your good offices to investigate reports that some Arab countries, particularly Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia, are meddling in Nigerian politics, by mounting pressure on the country to retain the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the forthcoming election in order to further subjugate Christians in Nigeria.

Prayers:

1. The United States maintains Nigeria’s CPC status and conditions any relief on independently verified protection of Christian communities, not on the diplomatic or lobbying activity of the Nigerian Government.

2. Congress and the State Department compel the Nigerian Government, publicly and privately, in view of the political and security risks of a samefaith presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election, to reflect the country’s religious diversity.

3. The policy of the reintegration of “repentant” militants should be completely abolished; terrorists should be prosecuted and face the full wrath of the law.

4. The specific massacres already documented by independent monitors, including the Christmas 2023 attacks across Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu, and the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, should be made the subject of transparent, independently monitored investigation and prosecution.

5. Humanitarian assistance continues to reach displaced Christian communities in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Taraba and other parts of the country directly, through channels that do not depend on the goodwill of the same state structures whose failures produced their displacement.

About Us:

The Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN) is a fellowship of young Christian leaders that cuts across denominational, regional and political divides.

We engage in prompt assessment of communities under Islamist attacks, on the spot assessment, immediate assistance in relief and advocacy to bring and end to the targeted killings.

Mission: Advocating for the Rights of Christian Communities Under

Persecution.

Signed by:

1. Zariyi Yusuf Madaki, Chairman of the group

2. Nasiru Jagaba, former National Coordinator of Youth wing Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Secretary of the group

3. Luka Binniyat, former Spokesman SOKAPU

4. Steven Kefas, Founder Community Development and Rights Advocacy Foundation

5. Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Middle Belt Concern.

6. Apostle Michael Olowookere, Lead Servant/President Corban Christian Assembly (CCA Global)

7. Emmanuel Zopmal, Convener Midlde Belt Worldwide

Shehu Sani Urges Catholic Bishops to Appreciate Tinubu’s Achievements, Offer Constructive Criticism

Shehu Sani Urges Catholic Bishops to Appreciate Tinubu’s Achievements, Offer Constructive Criticism

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called on Catholic Bishops in Nigeria to acknowledge the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration while continuing to offer constructive criticism in the interest of the nation.

Sani, in a statement on Sunday, said the Catholic Church has historically played a significant role in shaping public discourse and providing moral guidance, a contribution he said is widely appreciated.

He noted that while it is important for religious leaders to hold government accountable, they should also objectively assess the current situation against what obtained in previous administrations.

“We appreciate that Tinubu has achieved in infrastructure, security and the economy,” Sani said. “Catholic leaders are men of honour and integrity. They should encourage the President to achieve more.”

The former lawmaker stressed that comparing the present realities with the past would give Nigerians a clearer perspective on the progress made so far, particularly in road construction, efforts to curb insecurity, and ongoing economic reforms.

“The role the Catholic leaders are playing in the past is appreciated, but they should compare the situation of the country before the present administration,” he added.

Sani urged the bishops to continue engaging government with facts and recommendations, saying such engagement would help strengthen governance and ensure more dividends of democracy for citizens.

The comment comes amid heightened public debate on the performance of the Tinubu administration, with various stakeholders calling for collaboration between government and civil society to address national challenges.

How Nigeria’s Mineral Wealth Is Being Handed to China

How Nigeria’s Mineral Wealth Is Being Handed to China

Nigeria’s Minister for Mines, Dele Henry Alake, prides himself on his re-election as Chairman of the newly formed Africa Minerals Strategy Group. He congratulates himself on the cover of magazines. As a former journalist Minister Alake is good with scripting media stories. He doesn’t have any background in mining or related industries. During President Tinubu’s two terms as Governor of Lagos State it was Alake who managed the Governor’s media as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

Since bagging the Ministry for Sold Minerals Development Minister Alake’s primary focus has been on securing large-scale investments and fostering partnerships for local mineral processing. This has led to the development of several lithium processing plants in Nigeria, primarily backed by Chinese investment.

Minister Alake’s emphasis on moving beyond raw material extraction to local processing is a good decision that will support Nigeria’s industrialization and economic diversification. However, favouring Chinese companies and punishing local Nigerian miners is a cruel blow to Nigerians and a step too far in surrendering Nigeria’s natural assets to a foreign power.

Under Minister Alake’s tenure, major Chinese companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy, and Asba have pledged lithium processing facilities in Nigeria.

Since late 2025, Canmax has aggressively secured raw spodumene (lithium ore) to feed its expanding processing faciliies. Canmax Technologies is primarily owned and controlled by its founder and chairman, Mr Pei Zhenhua, alongside his wife, Rong Jianfen. Alake claims Canmax is investing US$200M to develop lithium mining operations in Nigeria, in line with Chinese aggressive moves to control African mineral resources and infrastructure such as ports and railways necessary to exploit the mineral reserves.

In late 2025, Chinese megafirm CATL announced plans to increase its stake in Canmax’s lithium subsidiaries. CATL holds approximately 40 percent of the global EV battery market and almost 70 percent of the NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) battery market in China. China as a whole processes approximately 65 percent to 80 percent of the world’s lithium. As the dominant player in China, CATL effectively directs a majority of the lithium hydroxide refined within the country toward its own Gigafactories.

While UK company Jupiter Lithium Ltd’s massive lithium project in Kaduna State reels under the onslaught from armed illegal miners, Alake’s ministry deployed a specialized security unit known as Mining Marshals to safeguard nearby Canmax and Avatar sites from illegal mining activities. No amount of requests from Jupiter for assistance from Minister Alake elicited any support. Rather, Minister Alake revoked key lithium deposits discovered by Jupiter and allowed Chinese mining companies, escorted by Federal Government security, to enter Jupiter’s leases and commence mining and removing the ore mined and stockpiled by Jupiter.

Minister Alake has prioritised diplomatic engagement with Chinese officials to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and find ways to diminish the public attention to China’s involvement in illegal mining in Nigeria.

The mines minister has become a strong and frequent advocate for China’s involvement in Nigeria’s minerals and infrastructure development which has been a hallmark of his many trips to China.

Nigeria has fallen into line with China’s strategy for accessing and controlling Africa’s minerals resources and delivering more markets for Chinese technology and products.

China’s first stage of embedding itself in another nation is the offer to develop a country’s infrastructure; ports, roads, airports and railways. This essential infrastructure often facilitates the development of mineral projects China has chosen.

The second stage is introducing Chinese technology through the project development, especially surveillance technology. China replaces the US-based Global Positioning System (GPS) with China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system and blocks access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite. In so doing China is able to offer its support for the national government while penetrating Nigeria’s national security. Chinese technology can deliver facial recognition throughout entire cities, even at night.

In Iran several of China’s communications companies including Huawei, facial recognition and ethnicity tracking company Tiandy Technologies and ZTE, often operating through Iranian front companies, have worked with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to provide 360 degrees 24/7 surveillance of Iran’s population. Iran and China have signed a 25-year co-operation agreement that will facilitate the transfer of a range of surveillance and monitoring technologies under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Surveillance of a nation’s populations is now an integral part of China’s program of building a nation’s infrastructure through roads, airports and mines. This provides an unprecedented tool for national governments to retain power and be manipulated by China

…Steven Kefas is a conflict reporter with keen interest in mining and solid minerals.

Shadalafiya Backs Uba Sani’s Choice, Congratulates Jerry Adams on APC Deputy Governorship Nomination

Shadalafiya Backs Uba Sani’s Choice, Congratulates Jerry Adams on APC Deputy Governorship Nomination

The Chairman of the Kaduna State Legislative Service Commission and former Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya, has congratulated Mr. Jerry Adams on his nomination by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate and running mate for the forthcoming governorship election.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Shadalafiya described the nomination as a well-considered decision that reflects Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to rewarding competence, integrity, dedication to public service and effective governance.

He said Adams had distinguished himself through his outstanding contributions to public administration and fiscal reforms in Kaduna State, adding that his record of professionalism, transparency and accountability made him well qualified for the position.

According to the former Deputy Speaker, the nomination is a recognition of merit and demonstrates the governor’s determination to assemble a capable leadership team that will consolidate the developmental achievements recorded by the current administration.

Shadalafiya expressed confidence that the Uba Sani-Jerry Adams ticket would strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects, describing the combination as one that represents continuity, innovation and inclusive leadership.

He said the partnership would deepen ongoing efforts to promote peace, economic growth, infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, improved education, healthcare delivery and youth empowerment across Kaduna State.

The commission chairman also commended Governor Uba Sani for consistently placing the interests of the people above personal or sectional considerations, describing him as a leader committed to unity, fairness and sustainable development.

He called on APC members, political stakeholders, community leaders, women, youths and supporters of the party to remain united and mobilise massive support for the governor and his running mate ahead of the election.

According to him, victory for the APC ticket would ensure the continuation of people-oriented policies and programmes that have positively impacted communities across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.

Shadalafiya also prayed for God’s wisdom, strength and protection for Governor Uba Sani and Adams as they prepare for the task ahead, expressing optimism that the APC ticket would receive overwhelming support from the electorate.

EX-COUNCILORS LAUD TRUMPS ACCOLADES ON TINUBU

EX-COUNCILORS LAUD TRUMPS ACCOLADES ON TINUBU

The National Forum of Ex-Councilors has described United States President Donald Trump’s commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity in Nigeria as a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the National President of the forum, Ambassador Auwal Kasim Hassan, said the recognition from the U.S. President would further encourage Tinubu and his administration to intensify efforts aimed at restoring peace and security across the country.

Hassan noted that the international acknowledgement of the President’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges reflects growing global confidence in the Federal Government’s efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

The forum also commended President Tinubu for approving the establishment of additional divisions of the Nigerian Army, describing the move as a proactive and timely strategy to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

According to Hassan, the expansion of the Army’s operational capacity would enhance the military’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging security threats and improve efforts to safeguard lives and property across the federation.

He expressed optimism that with sustained support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies, Nigeria would continue to record progress in the fight against insecurity.

The forum urged Nigerians to remain united and support the government’s ongoing security initiatives, stressing that national security is a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of citizens and relevant stakeholders.

Hon. Amb. Auwal Kasim Hassan
National President, National Forum of Ex-Councilors
08023444205