In March 1969, during one of the most intense phases of the Biafran War, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and British High Commissioner David Hunt toured the strategic oil centre of Port Harcourt and Calabar despite the ongoing blockade, humanitarian crisis, and fighting
The Muslim Community of Oyo State has strongly condemned the recent Sharia-related demands made by abductors, declaring that terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims.
The leadership of the community issued this statement on Friday following recent criminal acts where kidnappers attempted to justify their actions using religious rhetoric.
Tribune Online reports that no fewer than 39 students and seven teachers were abducted and two killed when terrorists attacked three schools in Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire local government area of Oyo State on May 16, 2026.
Reacting to developments that have trailed the government’s efforts to secure the release of the abductees, especially reported conditions from the terrorists, the Muslim community in Oyo clarified that Islam strictly forbids kidnapping, terrorism, and the extortion of innocent citizens.
The group, in the statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, and secretary-general, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade, emphasised that legitimate Sharia advocates for justice, peace, and the protection of human life, which directly contradicts the violent actions of criminals.
Continuing, the Muslim Community of Oyo State reiterated its full support for law enforcement agencies and urged authorities to track down the perpetrators swiftly.
“In the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 3, verse 32, Almighty Allah says: ‘Therefore, We have ordained that he who slays a soul for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind, and he who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. And indeed, again and again, did our messengers come to them with clear directives, yet many of them continue to commit excesses on earth.’
The leadership, according to the statement, called on all Muslims and residents of Oyo State to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and reject any attempts to distort the peaceful teachings of Islam.
Meanwhile, the community, under the aegis of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere, also announced a special prayer for the speedy and safe return of abductees from schools in Oriire Local Govt of Oyo State.
The prayer, to be led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Ganiyu Abubakar Agbotomokekere, is scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan.
“We implore all Muslims in Oyo State to join us at the prayer session.
“We appreciate the intervention of the Oyo State government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and pray to Almighty Allah to help them in their onerous intervention. We also pray for our security agencies for the help and guidance of Allah in their rescue efforts so that there will not be any collateral casualty, as they conquer the criminals and bring back home safely the abductees, amongst whom are toddlers as young as 2 years old, exposed to very cruel treatment in the forests, in such a harsh condition. Our hearts bleed,” the statement added.
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Ikechukwu Obasi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, the Attorney General of Anambra State, the Commissioner of Police of Anambra State, and the Inspector General of Police.
The suit is over the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and other markets in the state over traders’ continued observance of Monday sit-at-home.
In the suit he filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Obasi argued that the closure of the markets violated the traders’ fundamental rights, including personal liberty, freedom from forced labour, human dignity, freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, right to privacy, economic development, and freedom of expression, as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A9) 2011.
Obasi, who is representing the traders of Onitsha in a public interest litigation, said he became aware of the dispute after coming across a viral video where Governor Soludo directed that markets in Onitsha and across the state must be opened from Monday to Saturday, with the warning that traders who fail to comply should leave the state.
"Markets are open Monday to Saturday. If you are not prepared to open your shops Monday to Saturday, then leave Anambra, go elsewhere; period,” Soludo had said during an unscheduled visit to Onitsha Main Market on Monday, January 26, 2026.
“So, this market will be shut down for the remainder of this week. It will not be opened tomorrow, it will not be opened on Wednesday, it will not be opened on Thursday, it will not be opened on Friday. It will open again on Monday," the governor added.
In the suit he filed on January 28, 2026, Obasi contended that the Governor’s directive forced the will of the government on traders, compelling them to operate their businesses according to a government timetable rather than their personal choice.
The lawyer stated in the suit that from January 27, 2026, police operatives, acting under the instructions of the state government, enforced the shutdown, leading to civil unrest, unlawful arrests, teargassing, and economic hardship for the traders.
In his affidavit in support of the originating motion, Obasi described the enforcement action as a gross violation of the traders’ fundamental rights.
He emphasised that the voluntary sit-at-home was a form of lawful protest protected under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter.
He further argued that the government’s actions constituted forced labour, breached human dignity, and unlawfully restricted the traders’ freedom of movement, association, and economic activity.
In the suit, Obasi sought a declaration that the threat to shut down Onitsha market and traders’ shops as a sanction for observing a lawful sit-at-home on January 26, 2026, by the Governor amounts to a violation of fundamental rights to personal liberty, peaceful assembly and association, freedom of movement, and economic, social, and cultural development.
"A declaration that the actual shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and other shops from January 27, 2026, by the Governor and Attorney General violates the same fundamental rights.
"A declaration that the mandatory order compelling all markets in Anambra State to open from Monday to Saturday, or for traders to leave the state, constitutes a breach of the traders’ rights to freedom from forced labour, human dignity, personal liberty, privacy, peaceful assembly, and economic development.
"A declaration that the enforcement of the shutdown by police operatives constitutes a violation of the traders’ rights to assembly, association, freedom of movement, and economic development.
"A declaration that any continuous shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market as a sanction for observing the lawful sit-at-home amounts to a violation of the traders’ fundamental rights.
"A declaration that observing a lawful sit-at-home is an exercise of the traders’ fundamental right to peaceful protest and lawful expression. And a declaration that clamping down on voluntary and lawful sit-at-home activities violates the traders’ rights to privacy, peaceful protest, and lawful expression."
Obasi also asked the court to issue, “An Order that the threat to shutdown Onitsha market in Anambra and the shops of all traders as sanction for observing a lawful sit-at-home by the 1st Respondent amounts to fragrant violation of the fundamental rights to personal liberty, peaceful association and assembly; freedom of movement, and right to their economic, social and cultural development of Onitsha traders, as guaranteed under Sections 35, 40, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 2, 6, 10, 11, 12 and 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A9) VOL. I Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011.
“An Order that observing a lawful sit-at-home is an exercise of the Onitsha traders’ fundamental right to peaceful protest and lawful expression guaranteed under section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A9) VOL. I Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011.
“An Order of Injunction mandating the 1st and 2nd Respondents (the Governor and Attorney General) to rescind the order for the shutdown of Onitsha market, and to further restrain the 3rd and 4th Respondents, their officers, agents, servants, privies, or acting through any person or persons howsoever so called from further enforcing the illegal shutdown.”
Obasi also demanded ₦2billion in damages against the governor, who engaged the police to enforce the “unlawful” act of violating the traders’ fundamental rights.
He further demanded ₦50,000,000 in damages against the commissioner of police in the state, the IGP, and their officers for engaging in an “unlawful” act of violating the traders’ fundamental rights.
In his written address supporting the originating motion, Obasi cited case law emphasising that general damages may be awarded for violations of fundamental rights, particularly where actions by authorities result in economic and psychological harm to affected individuals.
Thousands of Traders were seen chanting "Soludo show me the law" and "holy, holy, holy Nnamdi Kanu is another saviour" following the invasion of Onitsha Main market today by security personnel.
The Indigenous People of Biafra has asked traders and shop owners at the Onitsha Main Market to open for business on Tuesday, despite Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s directive shutting the market for one week from Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, Soludo ordered the closure of the market following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor gave the directive during an on-site visit to the market alongside some aides and other government officials.
He warned that the closure could be extended if traders failed to comply, adding that security agencies had sealed the market to enforce the order.
Soludo described the development as the latest—and perhaps most drastic—salvo in a prolonged struggle over control of economic life in the South-East.
However, in a statement issued late on Monday, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Soludo must be reminded that no government entity established or funded the traders’ businesses.
Powerful said the Federal Government must heed the call and release IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, without delay to restore peace and normalcy in the South-East.
The statement read in part, “The IPOB hereby declares that tomorrow, January 27, 2026, our people in Anambra State shall resume their legitimate business activities and open their shops and markets.
“This action is not in defiance of any gubernatorial order but in the exercise of their God-given right to pursue their daily livelihoods according to their preferences and necessities.”
He added that traders received no state support during the COVID-19 lockdowns, insisting that their resilience could not be suppressed.
The statement added, “Our people endured a three-year food blockade during the Nigeria-Biafra War and emerged as the most entrepreneurial ethnic group in Africa, as well as the most successful immigrant community in the United States.
“Our fathers liberated Nigeria from colonial rule, our ancestors liberated Haiti from colonial oppression, and in the creeks of Savannah, Georgia, we Igbos chose death over enslavement—a legacy chronicled in Alex Haley’s ‘Roots,’ where our ancestors from Onitsha drowned themselves rather than submit to man-made slavery and bondage.
“We have always chosen death over dishonour. Governor Soludo, you cannot defeat our collective spirit of resistance; history teaches us that.
“Before embarking on any perilous path tomorrow, such as deploying soldiers from the Onitsha barracks to infringe upon our rights to conduct business as we deem fit, Governor Soludo must carefully weigh the consequences. Any arrests, harassment, or bloodshed will signal the beginning of the end for those who oppose the will of the people.”
Powerful warned that any arrests or harassment of traders would be resisted, adding that IPOB was not seeking confrontation with the Anambra State Government but demanded respect for the wishes of the people.
“When the great people of Anambra, the first sons of Igboland and the origin of the Igbo race, demand action toward the unconditional release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, it is the divine speaking through them.
“Tomorrow, our markets shall open, and no force on earth can prevent it. We warn that any attempt to obstruct this will invite grave danger upon the enemies of Biafra’s emancipation.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria must heed this call and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without further delay to restore peace and normalcy in the South-East,” the statement concluded.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Soludo ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after many traders defied the government’s directive to resume business on Mondays.
The governor said that despite assurances of improved security, many traders once again kept their stalls locked, describing the development as a reflection of lingering fear in the region.
Israel becomes the first country to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, more than three decades after it broke away from Somalia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sign the declaration for Israel, while Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signs for his country.
Somaliland, a Sunni Muslim country, enjoyed five days of independence in 1960, during which time it was recognized by Israel and 34 other countries before uniting with Somalia. Somaliland formally broke away in 1991, and while no other countries recognized it, several powerful countries — the UK, Ethiopia, Turkey, UAE, Denmark, Kenya and Taiwan — maintained liaison offices.
Speaking to Abdullahi by phone, Netanyahu says the friendship between the countries is “seminal and historic.”
“We intend to work together with you on economic fields, on agriculture, in the fields of social development,” Netanyahu says.
Israel’s declaration recognizing the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on December 26, 2025. (Foreign Ministry) Netanyahu invites Abdullahi for an official visit to Israel, and says he will communicate to US President Donald Trump Somaliland’s desire to join the Abraham Accords.
Abdullahi says he will come “as soon as possible.”
Netanyahu “thanks Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Mossad Director David Barnea and the Mossad for their contribution in advancing recognition between the two countries, and wishes the people of Somaliland success, prosperity and freedom,” says his office.
Sa’ar writes on X that embassies will be opened in both countries and ambassadors appointed.
The move comes after reports in August that Somaliland was among several countries in talks with Israel regarding the potential resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
I announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Together with Foreign Minister Sa'ar and the President of the Republic of Somaliland, we signed a joint and mutual declaration.
This declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump.
I congratulated the President of Somaliland, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah, and praised his leadership and commitment to promoting stability and peace. I invited the President to pay an official visit to Israel.
The President thanked me for this historic declaration and expressed appreciation for my achievements in fighting terrorism and advancing regional peace.
I thank Foreign Minister Sa’ar, the Head of Mossad David Barnea and the Mossad, for their contribution to today’s development, and I wish the people of Somaliland success, prosperity, and freedom.
The State of Israel plans to immediately expand its relations with the Republic of Somaliland through extensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and economy.
The Anambra State Government has announced a major housing scheme aimed at solving accommodation challenges for civil servants and low-income households, with plans to build 10,000 low-cost housing units at Isiagu in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
The project, which will be executed through a Public–Private Partnership arrangement with real estate developers, is expected to take off during the dry season after earlier delays caused by last-minute disagreements between the government and its private partners were fully resolved.
According to a press statement released on Saturday, the state Commissioner for Housing, Paully Onyeka, said the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, had long approved the housing scheme, but it was truncated by last-minute bureaucratic bottlenecks, which have been resolved by the state government.
Onyeka was quoted as disclosing the development while appearing before the state Assembly House Committee on Appropriation to defend his ministry’s 2026 budget.
He described the initiative as “a well-structured plan designed to expand access to decent and affordable accommodation for workers and low-income earners” across the state.
He said, “The 10,000 low-cost housing units will soon be a reality. It will improve the housing deficits of civil servants and low-income earners in the state. The state governor had given approval for the project a long time ago, but it was truncated by a last-minute hindrance, which has been resolved by the state government.
“Now that the dry season has set in, the state government is set to take off and embark on the construction without further delay. It is only that at the point of dotting the eyes and crossing the tees, there were a few issues which have been sorted out with the private sector undertaking the PPP arrangement. Now that the dry season is over, we will take off, and that will be history.
“The state governor’s development philosophy, especially the push for extensive road construction, has opened up new estate locations in the hinterlands, making housing development more viable and accessible than in previous years.
“Although the Ministry of Housing is service-oriented, it plays a key technical role in several of the state government’s infrastructure projects. Examples are the recent upgrade of Ekwueme Square, ongoing improvements at the Commissioners’ Quarters, and the construction of the new Trauma Centre at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku, Awka.
“The ministry’s involvement continues even when projects are domiciled under different agencies. It is important for ministries to justify their requests and demonstrate prudent management of public funds in line with the administration’s broader development goals.
“Our obligation and tasks transcend the few things you see under the Ministry of Housing; even when the building projects are domiciled under other MDAs, we execute them.”
PUNCH Online in November 2024 reported that the Anambra State Government said that it will, in collaboration with the Federal Government, embark on the construction of five hundred housing units for low-income earners to meet the housing needs of the people.
The State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development affirmed that the project is in line with the vision of the state governor to provide comfortable and affordable housing for civil servants to give them a sense of belonging.
Hotfreezer: Who gave the SE Stakeholders the mandate to alter Anioma state? Who made them spokespersons of Anioma people? Who gave them the right to change the name to Anim Oma state? To add insult upon injury, you want to move the capital to Orlu.
If you want your 6th SE State, go and divide one of the states in the SE into 2.
I rarely respond to people who comment with combative tone. If you must know, it is a sixth southeast state we are talking about. It's the south east representative that will make the ultimate decision even if it's going to be Anioma. That's how they got the right. They were the ones that held a meeting and tried to balance out the proposals by coming up with that. I think it's ridiculous but some Anioma people aren't helping matters. They have been speaking in condescending tones over Anioma state fueling mistrust from the southeast. Otherwise with proper negotiation, an Anioma state comprising of the nine LGAs of Delta North and Igbanke would suffice.
IkpuMmadu: ANIOMA STATE CREATION: DELTA NORTH LEGISLATORS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN REJECT PROPOSAL FOR ANIOMA STATE IN SOUTH-EAST; REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO SOUTH-SOUTH GEOPOLITICAL ZONE
We, the undersigned elected Honourable Members of the Delta State House of Assembly from the Delta North Senatorial District and the Executive Chairmen of the nine (9) Local Government Areas that constitute the District, having deliberated extensively on the renewed national discourse and legislative processes for the creation of new states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hereby issue this definitive statement of our collective position.
Our quest for a distinct and autonomous Anioma State is not a fleeting political venture but a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in history, championed by our revered forebears and leaders. This dream for a state of our own, where our unique cultural identity, language, and developmental aspirations can be fully realized, has been a constant pursuit for generations. We stand on the shoulders of these giants and reaffirm their vision.
We hereby state, in the strongest possible terms, our unequivocal and total support for the creation of Anioma State comprising the present nine Local Government Areas of Delta North Senatorial District. We are united in the belief that the creation of Anioma State is a matter of justice, equity, and a necessary step towards fulfilling the political and developmental destiny of the Anioma people. We pledge our full political weight and mandate to actively lobby and support every legitimate effort towards the realization of this goal.
The Anioma our fathers envisaged and which we support is the Anioma that is made up of the 9 local government areas of Delta North with it's capital in Asaba. For the avoidance of doubt, these local governments are: A. Aniocha North B. Aniocha South C. Ika North-East D. Ika South E. Ndokwa East F. Ndokwa West G. Oshimili North H. Oshimili South, and I. Ukwuani.
Anioma is, and Must Remain, in the South-South. While we are unwavering in our support for the creation of Anioma State, we make it unequivocally clear that we vehemently oppose any proposed move or merger with any part of the South-East geopolitical zone. The Anioma people are historically, geographically, and administratively aligned with the South-South. This position is deeply rooted in our heritage and is non-negotiable.
that's not the full story. The so-called south east stakeholders opted for a settlement by altering Anioma state. Including territories from Anambra and Imo and moving the capital to Orlu. They even changed the name to Anim oma. This is generating resentment from Anioma people. The problem is that the other Anioma stakeholders are more interested in following Okowa instead focusing on negotiation with the southeast.
During the Holocaust, a Catholic priest and politician—President Jozef Tiso—signed the deportation orders that sent 70,000 Slovak Jews to their deaths. The Church watched. Bishops kept their robes clean. They taxed the victims—and never excommunicated the killer in the collar.
Now in Nigeria, the blood cries again. Bishop Matthew Kukah—shepherd of a slaughtered flock—denies there is genocide, mocks calls for international intervention, and kneels at the table of power while his people are burned from theirs.
From Auschwitz to Agatu, the pattern is the same: When bishops prefer access to Caesar over allegiance to Christ, the altar becomes a crime scene. And the shepherd wears scarlet—not from ordination, but from complicity.
Media houses should double check information before putting it out for public consumption. IPOB is a banned group in Nigeria. This means that they are unable to go to any licensed media station to correct perceived misrepresentations. Also, the nature of separatist agitation in the southeast makes security agents more of a party to the crisis than a neutral actor. Therefore, Responsible and professional journalism in this case demands that statements put out by even security operatives should be double checked by media organisations before broadcast.
In the "what's trending" segment of the "morning show" on 27 November, Arise news aired a story where they claimed that two Reverend fathers, Rev fr John Igwebueze and Rev fr Matthew Eya were murdered by IPOB/ESN elements. They used this story to highlight what they called selective outrage over killings Nigeria.
However, the Catholic diocese of Nsukka issued a disclaimer against the station's misleading narrative.
The Channel in it's 28 November edition of the program appeared to correct themselves but failed to take responsibility. Instead, blaming the DSS for the information.
Constitutional lawyer Fred Nzeako says Nnamdi Kanu’s trial violated criminal law principles and urges Tinubu to grant mercy.
Constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Fred Nzeako, has declared that the conviction of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, amounts to ‘a travesty of justice’, insisting that the presiding judge acted outside the law and that the entire procedure was fundamentally defective.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, Nzeako said the key question before Nigerians was not whether Kanu defended himself or dismissed his legal team, but whether justice was served at all.
“What now bothers many Nigerians was what happened on November 20th, the day he was convicted and eventually sentenced,”he said.
“Whether the court followed the law, or whether the court followed the personal opinion of the jurist, or whether the court, in some people’s opinion, acted on a script to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu is taken off the streets. Whether Nnamdi Kanu defended himself or not, what to many people is more critical and more important is the attitude of the judge and the justice of the matter.”
He argued that the requirements of criminal adjudication were not met.
“Don’t forget that in criminal adjudication, one can only be convicted when there is preponderance of evidence and when the prosecution is able to prove the case beyond all reasonable doubt,” he said.
“Justice must not only be done, but be seen, manifestly seen, as having been done. The majority of the public of Nigeria, and even the international community, do not believe that justice was done in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.”
Nzeako insisted that many Nigerians were confused because Kanu appeared to be charged under a repealed statute.
“People were at a loss as to why a man would be charged for an offence that is not known to law,” he said.
“A Nigerian statute book says one cannot be tried for an offence not codified and known to law.”
He emphasised that Kanu’s original discharge and acquittal made the old charge legally defunct.
“Don’t forget that Nnamdi Kanu had earlier been discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court,” he said.
“The moment an accused is discharged and acquitted, the court becomes functus officio. You can no longer hold on to that old law. But by the time you saw the judgement from the Omotosho court, it referred to the 2013 charge. That became a very strong issue against that judgement and against the entire procedure.”
Nzeako strongly criticised the judge for directing the conditions of Kanu’s confinement.
“The judge committed what the majority describe as a travesty of justice,” he said.
“He jumped into the arena. He even usurped the office of the executive. It does not lie in the purview of the court to decide where a convict will be kept. The moment you give your judgement, you become functus officio. For the judge to say he has to be kept in a certain form of confinement, he is overreaching his office.”
He added that such an order may have influenced the decision to transfer Kanu to Sokoto.
“People were asking: would he be taken to Robben Island in South Africa or Guantanamo Bay in America since they wanted him to be completely out of circulation?” he said.
“Now the government has thrown him to Sokoto. What is the basis? You can query the judge for making such statements.”
He noted that most counts in the charge centred on Kanu’s broadcasts.
“Almost five of the counts talk about his broadcasts,” Nzeako said.
“That is why his lawyer said: ‘how has mere word of mouth amounted to terrorism?’ When you talk about criminal issues, you talk about the actus reus and the mens rea — the mind to commit the act and the act itself. Where is the act? Where is the mind? What he did was insult the authorities because he felt he was not getting what he expected from the system.”
Nzeako urged the legal team to move quickly.
“They will go on appeal and they have to do so timeously,” he said.
“Now that the written judgment is out, they get a copy, sift through it, bring out all the grounds of appeal and file. That is the only way forward.”
He also appealed for calm.
“I appeal to Ndigbo to take it easy. This injustice cannot stand. There is no need trying to resort to self-help. The law, yes, is an ass, but the same law will be utilised to right the wrongs done against Nnamdi Kanu.”
Nzeako said the executive now had the opportunity to resolve the impasse.
“The buck now stops on the table of the Commander-in-Chief,” he said.
“When he pardoned some criminals and Nigerians asked why he was not pardoning Nnamdi Kanu, the handlers said the matter was in court. Today, the court has discharged the matter. The executive can now apply the prerogative of mercy. If I am to advise him, I’ll ask him to do so and free him now.”
He warned that Kanu’s continued detention risked worsening insecurity.
“It is like pouring fuel into a raging fire,” he said. “Insecurity is mounting all around the country. Let us not add to the problems.”
Turning to the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nzeako offered a blunt assessment.
“They need to go back, talk to themselves, look themselves in the mirror and talk honestly,” he said.
“Greed has allowed some of them to be lured by the ruling party into causing problems in-house. If they stood their ground, the APC would fail.”
He added: “If a man doesn’t have self-greed, you cannot use him to cause problems in his own house. Once you open your eyes to see the movement of Ghana-Must-Go bags, your house will collapse.”
On the worsening insecurity and US interest under a possible Trump return, Nzeako was scathing.
“Res ipsa loquitur — the action speaks for itself,”he said.
“It is visible that even the blind can see that the government is not doing enough. Government is majoring in the minor. Instead of tackling insecurity, they are spending time and resources placating America, which has said it is ready to come to our rescue.”
He argued there was nothing wrong with accepting US assistance.
“Is there anything wrong with allowing America to remove that cancer troubling Nigeria since 2009?” he asked.
“America has never said they want a regime change. They have never said they want our resources — resources stolen by other nationals in collaboration with the Nigerian elite.”
He pointed to the week’s security incidents:
“In one week, over 300 students were kidnapped in Niger State — the highest ever. A litany of kidnappings and killings. If government was doing enough, we wouldn’t be here today.”
He concluded with a warning: “Politics is subservient to good governance. Once you play politics above good governance, your house will begin to leak. And that is why the Nigerian house is leaking today.”
Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide and I’m really angry about it. We give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria. We’re going to end up stopping. The Government has done nothing, they are ineffective. They are killing Christians at will, and you know until I got involved in it two weeks ago, nobody even talked about it.
We firmly condemn today’s renewed violence against the Christian communities in Nigeria. Religious freedom is an inviolable right: we call on the Nigerian government to strengthen protection for Christian communities and all religious communities and to prosecute those responsible for these brutal attacks. Italy expresses its full solidarity with the victims and the communities in Nigeria who today feel threatened because of their religious beliefs.
Where is the data sourced from. If it's not from UNICEF/Federal ministry of education, WAEC or NECO or another concrete and primary data source, then it's false.
You cannot use survey to measure secondary school completion rate.
Nigeria's international isolation over Christian genocide worries dailytrust. Indeed it should when you consider that Nigeria is now at the US mercy and the ability to present a strong case against the Christian genocide allegation, which it has failed woefully at doing.
US has all the facts and intelligence, UK, France and even Russia are mute which can be considered agreement with the US position. Even the Chinese who condemned US did not exonerate Nigeria over the allegations, they only warned US against using that as a pretext to attack terrorists in Nigeria and potentially move against Chinese interests. EU too did not exonerate Nigeria by their statement and didn't condemn US threat to attack the jihadists. Most actors within Nigeria such as Northern CAN, Benue and plateau governors, including the victims have called it genocide. What is more, most of the supporters of the president and the ruling party have admitted to Christian genocide in the past. The evidences are overwhelming.
Nigeria has a very weak case and this is compounded by the fact that those in defence of government position are Muslim leaders and Islamic/Sharia groups.
Nigeria faces perhaps the greatest existential threat in its 65 years of existence and it is interesting to see how some of its ‘’friends’’, partners and even African brothers are reacting.
A superpower with massive destructive capability is assembling a force of arms to obliterate Nigeria from the face of the earth ostensibly to stop ‘’genocide’’ against Christians in Nigeria.
The United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations of which Nigeria is a strong member, have largely kept mum electing not to offer a word of support nor even a cursory condemnation of this threat directed against Nigeria. The European Union offered some words in that time honoured language of diplomatese which meant nothing to the issue at stake. Indeed, the EU countries, many of whom are vassals of the United States of America, were careful not to offend their benefactor and instead the EU chose to be opportunistic in a statement in which it said ‘’we respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional commitment to religious neutrality’’. Notice that this statement did not expressly condemn America’s violation of International Law by its threat to interfere in the internal affairs of an independent country, and subsequently threatening to physically invade and or bomb Nigerian territories.
Germany in particular with a healthy trade and economic ties with Nigeria for years has been pathetically mealy mouthed. The plans to invade Nigeria is presently being coordinated at the southern German city of Stuttgart where the headquarters of AFRICOM the American rapid intervention force for Africa is based. There has been no word from Germany which has been strident in its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and even supporting the latter with military assistance in the on-going war with Russia.
And what about France? The country most favoured by President Bola Tinubu and whose paths in Africa have often crossed with the Americans has maintained an uncharacteristic Gallic silence where a forceful statement urging restraint directed at the Americans would have made more meaning.
As for the AU and ECOWAS, the less said the better. Many of the African countries will be gleefully happy that Nigeria will now be given its comeuppance by America. They will not consider that a humanitarian crisis resulting from American intervention in Nigeria will almost certainly affect the entire continent negatively.
What about the Saudis, the Vatican and others who exert significant leverage in Nigeria’s religious divide of Islam and Christianity?
The Saudis and the Gulf states are firmly in the American strategic orbit and may not be expected to vigorously condemn America’s intentions in Nigeria. Although Nigeria has a significant Muslim population and sends hundreds of thousands of Muslims for the lesser and full pilgrimage annually, the Saudis will not allow religious preferences to weigh above Saudi-American interests which is massive.
We all know the current Pope is an American and although the Vatican has acknowledged that the issue of killings in Nigeria is not limited to Christians alone, the Vatican has studiously avoided direct censure of the Americans in their stance in using the alleged ‘’Christian genocide’’ to invade Nigeria. The Vatican finds itself in a catch 22 situation; rightfully condemning the potential for humanitarian catastrophe that the American intervention will cause to both Christian and Muslims in Nigeria and defending the position of many Christians in Nigeria that they are indeed facing genocide, as the defender of Christian values and causes.
As for the Russians even though they have indicated that they are studying the situation in Nigeria keenly, they cannot be faulted if they seem to appear cautious. The Russians have not forgotten how after supporting Nigeria during the civil war, we promptly abandoned them and landed in the arms of the same western countries that were responsible for the war. The Russians have not forgotten that the Ajaokuta Steel Project, which was meant as a symbol of Russia-Nigeria cooperation was left to atrophy by subsequent Nigerian governments.
But the country whose response to the threats directed at Nigeria is perhaps the most significant is China. Yes, China issued a statement asking America not to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs. China also stated that it shared a strong ‘’strategic partnership’’ with Nigeria and by implication, it will not allow America to inflict harm on the country. Strong words. But considering that of all the countries of the world, China is the one country whose vigorous unequivocal stand will restrain American intentions in Nigeria. And also considering that the real reason why America is contemplating invading Nigeria is to upstage the Chinese in the country, China should have complemented its statement with a symbolic physical action that will demonstrate to the Americans that China is serious about deterring America in Nigeria.
The Chinese know very well that the Americans are not coming to Nigeria to defend Christians. They are coming to Nigeria to get a toe hold on the economic stakes in Nigeria and to establish a military base here that will enable them kick whatever the Chinese are doing with Nigeria. If Nigeria is going to be punished because it is cozying up to China, then the least we expect is for the Chinese to be more vigourous than mere diplomatic words.
Danbazau’s lamentation on the state of our military
Do you know that when annual budgets are prepared and we hear that Defence takes a huge chunk, only 40% eventually gets to the ministry to execute the budget? And when the 40% eventually reaches the Defence Ministry, it is tied to projects that have not been properly assessed for implementation?
Do we know that the issue of interference in strategic military plans and policies are still rife in our military operations very often stymying our military objectives? Example the Nigeria Airforce was once asked to take over aerial surveillance and patrol of our borders to deter incursions into Nigeria. But no sooner had the Airforce prepared itself for this task did ‘’orders from above’’ came to stop it leaving the Airforce with eggs and tomatoes on their faces?
This was the revelation made by former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) and Air Vice Marshal Gbolahan Adekunle (rtd) former Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Air Force at the 7th Annual Lecture of the Just Friends Club of Nigeria in Abuja last week.
The two gentlemen who were once commanders in our military services cannot be faulted in their observations and we should all be concerned especially with the looming threat of an invasion of Nigeria by the United States of America.
Coming from former officers and commanders of such standing and experience may sound inappropriate to some, but under the circumstances that we currently face as a country, such candour is necessary in the overarching interest of defending the country.
The BBC will apologise for the misleading editing of a Donald Trump speech in a Panorama documentary, the Telegraph can disclose.
Samir Shah, the BBC’s chairman, will write to the culture, media and sport committee on Monday to express regret for the way the speech, made on the day of the Jan 6 2021 Capitol riot, was spliced together.
The apology will heap further pressure on Tim Davie, the BBC’s director general, to quit over an 8,000-word dossier compiled by a whistleblower that alleged widespread bias within the corporation.
The Telegraph has previously disclosed that both Mr Davie and Mr Shah were warned of the doctored footage in May but appear to have kept quiet.
The decision to issue an apology now raises questions about why it has taken them six months to admit viewers were misled.
The Telegraph understands the apology will be for the misleading editing of the Trump speech. It is not clear what Mr Shah will say about the coverage of the Gaza war or alleged bias in the BBC’s reporting on gender, but it is understood that he may also advocate changes to the management and oversight of BBC Arabic.
The Panorama episode, broadcast a week before the 2024 US election, “completely misled” viewers, according to the memo written by Michael Prescott, a former standards adviser to the BBC.
His memo was circulated amongst senior managers, who “refused to accept there had been a breach of standards”.
Mr Prescott is then understood to have warned Mr Shah of the “very, very dangerous precedent” set by Panorama, but received no reply.
The existence of the dossier and its contents were revealed by The Telegraph last week, prompting calls from senior politicians, including the former prime minister Boris Johnson, for Mr Davie to resign.
On Friday night, the White House accused the BBC of “purposeful dishonesty”, claiming it was a “Leftist propaganda machine”.
The dossier also highlighted anti-Israel bias, especially in coverage of the war in Gaza, on its dedicated BBC Arabic news service.
Sir Vernon Bogdanor, Britain’s foremost constitutional expert, also called on Mr Davie to resign with “immediate effect” on Saturday.
The academic, a former professor of government at the University of Oxford, said the broadcaster had “ignored” a separate report he had sent to it, warning of distortion and bias in its reporting on Gaza.
The Telegraph has been told that Mr Shah’s apology for misleading viewers on the editing of Mr Trump’s speech will be contained in a letter sent to Dame Caroline Dinenage, the chairman of the culture, media and sport committee.
It is likely to raise questions over whether Mr Shah and Mr Davie tried to cover up internal concerns over the Trump edit, given that they are only now apologising in the face of intense media scrutiny.
Danny Cohen, a former director of BBC Television, said on Saturday night: “It is extraordinary that the BBC’s leadership has been missing in action for a week amidst this growing crisis.
“Both BBC director general Tim Davie and chairman Samir Shah were in the room when the faked Trump video was raised as a serious problem six months ago. This makes it very hard for them to excuse away the scandal.”
In his report, Mr Prescott wrote: “Examining the charge that Trump had incited protesters to storm Capitol Hill, it turned out that Panorama had spliced together two clips from separate parts of his speech. This created the impression that Trump said something he did not and, in doing so, materially misled viewers.”
‘The BBC has become the story’ In an email sent to news staff on Friday evening, Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, appeared to lay the ground for the apology. She said in her email: “I’m writing to you today because it’s always difficult when the BBC becomes a story – as it has, in some quarters, this week.”
She went on: “You will all have seen the news coverage following the leaking of a letter to the BBC board from Michael Prescott, who is a former adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC). The EGSC is a sub-committee of the BBC board.”
She said the BBC had received a letter from Dame Caroline “seeking reassurance from the BBC, adding: “The chairman will be providing a full response on Monday, and this will be shared with you, but I felt it was important for me to come to you as CEO of BBC News before the end of the week.”
In a statement, a BBC spokesman said on Saturday night: “The BBC chairman will provide a full response to the culture, media and sport committee on Monday.”
‘Serious manipulation’ Sir John Whittingdale, the former culture secretary, in an interview with Radio 5 Live on Saturday night, said: “The BBC does great work and I’m a huge supporter of the BBC World Service, its investigative journalism has been outstanding. But all of that has been threatened in the case of the Trump speech.
“It’s a very serious manipulation to present a picture that is not accurate and that will cast doubt on everything that the BBC says.”
Sir John, who is MP for Maldon, said the “buck stops” with Mr Davie.
He added: “I think part of the problem is that the director general also has the title of editor-in-chief. Ultimately he is responsible and previous director generals have had to resign.
“If Tim Davie is to continue he has got to show that he recognises what a serious threat to the reputation of the BBC this is and to show that he is going to act very swiftly and make sure things improve and that it can’t happen again.”
On being asked if he thought Mr Davie’s job was under threat, Sir John said: “Yes I do.”
He added: “There are already people saying that the director general will have to resign.”
‘We need to listen and learn’ Nick Robinson, presenter of the BBC Today programme, said on X: “We live in a time of deep divisions – about politics and culture – Gaza/Israel, trans and women’s rights, Donald Trump’s policies and politics – to name just three.
“The BBC like many public organisations faces competing pressures about how we navigate these treacherous waters.
“We, like others, need to listen and learn. We can and will do better but we should stand up to those who prefer propaganda and disinformation.
“I look forward to hearing what the chairman of the BBC will say in response to legitimate concerns which have been raised but I have no idea what he plans to say nor did he – or any other my bosses – know what I said on air today or here on X.”
I'm utterly disappointed in him. He is brilliant academically, no doubt, but he is totally lacking in discipline and caution when it comes to utterances. He looks to me like someone who is easily intoxicated by alcohol and power. His last two interviews have ruined him more than his powerful enemy could.
While welcoming traditional rulers during a recent event in Rivers state, governor Fubara made a remark about one of them. He said, "Eze ochi oha Akabuka, that title is an Igbo title but you said you are not from Igbo" to the amusement of the audience.
Anambra State has emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in fiscal management for 2025, moving up from second place in the previous report and displacing Lagos State, which retained the second position for the second consecutive year.
The 2025 “State of States” report released by BudgIT in Abuja on Tuesday ranked Anambra, Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo as the top five states with the highest fiscal performance.
Edo State made its debut in the top five, after staying within the top 10 range over the past four reporting periods. Abia State also posted a remarkable improvement, entering the top five for the first time to rank fourth overall.
At the bottom of the ranking were Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, and Yobe states, while Cross River recorded the sharpest decline, dropping from 5th place in 2024 to 30th in 2025.
The ranking is based on an index that evaluates states’ ability to meet operating expenses from internally generated revenue (IGR), debt sustainability, and the ratio of capital to recurrent expenditure.
According to the report, Enugu and Lagos were the only two states with IGR sufficient to cover their operating expenses, recording IGR-to-operating-expense ratios of 146.68 percent and 120.87 percent, respectively.
Unlike the 2024 report where six states generated enough IGR to cover at least 50 percent of their operating expenses, only five states, Abia, Anambra, Kwara, Ogun, and Edo, achieved that benchmark in 2025. This indicates that 28 states relied heavily on federal transfers and other inflows to fund their budgets.
“For perspective, in the 2024 edition, only six states required more than five times their IGR to cover their operating expenses. In the 2025 edition, that number more than doubled to 14 states,” the report stated.
It added that although several states struggled with IGR growth during the 2024 fiscal year, all 36 states were able to fund their total recurrent expenditures through a combination of IGR, federal allocations, aids, and grants.
“No state needed to borrow to cover its total operating expenses,” BudgIT noted.
The report also highlighted a shift in capital expenditure priorities. Unlike the 2024 period when only Rivers State spent more than 70 percent of its total expenditure on capital projects, the 2025 assessment shows Abia State leading the country in capital allocation, dedicating 77.05 percent of its total spending to capital items.
In addition to Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Taraba also allocated more than 70 percent of their total spending to capital expenditure. Overall, 24 states spent at least half of their budgets on capital projects, while Bauchi, Ekiti, Delta, Benue, Oyo, and Ogun devoted more than 60 percent of their total expenditure to personnel and overhead costs.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Prof Akinjide Osuntokun, has called on the Federal Government to restructure the country by collapsing the current 36-state structure into viable zones.
According to him, this move will enhance cultural cohesion, promote national unity, and enable more efficient governance.
The academic said this on Tuesday in Lagos during the inaugural lecture in honour of his late brother and former Regional Minister, Oduola Osuntokun.
Osuntokun proposed a modified zonal arrangement that would group states and ethnic nationalities along lines of cultural and historical similarities.
He argued that this would dismantle the colonial-era North-South divide, which he described as an artificial and divisive construct.
In his proposal, the former envoy recommended expanding the South-West zone to include Kwara State up to Jebba, as well as the Kabba and Igala regions of present-day Kogi State.
He stated that such a realignment would foster cultural unity and reinforce regional identity.
He further suggested that the South-East zone should be reconstituted to include Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers State, and the Idoma-speaking areas of Benue State.
A new South Central zone would comprise Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, and the Ebira-speaking parts of Kogi.
For the North, Osuntokun proposed that the North Central zone be made up of Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Tiv areas of Benue State. Kano, on the other hand, should be merged with Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto to form a coherent North-West region, while the North-East would include Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, and Borno.
He said, “This suggestions are rooted in cultural consanguinity but open to negotiation but the measure will remove the Berlin Wall dividing Nigeria into North and South because the current notion of North and South is a colonial imposition and we must break away from it once and for all, this will have to be presented at national conference to break the logjam against cohesion and lack of national feeling.
“If there is an agreement, we will have six constituent states big enough to be self-sustaining, and we would then have a proper federation with a federal legislature of a House of Representatives and a part-time Senate elected by the members of state legislators on an equal basis. We should also have a parliamentary democracy.”
Osuntokun emphasised the need for appointments into federal and state agencies to be based on open competition and merit.
He cited India as a country that has progressed significantly through meritocracy and argued that Nigeria should follow suit, as no region lacks capable individuals.
“Appointments into all agencies of the state and federal governments shall be based on competition anchored on careers open to talent. This is how India got to where it is today and I dare say there is no part of Nigeria where there are no excellent people who will fall short of the measure of meritocracy,” he added.
He proposed mandatory national service for all young Nigerians, both male and female, in the military or other uniformed services for one year after graduation.
“The military, police, and all other armed and uniformed agencies or forces of government shall be recruited based on equality to eliminate the fear of dominance and domination by any ethnic group, and all young people –boys and girls – shall serve in the nation’s military for a year on graduation, as it’s done in the National Youth Service Corps.
“This is the skeleton of the constitutional organogram I am recommending to ensure stability and a safe landing when we run into turbulence,” he proposed.
Armaggedon: Interesting? I thought Igbos are supposed to be the ones who dominate people and don't respect their host? Why this?
Well the North has gone the route of Igbophobia and their economy has completely collapsed. They act as though they learnt their lessons but trust once broken can never be repaired. Most Igbo businesses in the north are now small scale. Igbos are learning that home investment is the most secure.
It's the west that is taking over the mantle of Igbophobia from them and, Lagos will pay for it.
I wrote the above about the rise of instability and sectarian tension in Lagos and how what destroyed the North now hunts Lagos. It's interesting how it's happening rapidly.
The Bauchi state Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, has urged the South-East businessmen to take advantage of the abundant natural resources and conducive business environment and invest in his state.
The governor stated that his administration had in the last six years implemented a programme of action that had improved the stock of critical infrastructure needed to leap-frog the economy of the State to a path of growth.
“Above all, investors can leverage on the abundant potentials of the state in agriculture, livestock production, the extractive industry, renewable energy sources and a large human capital base of over 10 million population, among others, to invest in the state with good returns on investment,” the Governor said.
Governor Mohammed spoke in Enugu, on Wednesday, while addressing a cross section of South-East businessmen and entrepreneurs, during the unveiling of Bauchi State Economic and Investment Summit billed to hold on October 8 and 9, 2025, in Bauchi.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to Bauchi State Government, Aminu Hammayo, said, “Admittedly, we have become part of globalization. Our high population growth and expanding middle class create conditions conducive to market attractiveness in terms of mass consumption and infrastructure development.
“In a world marked by ever-growing economic and social interdependence, the challenge is to develop genuine areas of shared prosperity. This involves forging new types of economic and socio-political relations based on the idea of mutual benefit between partners.
“In this type of relationship, some contribute their financing capability and their technology, while others offer unique opportunities to be seized, and rare resources to be tapped, all in a fair and equitable exchange.”
According to him, the Summit with the theme: “Rebuilding a Resilient Economy; Optimizing Investment & Partnerships,” aimed to bring together key stakeholders from across the domestic and foreign investment landscape including government officials, industry leaders and entrepreneurs and prospective investors.
He explained that the Summit would seek to achieve other valuable outcomes, including; attract and onboard new local and international investments; showcase investment-ready opportunities through plenary sessions and exhibitions; promote the growth of SMEs through their exposure and facilitation to markets and business partnerships; and foster strategic collaborations through the execution of Memoranda of Understanding and creation of Joint Venture platforms.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo stated that organizing the business roadshow in South-East demonstrated Mohammed’s visionary leadership, noting that any state that wants to witness a boost in trade and investment must think of South-East noted for trade and entrepreneurship.
“We see this as a bright moment that the governor recognises the role of South East and decided to come with this road show. It will be a success in October.
“Anybody who thinks that government alone can change the lot of Nigerians, and grow the industry, is making a mistake; it is the organised private sector (OPS) that will do that.
“Bauchi is doing great by creating enabling environment for commerce, industries, mines and agriculture to thrive…Bauchi is a mineral rich state and this is an opportunity for people to visit and invest in the state,” Prof. Nebo stated.
In a goodwill message, President of the South-East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Mr. Humphrey Ngonadi, represented by the Director General of SECCIMA, Dr. Daniel Ochi stated that he was impressed with the information provided by officials of Bauchi State government about investment opportunities in the state.
Ngonadi, who is also the President of South-East and South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture stated that there are a total of 17 city chambers in the region with Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) as the biggest, and promised to mobilize their members to take advantage of the business opportunity that the on coming Summit would provide to invest in Bauchi state.
Officials of the Bauchi state government and business men from South East, including President of Enugu State Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture ECCIMA, Mr. Odega Jideonwo; and the Executive Secretary, South-East Business and Investment Summit, Dr. Ifedi Okwena attended the event.
The Bauchi State Government is set to hold the second leg of its ‘Economic and Investment Summit Roadshow’ in Enugu State as part of its strategic efforts to attract local and international investors.
This follows the successful first edition of the roadshow held earlier this month in Abuja.
The Enugu Roadshow, themed “Rebuilding a Resilient Economy: Optimizing Investment and Partnership” Scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 2025, it will take place at De’Castle Resort, GRA Enugu. It is expected to draw business leaders, prospective investors, development partners, and members of the diplomatic community.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, said the event aims to deepen investor confidence in Bauchi’s vast economic potential and forge strategic partnerships to drive sustainable growth.
He acknowledged that Governor Bala Mohammed, who has been a consistent advocate for inclusive economic development, will be represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo. He will be accompanied by key members of the State Executive Council and technocrats from Bauchi’s investment and development sectors.
Bauchi State, located in the northeast part of Nigeria, is richly endowed with natural and human resources. It offers promising opportunities in solid minerals, agriculture, tourism, housing, and technology. Notable mineral deposits include limestone, gypsum, kaolin, granite, and gold.
With vast tracts of arable land, water bodies like the Jama’are and Dindima Rivers, and favorable agro-ecological conditions, Bauchi is primed for agricultural investments in crop farming, aquaculture, livestock, and agro-processing.
“Bauchi is rich in commercially viable solid minerals and remains open to exploration and mining investments under our investor-friendly policies,” Gidado noted.
He also emphasised the tourism potential of the state, highlighting landmarks like the Yankari Game Reserve, the warm Wikki Springs, and Bauchi’s unique cultural heritage as investment magnets.
“Ongoing urban renewal projects, alongside an expanding public-private partnership (PPP) model, have opened new opportunities in infrastructure, housing, renewable energy, and industrial development. Bauchi’s innovation ecosystem is also growing rapidly, with youth-led tech hubs emerging across the state,” he said.
Governor Mohammed reiterated his administration’s commitment to economic diversification, regulatory reform, and investor protection.
“Bauchi is open for business. We have the resources, the right policies, and the political will to support investment. The Enugu Roadshow is an opportunity to connect with partners who can harness our economic potential,” he said.
According to Gidado, the Bauchi State Government is extending an open invitation to investors, business leaders, and development stakeholders across the South-East and beyond to attend the Enugu Roadshow and explore partnership opportunities that drive inclusive growth and prosperity.
Politics › Harold Wilson Visited Portharcourt And Calabar During The Civil War by Noneroone(op): 7:13am On Jun 13
