This week, I was in Niamey for a conference structured around a series of conversations about crisis management and seeking for a positive future for this tough part of the world. The meeting was organised by Club du Sahel and my favourite research centre in Niger, LASDEL. The facilitators were Mahaman Tidjani Alou, Niagele Bagayoko and Gilles Yabi, all excellent researchers on the Sahel and its troubles. My strongest memories are about the discussions on the side-lines – over lunch or dinner on the terrace of the Grand Hotel, overlooking the River Niger. As the crisis deepens in Burkina Faso,…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The African Development Bank (AfDB), has earmarked $110 million for projects under the Special Agricultural Processing Zone in Kano State. The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Abba Anwar stated this in a statement issued in Kano on Sunday. Anwar quoted the AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as making the disclosure when he paid a condolence visit to the governor on the death of Sani Dangote, the younger brother of billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote. In the statement, Adesina said, “In all, we are having about $563 million dedicated for our projects in various states in…
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari started his weekly activities with an interview with Bloomberg TV in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Kyari said in the interview that Nigeria would ramp up oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day by the end of 2021, as against the 1.45 million BOPD in September. He noted that in spite of this projection, Nigeria could easily attain its maximum crude oil production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day with the combined production of crude and condensates. Kyari said: “It is obvious that…
Nigeria’s vice president Yemi Osinbajo has said that the recently approved 2021 – 2025 National Development Plan will usher a new season of accelerate growth in Nigeria because of its focus on value addition as major pivot to boost productivity in all sectors. Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Senior Executive Course 43 (2021) of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) In Kuru, Jos. “If we are to inaugurate a new age of accelerated growth then we must adopt a new strategic direction and policy orientation. This is precisely…
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has ordered the troops in Niger state to kill the bandits and criminals that are terrorising the state and bring their corpses and weapons. He gave the order when he visited the 31 Artillery Brigade and Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Minna to Commission the TRADOC officers’ transit accommodation on Sunday. “I am here in Niger today as part of my operation visit to 31 Artillery Brigade and TRADOC. “I commend the troops for the job they are doing. Don’t relent but continue and be more resolute and more decisive in…
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state, Lawal Usman says it is obvious that the party will takeover the state in 2023 going by recent developments. Popularly called ‘Mr LA’, said in Zaria on Sunday that the current All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in the state had failed the people. “The Gov. Nasiru El Rufai led administration has been killing the APC gradually in the state with its inhuman policies. “The state government is pushing thousands of people into poverty daily with its urban renewal policy. The policy actually lacked human face. “Although the idea…
Some Nigerian stakeholders in the Northeast have identified obsolete environmental and forestry laws as a trigger for the continuous plundering of forests for firewood and charcoal in the zone. Others say that acute scarcity of kerosene and high cost of gas are major obstacles to effective conservation of forest resources against illegal logging in the region. They also attributed the indiscriminate destruction of forest resources to poor attitudes, illiteracy and poverty in the region. In a survey conducted in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa States, some respondents said they now relied on fuel wood and charcoal for their domestic needs…
If it were a fairy tale, his story would have started with “once upon a time, in the not so sleepy village of Buni Gari, a child of destiny was born to the industrious family of Alhaji Bukar and Hajiya Khadija.” His story is stuff fit for legends. Hardly do you find a human being like Governor Mai Mala Buni, blessed with power and wealth, the two most sought-after possessions, yet imbued with humility, generosity, grace and the unquenchable desire to not only serve others but empower them as well. When Mai Mala Buni was born on November 19, 1967,…
Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello has directed immediate ban on sales of some categories of motorcycles across the state. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Matane disclosed in a statement on Saturday, said the ban covered motorcycles described as Bajaj Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen, with engine capacity of 185 Cubic Centimetres and above. He explained that the measure was aimed at stopping the activities of bandits, kidnappers and other criminals unleashing terror on innocent citizens of the state. The SGF said the government had condemned in strong terms, the degree of carnage caused by bandits and kidnappers…
Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Friday, hosted Hazel Onoduenyi, the 2021 winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season Six edition. Onoduenyi, popularly known as Whitemoney, in October emerged the winner of the reality television show entitled ‘Shine Ya Eye’. Receiving the Enugu indigene at the Government House, Ugwuanyi commended him for his uncommon love, humility, godliness and consistency. The governor said these qualities, consistent with what he described as “Enugu spirit“, endeared him to his housemates and the viewing public. He appreciated God’s grace on the Big Brother Naija winner, described him as ‘a worthy son of Enugu State,…