General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), in his recently launched book, narrated why his childhood friend and long-time colleague, General Mamman Jiya Vatsa was killed and how later’s coup attempt made IBB feel a deep personal sense of betrayal. He wrote: “What has come to be known as the Vatsa Coup occurred within the first few months of the administration. It began life first as a series of rumours. I heard through multiple sources that my childhood friend and long-time colleague, General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, was planning to topple our young administration in a coup. At first, I dismissed it as…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has credited former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), with pioneering policies that liberated Nigeria’s private sector. Dangote made the remarks on Thursday during the unveiling of A Journey in Service, Babangida’s autobiography, which also served as a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library. At the event, Africa’s richest man pledged N8 billion towards the library’s construction, committing to an annual donation of N2 billion over the next four years. He further assured that if the project extended beyond the timeline, he would continue contributing N2 billion…
I spent the last few days trying hard to understand the ongoing rebasing of the Nigerian economy starting with the rebasing of the consumer price index. I watched the statistician general of the country explain on television that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities declined to 24.48 per cent year on year in January. Nonetheless, the Director-General of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) added that this does not mean prices have declined from the previous rate of 34.80 per cent which was the case up till the end…
The Kebbe local government council, on Wednesday, February 19, 2026, presented its 2025 budget proposal of ₦3,675,485,190.00 to the Sokoto State House of Assembly, with the environment, agriculture and health sectors receiving ₦132,749,000, ₦434,782,300, and ₦48,547,280, respectively. The budget presentation, led by the Council Chairman, Abdullahi Yarima Kebbe, was by Section 162(8) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and relevant state laws. Key council officials, including Council Secretary Shamsudeen Umar Maiakwai, the Director of Finance, and the Planning Officer accompanied Yarima. Of the ₦3,675,485,190.00 budget proposal, They appeared before the Joint House Committee on…
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, is urging community members to participate in a vaccination campaign aimed at reducing the incidence of life-threatening diseases such as measles and diphtheria. These diseases can cause severe complications if left untreated. In 2024, MSF treated over 17,000 cases of measles in Nigeria. Without timely intervention, measles can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, and, in severe cases, death. To address this public health challenge, MSF and the Ministry of Health are immunising children under five years old with the measles vaccine…
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, has clarified his stance on the allocation of road projects in the 2025 budget, rejecting claims that his comments in the Senate were aimed at sidelining any part of Niger state. Addressing the controversy, the Senator, in a statement obtained by ASHENEWS, reaffirmed his commitment to equitable infrastructure development, emphasizing that his concern was about prioritizing road projects based on economic viability, haulage, and vehicular traffic. He noted that despite a budgetary allocation of N4.3 trillion for road infrastructure, Niger State was allocated only the Agaie-Katcha-Baro Road,…
The Governing Board of the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, has approved the appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Rakson Muhammad as the Vice Chancellor of the university for a five-year tenure. By Abdulfatai Abdulsalam Pro.I.R Muhammad hails from zuru, born on 20th june 1964. He started his career as an Assistant Research Fellow in 1989 and rose to become a professor in 2009. He was head of department of Animal Science BUK, Post-graduate coordinator department of Animal Science 2006/2007, Dean College of Agriculture FUAZ 2022. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Adm) FUAZ. He is a member, Nigerian Society for Animal Production, Member Nigerian…
The Federal Government has commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for signing into law the establishment of the Kano Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. This landmark move aims to bolster the state’s capacity to combat infectious and tropical diseases. The commendation came from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Muhammad Pate, who led a high-level delegation comprising officials from the ministry, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation on a courtesy visit to the Kano State Government House on Wednesday. According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature…
Kaduna State is set to strengthen its health workforce following Governor Uba Sani’s approval of the Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy, a crucial step toward addressing workforce gaps and improving healthcare delivery. Speaking at a five-day workshop focused on developing the state’s HRH Strategic Plan, Commissioner for Health, Umma K. Ahmed, commended the governor’s commitment to healthcare reforms. She emphasized that the strategic plan will serve as a blueprint for tackling workforce shortages, enhancing capacity building, ensuring equitable distribution of professionals, and improving retention rates. Addressing members of the Technical Working Group (TWG), Umma called for full engagement, stressing…
Billionaire Aliko Dangote has seen his wealth nearly double to $23.9 billion, according to Forbes, which now ranks the Nigerian entrepreneur as the richest person in Africa and the 86th wealthiest individual in the world. This marks a significant rise from 2024 when he was ranked 144th globally with a net worth of $13.4 billion. Forbes attributes Dangote’s soaring wealth primarily to his 92.3% stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals. At 67 years old, he has re-entered the list of the top 100 richest individuals worldwide—a position he last held in 2018, according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List.…