The Significance of Alia’s Trip for Benue State By Steven Ortese Governor Hyacinth Alia’s inclusion in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s high-powered delegation to Brazil is far more than ceremonial; it is a strategic signal of his growing political relevance and influence at the national level. As one of the state governors selected to accompany the President to the bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Copacabana Forte in Rio, Alia has positioned Benue State squarely at the table of international economic cooperation. The engagement, which focused on deepening economic collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil, will…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Bola Tinubu met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to discuss strategies for revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Tinubu assured that his administration is actively dismantling bureaucratic barriers that have slowed progress in food production and export. The meeting, held at Copacabana Forte, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade, and energy. Tinubu emphasized the need to fast-track technical agreements to harness Nigeria’s competitive advantage in agriculture, particularly livestock farming. Highlighting Brazil’s exemplary research and development in agriculture, Tinubu expressed eagerness to leverage this expertise to boost Nigeria’s poultry, cattle, and fisheries…
At the fifteenth synod of the Warri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Christian Esezi Ide delivered a powerful indictment of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, particularly the targeted violence against Christian populations. Speaking at the Cathedral of St Andrew, Warri, under the theme “Overcoming the birthright of Christians,” the bishop revealed alarming statistics from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa: over 55,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria between 2019 and 2023, representing 90% of global Christian fatalities in that period. The bishop questioned the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens, highlighting the unchecked violence by militant herdsmen who operate with impunity. “Why…
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the political landscape is marked by a contest between the ruling APC and a rising opposition coalition under the ADC banner. President Bola Tinubu’s APC retains control over 23 states, leveraging federal resources and loyal political networks to maintain dominance. The ADC’s rapid ascent is driven by the defection of prominent politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, who bring regional influence and a message of change. This coalition seeks to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the APC and the waning strength of the PDP. The PDP, once Nigeria’s…
At a recent public lecture marking his 50th birthday, Taiwo Oyedele, head of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, reflected on Nigeria’s tax reform progress, underscoring that significant work remains. While praising the enactment of four key tax reform laws signed by President Tinubu, Oyedele warned that these are just initial steps toward a broader overhaul. “The reforms are not done. We still have unfinished business,” Oyedele said, emphasizing the need to reduce corporate tax rates to attract investment and counteract the negative effects of inflation on capital. He also called for reforms in tariff structures and regulatory…
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has made it clear that Rabiu Kwankwaso, its 2023 presidential candidate, will not be contesting the 2027 presidential election under its banner. NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, responding to recent claims about Kwankwaso’s political intentions. These claims, primarily advanced by Buba Galadima, suggested that Kwankwaso would remain within the NNPP and contest the presidency in 2027. Galadima denied rumors of Kwankwaso joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating they would “strategically stay in the NNPP until the whistle is blown for 2027 politics” and called…
At the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 18 Regular Course, held in Abuja on Friday evening, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu provided a thorough account of the current administration’s efforts to address the severe security challenges inherited by President Bola Tinubu’s government. In a lecture entitled “Veterans As Significant National Assets,” Ribadu painted a picture of Nigeria in 2022 as a nation at a critical juncture, beset by numerous security threats that endangered its cohesion and stability. He cited the insurgency in the North East, widespread banditry in the North West and North Central regions, separatist violence…
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit, a gathering of heads of state from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summit, scheduled for July 6 and 7, focuses on enhancing cooperation among emerging economies and the Global South. The President’s arrival at Galeao Air Force Base was marked by a formal Guard of Honour. He was warmly received by Brazilian officials, including Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, and Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture. Invited by Brazil’s…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling it unconstitutional and ordering her reinstatement. Justice Binta Nyako emphasized that the suspension deprived the people of Kogi Central of effective representation for nearly 180 days, a period almost equivalent to the Senate’s annual sitting days. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements and her public allegation of sexual harassment against him, which he denied. The Senate had suspended her for alleged gross misconduct. Justice Nyako criticized the Senate’s rules and the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is intensifying efforts to expand its influence by courting at least five sitting governors ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, according to insiders. This strategic push is taking advantage of fractures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has already seen several defections to the ADC. Key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark, have formally adopted the ADC as their platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola have been appointed to lead the party’s interim national structure. The coalition has…