The Historica Nigeria

2025

National, News

NNPC Limited Appoints New Corporate Communications, Relations Chiefs

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced the appointment of two seasoned professionals, Mr. Andy Odeh and Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi, to head its corporate communications and relations units. Mr. Odeh has been named Chief Corporate Communications Officer, while Mrs. Adewunmi assumes the role of Chief Relations Officer. Odeh, with over 30 years of experience spanning communications, business administration, advertising, broadcasting, and oil and gas, previously served at Nigeria LNG (NLNG) for 26 years. At NLNG, he held leadership roles in community relations, corporate communications, government relations, and sustainable development, culminating as General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development. Read Also: NNPCL Nears Full Crude Production Capacity, Credits Security Agencies’ Collaboration He is widely recognized for managing NLNG’s rebranding, spearheading its micro-credit scheme for host communities, and instituting the prestigious NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting. Odeh is an alumnus of the University of Jos, University of Lagos, INSEAD Business School, and the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). On her part, Mrs. Adewunmi brings over 25 years of legal and stakeholder management experience in the oil and gas sector. She served extensively with the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN), where she worked as Regulatory Affairs Manager and Government Relations Manager. In those roles, she successfully built strategic relationships with the Presidency, ministries, departments, and regulatory agencies while ensuring compliance and protecting the company’s license to operate. She is noted for her expertise in managing non-technical risks, as well as her strong leadership and emotional intelligence. A lawyer by training, Adewunmi studied at Olabisi Onabanjo University and the Nigerian Law School. The appointments, according to NNPC Ltd., reflect the company’s renewed commitment to strengthening stakeholder engagement, effective communications, and public trust.

Health, Humanitarian

AKTH Records High Dialysis Attendance After FG Subsidy Rollout

Renal failure remains one of the most serious health challenges affecting thousands of indigent Nigerians. To cushion the financial burden on patients, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has rolled out a subsidised dialysis programme, reducing the cost of treatment from ₦50,000–₦60,000 to just ₦12,000 per session. The intervention, which is part of broader health reforms, also includes the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS), designed to provide free 48-hour emergency services for accident, gunshot, and other critical cases. Read Also: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Launches Free Emergency Ambulance System During a visit to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Dialysis Centre, kidney patients expressed relief over the subsidy. A patient, Salihu Ahmed Dukawuya, recalled paying between ₦54,000 and ₦60,000 per dialysis session before the intervention. He said the cost later dropped to ₦20,000 and now stands at ₦12,000. Another patient, Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu from Gwale, said the reduction from ₦60,000 to ₦12,000 per session has been life-saving. Halima Abubakar, also undergoing dialysis, confirmed that she previously paid ₦60,000, then ₦55,000, ₦45,000, and ₦20,000, before the current ₦12,000 rate. All three patients appreciated the Federal Government’s intervention but appealed for complete removal of dialysis costs to further ease their burden. Speaking on the intervention, the Deputy Director of Nursing Services at AKTH, Tijjani Rahim, who doubles as Head of the Dialysis Unit, noted that the subsidy has led to a significant increase in patient turnout. He maintained that the unit now attends to 22–25 patients daily, making AKTH one of the first hospitals to benefit from the intervention. Speaking during the launch of the NEMSAS scheme at the hospital, the Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Professor Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, confirmed that the subsidised dialysis programme has already commenced at AKTH. He revealed that the hospital has consumables to cater for 1,000 dialysis patients under the initiative. Professor Sheshe further explained that under the NEMSAS scheme, pregnant women, children, accident victims, and other emergency cases will be transported to hospitals free of charge and given 48 hours of free medical care. However, he appealed for urgent support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as from philanthropists, to sustain the programme. Recall that on 21st August 2025, the Federal Government approved a new subsidy scheme to reduce the cost of dialysis across 11 federal tertiary health institutions spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Abuja, Kano, National, Politics

The Strategist-in-Chief: How Ganduje Stays Relevant After Power

When Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stepped down as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), many political observers speculated that his influence on Nigeria’s turbulent political scene might wane. But the former Kano State governor, known for his resilience and deep political networks, continues to assert his presence in both northern and southern political circles. In Kano, Ganduje remains a towering figure despite the setbacks his loyalists have faced since the opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf took power. He is still regarded as a political godfather by several lawmakers, party loyalists, and grassroots supporters, with many describing him as the “strategist-in-chief” of Kano politics. Nationally, Ganduje’s brief but eventful tenure as APC Chairman left an imprint on the party. He assumed office at a time of turbulence, tasked with balancing power blocs after the 2023 elections and managing the early days of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. While his leadership style drew mixed reactions, his ability to hold the party together amid defections and regional agitations is still being studied. Related: APC Chair Yilwatda Hails Ganduje as ‘Co-Chairman’ of Party Beyond the North, Ganduje has been active in fostering political collaborations across the South, particularly as debates on restructuring, power-sharing, and economic reforms intensify. His recent engagements with leaders outside Kano highlight a deliberate effort to maintain visibility and relevance on the national stage. Analysts suggest that Ganduje is positioning himself as a kingmaker ahead of the 2027 elections, leveraging his networks within the APC and across opposition lines. While age and controversies around his tenure in Kano may cast shadows, his political longevity is undeniable. For a man who has weathered storms in Kano politics and at the national level, Ganduje’s story underscores a familiar truth in Nigerian politics: influence does not always come from holding office, but from the ability to shape conversations and broker alliances. As the countdown to 2027 gathers momentum, all eyes will be on whether Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will reinvent himself as a quiet strategist, a political dealmaker, or a resurgent frontline player in Nigeria’s ever-shifting political chessboard.

Feature, National

Inside Story of Ex-Police Chief Solomon Arase’s Sudden Health Crisis

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Ehigiator Arase, a lawyer and Nigeria’s 18th police chief, was reportedly flown back to Abuja in a coma after falling seriously ill during a trip to Morocco. According to a report by NewsmakersNG, Arase had traveled to Rabat last week to attend a wedding. Witnesses said he suddenly fell ill after a meal during the ceremony, leaving friends and associates shocked by the turn of events. The Edo-born former police boss, known for his lively and engaging personality, departed for Morocco in high spirits. However, the situation quickly deteriorated, and he slipped into a coma. He was flown back to Abuja on Friday in that state. Read Also: Former IGP Solomon Arase Dies in Abuja Hospital Tinubu Praises Shettima as Loyal Partner at 59th Birthday Malami Condemns Attack on Convoy, Calls Incident ‘Painful’ Tinubu’s Presidency Counters El-Rufai Over 2027 Election Claims Family sources told NewsmakersNG that Arase briefly regained consciousness on Saturday, raising hopes of recovery. Sadly, he passed away 24 hours later. The report included a photograph from the Moroccan wedding showing Arase dressed elegantly and laughing heartily with another guest, a final public image of the late police chief. Until his death, Arase was the immediate past chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja, aged 69. His son, Solomon Arase Jr., confirmed the passing, saying his father died after a “brief illness.” The news of his death has sent shockwaves across the country, particularly within the police institution, where his leadership and reforms left a lasting impact.

Katsina, News

District Heads in Katsina to Earn Salaries Equivalent to Grade Level 16 Officers

District heads in Katsina State will now receive salaries equivalent to those of public servants on Grade Level 16, Governor Dikko Umar Radda has announced. Radda disclosed this on Monday while receiving traditional rulers from the Katsina and Daura Emirates at Government House. He said the increment followed a new law recently passed by the State House of Assembly, designed to strengthen the role of traditional institutions in governance and motivate grassroots leaders. Read Also: Governor Bago Dissolves Cabinet, Retains SSG, Others Kano Mobilises 9,680 Volunteers for Voter Registration Kano Commissioner Urges MDAs to Prioritise Climate Response in Budgets “District heads in Katsina will now earn not less than Grade Level 16. Government has also increased the monthly allowance of 6,652 ward heads across the state,” the governor said. Radda further revealed that the state government would extend financial support to clerics and mosque workers. According to him, over 3,000 Imams of Juma’at mosques and their deputies will receive stipends, while mosque sweepers under Izala and Dariga groups will also benefit from allowances. In addition, the governor announced the release of ₦20 million to each of the 34 local government areas for the repair and maintenance of graveyards. He described the gesture as both a service to the people and a spiritual investment for the state. “This is not just governance; it is a way of seeking Allah’s blessings for Katsina,” Radda said. The governor urged traditional and religious leaders to intensify prayers for an end to insecurity, stressing that the fight against banditry and other crimes should not be left to government alone. “The battle against insecurity is a collective responsibility. Every citizen must play a part,” he said. In their separate remarks, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir, and the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar, commended the state government’s efforts to restore peace. They were represented by the Wazirin Katsina, Ibrahim Iddah, and the District Head of Baure, Daha Umar, respectively.

Kano, News

Kano Mobilises 9,680 Volunteers for Voter Registration

The Kano State Government has deployed 9,680 volunteers across its 484 wards to boost the ongoing online pre-voter registration exercise. Each ward will have at least 20 trained volunteers equipped with Android phones to assist residents, with more assigned to larger areas. The decision followed a meeting between the state’s Voter Registration Mobilisation Taskforce and all 44 local government chairmen. Read Also: Kano Commissioner Urges MDAs to Prioritise Climate Response in Budgets Taskforce chairman and Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described the move as a response to Kano’s low participation in the earlier phase of online registration, despite its population size. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has pledged full support, while council chairmen and councillors have promised to mobilise communities to ensure the exercise’s success.

Kebbi, News, Politics

Malami Condemns Attack on Convoy by Suspected Thugs in Birnin Kebbi

Former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has condemned the attack on his convoy by suspected political thugs in Birnin Kebbi, describing the incident as “unfortunate and painful.” The assault occurred along Old NITEL Road shortly after Malami returned from a condolence visit to the family of the late Chief Imam of Dr. Bello Haliru Jumu’ah Mosque. Eyewitnesses reported that the hoodlums, armed with stones and other dangerous weapons, vandalised several vehicles in the convoy before fleeing the scene. Read Also: Presidency Accuses El-Rufai of Leading Plot Against Tinubu Security operatives were swiftly deployed to the area, as well as the APC state secretariat and Malami’s residence, to prevent an escalation of violence. Reacting, Malami lamented: “It is painful that some thugs, armed with dangerous weapons and stones, attacked and destroyed vehicles in our convoy.” The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State also condemned the attack. Its Public Relations Officer, Isa Abubakar As-Salafi, pledged that the party would investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. He further appealed to politicians to avoid actions capable of destabilising the state. Meanwhile, Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, after an emergency security meeting at the Government House, confirmed that investigations had commenced. He warned political parties against staging unauthorised gatherings or campaigns, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to lift the ban on political activities.

Abuja, National, News

Tinubu Hails Shettima as Loyal Partner, Celebrates Vice President at 59

President Bola Tinubu has described Vice President Kashim Shettima as a loyal partner in governance, praising his courage, tenacity, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria as he marked his 59th birthday. In a personal statement to celebrate his deputy, the President said Shettima had proved daily that his selection as Vice President was not a mistake, noting that his loyalty and vibrancy had strengthened the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “Today, September 2, 2025, presents another unique opportunity to celebrate you, my brother, co-traveller and Vice President, as you mark another birthday. Your courage, sense of duty, determination and belief in Nigeria’s greatness have remained unshaken,” Tinubu said. Read Also: Presidency Accuses El-Rufai of Leading Plot Against Tinubu The President recalled Shettima’s track record as Governor of Borno State and later as Senator representing Borno Central, stressing that his service in both roles proved that leadership was about sacrifice, not privilege. He added that Shettima’s passion for democracy, good governance, and economic development had further distinguished him in national service. “I deeply appreciate your vibrancy, loyalty, partnership and support as my deputy. In choosing you then as a partner, I selected competence and other qualities that Nigeria could depend on. Every day, you have justified that choice,” Tinubu stated. Tinubu also highlighted the Vice President’s role in forging new global partnerships, pushing food security reforms, and driving investments at home, saying these contributions were integral to the government’s early successes. “As we unlock new trade corridors and deliver more schools, hospitals and jobs, our partnership will continue to yield results that Nigerians can see and feel,” he added. The President noted that their relationship transcended official duties, describing it as a bond across regions and traditions, united in purpose and service to the country. “On this occasion of your 59th birthday, I heartily wish you renewed vitality, wisdom and more years of impact. Happy birthday, Kashim, and many happy returns,” Tinubu said.

Abuja, Kaduna, News, Politics

Presidency Accuses El-Rufai of Leading Plot Against Tinubu

Nigeria’s Presidency on Monday accused former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, of leading a “gang of desperados” allegedly plotting against President Bola Tinubu, dismissing his recent comments that Tinubu could not secure re-election in 2027. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on his X handle, described those pushing for Tinubu’s removal as “power-hungry politicians” who feel politically displaced. “Nasir El-Rufai confesses here that four years is not enough for a political office holder to make ‘meaningful changes’. Yet he is at the forefront of the gang of political desperados plotting President Tinubu’s ouster, just two years into his tenure. What a contradiction!” Onanuga wrote. Read Also: Malami’s Convoy Attacked in Kebbi El-Rufai, speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday night, claimed Tinubu had no pathway to victory in 2027, predicting that the president would finish third in a possible runoff. “I was governor of Kaduna State; I was one of Bola Tinubu’s biggest campaigners, but I couldn’t deliver the state to him. Bola Tinubu himself couldn’t win his own state with his governor in place,” El-Rufai said. He added: “The worst-case scenario in the 2027 elections is that no winner will emerge in the first round. We may have to go for a runoff, and Bola Tinubu will not be on the ballot because he will, at best, be third. I have done the maths, I have done the analysis; he cannot win.” The former governor likened Tinubu’s situation to that of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 despite incumbency advantages. In response, Onanuga insisted that Tinubu’s administration had achieved “meaningful changes” in two years. He cited growing foreign reserves, stock market gains, harmonisation of the exchange rate, and four consecutive months of inflation decline. “Phenomenal wealth creation in the stock market has seen ASI skyrocket from 53,000 points to over 140,000 points. Over N26 trillion in additional wealth has been created in the market under Tinubu’s watch,” he said. Onanuga also highlighted reforms in education and social welfare, including the rollout of student loans through NELFUND and cash transfers to vulnerable households. He noted that states and local governments were receiving more federal allocations, enabling them to fund capital projects and create jobs. “The governors said they have never had it so good,” Onanuga said. “Yet, these power-hungry politicians want the President, who has achieved so much, to be removed, all because they have become politically displaced and irrelevant. May they never succeed in their plot against our nation and people.” The presidential adviser concluded by warning that El-Rufai’s recent remarks could haunt him politically. “Please save the video. We shall confront Nasir with it when electioneering starts,” he wrote.

Kaduna, National, News

Alkali Inspects Abuja–Kaduna Rail Repairs, Sets 10-Day Target for Restoration

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the damaged tracks on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor will be restored within ten days. The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, gave the assurance on Monday after inspecting the ongoing repairs following the derailment of a passenger train on August 26. Alkali commended security agencies, railway staff, and other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the safety of passengers, workers, and train facilities since the incident. He said personnel of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had been working round the clock to clear and repair the affected section of the track. Read Also: Malami’s Convoy Attacked in Kebbi “Let me start by thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support since the incident happened. He has given us the backing needed to move the locomotive and coaches and to fix the rail line so that operations can resume,” the minister said. According to him, the derailment occurred at a section of the track where two lines intersect, but he stressed that investigations are still ongoing to determine the actual cause. He noted that a technical team from the ministry, engineers from NRC, representatives of CCECC, civil rights organisations, and an investigative committee were all on site to ensure transparency in the process. Alkali disclosed that the affected locomotive was pulling eight coaches at the time of the incident. Four have so far been successfully removed from the scene, while efforts are underway to lift the remaining coaches and repair the damaged infrastructure. “In the next 48 hours, we will move all the remaining coaches from the site. If weather conditions permit, within the next 10 days we will restore the line,” he said. He added that the damaged portion covered about 150 meters, which would be fixed with new sleepers, pallets, and tracks to restore normal operations. On measures to prevent future derailments, the minister said the outcome of the investigation would guide necessary steps but assured Nigerians that government would do everything possible to avoid a recurrence.

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