The Historica Nigeria

2025

Kogi, News

Ganduje Pays Condolence Visit to Kogi Governor Over Father’s Demise

The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, has paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Usman Ododo, over the death of his father, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Ododo. The late Alhaji Ododo passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025. Dr. Ganduje described the death as an irreplaceable loss not only to the Ododo family but to the entire people of Kogi State. Related: Ganduje Condoles APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda Over Mother’s Death “I extend my deepest sympathies to His Excellency Governor Usman Ododo, his family, and the people of Kogi State during this challenging period. May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant the departed eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus and provide solace to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss,” he said. Dr. Ganduje was accompanied during the visit by his former Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba; Managing Director of Jama’are River Basin, Engr. Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi; Hon. Farouk Lawan; Architect Aminu Dabo, among others.

Kano, National, News

Dr. Ganduje Back in Nigeria, Reassures Supporters of His Commitment — Muhd Garba

The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two-term Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has returned to Nigeria after spending several weeks in London for medical treatment. Muhammad Garba, his former Chief of Staff, stated this to newsmen in a statement. According to him, Dr. Ganduje arrived in excellent health and has since settled at his residence, where he is taking time to rest following his treatment and recovery. His safe return is described as a manifestation of God’s mercy and the outcome of prayers and goodwill from his family, political associates, and millions of supporters across the country. Read Also: Abba Ganduje Distributes Over 1,000 Solar Lights to 38 Wards in Kano It will be recalled that Ganduje embarked on the medical trip just five days after voluntarily resigning as APC National Chairman to prioritize his health. His return, strong and revitalized, has been received with joy and relief by admirers, colleagues, and loyal supporters who continue to acknowledge his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. As a two-term Governor of Kano State and later as APC National Chairman, Ganduje played a significant role in consolidating the party’s strength and advancing national development. On behalf of his family and close associates, appreciation has been extended to all those who stood by him with prayers and goodwill messages throughout his stay abroad. Dr. Ganduje has reiterated his commitment to the service of Nigeria, assuring that with renewed strength and vitality, he remains ready to continue offering political guidance, wise counsel, and patriotic leadership for the progress of the APC and the country at large. It would be recalled that Dr. Ganduje, who became APC National Chairman in August 2023, resigned from the position on June 27, 2025, citing health reasons. He was subsequently inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on July 9, while former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Netanwe Yilwatda, has since replaced him as the APC National Chairman.

Feature, Kano, Politics

How to Defeat Kwankwasiyya in Kano 2027

The 2027 general elections in Kano will once again test the political strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leading figure, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Twice elected governor of Kano, Ganduje weathered the height of opposition politics, consolidated his base despite defections, and built a strong network of loyalists across all 44 local government areas. His experience in grassroots mobilisation and empowerment projects continues to resonate, making him central to APC’s prospects in the state. Unlike the APC, which is guided by collective leadership and a pool of experienced politicians, Kwankwasiyya revolves almost entirely around one individual, a “Mr. Know All Commands” structure where loyalty is tied not to ideas or collective strength, but to personal directives. This makes it more fragile than it appears. In contrast, the APC today has within its fold an array of leaders with proven political weight, Dr. Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, long-serving legislators, influential grassroots mobilisers, retired public servants and local government stalwarts. Their collective experience, if well-coordinated, gives the APC an edge that Kwankwasiyya cannot easily match. For the APC, the road to victory lies in rebuilding confidence at the grassroots, where elections are truly won. The party has the structures, the membership, and the leadership capacity, but these must be coordinated into a more disciplined and people-driven system. Rather than being distracted by opposition propaganda, the APC must leverage Ganduje’s wide political network, strengthen internal unity, and re-establish its dominance at ward and local government levels. The challenge is not a lack of numbers, but a need to organise and direct those numbers effectively. Related: How Kano People Missed Dr. Ganduje If the APC is to have a fighting chance, the rebuilding process must begin immediately. Grassroots structures must be reorganised, young loyalists rewarded with opportunities, and party officials must stay closer to the people. Political appointees and elected representatives cannot afford to prioritise defectors over those who have kept faith with the party from the beginning. APC political appointees from Kano today, must also recalibrate their empowerment projects, making them sharper, more targeted, and party-focused. Other stakeholders must put aside the politics of entitlement and open up the party to transparent processes. The era of “unity lists” imposed from above can no longer inspire confidence if the APC hopes to energise its base. At the centre of this challenge is Dr. Ganduje, whose political compass may well shape Kano’s direction in 2027. His ability to bridge the divide between elders and youth, mediate among factions, and rally national support makes him indispensable in the struggle ahead. For Kano voters, the coming election will not be about who gives commands from the top or who dominates the streets, but about who can mobilise a united political structure, connect with the people’s aspirations, and speak the language of governance rather than agitation. Read Also: Appointment of Mustapha Bala Dawaki as APC Chief of Staff Sparks Jubilation in Kano If Ganduje’s experience is harnessed and his advice taken seriously, the APC has a chance to turn the tide. By building on merit, inclusivity, and discipline, the party could consign Kwankwasiyya to history, remembered only as a case study for political science students at Mambayya House. But if the current disorganisation continues, then the APC may find itself unknowingly strengthening the very movement it seeks to defeat. The journey to 2027 begins now, and in Kano, all eyes are once again on Dr. Ganduje. Umar Idris Shuaibu writes from Kano.

Feature, National

Dapo Segun and His Traducers: Plumbing the Limit of Idiocy

Over the past few weeks, there has been a well-orchestrated campaign of calumny against the Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Mr. Dapo Segun, by persons and groups masquerading as civil rights activist and anti-corruption crusaders. They started with press statements calling for the investigation and arrest of Segun over his role in the failed refinery rehabilitation exercise. When that failed to achieve their evil desire of tainting the man’s image, they changed their modus operandi to organizing protest rallies to drive home their demands. Upon the failure of that strategy, they have moved on to the next level of instituting a law suit to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and arrest Segun. On a superficial level, the campaign appears to be a crusade against corruption and a call for probity in the society. But a closer look at the people behind the groups and the narratives they have put forward for their actions would reveal a motley of mendacious hirelings carrying out the bidding of a master who is driven by motiveless malignity to either pull him down or force him to acquiesce to their evil game of blackmail. Bereft of concrete facts, the organizers of the campaign under various aegis such as Forum of Forensic Investigation Lawyers have come up with narratives insinuating that Segun was being shielded from investigation and arrest because of his ethnic affiliations, and that as the man who supervised the refinery rehabilitation exercise as Executive Vice President, Downstream, he ought to be the main focus of investigative searchlight. Related: NNPC Wins Appeal as Court Overturns Araraume Judgement For a group that is purportedly made up of lawyers who have an interest in forensic investigation, it borders on idiocy for them to carry out a campaign of this sort without verifying their claims. For instance, they claim that Segun supervised the refinery rehabilitation exercise and NNPC’s acquisition of OVH. But it does not take any special investigative skill for anyone with even half a brain to know that the refinery rehabilitation kicked off in August 2021 with an 18-month period to complete the first phase which is the Old Port Harcourt Refinery. By the time Segun was appointed EVP Downstream in September 2023, the first phase was almost winding down. Therefore, to accuse him of awarding the contract and supervising the rehabilitation of the refinery is nothing short of delusion. The other alleged crime for which the group wants the EFCC to investigate Segun is the acquisition of OVH. This is yet another example of fishing for an excuse to demonize the CFO. The Forum of Forensic Investigation Lawyers once again failed to bring their skills to bear on their jobs as they did not know that the OVH acquisition was concluded in October 2022, almost a full year before Segun was appointed as EVP Downstream in September 2023. Read Also: China Nears Breakthrough With Humanoid Robot Housing Artificial Womb The EFCC has been investigating the refineries and all those who allegedly mismanaged the rehabilitation contract. There are reports about huge funds supposedly meant for the refinery rehabilitation found in the accounts of certain persons under the investigative radar of the anti-graft agency. That Segun’s name has not been mentioned in connection with that is because the EFCC investigators have not found anything incriminating on him or around the period he served as EVP Downstream. What these amoral groups really want to achieve by their latest gambit of going to court is to unnerve the CFO to the point that he would give in to their blackmail. But they would fail, just like they failed in their previous strategies. This is because the CFO maintains a clear conscience, and a clear conscience fears no accusation. Ben Ekori, a social commentator and public affairs analyst, wrote this piece from Lagos.

International, News

China Nears Breakthrough With Humanoid Robot Housing Artificial Womb

China is on the brink of unveiling a humanoid robot capable of hosting a fully functioning artificial womb, in what could mark a revolutionary leap in reproductive science. The project, led by Guangzhou-based Kaiwa Technology, is scheduled for debut in 2026, according to a report by Indian Times on Monday. Speaking at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, project lead Zhang Qifeng disclosed that the scientific groundwork has already been laid, with the next phase focused on integrating the artificial womb into a humanoid robot to enable what he described as “interactive pregnancy.” Read Also: Only 35.5% of Nigerian Newborns Breastfed in First Hour – UNICEF Artificial wombs are not entirely new. They mimic the uterine environment using synthetic amniotic fluid and an umbilical-like tube for oxygen and nutrient supply. In 2017, U.S. scientists successfully kept premature lambs alive for weeks inside such “biobags,” demonstrating the technology’s viability. What sets Kaiwa’s innovation apart, however, is its ambition to create a robot capable of managing the entire reproductive process, from fertilisation to full-term birth. The solution, expected to cost around 100,000 yuan (£11,000), is significantly cheaper than traditional surrogacy. Experts say it could become a disruptive alternative amid rising infertility rates, particularly in China.

Kano, News

Governor Yusuf Inaugurates New PCACC Chairman

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally inaugurated Barrister Sa’idu Yahaya as the new Executive Chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC). The swearing-in ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Government House, Kano, where the State Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, administered the oath of office. Governor Yusuf had earlier forwarded Yahaya’s name to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation, in line with due process. Read Also: Kano State Govt Establishes Mobilization Taskforce on Voter Registration Born in 1978, Yahaya brings to the position nearly two decades of experience in anti-graft operations. He previously served with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for over 18 years, where he held key roles including Team Leader in General Investigations and in the Constituency Projects Tracking Division. An alumnus of Bayero University, Kano, Yahaya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Entrepreneurship and Venture Creation.

Kano, News

Kano State Govt Establishes Mobilization Taskforce on Voter Registration

In line with the directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the commencement of voter registration nationwide, the Kano State Government has approved the establishment of the Kano State Mobilization Taskforce on Voter Registration. The Taskforce, which is a high-powered committee will be formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in due course, and is to be chaired by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Honourable Commissioner, for Information and Internal Affairs. The initiative is a strategic intervention designed to mobilize and encourage full participation of Kano citizens in the ongoing voter registration exercise, with a view to ensuring maximum success. Read Also: Kano Govt to Train Media Aides of 44 LG Chairmen Other Members of the Taskforce include: Hon. Commissioner, Women Affairs, children and Disabled Hon. Commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Special Adviser, Political Mobilization Special Adviser, Inter-Party Affairs Special Adviser, Population Special Adviser, Political Affairs Special Adviser, Student Matters Special Adviser, Grassroot Mobilization Special Adviser, Digital Economy Special Adviser, Information Special Adviser, Entertainment and Culture Director General, KASITDA Statistician General/Director General, State Bureau of Statistics Director General, Research and Documentation Directorate Managing Director, Kano State Radio Corporation Managing Director, Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) Representative, State NNPP Representative, Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) Representative, Emirate Council Chairperson, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Representative, Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) Senior Special Assistant, KANSIEC Representative, Council of Ulama Representative, HISBAH Board Representative, Kano Traders Association Representative, Kano Business Community Representative, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Representative, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Representative, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Representative, National Association of Kano State Students Representative, Kano State Youth Council Representative, Central Working Committee of Self-Help Groups Representative – Civil Society Organizations Nasiru Salisu Zango Tijjani Sarki Secretariat of the Taskforce: Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Office of the Head of Civil Service Director, Special Duties, Special Duties Directorate, Office of the Secretary to the State Government Director, Research and Evaluation, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs Directorate (REPA), Office of the Secretary to the State Government Director, Internal Affairs, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs The Government emphasizes that this Taskforce is not a mere administrative arrangement but a decisive step towards promoting participatory democracy and ensuring that every eligible Kano citizen registers to vote. It is therefore anticipated that, all stakeholders such as: traditional institutions, civil society, political parties, trade unions, youth and women organizations, and the general public —to join hands with the Government to achieve the desired goal The State Government further emphasized that voter registration is not just a routine exercise, but a civic responsibility with extraordinary importance and a gateway to shaping the future of governance and ensuring that the voices of the people of Kano are heard at the ballot boxes. Signed: Musa Tanko Muhammad Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kano. 19/08/2025

Kano, News

Kano Govt to Train Media Aides of 44 LG Chairmen

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has assured media assistants to the 44 local government chairmen in the state of the Ministry’s commitment to organise capacity-building training aimed at enhancing their professional skills and improving productivity. This was conveyed in a statement signed by Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy Director, Information, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs. Comrade Waiya gave the assurance when he received members of the forum of media aides to the local government chairmen, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Tuesday. Read Also: Appointment of Mustapha Bala Dawaki as APC Chief of Staff Sparks Jubilation in Kano He explained that the Ministry remains the central hub of information dissemination in the state, and as such, is committed to ensuring effective communication between the government and the public. The Commissioner further disclosed that the state government will soon convene a joint capacity-building workshop for members of the forum and local government information officers. The initiative, he said, is designed to bridge communication gaps, foster unity, and equip participants with the requisite skills to carry out their assignments professionally, efficiently, and effectively. While calling for synergy between the aides and information officers, Comrade Waiya noted that although media aides primarily engage the public through social media platforms, information officers are responsible for subjecting reports to proper scrutiny before publication. Earlier, the Chairman of the forum, Abubakar Haruna, commended the Kano State Government for the developmental projects being implemented across the state. He explained that the association had already introduced itself to the local government chairmen and was now seeking formal recognition from the state governor. Haruna also appealed for training opportunities, provision of working tools, and professional guidance from the Ministry to enable members to discharge their responsibilities more effectively.

News, Sport

Super Falcons Insist on Dollar Payment of Tinubu’s $100,000 Gift

The Super Falcons have reportedly rejected an attempt by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay President Bola Tinubu’s $100,000 reward in Naira, demanding instead that the funds be settled in dollars. Sports analyst Aron Akerejola, speaking on the matter, explained that the delay in disbursing the funds was not due to negligence by the NFF, but because the players turned down the local currency option. “The part of the story they are not telling is that these girls were given the money,” Akerejola said. “The NFF proposed paying their allowances in Naira at the rate of N1,530 to a dollar. The players refused, saying, ‘We don’t live in Nigeria. What will we do with Naira?’ Read Also: Tinubu Hails Students’ Global Feat, Silent on Cash Reward Demands He disclosed that following the players’ refusal, the NFF returned the money to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for conversion into dollars, a process that further delayed payment. “It’s not the fault of the NFF. The government released the money, but the players rejected Naira. That’s why it dragged on,” he added. Confirming the situation, team captain Rasheedat Ajibade recently told reporters that the squad had yet to receive Tinubu’s promised bonus. “We have not received our money, but hopefully, it will be paid,” she said. President Tinubu had announced the $100,000 cash reward, alongside national honours and housing allocations, for the Super Falcons following their triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

National, News

Ganduje Condoles APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda Over Mother’s Death

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has extended condolences to the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, following the death of his mother, Madam Lydia Yilwatda. In a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje described the late Madam Lydia as a devout and virtuous woman whose life was dedicated to God, family, and community. Read Also: Ganduje’s Statesmanship Beyond Kano Borders He said her exemplary values are evident in the leadership qualities of her son, who currently leads the affairs of the ruling party. “The passing of a mother is one of life’s greatest pains. On behalf of my family, associates, and supporters, I extend heartfelt condolences to our National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the entire Yilwatda family,” Ganduje stated. According to him, Madam Lydia will be remembered for her moral uprightness, selfless disposition, and the role she played in nurturing generations of responsible citizens. “While her death is a great loss, we are consoled by the fact that she lived a fulfilled life of impact and service,” the former governor added. Ganduje urged the bereaved family to take solace in her enduring legacies and called on APC members nationwide to stand in solidarity with Yilwatda during this period of mourning.

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