Category: Opinion

Promising 18-Year-Old Nigerian Footballer, Tijani Yakubu Set to Blaze a Trail in the Footballing World

Aminu Imam

In the heart of Nigeria’s northern central region, a young and exceptionally talented footballer is on the cusp of taking the footballing world by storm. Tijani Yakubu, born on September 20, 2005, in the quaint town of Lafia, Nasarawa state, has emerged as a rising star in the football landscape, showcasing extraordinary skills and determination that belie his tender age of 18. Tijani’s journey into the world of football began as a young boy, displaying a natural flair for the sport that couldn’t be ignored. His passion for the game…

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Kaduna State: What Government is spending on each resident

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Yusuf Ishaku Goje.  The Kaduna State total 2023 approved budget is N376 billion, using the 2020 population estimate of 9.4 million, the per capita; what will be spent on each resident, is N39,710. While per capita for the total capital expenditure of N240 billion is N25,419. Below are the breakdown of the per capita expenditure for some key sub-sectors.  Ministry of Education, budget: N105.4 billion, per capita is N11,120; while the sector capital expenditure; N76.4 billion, is N8,061. Ministry of Health; budget: N59.1 billion, per capita is N6,233; while…

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Kaduna State: Subsidy Removal and the Conundrum of Palliative Measures

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Yusuf Ishaku Goje. The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, in response to the subsidy removal of premium motor spirit (PMS) towards ameliorating the accompanying hardship, held a meeting on the 5th of June, 2023, with the leadership of the labor unions and set up an Ad-Hoc Committee on Palliatives.  Since then not much has been heard, up until the recent interview the Governor granted to Arise TV on the resolution of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shattima.  Some of the…

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Ringing the bell of 2024 Hajj… for the ears of Hajj administrators

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Ibrahim Muhammed “A good plan, violently executed now is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”  Anonymous Recently, Independent Hajj Reporters released a public statement urging NAHCON and States Muslim Pilgrims Boards to immediately activate the process of registering intending pilgrims that wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj. The statement hinged its call on the early release of the 2024 Hajj calendar by the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah – detailing the allotted date for each major preparatory event preceding the 2024 Hajj days. In reaction, some critical…

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The Guardian Gafe on 2023 Hajj

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The attention of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has been drawn to the lead story in the Friday, July 21, 2023 edition of The Guardian Newspaper with the caption “Tears, Complaint Trails Nigeria’s Hajj… N304 Billion Capital flight to Makkah.”  The Guardian as one of the leading lights of Nigerian print journalism for decades, has a reputation for promoting fair reportage and analyses of issues and events.  This, however, was not the case with the seemingly sponsored story under reference purported to be The Guardian’s evaluation of the…

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Hajj not a capital flight

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Fatima Sanda Usara The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) observed with dismay how some media outlets, for whatever reasons, have carried on with campaigns of calumny against the Commission despite several press briefings and press releases clearly explaining reasons and solutions to hitches encountered in the 2023 Hajj operations.  In its bid to carry the press along, who in turn it is believed would clarify issues for their readers, NAHCON had kept the press updated about all knotty issues even before they become obvious, and sometimes only after…

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CONGRATULATIONS TO A WORTHY SPEAKER!!!

Aminu Imam

By Yahaya NEPA As the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly finally emerged, I singularly join Honorable Yusuf Liman’s numerous well-wishers to emphasize the undisputable fact that he clearly deserves the position. Apart from his academic pedigree, Hon. Liman equally possesses immense political experience from the grassroot, and has brought it to bear in his discusssions in the Chamber. We all hope that his election will unite the Assembly members, engender progressive policies and promote good governance in Kaduna state and beyond.I call on the people of Kaduna state…

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Why odds favour Abbas, Kalu as 10th Reps Speaker, deputy

Aminu Imam

Hassan Umar Farouk Barely two weeks to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, there are inescapable signals of victory that points in favour of Honourable Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as lawmakers who will emerge as the two lead principal officers of the House of Representatives when the legislators meet to elect their leadership on 13th June, 2023. While Abbas, who hails from Kaduna North-Central, is seeking to be elected as the next Speaker, Kalu who represents Abia State South-East is contesting for the position of Deputy Speaker in…

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Why El-Rufa’i Should Become the Next SGF

Aminu Imam

By Fidelix J. Bagudu Let me start by congratulating the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose hard work, perseverance and dedication have finally paid off. Tinubu’s emergence is timely, as Nigerians are in dire need of a leader that will carry everyone along regardless of ethno-religious differences. I have confidence that you have what it takes to turn Nigeria around. Few days ago, I stumbled upon a publication where the Asiwaju established the criteria for appointing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the first person that came…

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Nigeria’s MDI Poverty Rate Blame Debate and Lessons Therefrom

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abubakar Ahmed Since the disclosure after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba insisting that the FG had done its part on poverty alleviation in the country; in response to the released document by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics that 133 million Nigerians are currently living in multidimensional poverty, reactions have trailed the disclosure especially from one of Nigeria’s tier of governments; the state governments under the auspices of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF. According to Agba, 72…

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