News

Lagos is Planing to Colonise The Northern Region — Kwankwaso Alleges

Published

12 months ago

November 18, 2024

The Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), in the 2023 election and Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has alleged plans from Lagos to colonise the northern region.

Kwankwaso, who made the allegation while delivering a speech during the convocation ceremony of Skyline University, Kano, also claimed that Lagos has been on the way to the issue of emirates tussle in Kano State.

Kwankwaso, a Former Governor of Kano State, also lamented the avalanche of challenges bedeviling the North, including economic crisis, insecurity, poverty, hunger and different kinds of diseases, saying the situation is not good for the country.

Kwankwaso said, “Let me note our situation here in Kano and indeed northern Nigeria. The emir is just being a stooge at this very difficult time, especially in this part of the country (northern Nigeria).

“Today, we can see very clearly that there is a lot of efforts from the Lagos axis to colonize this part of the country.

“Today, Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose an emir, Lagos has to come to the centre of Kano to put their own emir,” Kwankwaso said.

Speaking also on tax collection, Kwankwaso said “Today, we are aware that Lagos young men are working so hard to impose taxes and take away our taxes from Kano and this part of the country to Lagos.

“Today, as we have seen, even the telephones that we make or register here in Kano, efforts are there to take all the taxes to Lagos.

“Even our sons and daughters who have brought factories, many of them here in Kano and northern Nigeria and even banks, somehow, they are forced to take their headquarters to Lagos because taxes will now have to go to Lagos,” he explained.

The Former Kano Governor also spoke on the disparity between the rich and the poor saying, “We have seen the efforts of some people to make the poor poorer and the rich richer and I believe this is more dangerous.”

Kwankwaso therefore called on the lawmakers from the northern part of the country to wake up and make sure the region is not cheated in any way.

“At this moment, I would like to call on all our National Assembly Members to keep their eyes open so that they don’t do anything that would cheat the people of northern Nigeria, especially here in Kano.

“We are witnesses to what happened during the first term, 1999 to 2000, where our members of the National Assembly were bribed, were treated into collecting huge sums of money to support offshore in this country. That law put a huge blow into our economy not only here in northern Nigeria but all other states,” he said.

News

FG Targets Guinness World Record with 3.6km Dining Table in Abuja

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Federal Government will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dining table during the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival slated for December 6 in Abuja. The 3.6-kilometre table is expected to host between 2,000 and 3,000 participants.

Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, announced this on Thursday alongside the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.

Fagade said the record attempt will be followed by communal dining, cultural displays, music, and comedy, adding that the initiative aims to position Abuja as a major cultural destination.

He noted that the festival aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting tourism, hospitality, and youth empowerment through skills development.

Minister Musawa described the event as a platform for economic inclusion and creative growth, highlighting gastronomy’s role in national development alongside film, music, and fashion.

The week-long festival, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” will feature exhibitions, culinary masterclasses, food tastings, and investment dialogues showcasing Nigeria’s rich food heritage.

President Tinubu is expected to officially unveil the festival and record attempt in Abuja.

News

Senate Clears Air Peace, Faults NSIB Over Drug Allegations

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Senate has cleared Air Peace of wrongdoing in the July 13 runway overrun at Port Harcourt International Airport, describing the drug and alcohol allegations against the airline’s pilots as “inconsistent and uncoordinated.”

The decision followed an investigation by the Senate Committee on Aviation, which reviewed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), report and found discrepancies that could harm Nigeria’s aviation reputation.

Committee Chairman, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), said the aircraft sustained no damage and returned to Lagos the same day, warning that inaccurate reports could erode global confidence in the country’s air safety ratings.

He commended Air Peace and other domestic carriers for maintaining strict safety standards and urged regulators to support indigenous airlines.

Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, criticised the NSIB’s handling of the matter, calling it misleading and damaging to the airline’s reputation.

He clarified that the incident resulted from human error, not mechanical failure, and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to safety.

The Senate is expected to issue a final report recommending better coordination and clearer communication among aviation regulators.

Defence and Security

Army Chief Pledges Better Welfare, Fair Postings for Troops

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has pledged to prioritise troop welfare, transparency, and fairness in postings to boost morale and strengthen operational efficiency.

Shaibu made the promise on Thursday in Maiduguri during an interactive session with defence correspondents as part of his operational tour of the North-East.

He commended troops for their resilience in defending the nation and assured that the Army would sustain and improve the soldier-first welfare policy introduced by his predecessor.

“As soldiers get what is due to them on time, we will extend that support to their families while they serve their fatherland,” he said.

The COAS also vowed that merit and professionalism would guide all postings and appointments, ensuring fairness and competence in leadership.

Shaibu, who assumed office on October 30, 2025, described morale as a key component of fighting power and reaffirmed his commitment to timely payment of allowances and other entitlements.

His visit was part of efforts to assess field operations and enhance the welfare of frontline troops battling insurgency in the region.

(NAN)