FG Declares 1st May, Public Holiday

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 1st May, 2025 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Workers’ Day Celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government reiterated the need for peace to drive industrialization and economic growth.

Tunji-Ojo commended workers for their diligence and sacrifice. He noted that workers’ efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria commands in the comity of nations.

According to the Minister, ”There is dignity in labour; the dedication and commitment to the work we do, is vital to nation-building”. He therefore urged workers to imbibe the culture of innovation and productivity.

Tunji-Ojo encouraged workers to raise the bar of their trade to drive and upgrade the bar of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation’s wealth.

He assured Nigerians that, “this Administration is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners in the country.”

While wishing workers a happy celebration, the Minister urged Nigerians to keep hope alive as the present administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda he has promised.

FG Declares 1st May, Public Holiday

European Reconstruction Bank Sites First West African Office In Lagos

** As VP Shettima restates President Tinubu’s resolve to sustain stronger ties with EU

** Welcomes partnership with Asian Consortium to manufacture electric cars, solar equipment in Nigeria

By: Our Reporter

The Nigerian government has reiterated its deep commitment to strategic partnership with the European Union, as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) prepares to open its first West African office in Lagos.

Nigeria officially became the EBRD’s 77th shareholder in February 2025, following the bank’s limited and incremental expansion to sub-Saharan Africa approved by its Board of Governors in 2023.

Speaking on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the EU’s longstanding support, highlighting the growing opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, and youth empowerment.

“You are our natural partners and allies. Beyond the geography that binds us, we have a cultural affinity that goes back centuries,” VP Shettima said.

The Vice President noted that Nigeria is entering a new phase of economic openness under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said took bold steps from day one to dismantle key structural challenges.

He said, “Some of the dysfunctions in the Nigerian economy – the opaque exchange rate regime and the fuel subsidy – President Tinubu had the courage to remove them. All the encumbrances toward investment in this country are gradually being eliminated.”

Welcoming the EBRD’s expansion into Nigeria, VP Shettima said the opening of its Lagos office is a symbolic and strategic development for both parties, as “it will send a message across the borders.

“More than ever before, Nigeria is ready for business,” he added, emphasising that Nigeria’s partnership with the EU extends beyond economics, just as he made reference to the EU’s significant humanitarian and stabilisation efforts in conflict-affected regions such as Borno State, where he served as governor.

“I know the prominent role that the EU played in stability and humanitarian support in Borno State. You deserve commendation, not condemnation. We will always stand by those who stood by us in our hours of need,” VP Shettima said.

The Vice President also spoke on migration cooperation, expressing satisfaction with ongoing engagements under the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement, and called for a revitalisation of youth-focused programmes like the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP).

“There is a need for us to recalibrate the programme for the good of our young men and women,” VP Shettima said.

Earlier in his remarks, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mignot, said given the turmoil and very difficult political climate globally, it is important to have a reliable relationship with Nigeria, noting that the European Union sees Nigeria as a key partner in the 21st century.

Mr. Mignot explained that all the EU ambassadors in Nigeria have met to reaffirm their partnership with Nigeria.

He stated that the EU is a strong supporter of the UN Charter, the Sustainable Development Goals, and global gender equality initiatives of the international community.

“The EU believes in free and fair trade, international partnerships as relations among equals, mutual benefits and respecting sovereignty. West Africa and Nigeria are priorities for us because we are neighbours and our destinies are closely linked.

“Therefore, we are determined to keep our commitment globally and here in the region and Nigeria in terms of partnerships, cooperation and humanitarian aid,” he said.

VP Shettima Welcomes Partnership With Asian Consortium On Electric Cars, Solar Equipment Manufacture In Nigeria

In another development, Vice President Shettima applauded the proposal for partnership between Nigeria and the Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) of South Korea for solar equipment and electric vehicle manufacturing, as well as for advanced Information Technology for security enhancement in Nigeria.

He said Nigeria was ready for partnerships that would advance the industrialisation agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and improve the lives of the citizens.

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the AEDC South Korea led by its Chairman, Mr Yoon Suk-hun, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Senator Shettima added that Nigeria is open to and interested in any form of arrangements that would lead to the transfer of technology and the establishment of industries for solar equipment production and electric vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria, among others.

He reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu administration to creating the enabling environment for private investments in the country, assuring the delegation of the government’s cooperation.

“This government wants to be the facilitator for businesses to thrive in Nigeria. We will create a safe passage and a conducive environment for private businesses like yours to thrive.”

The Vice President commended South Korea’s commitment to the development of Africa, given their shared history, just as he praised the country’s investments in human resource development and technological advancement, especially in automobile manufacturing and the alternative energy sector.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Suk-hun, said the delegation was in the country to explore areas of partnership in solar technology, electric vehicle manufacturing and information technology infrastructure for security enhancement, among others.

He said the AEDC believes in the present leadership of the country to harness the enormous potential there, leveraging technology and the resources that abound across the country.

Mr Suk-hun said the organisation’s proposal for investment in Nigeria was not for profit maximisation but to ensure the transfer of technology in key areas, including solar technology, electric vehicle manufacturing and information technology capacity for security enhancement.

Also present at the meeting were the Founder/Chairman of AMMASCO Group, Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad; Shin Kyeong-seub; Kim Se Hun and Yang Jin Won, all from the AEDC.

European Reconstruction Bank Sites First West African Office In Lagos

2027: A glance at Yobe politics and those struggling to succeed Governor Mala Buni

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State in 2027 remains politically heavily influenced by a concentrated group of established elites, including former and current governors, legislators, and traditional leaders who maintain significant control over party nominations and resource distribution. This centralized power structure has contributed to political stability and smooth transitions but simultaneously limits democratic participation and impedes broader developmental progress. Notably, long-serving legislators such as Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio exemplify the entrenched nature of this elite dominance. Within this context, the question of Governor Mala Buni’s successor is largely shaped by these influential actors rather than open electoral competition.

Yobe’s political future appears to be orchestrated by a limited cadre of power brokers whose influence will likely determine Governor Buni’s successor. The absence of transparent contestation or emerging alternative leaders suggests continuity within established networks rather than transformative political shifts by 2027.

For now, about six politicians are currently struggling to succeed Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, in the 2027 general elections in Yobe State. The names currently circulating in the social media, who are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), include The former Senate President and current Senator for the Yobe North Senatorial District, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON Sardaunan Bade; Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, Turakin Fika, Yobe South Senatorial District; Senator Musa Mustapha, Yobe East Senatorial District; Hon. Jibrin Mai Gari, a Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Federal Character Commission; Hon. Kolo Lawan Geidam, who was currently a mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, FCT Abuja; and the current Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali mni

But the battle line may be drawn between former Senate President Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON, and Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai. The two top gladiators in Yiobe politics have been working to win the people recently. All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, however, is warning its members to desist from such calling because it says it is too early now to start campaigning for the 2027 general elections. Yobe State is divided into three senatorial zones: Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C. Zone A is Yobe East, Zone B is Yobe South, and Zone C is Yobe North.

Despite rumors circulating about Governor Buni’s potential defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), official statements from his spokesperson categorically deny any intention to leave the party or join coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections. This affirmation underscores Buni’s continued centrality within the APC framework in Yobe State. However, neither these denials nor public discourse provide clarity on who might succeed him after his tenure concludes.

Since the return of democracy in the country in 1999, only the APC has been ruling the state, and they call it a one-party state in the country, and since then only Zone A has been producing the governor; this includes the late Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Minister of Police Affairs Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, and current Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, and Zone B has produced only one governor, the late Senator Mamman B. Ali, and he spent only 18 months in office before he died, while Zone C didn’t produce anyone, not even the deputy governor. But recently , in his interview with newsmen at his residence in Potiskum, the former APC State Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye, said rotation or zoning has become necessary in Yobe politics if they want the party to succeed in the 2027 general elections in the state.

According to Adamu Abdu Chillariye, if they want justice in the politics of Yobe State, let the party introduce the rotating formula of the governorship set in the 2027 general elections to other zones. It is not a traditional institution to say that only one tribe or one zone can continue to produce the governor at any time, he said. This will not augur well for our great party, and even after our lives, the rotating must be done in Yobe politics. If they want justice to prevail in Yobe politics, people are afraid to say the truth. The people of Zone C are crying for marginalization; they said they were marginalized, and they call on the party in the state to do justice. They expressed their feelings. The people of Yobe North, Zone C, have started appealing to the party leadership that this time around it is the turn of Zone C. Because the marginalization is too much, they said since the restoration of democracy in 1999, the people of Zone C have been marginalized. They said we, the people of Zone C, are always loyal to the APC, but they do not carry us along; they have always marginalized us in Yobe politics.

They also expressed their feelings on Yobe politics; the people of Yobe South Zone B said, This time is our turn. Let them allow us to complete our tenure because the late Senator Mamman B. Ali spent only 18 months in office before he died. He was supposed to spend 4 years in office, so the people of Zone B are overdue to complete their tenure. The political analysis in Yobe State says this time in Yobe State, if care is not taken, in 2027 the APC in Yobe State will lose its credibility and its seat to the opposition party in the state because the opposition will use this opportunity to wrestle the governor’s seat in the state. They said the politics of Yobe is becoming a family affair, and if the APC doesn’t change its style of dictatorship, it will lead them to failure.

2027: A glance at Yobe politics and those struggling to succeed Governor Mala Buni