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Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry

Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry
By Lizzy Okoji
Since his appointment as Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has emerged as a source of optimism for Nigeria’s steel industry, leveraging his deep understanding and skill to revitalise the sector. Undoubtedly, the ex-investment banker, politician, and son of the late political icon who was the first and second civilian governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu; has injected new life and a fresh thinking into Nigeria’s steel industry, sparking optimism for a more promising future.
Tasked with the responsibility of reviving and repositioning the Nigerian steel industry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Prince Audu has not rested on his oars, but has instead shown great determination for the country’s publicly owned steel plants to begin steel production before the end of the first term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
Given his background as an investment banker with over twenty years cognate experience, it was no surprise when President Tinubu appointed the prominent Kogi Prince as Minister in August 2023, tasked with overseeing the newly-created ministry and driving the President’s vision of industrialising Nigeria through the steel sector.
As Minister of Steel Development, Prince Audu aims to revive and reposition Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited as a world-class steel producer as well as resuscitate other steel rolling-mills across the country, develop and implement policies to grow the Nigerian steel industry, attract investments and partnerships to drive industry growth, create jobs and stimulate economic growth through steel production.
The Honourable Minister’s commitment to reviving the company with new and effective strategies has attracted potential international investors and partnerships, paving the way for Nigeria to become a major player in the African steel market.
Prince Audu has embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda to address the sector’s challenges with the following key initiatives: engaging with industry stakeholders, including steel producers, miners, and equipment suppliers to understand their challenges and concerns to help him develop a 10-year roadmap for the industry to address the sector’s specific needs.
Following high-level meetings with companies like Luan Steel Group of China and Jindal Steel of India and other prospective investors, they have shown interest in building new steel plants in Nigeria, a development that would boost the country’s steel production capacity and attract foreign direct investments.
Under his leadership, the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, once a dormant giant, is now roaring back to life. With the potential to create over 500,000 jobs, the successful revival of the steel company would be a game-changer in reducing poverty and achieving the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The hope of reviving Ajaokuta Steel plant can be said to be just around the corner, as the committed Minister, following the approval of Mr. President, is in the final stages of working with investors to revive the light section mill that will produce iron rods, the wire rod mill, the lime calcination plant and thermal power plant.
The visionary Prince of the Niger, is also set to get presidential approval to declare the 24,000 hectares of land in the Ajaokuta steel territory an industrial park (with a free trade zone and CNG park), which will further drive foreign investments into Kogi State, making the state one of the major industrial hubs in the country.
A significant development in “walking the talk’ of the Minister’s efforts are partnerships between the Ministry of Steel Development and Ministry of Defence as well as the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) which are beginning to yield positive results. The Works Ministry will also be off-takers of steel produced from Ajaokuta, which would be used in building roads and infrastructure across the country, while the Engineering workshop of the steel plant is being resuscitated to manufacture military hardwares in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. Land will also be allocated in the steel territory for the military to build a military industrial complex in Ajaokuta.
The launch of 1 million Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the end of 2025 further restates the importance of the collaboration between the Ministry and the PCNGI to establish a CNG Park within the territory of Ajaokuta. The park will benefit from the existing infrastructure, like the natural gas line from Warri to Ajaokuta among others.
Noteworthy is that the influence of the astute Prince Audu extends far beyond the steel sector, as he has leveraged his position to bridge the gap between the government and the people of Kogi East Senatorial District, as well as the entire state, delivering numerous interventions for his people, which he had always done through his Foundation, the Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu Foundation even before becoming Minister.
His strong commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda earned him high marks from the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), a coalition of 73 civil society organisations, in a predictable yet notable endorsement for delivering on his mandate of reviving the steel sector.
The Presidential Conditional Grant Programme, which he facilitated, had a positive impact on 5,000 beneficiaries in Kogi State, who received a one-off payment of N50,000 each, spread across the three senatorial districts, in addition to consistent distributions of palliatives such as Rice, Groundnut Oil, Salt and Fertilizers as well as financial support to communities across the State.
In a strong show of support, the Minister visited Omala Local Government Area of the State, donating N5 million of his personal resources as well as relief materials to those affected by herdsmen and bandits’ attacks. At the IDP camp, which he visited with his wife, he expressed solidarity and commitment to working with authorities to end the violence and restore peace to the communities.
Not ignorant of the current challenges of the country in the face of the transformative agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister is committed to leveraging on his position as the representative of his people at the federal level, collaborating with the leadership of Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to bring the necessary succour and interventions to ameliorate the challenges of the people, while driving sustainable development projects to the state.
Although the Prince of Steel faces a monumental task in restoring the steel industry amidst financial constraints, he remains unwavering in his commitment to etch his name in the annals of history by revitalizing the idle steel plant and the broader steel industry in Nigeria.
Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry
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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Recent reports claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), narrowly escaped death in an alleged Boko Haram ambush in Borno State are categorically false and misleading.
Zagazola Makama can confirm that there was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.
What actually happened was a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday. The assault targeted the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School – not Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy associated with him.
Let us be clear:
Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.
Zagazola Makama, has previously reported how the ground troops, with critical support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, repelled the attackers decisively.
During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.
So how did this snowball into a national headline falsely claiming a “near-death” experience for the former army chief?
Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.
The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.
Let this stand as a final and factual rebuttal:
There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Period. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.
Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno
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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
As part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has conducted another successful air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Bukar Meram, located in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by sources that the mission, which was executed in the early hourz of Monday, June 9, at about 0545 hours, was carried out under the auspices of Operation KALACHEN WUTA II.
The sources said that the operation formed part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting terrorist activities before, during, and after the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah period.
He said that intelligence-led surveillance revealed that the terrorists were regrouping at the Bukar Meram location with intent to launch coordinated attacks on Marte and Monguno general areas.
Prompted by this credible intelligence, the Air Component swiftly mobilised to engage the enclave. Airstrikes were conducted with precision, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.
The strikes also resulted in the destruction of critical terrorist logistics, including supply vehicles, makeshift shelters, and weapons storage points.
The decimation of the enclave not only inflicted significant losses on the terrorists but also disrupted their operational planning and movement.
The sources added that Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the mission confirmed that the planned attacks on Marte and Monguno were effectively thwarted.
Further intelligence gathering is ongoing to assess enemy reactions and possible movement patterns following the successful interdiction. Ground troops have also been placed on heightened alert to exploit the gains of the airstrike and maintain pressure on fleeing remnants.
Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad
News
French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel
By: Zagazola Makama
A 67-year-old French national, Mr. Pietier Gilles, has been found dead at a hotel in Gboko town in Benue state.
Zagazola Makama report that the deceased, believed to be a French tourist, was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gbokon, where he had lodged on June 6.
According to a police sources, on Sunday, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at about 5:45 p.m. on June 8.
Laha informed the police that the tourist fell ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital. Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him. He was, however, discovered to have died.
“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” the police said.
Gilles reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, 2025, traveling on a sports bicycle as part of what is believed to be a long-distance tour.
Police sources said investigation will be conducted, and all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to handle the situation appropriately.
French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel
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