VP SHETTIMA DEPARTS ABUJA FOR DAVOS TO ATTEND 2025 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent Nigeria at the 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) scheduled for Davos, Switzerland.

The Vice President will join world leaders, top business executives and representatives of development partners at the meeting to discuss the state of the world economy with the view to improving its conditions.

While in Davos, the Vice President will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders as well as participate in workshops and forums slated for the annual gathering.

Among events slated for the VP include, a workshop entitled, “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets”, organised by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the World Economic Forum to boost the flow of capital into Africa’s frontier markets, to scale solutions that build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient continent. It is slated for the Congress Centre in Jakobshorn.

Top on the agenda will be an announcement of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), and foster partnerships between public and private sector leaders interested in mobilizing investment in Africa’s frontier markets, among others.

The Vice President will also attend a dinner for heads of state, government and international organizations, as well as Annual Meeting 2025 Crystal Awardees, the International Business Council and Strategic Partners slated for Kurpark Village, Eiger.

Senator Shettima will also co-chair a forum on “Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa” slated for the Pischa Congress Centre.

The session will provide a dynamic platform for forward-thinking dialogue on digital trade and the crucial role of the private sector in advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol adopted by the AU heads of state/government in January 2024.

VP Shettima will attend, as a panelist, a Stakeholder Dialogue entitled, “Global Risks 2025”. The Global Risks Report highlights an increasingly volatile global landscape, marked by accelerating geopolitical, technological and environmental challenges. The event is slated for the Aspen 2 Congress Centre in Davos.

The VP who will be accompanied by top government functionaries including Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi, will return to Abuja at the end of his engagements in Davos.

VP SHETTIMA DEPARTS ABUJA FOR DAVOS TO ATTEND 2025 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING

DG APC Youth Awareness Council Announces Resignation of Party Membership

By: Yahays Wakili

Former Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Awareness Council for Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe state, Hon. Saidu Hassan Jakusko has formally announced his resignation from the membership of the party, effective immediately.

This was contained in a resignation letter issue and signed by him and made available to newsmen in Damaturu. He said this decision has not been made lightly, because I have always valued my association with the APC and its mission to drive progress and development.

“I feel compelled to take this step due to reasons. In 2019, I was an integral part of the campaign team that worked tirelessly, investing our time, resources, and energy to secure the victory of Hon. Mai Mala Buni as governor of Yobe State.

He revealed that, despite our relentless efforts and the success we achieved, I have not received any recognition or reward from the government over the past four years. Nevertheless, I continued to show patience and loyalty to the party.

According to Jakusko, during the 2023 general elections, I faced numerous challenges. Despite these difficulties, I successfully mobilized and facilitated the defection of an estimated 600 individuals from various political parties, PDP, APGA, AC, and the Labour Party, into the APC.

“These decampees were presented to the party leadership, including the APC chairman and other top officials. However, despite these significant contributions, no tangible support or recognition was extended to address ongoing challenges within my constituency, he said.

Hon. Saidu Hassan Jakusko added that given these circumstances, I find it necessary to part ways with the APC at this time.

“I deeply appreciate the opportunities I have had to contribute to the growth and success of the party. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the leadership and my fellow members of the APC in Yobe State for their collaboration and support over the years,” he said.

Jakusko maintained that, as I step away from the APC, my commitment to the development and progress of our community and the principles of democracy remains steadfast. Please accept my best wishes for the party’s continued success as you work toward achieving the aspirations of its members.

DG APC Youth Awareness Council Announces Resignation of Party Membership

Why Ahmed Lawan’s Record Raises Concerns About His Governorship Ambitions in 2027

By Garba Abdullahi

Ahmed Lawan, the former Senate President, has long been a figure of controversy in Nigerian politics. His potential bid for the governorship in 2027 invites serious reflection on his leadership style, particularly concerning issues of tribalism, fairness, and inclusivity.

Lawan’s tenure in public office has raised questions about whether he is truly fit to lead in a diverse and pluralistic society like Yobe State.

Lawan’s political career has been marked by allegations of tribal favoritism, often prioritizing personal and ethnic loyalties over merit and inclusivity. Critics argue that his appointments and political alliances frequently reflected a bias toward his own ethnic group, fostering resentment among other communities. This approach undermines unity and breeds discontent in a state like Yobe, where diverse ethnic and religious groups coexist.

Yobe State deserves a leader who can bridge divides, not deepen them. Leadership should be about fostering unity, yet Lawan’s history suggests a tendency to use his position to consolidate power within a narrow circle. This has left many questioning whether he has the capacity to govern with fairness and equity.

One of the key qualities of a good governor is transparency in decision-making. During his time as Senate President, Lawan was often accused of shielding the executive branch from scrutiny rather than holding it accountable. His perceived loyalty to political elites rather than the people raises concerns about his ability to govern effectively and prioritize the needs of ordinary citizens.

Transparency is non-negotiable in governance. Yet, Lawan’s record suggests a pattern of opaque dealings and an unwillingness to embrace accountability. If elected governor, will he prioritize the people’s welfare or the interests of political elites?

Lawan’s leadership style has often left communities feeling excluded and marginalized. In a state like Yobe, where poverty and insecurity are rampant, a governor must be able to unite all segments of society toward a common goal of progress and development. Lawan’s tribalism threatens to deepen divisions rather than heal them.

His track record in the Senate offers little hope for a transformative agenda in Yobe. Development requires bold and visionary leadership, not one constrained by parochial interests or loyalty to a select few.

As Yobe State approaches the 2027 elections, its citizens must critically evaluate the candidates vying for leadership. The state needs a governor who can rise above ethnic and political divides, someone who will prioritize development, inclusivity, and fairness. Ahmed Lawan’s record raises serious doubts about his ability to meet these standards.

Leadership is about service, not self-interest. It is about bringing people together, not tearing them apart. For Yobe State to progress, its people must choose leaders who embody these values.

Ahmed Lawan’s history of tribalism and exclusionary politics makes him an unsuitable choice for the governorship.

Why Ahmed Lawan’s Record Raises Concerns About His Governorship Ambitions in 2027