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

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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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Farm quarrel ends in tragedy as 19-year-old stabs friend to death in Gombe

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Farm quarrel ends in tragedy as 19-year-old stabs friend to death in Gombe

By: Zagazola Makama

What began as a routine day on the farm in Kulani Chessi village, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, ended in tragedy on Monday when a petty argument between two young men turned deadly.

The police have confirmed the arrest of 19-year-old Mustapha Adamu, who allegedly stabbed his 20-year-old friend and co-worker, Yahuza Labaran, following a disagreement while they were farming.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the two young men had gone to the farm as they usually did, but at about 3 p.m., a heated argument ensued. What triggered the dispute remains unclear, but what followed was a violent attack that left the community in shock.

Sources said that in the heat of the argument, Mustapha drew a knife and stabbed Yahuza in the left shoulder, causing a deep wound that led to significant blood loss.

Upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen was dispatched to the scene. The victim was rushed to the Balanga General Hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor

The suspect was promptly arrested by the police and is currently in custody. During preliminary interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the act, saying he had no intention of killing his friend.

“I didn’t mean to kill him,” Mustapha was quoted as saying during his confession. “We were only arguing, and I lost my temper.”

The tragic incident has cast a dark cloud over the quiet farming village, with residents mourning the loss of a young life and calling for greater efforts to promote non-violent conflict resolution among youths.

Village elder Mallam Umaru Kalla expressed concern over the growing rate of youth violence in rural communities, especially among farm workers.

“This is not the first time a minor disagreement has escalated into something deadly,” Kalla said. “We need to start teaching our children how to resolve issues without violence. A knife should not be the answer to every disagreement.”

Police authorities have assured the public that investigation is ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion.

Farm quarrel ends in tragedy as 19-year-old stabs friend to death in Gombe

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How security forces rescued eight abducted victims in Enugu

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How security forces rescued eight abducted victims in Enugu

By: Zagazola Makama

For three days, Leonard Onyeka, his wife Onyinye, daughter Chiamaka, and five other victims lived in terror, held captive by armed kidnappers in a dense forest near the 9th Mile axis of Enugu State. But on Tuesday afternoon, their nightmare ended in an emotional reunion, made possible by the tireless efforts of combined security forces.

The victims, abducted on July 19 while traveling through a remote part of the Udi–Nsukka corridor, were released unharmed on July 22 at about 1:40 p.m., following a sustained manhunt by the Nigeria Police, Forest Guards, and members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were freed without a ransom, as the pressure from tracking teams became unbearable for their captors, who eventually abandoned them and fled deeper into the forest.

“They could no longer cope with the heat from our coordinated operations,” said a senior police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They had no choice but to release the hostages to save themselves.”

The Onyeka family, visibly shaken but physically unharmed, were among the most affected by the ordeal. They kept moving us through thick forest, blindfolded and confused. Sometimes we heard gunshots and thought our end had come,” he said. “But we kept praying, and we knew help was coming.” Said one of the victims after rescue.

Meanwhile, security agencies have vowed to maintain their momentum and bring the perpetrators to book.

“We are following every trail,” another police source said. “This is not the end , it is just the beginning of justice.”

How security forces rescued eight abducted victims in Enugu

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Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

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Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

By: Zagazola Makama

The quiet morning calm of Unity Road in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, was shattered on Monday when neighbours made a harrowing discovery: two children, a four-year-old girl and her three-month-old baby brother, were found dead in their home, allegedly murdered by their own mother.

Zagazola report that the suspect, identified as Chidima Arinze, reportedly committed the act at her residence, No. 47 Unity Road, in what police sources describe as one of the most disturbing domestic incidents in recent memory.

According to a Police sources, the tragic event unfolded on July 21 at about 9:00 a.m. when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Trans Ekulu received a distress call. Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

On arrival, the operatives met the lifeless bodies of Esther Arinze, aged 4, and Chibusoma Arinze, aged 3 months. Both victims reportedly bore marks of violence, suspected to have been inflicted with a sharp object. The scene was cordoned off, and forensic photographs were taken before the suspect was taken into custody.

The children’s remains were evacuated to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane, where they were certified dead by a medical officer. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

The suspect, their mother, was arrested at the scene without resistance. Preliminary investigation is currently ongoing at the Trans Ekulu Division, while the case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more discreet and comprehensive probe.

While police have not disclosed a motive, early speculation from community members points to a possible case of postpartum mental health crisis, though this remains unconfirmed.

“This is not something we’ve seen before in our area,” said one resident, who asked not to be named. “She was quiet, kept to herself. No one suspected she was struggling with anything.”

The Enugu State Police Command assured the public that justice would be pursued with thoroughness and sensitivity.

“We understand the emotional weight of this case,” a senior police official said. “Investigators are looking at every angle, including psychological evaluation of the suspect.”

Meanwhile, the Trans Ekulu community remains in mourning, stunned by a crime that unfolded behind closed doors in one of its homes.

“We are devastated,” said a neighbour. “Two innocent lives gone, and a mother behind bars. No one wins in this situation.”

Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

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