National News
VP SHETTIMA TO NEW NCP MEMBERS: Be At The Forefront Of Executing Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

VP SHETTIMA TO NEW NCP MEMBERS:
Be At The Forefront Of Executing Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored new members of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to station themselves on the frontline of actualising the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The Council members, according to him, must do this by championing great reforms through disruptive minds and ideas, even as he noted that every great reform commences with a disruptive thinker, which he said the President symbolises.
The Vice President who stated this on Friday while inaugurating the newly constituted NCP in his conference room at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said President Tinubu’s choice of the Council’s membership is a reminder of what it can achieve with fresh ideas.
Noting that membership of the Council is as crucial as its mission, VP Shettima who is also Chairman of the Council observed that the diverse talents and great depth of experience of persons approved as members of the Council by President Tinubu speak volume of their ability to deliver.
He stated: “Membership in this distinguished council symbolizes more than mere participation; it signifies a steadfast commitment and a resolute belief in our shared vision for a Nigeria brimming with opportunities, growth, and empowerment. It represents our collective pledge to propel the economy forward, build robust infrastructure, forge pathways to employment, and nurture an environment where productivity flourishes.
“By his approval, Mr. President has entrusted us with the strategic national assignment of piloting the nation’s economic sector reform, privatization, commercialization, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program for the next four years.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, today’s inauguration invites us to take a front seat in the effort to actualize the Renewed Hope agenda of this government. Every great reform starts with a disruptive thinker, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands as a testament to this fact, reminding us of what we can achieve by infusing fresh ideas into this Council.
“This gathering underscores our drive towards economic rejuvenation and liberalization by unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s economy, with reforms, PPPs, and privatization at the forefront.”
Senator Shettima reminded members of the Council that their appointment is a privilege to serve the nation by contributing to the socio-economic development the Tinubu administration has promised to deliver.
He urged them not to rest on their oars in “ensuring accelerated growth of the economy, providing infrastructure, creating jobs, and providing an enabling environment for productive activities to flourish”, as they leverage on the nation’s enormous resources for the benefit of Nigerians.
The Vice President pointed out that their duty is to execute the statutory responsibilities of the Council in line with the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act 1999.
He listed the Council’s objectives to include “approving policies on privatization and commercialization, approving guidelines and criteria for the valuation of public enterprises and choice of strategic investors, approving the prices for shares or assets of the public enterprises to be offered for privatization, approving the legal and regulatory framework for the reform of public enterprises.”
Others are “reviewing, from time to time, the socio-economic effect of the privatization and commercialization program and deciding on appropriate remedies, appointing committees comprising persons from the private and public sectors with requisite technical competence to advise on the privatization and commercialization of specific public enterprises.”
With him as Chairman, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, as Vice Chairman, the VP named members of the newly inaugurated NCP to include Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister Industries, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Anite; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso.
Others are Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua; Mr. Oluwole Oshin (Private Member); Mal. Mohammed Mustapha (Private Member); Mr. Olayiwola Yahaya (Private Member); Mr. Akwa Effion Okon (Private Member), and Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh, as Secretary.
In his response, Minister of Finance and Vice Chairman of the Council, Edun, thanked the Chairman of the Council, Vice President Shettima, for inaugurating the Council.
The Minister noted that a cursory look at the 2024 appropriation bill and budget estimate indicate that privatization is among areas the government is relying on to fund the budget and grow the economy.
“But we do have the scope to go back to the National Assembly in the event that we find that we can actually do more.
“I would just like to thank the Chairman, National Council on privatization, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, GCON and to thank all of you as members in advance for the critical tasks that we have to carry out.
“And I will just end this brief vote of thanks, if I may, by reemphasising the strategy, the policy and, indeed, the objective of Mr. President, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,”. Edun stated.
VP SHETTIMA TO NEW NCP MEMBERS:
Be At The Forefront Of Executing Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
National News
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
National News
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
National News
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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