news
Opinion: Dear Abdullahi Usman, You Can’t Thwart The Progress Of Taraba State By Oluwatosin Alex
Opinion: Dear Abdullahi Usman, You Can’t Thwart The Progress Of Taraba State By Oluwatosin Alex
The good governance the people of Taraba state desperately wanted for several years finally arrived with the emergence of Governor Agbu Kefas. Since he became governor, He has been able to successfully position Taraba state among the best-performing states in terms of economy, education, job creation, standard of living, and several others.
Within just three months in office, Dr. Agbu Kefas’ achievements have not only directly benefited the people of Taraba state, but they have also made even ‘outsiders’ become envious of the miraculous turn-around that has happened in Taraba state. In Nigeria and across party lines, Dr. Agbu Kefas is one of the best-performing governors at the moment.
Within a short period, Dr. Agbu Kefas’ style of governance has become a template for other states and will continue to be for a long time. Many didn’t believe a Nigerian governor can make his cabinet consist of 80% of the youth population but for Kefas, it happened quickly without any hassle. He is the only governor who has only youthful commissioners, one of them is just 27 years old.
Arguably, Dr. Agbu Kefas’ government is one with a human face, every decision and action he has taken since he emerged has been for the benefit of the common people of Taraba state. His first point of call was to engage women and youths for sweeping jobs in the state, he recently announced that 10,000 youths will be engaged for another batch of sanitation jobs and will be paid N15,000 monthly.
We shouldn’t also forget that he announced free secondary and primary education, acquired 750 tractors from the Czech Republic, ordered the renovation of government secondary schools, recently approved palliative measures to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, and many other things all for the sake of the good people of Taraba state.
Dr. Agbu Kefas have promised to ensure that Taraba state moves forward under his administration, He has been vocal about his promise since the days of the campaign and sincerely, Taraba state has tremendously moved forward within a short period.
All of these necessary moves by Dr. Agbu Kefas come with a price. He won’t use his funds to run the government and we all know that the immediate past administration left a huge debt behind. The former governor took loans that didn’t affect the people in any way. He didn’t pay salaries, pensions, or benefits of civil servants in the state despite the loans. He left an empty treasury for Dr. Agbu Kefas. How then is the new governor expected to perform excellently well without any tangible funds in the state’s treasury?
On realization of this, The Taraba House of Assembly approved the N206,778 billion loan request by Agbu Kefas, governor of the state to fund the 2023 supplementary budget. Truth be told, there has never been any politician that has shown transparency like Kefas did after getting approval for the loan request. He publicly announced the banks where the loans will be gotten from, how the loans will be disbursed, and the repayment plans.
The loan will be taken from four commercial banks — Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, Keystone Bank, and Fidelity Bank — to execute various projects in the state.
A breakdown of the budget showed that the sum of N50 billion was earmarked for the Ministry of Education, N40 billion for infrastructure, while agriculture, security, and health got N30 billion each. Micro-finance bank, judiciary, and house of assembly got N5 billion each.
The women’s affairs ministry, digital economy, and waste management received N2 billion, respectively.
Other sectors got N5.476 billion, while N5 billion was reserved to settle gratuity and enroll more local government retirees into the state’s pension payroll.
However, one Mr. Abdullahi Usman has written a petition to the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop the banks from approving the loan request because ‘it will move Taraba to a state of abject poverty’.
The petitioner also claimed that Taraba State was already indebted and could not pay back $206 billion within four years, as assured by the governor.
Although, certainly, the CBN will not honour such a worthless petition but Usman needs to understand that this is an attempt to thwart the progress of Taraba state. For years, the state has been on a standstill and finally, we have someone willing to push the state forward yet one Usman is going all out to stop the progress. It will not stand!
While Usman has the right to criticize the government, it is expected to be done with a high level of intelligence and not in a way to advertise ignorance. The governor has set out plans to repay the loan before the expiration of his tenure, how come Usman who isn’t part of the government knows that Taraba can’t repay the loan within four years?
Of course, politicians have failed the people of Taraba state in the previous years but Dr. Agbu Kefas is different. Others may have not fulfilled their promises to repay loans but for Kefas, It will be a different ball game.
Abdullahi Usman should try to read the room, the masses are in support of the loan because they understand that Taraba needs it. They know that Dr. Agbu Kefas will use it judiciously for its purpose. Taraba state is a moving train, no amount of Abdullahi Usman can stop it!
Niger State Government Welcomes Buratai Foundation Aid for Flood Survivors
The Niger State Government in north Central Nigeria has welcomed officials from the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation and Tukur and Tukur Foundation, on a condolence visit to the state following the recent tragic flooding in Mokwa.
The foundation, owned by former Chief of Army Staff, His Excellency Amb Lt General Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd), has initiated a medical outreach program to aid the affected communities across the country.
During the visit, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Abdullahi Imam, expressed the state government’s appreciation for the foundation’s commitment to aiding recovery efforts.
The timeliness of the Foundation’s assistance during this challenging period is highly appreciated,” said Dr Imam, highlighting the vital role of timely health interventions in post-disaster recovery.
The Niger State Government, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation, and Tukur and Tukur Foundation have pledged to work collaboratively to restore health and wellness in the flood-affected Mokwa community.
Officials of the foundation were warmly received by the state government, which acknowledged the importance of their support in responding to the humanitarian needs of displaced and affected residents.
Following the engagement in Minna, the foundation’s delegation proceeded directly to Mokwa to commence immediate medical interventions, prioritizing urgent healthcare for those impacted by the flooding.
According to Nana Fateema Mohammed and Muhammad S. Abubakar, Information Officers with the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Healthcare, the support has been met with heartfelt gratitude.
“Nigerlites express deep appreciation for the compassion and actionable support shown by the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation and Tukur and Tukur Foundation as communities rally to rebuild and recover,” they said in a joint statement.
Dr Imam echoed the sentiment, reiterating, “We express deep appreciation for the compassion and actionable support shown by the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation and Tukur and Tukur Foundation.”
The outreach is part of a wider effort by the foundations to deliver humanitarian and healthcare services to vulnerable populations across Nigeria, particularly in times of crisis.
President Tinubu condemns brutal killings in Benue State
By Ifeoma Ikem
Following the recent attacks in Benue state, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has strongly condemned the recent brutal killings in Benue State and the North East region.
These senseless acts of violence are not only an affront to human dignity but also a direct challenge to the peace and stability of our nation.
In a press statement signed by the secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume , President Tinubu expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Benue State and the North East. The loss of innocent lives in Yelewata community and other affected areas is a tragedy that calls for collective grief and urgent action.
Akume said: “Mr. President for his decisive response in directing an immediate high-level delegation to Benue State and announcing his personal visit to the region. This demonstrates his commitment to the security and welfare of all Nigerians, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him,the President’s decision to visit Benue State on Wednesday is a clear testament to his hands-on leadership and empathy for the plight of affected communities. Such proactive engagement is vital in addressing the root causes of insecurity and fostering sustainable solutions.
“Ahead of the President’s visit, I have been directed to lead a delegation comprising the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and key members of the National Assembly to assess the situation on the ground. This underscores the seriousness with which the President views these attacks.
“As a former Governor of Benue State, I am acutely aware of the devastating impact of these violent attacks on our people. The disruption of livelihoods, displacement of communities, and destruction of property threaten not only individual well-being but also the socio-economic stability of the region.
He said the Federal Government is fully committed to bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice. I urge our security agencies to intensify their efforts, enhance intelligence-gathering, and work closely with local communities to restore peace and prevent further bloodshed,he added.
President Tinubu’s planned town hall meeting with stakeholders during his visit is expected provide a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration.It is an opportunity to listen to the concerns of the people and develop actionable strategies to end this cycle of violence.
“The economic implications of insecurity in Benue and the North East cannot be overstated. The disruption of agricultural activities, trade, and other economic ventures exacerbates poverty and food insecurity, with far-reaching consequences for the entire nation.
“Having served as Senator for Benue North-West and Minority Leader of the Senate, I understand the importance of legislative-executive synergy in tackling insecurity.President.Tinubu-led government will continue to work closely with the National Assembly and state governments to implement policies that enhance security and protect lives.
“I commend the resilience of the people of Benue and the North East in the face of adversity. Your courage and determination inspire hope, and I urge you to remain steadfast as the government takes decisive steps to address these challenges.
The Tinubu administration remains resolute in its determination to restore peace and security across Nigeria. No effort will be spared in deploying the necessary resources and strategies to safeguard our citizens and their properties.
I am confident that President Tinubu’s visit will mark a significant turning point in our efforts to restore lasting peace in Benue and the North East.
His leadership and personal engagement will undoubtedly reinvigorate our collective resolve to end these senseless killings.
He called on all Nigerians to unite in support of the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in every part of our country. Security is a shared responsibility, and we must all play our part in fostering harmony and reporting suspicious activities to the authorities.
Politics
Mr. President, This Is Not a Dilapidated Nigeria: An Open Rebuke of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Extravagant Governance
Mr. President, This Is Not a Dilapidated Nigeria: An Open Rebuke of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Extravagant Governance.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared in 2023 that he inherited a “dilapidated Nigeria” from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, many Nigerians expected an urgent shift toward austerity, fiscal discipline, and a governance style that reflects the dire economic realities facing the nation; but what we have seen under Tinubu’s government is not the leadership of a man burdened with fixing a broken country. Instead, it is the portrait of extravagant ruling elites drowning the nation in reckless spending while millions of citizens are crushed under inflation, joblessness, insecurity, and despair.
It is for this reason that Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor Mohammed Sanusi II bluntly told Tinubu: “You do not claim to have inherited a dilapidated economy and then proceed to spend like a drunken sailor.” His words sting with truth and today, Nigerians demand a response beyond media propaganda and deflection.
Extravagant Spending Amid National Hardship
How can President Tinubu justify allocating ₦21 billion to renovate the Vice President’s residence in Abuja and an international conference center built for ₦240 million in 1991 renovated for ₦39 billion, when public universities are struggling to buy basic laboratory equipment and students sleep on floors? If the country is truly dilapidated, why should National Assembly members be gifted ₦70 billion worth of SUVs at ₦160 million each, in the same year citizens are taxed to death for basic services?
Even more appalling is the ₦5 billion budgeted for vehicles for the office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (an office that does not exist in the Nigerian Constitution). Is this not fraud with a fancy name?
Then comes the presidential fleet, which received an allocation of ₦5 billion in 2024, while another ₦5 billion was budgeted for a luxury presidential yacht. Let that sink in: a yacht in a nation where nearly 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty (according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 2022).
Corruption and Nepotism Masked as Governance
How can we take Tinubu’s reform agenda seriously when he awarded a ₦15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to Gilbert Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and close ally of the President? Let us remember: Chagoury was once deported under former President Obasanjo for economic sabotage. Today, he’s back in favor; not by merit, but by political convenience.
What about the ₦5 billion allocated to the Presidential Tax Reform Committee headed by Taiwo Oyedele? To date, Nigerians have seen no report, no reform outcomes, just photo-ops, and hollow press statements.
And if things are so bad, why appoint the largest cabinet in Nigerian history (48 ministers) when the Oronsaye Report has already recommended the downsizing and merging overlapping ministries and agencies? What happened to that cost-saving reform?
The Subsidy Scam
Tinubu told Nigerians that he removed fuel subsidies to free up funds for development, but where is the money? How much has been saved and how has it been spent? Till now, there’s no transparent accounting.
On the contrary, after removing the subsidy, pump prices skyrocketed from ₦185/liter to over ₦900/liter in many states. Electricity tariffs followed suit. While Nigerians were told to “tighten their belts,” the government loosened theirs with gold-plated policies and unchecked looting.
Governance Without Empathy
Under Tinubu’s watch, education has become a privilege, not a right. Public university lecturers are owed a backlog of salaries from previous ASUU strikes. Students are being priced out of classrooms by inflated fees. And health? Only the wealthy can afford decent hospitals, while public health institutions resemble war zones.
Food prices have doubled. A 50kg bag of rice now costs over ₦75,000. Tomatoes, which used to be ₦300 per basket, now go for ₦10,000 in some markets. Yet, the President and his vice continue globe-trotting at taxpayers’ expense.
According to BudgIT’s 2024 report, the Tinubu government allocated ₦90 billion for Hajj pilgrimage. Is Nigeria now a theocracy? Should religion be more important than education, health, infrastructure, and human capital?
Meanwhile, each Senator reportedly earns ₦21 million monthly, and House of Reps members pocket ₦13.5 million. These increments were passed under Tinubu’s administration without a whisper of concern for the 133 million poor Nigerians.
The Deceptive “Renewed Hope”
Tinubu’s campaign slogan, “Renewed Hope,” has fast become “Renewed Hopelessness.” Nigerians have seen no signs of a turnaround. Instead, what they see is a system where:
Nepotism thrives: critical appointments are handed to cronies, not technocrats.
Security remains elusive: from Zamfara to Plateau, Benue to Borno, killings are rampant.
Inflation is unchecked: currently at 33.69% (May 2025), according to the NBS.
The naira is weak: trading at over ₦1,500/$1 in the parallel market.
Unemployment continues to soar: youth unemployment stands at 53.4%, the highest in West Africa.
IF THESE AREN’T SIGNS OF FAILURE, WHAT ARE?
Words from the Wise
The late Chinua Achebe once warned, “THE TROUBLE with NIGERIA is SIMPLY and SQUARELY a FAILURE of LEADERSHIP. ” That rings louder now than ever. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka described our leadership as a “CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE MASQUERADING as GOVERNANCE.”
Even elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark recently declared: “This GOVERNMENT is not BEING SINCERE with NIGERIANS. You don’t REMOVE SUBSIDY and then begin to LIVE a LIFESTYLE of KINGS and EMPERORS.”
In the words of Prof. Pat Utomi: “LEADERSHIP is not about ACQUIRING luxury cars and private jets. It’s about making LIVES BETTER for the AVERAGE CITIZEN.”
Yet, what we see under President Tinubu is the institutionalization of greed. Leaders are getting richer, while citizens can barely survive.
Final Word
Mr. President, the claim that you inherited a “dilapidated economy” is not enough. What matters is what you’ve done with the economy since May 29, 2023. Sadly, the answer is clear: the cost of governance has exploded, the suffering of the people has intensified and trust in public institutions has eroded further.
We demand answers:
Where are the subsidy savings?
Why the jumbo budget for luxuries?
Why ignore the Oronsaye Report?
Why increase electricity tariffs without improved service?y
Why are critical sectors neglected while SUVs are bought in bulk?
Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. This trend must be arrested; urgently. It is time for accountability, not propaganda. If this administration is truly committed to rescuing Nigeria, then start acting like you inherited a failing state and not a treasure chest for elite consumption.
Enough of deception. Enough of waste.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
-
society3 months agoRamadan Relief: Matawalle Distributes Over ₦1 Billion to Support 2.5 Million Zamfara Residents
-
Business6 months agoDangote Refinery, wonder of modern technology ― Japan Ambassador, business community
-
society6 months agoNAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment
-
celebrity radar - gossips5 months agoAlbums Reviews : Saheed Osupa’s Latest Release : A 2-in-1 Musical Experience