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Ganduje’s N300bn Chinese Loan Slavery – Kano Elders To Buhari

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KANO STATE ELDERS, UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE KANO UNITY FORUM, HAS PETITIONED THE PRESIDENT, MAJOR GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI (RETD.), THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE, ASKING THEM TO STOP THE N300BN LOAN THE STATE GOVERNOR, ALHAJI ABDULLAHI GANDUJE, PLANS TO OBTAIN FROM CHINA.

IN THE PETITION, TITLED, “A CALL FOR THE URGENT REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED CHINESE MONO RAIL LOAN TO KANO STATE GOVERNMENT,’ WHICH WAS SIGNED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, ALHAJI BASHIR TOFA, THE FORUM CONDEMNED GANDUJE’S INSISTENCE ON OBTAINING THE LOAN FROM CHINA DEVELOPMENT BANK.

IN A COPY OF THE PETITION MADE AVAILABLE TO JOURNALISTS ON THURSDAY, THE GROUP THE LOAN WAS AN INVITATION TO ENSLAVEMENT AND IT VOWED NEVER TO ALLOW PEOPLE OF THE STATE TO BE ENSLAVED.

IT STATED, “EXCEPT FOR A FEW IN THE OFFICIAL CIRCLES, NOBODY ELSE KNOWS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT,” ADDING THAT “THE EXACT AMOUNT BEING BORROWED IS SHROUDED IN SECRECY.

“THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT COSTING OVER N300BN OR MAY BE EVEN THE N828BN MENTIONED BY OTHERS, COMING MOSTLY FROM A FOREIGN LOAN IS MIND-BOGGLING, TO SAY THE LEAST. A RETHINK IS NOT ONLY NEEDED, BUT NECESSARY.

“BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT INDEBTEDNESS OF KANO STATE AS PROVIDED BY THE DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR KANO STATE TO SUSTAIN ANY INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND THE CURRENT LIABILITY PORTFOLIO OF THE STATE.”

THE FORUM STATED THAT A RAIL PROJECT WAS NEVER A PROJECT THAT SHOULD BE DONE IN HASTE, ADDING THAT IT WAS NOT A MEDIUM TERM PROJECT.

IT SAID, “IF INDEED THE CHINESE WANT TO GENUINELY HELP WITH CHEAP LOANS, THEY SHOULD BE REQUESTED TO SUPPORT CRITICAL SECTORS SUCH AS EDUCATION, HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, POWER, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRY AND WATER SUPPLY.

“AFTER ALL, THE CHINESE HAVE BECOME WORLD LEADERS IN THESE ASPECTS OF TRANSFORMATIVE DEVELOPMENT.”

THE GROUP SAID THAT THE KANO UNITY FORUM WOULD NOT GIVE “ANY SELF-SERVING POLITICIAN THE LATITUDE TO INCREASE POVERTY AND DEPRIVATION WITHIN THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH ILL-CONCEIVED PUBLIC WORKS.

“WE SHALL NOT BE DELUDED BY THE ATTRACTIVE IDEA OF GOOD RETURN FROM THE INVESTMENT. RAIL PROJECTS WORLD OVER ARE KNOWN AS HIGHLY CAPITAL INTENSIVE WITH A VERY NEGLIGIBLE RATE OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT. IT IS MORE OF A SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECT, ESPECIALLY IN LESS DEVELOPED ECONOMIES. “

THE FORUM, THEREFORE, WARNED THAT IF THE STATE GOVERNMENT INSISTED ON GOING AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT, “WE WILL DILIGENTLY PURSUE COURT PROCESSES AND OTHER LAWFUL MEANS TO STOP THE LIGHT RAIL PROJECT.”

THE GROUP, THEREFORE, CALLED ON THE PRESIDENT “TO INTERVENE IN ORDER TO SAVE THE STATE AND ITS CITIZENS FROM ENSLAVEMENT.

“WE ALSO VOW TO ENSURE THAT THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION IN THE STATE REPUDIATES THE AGREEMENT ALTOGETHER AND DISREGARD ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHATEVER MONEY THE CHINESE EXPENDED ON THIS PROJECT. WE MUST EMPHASISE THAT THE GOOD PEOPLE OF KANO DO NOT NEED THIS EXPENSIVE WHITE ELEPHANT PROJECT.’’

YOU ARE RAISING UNNECESSARY ALARM, GANDUJE’S AIDE REPLIES ELDERS

REACTING ON THE PETITION, THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO GANDUJE ON MEDIA, SALIHU TANKO-YAKASAI, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PUNCH, SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE ELDERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LOAN WAS NOT NEW AS THE PROCESS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO.

HE SAID THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAD BEFORE FOLLOWED ALL THE NECESSARY STEPS AND PROCEDURES FOR TAKING THE LOAN.

HE SAID AFTER THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE LOAN, GANDUJE SUBMITTED THE DOCUMENT TO THE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AS WELL AS THE DEFT MANAGEMENT OFFICE.

HE STATED, “AFTER ALL THESE PROCESSES, WE GOT APPROVAL OF THE LOAN. SO WHY ARE THEY RAISING ANY ALARM ABOUT IT?”

HE SAID THE MONEY WAS NOT COMING TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT DIRECTLY BUT RATHER IT WOULD GO TO THE CONTRACTOR FROM THE BANK, WHILE THE STATE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO GIVE ITS COUNTERPART FUND FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT.

“BESIDES, IT IS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. WHY THE ELDERS DID NOT WRITE AND QUESTION THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON ITS ONGOING RAIL PROJECT IN THE COUNTRY?” HE ASKED

BUT A PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHIEFTAIN, ALHAJI AMINU ABDUSSALAM, DESCRIBED THE PROPOSED LIGHT RAIL PROJECT IN KANO AS A WASTE OF RESOURCES.

ABDUSSALAM, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF OUR CORRESPONDENTS, SAID AT PRESENT ALL SERIOUS GOVERNMENTS WERE MORE CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF THEIR CITIZENS IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, BUT THE STATE GOVERNMENT WAS BUSY TRYING TO ACCESS A LOAN WHICH WOULD NOT POSITIVELY IMPACT ON THE COMMON MAN.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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