Politics
Is Lawal Akus a Member of the KSHA or House of Representatives?
By Abdul Mohammed Lawal
As the African proverb goes, “A lion only begets a lion, and a child who knows his heritage will not stray when entrusted with the goodwill of others.” Today’s article takes a step away from the norm to celebrate a brother I met in 2022 during my work with the Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Council (YBPCC). Hon. Akus Lawal truly lives the meaning of this saying.
Fondly known as the “Homeboy” in Ankpa and surrounding areas, it’s inspiring to watch him continue the legacy of his late father, Alhaji Shehu Akus.
In Kogi politics, it’s rare to see a lawmaker who truly delivers. Hon. Akus, representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly (KSHA), has already achieved so much in just over a year that people are asking: Is he a member of the KSHA, or does he belong in the House of Representatives?
Hon. Akus has set the bar high for what a lawmaker can accomplish, especially in Kogi East. His exceptional performance on the floor of the KSHA, his dedication to empowering young people, and his genuine care for the socio-economic welfare of his constituents have made a real difference.
Let’s take a look at some of his impressive achievements:
1. Disbursed cash palliative to 150 students from Ankpa 1 State Constituency in higher institutions across the country in 2024.
2. Awarded scholarships to over 50 students in the College of Education Ankpa (34 students) and GloryLand Polytechnic (26 students), totaling over 9 million Naira for full tuition payment throughout their studies.
3. Paid for over 100 JAMB forms for students and organised a 3-month extra class for science students at Government Day Secondary School, Ankpa.
4. Distributed educational materials worth over 3 million Naira to pupils and students across his constituency.
5. Renovated five classroom blocks at Uferane LGEA Primary School, constructed two classroom blocks and renovated three blocks at Akwu LGEA Primary School, and built two new classroom blocks at both Ochunobi LGEA and Ojede Primary Schools. Ongoing renovations are also underway at Ogodo Community Secondary School.
6. Building a 25-bed capacity modern primary health centre in Akwu to serve over 20 communities, 90% completed and set to be commissioned in the 2nd quarter of 2025.
7. Constantly provided medical drugs and consumables to primary health centres in his constituency, including the one in Ochi, built by his late father in 1976.
8. Completed numerous borehole projects in communities across the 5 political wards of his constituency, with more in progress.
9. Ongoing effort to set up a computer institute to teach local youth valuable digital skills, preparing them for the future.
10. Initiated several MSME support initiatives and vocational trainings that have benefitted over 100 constituents.
Hon. Akus’s legislative work has been equally impressive. He raised motions on important issues, such as:
11. Highlighted the water challenges in Ankpa, leading to 300 million Naira being allocated in the 2025 budget for repairs and improvements.
12. Advocated for the poor state of the Ankpa to Abejukolo road, which is now part of the 2025 budget.
13. Successfully pushed for the inclusion of several rural access roads in the 2025 budget, such as the roads from Ojacchadu, Egbeche, Emanyi, Enale to Ojuwo, and Abache, Okenyi to Ejinya, aimed at improving farmers’ access.
14. Raised a motion that led to the allocation of funds for the facelift and renovation of Ankpa Zonal General Hospital in the 2025 budget, aimed at improving healthcare services for Ankpa and surrounding communities.
Wow! Is this all for just a little over a year as a legislature? It’s even more beautiful to know that this isn’t everything he has done!
Hon. Akus has proven that you don’t need years in office to make an impact. His accomplishments speak volumes, with many politicians, even those with multiple terms in office, not having achieved as much.
His approach is simple: listen to the people, be transparent, and stay focused on delivering results. His ability to make a real impact, even with a limited budget, shows that leadership isn’t just about money; it’s about how you use the resources at your disposal to better the lives of others.
Hon. Lawal Akus’s leadership is setting a new standard for what lawmakers can achieve. His work over the past year demonstrates that change is possible when you focus on the people’s needs. If he continues this momentum, there’s no doubt he will do even more for Kogi State and beyond.
So, is he just a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, or is he someone who could take on greater responsibilities in the future? With everything he’s accomplished so far, there’s no doubt that the best is yet to come.
Thank you, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, for affording the people of Ankpa 1 State Constituency with the “Homeboy Experience.”
The Northern Nigeria Youths Union (NNYU), has promised to garner over two million votes for President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 General Elections.
The Chairman of the union, Abubakar Aliyu, discussed this on Wednesday shortly after the conclusion of a major meeting held in Jos, Plateau.
“We are speaking after the conclusion of a large gathering of young men and women who have committed themselves to contributing to the journey of Tinubu.
“This is after seeing how he is implementing a myriad of developmental projects across the country, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria,” Aliyu said in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
The chairman, who is also the Galadiman Takai, cited Tinubu’s recent inauguration of the construction of the Abuja to Kaduna to Kano Highway.
Aliyu said, “This is a road that has three lanes on each side, which will attract more developments to the North and the entire country.”
He also referenced the phenomenal decline in the prices of food stuffs during just-concluded Ramadan’ fast, averring, “everyone glaringly witnessed this feat.
“The prices of various goods had also nosedived and even the price of fuel had reduced significantly.
“We in our organisation, the Northern Nigeria Youth Union, assure the president that when the election comes, we will give him more than two million votes.”
Aliyu stated that the union had registered members, Muslims and Christians, all volunteers in each of the 19 Northern states.
He added, “It is is not that we were given money from somewhere, we are just volunteers with patriotism.
“Considering our large membership, when the elections are held, we will also attract the attention of many people to cast their votes for Tinubu.
” Therefore, with a large membership of over 65,000 people, and the efforts we will make to get people with voter’s cards, will ensure that we generate the votes for Tinubu.
“This is a guarantee that this will indeed be done.”
The chairman, however, called on Tinubu to ensure that all his political appointees were closely monitored.
“This call becomes necessary so that the people could be properly cared for as per the constitutional provisions,”Aliyu explained.(NAN)
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has announced a ban on night grazing and restricted the use of motorcycles across the state following incessant attacks.
In a state broadcast on Wednesday, Mutfwang described the attacks as “coordinated acts of terror” aimed at displacing residents and undermining their right to exist peacefully on their ancestral lands.
The governor also prohibited the transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7pm.
He said the directives take immediate effect, with the restriction on motorcycle use in place from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.
“The tragic echoes of Dogo Na Hawa, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and the Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos remain vivid. The cycle continues, but it must not endure. Enough Is Enough,” the governor said.
“As your governor, I stand resolved — Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal.
“My administration is intensifying efforts to protect our people and enforce the rule of law across all local governments.
“I hereby announce the following measures, effective Wednesday, April 16: Night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited; transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7pm.
“The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.”
By Abubakar Yunusa
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar reaffirmed his commitment to building a coalition of opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku spoke on at a meeting with a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Nasarawa state, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and members of National Opinion Leaders, headed by Yusuf Sheriff Banki.
“Yesterday, I met with a delegation of two groups, during which I briefed them about the status of the pan-Nigerian coalition that I am building in conjunction with other leaders and stakeholders across political divides and regions,” Atiku wrote on X.
“I informed them that the Nigerian Movement is being powered by Nigerians desirous of reclaiming and rebuilding their country from across the nooks and crannies of our country.
“Indeed, the Coalition Train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades. First was the meeting with a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Nasarawa State, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and a delegation of National Opinion leaders, led by Yusuf Sheriff Banki.”
Atiku also warned them against being distracted by minor financial offers that could jeopardise their future.
He said leaders from various parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and others, have been meeting to forge a new path towards a better Nigeria.
He referred to the initiative behind the coalition as “Sabuwar tafiya” in Hausa, translating to “a new pathway” in English.
The PDP presidential candidate in 2023 expressed optimism about announcing the coalition soon and appealed to the public to join the movement.
“Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned — APC, PDP, Labour, and others — have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa Sabuwar tafiya, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria,” he added.
“And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon we will announce. We hope and we appeal to you all to be part of this movement.
“Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren, that is the vehicle we are going to ride on.
”Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway.”
On Monday, governors elected on the platform of the PDP ruled out the possibility of coalition or merger with any political party ahead of the 2027 elections.