News
Ndume Declares For Senate Presidency, Releases 10-Agenda
Former Senate leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume has declared interest to contest for the office of the Senate President in the 10th Assembly and release a 10-point agenda.
Ndume is the first among those justly for the office of the Senate President to release an agenda for the Senate and the Nigerian people.
Ndume who had an unsuccessful bid to be the Senate President in the 9th Assembly, urged Nigerians especially his political party to allow lawmakers to select their leaders because of the fairness of the office.
According to Ndume, as one of the ranking lawmakers, he deserves to take a shot at the contest adding that his colleagues will decide on the floor.
In the 10-point agenda, Ndume said he will put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first.
“The Senate President should be one not first among equals. Work harmoniously and interdependently with the executive and the Judicial Arms of Government without undermining the principles of Separation of Power; make new laws and review existing ones to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. Especially, A. Security and welfare of Citizens, B. Job Creation, C. Economic and Infrastructural Development, D. Fight against Corruption, G. Education, H. Political inclusion/ Power devolution, E. Business and Entrepreneurship development, and F. Health Care Development.
Other items in Ndume’s 10-point agenda are: Amend and review existing tax laws to:- Generate more income, Block leakages; ensure transparency through open accountability with full participation of all Senators; Protect and improve on welfare, rights and privileges of National Assembly Workers, inculcate es-spirit de-corps in order to utilize the experiences of former members by engaging them as consultants to members and Committees in order to tap from their experiences, set a timeline for confirmations, passage of Bills especially budgets and executive requests and Pass the Constituency Development Bill to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of Constituency Projects.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ndume who confirmed his interest to vie for the office of the Senate President in the 10th Assembly, said it is subject to the position of the party and the fairness of that position.
“Subject to the position of the party and the fairness of the position of the Senate President, I intend to throw in my hat to the position of the Senate President. It is for my colleagues to decide.
“Many people have been saying that I am quiet about vying for the office of the Senate President. I have declared my interest now. The party did not take a position on zoning during the presidential election.
“It will be very fair because I was one of the people that advocated for the zoning of the office of the president to the South.
“The Senators will decide who will lead them. We went through the election and won the election. The position of the Senate should not be zoned.
“Femi Gbajabiamila as a speaker came from the same region as the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Allow the Senators to decide on who best to lead them.
“If we are copying the American system, as the most senior senator, I will become the Senate President. Let the 109 senators decide who will lead them,” Ndume said.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)