Politics
Yusuf drops SSG, Dantiye, scraps CoS portfolio in cabinet reshuffle
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf on Thursday reshuffled the State Executive Council with the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, dropped on health ground.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, on Thursday Yusuf said the rejig was in line with his administration’s desire to deliver on its promises to the people of the state.
The shake-up also saw the governor drop his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Sagag, whose office was scrapped.
He said the first major reshuffle of his cabinet takes immediate effect.
According to Yusuf there is need to ensure optimum performance that will drive more dividend of democracy to the people of Kano state.
Yusuf also removed some cabinet members and reassigned others to enhance administrative performance and retool.
Those who retained their positions were Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud and Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran.
Also retained were the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Umar, Commissioner for Budget and Planning Hon. Musa Shannon and Commissioner for Works and Housing Alhaji Marwan Ahmad.
Those who retained the posts also included the Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefiyanu Hamza, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Shiekh Ahmad Auwal and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Hon. Mustapha Kwankwaso.
Others are Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Kibiya, and that of Internal Security and Special Services, retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Idris.
According to the statement, those reassigned were the Deputy Governor, Mr Aminu Abdulssalam, who was moved from Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education and Hon. Mohammad Usman who was moved from Science and Technology to Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Similarly, Dr Yusuf Kofar Mata was from Higher Education to Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Others reassigned included Amina Abdullahi who was moved from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to Ministry for Women, Children and Disable and Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to Ministry of Special Duties.
Also, the Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation Hon. Ibrahim Namadi was moved to Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa of Ministry of Education was reassigned to moved to Ministry of Water Resources.
Similarly, Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda was moved from Water Resources to Ministry of Education while Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji was from Ministry of Women, Children and Disable to Tourism and Culture.
Similarly, Hon. Muhammad Diggol was moved from Ministry of Transport to Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Yusuf dropped five members of his cabinet including Ibrahim Jibril Fagge, of Finance Ministry, Ladidi Ibrahim Garko, Culture and Tourism; Baba Dantiye of Information and Internal Affairs.
Also dropped were Shehu Yammedi of Special Duties and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
The governor directed the former Chief of Staff and the five commissioners that were dropped to report to his office for possible reassignment.( NAN)
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for publicly acknowledging his efforts and calling him “Mr Infrastructure.”
Speaking to State House correspondents after the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa, Wike described the President’s praise as a strong vote of confidence and a motivation to keep delivering results for residents of the FCT.
“I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me,” Wike said. “If your boss, in public, says you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”
The Minister, who has spearheaded a series of infrastructure and service delivery reforms across Abuja, said he remains committed to meeting the expectations of both the President and the people of the territory.
“For us, we’re happy to be identified in this administration, and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with,” he said. “So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done. That means he’s watching, and we will not disappoint him.”
When asked about the next wave of infrastructure projects expected as the Tinubu administration approaches its second anniversary, Wike confirmed that a fresh round of projects is already in the works.
“The committee is working,” he revealed. “You can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time.”
The Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani has declared interest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Shehu Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna.
He said, “any politician who is going to contest election will be dependent on political equation which will determine what position is going to contest. I would say that if the conditions are rights and equations favourable, I will offer myself to contest but specifically on the central senatorial district”.
“If the people of Kaduna central want us to provide our own kind of leadership and representation at the NASS, you should expect me back to Senate in 2027”.
According to him, his ambition is secondary while that of re-electing governor Sani for second term is primary.
He reiterated that his priority is to see governor Uba Sani re-elected in 2027.
“For now, we want to see that incumbent governor, Uba Sani is re-elected. We are going to do it with all our mights and strengths, we know that they are going to be challenges and opposition but we are well prepared for all the forces”.
Shehu Sani however, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria during the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
Sani who also reacted to killing of hunters in Edo State condemned the act and urged security agencies to fish-out the perpetrators.
He said, “If any citizen of this country cannot move from one part of the country to another, then we are not a nation.
“If someone will use one reason or another to take laws into his/her hand then it means there is no government or authority”.
He added that Nigerians who desire good for the country should work for peace and unity for the preservation of our democracy in the phase of challenges that is being experienced by our people, he said.
Sani however, called on government to save Nigeria, saying that there should be respect for fundamental rights and most importantly is respect to right to life, he added.
Politics
SSAP-SDGs Felicitates with Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr, Calls for Unity and Sustainable Development
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has extended heartfelt greetings to Muslims across Nigeria and beyond as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the successful conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement released in Abuja in her behalf by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, the SSAP-SDGs emphasized the significance of Eid-el-Fitr as a time for gratitude, reflection, and unity. She highlighted the values of compassion, generosity, and solidarity, which define the season and align with the principles of sustainable development.
“Eid-el-Fitr is not only a period of celebration but also a moment for renewed commitment to building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable society where no one is left behind. The teachings of Ramadan inspire us to uphold peace, unity, and selflessness. These are values that are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she stated.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire called on Nigerians to use the occasion to promote harmony, foster mutual understanding, and work together in addressing socio-economic challenges. She reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating progress on key SDGs targets, including poverty eradication, access to quality education, gender equality, and economic empowerment.
“As we mark this joyous occasion, let us remember those in need and extend kindness to the less privileged. Together, through collective action and a shared vision, we can advance sustainable development and create a better future for all,” she added.
The SSAP-SDGs concluded by wishing all Muslims a peaceful and blessed Eid celebration, urging them to continue embodying the virtues of Ramadan in their daily lives.