By Abubakar Mohammed, Kebbi

Ahead of 2027 election,the Gold Buyers and Sellers Association in Kebbi State has endorsed Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, for re-election in the 2027 governorship election, pledging its support for his continued leadership and the consolidation of development projects across the state.

The association announced its endorsement on Thursday during a solidarity visit to the Governor at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, where it presented 10,000 campaign jerseys as a demonstration of its commitment to his second-term ambition.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the Kabawa Gold Buyers and Sellers Association, Alhaji Muazu Usama Maishanu, commended the governor for what he described as purposeful leadership and impressive performance since assuming office.

Maishanu applauded the administration’s interventions in critical sectors, particularly road infrastructure, education, healthcare and water supply, noting that the impact of ongoing development projects was visible across different parts of Kebbi State.

He described Idris as one of the best-performing governors in the country and expressed confidence in his administration’s capacity to sustain the state’s development trajectory.

“We are here today to visit you and express our appreciation. We congratulate you for your remarkable performance and assure you that we are solidly behind you. We understand that no government can be perfect, but we are satisfied with your leadership and the direction you are taking Kebbi State,” he said.

Also speaking, Hon. Babangida Gulumbe appreciated the governor for his contributions to the development of Kebbi State and urged him to sustain the momentum, particularly in infrastructure and human capital development across the 21 local government areas.

An elder of the association, Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Kuka, stressed the importance of unity, collective commitment and sustained support, expressing optimism about the prospects of consolidating the gains of the present administration.

Responding, Governor Idris expressed appreciation to the association for its solidarity visit, endorsement and presentation of the 10,000 campaign jerseys.

He described the gesture as an indication of confidence in his administration and encouragement to sustain its development agenda.

The governor said his administration had remained focused on purposeful leadership, people-oriented projects and improving the living conditions of residents through investments in critical sectors.

According to him, the progress recorded so far reflects collective commitment and a shared determination to move the state forward.

“Our administration remains committed to bringing development closer to the people, improving the welfare of our citizens and ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach every segment of society. We are proud of the progress recorded so far, but we are equally determined to do more for the people of Kebbi State,” he said.

Idris assured the association that his administration would sustain its commitment to good governance, inclusive development and the implementation of programmes that directly improve the lives of citizens.

He also commended members of the association and other contributors to the presentation of the campaign materials, urging continued support for the development of the state.

The endorsement and presentation of the 10,000 jerseys add to the political activities and expressions of support emerging ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State.

By Jacob Moses,Abuja

The federal government, through the Ministry of Power under the Minister Joseph Tegbe, has secured the release of transmission equipment that have been stranded at the nation’s ports fortwenty years.

Announcing the development at a media briefing in Lagos, Tegbe said the first 44 containers were released from the ENL Terminal and another 54 from the APMT and Sun & Moon Terminals, bringing the total to 98 of over 300 containers held.

The minister explained that the equipment, which includes high-capacity transformers, cables and switchgear, was procured to expand the transmission network and relieve overloaded substations.

Its detention stalled projects, kept existing substations under heavy strain, exposed valuable assets to deterioration and accumulated charges on the cargoes.

He noted that the cost is felt daily by businesses spending more on alternative power, families enduring interruptions and public institutions struggling to maintain essential services.

The release is in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that the cargoes be cleared immediately, and the Minister and the Comptroller-General of Customs swung into action, working tirelessly to secure it.

Tegbe credited the president for the breakthrough and thanked the Ministers of Finance and of Marine and Blue Economy, the Comptroller-General of Customs, and officials of the Ministry of Power and its agencies.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the release follows the president’s directive for immediate clearance and for agencies to resolve outstanding charges and administrative bottlenecks without delay.

Customs has begun steps to clear the containers, working with the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Ports Authority and terminal operators.

He pledged to work hand in hand with the Minister until all the containers are cleared, and appealed to terminal operators to give Nigeria the support required for an important national quest.

Upon inspection, most of the equipment was found to be useful and viable. When evacuated, it will be verified, tested and refurbished where necessary, then deployed to project sites to complete stalled installations, relieve overloaded substations and strengthen constrained transmission corridors.

As these projects enter service, they are expected to deliver fewer interruptions from overloading, better voltage performance and a stronger network to carry electricity to homes, businesses and essential services.

Tegbe assured Nigerians that the Ministry would follow the recovery through to installation and commissioning and provide updates on the remaining containers, expressing confidence that they would be released without further delay.

By David Owei

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South), has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a game-changer that will unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy corridor and create new opportunities for littoral communities.

Senator Imasuen made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja when the Founder and Convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to his office at the National Assembly.

He commended ABER’s advocacy for a community-owned Blue Economy and pledged to study its proposal for the establishment of a Nigeria Senate Blue Economy Caucus (NSBEC).

Presenting the proposal, Dr. Kiyaramo said that despite Nigeria’s 853km coastline, over 3 million artisanal fisherfolk and an estimated $70 billion annual Blue Economy potential, the country still lacks a dedicated parliamentary mechanism to legislate, coordinate, budget and provide oversight for the sector.

“We lose $2.3 billion annually to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. We lose mangroves and young lives at sea. Without law, there is no Blue Economy; there is only blue anarchy,” he said.

Dr. Kiyaramo noted that the proposed Caucus is modelled after the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which governs Lake Victoria for seven countries.

“If EALA can govern Lake Victoria, the Nigerian Senate can govern the Gulf of Guinea front,” he stated.

He said the NSBEC is anchored on ABER’s vision of a connected, competitive and community-owned Blue Economy where no fisherfolk is left behind.

According to him, the Caucus, when established, could canvass for the Domestication of the AU Blue Economy Strategy, the Lomé Charter, ILO Convention C188 and the FAO Port State Measures Agreement; Legislation and enforcement of the 5-nautical-mile Artisanal Exclusive Zone;
Allocation of at least 10% of marine revenue to artisanal infrastructure; and Rallying South-South States to establish Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy, emulating the Bayelsa model.

Proposed Structure

Kiyaramo recommended a 23-member Caucus comprising two Senators each from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers (12), plus Lagos, Ondo and Ogun (6), three non-littoral experts, and two ex-officio members from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and ABER as Technical Secretariat. Senator Imasuen is proposed as Chairman and Patron, with a minimum 35% women representation.

Four Standing Sub-Committees are proposed: Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Food Security; Blue Tourism, Marine Transport and Coastal Infrastructure; Blue Justice, Human Rights and Gender – to work with the International Human Rights Protection Service (IHRPS Forum) West Africa Envoy to track violations, provide legal aid, ensure women’s cold-chain ownership and enforce Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); and Blue Carbon, Mangroves and Climate Resilience – with 70% of benefits accruing to coastal communities.

The Caucus is also expected to initiate three landmark Bills: the National Blue Economy Act, the Artisanal Fisheries Protection and 5nm Enforcement Act, and the Blue Carbon and Mangrove Protection Act, while partnering with EALA, the ECOWAS Parliament and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).

90-Day Action Plan

Dr. Kiyaramo further proposed a 90-day take-off plan including inauguration by the Senate President, engagement with the South-South Governors Forum, a Public Hearing on the Blue Justice Gap and unveiling of 100 Bankable Blue Deals, and a Senate Motion on ILO C188 ratification and 5nm enforcement.

“The Caucus will harmonize blue laws, redirect IUU losses to community jobs and position Nigeria to lead the ECOWAS Blue Parliamentary Network,” he said.

“Like EALA governs Lake Victoria for seven countries, NSBEC can govern the Gulf of Guinea for Nigeria. History will not remember us for the oil we extracted, but for the ocean we preserved.”

The high point of the visit was the decoration of Senator Neda Imasuen as Patron of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable by H.E. Dr. Mrs. Ezeadili Appolonia Obiageri. Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, Director of Communication and Public Affairs of ABER, was part of the Convener’s entourage.

Signed:
Medina Dauda Nadabo Director Communications Public Affairs.