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BUK Convocation Lecture: NASENI Boss Emphasizes Innovation for National Development

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Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), delivered the 39th Convocation Lecture at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) on Friday, 14th February, 2025.

Notably, Mr. Halilu, at a relatively young age, became the youngest convocation lecturer in the history of Bayero University, underscoring his exceptional leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s science and engineering landscape.

Chaired by Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the lecture was attended by distinguished personalities, including Alh. Suleiman Halilu, the father of the convocation lecturer, as well as former vice-chancellors, registrars, traditional rulers, and members of the academic community from BUK and other tertiary institutions.

Titled “Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Pathway to National Development,” Mr. Halilu’s lecture emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to harness its youthful population and leverage technology-driven entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and global competitiveness.

Highlighting Nigeria’s demographic challenges and opportunities, Mr. Halilu noted that the country’s projected population of 264.1 million by 2030 presents a critical challenge: how to turn its demographic strength into an economic advantage. He stressed that Nigeria must produce a generation of skilled leaders equipped to navigate the fourth industrial revolution.

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The NASENI boss also underscored the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving economic prosperity, citing global data showing that high-income nations boast significantly higher entrepreneurial density than developing economies.

To address Nigeria’s development challenges, Mr. Halilu recommended that the government recalibrate its policies to support innovation and entrepreneurship, citing global success stories such as Estonia’s e-Residency program. He also emphasized the need for universities to align with global trends, adopt multidisciplinary curricula, and enhance partnerships between academia, industry, and government.

In his remarks, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, described the lecture as timely, aligning with the Federal Government’s intensified efforts to tackle poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits. He emphasized that while Nigeria is endowed with abundant talent and resources, the real challenge lies in effectively harnessing them.

Bayero University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, highlighted the significance of the lecture, emphasizing NASENI’s pivotal role in addressing Nigeria’s scientific and technological challenges.

The lecture concluded with Mr. Halilu offering five lessons to the graduands, emphasizing self-determination, continuous learning, and the power of networking. He urged them to be adaptable, entrepreneurial, and solution-driven, and to never underestimate the value of their skills and knowledge.

As the youngest convocation lecturer in BUK’s history, Mr. Halilu’s address will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to drive Nigeria’s development and global competitiveness.

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Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

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“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

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No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

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The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

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Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

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The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

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According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

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