By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening to participate in the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a major international forum focused on accelerating global climate action and sustainable development.

The President’s aircraft landed at the Presidential Wing of Zayed International Airport, where he was welcomed by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan; UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; and officials from the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi.

President Tinubu’s arrival marks his continued engagement on the global stage, following a working stop in Europe where he held talks with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Emmanuel Macron of France. Discussions during those meetings centered on deepening bilateral cooperation, advancing economic partnerships, and addressing pressing regional and global challenges.

Shortly after his arrival, the President was greeted at his hotel by members of his delegation, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed.

This year’s ADSW is themed “The Nexus of Next, All Systems Go.” The summit brings together world leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to shape strategies for a sustainable and inclusive global future. Key focus areas include clean energy transition, climate adaptation, green infrastructure, and financing mechanisms for developing economies.

President Tinubu is expected to deliver remarks during high-level plenaries and engage in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. Nigeria’s agenda will emphasize energy access, climate resilience, sustainable industrialization, and attracting climate-aligned investments to support the nation’s development goals.

The visit underscores Nigeria’s proactive role in international climate diplomacy and reflects the strengthening partnership between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in renewable energy, sustainable trade, and green economic cooperation. It also signals Nigeria’s commitment to advancing the interests of the Global South in the global sustainability dialogue.

The 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week officially opens on Monday, with President Tinubu scheduled to join other heads of state and global stakeholders in charting actionable pathways toward a net-zero future.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A series of high-stakes meetings aimed at reshaping the political landscape in Kano State and at the national level unfolded this week, centering on Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to Daily Nigerian, governor Yusuf held a late-night meeting with Kwankwaso at the latter’s Miller Road residence in Kano on Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter confirmed the development to the newspaper. The governor, accompanied by an intermediary known as Sarkin Gobir, reportedly arrived in a private vehicle around midnight. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, appears to have concluded without the governor achieving his primary objective.

Shortly thereafter, on Friday, Governor Yusuf traveled to France for a scheduled meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

According to sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who spoke anonymously to the Daily Nigerian, Governor Yusuf’s mission was to make a final appeal to Kwankwaso to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and join the APC. This move is believed to have been encouraged by President Tinubu, who is reportedly keen on bringing Kwankwaso into the ruling party’s fold.

A day after the private meeting, Kwankwaso addressed a gathering of supporters at his home, making his position clear. “People used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso,” he declared. He cited public dissatisfaction with the APC’s handling of national security and the economy as reasons for his steadfastness.

Political Calculus and Backlash

The governor’s planned defection has reportedly encountered significant resistance. While a number of NNPP legislators and local government chairmen are set to join him in moving to the APC, the vast majority of the party’s grassroots base—the Kwankwasiyya movement—remains loyal to Kwankwaso.

“APC leaders are keenly observing what is happening in Kano. The Kwankwasiyya supporters have made a bold and clear statement that they are with Kwankwaso,” a political insider noted. “If Abba joins APC, Kwankwaso’s candidate may likely get a sympathy vote.”

This grassroots backlash is understood to be a key factor driving the continued push to convince Kwankwaso himself to switch parties, thereby potentially bringing his supporters with him.

Next Steps

Sources further revealed to Daily Nigerian that Governor Yusuf will brief President Tinubu in France on the outcome of his Kano meeting. The governor’s formal announcement of his defection to the APC is expected only after further consultations with the party’s top leadership in Kano.

Notably, key Kano APC figures—including former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and state party chairman Abdullahi Abbas—have returned to Nigeria ahead of these anticipated consultations.

BUA’s Rabiu Pledges Over $1 Million to Super Eagles Ahead of AFCON Victory in Semi-final, Final

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigerian industrialist and Chairman of BUA Group, AbdulSamad Rabiu, has pledged a major financial incentive to the Super Eagles following their 2025 AFCON quarter-final victory over Algeria. The announcement, made via his official Facebook account, aims to spur the team to greater heights as they advance in the tournament.

Rabiu has committed a performance-based reward package for the upcoming critical matches. For a semi-final win against hosts Morocco, the team will receive $500,000, plus an additional $50,000 for every goal scored. Should Nigeria reach and win the final, the reward escalates to $1,000,000, with a further $100,000 bonus per goal.

In his message, Rabiu stated: “Congratulations to our Super Eagles players on a brilliant victory against Algeria! You have lifted the spirit of the nation, and we proudly cheer you on as you prepare for the semi-finals.” He added his wishes for “continued success as you carry Nigeria forward.”

The Super Eagles, buoyed by a 2-0 win against Algeria, now prepare for a highly anticipated semi-final clash in Morocco. Rabiu’s substantial pledge serves as a significant motivational boost as the squad continues its pursuit of the AFCON title.