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FG Launches Energise Commercialisation to Turn Nigerian Innovations into Market-Ready Ventures

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The Federal Government has officially launched the Energise Commercialisation initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at transforming innovative ideas into market-ready products and services.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Kinsley Tochukwu Udeh, said the initiative shows the government’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s innovation potential and driving economic growth through research and development.

Dr. Udeh explained that dignitaries and global partners are expected to converge on Kano from across Nigeria and beyond to participate in the programme. He noted that the gathering reflects the growing interest in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and the need to connect local talent with international opportunities and partnerships.

According to the minister, Nigeria is not lacking in ideas but has historically struggled with converting those ideas into revenue-generating ventures. He said the Energise Commercialisation programme is designed to bridge that gap by supporting innovators through the process of developing viable, market-driven solutions.

He further stated that the initiative will extend beyond its initial technical sessions in the North-West geopolitical zone. “After the North-West phase, we will move to other geopolitical zones to ensure nationwide participation,” Dr. Udeh said, emphasizing the Federal Government’s plan to make the programme inclusive and far-reaching.

The minister disclosed that more than 1,000 entries have already been received from innovators across the country. He added that the Federal Government is working in collaboration with regional governors to strengthen participation and ensure that promising ideas are identified and supported at the grassroots level.

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Dr. Udeh highlighted the role of young women in the programme, noting that their innovative efforts will be nurtured and positioned for success in the marketplace. He said the initiative is focused on equipping participants with the tools and support needed to compete effectively in both local and global markets.

Describing the programme as a strategic investment, the minister said the government is committed to funding and developing innovation-driven projects that can generate economic value. He added that Energise Commercialisation is designed to stimulate a surge in viable research outcomes and practical innovations.

He also noted that the government is anticipating strong engagement from captains of industry, who are expected to play a key role in mentoring participants and supporting the commercialisation of research outputs. According to him, this collaboration will help bridge the gap between academia, innovation, and industry.

Dr. Udeh revealed that Kano State has recorded the highest number of entries so far, making it a natural choice for the national launch of the programme. He described Kano as Nigeria’s ancient commercial hub, adding that its historical and economic significance makes it an ideal host city.

He further explained that the choice of Kano was influenced by the support of the state government, particularly in providing logistics and enabling a conducive environment for the event. The minister commended the Kano State Government for its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Udeh said the programme is focused on building a sustainable platform that connects innovators, investors, and policymakers. He noted that contingents from the seven North-Western states have already arrived in Kano and set up their pavilions, showcasing a wide range of innovative ideas and projects.

He described Energise Commercialisation as a multi-stakeholder initiative anchored by the Federal Government, with strong institutional support at regional and state levels. According to him, the programme includes facilitation committees that will oversee implementation and ensure effective coordination.

The minister added that state governments have been tasked with identifying and nurturing talent from local government areas, ensuring that innovation opportunities are not limited to urban centres. He stressed that the inclusion of grassroots participants is critical to the success of the initiative and the overall development of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

 

Those that jointly attended the briefing are the state commissioner for information Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya and the Kano state ALGON chairman Hajiya Saadatu Yushau who is also the chairman of Tudun Wada Local Government area .

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You’re a Hypocrite!” – Bashir el-Rufai Goes Nuclear on Brother Bello Over Uba Sani Loyalty

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Bashir el-Rufai, son of former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai, unleashed a barrage of slurs at his brother, Bello, on Saturday morning.

Bashir, in a series of expletive-laden posts on X, attacked Bello over his recent political moves, accusing him of abandoning the family while he was aligned with Uba Sani, his father’s successor.

Sani, the incumbent governor of Kaduna, was a former ally of el-Rufai, but both men fell out after the former won the 2023 governorship election.

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Following el-Rufai’s resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in March 2025, Bello, who represents Kaduna north federal constituency, remained in the ruling party.

However, on May 7, 2026, Bello eventually defected from the APC to join his father in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Commenting on Saturday, Bashir alleged that his brother remained loyal to Sani until he realised he was being “dumped”, after which he began talking about family loyalty.

“Stuck with Uba Sani until he realized he is being dumped then suddenly remembered family loyalty and moved to ADC. Where was he since? Purely serving his interest,” Bashir wrote.

He accused his brother of being neutral while others criticised the Kaduna state governor.

Bashir also alleged that Bello asked him to “pipe down my criticism of his former boss,” presumably Sani.

One of Bashir’s tweets. The expletives have been redacted.
“At this stage in my life, I hate nonsense,” he added, while calling his brother a hypocrite.

Bashir also made several other allegations against his brother in the X posts, some of which were later deleted.

The allegations bordered on fertility status and unsubstantiated drug use.

Their father, el-Rufai, has been in custody since February 2026 over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna between 2015 and 2023.

On April 13, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him at the Kaduna high court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is also prosecuting el-Rufai before the federal high court in Abuja over allegations of wiretapping.

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Court Ultimatum Forces FBI to Hand Over Tinubu’s Fraud Records to Judge—But Keeps Them Hidden from Public

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has hand delivered records of President Bola Tinubu’s 1993 drug-trafficking and money-laundering case to Judge Howell Beryl of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, saying they are for her eyes only, court filings seen by Peoples Gazette indicated.

The FBI secretly submitted the records on Friday to avoid disobeying a court order while sidelining transparency campaigner, Aaron Greenspan, who petitioned the Bureau for the Nigerian leader’s records in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

Following years of foot-dragging on a FOI petition filed by Mr Greenspan in 2023, the FBI on Friday complied with a court order directing it to release Mr Tinubu’s records. Mr Greenspan worked with Nigerian journalist, David Hundeyin, to file the petition in 2023.

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The records submitted as “under seal, ex parte, in camera declarations were hand delivered to the Court on August 28, 2026 in compliance with this Court’s Minute Order dated August 20, 2026,” filings showed.

Mrs Beryl lost her patience with the FBI after the bureau missed several deadlines , giving excuses on why it could not immediately provide the records.

She issued August 28 as the final ultimatum to the FBI, which prompted the FBI’s decision to comply, showing it “in camera” to the judge alone, without carrying along the petitioner.

Earlier this week , FBI claimed that submitting the records would violate Mr Tinubu’s privacy and argued that FOI was established to screen the operations and records of government institutions, not necessarily private individuals.

For decades, Mr Tinubu has avoided speaking on the drug affair, refusing to clarify controversies surrounding his involvement in a case that saw him forfeit hundreds of thousands of dollars to the U.S. government.

Mr Tinubu also sought to block the release of his records, asserting his rivals only sought to use them to discredit him in a Nigerian presidential election. He begged the court to protect his privacy rights.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 2023 released documents holding Mr Tinubu’s encounter with American authorities over allegations of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

 

 

 

 

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NFF President Gusau Resigns

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Gusau, has resigned from office, announcing his decision during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the Super Eagles news account on X (@SSE_NGA), Gusau was joined by board members of the Executive Committee in resignation.

The crisis follows the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a first in Nigeria’s history, after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the play-off.

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The Falcons had earlier been knocked out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage by Cameroon. The Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The NFF has separately faced scrutiny over its handling of a ₦17bn Federal Government intervention fund released in 2024, as well as a fact-finding committee report alleging that board members and officials influenced national team invitations for financial gain.

Gusau’s exit comes ahead of the NFF’s elective congress, scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

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