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Bauchi Guber Race: North West Bauchi Citizens Support Suphi

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

In what appears like turn of events in Bauchi politics, the citizens of Bauchi state resident across the seven states of the North West zone, put their weight behind Bauchi Gubernatorial candidate under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Usman Adamu Suphi in the forthcoming general election, 2027.

This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Suphi Campaign Coordinator, North West Zone, Bello A. Bello (Nalardi), in Kano, Sunday, after the meeting with stakeholders from the seven North West states.

Describing Suphi as a “… distinguished accountant, political strategist, grassroots mobilizer, philanthropist and public servant whose life has been defined by quality leadership, exposure, excellence and service to humanity…” Nalardi said they agreed to come together and support someone who could bring new Bauch on board.

Strong supporters came from all the seven North West states, after believing that, Bauchi now needs someone with vast experience across public and private engagements. Whose age could mean well for the development of the state across all ages irrespective of party affiliation.

According to the release, they put their weight behind Suphi bearing in mind that, his contributions towards the development of his people and the state long before now, earned him respect, reliability, enhanced trust and organizational independence among the citizens of Bauchi across Nigeria, as a whole.

According to Nalardi in the release, what Suphi represents, for being part of the gubernatorial candidates in the state, was hope, commitment, economic inclusion, equal opportunities for all, enhanced inter-dependence of multi-sectoral growth, good leadership style, humility and simplicity.

Without recourse to party differences, all the stakeholders from the North West believe that, his magnanimous relationship with all segments of the society and his patriotic love for the state, meant a lot in searching for the soul of Bauchi.

Referring back to some years before now, the press release acknowledges that, even outside politics and other professional feats he achieved, he is widely respected for his humanitarian contributions and commitment to uplifting ordinary citizens.

Part of the release reads, “Over the years he did well in the facilitation of employment opportunities for over 200 youth from Bauchi state in the federal institutions like FIRS, NCC, CBN, and other reputable organizations.”

Adding that he supported the recruitment of over 300 young people into security agencies like the Nigerian Police Force, Military, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Customs and Excise, and Nigeria Correctional Services. While sponsoring the marriage of numerous orphaned girls by covering wedding expenses, furniture, dowries and start-up support.

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The signed release by Nalardi also appreciates Suphi’s unwavering dedication in the empowerment of multitudes of youth and women through business funding and entrepreneurial support worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

Adding that, he “… donated vehicles, motorcycles, and sponsored many individuals for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
His philanthropy has impacted thousands of families across Bauchi state and beyond.”

“One of his most notable ongoing projects is the construction of a massive 850-capacity ICT/CBT Centre in Azare, valued at hundreds of millions of naira. The project is designed to expand access to digital education, technology training, and employment opportunities for young people in Bauchi State. This initiative reflects his belief that education, innovation, and technology are essential tools for future economic transformation,” release reads.

Apart from his professional calling where he attained nadir position, he is not a new entrant in politics, the release observed. His political sojourn spans over two decades from where he achieved remarkable experience across different political platforms, strategic campaigns, and grassroots mobilization structures.

The stakeholders recall that, his political relevance and leadership began in 2001. The time he served as the President of the Katagum Progressive Youth Movement. From where he kick-started deep interest in Bauchi youth in political participation.

He was a member of the PDP Governorship Swearing-In Committee, in 2003. Where he proved his mettle as a vibrant young politician. As his relevance and contributions became visible in the eyes of all.

His relevance and visibility became amplified in 2015, when he played a strategic role when the chips were down during the formation and consolidation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). As the country was transiting to more meaningful democratic era.

As years moved on, that was between 2016 and 2017, he was State Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Where he subsequently emerged as their governorship candidate. That was when je declared in a louder tone, that his ambition was to serve his state at the higher level. That demonstrated his growing political influence, relevance and ambition.

The press release reflected back that, “From 2017 to 2019, he served as the Deputy National Chairman of NNPP, where he contributed significantly to party expansion, organizational growth, and policy direction at the national level.

In 2022, he served as Director of Mobilisation for the APC Gubernatorial Campaign, where he led extensive grassroots outreach and voter mobilization efforts.
He also served as Director of the Tinubu Support Group in 2022–2023, coordinating stakeholder engagement and campaign strategy in support of national political objectives.”

While in recent period, as noted by the release, between 2023 and 2025, he was the Deputy Chairman of AA Consolidation of APC Support Groups. As he became a unifying factor in gaining multiple support structures and strengthening of grassroot political inclusion and proper coordination.

So also in 2025, as the release noted, “… he returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and currently serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP in Bauchi State, where he contributes to strategic party direction, conflict resolution, party unity, and policy guidance.”

The North West stakeholders meeting of Bauchi citizens further disclosed that, plan reached an advance stage, where each and every state of the North West would organize their support meeting before election period, to show their solidarity to the candidature of Suphi and his unmatched credentials for Bauchi Government House.

,Nalardi appreciated that from the time they started urging people on the current voter registration exercise, Bauchi citizens particularly, to go and register well with the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was a significant improvement in the number of people who registered and were set for election period, come 2027.

 

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Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt

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‎By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
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‎The Debt Management Office (DMO) says Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026.
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‎The DMO published the latest public debt portfolio report on Friday.
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‎The figure represents a 9.4 percent or N14.39 trillion increase from the N152.4 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025.
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‎It also represents an increase of N7.44 trillion or 4.7 percent compared with the N159.35 trillion recorded at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
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‎According to the latest report, the debt stock comprises N91.59 trillion in domestic debt, which accounts for 54.91 percent of the total debt stock, and N75.2 trillion in external debt, representing 45.09 percent.
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‎The debt office said domestic debt increased by N11.04 trillion (13.7 percent) from N80.55 trillion recorded in June 2025.
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‎The office said external debt also rose by N3.35 trillion (4.7 percent) from N71.85 trillion in the same period.
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‎According to the DMO, the federal government accounted for N152.77 trillion of the total debt stock, comprising N86.99 trillion in domestic debt and N65.77 trillion in external debt.
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‎On the other hand, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) accounted for the remaining N14.01 trillion — N4.59 trillion in domestic debt and N9.42 trillion in external debt.
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‎In dollar terms, the agency said Nigeria’s total public debt stood at $120.93 billion as of June 30, 2026 — up from $99.66 billion recorded in June 2025.
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‎The DMO said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official exchange rate of N1,379 per dollar as of June 30 was used to convert the external debt to naira.
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NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a landmark development that affirms the growing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.

The project, located offshore in OMLs 112 and 117 and developed by AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies, will produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak. The output will supply critical feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited in support of its Train 7 expansion, which will increase capacity at the Bonny Island plant from 22 million tons per annum to 30 Mtpa.

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The FID was enabled by the Presidential Directives of 2024, which provided fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, streamlined contracting and lowered development costs. Ima is the fourth major gas project to reach FID under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after Iseni, Ubeta and HI.

Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described it as “a decisive vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and in the bold reforms” that have created competitive terms and a predictable investment environment.

NNPC Ltd. also commends the collaboration between AMNI, TotalEnergies and the Nigerian financial sector, saying the model of indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital is a template for future developments.

In a statement signed by Andy Odeh Chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to work with government, regulators and industry partners to sustain investment momentum and deploy Nigeria’s gas resources for industrialisation, job creation and long-term prosperity.

 

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At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’

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From Left: Alh Sabo Wada of the Kano Fire Service; Dangote Group Representative Abdulrazak Sambajo, Mr. Isah Musa of the VIO Office Kano, Mr Kassim Ibrahim Zonal Director, NAFDAC; Jonh Samuel Zonal Technical of the Dangote Cement Plc, Halima Muhammad, Dangote Feertiliser Limited and Ebaje Noah Dangoye of NASCON (Dangote Salt & Seasoning) at the 54th KANO-Jigawa MAN AGM Wednesday.

 

 

 

Manufacturers under the aegis of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) thronged the Dangote Group’s pavilion at the exhibition to seek information and clarification on the ongoing Public Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP).

The three-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kano-Jigawa Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the 54th in the series, ended on Thursday, with the Dangote Group’s representative hosting participants and engaging manufacturers who expressed keen interest in the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Refinery.

The Dangote Refinery Peoples’ IPO offers Nigerians and other eligible investors an opportunity to buy shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, thereby becoming part-owners of one of Africa’s largest industrial projects and participating in its future growth.

The Dangote Refinery IPO runs from 14 September to 13 October 2026.

Dangote Industries Limited is one of the sponsors of the 54th MAN AGM.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Sharada/Challawa Branch, Alhaji Nura S. Madugu, highlighted the mounting burden of multiple taxes, levies and charges on manufacturers, warning that the situation is increasing the cost of doing business and undermining the competitiveness of local industries.

Madugu urged the Kano State and Federal Governments to ease the tax burden on manufacturers and accelerate efforts to harmonise taxes and levies imposed on businesses.

He particularly decried the practice of double and multiple taxation, which he said continued to place additional financial pressure on manufacturers already grappling with high energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, expensive financing, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods.

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“We are especially concerned about instances of double and even multiple taxation, where the three tiers of government impose what is essentially the same levy under different names and different guises. This practice places our products at a serious disadvantage in their constant competition with imported goods, a disadvantage made worse by the high cost of alternative power supply and the volatility of the foreign exchange rate.

Madugu reminded the meeting of MAN’s enormous contribution to the society and provide employment to thousands of Nigerians, as well as participating actively in tax revenue generation for the country.

“We provide employment to thousands of Nigerians. We participate actively in tax revenue generation for the states and the federation through the deduction of Value Added Tax on our products, the remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn on behalf of our staff, and the payment of Withholding Tax, Education Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, Company Income Tax, and a whole host of other levies too numerous to mention individually. Beyond taxation, we also discharge our Corporate Social Responsibility diligently to the communities in which we operate.

“Even though what we receive in return remains modest, we continue, in strength and in good faith, to serve this nation and to hold up its economy. We do this because we believe in Nigeria and in Kano State. But it must be said plainly,” Madugu added.

In his remarks also, MAN Chairman, Bompai/Jigawa Branch, Mohammed Bello I. Umar, appreciated the association’s members for their resilience, commitment and continued investment in the Nigerian economy despite the difficult operating environment.

He pointed out that the meeting provides the members of the association with an opportunity to reflect on its activities, review the challenges confronting their businesses, acknowledge the progress they have made, and chart a stronger course for the future of manufacturing in the country.

However, he said, the members must acknowledge that manufacturing remains under serious pressure.

He highlighted that the high cost of energy, multiple taxes and levies, inadequate infrastructure, high financing costs, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods continue to affect our competitiveness.

“One issue that requires our collective attention is the importation of contraband and substandard goods. These products undermine local manufacturers who invest heavily

“Reliable and affordable electricity remains one of the most important requirements for industrial development.

He however welcomed the ongoing electricity reforms and efforts by the Kano State Government and the State House of Assembly towards establishing a more effective electricity framework for the State.

He called for the swift implementation of reforms that will create a more reliable, competitive and affordable electricity market for industries.

He noted that manufacturers continue to provide employment, generate wealth, support local communities and contribute significantly to government revenue in production, employ Nigerians and comply with government regulations.

“We must therefore stand together and call for stronger enforcement at our borders and markets.

He urged the relevant government agencies to intensify the fight against smuggling, counterfeiting and the importation of goods that compete unfairly with locally

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