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Invest In Education To Succeed- Kwankwaso Tasks Politicians

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NNPP Presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

 

Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described education as the best investment for politicians.

Kwankwaso made this assertion on Monday while delivering his speech at the 3rd Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Colloquium organised by the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation to mark his 66th birthday in Abuja.

According to Kwankwaso, the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation believes that the best legacy to be bequeathed is education irrespective of where they come from.

He said more than 3,000 indigent students have benefited from his scholarship programs between 2011 and 2015 when he was the governor of Kano State while so many others are also not left out since 2015.

The former governor of Kano state noted that the strength of Kano, Northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a nation is education.

He said, “The best investment for any politician is education. Our main strength in Kano, Northern Nigeria and Nigeria generally is education.

“Everybody including the Fulanis in this country they want to go to school the only issue is that they are not being given the opportunity.

“We also need to train and retrain our teachers, give them all they required,” he added.

Kwankwaso assured that he will continue to treat every Nigerian equally no matter their religion, tribal or ethnic background as part of his vision for a true Nigeria.

He said he is always keen on mass-oriented programs and projects that will have an impact on the lives of the people, especially in the field of education.

Speaking on the foundation’s education initiatives, Kwankwaso said, “I have always given myself a target on what to do for humanity. The Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation started immediately after the 2019 election. I’m happy to say that in the 2019 election in Kano when we have no governor serving or former in our group, no minister serving or former not even ambassadors or any positions but just these young men and women in Kano State, we were able to win our election for governorship and others.

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“And that was why I was encouraged to the extent of creating this scholarship scheme for our young men and women. When we advertised in 2019 believing that there are few people with first class because in our first scholarship we said anybody with first class, we exhausted all in Kano, second class upper we exhausted them, we are on second class lower when I left government in 2015 and that’s why we have over 3,000 of them in 14 countries across the world on scholarship, if add up the numbers with those who were sent to private universities within Nigeria, we have over 7,000 beneficiaries that were sponsored when I was Kano state governor and under the Kwankwasiyya Foundation with my hard earned money”

“Presently, we have sponsored 148 students to Mewar International University in Karu Local Government in Nasarawa State. We chose four students (2 boys and 2 girls) in each of the 36 states and Abuja and gave them scholarships to the university.

“Our scholarship cut across it is not for indigenes but for residents because we understand that everywhere is home to all Nigerians. We also have them enrolled in different schools. We have more than 300 at Igbinedion University, more than 200 at Crescent University and more than 300 at Bells University. The Foundation has been sponsoring students from within and outside Kano.

“We will continue to do whatever we can as individuals and as groups, as Kwankwasiyya and as members of the NNPP and other well-wishers for the good of this country,” he said.

Guest lecturer of the colloquium and Head of Department, Department of Political Science, University of Abuja, Associate Professor Sherif Ghali, who delivered the paper titled “Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria: The Legacy of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” said Nigeria needs a president like Kwankwaso in 2023 that can change the status quo and put Nigeria on the path of recovery.

Ghali said Kwankwaso possesses the requisite qualities to restore Nigeria’s past glory, recover the economy and will give every Nigerian what he deserves.

“Senator Kwankwaso understands that you can govern the people regardless of their religion and you will be just to them. He believes in the absence of manipulation of religion in governance.

This is one of the views of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. And that is why he even rejected the Muslim-Muslim ticket by accepting the Muslim-Christian ticket. Because he knows that in Nigeria, we have Muslims, we have Christians, we have traditionalists so therefore he knows that every part of Nigeria must be represented.”

“He believes Nigeria is not a one-faith country, it is a secular country. And that if Nigeria is a secular state, then every Nigerian must be represented. And that is why he has developed and accepted that particular spirit as a Nigerian and for the Nigerian people,” he added.

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Nigeria Moves Toward Electricity Tariff Increase-Adelabu

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Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said that the country’s economy can no longer afford to maintain electricity subsidies. He advised Nigerians to prepare for the introduction of tariffs that reflect the true costs of electricity.

At a meeting with the Chairmen of Nigeria’s Generating Companies in Abuja, Adelabu emphasized that, “We have to understand that our economy cannot sustain subsidies indefinitely.”

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He, nonetheless, emphasized the government’s commitment to offering targeted subsidies to support economically disadvantaged Nigerians.

The Federal Government presently has an outstanding debt exceeding N4 trillion owed to Generating Companies (Gencos) for overdue subsidy payments.

In its performance report for February, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) indicated that the average real tariff stands at N116.18 per kilowatt-hour, whereas consumers are charged N88.2 per kilowatt-hour.

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Cover Story :Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria A Rising Concern

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Due to rising cases of maternal mortality in Nigeria and its causes Nigerian Tracker’s Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa takes a look and files in this report

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)–the rate of deaths that occur due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth–is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention.

Research has shown that Nigeria is one of the top three African countries with the highest recorded cases of MMR. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that South Sudan and Chad had the highest MMR rates, with Nigeria ranking third.

The rise in maternal mortality is most prevalent in rural areas of the country. Between 2008 and 2018, states in the Northeastern and Northwestern regions recorded higher numbers compared to those in the Southeastern and Southwestern parts.

Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Health recorded that between 2019 and 2022, out of the 36 states in Nigeria, only 15–16 actively participated in post-natal care. The postpartum period accounts for 27% of maternal mortality cases.

In response, the federal government, through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1), launched the National Strategic Health Development Plan II. By 2030, the plan aims to reduce Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate to no more than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Healthcare is Dead in Rural Areas”—Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha Speaks on Causes of MMR

Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha, a medical doctor at the maternity ward of Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre, highlights the gravity of the situation.

 

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

“Maternal Mortality, as defined by the World Health Organization, refers to the deaths of women due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth—either during delivery or up to 48 days postpartum. In Nigeria, for every 22 women who give birth, one dies. This contrasts sharply with developed countries, where maternal deaths occur only after thousands of births.”*

Dr. Mustapha attributes Nigeria’s high MMR to multiple factors, with marginalization of rural communities being a significant contributor.

“Access to proper healthcare is nearly impossible for people living in rural areas. As a result, they resort to self-administered healthcare, often performed by untrained individuals pretending to be midwives. This leads to complications, including severe hemorrhaging during childbirth—one of the major causes of maternal death.”

Illegal abortion is another contributing factor.

*”Unwanted pregnancies are rampant in our society. Many young girls under the age of 15 get pregnant, and in an attempt to terminate their pregnancies, they succumb to fatal complications.”

Additionally, hypertensive disorders and pulmonary edema—excessive fluid buildup in the lungs—are serious contributors to maternal deaths.

“Women with severe hypertension, particularly those over the age of 35, face heightened risks. Their cases often result in respiratory failure, leading to mortality.”

“Government Negligence Fuels Illegal Healthcare Practices”—Dr. Mustapha Criticizes Unregulated Hospitals.

When asked about the recent deaths at Afolmi Hospital in Durumi, Abuja, Dr. Mustapha did not hold back.

 

“This tragedy could have been avoided if the government actively enforced policies regulating healthcare facilities. Many illegal hospitals operate without consequences, allowing untrained staff to perform life-threatening procedures. Corruption is a major impediment to effective enforcement.”

On April 27, 2025, reports surfaced that Afolmi Hospital, along with staff member Murtala Jumma, was implicated in the deaths of two women due to childbirth complications. Jumma was reportedly responsible for a failed cesarean section that led to one of the fatalities.

The Path Forward: Experts Urge Government Intervention

According to Dr. Mustapha, improving maternal health in Nigeria requires strategic actions.

“Pregnant women should maintain a healthy diet and attend antenatal appointments regularly to monitor both their health and that of their baby. Family planning is also crucial, as excessive childbirth increases the risk of cervical tears, contributing to maternal mortality.”

 

 

Government intervention is equally vital.

Authorities must ensure that rural communities have access to quality healthcare facilities. In urban areas, medical personnel should receive fair remuneration to discourage them from leaving the country. Unregistered hospitals operating illegally must be shut down, and violators should face severe penalties.”

Maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Nigeria, especially in rural regions where healthcare is virtually non-existent. Without immediate action, the country faces severe economic consequences due to dwindling manpower and reduced contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Regulating abortion, enforcing hospital standards, improving healthcare infrastructure, and retaining medical professionals through better compensation could drastically reduce Nigeria’s MMR rate and safeguard the lives of thousands of women.

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Peter Obi Condemns Allegations Against Seyi Tinubu, Calls for Justice

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Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the recent allegations leveled against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. The accusations, made by Atiku Abubakar Isah, the factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have sparked widespread debate and raised critical questions about the state of student leadership and democracy in Nigeria.

According to reports, Isah alleged that Seyi Tinubu abducted and tortured him after he refused to accept a bribe purportedly offered to him[ The student leader further claimed that Tinubu’s son attempted to disrupt the inauguration of the NANS leadership in Abuja, using thugs to disperse the gathering

 

These allegations have ignited discussions about the independence of student leadership and the broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic values.

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Reacting to the controversy, Peter Obi described the allegations as “troubling”, emphasizing that if proven true, they would signify a dangerous erosion of young voices in the country’s political landscape

He stressed that Nigerian youth should not be coerced, silenced, or forced into political agendas that do not reflect their will.

**“The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize,”Obi stated. He further called for a return to a Nigeria where justice is done and seen to be done, where youth can speak freely, and where institutions act responsibly

Meanwhile, Seyi Tinubu has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as false and defamatory.

In a statement posted on his social media, he refuted claims that he had ever met Isah or orchestrated any attack against him. **“I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world,”** Tinubu stated, adding that the accusations were entirely fictional.

As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians await further developments, with calls for a thorough investigation into the matter. The allegations have intensified discussions on the role of student leadership in Nigeria and the influence of political figures on youth organizations.

 

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