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Unused ₦50 Billion Tractors: Bureaucratic Inertia Or Wastage Of Resources?

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nearly four months after President Bola Tinubu launched ₦50 billion worth of tractors and farm machinery to boost food production, the equipment remains idle at the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) headquarters, exposing yet another case of stalled agricultural reform and bureaucratic inertia.

The President had unveiled 2,000 tractors, 2,000 disc ploughs and harrows, 1,000 ridgers, 1,200 trailers, 500 seed drills, and other implements under his Renewed Hope agricultural initiative, promising nationwide deployment to empower farmers and create jobs for youths.

“We are taking a monumental leap forward with the introduction of state-of-the-art agricultural equipment… This is a bold step towards achieving complete agricultural independence,” Tinubu had said during the launch attended by Belarusian officials.

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However, months later, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says it is still awaiting Presidential directives on distribution, delaying deployment ahead of the farming season. Ministry insiders told The Guardian that operations have slowed and that only the Presidency dictates the pace.

Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari had earlier outlined three deployment models — direct sales, leasing, and tractor service centres — aimed at giving farmers affordable access and boosting productivity. But the plan has stalled, leaving farmers burdened by high labour and input costs.

Vice President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Daniel Okafor, confirmed that farmers are still waiting for updates.

“We were very happy at the launch, but we are still waiting and monitoring the sharing formula,” he said.

Professor Simon Tuange of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University warned that if the tractors are not deployed soon, they may miss the current farming season.
“Agriculture without mechanisation is like a vehicle without wheels,” he said, urging the government to establish maintenance workshops alongside deployment to prevent waste.

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Public Enlightenment Movement Spotlights Northern Nigeria’s Infrastructure and Healthcare Gains Under Tinubu

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The National Coordinator of the Public Enlightenment Movement, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, has unveiled Phase 7 of the organisation’s project update, highlighting major infrastructure and healthcare achievements recorded across Northern Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing members of the press, Nuhu said the initiative remains committed to providing verified information on government projects and developmental progress across the northern states.

He explained that the Public Enlightenment Movement was established to promote transparency, public awareness and citizen engagement by documenting and disseminating updates on strategic national projects.
According to him, the latest phase focuses on critical infrastructure interventions aimed at boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.

Among the projects highlighted is the ongoing reconstruction of the Ajingi–Jahun–Kafin Hausa Road linking parts of Kano State and Jigawa State, which is expected to ease transportation of agricultural produce and improve trade activities across the corridor.

He also noted progress on the dualisation of the Minna–Bida Road in Niger State, describing it as a strategic route expected to reduce travel time and improve road safety for commuters.

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Nuhu Abdullahi further highlighted the accelerated completion of the Kaduna Western Bypass in Kaduna State, noting that the project is designed to improve movement for residents and travellers connecting to the Abuja corridor.

In the same vein, he said the rehabilitation of the previously neglected Shiroro Road in Niger State has significantly shortened travel distances and revitalised economic activities in surrounding communities.

On healthcare, the National Coordinator described the establishment of a world-class cancer centre at Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina as a landmark achievement in the health sector.

According to him, the facility is among the country’s top oncology centres, equipped with modern medical infrastructure aimed at making quality cancer treatment accessible and affordable for Nigerians.

He also cited progress on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, noting that the highway project is advancing steadily across six states with the integration of smart infrastructure such as streetlights and CCTV surveillance to enhance security and traffic management.

Nuhu stated that the projects outlined in the Phase 7 briefing reflect broader national efforts to improve infrastructure, healthcare delivery and economic resilience.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining public awareness on government interventions and national development initiatives.

“The projects detailed in this briefing are a testament to the wider national transformation currently underway.

While this phase focuses on northern Nigeria, it reflects a broader commitment to building a resilient, interconnected and healthier nation,” he said.

He thanked members of the media and citizens for their continued support of the Public Enlightenment Movement and called for sustained public engagement in national development.

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BREAKING: INEC Restores Mark-led ADC Leadership on Website After S’Court Ruling

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its website, listing David Mark as the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary following the judgement of the supreme court.

The development, spotted on Thursday evening, reverses INEC’s earlier decision in early April to remove the Mark-led executive from its portal, citing the ruling of an appeal court on the leadership crisis in the ADC.

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The Mark-led faction of the ADC and Nafiu Bala, a former national vice-chairman of the party, have been laying claim to its leadership.

However, earlier today, the supreme court directed Mark to return to the federal high court for the hearing and determination of issues arising from the leadership dispute within the ADC.

Delivering a unanimous judgement, a five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Mohammed Garba, faulted the order of the court of appeal which asked parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum.

Following the ruling, the ADC page on the INEC website, which was taken down initially, now shows the full list of the party’s leadership led by Mark.

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BREAKING: Supreme Court Nullifies Status Quo Ante Bellum Order, Restores David Mark-Led ADC Executive

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Supreme Court has set aside the status quo ante bellum order previously granted by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ruling effectively restores the executive committee led by Senator David Mark, reversing its delisting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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Delivering a unanimous judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel chaired by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the Court of Appeal’s order was unwarranted. The apex court also found that the appeal challenging jurisdiction had been improperly filed—it was based on an ex parte order inviting parties to show cause, without first obtaining the requisite leave of the appellate court.

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