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Governor Inuwa Yahaya Emerges Northern States Governors’ Forum Chairman

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By Abdulateef Bamgbose

The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has been elected as the chairman of the northern states governors’ forum, NSGF.

The Governor was unanimously elected by the 19 northern governors during their forum’s meeting held on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.

Governor Inuwa takes over from Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State with effect from 29th May, 2023.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Inuwa promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues across party devides.

He emphasized that the good legacies of the Forum will be sustained to bequeath not only verile organisation, but a better future for the people of the north at the end of his tenure as chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.

Inuwa assured his fellow northern Governors that in line with the objectives of the Northern Governor’ Forum, he will strive to sustain the strides left behind by his predecessors. He said the focus of the NSGF on economic development will be the driving force of the Forum while his chairmanship lasts.

He observed that the region is challenged by insurgency in the North East, ethnic and religious crisis within the North Central as well as farmers/herders clashes and the subsequent effect of banditry and cattle rustling among others.

The new NSGF chairman noted that inspite of the social and economic challenges confronting the northern region, the Forum has made tremendous impact and has changed the tide for the betterment of its people.

He remarked that since the focus of the NSGF is built on addressing such social challenges, the Forum, under his leadership will do everything possible to ensure that they are addressed in the Interest and benefits of the people.

“We will work hard to ensure that we catch up with the rest of the country, possibly with the developed parts of the world so that our people will feel the impact of good governance we all pursue”.

He expressed delight with the commencement of drilling activities in the Lake Chad Basin which has brought to three drilling sites in the North to include Kolmani in Gombe and Bauchi and the one in Nasarawa State. He assured that the Forum will see to the actualization of the exploration of the large oil and gas deposits in the North for the benefit of the people.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that the Northern region of the country is sitting on not only oil and gas deposits. but solid minerals which the Forum has no reason not to exploit and put to use for the benefit of the people.

The Gombe State Governor used the occasion to thank the outgoing chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Plateau State Governor Right Hon. Simon Bako Lalong for his administrative ingenuity despite numerous challenges in his State in particular and the North in general.

He said the NEGF will continue to work with past leadership of Forum in order to consolidate on the gains so far recorded and to properly place it on the smooth trajectory of social cohesion, economic emancipation and infrastructural development.

The outgoing Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, said Governor Inuwa was elected to Chair the NSGF in view of his experience, sterling leadership qualities and commitment to good governance. He urged him to bring to bear his pedigree of excellence in running the affairs of the Northern Governors Forum.

Giving synopsis of his stewardship, the Plateau Governor said the past four years have been eventful just as they were challenging in various sectors.

He said the forum had to deal with many issues that affected the northern states individually and the region as a whole.

“As you are all aware, our region for the most part of the period under review continued to face serious challenges with the incidences of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes that impacted negatively on the lives of the people and the economy of the entire region. However, with our collective and individual efforts coupled with the support of the Federal Government and security agencies, we were able to do our best to contain the situation.

“Without the series of meetings and engagements we held, our people would have been thrown into deeper hunger and despair as the threat by criminals restrained them from engaging in farming which is the main economic activity of the region. Although we have not overcome this challenge completely, we have substantially improved the situation. We hope that the incoming Governors and those continuing their second terms will work together with the Federal Government to ensure the region is secure”.

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2027: TMG Plans Mass Mobilisation for Tinubu

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The Tinubu Mega Group (TMG) has ignited what observers are already describing as a nationwide political wave, rolling out an aggressive, multi-layered mobilisation strategy ahead of its historic May 17, 2026 National Convention in Abuja.

In a bold declaration of intent, the group, a formidable coalition of over 1,500 organisations cutting across civil society, professional bodies, labour unions, artisan networks, and grassroots movements, stated that Nigeria is witnessing the rise of an unprecedented national alignment in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The development was made known in a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by Kennedy Tabuko on behalf of the National Secretariat. TMG announced that the countdown to May 17 will not be business as usual, but a relentless, coordinated national build-up designed to dominate public discourse, energise supporters, and firmly position the convention as the single most consequential political convergence in recent Nigerian history.

From the following days, the group will flood the media space with daily high-impact engagements, including front-page newspaper features, primetime television appearances, and strategic radio domination across all geopolitical zones. According to TMG, the objective is clear, to ensure that the voice of millions of Nigerians resonates in every corner of the country.

On the digital front, the group is activating a full-scale online offensive, deploying influencers, content creators, and grassroots digital networks to drive viral conversations under coordinated messaging. Daily videos, testimonials, and real-time mobilisation updates will showcase the growing momentum behind the movement.

Beyond the media, TMG revealed plans for simultaneous street-level actions across states, including coordinated road walks, market activations, and community rallies, transforming the build-up into a visible, people-driven movement.

In what it described as a “clear demonstration of unstoppable momentum,” the group confirmed that it will begin releasing milestone figures from its nationwide endorsement drive, building up to the formal presentation of 20 million signatures at the convention.

As the date draws closer, TMG will escalate its activities with a high-profile national media tour, massive outdoor visibility campaigns, and a final wave of coordinated engagements designed to ensure total national attention.

The group emphasised that the May 17 Convention will not merely be an event, but a defining national moment where a broad coalition of Nigerians will publicly and decisively endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This is not just mobilisation, this is a movement. This is the convergence of millions of voices across professions, regions, and social classes. Nigeria is aligning, and the message is unmistakable,” the statement declared.

TMG further assured that all activities will be conducted peacefully and in line with democratic principles, while urging Nigerians to be part of what it described as “a historic show of unity and national direction.”

With preparations now in full throttle, all eyes are on Abuja as May 17 approaches, a date TMG insists will redefine the scale and structure of civic and political engagement in Nigeria.

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NITDA Pursues Total Cyber Resilience, Drives Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Agenda

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is intensifying its push to position Nigeria as a globally competitive digital economy, pursuing an ambitious agenda spanning cybersecurity, digital literacy, artificial intelligence governance, and strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors.
Under the leadership of Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, the agency has been repositioned as a focal point for digital transformation and innovation, managing the national computer emergency response team, implementing the National Digital Literacy Framework, and driving the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, all geared toward building a sustainable digital economy.
The Citizen Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Stakeholders Engagement, Mahmud Bello, said Inuwa’s tenure has recorded measurable gains in staff performance, institutional development, capacity building, and digital skills development for Nigerian youth at a scale not previously achieved since the agency’s establishment.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries,” the Director General described digitalization as the primary engine for economic transformation in an increasingly interconnected world, warning that Nigeria must deliberately position itself to harness technological advancements or risk being left behind in the global race for innovation. He noted that as Africa’s largest economy by GDP, Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads where the digital sector offers a strategic pathway for economic diversification and job creation.
NITDA has already established over 100 information technology centres nationwide to support learning and bridge the digital divide, though the Director General stressed that the long-term sustainability of these infrastructures depends on deeper cooperation across all sectors of the economy.
On the cybersecurity front, Abdullahi sounded a major alarm at the 2026 GITEX Africa Summit, declaring that the era of treating cybersecurity as a routine IT problem is over. Speaking on the theme of Total Resilience, he argued that as artificial intelligence-powered threats grow more elusive and destructive, Nigeria’s defense strategy must evolve into a multi-dimensional approach involving every level of society, from government institutions down to individual citizens.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a strategic imperative for national development. We must think beyond technology alone and build resilience through people, processes, regulations, and infrastructure,” he said.
Citing data showing that 95 per cent of all digital breaches originate from human error, Abdullahi argued that even the most sophisticated encryption is rendered useless when the human element is compromised. NITDA’s response is a drive to turn every Nigerian citizen into what it describes as a “human firewall,” the first and most critical line of defense against AI-driven attacks.
To that end, the federal government has launched a comprehensive National Digital Literacy Programme with a target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2030, with an interim benchmark of 70 per cent by 2027. The “3 Million Tech Talent” programme complements this effort, developing Nigerian expertise across cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence through hackathons, innovation challenges, and mentorship schemes.
NITDA is also deepening its institutional partnerships to secure critical infrastructure, working with agencies including the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, the Federal Character Commission, the Corporate Affairs Commission, ICPC, NYSC, SMEDAN, and NigComSat, among others.
In a demonstration of its commitment to policy dialogue, NITDA recently hosted the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course 48 in 2026 for a strategic study tour. The engagement focused on digital innovation’s role in driving sustainable economic growth, with particular attention to what the agency described as the Orange Economy, a creative and intellectual property-driven sector encompassing digital content creation, film animation, and digital art.
“With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we deepen collaboration and investment across the ecosystem,” Abdullahi stated.
At the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” the NITDA chief outlined four principles he said should guide digital transformation: enabling rather than controlling the ecosystem; prioritizing networks over institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation; and focusing on platforms rather than isolated projects. He noted that Nigeria’s emerging space technology sector is now a significant economic driver, with the country’s “Sunrise Packet” projected to contribute over 1.5 billion United States dollars to the economy by 2030.
CWAI, which described cyber resilience as “a collective responsibility,” called on all sectors to support NITDA’s initiatives, including platforms such as GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria, which provide visibility for start-ups while attracting investment, partnerships, and mentorship to fuel inclusive national growth.

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“Nigeria’s Biggest Ever Coalition, Civil Groups, Professionals, Labour, Artisans, Declare for Bola Tinubu”

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In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

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