Honourable Jafaaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House Committee on Nigeria–China Friendship Relationship Group, has extended his condolences to the Government and people of Qatar following the passing of the father of the incumbent Emir, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani.In his condolence message, Honourable Yakubu described the late ruler as a man of wisdom and compassion whose leadership left a lasting imprint on Qatar and the wider global community. He noted that the deceased patriarch of the Al Thani Royal Family was widely respected for his dedication to service, his vision for progress, and his commitment to uplifting humanity.Yakubu emphasized that Qatar has not only been a leader in the Gulf region but has also shown remarkable generosity through humanitarian partnerships that extend far beyond its borders. He highlighted the role of Qatar Charity in his Federal Constituency of Bali/Gassol in Taraba State, where sustained interventions have supported orphans, widows, and vulnerable groups. These programs, he said, have provided scholarships, empowerment opportunities, and social support that have transformed lives and strengthened communities.“The people of Bali/Gassol Federal Constituency will always remember the kindness of Qatar and the impact of its humanitarian activities in our communities,” Honourable Yakubu remarked. He added that the partnership with Qatar Charity has been a source of hope and opportunity, reinforcing the bonds of friendship between Nigeria and Qatar.He prayed for Allah (SWT) to forgive the shortcomings of the departed leader and grant him Jannatul Firdausi, while assuring the Government of Qatar of his constituency’s solidarity during this period of mourning.The condolence message, delivered in Abuja, underscores the enduring ties between Nigeria and Qatar, and reflects the shared vision of both nations in advancing humanitarian causes and uplifting vulnerable populations. Honourable Yakubu reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening these ties, ensuring that the partnership continues to grow and deliver meaningful benefits to his people.

By Emmanuel Kuza

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Abuga Ovie, has described the name Ombugadu as a political brand, saying the popularity and wide acceptance of the name have made David Emmanuel Ombugadu a major force in the state’s political landscape.

Ovie, who stated this in an interview on Tuesday, said what started as opposition from some of Ombugadu’s biological brothers and people he described as fathers and uncles who betrayed him for personal political interests had now assumed a wider dimension, with political parties allegedly joining the battle against him.

According to him, the latest development was an attempt to undermine the political value of the Ombugadu name by presenting another person with the same surname, describing it as an indication of how far some political actors were prepared to go to weaken the PDP governorship candidate.

“Ombugadu is a brand, not a title. The people are not fools. They know their own. You cannot simply bring another person bearing the same name and expect the people to forget the political identity that Ombugadu has built over the years,” he said.

He further alleged that a former governor was working to introduce a political associate who had served as Accountant-General of Nasarawa State into the political equation, with the alleged objective of destabilising the PDP and weakening its chances by ensuring that the party fields a less competitive candidate in 2027.

“The plan, as we understand it, is to destabilise the PDP and make sure the party presents a weak candidate, thereby creating an advantage for the former governor’s preferred candidate. But all those efforts have proved abortive because the national leadership of the PDP stood its ground and refused to lose its best bet for the 2027 governorship election,” Ovie said.

The PDP chieftain said the resolve of the national leadership to retain Ombugadu had demonstrated the confidence the party had in his capacity to win the governorship election, despite what he described as attempts by some political actors to frustrate his ambition.

Ovie urged political parties and their leaders to resolve their internal differences instead of concentrating their efforts on Ombugadu, whom he compared to David in the Bible, saying he remained focused despite betrayal and opposition from those close to him.

“Ombugadu is like David in the Bible. Even when his brothers forsook him, he remained focused. Today, despite the people who have betrayed him, he remains focused and has a blueprint that can rescue Nasarawa State,” he said.

He said political parties should concentrate on presenting their programmes and convincing voters about how they intend to address the challenges confronting the state rather than expending their energy on attempts to stop Ombugadu.

“Political parties should fix their problems instead of wasting their strength fighting Ombugadu. Let everybody bring their blueprint before the people and explain what they intend to do for Nasarawa State,” he said.

Ovie maintained that the 2027 election should be about ideas, competence and the future of Nasarawa State, rather than attempts to manipulate political structures or undermine individuals perceived to enjoy strong grassroots support.

He urged the people of the state, particularly the Eggon community, to remain politically vigilant and resist what he described as efforts to make them settle for less, insisting that voters would ultimately determine who enjoys their confidence at the polls.
Reduce repeated references to Ombugadu

By Israel Adamu, Jos 

 Two hundred widows from communities across Langtang North Central State Constituency of Plateau State have benefited from an empowerment outreach organised by Gimbiya Gani Nandir Lar under the Jagoran Talakawa movement.

The outreach, held at Pilgani in Langtang North Local Government Area, was aimed at supporting vulnerable women and drawing attention to the challenges faced by widows, particularly those struggling to provide food, pay school fees and meet other basic needs for their families.

The organiser, Nandir Lar, who is the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Langtang North Central State Constituency, said the gesture was motivated by compassion and concern for vulnerable members of the society.

She stressed that the outreach was not a political programme but an expression of love and support for humanity.

Nandir Lar said: “The plight of widows may not always make headlines, but their struggles are real, painful and deserving of our collective attention.

“This is simply an expression of compassion and love for humanity. It is not a political programme.

“Our constituency is home to people with diverse needs, including mothers, widows and young people who are seeking opportunities to improve their lives.”

Former Provost of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Amos Chirfat, commended the initiative, saying it had brought smiles to the faces of vulnerable women in the constituency.

Minority Leader of the Langtang North Legislative Council, Dirya Sheni, also commended Nandir Lar for supporting widows and other vulnerable members of the community.

At the end of the outreach, each of the 200 beneficiaries received a 10-kilogramme bag of corn flour, seasoning and N10,000 cash