Arewa 100% Focus Condemns Victimisation of Dangote Refinery

A northern socio-political and economic advocacy group, Arewa 100% Focus, has condemned what it described as the victimisation and orchestrated hostility against the Dangote Refinery and its founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

In a statement signed by its president, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Sa’ad (Fakai), the group said the ongoing dispute between the Dangote Group and PENGASSAN, along with other forms of antagonism directed at Dangote, was unjust and against the national interest.

The group said rather than persecution, the industrialist deserves national recognition and respect for his contributions to Nigeria’s economic transformation and industrial development.

“Such hostility toward a man whose vision, enterprise, and investments have catalysed Nigeria’s industrial transformation is unpatriotic and detrimental to national interest,” the statement read.

Arewa 100% Focus also denounced what it termed deliberate attempts to sabotage or discredit the Dangote Refinery through misinformation and economic hostility, warning that such actions could undermine a strategic national asset.

The group described the Dangote Refinery as a symbol of national pride and a testament to African innovation and industrial capacity, noting that the facility had played a vital role in addressing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum challenges and promoting self-sufficiency.

It called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory bodies to protect the refinery from undue interference, intimidation, or sabotage, stressing that the refinery represents a critical pillar of Nigeria’s industrial sustainability.

The group further appealed to the media and civil society organisations to uphold fairness and responsibility in their coverage of issues surrounding the refinery, cautioning against manipulative narratives that could erode public confidence.

“Responsible reportage is essential to protect one of Africa’s greatest industrial achievements and prevent the erosion of public trust in a project that holds immense national value,” the group said.

Arewa 100% Focus reaffirmed its commitment to continuous advocacy, public enlightenment, and monitoring of developments affecting the refinery, adding that it would continue to support policies that promote industrial transformation and job creation.

The group said it would also engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s private sector continues to thrive as a driver of economic growth and national self-reliance.

Olawepo-Hashim Condoles with Kaduna Coordinator, Hon. Aliyu. Kachan over Mother’s Passing

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, leader of the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim FRONT 2027 movement and the leading Peoples Democratic Party PDP Presidential ticket contender has extended his deepest condolences to his Kaduna State Coordinator, Hon. Aliyu Muhammad Kachan (Achili), on the passing of his mother, Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad Kachan, who died on Saturday at the age of 98 years in Kaduna.

According to a statement signed by Sharifudeen Ibrahim Muhammad, Kaduna State PR and Media Manager, Dr. Olawepo-Hashim described Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad Kachan as a devoted Muslim and a true mother who dedicated her life to serving humanity. She was known for her kindness and generosity, particularly towards orphans, widows, and the less privileged.

Dr. Olawepo-Hashim expressed his sadness over the loss and prayed for Allah to forgive Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad Kachan's shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus. He also prayed for Allah to bless her family and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

The Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim FRONT 2027 leader sent a high-powered delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Malam Kamaldeen Adebayo to commiserate with Hon. Kachan's family, friends, and the entire Kaduna community. This gesture demonstrates Dr. Olawepo-Hashim's commitment to those around him and showcases his leadership style which has endeared him to many.

 

Dr. Olawepo-Hashim described Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad Kachan's demise as a great loss not only to her immediate family but also to the Kaduna community and the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim GOH-FRONT 2027 movement. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched.

The Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim FRONT 2027 movement joins Hon. Kachan's family, friends, and the entire Kaduna community in mourning the loss of this remarkable woman. May Allah grant them peace and comfort during this difficult time.

As the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim FRONT 2027 movement mourns the loss of Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad Kachan, we pray that Allah grants her soul peace and comfort. May her legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

In a show of solidarity, the Kaduna State chapter of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim GOH-FRONT 2027 also registered their condolences, led by the Zone One Coordinator, Hon. Sa'ad Shehu Zaria. They expressed their sadness over the loss and prayed for Allah to grant the family peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Signed: Sharifudeen Ibrahim Muhammad, MNIPR, MICA

PR and Media Manager

GOH-FRONT 2027 Kaduna State Chapter.

AICIF 2025: Metropolitan, SEC to Expand Islamic Financing Ecosystem in Nigeria

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has pledged to deepen the country’s non-interest finance market in partnership with Metropolitan Skills Limited and Metropolitan Law Firm. As Africa’s leading Islamic finance platform, the African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) convened its 2025 Pitch Competition in Abuja on Saturday.

The event, held in Abuja, was part of the pre-conference activities leading up to the 7th AICIF, scheduled for November. It brought together innovators, regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs under the theme: “Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook.”

Delivering her opening remarks, Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Conference Chair and Chairman, Board of Directors of Metropolitan Skills Limited, said the collaboration with SEC was a “historic step” for positioning Nigeria at the centre of Africa’s ethical finance revolution.

“Together, we are working to strengthen the foundation of Islamic finance across Africa, expanding its reach into the capital markets to create new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth,” she said. 

“Islamic finance is not just an abstract set of ideals. Its principles of fairness, risk-sharing, and social responsibility are practical tools for building economies that serve people, not just profits.”

For the SEC, the collaboration signals its commitment to broadening Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. Abdulkadir Abbas, Director at the SEC, told PRNigeria that the regulator has already developed a robust framework for non-interest capital markets.

“As regulators of the capital market, we are keen on developing all segments, including non-interest finance. We have frameworks that cover fintechs, crowdfunding, and even Sharia-compliant tokenisation. This partnership allows us to create awareness, attract innovators, and build a resilient, ethical finance system in Nigeria,” Abbas said.

He further highlighted the SEC’s 10-year master plan for non-interest finance, which is set to expire this year, noting that the regulator had introduced innovative products such as Sukuk to support infrastructure financing.

Ms Yinlaifa Edolo, Managing Director of Metropolitan Skills Ltd., explained that hosting the pitch competition ahead of the leading conference reflects Metropolitan’s resolve to build an ecosystem where ethical finance drives real innovation.

“The N5 million grant is not just a prize. It serves as seed capital for transforming bold ideas into enterprises that can reshape entire industries. Our focus is to inspire startups, support small businesses, and show that halal and ethical finance can power inclusive growth in Africa,” she said.

Backing this view, Abimbola Ajinibi, Regional Manager, First Trustees, a longtime partner of Metropolitan, said the last decade has witnessed a remarkable transformation in Nigeria’s Islamic finance space.

“Ten years ago, there was little awareness about instruments like Waqf, Sukuk, or ethical crowdfunding. Today, we have federal and state Sukuk projects worth over a trillion naira financing roads, schools, and hospitals. We’ve moved from theory to real impact,” he said.

Industry experts believe that by incorporating Islamic finance principles into Africa’s economic development, countries like Nigeria can establish more resilient financial systems that address unemployment, poverty, and inequality while remaining competitive in global markets.

As preparations build up to the November AICIF conference, the Abuja pitch competition has set the stage for regulators, innovators, and investors to work together in driving Africa’s halal economy and advancing inclusive prosperity.

Islamic Banking: 20 Bold Innovative Startups Compete for ₦5m in AICIF Pitch Challenge

The 2025 African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) Pitch Competition has highlighted 20 innovative startups competing for ₦5 million in grants, as Africa accelerates its efforts to nurture ethical, impact-driven enterprises.

Held in Abuja on Saturday as a precursor to the 7th AICIF scheduled for November, the competition drew over 200 applications from across the continent before narrowing down to 20 finalists—10 focused on tech innovations and 10 on social impact.

Speaking at the event, Hajia Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Convener of AICIF Nigeria and Managing Partner at Metropolitan Law Firm, described the initiative as more than just a contest.

 “Today, we celebrate creativity, resilience, and the power of ideas. These young entrepreneurs are not just pitching businesses; they are presenting Africa’s future. Their solutions can create jobs, reshape industries, and drive social impact,” she said.

The startups—ranging from halal-tech platforms to ethical investment solutions—were assessed by a panel of judges on innovation, scalability, and alignment with Islamic finance principles.

Mr Abdulkadir Abbas, Director at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), praised the quality of entries, noting:

 “The passion, commitment, and innovation displayed are remarkable. It will be a tough task for the judges to choose winners. What we are witnessing here is the essence of ethical entrepreneurship.”

Abbas added that the SEC has already created frameworks for small businesses to access funding through crowdfunding and other Sharia-compliant instruments, underscoring the regulator’s commitment to the non-interest finance sector.

For Ms Yinlaifa Edolo, Managing Director of Metropolitan Skills Ltd, the competition provides breathing space for startups to scale responsibly.

 “This grant is not about loans or debts. It is about giving entrepreneurs room to innovate, grow, and build businesses grounded in fairness and social responsibility,” she explained.

Mr Abimbola Ajinibi, Associate Director at First Trustees, emphasised the importance of focusing on SMEs:

 “Small businesses are Africa’s economic backbone, but often lack access to affordable capital. By leveraging halal finance instruments like Waqf, Sukuk, and ethical crowdfunding, we can help them expand without exploitative interest rates.”

One finalist, reflecting on the opportunity, called the experience “life-changing”:

 “Access to funding is the biggest barrier for startups like ours. This competition doesn’t just provide money—it gives us visibility, mentorship, and credibility.”

Since its inception in 2018, AICIF has grown into Africa’s leading Islamic finance platform, uniting policymakers, regulators, academics, and entrepreneurs. The pitch competition, now in its 7th edition, reinforces its mission of mainstreaming ethical finance while fueling innovation that serves communities.

As judges deliberate and finalists await the announcement of winners, the atmosphere is charged with hope that some of Africa’s boldest innovators will soon transform their ideas into enterprises capable of reshaping the continent’s economic and social future.

Nigeria Urged to Build Locally-Owned Solutions as Global Funding for PCVE Declines

 

By Our Reporter

– With global funding for preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) shrinking, Nigeria must invest in sustainable, locally-owned solutions that can outlive donor support, ActionAid Nigeria and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) have said.

Speaking at the maiden National Summit on PCVE in Abuja, GCERF National Coordinator, Yetunde Adegoke, said Nigeria could no longer rely on donor-dependent interventions. She stressed the need to strengthen agricultural value chains and cooperatives by linking communities with private-sector opportunities.

She cited the case of Fulani women cooperatives whose daily incomes increased from less than ₦100 to over ₦600 after being integrated into dairy production for major food companies. Adegoke said the approach had not only improved livelihoods but also fostered peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders while sustaining PCVE networks across states.

“Global PCVE funding is shrinking, so Nigeria must begin to build resilient structures that will remain long after donors exit. Our goal is to support state and local action plans, scale up successful models, and ensure that communities themselves lead the way,” she said.

On his part, ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, identified unemployment, poverty, climate change, and social media manipulation as major drivers of radicalisation. He noted that the shrinking of Lake Chad by 90 per cent had deepened insecurity in the region, while joblessness continued to make young people vulnerable to extremist recruitment.

“For us in ActionAid, preventing violent extremism has been a priority since 2016 through our SARVE programmes. We believe building community resilience, promoting accountability, and strengthening partnerships are critical to curbing radicalisation,” Mamedu said.

The summit, organised by the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub in partnership with the PAVE Network, and supported by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), ActionAid, and GCERF, brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society, and private sector representatives to explore sustainable responses to violent extremism.

Gov. Idris says Military Operation Base 'll be established in Augie LGA

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu says a Military Operation Base for special forces will be established in Augie Local Government Area of the state to beef up security of lives and properly in the area.

The governor stated this at a special Walima and commissioning ceremony of All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat for Augie Local Government, named: "Kauran Gwandu House".

Dr Idris reiterated total commitment of his administration to continue to support security agencies deployed to the state towards ensuring safety and security of lives and property of people across the state.

He observed that establishment of a Military Operation Base would go a long way in facilitating the restoration of peace and stability in the area and its neighbourhood.

Speaking on projects, the governor announced that the state government would give approval for the total renovation of Augie General Hospital to enhance grassroots' access to quality healthcare services.

   

Dr idris commended the people of the area for the support and cooperation being extended to his administration and urged them to maintain the tempo.

While describing the edifice as the first of such projects to be commissioned, the governor urged other local government areas to emulate the good spirit.

Also speaking, the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, commended the party leaders in the area for constructing  a befitting secretariat for Augie LGA and urged APC leaders in other local government areas to borrow a leave from the good work.

  

Earlier, the APC chairman, Augie local government, Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera said the essence of organising the occasion was to offer special prayers for Gov. Nasir Idris for Allah's guidance and protection.

He disclosed that an APC leader in the area, Barrister Bello Abubakar Bayawa had donated a Peugeot 406, ten motorcycles and ten grinding machines to support the people of the area.

KEBBI IS NOT ON THE BRINK: EXPOSING THE LIES AND HYPOCRISY OF BELLO ABDULLAHI

By Ahmed Baba CPS

When lies are dressed in the garb of victimhood and propaganda is paraded as truth, silence is no longer golden. The recent outburst by Bello Abdullahi titled “Kebbi on the Brink: APC’s Desperation Threatens Peace” is nothing more than a tired script of misinformation, selective memory, and deliberate distortion of facts aimed at painting black what is, in fact, white.

First, let us set the record straight. Kebbi State remains one of the most peaceful and stable states in Nigeria. There is no “brink,” no collapse, and certainly no descent into chaos. What happened in Birnin Kebbi was not a government-orchestrated attack but the spontaneous rejection by ordinary people who have long seen through the theatrics of Abubakar Malami’s politics of entitlement. Abdullahi may want to canonize Malami as a saint, but Kebbi people remember his role in Abuja power games, the arrogance that trailed his office, and the distance he created from the very people he now claims to care about.

To describe this as an “attack engineered by APC” is not only false but laughable. APC does not need to hire thugs to remind Malami that politics is local. The people themselves, without prompting, express their frustrations at those who only remember them when cameras are rolling or when political calculations demand it. That is democracy in its rawest form—people speaking truth to power, not thuggery.

Bello Abdullahi further betrays his ignorance by making wild claims against Kebbi’s leadership. His cheap swipe at the Governor’s academic qualifications exposes desperation, not reason. The same Governor he seeks to denigrate has records of service, tangible projects, and visible impact that far outweigh the hollow rhetoric of Malami’s hangers-on. While APC leaders are commissioning roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, Abdullahi and his cohorts are commissioning conspiracy theories and exporting lies to the media.

As for the melodrama about Kebbi being “on the brink,” this is textbook scaremongering. The National Security Adviser and security agencies do not take instructions from alarmists who manufacture crises to stay politically relevant. Kebbi is safe, governance is stable, and the people are more focused on development than on the pity-parties of politicians who feel sidelined.

The attempt to dress Malami’s visit as an act of “humility” is perhaps the biggest joke of all. Where was this humility when he wielded enormous influence in Abuja? Where was this humility when he was too distant from the grassroots? The people of Kebbi are neither blind nor forgetful, and they will not be lectured on morality by those who only discover their love for the masses after falling out of power.

To Abdullahi’s ADC, this is a caution: stop mistaking propaganda for strategy. Kebbi is not your “stronghold.” The people know where progress lies, and they will continue to reject divisive narratives aimed at destabilizing a state that has remained peaceful against all odds.

Finally, the greatest fallacy in Abdullahi’s diatribe is the claim that APC has offered nothing but “fear, hunger, and shame.” The truth is clear: from agricultural empowerment to educational reforms, from infrastructure to healthcare expansion, APC has lifted Kebbi steadily. Abdullahi can choose not to see it, but Kebbi people live it daily.

In the end, Bello Abdullahi’s article is not a warning; it is a wail—a wail of frustration from those who have lost relevance and now seek to recycle old lies in new bottles. Kebbi is not on the brink. Kebbi is on the move. And no amount of noise can drown the truth.

Signed 

Ahmed Idris 

Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor