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• September 2, 2025
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El-Rufai didn’t fight for democracy, never slept in cell – Shehu Sani

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has said ex-governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai never fought for democracy. Sani said El-Rufai has never been in a cell and was unknown until 1999 when he was made the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE. Featuring on TVC’s Politics Tonight, the former lawmaker said
El-Rufai didn’t fight for democracy, never slept in cell – Shehu Sani

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has said ex-governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai never fought for democracy.

Sani said El-Rufai has never been in a cell and was unknown until 1999 when he was made the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE.

Featuring on TVC’s Politics Tonight, the former lawmaker said El-Rufai has been “angry and frustrated” since he left office in 2023.

“For people like Nasir, when they found themselves in the position of office, they don’t know what democracy is all about because they didn’t fight for it.

“He was an unknown figure before 1999 and became DG of BPE. He has never been in a cell for one day. He has never been in prison.

“For me, as you see me here, I have been through the rough times of my life. I have been through many prisons. I have been through many police stations.

“I have served so many years. I wore prison uniform. I wore leg chain. I wore handcuffs as a political prisoner fighting for this democracy that is 25 years old.”

El-Rufai didn’t fight for democracy, never slept in cell – Shehu Sani

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• September 2, 2025
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Experts call for ban on imported cassava derivatives to boost local industry

National Coordinator of the Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, Dr. Fatima K. Aliyu, has urged the Federal Government to ban the importation of certain cassava derivatives to protect the local industry in the country. Aliyu made the call at a stakeholders’ advocacy meeting in Minna, Niger State, where she observed that imported products like starch
Experts call for ban on imported cassava derivatives to boost local industry

National Coordinator of the Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, Dr. Fatima K. Aliyu, has urged the Federal Government to ban the importation of certain cassava derivatives to protect the local industry in the country.

Aliyu made the call at a stakeholders’ advocacy meeting in Minna, Niger State, where she observed that imported products like starch and other cassava based items compete with local cassava products, thereby hindering the growth of the sector.

Represented by Mr Agama Sunday, VCDP Market Development Officer, Aliyu also noted that the cassava sector has not grown as rapidly as the rice sector, despite efforts to promote both crops when the programme started about 10 years ago.

She explained that aside competition from imported products, cassava also lacks market opportunities.

According to Aliyu, to tackle the challenge, VCDP has created new market opportunities for cassava products, particularly with companies producing ethanol and other food materials, while urging farmers to expand their production in cassava.

“As at four years ago, there was no growth in the cassava sector until now. And we want it to compete favourably with rice in commercial form to generate revenue for farmers and the country. We want farmers to expand and we need industries to buy them.

“That’s why the Niger State VCDP which is one of our outstanding states in the last 10 years of the programme, decided to hold meetings with stakeholders to discuss on the policy on cassava production and on the need to take advantage of the opportunities that abounds in it,” she said.

Mr. Boma Anga, CEO of Agro Nigeria Ltd, in a paper titled ‘Developing the Dried Cassava Chips for Export’, highlighted the high market demand for dried cassava chips from industries, which currently stands at 25 million metric tons of which Nigeria can only produce 1.2 million metric tons annually.

He emphasized that Niger State has the potential to lead in cassava production and attract agro-industries, given its comparative advantage in cassava production and good performance in rice production.

Prof. A. A. Coker of the department of Agriculture, Federal University of Technology, Minna, recommended developing a roadmap to address challenges and opportunities in the cassava industry.

He also suggested implementing tariffs to protect local industries, increasing government revenue, and encouraging value addition.

Mrs. Elizabeth Yisa, Niger VCDP Business and Marketing Development Officer, stated that the stakeholders’ meeting was organized to discuss ways to move the cassava policy, and address challenges facing farmers in transporting and marketing their products.

Earlier, the state VCDP coordinator, Hajiya Habitat Isah, had encouraged farmers to seize opportunities in dried cassava chips production to gain financial freedom.

Experts call for ban on imported cassava derivatives to boost local industry

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• September 2, 2025
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Shettima a blessing to Tinubu – Speaker Abass

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has described Vice President Kashima Shettima as a blessing to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Abbas made the remark while celebrating Shettima on his 59th birthday. In a message signed his Media Aide, Abdullahi Krishi, Abbas noted that the vice president was worth celebrating. The Speaker stressed
Shettima a blessing to Tinubu – Speaker Abass

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has described Vice President Kashima Shettima as a blessing to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Abbas made the remark while celebrating Shettima on his 59th birthday.

In a message signed his Media Aide, Abdullahi Krishi, Abbas noted that the vice president was worth celebrating.

The Speaker stressed that the vice president was a loyal, dependable and trusted ally of Tinubu.

Describing Shettima as “vice president and politicians extraordinaré,” he commended the vice president and former governor of Borno State on his “legislative experience which has become an added advantage to the government of President Tinubu.”

He insisted that Shettima has added immense value to Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Shettima a blessing to Tinubu – Speaker Abass