NEWS
Kwara 2023: “Senate Requires Thinking Caps, Not Money Wallets” – Bolaji Abdullahi
The Kwara Central PDP Senatorial Candidate, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has said that Senate thrives on big ideas, critical thinking, and not a deep pocket.
Abdullahi made this statement, in a response to the APC Senatorial Candidate, Saliu Mustapha, who recently said he was no longer in need of ideas.
Abdullahi in an open letter on Monday said he was perplexed that Mustapha would say he has passed the level of ideas, adding that such impression was pedestrian, embarrassing and cynical. He noted that the primary job of a legislator is all about canvassing ideas to solve the problems that confront the people.
He said some of the two issues that are likely to be at the top of the next legislative agenda, including restructuring and the continuous ASUU Strike, would certainly require everyone involved to reach for their thinking caps rather than their money wallets.
“More specifically, conversation about restructuring is also going to be a major negotiation and bargaining platform for the different peoples of this country. What this means is that what happens to Kwara State, and to Kwara Central from the restructuring debate will depend on the capacity of those representing us at the National Assembly. This is why we must ensure that those who are going to speak for us have a clear understanding of our historical affinities and the kind of alignments and realignments that will best serve the interest of our people today and into the future.
“I will take one more issue, the issue of ASUU strike. You would agree with me that this should be a source of embarrassment to anyone in government today. And our children cry out to us to find a permanent solution that will bring this disgraceful occurrence to an end. So, what do we do? As aspiring representative of our people in the Senate, our people should want to know what ideas we have for solving this seemingly intractable problem. We certainly cannot throw money at it and make it disappear, can we?
“The position that you and I seek requires critical thinking and big ideas more than anything else. The issues that would be brought before us as senators would require us to think creatively and take decisions based on hard evidence. And it will not always be pretty. Senators don’t contribute money to solve problems; they contribute ideas instead. Unfortunately, it is this same ‘ideas’ that you have proudly relegated and announced that you no longer have a need for.
Abdullahi said contrary to Mustapha’s beliefs, most problems in life cannot be solved by throwing money around. It is ideas that move and rule the world, adding that the entire human civilization advances and is sustained by constant production of ideas.
“From what you said in your video, you appear to think that charity is a development strategy or that philanthropy can take the place of well-thought-out government policies. This is quite unfortunate, and I regret to say that one would expect a broader perspective than this from someone contesting to be a local government councilor, not to talk of someone aspiring for the highest legislative institution of the biggest black nation on earth. My dear Turaki, no country ever develops through the generosity of individuals, and no country will ever do. Charity has its place in every society.
“As a community of believers, charity is enjoined on all of us; in fact, it is a key cornerstone of our religion. People in our position have a duty to help the less privileged among us. That is a duty, for which we should expect no reward whatsoever, because it is our only way of saying ‘thank you’, to the Almighty Allah who in his mercy has chosen to bless us more than the people around us. Unfortunately, it is the same acts of charity that you now convert to a credential, on the basis of which you want people to vote for you.
“We all do it. Within what the Almighty Allah blessed me with, I have also paid school fees of countless children that I never met and that I would probably never meet. I have paid hospital bills, paid for surgical operations, bought wheel chairs, sank boreholes, repair roads, supported orphans, rebuilt classrooms, fix people’s houses, bought working tools for artisans, and gave people money who just wanted to eat. I do this all the time, whether in government or out of it, and regardless of party or politics. And I pray to Allah to enable me to continue to help. Up till her death, my late mother prayed for me that I would be a tree under whose shade people can seek comfort. This why you will never hear me bandy these things around for political benefits, despite immense pressure to do otherwise by associates.
“I know many people who also do the same, who never aspire to any political offices: lawyers who have built hospitals, civil servants who build houses for people, ordinary businessmen who do acts of charity on a daily basis without making a song and dance of it. Therefore, philanthropy cannot be a qualification for leadership.
“The problems that confront our people cannot be solved by isolated acts of charity, no matter how well-intentioned. Priding ourselves as alaanu mekunu may make us feel good with ourselves, but the right thing to do is to commit to reducing the number of mekunu that depends on our mercy. We are not God. And we must never give the impression to our people that largesse from people like you or me can bail them out of their condition. Our youths who are unemployed don’t want to beg their way out of poverty. They want a job so that they can also live a life of dignity and fulfilment. This is the generational burden that people like us must carry, if we truly aspire for leadership.” Abdullahi said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he is healthy, sound and ready to resume work after returning to Nigeria from his four-week working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday shortly after arriving in Lagos from Paris, France, where he spent the final part of his vacation.
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Speaking briefly after his arrival, the President said he enjoyed the break before assuring Nigerians of his readiness to return to official duties.
“I enjoyed myself,” Tinubu said.
On his readiness to resume work, he added: “Ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong.”
The President also addressed rumours surrounding his wellbeing, attributing such speculation to the political environment.
“Well, rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the fact remains I’m here—healthy, sound, and ready to go,” he said.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 6:22 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the end of his European working vacation.
His return comes ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, with the President expected to participate in activities marking the occasion in Lagos.
The Presidency had earlier said Tinubu would remain in Lagos for several days for Independence Day engagements and strategic meetings before returning to Abuja.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 and spent time in London and Paris during the trip, while continuing official engagements.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has highlighted the completion of the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State as evidence of the Commission’s growing capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects across the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku spoke at the 2026 NDDC Partners for Sustainable Development Conference in Port Harcourt, where he attributed the Commission’s progress to the support and cooperation of its development partners and other stakeholders.
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The Kaa-Ataba Bridge links Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State and is expected to improve connectivity between the communities when opened to vehicular traffic.
According to Ogbuku, the project is among developments that many previously considered beyond the capacity of the NDDC.
“These are things that, in the past, people never believed the NDDC could do. Today, we are doing them seamlessly because of the support we are getting,” he said.
The NDDC boss said the progress recorded by the Commission demonstrated the impact of collaboration between the agency and its development partners.
He thanked stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Minister of Regional Development for their support and encouragement towards the delivery of projects across the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku said the achievements also underscored the importance of collective responsibility, in line with the theme of the 2026 conference, “Synergy for Transformation.”
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has highlighted the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC Ltd) latest financial and operational performance, saying the figures offer “some lessons for Atiku” amid the debate over fuel subsidy.
Onanuga disclosed this in a post on X on Tuesday while reviewing NNPC’s key financial performance for 2025 following the release of the company’s audited results.
According to him, NNPC’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 22 per cent to ₦18 trillion, while earnings per share increased by 32 per cent to ₦35.9.
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He said the company’s operating cash flow also grew by 16 per cent to ₦12.8 trillion, while return on equity improved by 200 basis points to 16 per cent.
Onanuga further noted that NNPC declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, representing a 35 per cent increase.
Highlighting the company’s operational performance, he said crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years.
Natural gas output, he added, averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, representing a three-year high.
Oil and condensate production totalled 565.8 million barrels, up five per cent, while NNPC’s equity share increased by 11 per cent to 223.7 million barrels.
Gas production also reached 2,606.2 billion standard cubic feet, up nine per cent, while the company’s equity share rose by 11 per cent to 1,154.9 billion standard cubic feet.
Onanuga then linked the performance to the subsidy debate, arguing against a return to petrol subsidy.
“Atiku’s subsidy programme will certainly kill this company, which could be our own Aramco. Our country has no business taking 100 steps back. Forward ever!” he said.
NNPC Records ₦7.2tn Profit
NNPC Ltd had earlier announced a 33 per cent increase in profit after tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.
The company’s profit after tax rose from ₦5.4 trillion in 2024 to ₦7.2 trillion in 2025, while revenue stood at ₦34.5 trillion.
NNPC also reported a 22 per cent increase in EBITDA to ₦18 trillion, a 16 per cent rise in operating cash flow to ₦12.8 trillion and a 32 per cent increase in earnings per share to ₦35.9.
The company declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, representing a 35 per cent increase.
On production, NNPC said crude oil and condensate output averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years, while natural gas production averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day.
The company said the results reflected stronger earnings capacity and operational momentum as it continues to pursue increased production and investment across the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
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