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Showing posts from July, 2025

BATULU MOHAMMED GABDO: Daughter of Royalty, Mother of Service

By Kamal Hammajo Adam  Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 Born into royalty, shaped by education, and defined by service, Hajiya Batulu Kaltume Mohammed Gabdo has emerged as one of Taraba State’s most inspiring public figures. As the Sarauniyar Gashaka, a veteran media professional, political leader, and committed advocate for women and youth, her journey is both historic and humbling. EARLY LIFE AND ROYAL HERITAGE Born in June 1966 in the historic town of Serti in Gashaka Local Government Area, Batulu was raised in a household of tradition and discipline. Her father, the late Lamdo Gashaka, Alhaji Hammangabdo Muhammadu Sambo, was a revered Emir and custodian of Fulani heritage. From an early age, Batulu imbibed the values of humility, courage, and leadership. She began her formal education in Serti, continuing in Maiduguri and Yola, and later attended Government Secondary School, Fufore. Her academic journey led her to the University of Maiduguri, where she studied Mass Communi...

NO ROADS, NO PROGRESS: Why Taraba’s Palm Oil Riches Remain Out of Reach

 By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 Beneath the thick green canopies of Takum, Kurmi, Ussa, and Bali Local Government Areas, lies a wealth that could change Taraba State’s fortune, not oil from the ground, but palm trees, silently growing in abundance, waiting to be harnessed. For decades, these trees have supported rural communities in small ways. But what if they could support the entire state, even the nation, if only one thing changed? That one thing is Infrastructure. Despite the richness of the land and hundreds of women already involved in palm kernel oil production, poor road access has kept these communities locked out of the formal economy. A 2021 research by Taraba State University, undergraduate student confirms that rural women across these regions are actively producing palm kernel oil using traditional methods. But their efforts remain small-scale, because they can’t easily move raw materials or finished products due to non-existent roads. A...

AFTER BUHARI: Nigeria at a Crossroads of Memory, Politics, and National Reflection

By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 The passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, July 13, 2025, marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s political and historical journey. A former military Head of State turned democratically elected president, Buhari’s death has sparked reflection, realignment, and rising rhetoric across party lines. BURIAL AND NATIONAL MOURNING As announced by the Nigerian Presidency and reported by Reuters, Buhari’s body was flown back to Nigeria on Tuesday, July 15, with funeral rites held the same day in Daura, Katsina State, his hometown. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning, directing flags to fly at half-mast nationwide. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, is heading a 9-man inter-ministerial committee overseeing the burial protocol (Vanguard). POLITICAL TEMPERATURE: Tension Beneath the Tributes While Buhari’s legacy is being praised at the national level, th...

ALHASSAN IBRAHIM: A Lifetime of Service, A Legacy of Leadership

  By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 ROOTS AND RISING: A Humble Prince of Yamaltu Born Born on February 21, 1968 in the historic town of Dadin Kowa, now part of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe Stat e, Alhassan Ibrahim hails from a royal and aristocratic lineage. He is the grandson of the first District Head of Yamaltu and the son of the first Emir of Yamaltu and Sarkin Kudun Gombe, the late Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Bello (MFR). His late father was a distinguished Islamic scholar, teacher, journalist, Imam, and traditional ruler, a man of many virtues and great influence. Alhassan Ibrahim, embodies the true spirit of humility and service. Despite his noble roots, he remains deeply connected to the people. He is a detribalized Nigerian and an exceptional team player, known for his willingness to listen, his moral uprightness, and his sound judgment in handling responsibilities. His hobbies, reading, traveling, and farming, reflect his thought...

BEYOND OIL: How Lithium Will Redirect Nigeria’s Economy

By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 For decades, Nigeria’s economy has leaned heavily on crude oil. But as the global energy landscape shifts toward clean and renewable alternatives, a new mineral is stepping into the spotlight: lithium. Often referred to as "white gold," lithium is a key component in batteries used in electric vehicles, solar power storage, and mobile technologies. With rich lithium deposits across multiple states, Nigeria is poised to transform its economy, diversifying away from oil dependence toward a sustainable, innovation-driven future. This article explores the availability of lithium in Nigeria, the progress in mining, revenue potential, economic impact, and how local businesses and investors can benefit from this emerging opportunity. Lithium deposits in Nigeria are primarily found in pegmatite-bearing rocks, and several states have already shown strong commercial promise: Nasarawa State, Currently the most active lithium zo...

THE AKU UKA: The Warrior Monarch of the Kwararafa Kingdom

By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 In the heart of Nigeria’s Middle Belt lies a royal title that echoes through centuries of power, war, and cultural grandeur, the Aku Uka, the traditional ruler of the Jukun people and the symbolic heir to the legendary Kwararafa Kingdom. Revered as both a spiritual leader and a fearless warlord, the Aku Uka was once among the most powerful monarchs in pre-colonial West Africa. A THRONE ROOTED IN DIVINITY AND AUTHORITY The title Aku Uka, translated as "King of the Divine Realm" or "Divinely Ordained Ruler," holds sacred weight among the Jukun people of Wukari in present-day Taraba State, Nigeria. Unlike many monarchies shaped by external conquests, the Aku Uka is seen as a living embodiment of the ancestral spirit known as Apa, a mythical founder of the Jukun race. His rule is both temporal and spiritual, guiding his people in governance, tradition, and divine wisdom. For centuries, the Aku Uka has served n...

BASHIR ABUBAKAR GAZAKI (AKAWUNTA): Championing Intellectual Growth and Youth Empowerment in Northern Nigeria

By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 Bashir Gazaki, popularly known as Akawunta, is a dynamic youth advocate, community organizer, and the founder of Arewa Genius Hub (AGH), a digital platform that promotes education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship across Northern Nigeria. A native of Jos, Plateau State, Bashir later pursued his higher education in Gombe, where he graduated with a degree in Accounting from Gombe State University. Currently based in Abuja, Akawunta has used his background and experiences across Plateau, Gombe, and the broader Northern region to build bridges between aspiring young people and knowledge-driven opportunities. One the most impactful initiatives of AGH is "Pad A Girl campaign", which provides menstrual hygiene materials and awareness to schoolgirls, emphasizing the importance of girls’ education. Arewa Genius Hub, founded by Bashir, began as a Facebook group and has since expanded into a multi-platform networks. The platfo...

SEN. KASHIM SHETTIMA: Journey from the Classroom to the Presidency

  By: Kamal Hammajo Adam Freelance Journalist | +2347069274878 Senator Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s current Vice President, is a man whose rise in public service has been marked by depth, discipline, and dedication. From his early years as an academic to his impactful role as Governor of Borno State and now as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Shettima’s journey reflects resilience and leadership shaped by real experience. EARLY LIFE AND ACADEMIC CAREER Before venturing into politics and banking, Shettima began his career in the academic world. He served as a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Maiduguri. During this time, he contributed to research and teaching, building a reputation for intellectual rigor and discipline. TRANSITION INTO BANKING In 1993, he moved into the financial sector, starting with the now-defunct Commercial Bank of Africa in Lagos. He later worked with African International Bank and then Zenith Bank, where...