The Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, has thrown his weight behind transformative projects spearheaded by Silicon Valley Nigeria Economic Development (SV-NED INC USA/SV-NED Energy Ltd) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Yhis is in a landmark collaboration to boost economic growth and youth empowerment.
The initiative, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focuses on agriculture, affordable housing, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) energy transformation, and mining.
At the heart of this agenda is the vision to provide sustainable opportunities for Nigerian youth, particularly NYSC corps members, to achieve self-reliance and contribute to national development.

During a high-profile meeting at the Etsu Nupe’s palace in Bida, HRH Queen Mother Amb. Amina Temitope Ajayi-Labinjo, popularly known as Mama Diaspora, represented by Executive Director Captain Dada Olaniyi Labinjo (Rtd), outlined plans to utilize massive land allocations in Kakakpangi and Wuya for these projects.

“Our focus is affordable housing, modern agriculture, and CNG gas centers to cut transportation costs and create commercial opportunities. We are committed to empowering Nigerian youth, taking them off the streets, and providing them with livelihoods,” Ajayi-Labinjo said.

The Etsu Nupe, who is also Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, lauded the initiative, describing it as a game-changer for Niger State’s socio-economic and agricultural sectors.
He pledged full support for the partnership and praised the teams for choosing Niger State as the hub for the projects.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General YD Ahmed, represented by Mr. Aremu Kehinde, NYSC Director of Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Development (SAED), emphasized the initiative’s potential to transform youth engagement across the state.

“These projects are designed to introduce modern agriculture and other life-changing opportunities to our youth, both corps members and residents of Bida. This is a testament to the Royal Majesty’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic progress,” Kehinde said.

The groundbreaking projects are set to uplift thousands of Nigerians, create jobs, and drive Niger State into an era of sustainable development, fulfilling the promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

***Silent on Next Political Move

Former House of Representatives member, Alhaji Sani Kutigi, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, citing disillusionment with the party’s current state.

This development is coming barely a week after the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi, endorsed Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections and declared he would not contest against him.

Sani Kutigi, who represented Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015, addressed his resignation letter to the PDP Ward Chairman in Kutigi, Lavun Local Government Area, on Sunday, February 26, 2025.

In the letter, the son of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Legbo Kutigi, described the PDP as a party that had lost its way. “After deep retrospection, I write to inform you of my resignation from PDP, an erstwhile great political sanctuary of values, unity, and opportunities with many years of unrivaled political leadership and services in Nigeria,” he wrote.

He lamented the party’s decline, stating, “Unfortunately, this hitherto great party has been reduced to a political circus of duplicity, division, and despondency that has negatively affected the trust of many of its members and the confidence of most electorate in the country.”

Kutigi revealed that his decision followed consultations with trusted political associates and well-wishers. “In view of the above, and in response to the collective resolve of my teeming political associates, I am compelled to take the painful decision of distancing myself from false political virtue, hence in search of political purpose and a path with clear and mutual objectives,” he added.

Reflecting on his years in the PDP since 2015, he described his experience as one of “meandering through political distrust” and expressed gratitude for the opportunities and challenges he encountered in the party.

However, Kutigi’s resignation letter did not disclose his next political move, leaving his supporters and observers guessing about his future plans.

When contacted, the Niger State PDP Chairman, Mr. Tanko Beji, said he had not yet received any formal resignation letter from Kutigi.
He added that party membership is voluntary, and individuals are free to join or leave at their discretion. “We wish him well in his future endeavors,” Beji concluded.

***Authorities Hunt for Suspected Explosives Dealer

The serene mining community of Sabon Pegi in Mashegun Local Government Area, Niger State, is in shock and mourning after a devastating explosion on Sunday morning claimed 25 lives.
The tragedy has left scores injured and many still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue.
The blast, which sent tremors through the surrounding areas, reduced more than half of the village’s buildings and shops to rubble. Survivors described the harrowing moment as the explosion ripped through the mining site, with many scrambling to save their loved ones amidst chaos.
Initial findings suggest the explosion may have been triggered by improperly stored explosives, allegedly kept in a shop near the mining site. Yushau, a man reportedly known for dealing in explosives and based in New Bussa, is suspected to have stored the materials at his uncle’s house in Sabon Pegi.
Eyewitnesses claim Yushau fled the community immediately after the explosion. His whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend him for questioning.
The blast has left Sabon Pegi reeling, with families grieving their losses and many residents displaced.
Villagers continue to dig through the debris in hopes of recovering missing relatives, even as military personnel have sealed off the area to maintain order and facilitate rescue efforts.
One resident shared, “We thought it was the dam in New Bussa that exploded because the sound was deafening. It’s a miracle anyone survived.”
Hospitals in New Bussa are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, many of whom are in critical condition.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and demands for stricter oversight of mining activities in the region. Community leaders have urged authorities to investigate the use and storage of explosives in mining operations, calling for immediate enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future disasters.
This incident comes just days after a fuel tanker explosion in Dikko claimed over 100 lives, adding to a growing sense of urgency for better safety measures across Niger State.
While there has been no official statement from the state government or police, security forces remain on high alert as the community comes to terms with the magnitude of the tragedy.

As the search for Yushau intensifies, Sabon Pegi residents are left asking tough questions: Could this disaster have been avoided? And what steps will be taken to ensure it never happens again?

For now, the focus remains on recovery and healing, as the community grapples with the devastating loss of lives and livelihoods.