Feom Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Rotary International District 9127 has disclosed plans to host over 1,000 Rotarians, policymakers, and development experts in Abuja for its 2026 District Conference (DISCON 2026).

The conference which is a platform for national dialogue on economic growth, energy transition, and security will be held from May 14th-16th with the theme: ‘Uniting for Good, Fostering Friendships and Celebrating Service’

According to the District, the conference will draw participants from 16 states across northern Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.

Rotary District 9127 covers 16 northern states and the FCT, with focus areas including peacebuilding, disease prevention, WASH, maternal health, education, economic development, and the environment.

Speakers at DISCON 2026 include the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua; Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Barr. Ismaeel Buka Ahmed (OON); President of the Pan African Psychology Union, Professor Andrew Zamani; Economist and ACCI Board member, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu; and Director General of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Amara Nwankpa.

The sessions at the conference will tackle conversations including national economic development, Nigeria’s energy transition through the Presidential CNG Initiative, and a multi-stakeholder blueprint for peace and stability.

The District Governor, Dame (Dr.) Princess Joy Nky Okoro stayed: “DISCON 2026 is both a celebration of service and a call to greater action. It brings together leaders and change-makers committed to strengthening communities and delivering lasting impact across our district.”

CAPTION: From left is the District Treasurer Rtn. Omale Agida, District Executive Secretary, Rtn. Eucheria Ekweozoh, the District Governor Dame Princess Joy Nky Okoro, the District Conference (DISCON) Chairman, Dr. Emeka Iloegbunam, and the District Public Image Chairperson, Rtn. Ogechukwu Ochuba at a pre-DISCON press briefing in Abuja yesterday

Chairman of the DISCON Planning Committee, Dr. Emeka Iloegbunam said the goal of the conference is to create meaningful engagement across sectors.

“Our goal is to deliver a conference that not only reflects Rotary’s core values but also creates meaningful engagement across sectors. From thought-provoking discussions and opportunity-framing to cultural experiences, DISCON 2026 will showcase the very best of Rotary in action”.

“DISCON 2026 is positioned as more than a conference, it is a platform for engagement, collaboration, and shared impact, reinforcing Rotary’s role as a trusted partner in national development through citizen-led service initiatives”.

He added that DISCON 2026 will feature a vibrant House of Friendship, providing exhibitions, networking, and partner showcases; a cultural night, celebrating Nigeria’s diversity and heritage; a gala and awards night, recognising outstanding service and contributions; and multiple opportunities for collaboration among Rotary members, partners, and stakeholders.

A governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Professor Mohammad Sani Haruna, has declared that no contender in the 2027 governorship race can match his record of projects and contributions to human capital development across the state.

Haruna made the assertion while addressing journalists after submitting his governorship nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja on Friday.

Submission Of Forms: Nasarawa State APC Governorship Aspirant Prof. Mohammed Haruna addressing Pressmen shortly after he submitted his Governorship Nomination Form To APC National Organizing Secretary, Alh. Suleiman Arugungu and National Vice Chairman North Central, Alh. Bawa Rijao at APC Collection and Submission Centre In Abuja

Responding to questions from reporters amid a mammoth crowd and party stakeholders that accompanied him on the exercise, he dismissed concerns over the endorsement of another aspirant by the state government, insisting that the move would not affect his ambition.

He said he remained confident because politics is ultimately determined by the people and not by endorsements.

He described the contest as “a game of numbers,” expressing optimism that the electorate would reward his years of service and development efforts.

“In fact, I am happy that the endorsement has happened because now we will see the people’s preference,” he said.

“Politics is a game of numbers and the people will decide.”

He insisted that his relationship with the grassroots and his record of touching lives across the state would give him an advantage in the race.

“I assure you, I have touched the lives of individuals more than anybody else,” he stated.

“This is a payback period for the people of Nasarawa State.”

He urged his supporters to maintain peace and avoid political violence.

According to him, politics should be centred on governance, development and ideas rather than hostility and attacks on opponents.

“My message to my supporters has always been that we are in politics to discuss issues of governance and development of the state,” he said.

“There is no need to quarrel with anybody. There is no need for any supporter to fight supporters of another candidate over an issue that is first and foremost in the hands of God and will eventually be decided by the people.”

The aspirant stressed that his campaign would continue to focus on policies and programmes instead of personal attacks.

“We preach peace, coexistence and debate on policies and programmes, not attacks on personalities,” he said.

“We do not accept character assassination. In fact, we take disciplinary action against any of our supporters who insult other candidates. That is our principle.”

Haruna also cited the turnout at his recent political gatherings as proof of growing grassroots acceptance across the state.

“Those of you in the press witnessed the gatherings in Lafia and Keffi. No aspirant has assembled such crowds,” he stated.

“The people came willingly. They were not sponsored or hired crowds. Naturally, they love us because of what we have done on the ground.”

He said his years in academics, student leadership and public service had enabled him to impact lives through infrastructural projects and empowerment initiatives.

“We have signature projects and legacy projects from our experiences in academics, student activities and public life,” he said.

“We have contributed to physical development, infrastructure and human capital development. By the grace of God, we have helped many people build their lives, acquire skills and become useful to society.”

Haruna maintained that his contributions distinguish him from other aspirants seeking to govern the state.

“I beat my chest to say there is no aspirant with more tangible projects on the ground in Nasarawa State than Professor M. S. Haruna,” he declared.

He added that the support he currently enjoys is driven by beneficiaries of his interventions and development efforts across the state.

“Many of the people mobilising support for us today are people whose lives have been touched positively through the help of God and little interventions from us,” he said.

“They are the ones spreading the message and encouraging others to identify with our movement.”

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Former Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammad Sani Haruna, on Wednesday, formally declared his intention to contest the Nasarawa State governorship election in 2027, pledging to build on the industrialisation and infrastructure development agenda of successive administrations in the state.

Haruna, who spoke at his Western Zone mega rally held at Keffi, attended by a mammoth crowd of supporters and political stakeholders in Nasarawa State, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governors of the state and incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule for laying strong foundations for development, peace and stability.

He said following extensive consultations across the state he has decided to offer himself to serve the state in the position of governor come 2027 and called on the party faithful across the state to support him to realise the ambition.

He told the mammoth crowd that, he was going ahead to purchase the nomination form and participate in the Governorship primaries of the party on the 21st of May 2026.

He explained that he is contesting based on his exposure and achievements at NASENI which is spread across Nasarawa State and other states of the country, and the only thing he can assure the people of the State is transparent administration and judicious utilization of resources if given the mandate.

“I’m going ahead to purchase the nomination form and will participate in the Governorship primaries, you can be rest assured, what I can promise you is transparent administration and judicious utilization of your resources and keep the trust.

“I urge you to remain peaceful, to be calm, and obey the constituted authority. Learn to be your brothers’ keeper. Fighting, insults, and all kinds of vices that lead to public unrest do not benefit anybody.

“Will you vote for me during the forthcoming governorship primaries of the APC?, he asked and the crowd thundered “yes” amid drumming, dancing and jubilation.

Will you vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2027 presidential elections?” he asked, and the crowd also chorused “yes.”

He said as far as the next governor of Nasarawa State is concerned competence should be the criteria.

“I know I am competent, when I was looking for NASENI job as Executive Vice Chairman, I was employed on merit out of 67 people that contested, wrote examinations and attended interviews for the position. There was no sentiment because merit prevailed,” he said.

Former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI),Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna (middle), acknowledging cheers from his supporters during the Western Zone Mega Rally for the 2027 Nasarawa Governorship Elections, held at Emir’s Palace in Keffi, Nasarawa state, yesterday.

The former NASENI boss particularly commended ex-Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, whom he described as “the architect of modern Nasarawa State.”

“We recall the contributions of His Excellency, our leader and elder statesman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu,” Haruna said.

He added: “We recognise him as the architect of modern Nasarawa State because of the solid foundation he laid for governance, peace and development.”

Haruna also acknowledged the contributions of other former governors of the state, including the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, Senator Tanko Al-Makura and the incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule.

According to him, every administration in the state had contributed in different ways to the growth and stability of Nasarawa.

He said: “We are proud of the roles played by all our former governors and leaders who contributed to the peace, unity and progress of Nasarawa State.”

Speaking on the administration of Governor Sule, Haruna praised the ongoing industrialisation drive, infrastructure expansion and investments in manufacturing and human capital development.

“We wish to expand the industrialisation, the manufacturing economy and the infrastructure expansion that is going on now under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule,” he said.

The governorship aspirant said traditional rulers and political leaders had collectively sustained peace and stability in the state, adding that his administration would continue to strengthen that partnership if elected.

“All these leaders, in collaboration with non-partisan traditional rulers, have played important roles in maintaining peace, progress and stability in the state. If we have your mandate, we intend to continue with this,” he stated.

Haruna also praised President Tinubu for supporting the development of NASENI and helping to resolve challenges relating to the agency’s statutory funding.

“We cannot speak about the successes recorded without acknowledging the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in ensuring that issues surrounding the collection of NASENI industrial levy, which forms part of the statutory funding for development, were addressed,” he said.

The former NASENI chief stressed that peace and unity remained critical to development, warning against insecurity and division.

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity and unity that any society can thrive. We know the sorry state of places living under insecurity or conflict. We must not allow such challenges to divide our people,” he said.

Haruna further promised to ensure prudent utilisation of the state’s natural and human resources while prioritising industrial growth, skills acquisition and youth empowerment.

Reflecting on his public service career, he said merit and competence should remain central in governance and public appointments.

• He urged his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election gather momentum in the state.