From Adeko Ukpa, Lafia

Former Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna has disclosed that the rapid rise of lithium mining and processing in Nasarawa State has transformed the state into Nigeria’s epicentre of industrial development, with massive inflows of investment, jobs and infrastructure.
Prof. Haruna made this assertion while speaking at the 2025 Engineering Week and Award Night of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Lafia.
He lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule for championing the state’s industrialisation through technology and value addition.
He said Governor Sule’s “blueprint of progress” has turned Nasarawa into a reference point in the nation’s solid mineral revolution.
“He is an engineer who saw opportunity where others saw dust. His commitment has put Nasarawa on the global lithium supply chain,” Haruna said.

L-R: The Vice President, North-Central of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Rachel Serumum Ugye; the Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers(NSE), Lafia Branch, Engr. Simon Obagu; a former Executive Vice Chairman/CE of NASENI, Prof. M. S. Haruna; and Engr. Mustapha Usman, Project Manager AMEDI Lafia during the 2025 Engineering week/Dinner/Award Night of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Lafia Branch yesterday.

The scholar and industrialist said that Nasarawa holds the highest deposit of lithium in Nigeria, with purity grades between 2.0% and 8.4%, ranking among the best in Africa.
“Lithium from Gunduma, Saka and Unguwan Gwandara is of world-class quality,” he said.
Haruna disclosed that over $850 million in private investments have been committed to the state’s lithium sector by global and local firms, including Ganfeng Lithium Company, Avatar New Energy Materials, Can Max Technologies, and Jiu Ling Lithium Mining Company.
Haruna said: “When you sum up the commitments from Ganfeng Lithium Company Limited with about $250 million, Avatar New Energy Materials’ multimillion-dollar project, Can Max Technologies’ planned $200 million plant, and Jiu Ling Lithium Mining’s over $200 million investment, you are looking at more than $850 million in private capital already flowing into Nasarawa’s lithium sector.
“That is unprecedented in the history of this state’s industrial development. These plants will produce up to 22,000 tonnes of lithium annually.
“The Ganfeng facility alone will yield 16,000 tonnes, while the earlier plant has a 3,000-tonne capacity. Together, they are creating jobs, revenue and industrial linkages never seen before.”

He noted that Nasarawa’s lithium activities have already attracted national attention, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to commission the Ganfeng plant soon.
“This is a milestone not just for Nasarawa but for Nigeria’s diversification agenda,” Haruna added.
The former Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI said the partnership between the state and NASENI has given rise to technology-driven initiatives like the Solid Mineral Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI) in Nasarawa town.
He revealed that under the agreement with Ganfeng, the state will earn $15 million over ten years, while the host community in Endo will receive $500,000 for development projects.
“The governor insisted on transparency, community inclusion and environmental sustainability,” Haruna said.
He lauded Governor Sule’s refusal to rely on loans, opting instead for prudent management and innovation-driven growth.
“His discipline is a lesson in leadership by example,” Haruna said.
However, Haruna added a political twist, urging continuity of “engineering leadership” in the state.
“If an engineer took Nasarawa to this height, only another engineer can sustain it.
“It would be disastrous to hand this aircraft to a pilot who cannot read the dashboard of development,” he said.
The professor charged members of the NSE and all progressives in Nasarawa to “speak loudly and campaign boldly” for the preservation of Governor Sule’s industrial legacy.
“We must not allow politics to derail progress,” he said.
Haruna concluded that the lithium revolution was not merely an economic story but “a model for leadership driven by knowledge, discipline and innovation.”
“With engineering thinking at the helm,” he said, “Nasarawa will remain the pride of Nigeria’s solid mineral future.”

President Tinubu Overhauls Military Leadership, Names New Service Chiefs

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.

The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.

The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

All appointments take immediate effect.

Sunday Dare

Special Adviser to the President

Media & Public Communication

October 24, 2025

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned, in strong terms, the unlawful arrest and detention of human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police.

“We strongly condemn this reckless action as an assault on democracy, freedom of speech, and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Frank said in a statement in Abuja.

“The arrest of Sowore is not only unjustifiable but represents a dangerous slide towards authoritarianism in a country that claims to operate under democratic principles.”

According to him, it is unacceptable that in 2025, Nigerians are still being harassed, intimidated, and detained for peacefully expressing dissenting opinions or calling for good governance.

“The right to protest, to assemble, and to hold government accountable are fundamental pillars of any true democracy,” he said. “Suppressing these rights through intimidation and arbitrary arrests is a betrayal of the democratic promises made to the Nigerian people.”

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and all relevant authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and other peaceful protesters arrested in Abuja and across the country.

“Tinubu’s administration must demonstrate commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights by ending the culture of fear and intimidation.

“Nigeria is currently facing serious security, economic, and governance challenges that require constructive engagement, not repression,” he said.

He urged the government to focus its energy on addressing pressing national issues instead of silencing voices of dissent.

He said: “It is unbecoming of this administration to intimidate and oppress citizens in a democratic period like this.

“We are not under military rule where dissent is a crime. This is supposed to be a democracy that Nigeria is practising.

“Yet, under this administration, we are witnessing dictatorship, oppression, and the suppression of free speech.

“This is why the international community cannot take Nigeria or this administration seriously.

“There are so many serious security issues in the country. We expect our security agencies to channel their energy towards arresting bandits, criminals, and Boko Haram members, not innocent citizens who are peacefully protesting against bad governance.

“If the administration were doing what is right and keeping its campaign promises to Nigerians, nobody would criticise or take to the streets.

“Arresting unarmed citizens anytime there’s a protest is totally wrong and must stop.”

He called on the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, and the international community, including the United States Government, the European Union, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian government to respect the rights of its citizens.

He said: “We saw recently how there were massive protests in America and other parts of the world against Donald Trump’s administration.

“Yet, Trump or the American government never tear-gassed or arrested peaceful protesters.

“That is what true democracy looks like. True leaders, like Trump in that instance, understand that citizens have the right to criticise their government.

“Nigeria has now become a country where the government oppresses its citizens. This administration has turned dictatorial and despotic.

“While insecurity ravages the nation, they focus on intimidating citizens instead of fighting corruption.

“In this government, people who loot the country are rewarded. They negotiate with bandits and criminals while they harass, intimidate, and arrest peaceful protesters.

“The same thing is happening to journalists. Today in Nigeria, journalists have no press freedom. This administration is now worse than some military regimes of the past.

“They also intimidate and oppress members of the opposition political parties, forcing people to join their party or face arrest and prosecution.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the international community, especially the American government, to help rescue Nigerians from the hands of this administration.”