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DRAMA AT BAUCHI EMIR’S PALACE: DEPUTY GOVERNOR ALLEGEDLY SLAPS FOREIGN MINISTER

A heated altercation broke out at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday, involving the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. The incident occurred during the turbaning of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, as Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate. According to eyewitnesses, the clash ensued after Tuggar reportedly made disparaging comments about the Bala Mohammed-led administration, which Jatau allegedly found offensive. “The Deputy Governor was visibly furious. It was a shocking moment. If not for Vice President Shettima’s swift intervention, it could have escalated badly,” a source said. The altercation is believed to be a continuation of the long-standing political rift between Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed. Tuggar had earlier accused the governor of using President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms to kickstart his 2027 presidential ambition. In a January appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Tuggar had said: “Governor Bala Mohammed showed clearly that he did not have any sincerity of purpose. He used the tax bill debate to jumpstart his presidential campaign.” Reacting to the comments, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa, described Tuggar’s comments as “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” accusing him of seeking to curry favours from the Tinubu administration. “Tuggar’s ambition to run for governor in 2027 is the real reason behind these constant attacks. But maligning a performing governor won’t help him,” Gamawa said. As of the time of filing this report, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued an official statement on the matter.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO FOOD SECURITY AND LAND RIGHTS IN BAUCHI STATE

The Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to safeguarding land rights and enhancing food security for farmers and pastoralists in Udobo, Gamawa community, Bauchi State. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, made this declaration on Sunday while representing President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of the Irrigate Nigeria Project in Gamawa. Tuggar emphasized that Udobo was once a major agricultural hub in the 1960s and 1970s but had suffered neglect for decades. He assured the community that land grabbing would not be tolerated and called for collaboration among stakeholders to drive agricultural innovation and sustainability. “The land fed nations. We aim to revive that legacy without displacing those who till it,” Tuggar said. The minister noted that the Irrigate Nigeria Project seeks to reduce food imports, secure the country’s agricultural future, and provide essential resources such as rice, motorcycles, and eco-friendly cooking stoves to mitigate deforestation. Acknowledging the adverse impact of floods and climate change on agriculture, Tuggar stressed the urgency of government intervention. He further reiterated President Tinubu’s strategy for Udobo and similar communities, assuring farmers that their land would be protected. “No one will lose their land. Grow what you eat first; we will help you sell the surplus,” he assured. Tuggar also disclosed that, with support from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the government would optimize water access through Udobo’s fadama wetlands while introducing climate-smart tools to improve agricultural output. Expressing gratitude, Hajiya Aisha Gamawa, one of the beneficiaries, said the minister’s intervention was a long-overdue response to the community’s struggles with climate change and flooding. “We are grateful to Tuggar for his support. The fertilizers he provided will greatly assist farmers during the upcoming rainy season,” she said. The community youth leader, Musa Udubo, also praised the minister, calling for more support to curb urban migration. “We appreciate the minister’s diplomatic efforts in bringing sustainable development to our community. He has fulfilled his promise, and we will not forget this massive support,” Udubo stated.

NIGERIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER TUGGAR ARRIVES KUWAIT ON HISTORIC WORKING VISIT

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has arrived in Kuwait for a landmark working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and the Gulf nation. The visit, which runs from February 5 to 8, 2025, marks the first time a Nigerian Foreign Minister has visited Kuwait since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago. During his visit, Ambassador Tuggar is expected to engage in strategic discussions with his Kuwaiti counterpart, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. The two diplomats will formalize several agreements designed to deepen cooperation, including a Joint Commission for Cooperation, a Bilateral Consultations MoU, and a Diplomatic Training Cooperation MoU. Ambassador Tuggar will also meet with Kuwait’s Minister of Petroleum, Tariq Suleiman Al-Roumi, and the Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Waleed Al-Bahar. Additionally, he will participate in a business lunch hosted by Kuwaiti authorities, attended by leading business figures and investors. The visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and investment ties between Nigeria and Kuwait, opening new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors. As stated by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the visit will include high-level meetings with top Kuwaiti officials, including the Prime Minister and the Amir of Kuwait.