News From Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sends profound condolences to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, on the loss of his beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, who passed away today in Cairo, after an illness.
President Tinubu described the late matriarch of the El-Rufai family as a mother who lived a remarkable life and raised children and grandchildren who have contributed greatly to our nation.
“Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, which happened today in Cairo. As someone who had also lost an old mother, I share in your grief. I understand the depth of your loss.
“Losing a mother is a pain unlike any other. I know that no words can fully ease your sorrow, but I pray that the memories of her love, wisdom, and guidance bring you comfort in the days ahead. I also hope you find strength in the remarkable life she lived and the values she instilled in the entire family.
“ As firm believers in Allah, we are convinced that she has played her part in this world as laid out for her by the Almighty and has gone back to her maker.
“I join family, friends, and well-wishers in mourning with you. May Allah grant your dear mother Aljannah Firdaus,” President Tinubu adds.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
March 27, 2026
As part of its ongoing commitment to community development and social welfare, leading glass and aluminium solutions provider ABUMET, has carried out a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) outreach to the FCT School for the Blind in Abuja.
ABUMET has consistently distinguished itself as a company driven by people-focused impact, particularly within the education sector, where strategic interventions can transform lives. This recent outreach further reinforces the company’s values and strengthens its connection with communities that benefit from its initiatives.
As part of the visit, the company donated essential learning materials, including braille paper, a typewriter, and a talking calculator—items that will significantly enhance the students’ educational experience. For visually impaired learners, these tools are not merely supportive aids but vital instruments that promote independence, confidence, and academic advancement. The gesture, therefore, represents not just an act of giving but a meaningful investment in the intellectual growth and empowerment of the students.
Beyond the donations, the outreach focused on building genuine connections. ABUMET representatives engaged with both students and staff, gaining deeper insight into their daily experiences, challenges, and aspirations. The interaction fostered a warm and respectful atmosphere, with students expressing visible excitement and appreciation. For many, the visit served as a source of encouragement and renewed motivation.
Speaking during the visit, the General Manager of ABUMET, Diemo Schillack, highlighted the motivation behind the initiative:
“We make it a point to visit schools within our country, and this year, we chose your school.”
His remarks underscored the company’s deliberate effort to support institutions serving persons with special needs, guided by a strong sense of responsibility to contribute meaningfully where support is most needed.
Providing historical context, the General Duties Assistant of the institution, Jonathan Momoh, explained that the school was established in 2001 within the premises of the Federal College of Education, FCT, before relocating to its permanent site in Jabi, Abuja, in 2007. He noted that the relocation marked a significant turning point, improving infrastructure, learning conditions, and the overall academic structure of the school.
In her response, the Head of School, Hajia Hamzat, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, stating that the donated materials would greatly support the students’ academic development and overall well-being. She described the intervention as both timely and impactful, particularly in a learning environment where access to specialised materials is essential.
Other members of staff also expressed gratitude, noting that such interventions help bridge critical resource gaps and equip students with the tools needed to compete academically with their peers nationwide. They emphasised the importance of sustained private-sector partnerships in promoting inclusive education and ensuring that no group is left behind.
The ABUMET delegation to the outreach included the General Manager, Diemo Schillack; Brand Marketing Coordinator, Esther Duruibe; Human Resource Manager, Tolulope Gbadamosi; Head of Procurement, Okechukwu Juliet Chizoba; Contract Manager, Ufuoma Alile, among others.
US-based family medicine physician, Dr. Austin Orette, on Friday reiterated his vision and plans for the Delta South Senatorial District.
“I will provide job opportunities for our citizens and ensure that the Delta South Senatorial District is well represented in issues appearing before the Senate’
In a message to the wonderful people of Delta South Senatorial District, Orette promised to utilize his contacts in the global community to supplement the efforts of the state government in attracting investments and employment opportunities.
Titled: “Putting the people first”, Orette promised to build a new and strong bridge of prosperity and dignity for Delta South.
“I wish to assure you of my readiness to work and make sacrifices for the senatorial zone. I will make you proud”
The senatorial hopeful listed legal reforms, health care, agriculture, security and restructuring as areas to focus on as a senator.
“The lack of the rule of law has led to our present state of insecurity. Our people need modern hospitals and well-trained staff to attend to them. The building is not a hospital. It is the manpower that is well trained that makes a good hospital. Good and affordable healthcare will reduce the high disease burden amongst our people. We must restructure Nigeria so that our people can take their destiny in their hands. Our District is a gas and oil field but we have no industry that can generate electricity for our people. We cannot be part of modern society without electricity. Providing electricity is necessary to create jobs for our unemployed youth. We must use modern methods of farming and make famine a thing of the past. I will create opportunities; ensure security and abundant living for our people”
He urged the people of the senatorial zone not to settle for past mediocrity that turned politics into a den of criminals.
“Those who are there gained positions through brigandage and they have given nothing back to the voters. The present leaders cannot solve the problems because they are not intellectually equipped to do that. They take orders from those who are not familiar with our terrain and as such have marginalized the Delta South which should be the Bread basket of Nigeria”
He also urged the people to change bench warmers in the National Assembly.
“In a democracy, we have the responsibility to vote out those who have disappointed us by not knowing the reason they were elected. Let us take this responsibility seriously. Those there now are serving themselves while the majority of us are wallowing in abject poverty. We must change our narrative. We cannot afford to continue doing the same over and over and expect a different result. We must as a matter of urgency change the leaders who don’t understand the problems and have no capacity to extricate us from our doldrums”
Particularly, he advised the people to support his senatorial ambition.
“Nigerians believe that supporting my senatorial aspiration is in the best interest of the senatorial zone. I urge you to give massive support. I also urge you to serve as a volunteer by using word of mouth to spread the message of hope so we can be victorious in this endeavor and rekindle hope for the progress and development of our dear senatorial district”
Orette stressed that he stands tall and remains the most competent and qualified aspirant among others.
“I am knowledgeable and well equipped for this task. I am imploring you to volunteer for this project. Sensitize people to the urgency of this moment. This is going to be the most important message of this era. If you want things to change, then you must join me in this endeavor. I want you to elect me to be the voice for your aspiration” he said.
Ending the message, Orette said “Having seen Delta South degenerate into a depth of economic, social and political degradation, I believe the best way to recover the soul of the senatorial district and find a remedy to the problems is to give this important task to a man that possesses the vision, political wisdom, courage and humility”