........... 𝒂𝒔 𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒃𝒖'𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒖 By Iyke Mba  24/07/2025 The recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allocate $3 billion for the construction of the eastern rail line represents a landmark moment in Nigeria's infrastructural development, particularly for the South East region.  This decision is notable not only for its monumental financial implication but also as the first time in Nigerian history that such a substantial investment has been specifically directed towards the railway infrastructure of the South East by a sitting president.  This initiative has been positively received and is seen as a significant shift from previous administrations. Under the leadership of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, prior railway projects predominantly aimed at linking northern Nig...

.........  𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒑𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 As the dust settles from Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign in Nigeria, it becomes evident that this political tactician is far from finished.  Silently preparing for the 2027 elections, Tinubu’s strategies are evolving to secure a stronger hold on the political landscape of Nigeria.  With a combination of youth engagement, regional alliances, internal restructuring, religious outreach, and an innovative media strategy, Tinubu aims to outmaneuver his political opponents. One of Tinubu's key strategies revolves around engaging the younger demographic.  He is actively rebranding the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resonate with Gen Z values.  This includes offering youth-focused policies that promise jobs, loans, and advancements in the digital economy.  ...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒔 The Legislative Evening on Women’s Political Representation showcased the vital need for inclusive governance in Nigeria, highlighted by the speech of Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu.  His presentation focused on the Special Seats Bill (HB1349), which he emphasized is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic measure addressing a significant national issue.  The exclusion of women from political leadership roles has far-reaching consequences, ultimately costing the nation in terms of untapped potential, innovation, and economic opportunities. Studies indicate that increasing women's participation in leadership positions could yield substantial economic benefits for Nigeria.  A report suggests that with enhanced participation, Nigeria may see a remarkable GDP growth of up to 9% by 2025.  This statistic underscores the connecti...

..............𝑎𝑠 𝑅𝑡 𝐻𝑜𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐾𝑎𝑙𝑢 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟-𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝐴𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎'𝑠 𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ On June 24th, the deputy speaker for the Nigerian House of Representatives, the rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, delivered a powerful speech at the EU-Africa Roundtable in Brussels.  In his address, he presented a bold African perspective on redefining the partnership between Africa and Europe for shared prosperity.  He proposed the concept of "near-shoring" as a solution to boost Africa's economic growth and reduce migration, by bringing European technology and industries closer to Africa’s raw materials. As the world continues to face economic challenges, it is more important than ever for Africa and Europe to join hands in creating mutually beneficial partnerships.  Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu's proposal of "near-shoring" is a prime example of such a p...

.........ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu's current trip to Brussels, as Chairman of the Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee of the African Union Parliament, highlights the crucial role African leaders play in shaping the continent's relationship with Europe.  His focus on the Africa Union Pan African Parliament and the perception of Africa on the continental relationship underscores the need for a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership.  However, while engaging in these high-level discussions on the international stage, the tangible impact of his leadership continues to resonate at home in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, Nigeria, most notably through the commencement of asphalt work on the long-awaited Agbua-Elugwumba Uzuakoli road.  This duality – navigating complex global politics while addressing the immediate needs of his constituents ...