Siting of gold refinery in Lagos: Fed Govt reacts to Northern Elders Forum allegations

Abuja, Jan.18, 2025(NAN) The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the Federal Government sited a gold refinery in Lagos in violation of the federal character principle.

It said the allegations contained in a statement signed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, were not true and misleading.

In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Mr Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said the minister had not made any such announcement.

“There was nowhere in the Minister of Solid Minerals announcement that the Federal Government owned or established a gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere for that matter.

“Dr Dele Alake was very clear, concise and emphatic in the announcement of the proposed inauguration of the refinery, that other gold refineries are in the works across the country and all privately-owned by different companies,” he said.

Tomori said the newly established gold refinery was an initiative of Kian Smith, a fully privately-owned mining company, aimed at developing the local gold industry through innovative practices.

He explained that the Federal Government does not compel private companies to locate their operations in any particular part of the federation, as each firm has its own operational and marketing strategy to ensure profitability.

He said the Federal Government acknowledged the doggedness of the company’s founder and Managing Director, Ms Nere Emiko, for delivering a flagship project after years of perseverance, enterprise and leadership.

According to him, the refinery reflects the solid minerals sector’s response to the value-addition policy introduced to discourage the export of raw minerals and to promote local processing and manufacturing.

Tomori said the policy had stimulated the conversion of raw mineral exports into processing factories across the country, generating massive inflows of foreign capital and providing thousands of jobs for Nigerians.

He said this included the 600 million dollars lithium plant in Nasarawa state, the 400 million dollars rare earth plant also in Nasarawa State and the 200 million dollars ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.

Tomori said the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, through its policy reforms, had been creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and flourish in the mining sector over the past two years.

He said the Lagos gold refinery and similar projects were clear evidence of the effectiveness of reforms in the solid minerals sector.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development shall continue to encourage more mining companies to set up processing and manufacturing plants across the country.

“ We urge NEF to turn a new leaf and join the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to build a stronger, self-reliant economy that meets the needs of the Nigerian people, ”he said.(NAN)

BREAKING: Drama as Senegal beat Morocco to clinch AFCON glory

Senegal clinched their second Africa Cup of Nations title after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a thrilling 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

The decisive moment came three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye fired a superb left-footed strike from the edge of the box, stunning the home crowd in Rabat.

Morocco had earlier missed a golden chance to win in regulation time after VAR awarded a late penalty, but Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s effort.

Both sides traded chances in a finely balanced contest, with Morocco chasing a first continental title in over 50 years and Senegal aiming to reclaim their crown.

Senegal started brightly, dictating play early and forcing Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into sharp saves from Pape Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye.

Morocco responded before half-time, with Nayef Aguerd narrowly missing Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s dangerous cross across the face of goal.

After the break, the Atlas Lions pressed harder, but Ayoub El Kaabi squandered a clear chance, failing to hit the target from close range.

Senegal threatened on the counter and nearly scored late on, but Bounou produced a fine save to deny substitute Ibrahim Mbaye in the 89th minute.

Extra time proved decisive as Sadio Mané’s clever pass released Pape Gueye, who showed composure and power to beat Bounou with an unstoppable strike.

Morocco pushed desperately for an equaliser, but Mendy stood firm as Senegal defended resolutely to secure a historic victory.

The triumph confirms Senegal’s status among Africa’s elite, sealing a second AFCON title with discipline, resilience and championship pedigree.(NAN)

President Tinubu orders suspension of APC e-registration in Kano, over Gov’s defection

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly ordered the suspension of the All Progressives Congress (APC) e-registration exercise in Kano State, pending the formal defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the ruling party.

The allegation was made by Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a member of the House of Representatives and a prominent APC leader in Kano.

Doguwa disclosed this in a video shared on X by user @jrnaib2, where he suggested that the President had already welcomed Governor Yusuf into the ruling party.

Speaking in the video, the lawmaker stated: “What could you do when Tinubu said he has accepted Abba? What would you do?

“Tinubu has accepted him (into APC), we were going to start APC e-registration in Kano tomorrow, but the President and the APC national leadership has directed that it should be put on hold.”

Doguwa further explained that the APC leadership intends for Governor Yusuf to be the first person to register electronically in Kano once the process resumes.

He added: “If we accept the ‘hunch backed,’ what would he do with me? We could only be patient.”

While the exact date the remarks were made remains unclear, they come as the APC continues its nationwide membership registration drive.

The statements have sparked mixed reactions online. Some social media users dismissed the claim that Governor Yusuf is considering a move to the APC. User @auwal_sls argued that the governor is not prepared to abandon his current political platform, while another user, @Teemaah88, warned that Kano State “will lose this election.”

In recent months, there have been growing reports that associates of Governor Yusuf and his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are pushing for a defection to the APC.

Supporters of the idea believe such a move would strengthen Kano’s political alignment with the federal government.

The Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has publicly defended these calls, insisting that joining the APC would be beneficial to the state. However, Kwankwaso has strongly opposed any suggestion of defection.

He has repeatedly maintained that Governor Yusuf should remain in his current party and has even challenged him to resign from office if he intends to cross over to the APC.

Speculation peaked earlier this week with reports that the governor was expected to defect on Monday, but no such move has taken place.

So far, Abba Kabir Yusuf has kept silent on the issue, leaving the political future of Kano State uncertain.