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Buhari, Lawan, Tinubu greet new emir of Zauzau
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the new Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and advised him to be leader of all.
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday had named Bamalli as the19th Emir of Zazzau.
Bamali succeeded Alhaji Shehu Idris, who died Sunday, September 20, 2020.
Bamalli’s emergence followed the cancellation of the selection process following some alleged irregularities and exclusion of some qualified aspirants from the process.
Bamalli was one of the three contenders initially nominated for the post.
The President in a statement said, “I congratulate you on making history by becoming the first emir from the Mallawa ruling house in 100 years. You deserve the appointment and I am confident you will justify the confidence reposed in you.
“While you bask in the glory of the moment, I want you to be the leader to all and treat all your people fairly in the performance of your duties.
“This is a challenging moment and, therefore, I want you to use this opportunity to unite all members of the ruling houses for the interest of your people.”
He prayed to Allah to grant him the wisdom and guidance needed to discharge his duties.
Also, Senate President Ahmad Lawan in a statement described Bamalli’s appointment as well-deserved and expressed hope that “the new Emir will meet the high expectations of the revered office and justify the trust and confidence that his people have expressed in his character and ability through his selection and appointment.”
He commended the state government and the Zazzau Emirate for the peaceful and smooth transition after the exit of their 18th emir.
National Leader All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Asiwaju, also commended Governor el-Rufai on Bamali’s choice.
Tinubu said, “Ambassador Nuhu Bamalli is a prominent diplomat, tested administrator and a first class traditional title-holder. I congratulate him on his appointment as the 19th Emir of Zazzau.
“My congratulations also go to Governor Nasir el-Rufai for making a prudent appointment.
“As Magajin Garin Zazzau, Ambassador Bamalli distinguished himself as an excellent high chief of the Zazzau Emirate, just as he performed brilliantly well as top diplomat, serving Nigeria as Ambassador to Thailand.
“Like his immediate-past predecessor, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who died last month after 45 years on the throne, Ambassador Bamalli is also a highly detribalised Nigerian and a friend of all. I urge him to continue in that fashion and consolidate on the tremendous gains recorded by the late Emir.”
A frontline contender for the royal seat, Malam Munir Ja’afaru, has accepted the choice of Bamalli as emir and has congratulated the monarch.
Ja’afaru said, “It is with deep sense of gratitude to Almighty SWT that I learnt of the appointment of Magajin Garin Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as the new Emir of Zazzau by Governor Nasir Ahmed el Rufai.”
“May Allah SWT guide, lead and direct his actions on the throne, and usher in peace and prosperity,” the prince said.
A statement from the state government said Governor el-Rufai congratulated the new monarch on his appointment and wished him a peaceful reign.
It stated, “Until his appointment as Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli held the title of Magajin Garin Zazzau and served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Thailand, with concurrent accreditation to Myanmar. He has been a permanent commissioner in the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission in 2015.”
It also said the new emir had worked in the banking sector as executive director, and later acting managing director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Corporation (NSPMC).
“He was a staff of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency before a stint as head of Human Resources at MTel, the mobile communications arm of the old Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).
“Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli studied law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds a master’s degree in international relations and diplomacy and a diploma in organisational leadership from Oxford University. He is also a fellow on Conflict Resolution of the University of York, United Kingdom (UK),” it said.
Ambassador Bamalli is a direct descendant of Malam Musa Bamalli, the flag bearer and first Fulani Emir of Zazzau, who ruled from 1804 to 1821.
His father, Nuhu Bamalli, held the position of Magajin Gari (the second most important princely title in the Zazzau Emirate) for 40 years.
Malam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli acted in the capacity of Magajin Gari, representing his father in public functions for 20 years. He was appointed to the position in 2001, following his father’s death.
He is a direct descendant of the Islamic scholar and founder of the Fulani Empire, Usman Danfodio, from his mother’s side.
His mother is the daughter of Abdulrahman Dikko, and the great granddaughter of Sultan Aliyu Babba and Sultan Muhammadu Bello, as well as Shehu Usman Danfodio.
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FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday at a clinic in London of protracted illness related to lukemia.
The public holiday is in addition to the seven days of national mourning earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the break in a statement released on Monday through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary. Magdalene Ajani,
Tunji-Ojo said the holiday is a gesture of respect for Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and development.
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation,” the minister said.
This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”
Tunji-Ojo asked Nigerians to use the day to promote peace, patriotism, and national unity in line with Buhari’s vision.
FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
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Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
Two Nigerian-born billionaires, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have been named in Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants.
The list features 125 billionaires from 41 countries, who collectively make up 14% of all billionaires living in the U.S. and control 18% of the country’s total billionaire wealth.
Top on the list are three South Africans, including Elon Musk ($393.1bn, Tesla, SpaceX); Patrick Soon-Shiong ($5.6bn, pharmaceuticals), and Rodney Sacks ($3.6bn, energy drinks).
They are closely followed by Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $2.4 billion, ranked 77th and recognized for his success in private equity, while Awotona, known for founding scheduling software company, Calendly, sits at 106th with a $1.4 billion net worth.
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Other African-born billionaires on the list include Haim Saban from Egypt ($3.1B, TV and investments); Marc Lasry from Morocco ($1.9B, hedge funds); and Bharat Desai from Kenya ($1.6B, IT consulting).
Forbes noted that a remarkable 93% of them were self-made, having built their fortunes primarily in industries such as technology and finance.
The growing number of immigrant billionaires, up from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025, reflects a shifting demographic and reinforces what Forbes describes as the “immigrant mindset”: a blend of resilience, innovation, and the drive to seize opportunity that continues to shape America’s economic landscape.
Forbes also released a list of top 10 America’s richest immigrants to include Elon Musk, net worth: $393.1bn; Sergey Brin, net worth, $139.7bn; Jensen Huang, net worth, $137.9bn; Thomas Peterffy, net worth, $67.9bn; and Miriam Adelson & Family, net worth, $33.4bn.
Others are Rupert Murdoch & Family, net worth, $24bn; Peter Thiel, net worth, $21.8bn; Jay Chaudhry, net worth, $17.9bn; Jan Koum, net worth, $16.9bn; and John Tu, net worth, $14.1bn
Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
News
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
The power of the President to unilaterally appoint Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be whittled down in a constitutional review proposal.
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is currently considering the proposal to bring the National Judicial Council (NJC) into the process.
According to a report by PUNCH, the amendment seeks to reduce the influence of the executive arm by enhancing the transparency and impartiality of INEC leadership appointments.
This proposed shift follows long-standing calls for electoral reform, including the recommendations made in 2007 by the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais, who led the Electoral Reform Committee.
The Uwais-led panel had advised that the NJC, rather than the President, should be responsible for nominating INEC board members, and that the commission’s funding should come directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to safeguard its autonomy.
Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that the proposed change was a positive development.
“It is a welcome development. It is one of the many good recommendations on how to insulate the position of whoever is chairman of INEC from political and executive pressures, as well as curing the deep-seated impression that ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune.’”
Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, echoed this support, though he raised concerns about the NJC’s neutrality.
“The proposal by the National Assembly to amend the constitution to involve the NJC in the appointment of the INEC chairman is in line with Justice Uwais’ recommendation because over time, we have seen how presidents appointed their protégés and cronies, including people with a clear partisan background, into INEC.
“It is because of this that YIAGA Africa called it institutional capture, that is, INEC captured by the executive arm.
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“Is the NJC independent enough to manage the appointment of the INEC chairman in view of the fact that the CJN has overbearing powers in determining the members and the composition of its members?”
While backing the intention behind the reform, Itodo advocated a more inclusive approach.
He said, “I don’t know if this proposal to have the NJC manage the appointment process is a welcome development or if it would inspire confidence on the part of Nigerians.
“It is good to remove the power of appointing the INEC chairman from the President, but is it possible to set up a multi-stakeholder committee to manage this process and then send nominations or those who successfully passed the interview process to the National Assembly for screening before appointments by the President?
“There has to be a way of ensuring that whoever is responsible for any action in the appointment value chain is independent, so that we don’t have partisan people getting appointed to the electoral commission.”
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, also supported the involvement of the NJC, suggesting it could help rehabilitate the image of the judiciary.
“If the National Assembly can amend the constitution to allow the NJC to have a say in the selection process of the INEC chairman, it will be a good development. It will enhance the integrity and credibility of the NJC because Nigerians are beginning to question the character of the judiciary. Nigerians are losing confidence in the judiciary because of their perception of injustice perpetrated by that arm of government.
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“Hopefully, NJC members who will be involved in selecting the INEC chairman, as well as the Commissioners, will help the image of the judiciary. Our constitution does not allow partisan persons to head the electoral commission, but successive presidents have been ignoring this constitutional provision. So, NJC members who are expected to be non-partisan would assist in selecting a good person to head INEC,” Rafsanjani said.
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
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