Executive Chairman of Liberty Media Group, Alhaji (Dr.) Tijjani Ramalan, has announced plans for the second edition of the Liberty Symposium, describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at redefining the future of Northern Nigeria through dialogue, policy engagement and practical solutions to the region’s challenges.
Speaking ahead of a press conference scheduled to hold today at the Liberty Media Group Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, Ramalan said the symposium would take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, security experts, academics, media practitioners and development stakeholders.
The symposium, themed: “Re-Imagining the North: Media, Productive Power and the Making of the Next Northern Nigeria”, is expected to focus on issues surrounding governance, security, economic development and the role of media in nation-building.
He explained that the Liberty Symposium was conceived as a high-level, multi-stakeholder platform designed to generate practical and implementable solutions capable of reshaping the future of the region.
Ramalan stressed that the symposium would focus on what he described as three interconnected pillars — media, governance and productive economic power — which he said are critical to sustainable peace and development. He argued that conflict often thrives in environments where economic opportunities are limited, while lasting peace becomes possible when citizens have access to opportunities, accountability structures and inclusive systems.
Ramalan also emphasised the need for the media to evolve beyond conventional news reporting and assume a more active developmental role. According to him, media organisations should increasingly function as institutions capable of strengthening social cohesion, mobilising investment confidence, promoting enterprise and facilitating national development.
The Liberty Executive Chairman said the symposium would examine the role of Northern-owned media organisations not merely as communication platforms but as strategic instruments for economic growth and perception management.
Ramalan further disclosed that discussions at the event would cover several critical national issues, including constitutional restructuring, governance reforms, regional competitiveness, sub-national collaboration, state policing and broader questions relating to the balance of power within Nigeria’s federal system. He said the symposium seeks to shift the narrative surrounding Northern Nigeria away from one dominated by instability and developmental deficits to one focused on possibilities, innovation and strategic partnerships.
Among the expected outcomes of the event, according to him, are actionable policy recommendations, stronger frameworks for regional cooperation, strategies for economic revitalisation, enhanced public-private partnerships and renewed commitments toward peace-building through inclusive communication.
The Liberty Symposium, now entering its second edition, is expected to attract distinguished participants from across government institutions, the private sector, civil society and development communities.
EFCC arrests ex-Power Minister, Mamman in Kaduna hideout
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how operatives of the commission tracked and arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kaduna State, following his conviction over a multibillion-naira fraud case.
Olukoyede disclosed yesterday, during a media briefing at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja that the former minister was arrested in Rigasa, a densely-populated community in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State, where he was allegedly being shielded by accomplices.
According to the EFCC boss, investigations showed that Mamman had remained under protection while authorities searched for him after legal proceedings linked to the diversion and laundering of public funds during his time in office. “We discovered that he was actually being protected all this time. It is a crime to protect or give shelter to a convicted person or fugitive”, Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC chairman said two other individuals were arrested alongside the former minister for allegedly assisting him and helping him evade arrest.
Recall that Mamman was recently convicted in connection with the alleged laundering of about ₦33.8 billion linked to contracts and financial transactions carried out while he served as Minister of Power. The case has been described as one of the biggest corruption convictions secured by the anti-graft agency in recent years.
Olukoyede further disclosed that the Commission was still tracing additional assets suspected to belong to the former minister, noting that investigators had recently uncovered more properties linked to him. “As I am talking to you, investigations are still ongoing with respect to other properties that we suspect the man owns. Just a few days ago, we discovered another one”, he said.
He explained that although some properties had already been included in charges before the court, the Commission would continue efforts to identify and recover additional assets believed to have been acquired with illicit funds.
He added that the EFCC would strengthen collaboration with the courts and other security agencies to ensure defendants facing corruption charges remain under proper surveillance throughout their trials.
