By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun implementing the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The new framework seeks to strengthen the country’s fiscal and trade policies, improve economic competitiveness, and increase government revenue.

In a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS said the revised measures align Nigeria’s tariff structure with regional and international obligations. The Service added that the policy also supports local industrial growth and facilitates legitimate trade.

According to the statement, the amendments introduce major changes to the Customs and Excise Tariff framework. They include the Revised Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) List for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022–2027), the Revised National List under the same tariff regime, the Revised Import Prohibition List (Trade), the Revised List of Goods Liable to Excise Duty, the Green Tax Surcharge on motor vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000cc and above, and the Revised Export Prohibition List.

The Service advised importers, exporters, manufacturers, licensed customs agents, and other stakeholders to study the revised tariff schedules and comply with all applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.

The NCS also announced that the complete 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments have been published on its official website to ensure transparency and ease of access. It urged stakeholders to review the provisions carefully and comply with the approved measures.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to implementing government policies through its statutory responsibilities of trade facilitation, revenue collection, and border security.

It further noted that effective implementation of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments will depend on the cooperation of stakeholders across the trade sector. The NCS said such collaboration will help build a more competitive, transparent, and sustainable economy.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Nearly half of Americans believe the United States should arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, according to a new Economist/YouGov poll.

The survey found that 49 per cent of respondents support enforcing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu, while 27 per cent oppose such action and 23 per cent remain undecided.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Netanyahu and the Israeli government reject the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.

The poll reflects growing public criticism of Netanyahu in the United States. Recent surveys have also shown declining support for his leadership and increasing concern among Americans over U.S. policy toward Israel, particularly among Democratic voters and younger Americans.

Despite the poll results, legal experts note that the United States is not a member of the ICC, making the enforcement of the court’s arrest warrant highly unlikely under current U.S. law.

By Mohammed Mohammed Haruna

There are friendships that begin with long histories, family connections or carefully cultivated associations. Others begin in a single moment of character. The friendship between Mansur Shehu and the writer belongs to the latter.

Their paths first crossed during the induction programme of a financial regulatory institution in Lagos in 2009/2010. They had known each other for only a few days when Mansur was nominated to serve as class governor. He had every reason to accept. Many of the inductees already knew him from earlier chapters of his life, and he possessed the familiarity, confidence and goodwill to prevail.

Yet, in a gesture that revealed something profound about his nature, he declined the nomination and explained that he had intended to nominate the writer instead.

It was a simple act, but character is often revealed in simple moments. Long before political aspirations, public appointments, consultations and campaign platforms, Mansur demonstrated an uncommon willingness to step aside so that another person might step forward. In a society where advancement is frequently measured only by personal elevation, that instinctive generosity was neither ordinary nor insignificant.

From those early days, their relationship grew beyond professional acquaintance into brotherhood. They became founding members and leading lights of S2010, a social group of colleagues united by the values of self-help, mutual loyalty and community. It was not merely a platform for social interaction, but a fellowship through which members supported one another in moments of celebration, transition, difficulty and need.

Mansur brought to that collective the same qualities that have continued to define him: loyalty, discipline, industry, responsibility and an uncommon readiness to serve. When he chaired the planning committee for the group’s tenth anniversary, he approached the responsibility with seriousness and diligence. The work was exacting, but he mobilised others, attended to details and demonstrated that leadership, for him, was never a ceremonial title. It was a call to labour.

Those who have worked closely with Mansur understand that he is not one of those who seek recognition without responsibility. He believes in the dignity of effort. He understands that communities are not transformed by slogans alone, but by patient organisation, credible ideas, sacrifice, competence and a genuine concern for people.

That same philosophy has driven his repeated efforts to represent the people of the Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Three times, he has stepped forward, animated by a clear desire to contribute to the transformation of the area through education, employment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and community development.

Political contests are rarely gentle. They test conviction, expose the fragility of alliances and often subject sincere aspirations to forces beyond the immediate control of the aspirant. His most recent effort did not progress beyond his party’s screening process.

Yet he did not abandon his vision, withdraw from his people or allow disappointment to extinguish his commitment. He simply continued the work.

That response is itself instructive. There are those whose presence in the community is loudest during election seasons and faintest when the contests are over. Mansur’s engagement has not been defined solely by ballots, party structures or campaign calendars. His humanitarian gestures, interventions of goodwill and support for individuals and communities are known to many who live and work among the people he seeks to serve.

His ambition is therefore best understood not merely as a desire to occupy office, but as an extension of a longer philosophy of service. He believes that leadership should improve lives, expand opportunities and bring institutions closer to ordinary people.

Today, as Senior Special Assistant on MSMEs and Financial Inclusion to the Governor of Jigawa State, Mansur channels that same energy into practical economic empowerment. His portfolio speaks directly to the daily realities of households, young people, women, farmers and small entrepreneurs. It concerns access to finance, support for micro, small and medium enterprises, grassroots participation in the formal economy and the widening of opportunities for those frequently excluded from conventional financial systems.

The alignment between his official responsibility and his constituency aspiration is not accidental. It reflects a consistent policy orientation. He understands that development begins when people are empowered to produce, trade, save, invest and build sustainable livelihoods. He appreciates that a constituency cannot depend indefinitely on patronage, temporary relief or political charity. It must be supported to create enterprise, nurture skills and expand economic participation.

This is especially important in a state such as Jigawa, where the promise of agriculture, commerce, youth enterprise, digital inclusion and small-scale production remains considerable. The transformation of communities such as Ringim and Taura requires leaders who can connect local realities with the instruments of modern development. It requires individuals who understand both the grammar of public institutions and the lived language of the people.

Mansur possesses that combination. His exposure to institutional systems gives him an appreciation of policy, process and administration. His roots in the community ensure that development does not remain abstract. He understands that financial inclusion is not merely a technical expression. It is the market woman gaining access to affordable credit. It is the young graduate receiving support to start an enterprise. It is the farmer accessing finance, insurance and payment systems. It is the artisan moving from subsistence to growth.

The people and leadership of Jigawa State, particularly those of Ringim and Taura, should therefore recognise the potential that resides in this son of the soil. Communities progress when they identify capable men and women, nurture their development and create opportunities for their talents to find meaningful expression.

Conversely, societies lose valuable possibilities when internal rivalry, narrow political calculations or temporary interests prevent competent and public-spirited individuals from contributing at the highest level of their capacity.

A man who declines personal elevation so that another may rise, who labours for community without fanfare, who continues to serve after political disappointment and who repeatedly returns to the aspirations of his people is rare. Such a temperament, combined with administrative experience, organisational ability and a visible passion for development, is an asset that the constituency and the state should nurture rather than overlook.

This is not an argument that political support should be granted without scrutiny. Leadership must always be subjected to questions of competence, credibility, vision and performance. It is, however, an appeal that the people of Ringim, Taura and Jigawa State look beyond the noise of political competition and examine the deeper qualities Mansur brings to public life: discipline, loyalty, humility, compassion, institutional experience, organisational capacity and a sustained commitment to economic empowerment.

For Mansur himself, the message is simple: he must remain steadfast.

The road of public service is rarely smooth. Setbacks are part of the terrain. Rejection, delay and disappointment are among the sternest teachers in political life. Yet history often favours those who persist with integrity, learn from adversity and refuse to allow temporary outcomes to distort their character.

His value is greater than a single contest. His capacity is larger than one political season. His record of friendship, goodwill, public service and community engagement already speaks to a man who understands that leadership begins before office and should continue whether or not office is attained.

He should continue to build bridges, deepen his understanding of the needs of the people, and promote enterprise, education, employment and financial inclusion. Every setback should refine his strategy without corrupting his values. Every disappointment should expand his wisdom without diminishing his humanity.

The true test of a servant-leader is whether he remains accessible when the applause has faded. He must not permit the conduct of others to tempt him into abandoning the principles that have brought him this far.

His future remains bright, at both state and federal levels, because it is being built on something more enduring than temporary advantage. His abilities may find expression through elective office, public appointment, development advocacy, enterprise promotion or a responsibility not yet visible. What matters is that he remains prepared, principled and faithful.

His faith in God is particularly admirable. Faith is most authentic not when the road is smooth, but when a person can stand before disappointment and still believe that divine wisdom is greater than human calculation.

The Qur’an reminds humanity that it may dislike a thing while it is good, and love a thing while it may be harmful. Allah knows, while human beings do not know. That assurance should provide him with both comfort and courage.

What is destined for a person will not pass him by, and what passes him by was never destined for him. No committee, screening arrangement or political calculation can prevent what God has decreed. Yet faith does not demand passivity. It requires continued effort, patience, self-examination and trust.

Philosophically, the measure of a man is not simply how often he is elevated, but how steadily he walks when the path becomes uncertain. Leadership is tested not only by the possession of power, but also by the discipline shown in its absence.

He must keep walking. The harvest belongs to those who do not abandon the field.

Mansur’s previous attempts have not been wasted. They have strengthened his name recognition, expanded his relationships, deepened his understanding of the political terrain and exposed him to the complex architecture of constituency politics. Every experience has added to the reservoir of knowledge he will require for future responsibility.

His supporters should not despair. His community should not underestimate him. His state should not overlook him. Most importantly, he must not surrender to the temporary verdict of circumstance.

For some people, leadership arrives quickly. For others, it comes after life has tested their motives, sharpened their judgment and prepared them for responsibilities greater than those they initially sought.

In an age that frequently rewards noise over substance, Mansur Shehu stands as a reminder that excellence can still be quiet, ambition can still be rooted in service, and loyalty to people and principle remains the surest foundation for lasting impact.

The writer remains proud of the friend he met in Lagos many years ago, the colleague who placed another person’s opportunity before his own, the brother who helped build a community of mutual support, and the public servant who continues to believe in the possibilities of his people.

May Allah strengthen Mansur’s resolve, purify his intentions, enlarge his opportunities and guide him towards the responsibility in which his abilities will produce their greatest benefit. May every present disappointment become preparation for future distinction.

Mansur Shehu’s road remains open. His story remains unfinished. And, by the grace of God, the finest chapter may yet lie ahead.

Mohammed Mohammed Haruna, PhD, mnipr, writes from Abuja.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior Nigerian Army officer, Col. Abdussalam A. Ude, has been killed after suspected kidnappers attacked his residence in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The attack occurred on Monday night in the border community near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Initial reports had incorrectly suggested that the incident took place in Abuja.

According to sources in the community, the gunmen stormed the officer’s residence during a heavy downpour and attempted to abduct him. The officer reportedly resisted the attackers before they shot him several times.

A resident, who is a journalist, and a community leader confirmed the incident.

“They came during the rain. They wanted to kidnap him, but he resisted. He was shot multiple times,” one of the sources said.

The source added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kurudu visited the scene on Tuesday and evacuated the deceased’s body to a morgue.

“The DPO of Kurudu was there earlier today. He took the corpse to a morgue,” the source added.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said the incident did not occur within the command’s jurisdiction.

“This didn’t happen under our jurisdiction. It happened in Nasarawa. Contact the Nasarawa command,” she said.

The spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, also said he was unaware of the incident when contacted.

However, the FCT Police Command later released a statement confirming that its investigation established that the attack took place in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and not within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the command, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, ordered an investigation immediately after reports of the attack circulated online.

“Investigations revealed that the incident occurred in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and not within the jurisdiction of the FCT Police Command as falsely portrayed in the circulating publications,” the statement read.

The command criticised reports that placed the incident in Abuja. It said the inaccurate reports created unnecessary panic among residents of the nation’s capital.

“The command is concerned that some blogs and media outlets, in an attempt to gain traction, have deliberately attributed the incident to the FCT, thereby creating unnecessary panic, heightening public anxiety, and misinforming residents of the nation’s capital,” it stated.

The police also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to communities bordering Nasarawa State to prevent criminal elements from entering the FCT.

“The CP FCT command has proactively ordered the immediate deployment of operational and intelligence assets to border communities adjoining the FCT with Nasarawa State, to prevent any attempt by criminal elements to infiltrate the Federal Capital Territory or perpetrate any criminal activity within the nation’s capital,” the statement added.

The command urged media organisations and members of the public to verify security-related information before publication. It warned that inaccurate reports could erode public confidence and create unnecessary fear.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said a statement on the incident was being prepared.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The University of Jos Alumni Association has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged mob killing of one of its members, Ibrahim Mbaya, and urged security agencies to ensure that everyone connected with the incident is brought to justice.

Mbaya, a Jos-based model and alumnus of the University of Jos, reportedly lost his life on Sunday after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos, Plateau State.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji over the alleged culpable homicide.

According to available reports, Mbaya attended a social event before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s apartment because it was too late for him to return home. He was also said to have been working to resolve an outstanding academic matter at the University of Jos.

The following morning, his friend allegedly informed him that an iPhone was missing and accused him of stealing it because both of them were the only occupants of the apartment. Although Mbaya initially left the premises, he reportedly returned after his friend asked him to come back and explain himself.

Police said he was confronted by his friend and a group of youths after his return. The group allegedly accused him of stealing the phone before assaulting him with sticks and other objects for several hours in an attempt to force a confession. He eventually lost consciousness, while a nurse who examined him later reportedly confirmed that he had died.

The command also disclosed that one of the suspects appeared in a viral video allegedly hitting the deceased with a large wooden plank.

Reacting to the incident, the University of Jos Alumni Association condemned the killing in a statement issued on Tuesday. The association described the attack as “barbaric, unjustifiable, and a gross violation of the right to life.”

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the gruesome killing of our colleague and brother, Ibrahim Mbaya,” the statement read.

“No Nigerian deserves to die in such a manner, irrespective of any allegation against them.”

The association urged the relevant authorities to speed up investigations, arrest every person involved in the incident and ensure that those responsible face justice.

“We demand justice for Ibrahim Mbaya. The rule of law must prevail and not mob action,” the association stated, urging the police to make public the findings of their investigation.

The alumni body also appealed to governments at all levels to intensify public awareness campaigns against jungle justice and strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We must collectively reject mob killings and allow due process to take its course,” the statement added.

The association also expressed sympathy to Mbaya’s family and pledged its support in their pursuit of justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced a 19-year-old Nigerian student, Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, to seven years in prison after convicting him of robbery, blackmail and assault linked to a violent attack on partygoers in Leicestershire.

According to the BBC, Leicester Crown Court also sentenced Richile Vangu, 20, to 11 years’ imprisonment over the same offences. The sentences were handed down on Monday by trial judge Steven Evans.

The court heard that the incident occurred during a house party in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, on November 21, 2025. Evans said Vangu masterminded a plan to intimidate guests with a knife and force them to perform dances that would later appear on social media. He added that Akinrinola was among those recruited to execute the scheme.

The judge said the pair forced at least eight men into a bedroom, threatened them with a large knife and stole designer clothing and an iPhone.

The BBC reported that Vangu demanded £1,000 from each victim. He allegedly threatened to stab anyone who refused to pay before ordering them to perform TikTok dances.

The report stated that some victims who could not transfer the money immediately were instructed to report later that day to student accommodation on Bath Lane.

When they arrived, Akinrinola allegedly forced some of the men to perform star jumps and high knees before punching them several times.

The court also heard that Vangu whipped some of the victims with a belt, fired a BB gun at their heads and threatened to cut off their dreadlocks if they failed to make the requested payments. He later uploaded videos from both locations to TikTok.

While delivering judgment, Evans said Akinrinola had acted under Vangu’s influence. However, he concluded that the Nigerian student played a significant role in the crimes.

The judge held that although Akinrinola was “subservient” to Vangu, he played “an essential part” in the offences.

Vangu was convicted on four counts of robbery, 10 counts of blackmail and one count of actual bodily harm.

Akinrinola was found guilty of nine counts of blackmail, four counts of robbery and two counts of actual bodily harm. The court, however, acquitted him on one count of blackmail.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Housing Finance Authority (NHFA) as part of efforts to improve access to affordable housing finance across Nigeria.

The proposal was unveiled by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, during a stakeholders’ validation workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Darma said the proposed authority would be created under a new national mortgage industry policy. He explained that the initiative would strengthen mortgage financing, reposition the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and widen participation in the National Housing Fund (NHF).

He said the planned reforms would allow traders, artisans and other workers in the informal sector to participate in the NHF. The minister added that contributors would be able to join the scheme with monthly payments starting from ₦5,000.

According to him, the initiative is expected to promote financial inclusion and create more opportunities for Nigerians to own affordable homes.

The minister also highlighted the growing importance of the real estate sector to the country’s economy. He said the sector now contributes about 13.4 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with an estimated value of about ₦41 trillion. He noted that it has become the country’s third-largest sector following the rebasing of the national accounts.

He further stated that the combined value of the real estate and construction sectors exceeded ₦77 trillion in 2025.

“After the rebasing of our accounts, real estate services alone account for about 13.4 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, roughly N41 trillion,” the minister said.

“It is our third-largest sector, ahead of telecommunications and crude oil. With construction added, the two crossed N77 trillion in 2025.

“Dubai is smaller than Kano. The difference is not money. The difference is trust, and trust is manufactured by regulation.”

Darma said improved regulation and stronger housing finance would increase investor confidence and encourage greater private sector investment in the housing industry.

He added that the government is proposing the establishment of a National Housing Industry Regulatory Commission to improve oversight of property developers and mortgage operators.

According to the minister, the planned reforms form part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reduce the country’s housing deficit, improve affordability and support sustainable urban development.

Earlier, on January 19, the Federal Government announced a new national housing strategy that focuses on land reforms, urban renewal and public-private partnerships (PPPs) as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s housing shortage.

By Zainab Yusuf

The chair is still there. But the chair remains empty.

If you have ever lost someone you loved, you know this feeling. Grief is strange that way. It doesn’t only announce itself at funerals or cemeteries. It hides in familiar voices you no longer hear, in old photographs, and in phone numbers that are impossible to delete.

Grief is one of the few experiences that spares no one. It crosses every boundary—age, religion, wealth, education and nationality. Yet despite being universal, it remains one of the least understood human experiences. Society expects mourners to “move on,” even when their hearts are still learning how to beat around an empty space.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that millions of people each year experience bereavement following the death of loved ones, while humanitarian crises, conflicts and disease outbreaks continue to expose even more families to profound loss. Researchers estimate that around 7–10% of bereaved adults develop prolonged grief disorder, a condition where intense grief persists far beyond what is culturally expected and significantly interferes with daily functioning.

In 2022, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Similarly, the World Health Organization included Prolonged Grief Disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), acknowledging that grief can sometimes become a serious mental health condition requiring professional support.

Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced the famous five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance—in 1969. Yet decades later, researchers caution against treating those stages as a checklist.

Psychologist George Bonanno, one of the world’s leading grief researchers, found that human beings grieve in remarkably different ways. Some cry every day. Others rarely cry at all. Some recover relatively quickly. Others carry grief for years.

Grief Has No Timeline

Faith Does Not Cancel Tears

Across cultures and religions, grief is treated not as failure but as part of being human.

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lost his infant son Ibrahim, tears flowed from his eyes. He said: “The eyes shed tears, the heart grieves, but we say only what pleases our Lord.”

His response has comforted grieving Muslims for centuries. Likewise, the Bible records perhaps its most famous expression of sorrow in just two words: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

Neither Islam nor Christianity teaches believers to suppress grief. Instead, both remind humanity that faith and sorrow can exist together.

Sociologists like Tony Walter argue against older, psychoanalytic models that suggest the goal of grief is to “let go” or detach from the deceased. Instead, they highlight that individuals often maintain an ongoing, internal, or virtual relationship with the deceased, keeping their memory alive in daily life and collective storytelling.

Grief wears many faces.

Like the university student who lost his mum.

“Some days, I just want to hear her say, ‘I’m proud of you.’ My mum meant everything to me. Losing her felt like everything in my life would fall apart,” he said.

Although his mother is gone, he says her influence remains alive in the relationships she built during her lifetime.

“I keep her memory alive by maintaining the relationships she had while she was alive. In that way, a part of her continues to live through the people she loved.”

The Last Word

There is a Hausa proverb:

“Mutuwa ba ta da rana.”

Death has no appointed day. It arrives without invitation. Without negotiation.

Call your parents, visit your grandparents, forgive your sibling, tell your friend you love them.

Because one ordinary day will become the day you remember forever.

And when grief finally comes knocking, as it eventually does for every human being, may it find you with as few regrets as possible.

In the end, we are remembered not by the years we lived…

…but by the love we left behind.

Zainab Yusuf writes from Kogi State, Nigeria and can be reached via yusufzainab808@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has announced the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Mr. Jerry Adams, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

The governor made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said the decision followed extensive consultations, careful reflection and prayers. He added that the nomination reflects his administration’s commitment to justice, equity, competence and inclusive governance.

According to Uba Sani, the choice goes beyond selecting a deputy governorship candidate. He said it represents the core values that have shaped his administration since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging.”


The governor described Kaduna’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity as one of the state’s greatest assets. He said his administration has pursued policies that encourage unity, dialogue and balanced development across all parts of the state.

He also stated that government projects in roads, education, healthcare, water supply, agriculture, rural development and social protection have reached all 23 local government areas. He said the approach aims to ensure that every community benefits from government interventions.

Uba Sani further noted that continuous engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups, women and youth organisations has strengthened peace-building efforts. He said the engagement has also improved security and renewed the confidence of farmers, businesses and investors.

The governor praised Adams as an experienced public servant and tax administrator. He said the KADIRS chairman has transformed the state’s revenue agency through effective leadership.

He credited Adams with improving Kaduna State’s internally generated revenue through innovation, transparency and professionalism. He added that the increase in revenue has enabled the government to invest more in key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture.

Uba Sani also described his running mate as a man of integrity, humility and competence. He said the nomination demonstrates his administration’s commitment to merit, character and inclusive leadership.

He urged residents of Kaduna State to view the development as an opportunity to strengthen unity and shared prosperity instead of focusing on religious, ethnic or regional differences.

“As we look towards 2027, I invite every son and daughter of Kaduna State to see this moment not through the narrow prism of religion, ethnicity or geography, but through the broader vision of the Kaduna we are building together; a Kaduna where every child can dream without fear, every community can flourish, every faith is respected and every citizen has an equal stake in our common future,” he said.


The governor expressed confidence that his administration has established a strong foundation for a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Kaduna State. He pledged to build on its achievements and continue implementing policies that promote unity, fairness and sustainable development.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

University life is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse activities, yet one of its defining features is its ability to accommodate people from different cultural backgrounds. Amid the pursuit of academic excellence, a powerful movement is taking root, ensuring that heritage is not lost but celebrated. 

Over the years, students’ associations representing various states and local governments have been at the forefront of transferring cultural heritage across institutions, turning campuses into living museums of tradition. A prime example of this cultural renaissance is the Argungu Emirates Students Association (ARESA), Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, chapter, which recently organised its annual ARESA Day. 

Academically, the event was a showcase of intellect, featuring debates, poetry recitals, and spelling competitions where students from different local governments participated in various categories. However, it was the cultural display that truly captivated the minds and hearts of hundreds of attendees, stealing the show with its vivid authenticity.

The highlight of the event was the recreation of the Argungu Emirate Council. In a meticulously staged setting, students assumed the roles of traditional rulers and dignitaries. Aminu Sani took on the prestigious role of Kunduɗan kabi, while Ahmed Sani served as Sarkin shanun Kabi. The court was complete with district heads, including the Sarkin Zabarmawa, Mai Arewa, and Sarkin Samari, who, along with other important figures such as Kunduɗa, paid homage to the Emir. Adding to the royal pageantry, Gimbiya was present, with Masa’uda Khadija Usman Abubakar and her entourage bringing the historical narratives to life.

The Argungu Emirate is a melting pot of the Hausa, Fulani, and Zabarmawa tribes; the event featured traditional dances from each group performed before the Emir. This spectacle served as a vibrant testament to the unity and peaceful coexistence that defines the Emirate.

According to the leadership of the ARESA UDUS chapter, the aim of this cultural immersion is to showcase Argungu Emirate’s rich history, cultural heritage, and strength, while fostering unity among students. The impact on the audience was palpable. Yusuf Garba, a student from Niger State, noted that the cultural display helped him “identify the structure of Argungu Emirate council, indicating the cultural heritage of the people.” Similarly, Ruadat Ibrahim from the south-west highlighted the traditional dances of the Hausa and Zabarma tribes as the aspect that “hijacked her mind.”

Witnesses of the event have since encouraged other student associations to emulate ARESA’s initiative in showcasing their culture.