By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A local councillor in the United Kingdom has been charged over an alleged social media post about Nigerians that prosecutors described as grossly offensive.

Glenn Gibbins, a councillor representing Reform UK in Sunderland, was charged under the Communications Act 2003 following an investigation into a post made in 2024. Authorities allege the post suggested Nigerians should be “melted down” and used to fill potholes.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge, and Gibbins is scheduled to appear in court in August.

Gibbins was elected during the local elections in May 2026. He was suspended by Reform UK over the alleged post but was reinstated in June after apologising and receiving a final written warning from the party.

Reform UK is a right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. The criminal case against Gibbins is now before the courts.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

United States President Donald Trump has urged new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take immediate action against illegal migration, warning that the issue is “killing” the United Kingdom.

In an interview with GB News on Wednesday, Trump said Burnham would eventually be forced to address immigration despite initially avoiding the subject after taking office.

“He’s going to have to mention it because it’s killing your country,” Trump told the broadcaster.

The US president claimed migrants were arriving from multiple regions, including Africa, South America, and parts of Asia.

“They’re invading Europe,” Trump warned, adding that “the UK is a prime suspect.”

Trump’s comments came on the same day that more than 500 migrants crossed the English Channel into Britain, with people smugglers launching 11 small boats from various points along the French and Belgian coastline.

The remarks also come as Burnham’s government continues to face scrutiny over its plans for handling asylum seekers.

When asked earlier this week whether the Prime Minister wanted asylum hotels to be closed, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The work on that continues,” adding there was “no change in that work being carried out by the Home Secretary in her department.”

According to Home Office figures, 172 people crossed the Channel on the Wednesday of Burnham’s first week in office, followed by 366 on Thursday and another 103 on Friday.

Trump reflected on his early interactions with the British leader, saying Burnham had a “big job ahead of him” on his first day in Downing Street.

Describing a recent telephone conversation between them, Trump said it was “interesting, and went very well,” adding that he wished the Prime Minister “GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED.”

While the two leaders have maintained relatively stable relations during Burnham’s opening weeks, North Sea oil drilling has emerged as a potential point of disagreement.

The day before Burnham succeeded former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump urged him to expand North Sea oil drilling, claiming it would transform the UK “from a poverty stricken disaster, to one of the richest countries anywhere in the world.”

Sources in Washington have reportedly expressed concern over Burnham’s appointment of Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, citing his previous criticisms of Trump.

Behind the scenes, efforts to strengthen UK-US relations are continuing, while Burnham has maintained Britain’s policy of allowing US forces to use British military bases for what the government describes as “defensive” strikes linked to the conflict involving Iran.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A UK court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Obinwa Obichukwu, to two years in prison after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman twice at Euston railway station in London.

The British Transport Police (BTP) announced that the 45-year-old, who lives on Armstrong Close in Hertfordshire, received the sentence at the Inner London Crown Court on July 21. He had earlier been convicted on two counts of sexual assault in January.

Apart from the prison sentence, the court imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Obichukwu. It also directed that he remain on the UK sex offenders register for 10 years.

According to the BTP, the incident happened on the evening of August 20, 2023. Investigators said Obichukwu approached the woman as she walked towards Euston station. He reportedly asked what music she was listening to before placing his arm around her shoulder and inviting her to return home with him.

Police said he repeatedly grabbed the woman’s hand as she continued along Euston Road. He allegedly told her he loved her before preventing her from entering the station and sexually assaulting her at the entrance.

The victim later made her way towards the London Underground platforms. However, Obichukwu followed her and sexually assaulted her again near the ticket barriers before she managed to push him away and escape. She subsequently reported the incident to the authorities.

Officers later arrested Obichukwu at his home after tracing him through their investigation.

The police said the victim’s account, alongside CCTV footage, provided sufficient evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service to approve two charges of sexual assault against him.

Reacting to the conviction, Detective Constable Daniel Burke described the convict as “a sexual predator” who deliberately targeted a woman travelling alone.

“Obinwa Obichukwu is a sexual predator who targeted a lone woman and attacked her at a busy London station.

“He claimed his assault was consensual and took his case to trial, but fortunately, the jury saw straight through his lies, and he’s now behind bars where he belongs.

“Tackling violence and intimidation against women and girls is a priority for us as a force, and we’re tireless in our efforts to bring offenders like Obichukwu to justice.

“If you experience or witness these crimes on the railway, please report them to us by texting 61016. We will always take action,” Burke said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The House of Representatives has uncovered fresh details in its investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, admitted that her office failed to conduct sufficient checks before approving requests linked to the agency.

Lawmakers are investigating allegations that Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, obtained official recognition for the agency with fake appointment letters, fabricated legislative documents and other forged government records, despite the organisation lacking legal backing.

The House Ad-Hoc Committee also said its investigation had exposed what it described as a network of fake appointment letters, fabricated legislative documents and fictitious government offices allegedly used to secure recognition from federal institutions.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) also admitted that an official diverted a letter meant for the Permanent Secretary, State House. The committee believes the action helped sustain the alleged scheme.

The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, who represents Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, has continued to examine how the purported agency secured approvals from several government institutions despite having no legal foundation.

Joshua Luka, Director of the Federal Project Financial Department in the OAGF, told the panel that the office issued an administrative code only after receiving what appeared to be an official request from the State House.

“As part of our due diligence, what we did was to convey the administrative code to the Permanent Secretary, State House, and not to the so-called agency. The idea was that if it was not genuine, the whole thing would be unravelled,” Luka said.

The committee, however, rejected the explanation after evidence showed that the letter never reached the Permanent Secretary. Instead, it was reportedly collected by Adeniyi.

Gagdi further stated that investigators discovered the Directorate of Administration and Support Services, which appeared on the correspondence, did not exist within the State House.

“There is no Directorate of Administration and Support Services in the State House. That office does not exist,” he said.

He criticised the OAGF for allowing the suspect to collect official correspondence intended for another government office.

“You allowed the fraudulent DG to come and pick the letter from your office instead of allowing someone from the Permanent Secretary’s office to receive it. If the letter had reached the Permanent Secretary, the fraud would have been unraveled immediately,” Gagdi said.

Luka maintained that the incident resulted from the actions of one official rather than a failure by the institution.

“The problem here was not an office lapse; it was an individual lapse. Somebody was supposed to deliver that letter to the Permanent Secretary, State House, and it was not delivered there,” he explained.

He identified the official as Bello Abdullahi, who admitted handing the letter to Adeniyi before the committee halted his explanation.

Appearing before the lawmakers, Walson-Jack acknowledged that her office relied on documents that were later discovered to be false.

“We now, having seen all the facts and observed all the documents, concede that we ought to have carried out more due diligence in the discharge of the duties of the office in issuing an authorised establishment and a recruitment waiver to the PEAC/PFIPC,” she told the panel.

She explained that representatives of the purported agency attended the 2025 Annual Manpower Budget Defence with what appeared to be an Establishment Act and a letter appointing a Director-General. She said civil service procedures required such documents before an agency could obtain recruitment approval.

Walson-Jack described the incident as unprecedented.

“In over almost a century of the Federal Civil Service, we have never encountered a situation like the current one. Criminals always try to be a step ahead of law enforcement,” she said.

She later disclosed that she personally examined the documents and concluded that the supposed Establishment Act was not authentic.

“I requested to see the documents myself and I saw that the Establishment Act was not really an authentic Act. I have almost 30 years of legal practice experience and immediately I saw it, I knew it was not real,” she stated.

The HoSF also questioned the authenticity of the letter said to have been issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

“I’m not a forensic expert, but I can clearly see that the signatures are not the same,” she added after comparing the signature on the appointment letter with other official documents.

Gagdi said forensic experts from the Nigeria Police Force had already confirmed that the signatures were different.

“The Police Forensic Department has already analysed the signatures and confirmed that those signatures are not the same. In fact, according to them, there was not even an attempt to imitate the signature,” he said.

He insisted that both the appointment letter and the purported Establishment Act were fake.

“You have clearly stated that you acted on false documents. You have now established, just like we have, that the letter of appointment of the so-called DG is not only forged, it is fake.

“If something is forged, there will be an attempt to imitate the signature. But in this case, the signatures are completely different. So, I will not call it forged; I will say it is fake,” Gagdi declared.

The committee chairman also pointed out that the document presented as an Act of the National Assembly lacked essential features of valid legislation.

“Our Acts have citation numbers, Supreme Court numbers, Gazette numbers and Gazette titles. The Act presented here has none of those features,” he added.

Although she accepted responsibility for the shortcomings, Walson-Jack said officials acted in line with existing procedures based on the documents submitted.

“Everything was done in accordance with the practice in the office. Out of the 88 ministries, departments and agencies processed, we are really surprised that we were unable to detect that PEAC/PFIPC had actually given us a false Establishment Act and what has now been proved to be a false letter of appointment,” she said.

She also assured lawmakers that measures would be introduced to strengthen internal safeguards.

“We take full responsibility and we will definitely review our processes to make them more fraud-proof,” she said.

The committee also heard from Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. He explained that Adeniyi could not be produced before the panel because he remained in lawful custody under a subsisting court order.

“The Nigeria Police Force may not be able to produce the suspect as requested in view of the subsisting warrant. The Nigeria Police Force recognises the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly and remains committed to cooperating with the committee in the discharge of its mandate.

“However, in this case, it will be appreciated if a reproduction warrant could be sought from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the police to comply with this request,” Akinola said.

The committee accepted the explanation and said it would seek the necessary court order before the suspect is brought before the panel.

Lawmakers said the investigation is nearing completion. They plan to present preliminary findings to the public next week before submitting a final report to the House of Representatives after the National Assembly resumes from recess.

The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other suspects over alleged vote-buying ahead of the state’s governorship election.

The police also said officers recovered ₦4.81 million, a laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, voter cards and a voter register during an operation at a residence linked to the SSG in Osogbo.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the operation followed intelligence reports about suspected criminal activities around the Oroki Estate area of the state capital.

“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence that some criminal gang were hibernating around Oroki Estate Area, Osogbo, operatives of the Command carried out a lawful operation within the environs while one suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who has been on the watch-list in connection with serious criminal offences including murder and others at a residential property linked to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Osun State,” the statement read.

“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook Laptop, one Photocopy Machine, one Printer, two Voter’s Card and voter register for Ward 1-15.

“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.

“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim ‘m’ 47years, One Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Oladele Abiodun ‘m’ 38years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.

“The suspect was found within the premises during the operation and has since been taken into lawful custody.”

According to the police, the cash recovered alongside the voter register has raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences which may include: Bribery of Voters (Vote Buying) contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, arising from the alleged distribution of money or other inducements to registered voters for the purpose of influencing their voting decisions,” Ojelabi said.

“Criminal conspiracy, where two or more persons are found to have agreed to commit an unlawful act.

“Harbouring or concealing a Wanted Criminal, where any individual is found to have knowingly sheltered or assisted a fugitive from justice. Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.”

The police spokesperson described the allegations as serious and said investigators were working to identify everyone connected with the recovered items, determine the source of the money and establish its intended use.

He added that the command would enforce the law without bias.

“No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law,” he said.

“Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws.”

Ojelabi also urged residents to remain peaceful and continue providing useful information that could help security agencies maintain law and order and ensure credible elections.

The arrests come amid heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

However, the Osun State Government has condemned the police action. The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused the police of unlawfully invading the residences of the SSG and several commissioners.

He described the operations as “gestapo operations” and alleged that officers carried out the raids without obtaining proper search warrants.

“The Osun state government has raised alarm over systematic invasion, attacks and bursting of homes of top Osun state government officials by the Osun state police command without proper search warrant, with the latest being the invasion of the house of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),” the statement read.

Alimi said ward officials were holding a meeting at the SSG’s residence when the operation took place. He added that Igbalaye was attending an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ forum at the time.

The commissioner also alleged that the police had searched the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire and that five other commissioners had reported surveillance and raids on their homes.

He further claimed that several members of the Accord Party were being held in police custody without bail.

Describing the incidents as “an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun state” and a “grave danger” to Nigeria’s democracy, Alimi accused the police command of acting in a partisan manner.

He alleged that “by openly launching attacks on Osun government officials, the state police command has again confirmed its partiality, its partisanship and its becoming a direct tool in the hands of Osun APC”.

Alimi called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and traditional rulers in the state to intervene.

“This must be stopped before it escalates into a general breakdown of law and order,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh terrorism charges against five convicted members of the Ansaru terrorist group over the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge.

The accused are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, whom the DSS identified as the leader of Ansaru; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda, described as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

Court documents showed that the new case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, was filed on July 29 by M.E. Ernest, counsel to the DSS. It contains six terrorism-related counts.

The latest prosecution comes only days after the five men were convicted in separate cases linked to the same attack.

On July 20, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Muhammad and Abbas to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge.

Three days later, the same judge sentenced Umar, Musa and Sani to life imprisonment after they admitted their roles in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Calistus Eze, counsel to the DSS, informed the court that the charge had been amended to include all five defendants and requested that it be read to them. The defence did not object, and each of the defendants entered a not guilty plea.

The prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and requested that the defendants remain in DSS custody until the case is concluded.

Although the defence opposed the request, Justice Ibrahim overruled the objection. He ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody. The judge also directed that they should have unrestricted access to their lawyer and two family members.

The case was adjourned until September 25 for the commencement of trial.

According to the charge, the alleged offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The DSS alleged that the defendants participated in the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA, where seven teachers and 39 pupils were abducted.

One of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded while in captivity. His attackers circulated a video of the killing.

Authorities also confirmed that another teacher, John Olaleye, died in captivity. The remaining five teachers and the 39 pupils were eventually rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

The DSS further alleged that before the hostages were rescued, the kidnappers demanded the release of Muhammad and Abbas as part of negotiations for the victims’ freedom.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has announced a significant expansion of its operational structure with the establishment of four additional divisions, following presidential approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has appointed seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the new formations, which form part of a comprehensive reorganisation aimed at addressing the nation’s evolving security challenges.

The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee security operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger States. The 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will handle border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States, and 83 Division in Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later this year.

Under the new structure, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Operation WHIRL STROKE to command 5 Division, while Major General Yakubu Yahaya takes charge of 9 Division in Ilorin. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife moves from 2 Division in Ibadan to command 10 Division in Jalingo.

The reorganisation also affects existing divisions, with Major General Auwalu Mahmuda appointed as GOC of 2 Division in Ibadan. The army has simultaneously activated three new brigades in Gboko, Kainji and Lafia to strengthen the new divisions.

The COAS stated that the expansion would enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security and enable faster troop deployment across the country. The new divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with measures underway to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).

Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as a “historic milestone” in the transformation of the Nigerian Army, emphasising that the expanded force structure would significantly bolster national security.

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.