By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has reiterated its enforcement of the ban on Durbar, horse-riding, and other animal-riding activities across the state, warning individuals, institutions, and organisations against violating the directive.

The command said the Kano State Government, in consultation with relevant security agencies, kept the restriction in force as part of measures to preserve public peace and maintain security across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said this on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a joint security press briefing at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.

Bakori said security agencies had received reports of possible breaches of the directive, stressing that the security concerns that led to the ban remained unresolved.

“The Kano State Police Command, in conjunction with relevant security agencies in the state, hereby reiterates that these executive security directives regarding the ban on Durbar/horse-riding activities are still in force and binding on all persons in the state, irrespective of status or position,” he said.

The latest directive comes amid renewed controversy over horse-riding activities involving supporters of Kano’s two rival emirate camps.

The state government imposed the restriction after a public procession by the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, on September 27, citing security concerns and the risk of confrontation between supporters of rival camps.

However, on Thursday, October 1, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II rode on horseback to the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano to attend the Independence Anniversary celebration, despite the government’s ban on horse-riding.

Horse-riding has traditionally been associated with Kano’s Durbar culture. However, authorities have previously imposed restrictions due to concerns about indiscriminate riding in public places.

In 2020, the Kano Emirate Council announced a ban on indiscriminate horse-riding and unofficial Durbar activities within the metropolis, citing reports of injuries, deaths, property damage and alleged criminal activities involving some riders.

Speaking on the current security situation, Bakori said law enforcement and security agencies’ primary responsibility was to maintain public peace, safety, and order.

He stressed that the authorities would not allow activities capable of undermining public safety, adding that security agencies had agreed on additional measures to ensure proper coordination and coverage.

“For the avoidance of doubt, in order to strengthen security coordination and to ensure proper security coverage, this Joint Security Meeting has resolved” that any person, institution or organisation seeking to undertake any form of Durbar or horse/animal-riding activity in a public place must give at least 72 hours’ prior written notice to the Kano State Police Command.

He explained that the notice must be submitted through the Office of the Commissioner of Police to enable security agencies to conduct the necessary security assessment and make appropriate arrangements for public safety and order.

“All concerned are therefore urged to comply strictly with all lawful security directives and to cooperate with the security agencies,” Bakori said.

The Commissioner assured residents that law enforcement and security agencies remained united and committed to enforcing the law and safeguarding public peace and order across Kano State.

He added that the directive applied to everyone in the state, irrespective of status or position.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Saudi authorities have denied reports circulating on social media that a suicide bomber was arrested at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

The Saudi security authorities said a man was arrested after allegedly harassing passersby and causing fear and panic among people at the holy site. He was dealt with immediately, and legal procedures were initiated before the case was referred to the Public Prosecution.

Authorities stressed that there was “no truth” to the claims that the incident involved a suicide bomber or an attempted attack.

The clarification followed the circulation of videos and social media posts alleging that a man wearing an explosive vest had approached the Kaaba before being apprehended by security personnel. Saudi authorities did not provide further details about the arrested man.

The incident highlights the need to verify reports about events at the Grand Mosque with official sources before sharing them on social media.

By Haroon Aremu 

Across the world, nations that once struggled with fragile economies are rewriting their stories through a powerful tool: education. From Southeast Asia to parts of Europe, education is no longer treated merely as a social service but as a strategic economic asset capable of generating national wealth, global influence, and technological advancement. One of the most striking examples is Malaysia.

Over the past three decades, Malaysia has deliberately transformed its education sector into a global export industry by positioning itself as an international education hub. The country now attracts thousands of foreign students from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 

Universities are integrated with research, innovation, and industry partnerships, making education both a knowledge enterprise and a revenue-generating sector. Education, in Malaysia’s model, is not just about producing graduates; it is about building a knowledge economy.

Today, international students contribute billions of dollars to Malaysia’s economy annually through tuition, research partnerships, and educational tourism. Countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada have also built thriving economies around their universities.

But as the world evolves into a digital and artificial intelligence driven era, the very meaning of education itself is undergoing a transformation.

The question then becomes urgent for Nigeria. Are we preparing for the future of education, or are we clinging to an outdated system?

The crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s education system is becoming a reality and more visionable to all. Our education sector, once regarded as one of the strongest in Africa during the 1960s and 1970s, now faces numerous challenges. 

Underfunding, outdated curricula, infrastructure decay, brain drain, and frequent industrial actions have weakened the foundation of tertiary education.

Universities struggle to keep pace with global academic trends, while graduates often emerge with skills misaligned with the demands of the digital economy.

Ironically, Nigeria possesses one of the largest youth populations in the world—an enormous demographic advantage that could power economic growth if properly harnessed through quality education.

Yet, many institutions remain trapped in a rigid academic structure designed for an industrial age rather than the knowledge and innovation economy of the 21st century. 

Artificial Intelligence and the guture of learning is now getting interwoven and there is a rapid growth and development which we must embrace. The rise of AI is rapidly redefining the nature of knowledge acquisition.

Tools such as AI assistants, machine learning platforms, and automated research systems are reshaping how people access and process information. In the near future, many routine intellectual tasks may be handled by intelligent systems, raising a critical question: Will traditional university education remain as relevant as it once was?

Some analysts argue that the future of education will place less emphasis on memorization and rigid academic certification, and more on critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and digital adaptability.

In this new era, literacy may extend beyond simply reading and writing to include digital literacy, algorithmic understanding, and technological fluency.

Education, therefore, must evolve beyond lecture halls into dynamic ecosystems of continuous learning, innovation, and practical problem-solving.

Reimagining education through African roots should be our mission and vision and we have to explore all the crucial features in it. For Africa, the challenge is not only modernization but also identity.

Colonial education systems were largely designed to produce clerks and administrators for imperial bureaucracies. As a result, many African curricula remain detached from indigenous knowledge systems, local realities, and cultural heritage.

A truly transformative education reform must therefore embrace a hybrid approach—one that blends African intellectual traditions with modern technological advancements.

African societies possess rich reservoirs of indigenous knowledge in agriculture, medicine, governance, environmental sustainability, and communal development. Integrating these systems into modern curricula could produce a more holistic and relevant educational model.

Imagine a Nigerian education system where students study artificial intelligence alongside indigenous conflict resolution methods, digital agriculture alongside traditional ecological knowledge, and technological entrepreneurship alongside African philosophy.

Such an approach would not only modernize education but also reclaim intellectual sovereignty.

To the Honourable Minister of Education Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa. Think about turning Nigerian education into an economic sector and redeeming the popular image and believe that “school na scam”. We need to redefine this narrative and give it a befitting standards.

If properly restructured, Nigeria’s education sector could become a major economic driver. With over 200 million people and a strategic location in Africa, Nigeria has the potential to attract international students from across the continent. However, this would require serious reforms.

Massive investment in university infrastructure and research, digital transformation of teaching and learning, industry–university collaboration, innovation-driven curricula and academic autonomy and merit-based leadership will be required. 

Nigeria could develop specialized education hubs in areas such as technology, public policy, African studies, renewable energy, and creative industries, attracting students globally.

Such a transformation would position education not just as a pathway to employment, but as a pillar of national development and economic diplomacy.

In a rapidly changing world, education can no longer be confined to the early stages of life. The future belongs to societies that embrace lifelong learning.

As technology continues to evolve, individuals will need to continuously update their skills, adapt to new industries, and navigate emerging knowledge landscapes.

For Nigeria and Africa at large, the challenge is clear: education must evolve from a rigid institutional process into a flexible, lifelong journey of intellectual growth and innovation.

Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. If the country continues with its current education trajectory, it risks falling further behind in a world driven by knowledge and technology. But if bold reforms are undertaken, the education sector could become one of Nigeria’s most powerful engines of national transformation.

The future of Nigeria’s economy may not lie only beneath its soil in oil reserves, but within its classrooms, laboratories, and digital learning platforms.

Because in the 21st century, knowledge is not merely power it is prosperity.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a developmental writer and wrote from Abuja via exponentumera@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A United States-based advocacy firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being desperate to retain power ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The firm made the allegation in a statement published on its verified X account on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

It also alleged that the police, courts and electoral institutions could be used by the President’s administration to influence the outcome of the 2027 elections.

The statement followed reports of the arrest of five men in Borno State over their alleged use of T-shirts bearing the inscription, ‘Tinubu Must Go’.

Von Batten-Montague-York stressed what it described as the importance of the United States supporting Nigerians in their efforts to defend democracy and the rule of law.

The firm said, “Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is desperate to remain in power for many self-beneficial reasons, including something called head-of-state immunity, a doctrine that can protect sitting heads of state from the jurisdiction of foreign courts while they remain in office.

“Tinubu is now fully aware that the only thing standing in the way of a possible official re-examination of his alleged role in the trafficking of heroin from Nigeria into the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and a possible new criminal indictment, is his current status as President of Nigeria,” the firm tweeted.

The allegations come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed 16 terrorists during a coordinated ambush on a terrorist enclave in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The Nigerian Army also recorded the death of three soldiers after terrorists launched simultaneous attacks on military positions in Garkida and Garaha.

The incidents occurred between September 30 and October 1, 2026, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Maiduguri, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

Goni said the operations produced several results, including the neutralisation of terrorists, recovery of weapons and ammunition, and the prevention of attacks on military positions.

According to him, troops first engaged the terrorists in the Boima general area of Gombi LGA.

“The operational momentum commenced in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area, where troops conducted a well-coordinated ambush against a terrorist enclave.

“The swift tactical action resulted in the neutralisation of 16 terrorists.”

He said troops later recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges from the area.

The Army spokesman also disclosed that an Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out a separate air strike on a group of terrorists in the early hours of October 1.

“Reinforcing the ground operations, the Air Component of OPHK delivered a precision strike in the early hours of 1 October 2026.

“At approximately 4:40 am, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform detected a concentration of about 16 terrorists assembling alongside 15 motorcycles beneath a tree canopy in Sector 4,” he added.

Goni said the target was subsequently engaged after identification and target acquisition.

“Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the successful destruction of the target, while a few surviving elements scattered in disarray,” he said.

Meanwhile, terrorists also launched coordinated attacks on military positions at 226 Battalion, Garkida, and 232 Battalion, Garaha.

Goni said the troops responded with heavy firepower and forced the attackers to abandon their operation and retreat.

“Regrettably, three brave soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the fierce battle, while wounded personnel were swiftly evacuated and are currently in stable condition, receiving medical treatment,” he stressed.

He added that troops had commenced further exploitation and mop-up operations across the affected areas.

According to Goni, the latest operations form part of efforts by the Theatre Command to improve coordination among land, air and other supporting components involved in counter-terrorism operations.

“Building on the strong foundation laid by the previous leadership, the renewed approach is already yielding operational dividends through enhanced coordination of land and air components and other supporting elements,” he said.

Goni said the theatre command would continue to rely on intelligence, technology and joint military capabilities to restrict terrorists’ operations across the North-East.

“As Nigerians commemorate the nation’s Independence anniversary, the troops of OPHK remain resolute in defending the nation’s territorial integrity and creating the conditions for lasting peace, security and socio-economic development across the region,” he stated.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria is moving towards widespread prosperity, saying the economic reality faced by many Nigerians remains difficult.

Atiku made the criticism in his Independence Day address on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after Tinubu told Nigerians that the country’s economic outlook had improved after three and a half years of his administration.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, with both the oil and non-oil sectors contributing to what he described as a period of stable growth. He also declared that the government’s focus had shifted from economic stabilisation to “shared and widespread prosperity.”

Responding to the President’s position, Atiku questioned how Nigerians could experience prosperity while many households continue to struggle with the cost of food, healthcare, transportation and other basic necessities.

He also criticised the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and its approach to taxation, arguing that the measures had increased pressure on households and businesses.

Atiku stated, “And beyond the market, our nation is bleeding. Armed groups have killed thousands and driven families from their communities. Farmers fear their fields. Parents fear for children in their classrooms. Families dread the call demanding ransom for someone they love.

“A government that cannot make life affordable and cannot protect life has failed the two tests that matter most to its people.

“This is not the Nigeria our founders struggled to set free. But I will not ask you to surrender to despair. Despair is not a strategy. We have a path to recovery, and we must take it.

“Bola, where is this prosperity? Bola says inflation has fallen. A slower rise in prices does not restore what families have lost. He cites growth and rising exports. Nigerian businesses deserve credit for what they have achieved. But growth must improve lives. It cannot be a certificate of success that government awards itself while citizens struggle to survive.

“Bola, you call Nigeria a patient with cancer. After three years of your treatment, why is it harder for Nigerians to buy food, pay for medicine or even get to work? Why does your government have more money while the people can afford less?”

The former Vice-President also questioned the benefits Nigerians have received from the removal of fuel subsidy. He said citizens were more concerned about when the savings from the policy would translate into lower living costs.

Atiku proposed a production subsidy tied to fuel refined within Nigeria as part of his alternative economic plan.

He said, “My fellow Nigerians, I will not ask you to accept another promise without asking how it would work. Working with my running mate and our partners in the African Democratic Congress, I will pursue a clear purpose: make life affordable again.

“We will introduce a capped, budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including fuel from modular refineries. Imported petrol will not qualify. The benefit must reach consumers through lower pump prices. We will publish the costs, independently audit the payments and cut government waste to help fund the programme.

“The principle is simple: produce here, refine here, create jobs here and pay less here. If Bola disagrees, he should answer the proposal on its merits. Calling relief an addiction will not lower the price of petrol.

“Bola, your speech is full of ‘we will.’ We will make farming cheaper. We will power factories. We will create jobs. We will bring down prices. You have been President for more than three years. Nigerians are entitled to ask what you have done with the time already given to you.”

Atiku also raised concerns about government loan schemes, saying young Nigerians needed decent-paying jobs rather than loans to cope with rising living and education costs. He asked the government to explain the results of such programmes, their beneficiaries and the repayment obligations attached to them.

On the management of the national budget, he said:

“The confusion extends to your budgets. You have just signed an extension keeping the 2025 budget in operation until the last day of 2026.

“The 2026 budget exists alongside it. Soon, your government will ask Nigerians to examine a 2027 budget. How many budgets must be open at once before you can tell the country what was funded, what was completed and what remains unpaid? A budget should be a timetable for delivery, not a ball passed from one year to the next.

“Bola says his government reforms have a human face. Nigerians have spent three years looking for that face in the market, at the hospital and on the road to work. What they have found is deepening poverty, healthcare they cannot afford, school fees they struggle to pay, food beyond their reach and electricity bills that consume what little they earn.

“In communities under attack, people fear for their lives. A government cannot claim a human face while making it harder for Nigerians to eat, learn, seek treatment and stay alive.”

Atiku further criticised the government’s claim that lower production costs would eventually reduce prices. He said farmers and manufacturers continued to face insecurity, high electricity costs and other challenges that raise the cost of production.

He also challenged the government’s claims about cheaper transportation and called for details of the routes and fares covered by the initiative.

Atiku said, “Bola, you have put the weight of Nigeria’s economic well-being on a skateboard. Families are struggling to keep their balance, businesses are falling, and you stand in Aso Rock declaring that the journey to prosperity is going smoothly.

“In your Independence Day speech, you found time to attack my plan to make life affordable. But you did not tell commuters which additional routes became cheaper today, what the fares were before, what they cost now, or how many people can use them. Lower fares on a few routes are welcome, but they do not solve the transport crisis facing the rest of the country.

“Bola, was this a Yahoo Yahoo promise or a hurried reply to my production subsidy proposal? You advertised cheaper transport from October 1. Today is October 1, and commuters are still asking where they can find the lower fares. Show them the routes and the prices. Nigerians cannot board an announcement.

“Bola, publish the routes, the fares and the number of people benefiting. Show Nigerians the cheaper journey you promised.”

The ADC candidate also addressed political rights and the rule of law. He called for due process in the cases of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Nnamdi Kanu.

He also renewed his call for the release of five young Nigerians arrested in Borno State over their alleged use of “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

Atiku concluded his address with an appeal for Nigerians to demand accountability through democratic means.

He stated, “We have looked back. We have counted what fuel costs, what food costs and what a wage can still buy. We have seen families waiting for relief while government asks for more patience. We have heard promises of prosperity from a President who cannot show millions of Nigerians where to find it.

“Our founders did not win sovereignty so that a few could prosper while millions merely survive.

“Their promise lives in ordinary hopes: a meal a family can afford, a safe road home, a child free to learn, and work that offers a path to a better life. Those hopes are neither extravagant nor beyond Nigeria’s reach.

“Bola, the Promised Land is not in sight merely because you can see it from the villa. Nigerians must be able to reach it. We have chosen a different course, peacefully and together, through the power of our votes; the message is clear: Tinubu must go.”

Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, defended his administration’s economic policies and said the reforms had improved Nigeria’s economic outlook. He cited economic growth, lower inflation from its peak, improved foreign reserves and increased non-oil export revenue as indicators of progress.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have commenced a three-day warning strike over what the council described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers and their dependants.

The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, and is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

The council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers across the country for the strike through a circular dated October 1 and signed by its National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The decision, according to the council, followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands contained in a letter submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, 2026.

The council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to Sunday October 4th, 2026.”

It directed public servants across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the action.

The council stated, “In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”

The labour body said the difficulties facing workers had reached an increasingly critical level.

It added, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

The council also instructed its leaders to commence mobilisation for the industrial action immediately.

“The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!” it declared.

The strike follows earlier demands by the JNPSNC for measures to reduce the impact of rising living costs on workers. Among the demands were a reduction in petrol prices, an immediate wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council had called for the pump price of petrol to be reduced to N500 per litre and urged the Federal Government to approve a wage award for workers. It also demanded the establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.

The demands come amid concerns over the rising prices of food, transportation and other essential goods, which have affected the purchasing power of workers and their families.

The council urged its members to ensure that the strike notice reached workers across the country and expressed confidence in the outcome of the industrial action.

“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the circular added.

As of the time of the notice, the council maintained that the strike would proceed as scheduled, with workers in the three tiers of government expected to participate.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

By Salmanu Isah Darazo

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched an 18-month intervention aimed at equipping 25,000 women and girls in Bauchi and Kano states with digital and entrepreneurship skills.

The project, tagged “Addressing the Gender Digital Divide and Expanding Business Opportunities for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria (Agenda-WINNIG),” seeks to improve women’s access to digital opportunities through training in digital literacy, online safety, digital hygiene and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Bauchi on Tuesday, CITAD Programme Manager, Fatima Babakura, said the intervention began in February 2026 and is expected to run until July or August 2027.

She said the project has three major components: basic digital literacy and online safety, computer-based testing (CBT) coaching for secondary school students and digital entrepreneurship for women and girls.

Babakura said 15,000 women and girls would receive training in basic digital literacy, online safety and digital hygiene.

She added that another 5,000 final-year secondary school girls, particularly those preparing for JAMB examinations, would receive CBT training to improve their ability to take computer-based examinations.

According to her, the entrepreneurship component would target an additional 5,000 women and girls, with training focused on using digital platforms to promote their products, reach more customers and expand their businesses online.

She said beneficiaries would be selected from Bauchi and Kano states, with particular attention to women and girls in rural and underserved communities.

Babakura explained that the stakeholder engagement was organised to identify challenges affecting women’s participation in the digital space and gather recommendations that could improve the implementation of the intervention.

She said recommendations from stakeholder engagements at the state and federal levels would also contribute to a policy brief aimed at addressing the gender digital divide and expanding access to digital opportunities for women and girls.

Also speaking, CITAD Programme Officer and Head of the Bauchi Team, Mujahid Ibrahim, said the organisation was working with community-based organisations and other local networks to identify and mobilise beneficiaries, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas.

“We use the network of community-based organisations and partners in the communities to mobilise beneficiaries, after which we go to the communities to conduct the training,” Ibrahim said.

He said the project covers all 20 local government areas of Bauchi State, with community mobilisers supporting the identification and mobilisation of beneficiaries for the various training programmes.

According to Ibrahim, the project has already reached its targeted number of beneficiaries in Bauchi, while training under the different components continues.

He described the stakeholder engagement as productive, saying participants offered recommendations on how to strengthen the implementation of the project.

Ibrahim said stakeholders had been consulted before the commencement of the intervention, while the latest meeting was held at the end of the second quarter to review progress and obtain further input.

“We captured their advice on how to go about the project before we started, and now, at the end of the second quarter, we have called them again and they have responded and are contributing.

“Their contributions are very important because we are receiving their insights on how to improve the implementation of the project,” he said.

The engagement brought together representatives of government institutions, community leaders, information technology organisations, civil society groups, community-based organisations, traditional and religious leaders, lecturers, financial institutions, private-sector organisations and development partners.

Ibrahim said their involvement was important because of their roles in education, capacity building, financing, knowledge acquisition and community development.

He added that the project seeks to strengthen women’s digital inclusion and entrepreneurship by equipping beneficiaries with practical skills and improving their access to opportunities in the digital economy.

The stakeholder engagement is part of CITAD’s wider activities under Agenda-WINNIG, which focuses on digital inclusion, online safety, CBT preparedness and entrepreneurship among women and girls in Bauchi and Kano states.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

The Presidential Media Team on Tuesday inspected the ongoing construction of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks Phase II in Abuja, a major Nigerian Army accommodation project approved and funded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The inspection was led by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, PhD, CON, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Mr. Otega Ogra.

The project is designed to provide accommodation for more than 1,000 soldiers and their families, with the completed facilities expected to serve a population of over 6,000 people.

The development includes 30 family quarters, six blocks of senior officers’ accommodation, an Army club, MAMI market, bridges, drainage systems and other supporting infrastructure.

Speaking during the inspection, Chief Sunday Dare said the project was one of the visible outcomes of the Federal Government’s decision to redirect resources towards infrastructure and development following the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to him, projects of this scale were difficult to undertake when substantial public resources were committed to subsidy payments.

Dare said the barracks project reflects the administration’s effort to improve the welfare of military personnel while also investing in infrastructure that supports national security.

He urged Nigerians to pay attention to the projects being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that some of the policies of the administration are beginning to produce visible physical projects.

Mr. Otega Ogra also described the project as part of the government’s broader investment in security infrastructure. He noted that the construction was providing employment and business opportunities for Nigerians involved directly and indirectly in the project.

The economic impact was also reflected in the experience of workers at the site.

One of the labourers, Usman, said his work on the project had enabled him to establish a family. He explained that before securing the job, he had not been able to get married. He is now married and has a child.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks Phase II is part of wider infrastructure and welfare developments within the Nigerian Army.

Similar projects are nearing completion in Ekiti State, while expansion work is ongoing at the Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, as well as other military infrastructure projects, including the Osogbo project in Osun State.

The projects are being implemented alongside other measures aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Army, including improvements in personnel welfare, recruitment, training, equipment and operational capacity.

Four additional military divisions have been created, while the government has announced plans for additional recruitment. Military salaries have also been increased, alongside the procurement of combat-enabling equipment, including drones.

The military has also continued operations against terrorist groups, with the Federal Government reporting that more than 10,000 terrorists have been neutralised, over 8,000 apprehended and approximately 7,700 hostages rescued. Support has also been provided for more than 12,000 children of fallen military personnel.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, is responsible for the military implementation and supervision of projects and initiatives within the Nigerian Army.

The progress of the Abuja barracks project is therefore one part of the broader effort to improve the Army’s infrastructure and welfare system.

For the soldiers and their families who will eventually occupy the facilities, the project represents more than a construction programme. The residential quarters and supporting infrastructure are expected to provide a more structured living environment for personnel serving in the nation’s capital.

The project also illustrates how government investment in infrastructure can generate economic activity during construction, while creating long-term public assets after completion.

The Presidential Media Team’s inspection provided an opportunity to assess the progress of the project and its wider relevance to military welfare and national security.

As construction continues, the focus will ultimately be on completing the facilities to the required standard and putting them into use for the soldiers and families they were designed to serve.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, says more than 380 suspects have been arrested, while over 230 convictions have been secured within the first two months of the state government’s intensified campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while delivering an address at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kano.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor said the state government established the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in July 2026.

He said the administration also issued an Executive Order aimed at strengthening the fight against illicit substances, thuggery and other related criminal activities across the state.

Yusuf added that the task force had dismantled several drug joints and criminal hideouts in different parts of Kano since its establishment.

The governor described the fight against drug abuse and criminality as a collective responsibility requiring the involvement of government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, communities, parents and citizens.

He urged young people to shun drugs, violence and criminal activities, encouraging them instead to pursue education, agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship, vocational training and creative industries.

Yusuf said his administration would continue to support security agencies, strengthen community-based intelligence gathering and address social challenges contributing to crime and insecurity.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a safer environment where young people can pursue lawful businesses and contribute meaningfully to the development of Kano State.