By Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin 

The Kannywood film industry is more than an entertainment industry. It has become one of the most powerful cultural influences in Northern Nigeria. The stories it tells shape how people think, speak, and sometimes even behave. Characters become role models, and the habits they display often find their way into everyday life.

That is why this is a respectful appeal to directors, producers, and scriptwriters: as you entertain millions, also seize the opportunity to promote simple habits that make our society safer, healthier, and more compassionate.

One of the simplest ways to save lives is also one of the most overlooked. Wearing a seat belt should not depend on the distance being travelled. Whether someone is driving to the market, taking children to school, or travelling across states, everyone in the vehicle, including those in the back seat, should buckle up before the journey begins.

Unfortunately, films often show characters jumping into cars and driving away without fastening their seat belts. This unintentionally sends the message that seat belts are optional. Imagine the opposite: respected characters calmly fastening their seat belts before starting the engine, reminding passengers to do the same. Such scenes require only a few seconds but can influence millions of viewers.

Also, modern driving is increasingly threatened by distracted driving. Many people believe it is harmless to answer a quick call, read a message, or reply to a text while driving. Others assume it is safe to use their phones while waiting at a traffic light.

In reality, distraction can be deadly. Safe driving means the phone stays out of the driver’s hands until the vehicle has been parked safely. Showing heroes who ignore incoming calls while driving or politely tell callers, “I’ll call you back when I’ve stopped,” promotes a powerful message without interrupting the story.

Additionally, food is central to many Kannywood stories. Family meals, celebrations, and traditional gatherings are common scenes. Yet one simple habit is often overlooked: washing hands properly before eating or preparing food.

Handwashing properly remains one of the most effective ways to prevent many infectious diseases. A brief scene showing a family washing their hands before sharing a meal can quietly reinforce a healthy practice that protects entire households.

Mental health is another area where Kannywood can make a real difference. Too often, emotional struggles are portrayed only as spiritual attacks. Faith is important, but so are counselling, medical care, and family support. Showing them together would reflect real life and encourage more understanding.

Furthermore, people living with disabilities deserve to be represented with dignity and authenticity. Too often, disability is used merely as comic relief, a symbol of helplessness, or a tool to evoke pity.

Real life tells a different story. Across Nigeria, people with disabilities are teachers, entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, students, parents, and community leaders. They contribute meaningfully to society and deserve to see themselves represented fairly on screen.

Inclusive storytelling means giving characters with disabilities meaningful roles, realistic ambitions, and complete personalities—not defining them solely by their disabilities.

Social change does not always begin with government policies or public campaigns. Sometimes it begins with everyday habits becoming normal. This is why I hope Kannywood filmmakers become more intentional about the habits they put on screen. The greatest impact may not come from dramatic speeches or moral lectures, but from ordinary characters consistently doing the right thing.

After all, audiences often imitate what they repeatedly see. Sometimes, the lessons we never intended to teach become the ones the world remembers the most.

Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin is a graduate of mass communication from Bayero University, Kano, and can be reached at ibrahimaliyu5023@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A former commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has raised concerns over what he described as the growing involvement of women in terrorist operations across northern Nigeria. He said insurgent groups now rely on women for logistics, intelligence gathering, and other forms of support.

Wudilawa said sustained military operations have pushed many terrorists into remote hideouts. As a result, he explained, the groups now depend heavily on civilian networks, particularly women, to maintain communication channels and transport supplies.

According to him, some women convey food, clothing, medicines, weapons, and, in certain cases, other women to terrorists hiding in forested areas.

His remarks followed recent arrests of women allegedly linked to terrorist logistics in Borno State.

One of the suspects, Hauwa Abulazeez, 65, was reportedly arrested in Askira Uba Local Government Area with 14 compressed blocks of cannabis allegedly destined for terrorists.

In another case, security operatives arrested Kellu Abba, 50, in Kukawa Local Government Area. She was allegedly transporting food items and personal belongings to her son, who has been identified as a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Commenting on the trend, Wudilawa said women have long played different roles within terrorist networks, especially in intelligence gathering.

> “All these atrocities are committed with the support of women from the very beginning.

“All the things we do, we do with women. They know our routines.

“Till today, women are used as informants. They provide information about the movements of targeted individuals within and outside communities.”



He said terrorist groups exploit the trust communities place in women. He noted that the groups often use them as couriers and intelligence sources.

The security expert attributed the involvement of some women to poverty, illiteracy, greed, and the pursuit of financial gain. However, he stressed that not all of them participate willingly.

According to him, some women are threatened or compelled to assist terrorist groups. He said he witnessed such situations during his years of fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

Wudilawa also expressed concern that some members of the public interfere with security operations. He said some people confront or even attack security personnel while they carry out lawful arrests and investigations.

He urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes.

The former JTF commander also called on the government to improve economic opportunities and address the social conditions that make criminal activities attractive. He said better livelihoods would help reduce recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called for a review of the commission’s funding structure. He said direct funding from the federation account would strengthen INEC’s independence and improve the credibility of elections in Nigeria.

Amupitan made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume book written by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello.

He argued that although the Constitution places INEC on the first-line charge, the existing funding arrangement does not provide the commission with genuine financial autonomy because it still depends on the annual budget and appropriation process.

> “Experience over the years has shown that as long as INEC is still subject to the normal envelope system and the processes of appropriation, having to go to the national assembly, it is very difficult to operate in such a situation without wasting your time,” Amupitan said.



The INEC chairman explained that the commission’s responsibilities go beyond conducting presidential and National Assembly elections. He noted that it also conducts governorship and state assembly elections, registers and regulates political parties, and maintains the national register of voters.

According to him, governorship and state assembly elections are more expensive to conduct than presidential and National Assembly polls. He said this makes the current funding model inadequate.

> “It is for this reason we feel that although the Constitution tried to place INEC on the first-line charge, it is not strong enough,” the INEC chairman said.



> “INEC should come as part of the federation account so that we can have seamless operations and what we call operational efficiency.”



Amupitan also called for further amendments to the Electoral Act to strengthen INEC’s supervisory powers over political parties. He said greater authority would help ensure parties comply with their constitutions, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act. He added that such reforms could reduce the number of pre-election court cases.

He disclosed that the commission is considering a mediation mechanism that would resolve internal party disputes within 3 months instead of lengthy litigation.

The INEC chairman further proposed that all disputes involving political parties should be concluded at least 1 year before a general election to prevent last-minute legal battles from affecting the electoral process.

The call comes months after President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law and amid ongoing legal and legislative developments aimed at reforming Nigeria’s electoral system.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army is set for its largest peacetime expansion in decades, with President Bola Tinubu approving the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 personnel, according to a presidential statement issued Thursday.

The restructuring, which will take the army’s divisional strength from eight to twelve, is designed to deepen military presence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and shorten response times to security emergencies. The new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of command headquarters to twelve.

The phased implementation, which runs until December 2026, reflects what officials describe as a calculated approach to force modernisation. Phase one, due by September 2026, will activate the 5th Division in Makurdi, 9th Division in Ilorin, and 10th Division in Jalingo, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations. Phase two will see the establishment of the 83rd Division in Benin City by December 2026.

Each division will cover between two and five states, with the 82nd Division in Enugu responsible for five South-Eastern states—the largest territorial coverage. The 7th Division in Maiduguri will continue to anchor counter-insurgency operations in Borno and Yobe, while the new 10th Division in Jalingo will oversee Taraba and Adamawa, strengthening the military’s grip on the North-East corridor.

Beyond troop numbers, the President has also approved the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, alongside enhanced welfare packages for service members. Officials say these investments are intended to address long-standing gaps in operational readiness and morale.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga emphasised that the expansion would “significantly improve command and control” and “decentralise operational decision-making,” allowing field commanders greater autonomy to respond to local threats. The move is also expected to bolster border security and protect critical national infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in the South-South, which will now fall under the newly established 83rd Division in Benin City.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, has been lauded by the President for the army’s professionalism, with Tinubu pledging continued support to ensure the force remains “fully capable of protecting the nation.”

Security analysts view the expansion as a clear signal of the administration’s intent to adopt a more proactive, geographically distributed approach to national defence, moving away from the over-centralised command structure that has historically hampered rapid response to crises.

The announcement comes amid ongoing operations against insurgents, bandits, and separatist agitators, with the new divisions expected to ease the burden on overstretched units and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States House of Representatives on Thursday approved a resolution calling on President Donald Trump to halt military operations against Iran, marking another congressional challenge to the administration as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.

The measure passed by a vote of 214 to 208 after four Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in support. It directs the president to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress formally authorises military action.

However, the resolution is largely symbolic because it is a concurrent resolution. It does not require the president’s signature, and its legal effect remains disputed. As a result, Trump is widely expected to disregard it.

The vote came as the United States launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets. Iran has also continued attacks on US military bases and allied Gulf states.

The remains of four American service members killed in recent Iran-related attacks were returned to the United States this week and honoured in flag-draped caskets.

The conflict has also affected maritime security in the region. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement said on Wednesday that it attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after announcing a naval blockade. Iran has also maintained pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

Thursday’s vote reflected growing concern among lawmakers over the conflict, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. The war has also become a political issue for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal criticised the military campaign, saying it had “no clear mission, no strategy, no end goal.”

Democrats argued that President Trump breached the Constitution by launching and continuing military operations without congressional approval. They have repeatedly used war powers resolutions to force Republicans to take a public position on the conflict.

Most Republican lawmakers, however, remained supportive of the president.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast accused critics of overlooking the sacrifices made by American troops killed in the conflict. He said the military campaign was bringing a “reckoning” for Iranian attacks.

The Senate also considered a separate war powers resolution sponsored by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen on Thursday, although it was expected to fail.

Congress passed a similar resolution in June, but Trump dismissed it as “poorly timed and meaningless.”

The White House has maintained that limiting the president’s military authority would weaken the United States in its efforts to pressure Tehran. Democrats and a small group of Republicans have argued that Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over decisions relating to war and peace.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing voter registration exercise until the latest possible date before the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday. He argued that an extension would give more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register and participate in the electoral process.

According to him, the request is necessary because “every day, more young Nigerians attain the age of 18 and become constitutionally eligible to vote.”

“They are not just our future; they are stakeholders in our present. It would be unfortunate if many of them were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility simply because the registration process closed long before the elections,” he said.

Obi also cited a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 22, 2022, in Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2022). He said the ruling held that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election “to protect the constitutional voting rights of eligible Nigerians.”

The former Anambra State governor acknowledged the challenges involved in organising elections. He recognised INEC’s responsibility to conduct free, fair and credible polls. He also noted the need for enough time to clean the voter register and complete logistical arrangements.

He, however, urged the electoral commission to ensure that the registration process encourages wider participation.

“As we continue to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in our democracy, I respectfully appeal to INEC to consider extending the voter registration window to the latest practical date that still allows adequate time for the preparation of a credible voters’ register before the 2027 general elections,” Obi said.

“However, our electoral process should, as much as possible, maximise participation rather than limit it. A democracy is strengthened when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to be heard,” he added.

Obi further called on INEC to “adopt a registration timeline that protects the integrity of the process while ensuring that no eligible Nigerian, especially our young people, is unnecessarily disenfranchised.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Global oil prices surged past the $100-per-barrel mark on Thursday after reported attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea heightened concerns over disruptions to international energy supplies.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, gained 6.9 percent to trade at $100.60 per barrel. United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also rose by 5.63 percent to $91.72 per barrel.

Reuters reported that the rally followed attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on two Saudi oil tankers. The incidents have raised fears over the security of oil shipments through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, two of the world’s most strategic maritime routes.

The Houthi group confirmed that it carried out the operation against the two Saudi vessels. A Saudi news agency also reported that one of the tankers caught fire after it came under attack while sailing in the Red Sea.

The latest escalation came after the Iran-backed Houthis announced on Tuesday that they would target vessels transporting Saudi oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The group also declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the United States military said on Wednesday that it conducted its 11th straight night of strikes on Iran.

The increase in crude oil prices could boost earnings for oil-producing countries such as Nigeria. However, it may also push up the cost of petroleum products and slow recent progress in easing inflation.

Reflecting the changing market conditions, Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Thursday raised its ex-gantry price of petrol from ₦1,075 to ₦1,215 per litre.

The refinery also resumed the sale of petrol in naira.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Global oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday, with Brent crude rising above $95 per barrel for the first time in six weeks amid growing concerns over instability in the Middle East.

Market data showed that Brent crude gained 3.41 percent to close at $95.11 per barrel, its highest level since June 11. United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also recorded an increase of 3.11 percent, reaching $86.96 per barrel.

Analysts linked the rise in prices to fears of possible disruptions to major oil supply routes following the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran. Concerns have also grown over threats to maritime activities by the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen.

On Wednesday, the US military announced that it had carried out attacks on Iran for an 11th consecutive night. The development came shortly after the Kuwaiti military reported that its air defence systems intercepted Iranian drones.

US President Donald Trump also warned Tehran against actions in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the United States would “bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant” whenever Iran targets ships passing through the strategic waterway.

The tension widened further on Tuesday after the Houthis threatened to attack vessels transporting Saudi oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.

The increase in Brent crude prices could have implications for Nigeria, which relies heavily on imported petroleum products. Higher international oil prices may lead to an increase in local petrol prices if import costs continue to rise.

Reports had earlier indicated that oil marketers were considering an upward review of ex-depot petrol prices due to the rising cost of imported fuel cargoes.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Billionaire businessman and Chairman of First HoldCo, Femi Otedola, has increased his ownership in the financial institution to 21.96 percent after purchasing additional shares worth N77.58 billion.

A share dealing disclosure by an insider, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), showed that Otedola acquired 706.13 million shares through his investment company, Calvados Global Services Limited.

The latest purchase increased his stake in First HoldCo from 20.42 percent to 21.96 percent. It also raised the number of shares under his control from 9.28 billion to 9.99 billion.

Based on the company’s closing share price on Wednesday, the value of Otedola’s total investment in First HoldCo has risen to about N1.04 trillion.

The latest valuation marks a sharp increase from June 18, when his holdings in the company were estimated at N566.43 billion.

The acquisition follows another major investment made by Otedola last month. He bought 680 million shares in First HoldCo through a private placement at a cost of N29.6 billion, further strengthening his position as the company’s largest shareholder.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the National Assembly to invite the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to explain what he described as conflicting accounts over the bank accounts of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He argued that the contradictory positions taken by the CBN and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have raised serious concerns about the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to the former vice-president, the testimony presented by the CBN before the House of Representatives differs sharply from the earlier position of the OAGF regarding the opening of the PFIPC accounts.

He alleged that the conflicting explanations point to an effort to conceal the circumstances surrounding the accounts.

“This is where the cover-up appears to begin. One institution denied authorising the opening of the PFIPC accounts and alleged forgery,” he said.


“Another, before the representatives of the Nigerian people, stated that the accounts were opened on the directive of the Accountant-General after due process was followed. Both accounts cannot be true.”



Atiku also said the inconsistencies have left the administration caught in what he described as a “web of deception.”

“When two of your most sensitive financial and monetary authorities publicly contradict each other on the same transaction, no serious leader needs a clairvoyant to know that his administration is trapped in a web of deception and a profound crisis of credibility,” he stated.



“The President cannot continue to watch from the sidelines while his government tears itself apart with conflicting narratives.”



The ADC presidential candidate challenged President Tinubu to state which account of events he accepts.

“President Tinubu must answer a simple question: Which version does he believe—the Accountant-General’s or the Central Bank’s? If he believes neither, why has he not acted?” he said.



“Every day he delays ordering a truly independent investigation, he deepens public suspicion that preserving his administration’s image has taken precedence over establishing the truth.”



Atiku further argued that the silence of the Attorney-General of the Federation has worsened the controversy.

“The continued silence of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the nation’s chief law officer, only compounds this credibility crisis and reinforces the perception that this administration is more interested in containing the political fallout than uncovering the truth,” he stated.



He urged the National Assembly to invite both the CBN governor and the Accountant-General to appear together before its investigative committee under oath.

“If a single individual could allegedly orchestrate a scheme that has thrown two of Nigeria’s most critical financial and monetary authorities into public contradiction, Nigerians are entitled to ask how many other abuses may have escaped detection because of weak oversight and institutional failure,” he said.



Atiku also called on President Tinubu to order an independent investigation into the matter.