By Ishaka Mohammed

A son-in-law of Aliko Dangote, Captain Jamil Abubakar, has raised multimillion naira to support entrepreneurs in northern Nigeria. Captain Jamil, a pilot, is the son of former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.

On March 21, 2026, Captain Jamil tweeted his wish to attract investors to Arewa businesses, and by the end of the following day (March 22), he had already raised 100 million naira. He disclosed that he had asked other willing donors to wait until after the pilot phase of the initiative, the Arewa Business Support Fund. 

He revealed that beneficiaries would receive interest-free business loans, which, when repaid, would be used to support more businesses. Beneficiaries would also enjoy free mentorship and consultancy. 

Responding to concerns that fluency in English could be a barrier, the captain assured the public that local languages would feature prominently in the Fund’s activities, stressing that businesses domiciled in the North, regardless of ownership and owners’ language proficiency, would be considered. 

He mentioned names of other stakeholders, including the acting financial secretary of the Fund, Mohammed Jammal (aka White Nigerian), Khalil Nur Khalil (economic adviser to Katsina State Government), and Mohammed Bello El-Rufai (a member of the House of Representatives), among others.

During a discussion among the stakeholders on X, it was revealed that Saleem Abubakar Musa (simply called Saleem) had been like a personal assistant to Captain Jamil.

On March 27, Saleem (@AM_Saleeeem) tweeted the summary of the subsequent activities of the Fund as follows:

“Next Steps:

– The website will be launched to the public soon, featuring comprehensive details, business templates, and practical guides (how to, when to, and what to do).

– Formal registration of the Arewa Business Support Fund as a legal entity, including banking and all required documentation.

– Nomination of Board of Trustees.

– Rollout of the pilot phase.”

However, the Fund will consider only existing businesses in the pilot phase; business ideas alone would be rejected.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has stepped down from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), pointing to the need for a shift in political direction.

Kwankwaso, who flew the party’s flag in the 2023 presidential election, made his decision public in a statement released on Sunday. He confirmed that his resignation takes immediate effect.

“I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect.”

He described the move as difficult, given his history with the party, but said current political realities influenced his choice.

“As a committed and bonafide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make. However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he said.

Kwankwaso expressed gratitude to the leadership of the NNPP, including the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, as well as other party organs, for their support during his time in the party.

“I extend my deepest appreciation to the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed and the entire National Working Committee for their steadfast support throughout my time. I also thank the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, and all levels of leadership across the party — from the ward to the state level,” he stated.

He also acknowledged the backing of members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and party supporters across the country.

“We shall continue to collaborate and work together towards charting a better and more prosperous future for our dear nation,” he added.

The former governor did not reveal his next political destination. However, sources within both the NNPP and the African Democratic Congress indicated that he may formally join the party on Monday in Kano.

Party insiders disclosed that top figures, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, are expected to receive him into the ADC.

There are also indications that Kwankwaso may move alongside former Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

In a related development, former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and a key figure in the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, recently hosted Kwankwaso in Abuja. According to Atiku, the visit was a courtesy call during which both leaders discussed national issues at length.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Israeli police on Sunday prevented top Catholic leaders from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where they were scheduled to lead Palm Sunday Mass.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the development in a joint statement issued with the Custody of the Holy Land. According to the statement, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, were stopped while heading to the church.

The statement explained that the clerics “were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back.”

Church authorities said the incident marked an unprecedented disruption. “As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the statement added.

They criticised the action of the police, describing it as “a grave precedent, and disregard[ing] the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”

The Patriarchate noted that Christian leaders had adhered strictly to restrictions imposed since the outbreak of the war. It stated that public gatherings were cancelled, attendance was not allowed, and arrangements were put in place to broadcast religious activities to millions of worshippers globally.

The statement further condemned the move as “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.” It added that the decision was “hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations” and represented “an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo.”

Expressing disappointment over the development, the Church authorities said, “We express our profound sorrow to the Christian faithful in the Holy Land and throughout the world that prayer on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar has thus been prevented.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked his 74th birthday on Sunday with a low-key celebration, thanking citizens for their support while acknowledging the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.

In a personal statement issued from the Aso Villa, Tinubu said he was “filled with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to serve this great nation” despite opting to observe the day modestly, consistent with his tradition of matching his birthday mood to that of the country.

The President expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians for their messages, prayers, and solidarity, singling out those who placed birthday wishes in newspapers or bought airtime on radio and television.

He also thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her “kind and loving words” and Vice President Kashim Shettima for his tribute.

Reflecting on the administration’s reforms, Tinubu said: “I’m glad that our sacrifices have not been in vain, as we can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, despite the temporary setback caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.”

He stressed that the gains recorded so far belong not to him alone or his Renewed Hope team, but to all Nigerians. “We achieved the gains together,” he said.

As the administration approaches its third anniversary, Tinubu expressed deep conviction that they would succeed in building a brighter future for citizens and generations to come.

“We are determined to confront some of the challenges we face today, and with your continued support, we shall overcome,” he said, urging Nigerians to keep working together to build “a stronger, prosperous and more resilient nation that will make Nigeria the pride of Africa.”

He ended his message with a cheerful note: “Thank you all, and happy 74th birthday to me!”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Fresh reports have emerged that Russia provided intelligence support to Iran shortly before a major strike on a United States military base in Saudi Arabia, an attack that left several American personnel injured.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian satellite data was shared with Iran in the days leading up to the assault on Prince Sultan Air Base in Al Kharj. The strike, which involved missiles and drones, injured at least 12 US troops and caused significant damage to military assets.

Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian surveillance activity intensified prior to the attack. He revealed that Kremlin satellites captured images of the base three separate times, suggesting a deliberate pattern.

“We know that if they make images once, they are preparing. If they make images a second time, it’s like a simulation. The third time it means that in one or two days, they will attack,” he told NBC News.

The Ukrainian leader added that he was “100 per cent” certain that Russian intelligence played a role in helping Iranian forces target American troops in the region.

The strike destroyed a high-value E-3 Sentry radar aircraft, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and also damaged refuelling planes stationed at the base. Military analysts describe the incident as one of the most serious breaches of US air defences since the conflict began last month.

Moscow has denied passing intelligence to Tehran. However, Russian officials acknowledged that they have supplied Iran with “certain types of military equipment.” European intelligence sources now believe Russia may be preparing to deliver additional military hardware, including attack drones.

The development comes amid rising tensions across the Middle East. Reports indicate that the United States is reviewing possible ground operations targeting strategic Iranian مواقع, including key oil infrastructure. At the same time, Iran has warned that its forces are ready to respond to any escalation.

The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts ongoing in several countries aimed at reducing hostilities and preventing a wider regional conflict.

By Dr. Umar Musa Kallah

Nigeria’s food import bill has more than doubled under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rising from ₦3.83 trillion in 2023 to ₦7.65 trillion in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics data.

This surge is not the result of global shocks or natural disasters alone. It stems directly from a deliberate policy of granting liberal import waivers on maize, rice, soybeans and other staples. Announced repeatedly as a measure to crash food prices, these waivers have instead achieved a far more targeted outcome: the collapse of Northern farms and agro-processing industries while delivering clear economic advantages to Southern importers, poultry conglomerates and port-based processors.

The contrast with the Buhari administration is striking. Between 2015 and 2023, agriculture was positioned as a cornerstone of national development. The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme channelled over ₦800 billion to more than four million smallholder farmers, enabling cultivation on more than five million hectares.

Rice production rose sharply from between 2.5 million and 3.7 million metric tonnes to peaks of 8.5 million to nine million metric tonnes, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s largest producer and, for a time, a net exporter in the region. The 2019 land border closure protected local value chains and revived rice milling, soybean crushing, groundnut and cotton-seed processing across the North.

More than 150 modern rice mills emerged nationwide, with over 100 located in Northern states. Oil mills in Kano, Kaduna, Gombe and Jigawa thrived on locally sourced raw materials, generating tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and triggering a strong post-harvest multiplier effect that spread prosperity through transport, packaging, marketing and local services.

That progress has been reversed under the current administration. Milled rice production has fallen to a projected 5.5 million metric tonnes in the 2025/26 season, down from Buhari-era peaks. According to the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria, nearly 90 of the country’s 150 rice mills have shut down since 2023, with many surviving mills operating at 30 per cent capacity.

Northern facilities have suffered the heaviest losses. Soybean, groundnut and cotton-seed crushing plants that once benefited from protected local supplies now run at below 20 per cent capacity or have been forced to liquidate assets. Fertiliser prices have escalated dramatically, with a bag of urea selling for  ₦58,000 and NPK for ₦120,000 in many markets.

Diesel and pms costs have tripled following the removal of fuel subsidies. At the same time, farm-gate prices for staples such as maize have collapsed to as low as ₦38,000 per 100kg bag, often falling below the cost of production, which exceeds ₦1 million per hectare in many areas. Farmers are abandoning their fields, selling at a loss or leaving the sector entirely.

These outcomes are not accidental. The import waiver regime, which offers zero-duty and VAT exemptions on key commodities and was first announced in 2024 before being effectively extended, has operated without any parallel measures to reduce input costs or protect local processors.

Maize waivers have primarily benefited major poultry conglomerates concentrated in the South, where the feed industry is dominated by Southern operators. Soybean imports allow Southern processors to bypass local crushing altogether. Rice milling is visibly shifting southward, with imported paddy now processed in expanded Southern facilities and the finished product shipped back to Northern markets.

Northern oil millers, who lack direct access to seaports, are placed at a severe disadvantage. They cannot import raw soybeans competitively and are instead forced to purchase already-crushed crude soybean oil from Southern refiners who enjoy the logistical advantages of Lagos and Port Harcourt ports. As a result, capital that once circulated within Northern communities now flows southward to port operators, importers, logistics firms and Southern feed mills.

The regional imbalance extends far beyond farming. Unemployment has risen sharply in the North, where agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the population. Each closed rice mill has eliminated hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect positions in farming, transport and allied services.

With nearly 90 mills out of operation, tens of thousands of Northern livelihoods have disappeared. Rural underemployment has increased as the traditional post-harvest economic surge has vanished. Northern states, already facing challenges of insecurity and weak infrastructure, are experiencing accelerated rural-urban migration, higher youth joblessness and deepening poverty. In contrast, Southern urban centres have gained from expanded import-related activities, including more jobs in ports, poultry processing, logistics and distribution services tied to cheap foreign inputs.

Other factors compound the North’s disadvantage while strengthening the South. Billions of naira invested in Northern agro-industries during the Buhari years are now stranded or liquidated, while Southern processors with direct sea access and waiver-backed imports continue to attract fresh capital and expand operations.

The classic multiplier effect that once spread prosperity from Northern harvests across the national economy has been reversed, with money draining out of the North and concentrating in Southern hands. Food security has been undermined for the entire country.

A population exceeding 230 million now depends increasingly on volatile imports for basic staples, exposing Nigeria to global price shocks, foreign exchange crises and potential supply disruptions. The South, as the hub of processing and distribution, benefits from short-term consumer price relief and sustained industrial activity.

No policy under the Tinubu administration prioritises the strengthening of local farms and industries over importation. Instead, the waiver regime actively discourages domestic production by making imported raw materials artificially cheaper than locally grown equivalents, without corresponding support for Northern farmers or processors.

Government statements continue to celebrate minor drops in consumer prices while ignoring the collapse of local capacity. The pattern is consistent and unmistakable: repeated public commitments to crash farm-gate prices, unchecked waivers and complete neglect of Northern processing infrastructure.

Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development by weakening its primary food-producing region. The deliberate marginalisation of the North’s agricultural economy risks mass unemployment, rural depopulation, social instability and long-term national food insecurity. Northern governors, traditional rulers, farmers’ associations, rice processors and business leaders must now break their silence. The evidence shows a clear agenda to render the North economically redundant so that Southern interests can dominate value chains and resource flows.

The mills cannot remain silent and the fields cannot be left fallow indefinitely. A nation of this size, increasingly dependent on foreign food while one of its most productive regions is systematically impoverished, faces grave danger. The people of the North must act to defend their economic future before it is lost forever. This is not development. It is calculated dispossession, and it must be confronted without delay.

Dr. Umar Musa Kallah wrote in from Kano, Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Youths in Rigasa took to the streets in groups, moving from one area to another with MP3 speakers, delivering messages similar to those of local medicine advertisers.

They called on women in the community to reject any form of inducement ahead of the election, especially money or food items such as spaghetti.

The youths warned against selling votes, stressing that such actions weaken the democratic process and the future of the community.

Residents watched as the groups passed through different parts of the area, repeating their message and urging people to make independent choices on election day.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has announced the passing of their matriarch, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died on Friday, March 27, 2026.

In a statement released on Saturday, Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, confirmed that the funeral (Janazah) prayer will be held today at the National Mosque in Central Area, Abuja, commencing at 1:00 pm. The burial is scheduled to follow immediately at Gudu Cemetery in Apo.

The announcement described the deceased as a beloved grandmother, requesting prayers from the public. The family expressed gratitude for the visits, well-wishes, and condolences received during their time of grief.

Hon. Bello El-Rufai, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Banking Regulations, signed the statement on behalf of the family elders, praying for Allah’s mercy upon the departed.

“May Allah SWT bless her soul and grant her the highest level of Aljannatul Firdausi,” the statement read.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least three journalists and nine paramedics have lost their lives following a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, as tensions continue to rise in the broader regional conflict linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war.

The deceased journalists were identified as Fatima Ftouni and her brother, Mohammed Ftouni, who both worked with Al Mayadeen, as well as Ali Shuaib of Al-Manar.

Reports indicate that the journalists were travelling in a clearly marked press vehicle along Jezzine Road when it was struck by multiple precision missiles. The vehicle was reportedly hit four times within a short span, leaving no survivors. Other journalists sustained injuries in the attack.

Emergency responders who arrived at the scene were also targeted. In separate incidents across southern Lebanon, ambulances and medical teams came under fire, raising concerns among humanitarian organisations and health authorities.

The World Health Organisation confirmed that several healthcare workers were affected in five different attacks on medical operations. According to the agency, eight paramedics were killed while seven others were injured.

Although the Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike that killed the journalists, it alleged that Ali Shuaib had been working alongside a Hezbollah intelligence unit and was monitoring troop movements. It also accused him of spreading propaganda.

Al-Manar dismissed the claim. The organisation described Shuaib as a seasoned war correspondent with decades of experience covering Israeli military activities in Lebanon. Both Al-Manar and Al Mayadeen rejected Israel’s explanation. They insisted that those killed were civilians carrying out their professional duties.

Israel has faced repeated criticism over strikes involving journalists, especially in Gaza, where hundreds of media workers have reportedly died. In many cases, authorities have alleged links between victims and armed groups but have not presented clear public evidence.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack. He described it as “a blatant crime that violates all norms and treaties under which journalists are granted international protection during armed conflicts.”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also criticised the incident. He called it “a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.”

A journalist reporting from the southern city of Tyre said media workers in the area remain determined despite the dangers. “All the journalists that I’m speaking to here today say that they were just doing their job, and that the journalists that are still here are going to continue to carry out their work despite the obvious dangers,” he said.

The WHO Director-General confirmed the scale of the attacks on healthcare workers and facilities. He detailed multiple incidents across different المناطق, saying:

“In Zoutar al-Sharqiya, five health workers were killed in a strike, and two were injured, one critically.

“Two more health workers were killed and three wounded in Kfar Tibnit; one paramedic died in an attack at a health facility in Ghandouriyeh, while another was killed in a strike in Jezzine. Two were wounded in an attack on Kfar Dajjal,” Ghebreyesus said.

He warned that repeated attacks on medical personnel and infrastructure have severely disrupted healthcare delivery in the region. Several hospitals and dozens of primary healthcare centres have been forced to shut down, while others struggle to operate.

Fatima Ftouni had earlier reported on an Israeli strike that killed her uncle and his entire family earlier in the month. Her death brings the number of Al Mayadeen journalists killed since the conflict began to six.

Figures from Lebanon’s Ministry of Health show that more than 1,100 people have been killed and over 3,300 injured since early March as the conflict intensifies.

Meanwhile, Israeli ground troops are said to have advanced further into southern Lebanon, approaching the Litani River. Hezbollah claims it has carried out multiple retaliatory attacks against Israeli forces within the past day.

In a separate incident, an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Zahrani reportedly killed a Lebanese soldier, according to official sources.

Describing conditions in the region, a correspondent noted that explosions could still be heard across the الجنوب as bombardments continued. He referred to areas south of the Litani River as effectively a “no-go zone,” adding that while many residents have fled, about 20 per cent remain.

He said those who stayed were taking what he described as a “very deadly gamble.”

Press freedom organisations have expressed concern over the rising number of journalist deaths worldwide. A recent report recorded 129 journalist fatalities in 2025, the highest in more than three decades, with Israel accounting for a significant portion of the cases.

Earlier in the month, another Israeli strike in central Beirut killed Mohammad Sherri, a senior official at Al-Manar, highlighting the increasing risks faced by media professionals in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States naval personnel and marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have reached the Middle East, according to an announcement by the Central Command on Saturday.

The vessel serves as the flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. It carries about 3,500 troops along with transport and fighter aircraft.

The deployment is expected to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the region. Washington is reportedly weighing the possibility of launching a ground operation around Iran’s key oil export hub and the Hormuz Strait.

Reports indicate that the U.S. is considering steps to secure Iran’s nuclear materials. Other options under review include a possible seizure of Kharg Island, an invasion of Larak Island near Hormuz, and control of Abu Musa and nearby islands. Additional strikes on nuclear and energy facilities are also being considered.

At the same time, Yemen’s Houthi forces have declared their involvement in the conflict. The group said it carried out its first operation using ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets.

“Our operations will continue until the declared goals are achieved,” a spokesperson vowed on Saturday. “We will continue until the aggression stops on all fronts.”

Meanwhile, Iran continued retaliatory actions against Gulf countries over the weekend. Two drones struck Oman’s Port of Salalah. The incident left one worker injured and damaged a crane.

Authorities in Kuwait reported that multiple drones hit the country’s international airport, affecting its radar systems. Emirates Global Aluminium also confirmed that Iranian strikes impacted its Al Taweelah facility in Abu Dhabi.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the situation. He said it was unfortunate that “the territories of some Muslim countries” are being used to attack Iran. He accused Israel of attempting to widen the conflict across the region.

The president also stated that Iran has been “attacked twice during negotiations,” adding that the “bombing infrastructure and assassinating Iranian figures show that the aggressors cannot be trusted.”

His remarks came after Israel launched fresh strikes on two nuclear-related facilities in Iran. The targets included a heavy-water production plant in Khondab and a yellowcake production site in Ardakan.

Russia also reacted to the developments on Saturday. Moscow accused Iran’s opponents of escalating the conflict “despite related risks, including a threat of large-scale radioactive contamination.”

The country called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to address what it described as a “grave threat.” It added that the attacks breached international law and should attract strong condemnation from the global community.