By Sabiu Abdullahi

A 73-year-old Nigerian pilgrim, Mallama Aishatu Muhammadu from Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, has died in Saudi Arabia after arriving for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Reports indicated that the elderly pilgrim suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday while on her way from Jeddah to Madinah.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the incident and said its Chairman, Ismail Abba Yusuf, had contacted the family of the deceased to express condolences on behalf of the Federal Government.

During a telephone conversation with her brother, Umaru Jauro Koko, Ambassador Yusuf prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased and grant her eternal rest.

“He also prayed for Allah to grant the family the strength to bear the irreparable loss,” the commission stated.

The NAHCON chairman also assured the family that the government would support efforts to return the deceased’s belongings safely through the Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Commission.

The items include her Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) and death certificate.

Mallama Aishatu is survived by children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Among her relatives is Abdullahi Bello, a Divisional Officer with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ganye Division.

By Uzair Adam

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a transparent system for monitoring and auditing the use of federal security funds across the country.

This position was made known by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, while reacting to the president’s recent visit to Plateau State and his remarks at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos.

The party stressed the need for heightened security alertness through improved coordination between military and police forces, with active participation from local and state security structures.

It also urged the president to adopt a culture of accountability by providing regular public updates on security incidents and the measures taken to address them.

Referencing the persistent security challenges in states such as Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Niger, Kaduna and Kwara, the ADC further advised the president to engage directly with affected communities, local governments and state authorities, listen to their concerns and explore their suggestions for lasting solutions.

By Prof. Abdelghaffar Amoka

I know Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), to some extent. In fact, part of the reason I submitted a sabbatical application there in 2024 was to get to know the university better, though I did not receive a response.

From what I know, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is one of the fastest-growing universities in Nigeria. I have friends there. I also have very close associates pursuing their PhDs there, and they are doing very well.

A major reason for the university’s steady rise is something many people do not talk about enough: since its creation, successive governors of the state have largely allowed the university’s administration to breathe. That kind of non-interference matters. Universities grow when politics does not sit permanently on the neck of scholarship.

Its proximity to Abuja also gives it an undeniable advantage. Patronage from the capital is high. In fact, from some parts of Abuja, NSUK is easier to reach than the University of Abuja. 

Now to the uncomfortable part.

The graduation of a very large number of PhD candidates naturally raises questions. It should. In a country where too many people now chase titles over scholarship, any university that produces large numbers of doctoral graduates will attract scrutiny. That scrutiny should not be treated as hostility.

Every university has strong PhDs and weak PhDs. That is the truth. No institution is automatically exempt. Personally, I have not yet encountered a weak PhD graduate from NSUK, which is why I did not rush to join the noise.

But let us be honest with ourselves: when academics raise questions about standards, it should not be dismissed as envy, malice, or institutional rivalry. It should be seen for what it ought to be — a call to tighten the loose nuts before the system becomes attractive to those looking for the cheapest possible route to a title.

There is no doubt that we are a people that is in love with titles. That is why you will see an HND holder who is a political appointee with a name and titles like Chief Dr Hajiya XXXX. But with the recent decision of the Federal Executive Council on the misuse of the Dr title by honorary doctorate awardees and the prohibition of awarding honorary doctorates to serving political officeholders, the quest for the cheapest possible route to a PhD for the Dr title will increase. Meanwhile, the integrity of these degrees is in our hands. 

As academics, the university system is our immediate constituency. For decades, academics have fought governments to prevent the collapse of Nigerian universities. It would be a tragic contradiction if we were now to become participants in the internal erosion of the very system we once defended against external destruction.

Our degrees must mean something. Our universities must remain places where scholarship is earned, not merely awarded. Whether we admit it or not, the quality of our young people in the future is being shaped in our lecture rooms, laboratories, and supervision meetings.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A 30-year-old person living with disability (PWD), Mahmud Sadis Buba, has successfully passed the screening organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the election for the House of Representatives seat in Kaduna State.

Buba, who is widely known as Abin Al-Ajabin Zazzau, is contesting to represent the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency.

The aspirant lives with dwarfism, a condition that affects physical growth and development.

He recently attracted attention on social media after a video from his APC screening exercise circulated online.

During the screening, Buba disclosed that he is the first child in a family of nine and possesses a senior secondary school certificate.

He explained that people from his constituency encouraged him to join the race and represent them at the national assembly.

“I am not doing this for myself. It is from the people. People called me to serve them, and I will serve,” he said.

Buba is seeking to unseat Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, who won the constituency seat in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before later defecting to the APC.

Abdullahi is also contesting for another term under the ruling party.

By Uzair Adam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three persons living with disabilities, including a 60-year-old man, over alleged involvement in drug trafficking during separate operations in Anambra and Kwara states.

The agency also disclosed that it uncovered a cannabis stash house valued at N5.8 billion in Lekki, Lagos, and dismantled a skuchies production factory within the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, Romanus Nwabara, 60, was apprehended on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, after operatives tracked him to Akpaka Forest in Onitsha, Anambra State, where he was allegedly found in possession of 250 grams of skunk packaged in retail sachets.

Babafemi said in a separate operation at Ogbunike in the same state, NDLEA officers on Thursday, May 7, arrested another suspect, Amos Kenneth, 25, with 160.3 grams of Tramadol (225mg and 100mg), 80 tablets of Diazepam, 38.23 grams of Exol-5, and 176.93 grams of skunk.

He added that in Kwara State, operatives on patrol along Bode Saadu on Friday, May 8, intercepted a commercial vehicle, where a passenger identified as Usman Salisu was found with 6.3 kilograms of skunk concealed in a brown school bag.

In a major breakthrough, the NDLEA Special Operations Unit on Friday raided a mansion in Lekki, Lagos, allegedly used as a drug warehouse.

During the operation, 4,000 parcels of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis weighing 2,326 kilograms and valued at over N5.815 billion, were recovered.

The agency said two Mercedes-Benz buses and branded sachets used for packaging illicit drugs were also seized from the property located at 36 African Lane, Lekki Phase 1.

Elsewhere, Babafemi revealed that Emmanuel Osita Okeke, 38, was arrested with 129 kilograms of skunk at Nyanya in Karu, Nasarawa State, on Monday, May 4, 2026.

He further disclosed that operatives on patrol along the Okene–Lokoja highway in Kogi State on Friday intercepted a white commuter J5 bus heading to Abuja.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 76 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 766 kilograms, while three suspects — Mathew Omohove, Ebuka Desmond, and Babangida Musa — were taken into custody.

The statement also noted that NDLEA officers uncovered a skuchies production site, where suspects were caught processing cannabis mixed with other illicit substances.

A total of 270 litres of the substance and 106 grams of Tramadol (225mg) were recovered.

Babafemi added that NDLEA commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities during the week.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain the agency’s momentum in drug supply reduction and public awareness efforts.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

Education has long been seen as the backbone of national progress. Any country that hopes to compete in the modern world must invest in an education system that prepares its young people with relevant knowledge and practical skills. Yet the situation in Nigeria today shows a worrying gap between what students learn in school and what the realities of the 21st century require.

For many years, the country’s curriculum has remained largely theoretical and disconnected from real life. Students spend long hours memorising information for examinations, but many graduate without the ability to apply what they have learned to real-world problems. Certificates are awarded, but practical competence often remains weak. This situation raises serious questions about the direction of the education system.

One major issue is the outdated nature of many academic programs. While the global economy is rapidly shifting toward technology, innovation, and knowledge-based industries, a large portion of Nigeria’s curriculum still reflects ideas and priorities from decades ago. Digital literacy, modern research methods, and emerging technologies are not sufficiently integrated into many learning programs. As a result, Nigerian graduates often struggle to compete in an increasingly digital world.

Another concern is the weak connection between education and the labour market. Universities and other higher institutions frequently design courses without strong collaboration with industries that will eventually employ their graduates. Employers complain about a lack of practical skills, while graduates face rising unemployment despite years of schooling. This mismatch highlights the urgent need to align academic learning with real economic needs.

Infrastructure problems further complicate the situation. Across many parts of the country, schools operate with overcrowded classrooms, outdated laboratories, and limited learning materials. Teachers often do their best under difficult circumstances, but without adequate support, their efforts cannot produce the level of transformation the country needs. When the learning environment itself is weak, even the most dedicated educators struggle to deliver quality outcomes.

Reforming the curriculum is therefore not simply an academic debate. It is a national necessity. Education must move beyond rote memorisation and focus more on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Students should be encouraged to explore ideas, question assumptions, and develop solutions to real challenges within their communities.

Technical and vocational education must also receive greater attention. For too long, society has treated vocational training as a lesser option compared to traditional academic degrees. Yet many developed economies thrive because they place a strong value on technical skills and practical training. If Nigeria hopes to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth, it must elevate the status of vocational education.

Entrepreneurship education is another area that deserves serious attention. Rather than preparing students only to search for jobs, schools should equip them with the knowledge and confidence to create their own opportunities. Basic business education, financial literacy, and innovation training can help young people develop the mindset needed to build sustainable ventures.

Teachers must also be central to any reform effort. No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. Continuous training, improved working conditions, and access to modern teaching resources will empower educators to guide students more effectively. When teachers are supported, the entire learning process improves.

Ultimately, meaningful reform requires collaboration. Policymakers, educators, researchers, industry leaders, and communities must work together to rethink the priorities of the education system. A curriculum designed with broad consultation will be better equipped to respond to national development goals and global realities.

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world. This demographic strength could become a powerful driver of development if the right investments are made in education. However, if the system continues to produce graduates who are not adequately prepared for the future, the country risks missing a critical opportunity.

Reforming the curriculum will not solve every challenge overnight, but it represents an important step toward building a more dynamic and productive society. Preparing young Nigerians for the demands of the modern world is not just an educational responsibility. It is a national imperative.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe and can be reached via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Abubakar Tahir

Across many communities in northern Nigeria, malnutrition remains a quiet but devastating reality. In rural homes and crowded settlements alike, countless children grow up without the essential nutrients required for healthy development.

The signs are often visible, including stunted growth, frequent illness, low energy levels, and poor cognitive development—but the deeper consequences are far more profound. Malnutrition weakens family foundations, strains healthcare systems, and ultimately undermines society’s long-term development.

Jigawa State is not immune to this silent crisis. Despite various public health interventions over the years, malnutrition continues to affect children and vulnerable populations across the state. Poverty, food insecurity, low dietary diversity, and limited public awareness about proper nutrition all contribute to the persistence of the problem.

At this critical moment, one practical and impactful step the Jigawa State Government can take is to urgently recruit and deploy professional nutritionists across the state’s healthcare system.

Nutrition is the cornerstone of human development. A balanced diet supports healthy physical growth, strengthens the immune system, enhances brain development, and improves overall well-being.

When nutrition is inadequate, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Conditions such as stunting, wasting, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies continue to affect many children and women in Jigawa State, undermining not only their health but also the social and economic future of the state.

Health experts emphasise that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—from conception to the age of two are the most critical for physical and cognitive development. Poor nutrition during this period can lead to irreversible damage, including impaired learning ability, weakened immunity, and increased vulnerability to disease throughout life. Ensuring proper nutrition during this early stage, therefore, requires professional guidance and sustained community engagement.

Unfortunately, Jigawa State is currently facing a growing shortage of professional nutritionists within its healthcare system. Many nutrition officers who previously served in hospitals and public health facilities have recently retired, leaving a significant gap that remains unfilled. As a result, several health facilities now operate without functional nutrition units, while in others, the departments have become largely inactive due to the absence of trained personnel.

This situation is both concerning and avoidable. Across Nigeria, universities and colleges continue to graduate qualified nutritionists every year. Yet many of these professionals remain unemployed or underutilised due to limited opportunities within the public health sector. Jigawa State, therefore, has an opportunity to strengthen its healthcare delivery system by recruiting these young professionals and deploying them to general hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and community health programmes.

Professional nutritionists play a critical role in disease prevention and health promotion. They guide families on proper dietary practices, support maternal and child nutrition, and educate communities on healthy eating habits using locally available foods. Their interventions can significantly reduce cases of malnutrition, improve patient recovery, and enhance the overall health profile of the population.

Beyond hospitals, nutritionists also play an essential role in schools. With the expansion of school feeding programmes in Nigeria, ensuring the nutritional quality of meals provided to pupils has become increasingly important. Qualified nutritionists can design balanced meal plans, monitor food preparation standards, and ensure that these programmes genuinely contribute to children’s physical and cognitive development.

Community-based nutrition education is another area where these professionals are urgently needed. Through outreach programmes, health campaigns, and grassroots engagement, nutritionists can educate rural families on the importance of balanced diets, food safety, proper infant feeding practices, and hygiene.

Crucially, they can also demonstrate how affordable, locally available foods—such as grains, legumes, vegetables, and animal products—can be combined to meet nutritional needs.

Given Jigawa State’s predominantly agrarian economy, nutritionists can also collaborate with agricultural extension services to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Encouraging households to cultivate diverse crops, improve food storage, and adopt better food preparation practices can significantly improve household nutrition and reduce dependency on expensive food items.

Meanwhile, a couple of visits to several hospitals across Jigawa State reveal a worrying reality. Many facilities operate without nutrition officers, leaving nurses and other health workers to manage cases that require specialised dietary expertise. In some institutions, nutrition departments have virtually ceased to function due to staff shortages. This weakens the health system’s ability to effectively address malnutrition and diet-related illnesses.

Equally concerning is the situation in higher institutions offering nutrition and dietetics programmes, where departments sometimes struggle with limited staffing and resources to train future professionals. Strengthening the nutrition workforce will therefore require both recruitment into the healthcare system and sustained support for training institutions.

It is important to acknowledge that the Jigawa State Government has made commendable progress in improving healthcare infrastructure and expanding primary healthcare services across the state. Investments in health facilities, maternal healthcare programmes, and immunisation services have improved health outcomes in many communities.

However, strengthening the nutrition workforce must become an essential component of these broader health reforms. Without trained professionals to address nutrition-related challenges, efforts to combat maternal and child mortality, infectious diseases, and poor health outcomes will remain incomplete.

Recruiting and deploying professional nutritionists is not merely a staffing decision—it is a strategic investment in public health, human capital development, and the long-term prosperity of Jigawa State. A healthier and well-nourished population is more productive, better educated, and more capable of contributing meaningfully to economic and social development.

Jigawa State, therefore, stands at an important crossroads. By prioritising the employment of nutritionists in hospitals, primary healthcare centres, schools, and community health programmes, the government can take a decisive step toward reducing malnutrition and improving the well-being of its citizens.

The fight against malnutrition requires commitment, expertise, and timely action. The time to act is now.

Muhammad Abubakar Tahir, a concerned citizen, writes from Hadejia, Jigawa State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the alleged killing of a 16-year-old boy, Bishir Malam Dauda, who reportedly died in police custody in Katsina State.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Saturday, the human rights organisation alleged that the teenager was “tortured to death through severe beating with iron rod” at the ‘Yankara police outpost in Faskari Local Government Area.

According to Amnesty International, Bishir was taken from his tsangaya school on May 7, 2026, after another boy reportedly mentioned his name during an investigation into the alleged theft of a bag of soya beans.

The organisation claimed that the teenager was detained without the presence of any family member or adult guardian and was pressured to confess to the allegation.

“The victim was picked by police from his tsangaya school on 7 May 2026 after a friend mentioned his name in relation to an investigation of theft of a bag of soya beans,” Amnesty International stated.

“Unaccompanied and without the presence of any adult relation, Bishir was tied by the police and asked to make a confession. He refused. Then he was tortured more until he became lifeless.”

Amnesty International further alleged that police officers later deposited the boy’s body at the ‘Yankara Primary Healthcare Centre.

The organisation said the incident reflects what it described as a broader pattern of human rights violations by some members of the Nigeria Police Force.

“What happened to Bishir Malam Dauda exposes a pattern of ruthless human rights violations in which victims are arrested and tortured until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released,” the statement added.

Amnesty International accused the police of operating with impunity and urged authorities not to ignore the incident.

“This incident must not be swept under the carpet. Police officers involved in this atrocity, directly and indirectly, must be held to account,” the organisation said.

The group also noted that its research since 2016 has documented cases of alleged police brutality and abuse across the country.

As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations.

By Uzair Adam

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), in collaboration with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), has rewarded outstanding participants at the end of its North-West Regional Capacity Building Programme in Kano, following a competitive assessment designed to test their knowledge of financial management and business practices.

The programme, which focused on bridging the livestock agribusiness finance gap, concluded on Friday with participants drawn from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Speaking at the closing session, the Capacity Building Manager of DBN, Fortune Tamunokuro Granville, said the assessment was conducted to evaluate participants’ understanding of key training modules, particularly financial literacy and financial management.

He explained that the test, which comprised 50 multiple-choice questions, was aimed at ensuring that livestock entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge required to formalise their businesses and become eligible for funding.

“The essence of the programme is to ensure access to credit for livestock farmers, and that can only happen when they understand financial management and properly structure their businesses,” he said.

Granville noted that the process was transparent, as scripts were independently marked without interference from project officials.

According to him, the top-performing participants from each of the four states received grants of one million naira each to support their businesses.

He added that two female participants who emerged among the highest scorers were also awarded N250,000 each, in line with DBN’s commitment to gender inclusion.

“In total, we had six winners. This is to encourage them to apply what they have learned and continue improving their businesses,” he said, adding that the bank is also considering a mentorship programme to support beneficiaries beyond the training.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, who represented the Commissioner, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud, said the workshop had provided a platform to address critical financing challenges affecting the livestock sector.

He noted that discussions during the programme highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among government, financial institutions and private sector actors to unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain.

Sunusi reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to supporting agricultural transformation and creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive.

“The insights generated here must be translated into concrete actions that will benefit farmers, processors and other stakeholders,” he said.

On their parts, some of the participants described the training as impactful, noting that it had equipped them with practical knowledge to improve their businesses.

One of the winners, Dr. Mu’iz Bakari from Kaduna State, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the training had exposed him to better ways of managing and expanding his livestock enterprise.

“What we have learned will be applied directly to our business. We will correct our mistakes and expand, especially in poultry production,” he said, adding that the grant would be used to grow his farm and create employment.

Similarly, Usman Abdullahi Usman from Kano State said emerging among the top participants out of over a hundred attendees was both surprising and motivating.

“This support will help me expand my business and should encourage others to take such opportunities seriously and work hard,” he said.

Other winners include Nasiru Lawal from Sokoto State and Idris Umar from Zamfara State, while the additional female awardees are Fatima Sani from Sokoto and Hafsat Ololade Akin from Kaduna.

The programme brought together stakeholders across the livestock value chain, including farmers, financial institutions and development partners, as part of efforts to improve access to finance and promote sustainable agribusiness growth in the region.

By Anas Abbas

Siyako Anthony Yaro, a Senator Representing Gombe South Senatorial District has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic party ( PDP)  after rejecting the party’s reported consensus arrangement ahead of the 2027 political activities.

The senator, announced his resignation in a letter addressed to party officials, citing dissatisfaction with internal decisions and the alleged imposition of candidates through a consensus process.

He maintained that the arrangement was contrary to democratic principles within the party.

The senator stressed that his return to the PDP should not be viewed as political desperation or inconsistency, but as a demonstration of responsibility and commitment to the people he represents.

“To my supporters and constituents, I ask that you see this return not as a sign of confusion, but as an act of courage and accountability. My loyalty has always been, and will always be, to the people first,” he stated

The senator expressed concern over what he described as a lack of transparency and inclusiveness in the party’s internal affairs, stressing that members should be allowed to participate freely in competitive contests rather than adopting imposed agreements.

Sources within the party said the development has generated fresh political tension in Gombe State, especially as consultations and alignments ahead of future elections continue to intensify.

The resignation is seen as another setback for the APC in the state, with political observers suggesting that the move could influence emerging alliances and future political calculations in the region.