Month: February 2025

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Islam is experiencing a remarkable rise in Japan, making it the fastest-growing religion in the country. Reports indicate that the number of Japanese Muslims has increased significantly in recent years, driven by conversions and the growing presence of Muslim expatriates.

Experts attribute this growth to increased cultural exchanges, greater awareness of Islam, and the influence of international students, workers, and businesspeople. The number of mosques in Japan has also grown, reflecting the expanding Muslim community.

“I was drawn to Islam after learning about its teachings of peace and discipline,” said Kenji Tanaka, a Japanese convert. His story mirrors that of many others who have embraced the faith.

Despite Japan’s small Muslim population compared to other nations, the steady rise in conversions and interest in Islamic teachings highlights a shift in religious dynamics within the country.

Religious scholars believe that as Japan becomes more globally connected, interest in diverse faiths, including Islam, will continue to grow.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Khadijat Omotayo, has appealed to Nigerians to refrain from criticizing the President over the removal of fuel subsidy.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday, Omotayo emphasized that Tinubu’s decision was aimed at improving the country’s economy.

The gathering was attended by various stakeholders, including market women, youth groups, labor leaders, farmers, traditional rulers, government officials, and students.

She explained that the revenue generated from the subsidy removal had been allocated to all states, and the President had already approved an increase in workers’ salaries, with further increments expected during his tenure.

Omotayo highlighted Tinubu’s commitment to national unity, pointing to her presence in Plateau, a state governed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as evidence of his willingness to work with all Nigerians.

She also praised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his efforts in fostering democracy and inclusivity.

She stated, “I don’t expect us at this point to keep attacking Mr. President, who wants dividends of democracy to go down the states. If Mr. President is a partisan politician, he won’t let me come to Plateau State, as we all know it is a PDP state. But I’m here to represent him just because he wants to carry everybody along.”

Defending the government’s policies, she noted that President Tinubu had introduced a student loan scheme benefiting all regions, allowing students to access loans without collateral.

“The students are talking about free education, and Mr. President has initiated free loans for the students. All regions are benefitting from this loan. Tell a friend to tell a friend; tell a mother to tell a brother, tell a father to tell a brother. There is a free student loan without collateral. What do you want again?” she asked.

Omotayo called on Nigerians to support the government’s initiatives and urged citizens to hold their representatives accountable rather than directing their frustrations at the President.

Governor Mutfwang, represented by the Plateau State Commissioner for Youths, Musa Ashoms, appreciated Tinubu’s support for Plateau and reiterated his administration’s commitment to development.

He stated, “Mr. President is doing a lot for us in Plateau, but like Oliver Twist, we are only asking for more. Like you said Emilokan, as Plateau State, it is our time for development.”

The town hall meeting provided an opportunity for citizens to engage with government representatives and discuss pressing national issues.

By Anas Abbas

The Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA) chapter at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), organised a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Ethical Journalism in a Polarized Society: Striking the Balance Between Truth and Responsibility.” 

The event, which took place on Saturday morning in the conference room of the University’s Faculty of Communication, attracted many students and faculty members.

The guest speaker, Mallam Aisar Salihu Musa, illuminated the critical aspects of journalism. He expressed deep concerns about the current state of journalism in Nigeria, stating, “The issue of objectivity in Nigerian journalism is a myth.” 

Malam Aisar highlighted that challenges such as editorial bias, advertorial influences, and media ownership significantly hinder the progress of journalism in the country. 

He further emphasised that journalism in Nigeria often resembles an act rather than a respected profession, especially when compared to fields like law.

Financial instability, he noted, further complicates matters, preventing journalists from adhering to ethical standards. 

To counter these challenges, Aisar urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, responsibility, and balance in their reporting. He specifically advised them to be sensitive when covering conflict and religious issues.

He also encouraged journalists to join professional bodies that offer training opportunities, which can enhance their skills and support ethical reporting in their daily work.

The lecture concluded with a call to action for aspiring journalists to uphold the integrity of their profession amidst the complexities of a polarised society.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly making significant changes at the helm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Plans are underway to replace the current Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, with Bayo Ojulari, a former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

In addition to this change, Ahmadu Musa Kida, a seasoned oil and gas professional and former Deputy Managing Director of Total Oil, is set to take over as the new Chairman of the NNPC Board. This move will see Chief Pius Akinyelure, who has been in the position since 2023, stepping down.

According to reports, Kyari will remain in office until March 1, after which Roland Ewubare, who had previously resigned amid reports of disagreements with Kyari, will assume the role of Group Chief Operating Officer.

Ojulari, who has vast experience in the oil and gas sector, has held leadership positions across Nigeria, Europe, and the Middle East. He led SNEPCo from 2015 to 2021. Kida, on the other hand, brings decades of expertise. He has worked with Total Nigeria since 1985, including serving as Deputy Managing Director for Deep Water Services and holding various board positions within the company.

The leadership overhaul is expected to bring new direction to NNPCL, with both Ojulari and Kida seen as experienced hands in the industry.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has affirmed his leadership, rejecting claims from a faction of the party. He stated that he remains the legitimate leader, as recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Ahmed confirmed that the party is operating under his leadership and the National Working Committee (NWC) inaugurated in 2022.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized that INEC officially recognizes the NNPP led by him, with its logo featuring the colors red, white, and yellow, alongside the emblem of an academic cap, symbolizing the party’s slogan, “Education for All.”

He urged Nigerians and the media to verify his leadership as listed on the INEC website.

Responding to a recent meeting organized by a faction of the party in Lagos, Dr. Ahmed dismissed it as illegal, claiming that the party had not held any meeting outside its headquarters in Abuja. He also refuted claims of the inauguration of a new leadership committee outside Abuja.

By Maryam Ahmad

Tesla is experiencing a sharp decline in sales across Europe and the UK, with analysts pointing to CEO Elon Musk’s political controversies as a key factor.

In January, Tesla sales plummeted by 59.5% in Germany compared to the previous year despite an overall rise in electric vehicle (EV) registrations. France recorded an even steeper drop of 63%, while UK sales fell by 8%, with no Tesla model ranking among the top 10 best-selling cars.

Industry experts suggest Musk’s public support for far-right figures and controversial statements have alienated European consumers, many of whom favour progressive policies. This backlash, coupled with Tesla’s ageing model lineup and delays in launching the refreshed Model Y, has led potential buyers to turn to competitors.

While Tesla remains a dominant force in the global EV market, the recent downturn underscores the growing impact of Musk’s political stance on the company’s brand and sales performance.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Government has called on stakeholders in the National Council on Education (NCE) to approve the reversal of the mother tongue policy, which mandates teaching in indigenous languages from Primary One to Six.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, made the appeal on Thursday during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting in Abuja.

Ahmad urged the council to review the national education policy, limiting the use of mother tongue to Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) and Primary One.

It was gathered that the NCE previously advocated for mother tongue instruction in the first three years of primary education to preserve Nigerian languages and strengthen foundational learning.

However, the Federal Executive Council approved full implementation in November 2022. Highlighting challenges affecting the policy’s execution, Ahmad pointed to inconsistencies in enforcement, particularly in urban areas where English is the dominant language.

She also cited Nigeria’s linguistic diversity—boasting over 500 languages—as a barrier to effective implementation.

Additionally, she noted the limited availability of instructional materials as a hindrance.

“In multilingual communities, selecting a dominant language is challenging,” she said. “Coupled with a shortage of instructional materials, the policy faces significant setbacks.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, proposed integrating secondary education into the basic education framework, extending compulsory schooling to 12 years.

He explained that this aligns with global best practices and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education.

“By making secondary education part of basic education, students will enjoy uninterrupted learning up to age 16, reducing dropout rates caused by financial and systemic barriers,” Alausa stated.

He further advocated for converting Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) to equip young Nigerians with practical skills suited to a technologically evolving world.

The meeting, attended by education commissioners from all 36 states and the FCT, also discussed the integration of a 16-year minimum admission age policy for tertiary institutions to standardize entry requirements.

By Uzair Adam

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should brace for more political attacks from him ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the mutual respect they share.

Speaking at a symposium in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 60th birthday of former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi, Shettima humorously acknowledged Atiku’s presence and recalled their political rivalry during the 2023 presidential election.

Describing himself as an “adjunct provocateur” who directed “hot shots” at Atiku during the campaign, Shettima noted that Atiku, as an elder statesman, took the criticisms in stride.

He further revealed that he often refers to Atiku as “Baba” in private conversations but emphasized that their political contest would continue in 2027.

His remarks drew laughter from the audience, with Atiku himself smiling in response.

Atiku, who ran against President Bola Tinubu and Shettima in 2023, has recently accused the current administration of undermining democracy and attempting to weaken the opposition.

He alleged that the presidency was offering N50 million to opposition parties to dilute their influence and called for a united coalition to unseat the Tinubu-led government in the next election.

In his speech, Shettima appealed for unity among political leaders, regardless of their affiliations.

“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa, and Nigeria must make or break that future. Nigeria must work for Africa to work. “I beg all our leaders here, let’s unite for the common good of our people,” he said.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu has issued a formal demand for a public apology and retraction from Naja’atu Muhammad, a renowned activist and former director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, following allegations she made in a viral TikTok video.

In the video, Muhammad asserted that during Ribadu’s tenure as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senators George Akume, and Orji Uzor Kalu of being among the most corrupt governors in Nigeria 

Ribadu, through his legal representatives, described the allegations as “false, malicious, and highly defamatory.” He insists that the accusations are an attempt to damage his reputation and discredit him in his role as the NSA. Therefore, hehas demanded an immediate and public retraction of the statements and an apology.

“This is a clear case of character assassination. The allegations are not only baseless but also deeply injurious to my reputation,” Ribadu stated through his lawyers.

However, in a recent development, Naja’atu Muhammad has declared that she will neither apologise nor retract her statements. In a media interview, she maintained her claims and dismissed Ribadu’s demand, asserting that she has the right to express her views.

The dispute has stirred political circles, with analysts emphasizing responsible public discourse. Some warn against spreading unverified claims on social media, as they can lead to serious political and legal consequences repercussions. 

Political commentators have also noted that the unfolding situation underscores the increasing tensions within Nigeria’s political space. Many are watching closely to see whether Ribadu will take further legal action or escalate the situation further.

By Suleiman Ahmed 

In today’s communication landscape, mass communication and journalism are often used interchangeably, particularly by those with little or no knowledge of both fields. This misconception leads to questions about their definitions, similarities and distinctions. While both are components of the media, they represent distinct concepts. 

Mass communication involves reaching diverse audiences through various media channels, such as radio, television, newspapers, websites, and social media. Journalism is a specific practice within mass communication that focuses on gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information.

According to Little John and Foss, mass communication is a “process whereby media organisations produce and transmit messages to a large public and the process by which those messages are sought, used, understood and influence the audience.”

McQuail states that mass communication is “only one of the processes of communication operating at the society-wide level, readily identified by its institutional characteristics.” It involves creating, transmitting, receiving, and analysing messages through mass media.

Mass communication aims to share information with a broader audience and influence societal norms, behaviour, and attitudes. It has a wider audience and covers various topics like entertainment, education, advertising, public relations, etc. Mass communication content is informative, educative, persuasive, or entertaining. It is mostly designed to capture attention, encourage specific actions, or elicit emotional responses. 

A professional in mass communication can work in various industries, including entertainment, business, politics, health, and agriculture, by creating content that will encourage the audience and serve a specific objective. Mass communication has a broad spectrum of mediums, including television, radio, newspapers, and magazines.

In contrast, journalism is a subset of mass communication. It focuses mainly on gathering and reporting news about events, issues, and topics that are of interest to the public. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) defines journalism as the “work of journalists, media workers, and social media producers who gather, process, and distribute news and related content.” 

Meanwhile, journalist Robert Niles sees journalism as a “form of writing that tells people about things that happened, but that they might not have known about already.” Journalism seeks to report the truth and provide accurate, fair, and thorough information. It includes analysis, uncovered facts, and insights into relevant stories.

Unlike mass communication, journalism encourages critical thinking and discussion among readers, listeners, and viewers. It is guided by strong ethical guidelines to ensure credibility, objectivity, and accountability. Journalism is mostly involved in reporting, editing, and producing news content for media organisations such as radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and other news platforms.

In conclusion, while mass communication and journalism are interconnected, they belong to distinct fields and have different objectives. Mass communication serves a broader purpose by Engaging a heterogeneous audience through various media to convey messages. On the other hand, journalism is a discipline dedicated to accurately reporting facts and information. Journalism plays a crucial role in informing the public and fostering democratic participation.

Suleiman Ahmed wrote from Bayero University, Kano, and can be contacted via suleson94@gmail.com.