Month: July 2025

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has appointed Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation, as the new Commissioner of Information.

This follows the removal of Professor Muhammad Sani Bello from the position.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, acknowledged Bello’s service as the pioneer Commissioner of Education and later Information Commissioner under Governor Sani’s administration.

The Governor wished Bello success in his future endeavors while welcoming Maiyaki to his new role.

No reason was given for the change.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating malaria as it officially flagged off the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign and Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) distribution in Madobi Local Government Area.

The event, held at Burji Primary Health Centre on Monday, was attended by key government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who represented the Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Governor Yusuf, in his address delivered by the Deputy Governor, said the administration remains dedicated to protecting the health and wellbeing of Kano residents, stressing that malaria elimination is a top priority in its health agenda.

This development was disclosed in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar, on Tuesday.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.

He noted that several primary health care centres have been renovated under the current administration, with free medical services now available to residents.

Dr. Labaran further stated that the Ministry of Health is committed to closely monitoring healthcare facilities to ensure effective service delivery. He assured that more health centres would benefit from similar interventions in the coming months.

The campaign is aimed at protecting thousands of children and vulnerable groups from malaria, especially during the peak transmission season.

This includes administering preventive medications and distributing insecticide-treated nets across the state.

The programme is part of broader reforms in the health sector, targeting improved outcomes through preventive care and increased access to essential services.

By Anas Abbas

In recent weeks, Nigerian students across various universities have expressed growing frustration over the delayed disbursement of their upkeep allowances, a situation that has exacerbated the financial challenges many face amidst a struggling economy.

The Daily reality gathered that the upkeep allowance which is intended to support students with living expenses, has become a critical lifeline for those relying on it to cover basic needs such as food and transportation.

The Situation on Campus

Reports from Bayero university, Kano indicates that students are increasingly vocal about their plight.

On social media platforms,the students are commenting that the nelfund should disburse their stipend on a regular release.

“The NELFUND upkeep issue has become increasingly concerning, raising doubts about the program’s sustainability due to poor scheduling and inconsistency. Many students rely heavily on these allowances for their food and transportation, and the delays have caused significant hardship,” expressed Yusuf Aminu, a final-year student.

Adamu Muhammad expressed to the Daily Reality that NELFUND should disburse stipends to students on a monthly basis, rather than at arbitrary intervals.

Since it is intended as a monthly allowance, payments should not be made at the discretion of the program.

The current method of distributing student upkeep funds falls short of acceptable standards. “How can upkeep be paid two months or more after it’s due? This is an issue that officials must address urgently.Many students rely entirely on NELFUND, using the stipend to cover essential needs,” he said.

Economic Context

The concerns raised by students come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges. Inflation rates have soared, leading to increased prices for food and other essentials within the compusMany students report having to skip meals or rely on loans from friends to make ends meet while waiting for their allwances.

Nelfund Response

The Daily Reality reached out to the NELFUND office via email and phone but has yet to receive a response.Looking AheadAs students continue to voice their concerns, there are calls for greater accountability and transparency. Student Union government is urging students to be patient.

In a short interview, the Student Union Government (SUG) of Bayero University Kano (BUK) assured the Daily Reality that students should remain patient as the union is actively working to ensure the timely disbursement of their stipends.

“Last week, several universities received their monthly allowances, and we anticipate that Bayero University will receive their upkeep this week,” the SUG representative stated.

“If the allowances are not released by the end of the week, we will send a delegation from the SUG to the NELFUND office in Abuja to address the issue directly,” he added.

As the situation develops, it is clear that addressing these concerns will be crucial not only for the well-being of Nigerian students but also for the future of education in the country.

By Muazu Malami Mabera

In the realm of development communication, we have learned that successful project implementation hinges on a thorough understanding of a community’s norms and values. Engaging stakeholders is paramount to ensure that objectives align with the genuine needs of the people, rather than assumptions made by outsiders.

Many, including the Sokoto State Government have mistakenly narrowed the challenges facing Mabera to the mere lack of roads and gutters. While the dilapidated road infrastructure is indeed a pressing issue, it is far from the only one. Our community grapples with multiple, interrelated challenges that require urgent attention.

One of the most critical issues is access to potable drinking water. Residents often find themselves purchasing water from barrow pushers, paying between ₦150 and ₦200 per jerrycan. For medium-class families, this can amount to over ₦2,000 daily, as they may consume an entire barrow of water. Despite the recent commissioning of a new water project in the Tamaje/Dambuwa area, Mabera has yet to benefit from these developments.

Another significant concern is the imbalance in political representation at the state level. Mabera constitutes nearly 50% of the population in Sokoto South Local Government, yet we have never produced a single commissioner. This disparity is not due to a lack of qualified individuals; rather, it stems from systemic issues related to power-sharing and equity at the state level. Other areas have managed to produce two or three commissioners simultaneously, highlighting the inequity faced by our community.

Moreover, Mabera has long been overdue for an elevation in its traditional leadership structure. For decades, we have been governed by a ward head, despite the fact that Mabera has now been divided into nearly seven distinct areas:Mabera Fulani,Mabera Gidan Dahala, Mabera Iddi,Mabera Gidan Jariri,Mabera Tsohon Gida,Mabera Kantin Sani and Mabera Jelani.

Currently, all these areas fall under the jurisdiction of a single head known as Magajin Mabera. We urge the relevant authorities to consider this matter seriously and take necessary actions to establish a district head for fair and effective traditional governance.

Ultimately, it is essential to recognize that while infrastructure improvements such as roads and gutters are important, they do not address the full spectrum of issues facing Mabera. A holistic approach that considers our community’s diverse needs is crucial for sustainable development.

Muazu Malami Mabera
Email: muazumabera@gmail.com

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A new report by the Big Tent coalition, a political reform group, reveals that rural poverty in Nigeria has deteriorated to levels worse than at independence in 1960, with 75% of rural Nigerians trapped in chronic poverty.

The study, led by political economist Prof. Pat Utomi, highlights severe hunger, insecurity, and failing infrastructure, accusing the political class of prioritizing “power and propaganda over purpose.”

“Walk the streets of Ibadan or Maiduguri, and you’ll see the new destitution,” the 14-page report stated. It noted that 30 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity, with rural resilience destroyed by neglect and violence.

The report condemned government spending on projects like new presidential jets and the Lagos-Calabar highway while millions suffer.

It warned of collapsing trust in leadership, citing a grassroots survey showing citizens are “angry and hungry.”

Agriculture, once Nigeria’s economic backbone, now suffers a N1.04 trillion trade deficit, with farmers crippled by insecurity and poor policies.

The coalition urged urgent reforms, including university-led farming programs and regional industrialization.

With Nigeria’s debt rising and corruption unchecked, the Big Tent called for digitized elections and balanced budget laws.

“We are mortgaging the future,” the report warned.

“The state of our nation is terrifying,” Utomi said. “Citizens must reclaim the public square—this is the urgency of now.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed bandits have killed at least 130 security personnel, including police officers, soldiers, and members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps, in a series of violent attacks.

Nasir Muazu, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the casualties in a statement on Monday.

He said over 100 officers of the state-backed Community Watch Corps and more than 30 policemen had been killed, alongside several soldiers.

Muazu condemned social media mockery of the fallen officers, stating that their sacrifices demonstrated the government’s commitment to tackling banditry.

He assured that the state was providing support to victims’ families and rescued persons.

The commissioner urged citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports, emphasizing that security operations in remote forest areas require time and coordination.

He noted that the Katsina Community Watch Corps was established to assist in such challenging terrains.

While acknowledging improvements in security since Governor Dikko Radda took office in 2023, Muazu admitted that bandit attacks persist in some areas, including Faskari, Kankara, and Matazu.

He called for public support and prayers to sustain the fight against insecurity.

By Sabiu Abdullah

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, visited the State House Press Gallery in Abuja on Monday, July 27, 2025, to pay tribute to the late Dr. Leon Usigbe, the Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune.

During the visit, which took place in a solemn atmosphere, CGC Adeniyi signed the condolence register opened by the State House Press Corps.

He described the late journalist as “a seasoned professional who carried out his duties with rare depth, integrity, and commitment to the ideals of journalism.”Clearly emotional, Adeniyi expressed the deep sense of loss felt by the media and broader society.

In his words, “We have lost a giant in the media landscape. Dr. Usigbe was a journalist of uncommon excellence whose dedication to truth and fairness made him a reference point for many in the profession.”

Known for promoting open engagement with the press, CGC Adeniyi extended his sympathies to Dr. Usigbe’s family, colleagues in the State House Press Corps, and the management of the Nigerian Tribune.

He encouraged them to draw strength from the life and values the late journalist embodied.Dr. Usigbe was widely regarded as one of the most respected political correspondents in the country.

His career was marked by sharp analysis and fearless reporting on governance and public affairs.

His death has triggered a wave of tributes from government officials, media professionals, and civic voices, all recognizing the void left by his absence.

The condolence register has continued to receive messages from high-ranking officials, veteran journalists, and friends, underscoring the influence Dr. Usigbe had in shaping ethical journalism and public discourse in Nigeria.

His legacy remains a beacon for professionalism and integrity in the field.

By Uzair Adam

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has expressed deep concern over what it described as a sharp rise in attacks on media freedom and civic expression in Nigeria, particularly the misuse of the Cybercrime Act by law enforcement agencies to intimidate and penalize journalists and government critics.

The concern was raised in a mid-term assessment report of President Bola Tinubu’s administration released on Monday.

Titled “The Onslaught Intensifies: A Mid-term Assessment Report on Media Freedom under the Tinubu Administration,” the report documents 141 cases of attacks on journalists, media workers, and citizens between May 29, 2023, and May 29, 2025, for peacefully expressing their views on issues such as governance, economic challenges, and security.

According to MRA, 61 of these incidents—representing over 43%—were carried out by personnel of the Nigeria Police, while the Department of State Services (DSS) was responsible for seven cases.

Together, the two agencies accounted for nearly half of all recorded violations.

The report held the Tinubu-led government responsible for these abuses, citing Principle 20(5) of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which holds states accountable for violations committed by law enforcement and other state actors against media practitioners.

In the report’s preface, MRA’s Executive Director, Edetaen Ojo, highlighted the use of repressive laws like the Cybercrime Act to suppress journalists, alongside politically motivated sanctions, arbitrary arrests, surveillance, and censorship of government-owned media outlets.

Ojo described the report as a necessary intervention amid growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic values, stressing that its goal is not just to criticize but to document and analyze the government’s impact on freedom of expression.

Among the report’s most troubling revelations is the continued abuse of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act (2015), which has been frequently used to arrest, detain, and prosecute journalists and social media users for online expressions deemed critical of the government.

The report documented several such cases, including the arrests of Emmanuel Uti of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), blogger Destiny Ekhorutomuen in Edo State, four staff members of Informant247 in Kwara State, lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, and others who faced harsh bail conditions or prolonged detention.

MRA noted that international concern over the misuse of the Act reached a peak in June 2025, when the Heads of Mission of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Finland issued a joint statement condemning the Nigerian government’s abuse of the law and calling for urgent reforms.

The report also criticized the government’s treatment of peaceful protests as criminal acts, pointing out cases where even minors were charged with treason—a capital offence—for simply demonstrating.

Journalists covering such protests were often brutalized, detained, or had their equipment confiscated or destroyed, with no perpetrators brought to justice.

Commenting on the report’s release, MRA’s Communications Officer, Idowu Adewale, described it as troubling that President Tinubu—once a pro-democracy activist and media proprietor—is now at the helm of an administration increasingly defined by repression.

The organization called on all stakeholders, including media professionals, civil society, the judiciary, the legislature, and international partners, to pressure the Nigerian government into enacting reforms that protect media freedom, free expression, and democratic principles.

By Khairat Suleiman

Physical attractiveness is recognised as one of the strongest societal currencies, with research suggesting it fosters confidence and can translate into personal and professional success for many women. 

A 2023 study from the Journal of Social Psychology found that attractive individuals are perceived as more competent in initial social interactions, particularly in image-driven industries, which can be especially relevant in contexts like that of the Hausa/Fulani parts of Northern Nigeria, where cultural norms often emphasise appearance in social and marital roles. However, this focus can overshadow the importance of education, skills, and intellectual growth.

Consider the 2022 case of 5-year-old Hanifa from Kano State, who was tragically murdered by her head teacher tragically murdered. Her death sparked temporary outrage on social media, with behavioural psychologists attributing much of the reaction to her good looks, as noted in various analyses. This example, while digressive, highlights how attractiveness influences societal perceptions, even in tragic contexts.

While beauty can open doors, overemphasising it often has consequences. A 2025 LinkedIn report highlighted that women with advanced skills in fields such as technology, finance, or leadership earn 20-30% more than those relying on appearance-based roles, which often have shorter career spans. Investing in intellectual and professional growth not only leads to personal fulfilment but also challenges societal expectations, with confidence from career milestones being just as enduring, if not more, than that from physical enhancements.

Social media plays a vital role in promoting beauty standards over career-focused content. A 2024 analysis of TikTok content revealed that posts about Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), Botox, and skin bleaching receive millions of views, often outpacing career-focused content. Influencers promote these aesthetic procedures by sharing recovery tips and glowing results, which normalise and glamorise them. 

Meanwhile, women sharing career advice, skill-building tips, or educational opportunities are underrepresented, with a search for “career growth for women” on Instagram yielding fewer than 10% of the results compared to “beauty tips.” This imbalance creates a feedback loop, bombarding young women with messages prioritising looks over substance.

In the Hausa/Fulani parts of Northern Nigeria, career women face additional challenges due to stereotypes that suggest women’s value lies primarily in their appearance, undermining their professional and intellectual capabilities and hindering progress toward gender equality. An example is a female broadcaster from an international radio station who was ‘praised’ for her beauty while her professional qualities were ignored, with viewers even bullying and discrediting other broadcasters with equally laudable professional qualities for not meeting the ‘attractiveness’ standards. These stereotypes are rooted in cultural norms, thus often confining women to domestic roles and limiting their participation in many life-changing activities.

We need to amplify platforms and role models that celebrate diverse definitions of success. We need more women sharing skill-building resources, career tips, or educational opportunities, rather than BBLs, Botox, aphrodisiacs, and skin bleaching, which have surged in popularity. Self-care isn’t inherently harmful; the key is balance. Looking good should complement, not overshadow, a woman’s intelligence and abilities.

Khairat Suleiman can be reached via khairatsuleh@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced the trial of Mr. Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alongside three others, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The trial began on Monday, July 21, 2025, before Justice R.M. Aikawa, with the defendants facing charges bordering on fraudulent estacode payments and abuse of public office during their tenure in government service.

At the opening of the proceedings, the prosecution presented three witnesses—Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf, and Mr. Samuel Aruwan—all former senior officials in the Kaduna State Government.

While giving her testimony, Mrs. Kalil, who served as Attorney-General of Kaduna State from 2019 to 2023, told the court that tuition fees for all foreign training she attended were paid directly by the state government to the respective institutions.

She added that estacode allowances were, however, paid into her personal Guaranty Trust Bank account.She confirmed receiving over N5 million in estacode payments but clarified that none of the funds came from the first defendant, Mr. Lawal.

She also stated that the total tuition fees for the training programs amounted to \$9,100.

The court admitted various documents in evidence, including her bank statements, official approvals for foreign training, and training certificates.