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By Uzair Adam

An Abuja High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of a cleric, Amos Isah, over allegations of defiling a minor, pending the verification of an earlier bail granted to him.

Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi directed that Isah, who is the founder and General Overseer of Prophetic Voice of Fire Ministry International in Gwagwalada, be held at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory.

The prosecution alleged that the cleric lured a 14-year-old girl to his office within the church premises, where the offence was committed.

According to the prosecution, the charges contravene Sections 3, 4, and 14 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.

The court gave the remand order after the defendant pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge bordering on defilement.

Isah was initially arrested in June 2025 and arraigned on July 22, 2025, before a vacation judge, Justice J.E. Obanor, at a High Court in Maitama, where he also pleaded not guilty.

The case was later reassigned to Justice Osho-Adebiyi on March 11 following an application by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana.

At the resumed hearing, the defence counsel, O.U. Sule (SAN), informed the court that his client had earlier been granted bail by another court.

However, Justice Osho-Adebiyi noted that no record of the bail or details of the sureties had been presented.

“His record of surety is not before the court; if I tell him to go, who am I releasing him to?” the judge queried.

Sule urged the court to release the defendant on self-recognition, but the request was declined.

He subsequently made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution counsel, who cited engagement in another court proceeding.

The judge further observed that neither the sureties nor their documentation were before the court, making it difficult to consider the request.

“The defendant is hereby remanded in the correctional centre pending his bail determination,” Justice Osho-Adebiyi ruled.

The court directed the defence to notify the registrar once all necessary bail documents are ready and adjourned the matter until June 30 for the commencement of trial.

Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The growing wave of unemployment across Nigeria has become a national emergency. As factories shut down and skilled workers idle away, one pressing question divides opinion: Is the unemployment crisis a failure of governance or a reflection of national weakness?

In Kaduna State alone, once-thriving industrial giants have gone under. They include:

1· Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL)

2· Arewa Textiles Nigeria Limited

3· Finetex Nigeria, Kaduna

4· Supertex Nigeria Limited

5· United Nigerian Textiles Limited (UNTL)

6· Nortex Textile, Kaduna

7· Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN)

8· Kaduna Aluminum Limited

9· New Nigerian Newspapers

All these companies are no longer in operation — a stark testament to decades of decline.

Key factors fueling the crisis:

Power supply collapse: Unreliable electricity has crippled production, forcing many manufacturers to fold under high operating costs from diesel generators.

Lack of government support: There has been insufficient credit, tax relief, or infrastructure support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Policy inconsistency: Frequent changes in import, export, and labour policies discourage long-term investment.

Neglect of industrial zones: Many industrial layouts lack roads, security, and drainage, making revival unattractive.

So who is to blame?

Government’s role: Critics argue that successive administrations have failed to provide stable electricity, access to loans, or a business-friendly environment. The collapse of Kaduna’s textile sector, once the pride of northern Nigeria, is often cited as proof of official neglect.

National weakness (Al’ummar kasa): Others point to a culture of dependency, low productivity, poor maintenance habits, and corruption in both public and private sectors. They argue that even when policies improve, implementation fails due to weak civic responsibility and skill gaps.

The unemployment crisis is neither purely a government problem nor entirely a national failing — it is a vicious cycle. Poor governance weakens national capacity, and a weak national character (e.g., lack of accountability) makes good governance difficult. Breaking the cycle requires urgent action on electricity, industrial policy, and a reorientation of citizens toward productivity and accountability.

Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini can be reached via abdulalgasqaini@gmail.com

By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi

As political parties in the country gear up to conduct primary elections in preparation for the 2027 general elections, they should ensure strict adherence to the laid-down procedures put in place by electoral acts and those of their parties to avoid further internal wranglings and legal tussles that will ultimately harm the party’s chances of winning the election or maintaining victory in courts. 

The process adopted by some political parties in some states for selecting the party’s flag bearers for different posts exposes how stakeholders underestimate voters’ power by fielding candidates who are far below the electorate’s goodwill and requirements for winning elections. 

The electoral acts recognise only two processes that political parties can follow in conducting primary elections: direct primaries, which allow party card-carrying members to elect their candidates, or consensus, which allows contestants to withdraw their contests and announce their support for one person among themselves. 

As seen in many states that adopt the consensus process in selecting their candidates and the issues that followed so far, it is clear that stakeholders neglect the powers of voters by anointing persons with questionable political values as their preferred candidates without considering the legal implications of such decisions (remember Zamfara state) or the electoral values of the persons they selected.

If public acceptance and popularity are the selling points of any politician, then some candidates do not possess the qualities of a counsellor, but present themselves as gubernatorial aspirants, either because they can afford the nomination forms and want to trend and remain relevant in the scheme of things or because they are playing a deceitful game in the event of joining the negotiations table.

While appealing for a peaceful conduct of free and fair process from the remaining political parties that are yet to conduct their primaries, they should also be mindful of the people they will present for elections, as winning elections do not limited to the platform (political party), it is about goodwill, clear and practicable manifesto and the electoral values of the persons they presented as their flag bearers. 

To the electorate, they should ensure their voter cards are accessible. To those who do not possess the ‘electoral weapon’, the third phase of the Continued Voter Registration (CVR) will commence today, Monday, 11th May 2026, and end on Friday, 10th July 2026. During this period, eligible citizens who have reached the age of 18, as well as those who were unable to register in earlier phases, should seize this opportunity to do so.

We at the Initiatives for Sustainable Development (I4SD) are committed to ensuring free, fair and peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections in the country. 

Isyaka Laminu Badamasi is of No 555, Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Kano-based lecturer, Malam Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, has criticised political leaders in Northern Nigeria over the security and socio-economic problems facing the region.

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, Lawan accused governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives of failing to address the plight of the people despite recurring cases of killings and insecurity.

“All the problems facing Northern Nigeria were caused by corrupt governors, senators and representatives! No matter what happens, none of them cares!” he wrote.

The lecturer lamented what he described as the lack of accountability among political office holders, alleging that repeated killings across the region are often treated lightly by leaders.

“One hundred people are killed, seventy are killed, fifty are killed, even if one thousand people are killed, to them it is only a mistake,” he stated.

Lawan also alleged that politicians react more strongly when they are criticised by citizens, especially young people, than when lives are lost.

“But if a young person insults a governor, senator or representative even once, that is not considered a mistake. And the young person must be punished,” he added.

He further accused public officials of prioritising personal interests above public welfare.

“They only care about themselves and protecting their pockets! May God bring improvement!” the post concluded.

The remarks have attracted reactions on social media, with users debating the state of governance and insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has cautioned United States President Donald Trump that any wrong move on the Taiwan issue could damage ties between both countries and possibly trigger conflict.

The warning came on Thursday as the two leaders met in Beijing for a high-profile summit that focused on trade, security and regional tensions.

Trump arrived in China with warm remarks for his host. He described Xi as a “great leader” and “friend”. The American president also invited the Chinese leader to visit the White House in September.

Despite the cordial atmosphere at the start of the meeting, Xi made it clear that Taiwan remains Beijing’s top concern in relations with Washington.

“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” Xi said, according to remarks released by Chinese state media after the talks began.

“If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” he added.

The discussions between both leaders reportedly lasted for two hours and 15 minutes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi also urged both nations to maintain cooperation instead of rivalry. He said China and the United States “should be partners and not rivals”.

Trump, who is facing domestic pressure over the ongoing conflict involving Iran, described the summit as highly significant.

“There are those who say this may be the biggest summit ever,” Trump said during brief remarks after a welcoming ceremony in Beijing.

The ceremony featured an honour guard and children waving flowers and flags to welcome the American delegation.

According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xi told Trump that earlier negotiations between Chinese and American economic officials in South Korea produced “balanced and positive outcomes”.

Al Jazeera correspondent Katrina Yu, who reported from Beijing, said Chinese authorities appeared willing to manage disagreements with Washington on several issues, including trade, Iran and technology.

However, she noted that Taiwan remains a red line for Beijing.

“But there is one issue China and President Xi cannot be flexible on. That is Taiwan,” Yu said.

“And everything that Beijing has offered in the last few hours – niceties, friendliness, reaching out a hand to cooperate more closely – is not free and is conditional on one thing: Washington accepts that there is only one China and that Beijing is very serious about getting Taiwan under its control.”

By Muhammad Abubakar 

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has expanded its monitoring of pro-Palestinian activism by adding the watermelon symbol to its official list of extremist and antisemitic indicators under specific conditions.

According to an agency report titled “Hidden Messages – Antisemitic Codes and Ciphers,” the watermelon motif is now flagged when used by activists to outline the geographic map of Palestine.

Authorities state that using the fruit’s shape to replace the borders of Israel acts as a “bridge narrative” that effectively denies Israel’s right to exist. 

The update was published alongside a re-classification of the slogan “From the river to the sea,” which German security officials view as a call for the elimination of the Jewish state.

The watermelon has historically served as an international symbol of Palestinian solidarity, utilising its red, green, black, and white colours to mirror the Palestinian flag. 

Pro-Palestinian networks have criticised the intelligence dossier, arguing that the security agency is conflating peaceful political expression with hate speech to suppress solidarity movements. 

Regional authorities, beginning with Bavaria, are expected to use the updated BfV guidelines to increase surveillance and tighten restrictions on public demonstrations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigeria’s newly appointed Ambassador to China, Lieutenant General Abdurrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), made a poignant return to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) on Wednesday, promising that his new diplomatic role would not sever his ties with the institution he helped build.

During his farewell visit to the Centre in Abuja, the former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior clarified that the meeting was not a goodbye, but a strategic consultation.

“I am still a member of the Board of Trustees,” the Ambassador stated. He explained that his mission is to leverage his new position to foster bilateral partnerships between Chinese institutions and NARC, particularly in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other critical sectors.

Receiving him, the Director General of NARC, Major General J.G.K. Myam (rtd), described the moment as historic yet emotional. He lauded Dambazau’s years of unwavering support and immense contributions to the Centre’s growth, adding that while his physical presence would be missed, his national calling deserved applause.

“You have been a committed supporter,” General Myam said, presenting the Ambassador with a souvenir after Dambazau signed the Centre’s Visitors’ Book.

The event, which ended with a group photograph at the TY Buratai Block, was attended by top directors, research fellows, and military personnel, who all wished the new envoy success in Beijing.

By Anas Abbas

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced a major adjustment to university admission requirements, revealing that Mathematics will no longer be compulsory for admission into several courses in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

This was disclosed by JAMB’s Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority programme, “Good Morning Nigeria.”

According to him, the new policy means candidates seeking admission into certain courses will no longer be required to have Mathematics as part of their entry requirements, except for disciplines where the subject remains essential.

Benjamin explained that Mathematics would still be compulsory for courses that are science-based, engineering-related and other programmes that require strong numerical knowledge.

The JAMB spokesperson noted that the adjustment is part of ongoing efforts aimed at making admission processes more flexible and aligned with the requirements of different academic disciplines.

The policy is expected to affect candidates seeking admission into universities across the country, particularly those applying for arts, humanities and some social science courses.

Further details on the specific courses affected by the new requirement are expected to be released by JAMB.

By Anwar Usman 

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested Mustapha Abdullahi, the DG of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, on allegations of money laundering and related offences.

A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that the DG was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the commission’s custody.

According to the source, the alleged fraud involves funds estimated at N500bn.

“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He was arrested and is currently in our custody. The money is to the tune of N500bn,” the official said.

The Daily Reality gathered that efforts to get confirmation from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

On October 24, 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

By Muhd El-Bonga Ibraheem

Founded in 2022 as the first private university in Gombe State, North-Eastern University has rapidly emerged as one of the most ambitious and forward-looking institutions in Northern Nigeria. The university was established to bridge several educational gaps, and since its inception, it has continued to grow from strength to strength across nearly all facets of academic and institutional development. 

In barely a few years, the university has distinguished itself through academic excellence, infrastructural expansion, research, technological innovation, and professional accreditation, positioning Gombe State as an emerging hub for higher education and specialised professional training.

Most notably among its many milestones, the university recently recorded a landmark achievement with the successful securing of full accreditation for its Architecture programme by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). This accreditation confirms that the programme meets the national professional standards for architectural education in Nigeria and enables graduates to proceed toward professional registration as architects. More significantly, North-Eastern University, Gombe, following my recent interaction with its Deputy Vice Chancellor—my brother, Prof. Sani Isyaka—is currently the only university in the entire North East region with full ARCON accreditation, and one of only three universities in northern Nigeria to possess this distinction. This milestone places both the institution and Gombe State at the forefront of architectural education and built-environment training in the region.

Additionally, although still in its fledgling stage, the university has demonstrated an admirable pace of growth and institutional development. For instance, it was the first among the newly licensed private universities to commence academic activities in the 2022/2023 academic session and quickly became the first institution to fully implement the National Universities Commission’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). This magnificent feat subsequently earned the university a Gold Medal for successfully completing all CCMAS development stages within its first year of operation, alongside a distinction rating in the NUC’s Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education trainings.

Today, thanks to persistent efforts, the university runs 27 undergraduate programmes across four faculties, 16 departments, 7 directorates, 1 academy, and 2 centres, all approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Over the years, the young university has witnessed an exponential rise in enrolment, with its diverse student population across many strata of society growing rapidly to about 2,000 undergraduates, making it one of the fastest-growing private universities in the North East sub-region. To accommodate these growing numbers, the university recently passed a resource verification exercise by the NUC for the creation of new, highly sought-after undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence and Information Systems, as well as a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D).

What particularly sets the institution apart is its investment in research and specialised facilities. Recently, the university established the Centre for African Medicinal Plants Research, equipped with advanced laboratories dedicated to natural products research, microbiology, synthesis, and pharmaceutical formulation. It also houses specialised scientific facilities rarely found in many universities across the country.

Given the pervasive rise in technology integration, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, the institution has equally prioritised technology-driven learning and global academic engagement. Through its CISCO Academy and the adoption of the Octopus Learning Management System, the university has embraced blended learning supported by several online learning platforms. It has also established research and academic collaborations with globally recognised institutions, including the University of Surrey, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and several others across Africa and beyond.

As a mark of excellence, following several tours whenever I visit the school, the university equally boasts of fully furnished lecture halls, auditoria, solar-powered electricity, science laboratories, Mass Communication studios, an Architecture studio, Moot Court facilities, modern hostels, ICT centres, and the state-of-the-art Justice Abubakar Jauro Law Library. Nonetheless, ongoing campus expansion projects, beautification initiatives, and student-friendly facilities further reinforce its commitment to creating a modern academic environment.

In many respects, the rise of North-Eastern University symbolises the growing educational and intellectual aspirations of the North East sub-region. Through strategic investment in quality education, research, infrastructure, and professional standards, the university is increasingly building a reputation as one of Nigeria’s emerging centres of academic excellence. 

With the massive development the university has experienced in virtually all dimensions over the past few years, amid sustained momentum of outstanding achievements, the university aims to achieve the founder’s long-term vision of becoming one of the best universities in Nigeria within the next 10 to 15 years.

El-Bonga can be reached via miabba40@gmail.com.