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By Anwar Usman

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law four landmark bills that establish new agencies designed to strengthen institutional frameworks and accelerate sustainable development across the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The new laws provide for the establishment of the Kano State Protection Agency, the Signage and Advertisement Agency, the Information and Communication Technologies Development Agency, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

According to the statement, these laws, which are now part of the Kano State legal framework, are expected to stimulate innovation, support small businesses, regulate signage and advertising, and enhance public protection and service delivery.

The governor described the signing as a significant step toward realising his administration’s vision of a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant Kano.

He reiterated that the new agencies will play a vital role in job creation, investment attraction, and the efficient implementation of government initiatives.

“Our mission is to lay a solid foundation for a greater Kano. These laws go beyond policy — they are key instruments of transformation that will help drive our development agenda,” the governor stated.

The governor further warns that, violations of the provisions of these laws would attract strict penalties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance.

The establishment of these agencies reflects Yusuf’s continued efforts to reform public institutions, improve governance, and position Kano as a leading centre for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.

By Lawal Dahiru Mamman

In countries where governance works in favour of the people, citizens always look forward to progress and innovation. In contrast, Nigeria often clings to nostalgia, with many, including those who never lived through certain eras, romanticising what they fondly call the “good old days.”

Believing that the past was always better than the present, some advocate for a return to free education and overseas scholarships. Others yearn for the days of kobo coins, arguing that Nigeria’s economy thrived when they were in circulation and the naira held strong against the almighty dollar.

The era of Native Authorities, which largely financed itself through poll taxes and prioritised education, is also missed. Back then, local administrators ensured students were transported to and from school dormitories at the beginning and end of each term, reinforcing a system that valued structured governance and community welfare.

These administrative units, established under British colonial rule, eventually led to local governments (LGs). Initially, the LGs performed well, maintaining orderly markets, paying teachers’ salaries, and addressing essential grassroots needs.

However, over time, they lost autonomy and are now seen as mere appendages of state governments. Recognised as the most crucial level of governance due to their proximity to the people, successive administrations have made efforts to grant LGs full autonomy.

Yet, these efforts have consistently faced resistance. In 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan declared his commitment to local government autonomy, emphasising that meaningful national development was impossible without functional local councils.

He argued that empowering LGs would have mitigated the rising insecurity. Jonathan also opposed the state-local government joint account, insisting that councils had a pivotal role in his administration’s “Transformation Agenda.”

At one point, he took legal steps to actualise this vision, but the dream of LG autonomy remained unrealised. Former President Muhammadu Buhari also pursued this goal. In May 2020, he signed an Executive Order granting financial autonomy to the judiciary, legislature, and local government councils.

Experts hailed this as a landmark move toward a more people-centred governance structure. Buhari’s rationale was grounded in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates LGs to oversee primary, adult, and vocational education, develop agriculture and natural resources (excluding mineral exploitation), and maintain key public services.

Their responsibilities also include street naming, house numbering, waste disposal, public convenience maintenance, and the registration of births, deaths, and marriages—basic yet crucial civic functions that remain poorly executed in today’s Nigeria.

Additionally, LGs are tasked with assessing and collecting tenement rates, regulating outdoor advertising, and overseeing public health and alcohol control. However, despite Buhari’s efforts, his administration’s push for LG autonomy, much like Jonathan’s, ultimately failed.

Now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finds himself at the center of this enduring struggle. He successfully secured a Supreme Court victory affirming LGs’ constitutional rights and their role in advancing grassroots governance.

He hailed the judgment as a win for democracy. However, what initially appeared to be an achievement began to feel like a setback. Many believe that state governors, who have long controlled local government resources, are deliberately frustrating the implementation of this autonomy for personal gain.

The requirement that LGs must conduct elections to receive direct allocations has further complicated the issue, as state governments continue to manipulate the process to maintain dominance.

By its very nature, local government should be the most accessible level of governance, open to all—from the ordinary citizen who walks barefoot to the community leader who mobilises residents for communal projects.

Yet, it has become a political chessboard where governors install their loyalists as council chairmen or caretakers, reducing them to mere appendages rather than independent administrators. Governors have historically played a decisive role in shaping Nigeria’s presidential politics.

With the 2027 elections casting a long shadow, party defections and quiet coalition-building are underway. This leaves Tinubu in a precarious position: will he stand firm on his commitment to full LG autonomy for sustainable economic development, or will he yield to political pressures and look the other way as 2027 approaches?

The battle for local government autonomy remains unfinished. The question now is whether Tinubu will see it through or let history repeat itself.

Lawal Dahiru Mamman writes from Abuja and can be reached via dahirulawal90@gmail.com.

By Anas Abbas

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kaduna State University (ASUU-KASU), has officially commenced an industrial action today, marking the beginning of a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike.

In a statement released by the Publicity Committee of ASUU-KASU, the union outlined a series of actions that must be observed during the strike. These include the suspension of all Senate, Faculty, and Department meetings, as well as the cessation of project supervision and both physical and online lectures.

Additionally, the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) will not be subject to project defences, field studies, or supervision. 

The union has also prohibited online meetings and mandated that no Continuous Assessment (C.A.) or examination scripts be marked. The processing and submission of results are also on hold, alongside any standing committee meetings.

ASUU-KASU has urged all members to adhere strictly to these directives. The union emphasised that any non-compliance or attempts to infringe upon the strike actions should be reported immediately to the Strike Monitoring Committee (SMC) at the ASUU-KASU Secretariat on the Main Campus.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip, in a rare and direct rebuke of the group.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Abbas said that Hamas’s actions had not only deepened the suffering of Palestinians but also provided Israel with “excuses to commit its crimes.”

“Hamas must take responsibility for its decisions and the consequences they have brought upon our people,” Abbas said. “They must release all hostages and step aside to allow for national unity and reconstruction.”

The statement comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza and heightened international pressure to reach a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis. Abbas’s remarks reflect growing tensions between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007.

There was no immediate response from Hamas to the comments.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a moment of pride for the Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun on Tuesday received Sergeant Peter Theophilus Tanko at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement in China.

Sergeant Tanko, who is attached to the INTERPOL Section of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), recently completed a five-year law degree in the People’s Republic of China, emerging as the best graduating student at Jiangsu Police Institute. His journey began with a year-long Chinese language course at Nanjing Normal University.

As a result of his academic excellence, Tanko was selected to deliver the valedictory speech for all international students at the convocation ceremony held in June 2023.

The IGP commended Tanko’s dedication and discipline, describing his success as a testament to the potential within the Force. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting officers in the pursuit of education and professional development.

Egbetokun also urged police personnel across the country to emulate Sergeant Tanko’s example by embracing self-development, adding that intellectual growth is key to the Force’s overall success.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported a revenue collection of ₦1.75 trillion for the first quarter of 2025, surpassing its target of ₦1.645 trillion by ₦106.5 billion.

This marks a performance rate of 106.47%.

Speaking in Abuja on the agency’s performance, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to achieving its annual revenue target of ₦6.58 trillion.

“Let me summarize where we stand after Q1: We’ve collected ₦1.75 trillion despite economic headwinds, intercepted ₦7.7 billion worth of smuggled goods, and rolled out practical solutions like the B’Odogwu platform. The numbers show we’re delivering,” he stated.

He noted that this revenue represents a 29.96% increase compared to the ₦1.34 trillion recorded in the same period of 2024.

A month-by-month analysis revealed steady growth, with January generating ₦647.88 billion—18.12% above its target and a 65.77% rise year-on-year.

In February, revenue totaled ₦540.1 billion, exceeding projections by 1.3% and showing a 19.97% increase from the previous year.

March continued the upward trend with ₦563.52 billion, surpassing its target by 2.7% and reflecting an 11.22% growth over March 2024.

“The 29.96% annual increase and steady monthly collections confirm our strategy is working. We’ll maintain this momentum through rigorous enforcement and strengthened partnerships,” Adeniyi added.

On anti-smuggling efforts, he revealed that NCS recorded 298 seizures in the first quarter, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦7.69 billion.

This represents a 78.41% increase from the ₦4.31 billion recorded in Q4 2024, though it remains 19.70% lower than Q1 2024’s ₦9.58 billion.

Adeniyi acknowledged exchange rate fluctuations as a major challenge during the quarter.

“During Q1 2025, we recorded 62 changes in the exchange rate, ranging from a minimum of ₦1,477.72 to a maximum of ₦1,569.53 per USD, with an average rate of ₦1,521.59,” he explained.

He expressed appreciation for the dedication of NCS officers, emphasizing their role in the agency’s success.

“Your commitment continues to drive our achievements and reinforces our position as a critical institution in Nigeria’s economic and security architecture.

“We also acknowledge the support of the Federal Government, particularly His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, for their guidance and enabling environment that have facilitated our operations.

“To our stakeholders – the trading community, partner government agencies, and international partners – we appreciate your cooperation and constructive engagement. We remain committed to fostering these relationships as we work together to advance Nigeria’s trade interests and economic development.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has directed an immediate review of Nigeria’s security strategy.

He also demanded urgent action to halt the rising violence in Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara states.

During a two-hour meeting with security chiefs at the State House in Abuja, the President condemned the killings of innocent Nigerians, declaring, “Enough is enough.”

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed that the President ordered a fresh approach to tackling insecurity, emphasizing collaboration with state governments and local authorities.

Ribadu stated that Tinubu, who had been monitoring the situation during his recent foreign trips, insisted on tougher measures to restore peace.

“The President is deeply concerned and has directed enhanced coordination with governors and local councils to address communal conflicts,” Ribadu said.

Security chiefs, including military and intelligence heads, attended the meeting, where they briefed Tinubu on recent attacks, casualties, and ongoing operations.

The NSA noted that insurgents often target vulnerable communities with explosives, stressing the need for proactive measures.

Tinubu’s directive comes amid escalating violence in parts of the North and Middle Belt, with citizens demanding decisive action against insecurity.

By Oladoja M.O

Across all health-related policies, discussions, and publications, maternal and child care undoubtedly ranks among the top three priorities of our national healthcare system. Without mincing words, it constitutes a core aspect of public health that rightly deserves every ounce of attention it receives. One might ask, why is this so? 

A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) underscores the alarming statistics, revealing that, in 2020, a maternity-related death occurred nearly every two minutes. This equates to approximately 800 daily maternal deaths from preventable causes across various regions of the world. 

Similarly, UNICEF, in one of its latest reports, noted that while Nigeria constitutes only 2.4% of the world’s population, it accounts for a staggering 10% of global maternal deaths. Recent figures indicate a maternal mortality rate of 576 per 100,000 live births, ranking as the fourth highest globally. Furthermore, an estimated 262,000 neonatal deaths occur annually at birth, the second-highest national total in the world.

Beyond these mortality figures, numerous other health complications afflict this demographic, often with far-reaching, detrimental consequences. Some of these complications include hypertension, gestational diabetes, infections, preeclampsia, preterm labour, depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss or miscarriage, and stillbirth. These conditions may jeopardise the health of the mother, fetus, or both, and can be life-threatening if not properly managed. With such distressing statistics, it is impossible not to prioritise this critical issue.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the government has implemented several initiatives to address maternal and child health concerns. Notable programs include the Midwife Service Scheme, which aimed to enhance the healthcare workforce by deploying midwives to provide maternal health services in rural areas, and the Saving One Million Lives Program for Results, a performance-based funding initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes at the state level.

Additionally, the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) prioritises life-saving interventions for women and newborns, strengthening healthcare services in the 172 most affected local government areas through supply- and demand-side strategies.

However, despite these concerted efforts and the significant attention accorded to maternal and child healthcare, a critical yet insidious aspect of this discourse remains grossly overlooked—oral health. Among the myriad etiological factors contributing to maternal and child health complications, the intersection of oral health and overall maternal well-being is frequently ignored. 

A 2024 study highlighted that a mother’s oral health status, knowledge, literacy, attitudes, behaviours, and socioeconomic status are pivotal determinants of childhood caries. Another recent study underscored the detrimental impact of poor oral health during pregnancy, linking it to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, gingival ulcerations, pregnancy granulomas, gingivitis, and pregnancy tumours (epulis gravidarum). 

According to a CDC physician, improving pregnant women’s oral health is one of the most effective strategies for preventing early childhood caries. She further emphasised that oral health is an essential component of prenatal care, as poor maternal oral health can significantly compromise both maternal and neonatal health, setting the foundation for lifelong health challenges. Additionally, periodontitis has been strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight.

Given these profound implications, one would expect a holistic approach to maternal healthcare—one that integrates oral health awareness and services into prenatal care. Unfortunately, this is far from reality. A 2024 scoping review revealed that dental service utilisation among pregnant women in Nigeria is alarmingly low, with visits largely driven by curative rather than preventive needs.

Despite the serious risks associated with poor oral health during pregnancy, oral health education remains conspicuously absent from antenatal awareness curricula, and primary healthcare centres lack dedicated oral health officers.

Thus, this serves as a call for urgent action and heightened awareness. The advocacy for integrating oral health education into antenatal classes must persist, as maternal knowledge of oral healthcare is often inadequate. 

Pregnancy is a critical period that necessitates heightened attention to oral health, and dental clinic visits should be regarded as an indispensable component of prenatal care. Most importantly, the government must prioritise the strategic deployment of public oral health officers to ensure that this vulnerable demographic’s unique oral healthcare needs are adequately addressed.

Oladoja M.O writes from Abuja and can be reached at: mayokunmark@gmail.com

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a major political shake-up, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made by Senator James Manager during a press briefing attended by key PDP figures, including former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was the vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

Also present were Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guor and other party leaders.

Manager stated that the governor’s move was in the best interest of Delta State’s development.

He confirmed that the entire PDP structure in the state has now merged with the APC.

A formal declaration is expected on Monday, cementing Delta’s transition to an APC-controlled state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele has made history as the first female Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR) in the Nigerian Army.

She assumed command today in a brief ceremony at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, taking over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

In her remarks, Lt. Col. Anele thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for the opportunity and pledged to uphold professionalism in her new role.

She also acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, Major General Nwachukwu, in strengthening the directorate’s operations. Major General Nwachukwu, in his farewell speech, highlighted key achievements under his leadership, including enhanced training for personnel in strategic communication and improved public perception of the Nigerian Army.

The ceremony featured the signing of handover notes, the presentation of the command flag, and the decoration of Lt. Col. Anele with the directorate’s insignia. Senior officers and defence correspondents witnessed the event.

Lt. Col. Anele, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), previously served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff and at the Defence Headquarters’ Department of Civil-Military Relations.