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By Zayyad I. Muhammad

No emirate, its Emir’s stool, or palace comes into existence without the foundation of law and authority, coupled with the community’s request, acceptance, loyalty, and support. This straightforward process involves the people’s demand, legislative endorsement, and executive approval.

The creation of the two new emirates and five chiefdoms by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was guided by two principles: first, the community’s request and demand, and second, the provisions of the Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law 2024, which has been formally gazetted and is now part of the state’s statutory framework. Without this law, the governor would lack the power and legal authority to fulfil the community’s requests.

The Fufore Emirate was established based on the demands of the 12 districts and their people. For those suggesting that Gurin, Malabu, and Ribadu or any other districts were coerced into joining the Fufore Emirate, consider the example of Zumo and Song. They chose not to join the new Yungur Chiefdom and remained with the Adamawa Emirate, while Gurin, Malabu, and Ribadu opted to be with Fufore. It’s straightforward: in a democracy, you get what you ask for.

Governor Fintiri didn’t simply wake up one morning and declare, “Let there be Fufore Emirate,” and it came into existence. It was the product of requests, demands, negotiations, mutual understanding, and the backing of law and authority.

There is a popular saying that one cannot cry more than the bereaved. Up to this moment, most of the noise about the creation of the Fufore Emirate is coming from people outside the 12 districts.

None of the 12 districts—Ribadu, Daware, Bengo, Verre, Nyibango, Kofsopah, Malabu, Malabu Kofa, Mayoine, Gurin, Beti, and Wuro Sham.—has filed a petition or challenged the creation of the Fufore Emirate or their inclusion in it. In fact, the heads of all 12 districts were the first to pledge their allegiance and pay homage to the new Lamido of Fufore, His Royal Highness Alhaji Sani Ahmadu Ribadu.

On behalf of the 12 district heads, the District Head of Malabu was both emphatic and unwavering in his expression of loyalty and support for the new Emirate during the reception of the new Emir in Fufore.

The Fufore Emirate, like any other emirate in Nigeria, is a product of law—established by the Adamawa State House of Assembly and gazetted in Adamawa. The emergence of the new Fufore Emirate, its Emir, and the allegiance and support of all 12 district heads and their subjects are outcomes of law, clear legal provisions, government authority, negotiation, and the people’s requests and demands. These are the fundamentals of tradition, custom, and democracy. 

Let us allow the citizens, friends, and neighbours of the Fufore Emirate to celebrate, as this expansion of horizons will foster development and strengthen unity, prosperity, and peace.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria (NCMN) has strongly condemned the recent arrest and arraignment of Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential aspirant from the African Action Congress (AAC). 

According to the NCMN, the actions taken against Prof. Usman Yusuf, known for his outspoken advocacy for good governance, transparency, and accountability, and Sowore, a journalist and human rights activist, are part of a broader attempt by the government to suppress opposition and weaken democratic principles in the country.

Although Sowore was released on bail, the NCMN called for the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Usman Yusuf, warning that such actions undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations. The group expressed concern that suppressing dissent could pave the way for an era of criminalising opposition voices.

The movement, led by Mal. Jabir Ibrahim Yaro emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to free speech and opposing any efforts to intimidate government critics. The NCMN further urged the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action and ensure the protection of democratic rights.

Comrade Ahmad Ashir, the National Secretary, and Comrade Muhammad Ayuba, the NCMN spokesman, signed the press release.

The movement addressed key figures, including the President of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a broader call for accountability.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier who was involved in an accident at the Myhoung barracks in the Yaba area of Lagos state.

At least 20 soldiers were seriously injured after a driver rammed his vehicle into them during a drill session earlier today.

Providing an update on the incident, Olabisi Ayeni, acting deputy director of army public relations, 81 Division, confirmed that the accident resulted in the death of a soldier, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Ayeni said that the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary, while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba.

He added that the military police from the division and other relevant security agencies are conducting a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident.

“The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” the statement reads.

“The GOC also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced.

“The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.

“Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its area of operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate.”

By Ukasha Sani Idris

The ongoing debate regarding whether the founder of the mosque and the IZALA group should be held accountable for the controversy surrounding the “New Sahaba Mosque” is currently attracting increasing attention both online and offline in Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state.

Recall that on 8 March 2024, a prominent business tycoon, Alhaji A. Y. Maikifi, inaugurated a new mosque named “New Sahaba Mosque”— an extension of the existing Sahaba Mosque located less than a kilometre away. 

Initially, having seen the signboard for the new mosque titled “Proposed Sahaba Mosque” and having heard of the discussions and meetings that the founder invited the Chief Imam of Sahaba Mosque to, the community and beyond congratulated Imam Sheikh Bn Othman on this historic upgrade.

Considering Sheikh Bn Othman’s impressive profile, articulate nature, international exposure, fluency in multiple languages, and reputation for avoiding partisan debates and conflicts involving various sects, political groups, and religions, the community was excited to witness him lead the state’s most expensive and well-decorated mosque.

Subsequently, the Chief Imam made a public announcement from his pulpit, informing his followers of plans to discontinue Friday prayers at the old mosque in preparation for the relocation to the new one. The congregation enthusiastically accepted the idea despite the old mosque’s rich history spanning over twenty years.

However, in a surprising turn of events, the founder later informed the Chief Imam of his plan to employ new Imams,noting that his role would undergo a significant change. Rather than leading prayers as before, each Imam would now be responsible for leading two consecutive Friday prayers on a rotational basis. 

To illustrate this situation more clearly, let me use a football analogy that many of us can relate to: imagine a scenario in which a wealthy individual builds a football field next to you and names it after the local club you have been coaching. He promises you a key role in the new setup and allows you to announce the plans to abandon the existing field in anticipation of relocating to the new one. However, in a surprising twist, the founder informs you that you will be demoted to assistant coach, and your trusted players will be replaced by new ones over whom you will have little control. Just imagine yourself in this situation.

The attendance of numerous prominent Sheikhs at the grand opening highlighted its connection to the Izala sect. However, the sect’s leadership has remained noticeably silent regarding the controversy surrounding the mosque. My question is: what efforts are the Izala leaders making to resolve this conflict? Or are they preoccupied with other events, such as the recent Qur’an festival or Qur’an convention?

Ukasha Sani Idris wrote via ukasha_sani@yahoo.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed all police officers who have reached the age of 60 or completed 35 years of service to retire in accordance with government civil service regulations.

This directive aligns with the guidelines governing mandatory retirement ages for government employees.

The PSC reiterated that no extensions would be granted to senior officers who are retiring.

The commission also stated that there are sufficient personnel within the police force to replace them.

Additionally, the PSC expressed support for the order from the Inspector-General of Police, which instructed officers meeting the retirement criteria to submit their retirement documents promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a wanted terrorist and his wife in a major operation aimed at dismantling a terrorist network attempting to establish a base in the state.

The suspect, Ahmad Adam Abba, a Chadian national, was wanted for masterminding the brutal killing of 17 people in Chad.

While he managed to escape from Nigeria, his wife and two associates—another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed (42) and a Nigerian accomplice—were captured in a decisive police operation.

The command also recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), preventing what could have been a deadly attack.

Commissioner of Police Salman Dogo Garba, speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the Bompai Police Headquarters, reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to ensuring that Kano does not become a safe haven for terrorists.

Recall that last week Friday, January 24, the police issued a security alert, warning the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities after intelligence reports suggested the presence of terrorists planning an attack in the state.

However, the timing of the warning—on the eve of the annual Maulud celebration of the Tijjaniyya sect—sparked controversy, with some accusing the police of attempting to disrupt the religious gathering.

Despite the criticisms, the command intensified its surveillance, working closely with intelligence agencies to track down suspected terrorists. Their efforts led to the arrest of Abba’s associates and the recovery of explosives.

“These criminals thought they could establish a foothold in our state, but they underestimated our resolve. There is no hiding place for them,” Garba declared.

He urged the public to continue cooperating with security agencies, stressing that intelligence-sharing is crucial in preventing security threats.

With the latest breakthrough, Kano residents remain on high alert as security forces intensify efforts to dismantle any remaining terrorist networks.

By Anwar Usman

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said the registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has now been shifted to Monday, February 3, 2025, instead of Friday, January 31, 2025, as earlier slated.

The Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

He said the change was necessary to allow the Board to implement essential adjustments to its registration templates.

“These adjustments came in light of the recent suspension of certain law programmes at selected universities, as submitted to the Board by the Council for Legal Education.

“Additionally, the Board discovered that some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres had used deceptive facilities to be approved, prompting the need for further scrutiny and corrections by disapproving such centres”.

He further stated, “The Board acknowledges the disruption this may cause to candidates and other stakeholders and sincerely apologises for any inconvenience”.

He said the additional time would be used to ensure that all necessary changes were implemented for a smooth registration process.

By Maryam Ahmad

The Italian government has blocked the Chinese AI app DeepSeek due to concerns about data privacy. Garante, the country’s data protection authority, stated that the app failed to provide sufficient details on how it collects and stores user data, raising security risks.

As a result, DeepSeek has been removed from app stores in Italy but remains available in other countries. This move highlights growing global concerns about AI applications and data protection.

With AI adoption increasing in Nigeria, this development raises questions about how such apps handle user data and the need for stronger regulations to protect personal information.

By Anwar Usman

The Kaduna State Government has approved N548 million to the Nigeria Union of Teachers Endwell Fund, resolving a long time dispute between the state government and the union.

The dispute, which had been ongoing for several years, was resolved following the intervention of the state governor, Uba Sani, who directed the immediate release of the funds to the NUT.

The acting Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Mubarak Mohammed, made this known at a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday.

He said, “I am pleased to announce that Governor Uba Sani has successfully resolved the long-standing dispute between the Kaduna State Government and the NUT regarding the NUT Endwell Fund”.

The NUT Endwell Fund is a statutory deductions from teachers’ salaries, aimed at supporting them during service and retirement.

Mohammed further explained that the dispute was resolved as a result of a series of negotiations between the state government and the NUT.

“Under the agreement, all litigation related to the NUT Endwell Fund will be discontinued, and the sum of N548 million will be released to the NUT to manage the Endwell Fund independently,” he said.

He further revealed that the NUT Endwell Scheme will undergo a structural reform to ensure improved efficiency and accountability.

He said, “Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to education and teacher welfare has been evident since his assumption of office in May 2023.According to the chairman SUBEB, the resolution of the dispute is expected to reinvigorate the relationship between the Kaduna State Government and the NUT and to enhance the overall quality of education in the state.

“This resolution paves the way for a renewed, cordial relationship between the Kaduna State Government, the NUT, and the teachers of Kaduna State,” Mohammed said.

The resolution of the dispute has been welcomed by the NUT, which has commended the governor for his intervention.

The Chairman of the NUT in Kaduna State, Ibrahim Dalhatu, acknowledged that the released N548m would surely improve the welfare of teachers in the state.

He also expressed their gratitude to Governor Uba Sani.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, describing it as a political maneuver aimed at silencing opposition voices.

Professor Yusuf was apprehended by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his residence in Abuja on January 29, 2025. He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 30, 2025.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant Yusuf’s bail, stating that the case should be adjourned to allow the EFCC time to amend the charges against him.

Reacting to the development, NEF’s spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, described the arrest as part of a broader political scheme to suppress opposition voices critical of certain government policies.

The group has called for Yusuf’s immediate release and reiterated that silencing dissenting voices undermines the democratic process.