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By Rukayya Sani Ashir

In an age characterised by digital disruption, Abubakar Sadiq Umar has established himself as a fascinating entrepreneur. Sadiq’s professional experience stretches across borders and industries, and he has built a name for himself as a man who delivers his ambition, the latest being his mentorship platform, AltMentor. His endeavour not only changes the intersection between technology and mentorship but also serves a larger purpose: advancing Africa’s place in the global technology story.

The Seed of Innovation: Envestlab’s Rise

For Abubakar Sadiq, creativity started with Envestlab, a venture aimed at nurturing the tech ecosystem of Northern Nigeria. EnvestLab’s annual tech conferences and vigorous hackathon competitions have become important landmarks for entrepreneurs. These conferences go beyond the superficial trappings of networking; they are fertile grounds where ideas meet execution.

With the aid of Envestlab, Sadiq gives young inventors chances to come together, showcase their ideas, and obtain sufficient resources to kickstart their projects. The hackathons have become a trademark of the initiative, where select novel business ideas are recognised and nurtured.

Sadiq’s philosophy is reflected in the glare of creativity and competition. He has always maintained that Africa does not receive technology; it provides it. This idea inspired the creation of EnvestLab.

A Marketing Virtuoso

Before his entrepreneurial journey, Abubakar Sadiq nurtured his craft through positions that placed him at the forefront of technology. As the Head of Digital Marketing, Northflix experienced his flair for engaging with the audience. He was able to implement the company’s brand further through campaigns based on data analysis and the telling of stories, especially in the rather crowded cyberspace. 

Charting a Global Career in Blockchain

Furthering his range of skills, his time at Green Life Energy (GLE), a UK-based renewable energy blockchain start-up, introduced him to decentralised technologies. Given this, as Project Manager and Director of Partnerships, Sadiq attempted to bridge the gaps in the adoption of Blockchain and devise methods for using the still-young technology.

Abubakar Sadiq stood out among thousands of attendees when he was named Binance Blockchain Week Dubai 2022 Star of the Day. This award recognised his rising stature in the global technological arena and his prowess in linking new inventions with practical use.

Sadiq’s career progressed in tandem with Gameness, a Turkish company involved in esports that focused on the blockchain industry, which was once known as NerfIT. In Gameness, as the Head of Partnerships, Sadiq strategically aligned the company’s blockchain offerings to be tempered and adapted to the rapidly changing needs of the eSports environment. These experiences improved his skill set, equipping him with a nuanced understanding of product innovation and market positioning, which are fundamental to successful entrepreneurial ventures.

AltMentor: The Next Frontier in Mentorship

Sadiq believes that’s why his latest start-up, AltMentor, is timely and ambitious. With a focus on commencement in the first quarter of 2025, the platform seeks a different approach to mentorship. AltMentor connects mentors with mentees through a fee-based model, creating a sustainable ecosystem where knowledge sharing becomes accessible and rewarding.

To Sadiq, AltMentor is not merely a business but a movement. At its core is the belief that structured, personalised, and goal-oriented mentorship can transform lives. “Everyone deserves access to the wisdom of those who have walked the path before them,” he says, articulating a vision that is as inclusive as it is ambitious.

The platform’s goal of reaching a $100 million valuation within 24 months is backed by its robust scalability and global appeal. AltMentor aims to connect millions of users, from young professionals seeking guidance to seasoned experts looking to impart their knowledge. The dual benefit of empowering mentors while equipping mentees positions the platform as a potential game-changer in Africa’s education and professional development landscape.

The Broader Vision

Sadiq’s work with AltMentor and Envestlab reflects a broader narrative: the recalibration of Africa’s place in global innovation. By focusing on mentorship and entrepreneurship, he addresses two critical gaps that often hinder the continent’s growth: access to knowledge and the support needed to scale ideas.

His dream is larger than those associated with the platforms he has developed. Sadiq sees Africa as the next big tech powerhouse, not for replicating others’ inventions but for creating original ones. By nurturing the culture of mentorship and supporting entrepreneurs, he is building a system where the next generation will be empowered to prosper.

A Legacy in the Making

Sadiq has an inspiring story. His tale depicts the promise and growth potential of AltMentor’s upcoming launch. His belief in innovation and collaboration is unwavering, as we can see from his journey of supporting startups at Envestlab, the birth of AltMentor, and everything in between. 

It is as transformative as it is enticing investors, mentors, and mentees to join the AltMentor venture. He has been vocal about the platform’s purpose, and considering his previous milestones, it’s safe to say that the venture aims to make profits while solving critical problems.

Abubakar Sadiq Umar is a leader with a vision, and in his envisioned world, technology not only solves problems but also creates many opportunities. He is the person who has dreams but, even more importantly, acts. He demonstrated how the continent of Africa and the world at large can innovate and develop.

Rukayya Sani Ashir writes from Kano and can be reached via email at saniashirrukayya@gmail.com.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Kano state government through the attorney general of the state and the commissioner of justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, urges the public to comply with the appeal court’s judgement.

Yesterday the appeal court has delivered a judgement on the Kano emirate suit in which set aside the judgement of Federal High Court which invalidates the reinstatement coronation of Muhammadu Sanusi || as emir of Kano.

Speaking at a press conference that held on Saturday at NUJ Kano headquarters, the commissioner and attorney general of the states urges all parties in the suit and general public to comply with the court’s judgement.

“On behalf of the Kano State Government, we express our profound satisfaction with the Judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, regarding the Emirate Council matter involving His Highness Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II and other parties.

“The verdict overturned earlier decisions by the Federal High Court and validates the government’s lawful actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions,” he said.

The commissioner said, “Therefore, in strict adherence to the rule of law and in defense of democracy, all public and private institutions, as well as individuals, are required to comply with the Court of Appeal decision and act accordingly to give full effect to the Judgment.”

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The governing council of Federal University Dutse through its secretary as well as registrar of the varsity, Alhaji Abubakar Mijinyawa, has announced the abolishment of the part-payment of 60 and 40 percent for first and second semester registration of undergraduate students.

The statement said that the fourth governing council of FUD has received in its third meeting the report and recommendations from the finance and general purposes committee on the management’s request for abolishing the 60 and 40 percent of registration fees for undergraduates with effect from 2024/2025 academic session.

Giving the reason of annulling the part-payment, the registrar said that, “the 60% and 40% adversely affect the functionality of the university’s portal and after due consideration of the proposal the governing council directed the school management to abolish the part-payment to maintain the stability in the university’s financial record and portal “.

The statement added that the introduction of NELFUND Student Loan Scheme by the federal government reduces the burden of payment of registration fees of the students in which the fund offers 100% payment of registration to the beneficiaries of the scheme.

By Anwar Usman

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it exceeded its revenue target for 2024, generating a total of N71.6 billion.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Effiong Harrison, made this known in a statement on Friday that its target for 2024 was N56.861 billion.

Harrison expressed delight over the record-breaking revenue achieved by the command.He described the 2024 revenue as remarkable, noting that it was the highest-ever generated in the history of the command.

NAN reports that, During a meeting with the management team, the area controller revealed that the command had exceeded its annual revenue target of N56,861,094,269.07 by generating ₦71,633,687,108.84.

“This represents a 20 per cent increase, amounting to N14,772,592,839.27,” he said.

While comparing the command’s performance in 2023 and 2024, Comptroller Harrison noted a significant revenue increase of N41.1 billion in 2024 when compared to the N30.5 billion generated in 2023, reflecting a 135 per cent growth.

“I attribute this exceptional performance to the dedication, commitment, and adherence to high operational standards by the officers and men of the command.

“I commend the officers and men of the command for their relentless efforts. It was instrumental in achieving this milestone.

“I want to urge the officers to intensify their efforts to maintain these standards in order to generate more revenue into the government coffers in 2025,” Harrison said.

The MMIA customs boss expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for their unwavering support to the command.

By Anwar Usman

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Michael Oamen, has called on the media to help mitigate disinformation capable of misleading the public.

Oamen made the request during an end-of-year media engagement held at the Western Naval Command in Lagos.

According to him, the speed at which information is generated and transmitted today is such that you must keep pace with it to manage it and ensure national security.

“Misinformation and all forms of hindrances that will make just a simple incident become out of proportion must be managed.” He further added that “The Western Naval Command is aware of such reality and we have decided that we must engage with the media within our sphere to have a platform to close that gap”.

The FOC said that once there was such a gap, it would be exploited; therefore, having a platform to constantly engage with the media would help iron out issues.

“Such a platform will help to reinvigorate any misconception or misinformation and that way we all will be contributing our quota to the attainment of our national security objective,” according to him.

He reiterated that “We try as much as possible to let every stakeholder in the society play their part in ensuring national security” “Nobody really gained from strategies that were attributable to disinformation or wrong use of the information spectrum” Oamen said.The FOC said that the year 2024 was quite eventful for the command and appreciated the role that the media played in informing the public of all its activities.

“As we look forward to 2025, the Western Naval Command, being the premier operational command of the Navy. we will be engaging in so many exercises and activities.

“Therefore, we are going to count on your support to inform the public of all our efforts, so that at the end of the day, the nation, is better for it,” Oamen said

By Uzair Adam

A former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, Abbas Sani Abbas, has officially left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Daily Reality reports that Abbas Sani Abbas was dismissed from his role last month during a cabinet reshuffle by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Announcing his defection during a visit to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, in Kano, Abbas expressed his commitment to the APC.

Senator Barau shared the news on his verified social media account on Friday night, stating, “Joined by the Chairman of our party in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas (Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki), and other party leaders, we proudly embraced Hon. Abbas, a dedicated grassroots mobiliser, to our party.”

He added, “I assured him of our unwavering support as we work together to build a better future for the people of Kano State and, indeed, all Nigerians. Together, we will continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity.”

By Bilal Muhammad Bello (BMB)

The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has made commendable strides in supporting education. Among these initiatives is the foreign scholarship program for postgraduate studies, a legacy dating back to the second tenure of former Governor Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. While this policy has benefited many, addressing the growing need to prioritise local scholarships for Kano State students studying in Nigerian institutions is crucial.

Since the 2019/2020 academic year, there has been a noticeable gap in the distribution of local scholarships in Kano State. Regrettably, since Governor Yusuf assumed office, no official scholarships have been disbursed to students in tertiary institutions nationwide. 

While it is laudable that the state government recently paid the fees of students affected by tuition hikes at federal universities such as Bayero University Kano, Federal University Dutse, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, and the University of Maiduguri, this initiative has excluded students from state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Many of these students face severe financial hardships, and some even drop out due to a lack of support.

With utmost respect, I urge His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to reconsider the state’s scholarship policy. The government must prioritise local students struggling to fund their education amidst the country’s economic challenges. Local scholarships would provide a lifeline to these students, ensuring they complete their education and contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.

Similarly, states like Katsina, Jigawa, Borno, and Kaduna support students with local scholarships every year for those studying at various institutions in the country. These local scholarships provided by respective state governments help alleviate the challenges students face on campuses.

During your 2019 and 2023 campaigns, Sir, you pledged to prioritise education. While the foreign scholarship program for postgraduate studies is admirable, the pressing needs of local students studying on Nigerian campuses cannot be overlooked. I respectfully call on His Excellency to direct the State Scholarship Board to open its portal and ensure that students in Kano benefit from the state government’s scholarship program.

Investing in local scholarships is not just a fulfilment of campaign promises but a commitment to building a brighter future for Kano State. Students are the backbone of any society, and supporting their education is an investment in the prosperity of the state. Governor Yusuf, this is an opportunity to cement your legacy as a leader who prioritises education for all Kano students at home and abroad.

Bilal Muhammad Bello Department of Mass Communication Bayero University, Kano.

By Sulaiman Abdullahi

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, will confer honorary degrees on the President of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Sharif Al-Hussain.

The decision was approved during the university’s 544th (Special) Senate meeting, held on Tuesday, January 7, following the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Committee.

The recognition highlights the university’s acknowledgment of the recipients’ outstanding contributions to global trade, governance, and Islamic scholarship.

Details of the conferment ceremony will be announced in due course.

By Saifullahi Attahir

In 1984, during the second term of former US President Bill Clinton as Governor of Arkansas, he was alarmed by a damning report on the decline in educational standards in the state. He, therefore, constituted a committee headed by his wife, Hillary Clinton, to go around the state and come up with resolutions on how to rescue the State Educational sector.

He introduced robust proposals, including more time for academic work, mobilising more funds, increasing the school year, special opportunities for gifted children, a maximum class size of twenty pupils up to third grade, and more recruitment of Mathematics, History, and Science teachers.

The most controversial proposal required all teachers and administrators to take and pass the National Teacher Examination. Even in the US, this proposal was met with backlash from interest groups and misinformed teachers that the governor was trying to hijack their means of livelihood. But in reality, there is no way that a reform in education can be successfully achieved without looking at the guardians of that knowledge.

 Teachers are the backbone of any school. No matter how beautiful the school building, how few students per class, or how good the curriculum, if the person imparting the knowledge is not well-prepared, problems will continue to arise.

In President Bill Clinton’s case, he recommended that teachers who failed be given free tuition to take regular courses and be able to take the test as many times as possible until certified to be able to teach.

This same scenario occurred during the tenure of two visionary governors in northern Nigeria. Former Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Sule Lamido used the same strategy to improve the state’s education, which was then on life support. I can count the number of primary school teachers I knew who were allowed to return to the College of Education (COE) Gumel to obtain an NCE Certificate fully funded by the state.

In the case of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir Elrufa’i, we can remember the giant effort he tried to impose to rescue the educational sector in Kaduna. This included a massive purge of school teachers who could not pass their Aptitude test. The former governor was met with a heavy force of resentment and protest, including a mass media campaign in which he was simply trying to retrench workers from their source of livelihood.

These three cases were almost similar, although different States, different personalities, at different times, and nearly different approaches. But history will judge…

Saifullahi Attahir wrote via saifullahiattahir93@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian government has received $52.88 million in recovered assets linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources.

The funds were handed over by the United States government, as announced by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, during a formal agreement signing ceremony in Abuja on Friday.

In his remarks, Fagbemi explained that $50 million of the recovered assets would be allocated through the World Bank to support rural electrification projects.

The remaining $2 million is to be directed to the International Institute of Justice to enhance the justice system and combat corruption.

Stating the benefits of this development, Fagbemi described it as a milestone in the collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in fighting corruption and promoting the rule of law.

He also emphasized that this recovery reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing corruption.

United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, stressed the need for transparency and accountability in using the recovered funds to benefit the Nigerian populace.

This asset recovery represents a continued effort by both nations to strengthen their partnership in ensuring good governance and accountability.