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By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Kano State Government has inaugurated a High-Powered Committee to profile and regulate Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and donor organizations operating within the state. The move aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with the state’s development priorities.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruk Ibrahim, emphasized the crucial role of NGOs in sectors such as health, education, and governance. However, he noted growing concerns about unregulated activities, necessitating a structured oversight framework.

The committee has been mandated to profile all NGOs and donor organizations, investigate their funding sources, assess their activities, and recommend a regulatory framework. It has also been granted the authority to suspend or shut down any organization found engaging in suspicious or unauthorized activities. Additionally, it can escalate cases to security agencies for further investigation and prosecution if necessary.

The committee is chaired by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, with Mallam Tijjani Auwal, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include key government officials, security agencies, civil society representatives, and religious groups.

In his remarks, Waiya assured that the committee would carry out its mandate with diligence and fairness to ensure NGOs operate within legal and ethical boundaries while contributing to Kano’s development agenda.

The committee is expected to work closely with stakeholders to enhance transparency and accountability in the operations of NGOs and donor organizations in the state.

By Fatimat Ibrahim Abedoh 

Students frequently justify their disappointing academic performance by claiming they intended to pursue a different course but ended up in another or that they dislike their current course. Kudirat Oyiza Abdulkareem has disproved this narrative by demonstrating dedication and a strong desire for success.

When Kudirat Oyiza arrived at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), in 2018, she was filled with uncertainty. She had applied for Medicine, but fate had other plans. She was offered Forestry and Wildlife Management, a course she had never even heard of. At that time, the only image that came to her was of lions.

Her mother was the only one who seemed familiar with the course, as her late father had been a forest officer. However, she was too young to remember what he did. Confused and unsure, she considered rewriting JAMB, but her sister advised her to give the course a chance.

Turning Uncertainty into Excellence

The first semester was tough. The weight of studying a course she had not chosen left her unmotivated. Yet, despite her doubts, she ended the semester with the highest GPA in her faculty with 4.72. Instead of celebrating, her sister reminded her that she could do even better. A friend encouraged her to set a higher standard for herself, grading her performance as though she were still in her secondary school, NIOMCO Staff Secondary School, where an “A” started at 80% instead of BUK’s 70%.

With this mindset shift, she achieved a perfect 5.0 GPA in her second semester at the 100 level.

Finding Purpose Beyond Grades

By the 200 level, she had started seeing Forestry and Wildlife Management beyond academics. She became curious about its real-world applications and how to use her knowledge to tackle climate change, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability. This curiosity led her to connect with forestry students worldwide, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore the impact of her field.

Her passion for the environment extended beyond her studies. She traveled across the country, attending various developmental projects and workshops related to her course, visiting six states. She also volunteered with over 10 organisations, mostly remotely, using her skills to address pressing environmental issues.

In addition to her academic work, she co-founded the Forestry and Wildlife Student Association of Nigeria, BUK chapter, where she served as the financial secretary in her final year.

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Resilient

Her journey was not without challenges. Financial struggles loomed over her education, and there were times when different individuals paid her school fees. Even her faculty stepped in to support her. To ease the burden, she applied to teach during school breaks to earn money, an experience she cherished as it aligned with her passion for teaching.

Time Management: A Key to Success

Despite all her engagements and travels, Kudirat Oyiza remained focused on her academics. Her secret? Time management. She was conscious of how she spent her time, balancing her studies, social life, and work commitments.

“I know my brain doesn’t retain half-baked information,” she admits. 

As a slow learner, she needed to review material multiple times to grasp concepts fully. While others might read something once, she would read it three to four times until it stuck. She also knew that her brain wasn’t efficient at night, so she developed a unique scheduled time for mainly reading mornings. 

She always set targets for herself and monitored her time carefully to meet them. During exams, she allocated time based on the number of questions and avoided dwelling on a single one, no matter how confident she was. This strategic approach to time management became her trademark.

A Grand Finale: Graduating at the Top

Fast-forward to 2025, she graduated as the best student in her department, faculty, and the entire university, which speaks volumes about her determination and resilience.

Looking back, she sees her success as a reward for hard work, not just a gift. 

She remains grateful to God, her siblings, friends, mentors, and everyone who supported her through the highs and lows.

But this is just the beginning. She is eager for the next chapter, ready to take on new challenges with the same grit and passion that brought her this far.

She says, “Do the things others aren’t willing to do, and you will get the things others will never have.”

Fatimat Ibrahim Abedoh, a Fellow PRNigeria, writes via abedohzahara@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A 94-year-old man, Pa Adedapo Idowu, has officially registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with the aim of fulfilling his long-standing aspiration of studying Political Science at the University of Ibadan.

Idowu, who registered at the JAMB Professional Test Center in Ibadan, Oyo State, expressed his excitement about the smooth registration process.

He shared that his initial fears about pursuing higher education at his age were dispelled after his seamless registration experience.

He commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the efficient use of technology, such as integrating his National Identity Number (NIN), which simplified data collection and ensured a user-friendly process.

Idowu also praised the warm reception from JAMB staff, and added that he felt valued despite his age.

The nonagenarian encouraged the Board to maintain this positive trajectory to continue ensuring access to education for all, particularly the elderly, the underprivileged, and those with disabilities.

As the exam approaches, Idowu shared words of wisdom with fellow candidates and urged them to reject malpractice and prioritize professionalism and integrity.

He also reminded Nigerians that age and adversity should never hinder the pursuit of dreams.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has expressed concerns that the United States is attempting to “please” Russian President Vladimir Putin as peace negotiations aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long war commence in Saudi Arabia today.

The talks, which exclude Ukraine and the European Union, were organized under the directive of US President Donald Trump.

This decision has prompted European leaders to hold emergency discussions in Paris over concerns about the potential outcome.

Zelensky has warned that any agreement favoring Russia could lead to Europe’s military “weakness,” particularly if Moscow is allowed to dictate the terms.

A delegation comprising senior officials from both Russia and the US arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, but Ukraine’s leader has expressed discontent over what he perceives as conciliatory remarks from US officials toward Russia.

Earlier reports indicate that Zelensky made it clear on Monday that Ukraine would reject any peace deal that does not involve his country and the United Kingdom.

“The US is now saying things that are very favourable to Putin… because they want to please him. They want to meet quickly and have a quick win. But what they want — ‘just a ceasefire’ — is not a win,” Zelensky said, as translated by broadcaster ARD in an interview conducted in Munich.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine war within his first 100 days in office. Last week, he announced that he had spoken directly with Putin regarding a swift resolution to the conflict.

Reports suggest that any potential agreement may heavily favor Russia, including provisions that would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and hinder efforts to reclaim territories lost since 2014.

Despite this, Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine “will not sign just anything in order to be applauded,” emphasizing that “the fate of our state for generations to come” is at stake.

He also dismissed the idea of conceding Ukrainian land occupied by Russian forces, affirming: “We will reclaim it all.”

Meanwhile, European leaders convened an urgent meeting in Paris on Monday to discuss strengthening their military independence and increasing support for Ukraine.

While they opposed the US approach to peace negotiations, they also highlighted the importance of maintaining NATO unity.

Zelensky has cautioned that Europe’s security remains fragile if it cannot depend on US military support. However, he noted that Ukraine has grown more resilient over the past three years, stating that “Putin wouldn’t be able to occupy us the way he wanted to.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that “there will definitely not be a Ukrainian victory without US support.”

He also revealed that he and Trump had discussed the deployment of foreign troops to oversee any future ceasefire agreements.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

The Federal Government of Nigeria owns thousands of abandoned and incomplete buildings, roads, dams, electricity, etc, projects, vast tracts of unused land, thousands of obsolete and unserviceable vehicles, and millions of scrap machines and equipment scattered across the country. These assets, though neglected, represent significant untapped potential that could be leveraged to generate much-needed revenue.

Both the federal and state governments need additional funds to finance developmental and humanitarian programs and sustain ongoing projects and programs. The solution to this financial challenge may lie in the assets that have been left to deteriorate. By auctioning some of these assets, commercializing others through private sector participation, and completing abandoned projects, the government can unlock substantial revenue streams.

For instance, Nigeria has thousands of kilometers of abandoned or dilapidated federal highways. Rehabilitating and conventionalizing these roads through private sector involvement would improve infrastructure and generate revenue for the government. This approach would shift the financial burden from the public purse to private investors, who would fund the construction or rehabilitation of the roads and recoup their investments through tolling.

In 2022, the Federal Government introduced the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), a commendable program that identified 19 federal highways for rehabilitation and tolling. However, recent reports suggest that the current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has become a bottleneck to the initiative.

As Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), noted, “This idea was thwarted with the entrance of the current Federal Minister of Works, who came into the picture, first as a catalyst and next as a spoiler.”

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should prioritise reviving schemes to convert abandoned properties, highways, lands, vehicles, machinery, and other assets into sustainable revenue streams. However, the process must be meticulously planned, transparent, and supported by robust legislation and institutions. Given Nigeria’s history of failed concessions and partnerships, neither private sector players nor international investors will be willing to participate without these safeguards.

Failures include the Lekki-Epe Concession, Ajaokuta Steel Company’s 2004 concession to GSHL (revoked in 2008), Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s 2009 concession to Bi-Courtney (revoked in 2012), and the Nigerian Ports Concession program, where operators failed to meet obligations due to weak enforcement and oversight. Another case is the ALSCON concession to UC Rusal, leading to ownership disputes and legal battles.

To succeed, the government must learn from past mistakes and create an enabling environment that fosters trust and accountability. By doing so, Nigeria can transform its abandoned assets into a goldmine of opportunities, driving economic growth and development for the benefit of all.

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

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Popular Kannywood actor Mustapha Badamasi Nabraska has defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Barau Jibril, representing Kano North, announced the defection on social media, revealing that Nabraska visited his residence in Abuja, where he symbolically discarded his red cap—an emblem of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Senator Ibrahim Lamido (Sokoto East) and Political Adviser Hon. Yusuf Tumfafi were also present to receive him.

Nabraska, known for his shifting political allegiances, previously worked under the APC-led government of former Kano governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. However, after the NNPP’s victory in the 2023 Kano governorship election, he switched sides, only to return to APC now.

The actor’s latest move has drawn mixed reactions. Many social media users mock his frequent party changes, suggesting they are motivated by personal gain rather than ideology.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Renowned South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron was found dead in her Seoul apartment on February 16, 2025, at the age of 24. Authorities have determined the cause of death to be suicide.

Kim began her acting career at nine, gaining acclaim for her roles in films such as A Brand New Life (2009) and The Man From Nowhere (2010). She continued to build her career with notable performances in television dramas, including Secret Healer (2016) and the Netflix series Bloodhounds (2023).

In May 2022, Kim was involved in a DUI incident in Seoul’s Gangnam district, leading to significant career setbacks. Despite efforts to resume her career, including a role in Bloodhounds, her on-screen presence was reduced due to the controversy.

The actress’s untimely death has prompted discussions about the pressures faced by public figures in South Korea, with calls for greater awareness and support regarding mental health issues.

Authorities have stated that there are no signs of foul play, and investigations are ongoing.

By Anwar Usman

Kano state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has promised to complete all abandoned projects at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil.

The governor who made the promise when he paid an unplanned visit to the university on Sunday, directed the Commissioners for Works, Land and Higher Education to immediately commence the process of construction of Senate building and completion of ongoing projects on Wudil Campus.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi on Monday.

“Giving much emphasis on the need to have a befitting Senate building, the Visitor to the university decried the non-existence of such a structure in the university despite being established about 25 years ago,” he said.

The statement read in part “other projects earmarked for the university include among others, staff quarters and additional students hostels, with a view to reducing daily shuttling to and fro Kano.

Yusuf was quoted saying “Abandoned projects such as the old Faculty of Engineering, Information and Communication Centre, and drainage are also going to be tackled soon”.

Meanwhile, the Governor who visited both male and female students hostels assured them of improved welfare especially in the areas of water and electricity supply.

While expressing his personal affection to the university, Yusuf said henceforth, special attention would be accorded the institution to enable it to rub shoulders with its peers in Nigeria.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Musa Yakasai appreciated the state government’s intervention in the past one year, urging for more government’s presence in the university.

The Vice Chancellor had during the visit, led Yusuf and his entourage on a Campus tour where he visited the land earmarked for Campus expansion and construction of Senate building, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, Entrepreneurship Development Centre, students hostels, Convocation Square and Wudil Commercial Secondary School.

The governor was accompanied by Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Higher Education, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Commissioners, Special Advisers, politicians and top government officials among others.

By Uzair Adam

The federal government has announced plans to integrate 28,000 health workers into Nigeria’s healthcare system after their salaries were blocked by a policy under U.S. President Donald Trump.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television, noting Nigeria’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign aid.

Pate acknowledged the significant support of the U.S. government in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly in combating HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

However, he stressed that Nigeria aims to take full ownership of its healthcare system. “There are health workers, 28,000 of them, who have been paid through U.S. government support.

While we appreciate this, these workers are Nigerians, and we must transition them into our system,” he said.

Trump had issued an executive order that paused funding for HIV treatment in developing countries, affecting the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Despite the funding suspension, the U.S. government later approved a waiver allowing continued treatment for people living with HIV.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently allocated N4.5 billion for HIV treatment packs to support affected Nigerians.

By Uzair Adam 

The Zamfara State government has banned all political gatherings and rallies across the state, citing the need to maintain peace and stability.  

The restriction, which immediately applies to all political parties, was announced following a political clash in Maru Local Government Area.  

Speaking with BBC Hausa, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Media, and Public Affairs, said the decision was taken to prevent further unrest after a recent incident in Maru that resulted in casualties and property damage.  

He clarified that the ban is temporary, not intended to suppress political activities but to ensure public safety. Security agencies have been instructed to enforce the directive.  

However, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the move, arguing that it infringes on their rights. 

The party’s spokesperson, Malam Yusuf Idris Gusau, described the decision as politically motivated, claiming it was triggered by a recent APC gathering that unsettled the state government.  

“There is no law that permits the banning of political gatherings. Our party is registered at the national level, and our members are law-abiding citizens who will not engage in actions that threaten peace,” Gusau stated.  

The ban has sparked debate, with concerns over its implications for political engagement in the state.