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By Kassim Isa Muhammad

I am writing to bring to your attention the concerning situation at Yobe State University, where various violations of the university’s regulations are taking place.

As the governor of Yobe State, I urge you to intervene and address these issues promptly to ensure the integrity and compliance of the institution.

Specifically, one of the major issues that require your immediate attention is the tenure situation of the university Registrar, Dr. Kalli Gazali.

It has come to light that Dr. Gazali has purportedly continued to occupy the office of the Registrar despite retiring in September 2023 after serving for 35 years, not 65. This contravenes the university (Miscellaneous) Act 2012 on the retirement of non-academic staff.

The violation of such regulations governing the university raises serious questions about the adherence to established procedures and laws.

Furthermore, six months ago, an interview was conducted for the position of Bursar at Yobe State University. However, despite the passage of time, the results of this interview have not been announced.

This delay has created a sense of uncertainty and unease among the candidates and the university community.

Subsequently, it has come to our attention that another interview is being called, allegedly to favor a candidate who is rumored to be related to you, specifically your brother.

This development is viewed as a clear violation of the university’s laws and regulations, which are designed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process based on merit and competence.

Moreover, this is a clear violation of the oath of office and the Constitution, which you swore to uphold.

You took an oath that: ‘I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favor, affection or ill will.’

If it is true that you are allowing your brother, who is already a Bursar in another institution in Yobe State, to be brought to the state university and staging another interview just to pave the way for him, it is rather disgusting.

For example, the favoritism can be seen from the advert for the post of the Bursar; in the first advert, the qualification required is that the candidate for the post must: ‘…be a practicing Deputy Bursar with at least one-year minimum experience on the post in a recognized University….’

In the second advert, that criteria was completely deleted because the anointed candidate has not been a deputy bursar in a recognized university but is presently a substantive Bursar.

The question is, why is a substantive Bursar interested in becoming a Bursar in another institution? Perhaps to serve as a conduit pipe for those who are doing everything possible to ensure he becomes the Bursar.

Again, under the Experience in the first advert, the criteria are: ‘candidate must have a minimum of fourteen (14) years of prudent university financial management and administrative experience,’ whereas in the second advert, the word ‘university’ was removed to mean 14 years of prudent financial management because the anointed candidate did not possess 14 years of university experience.

The university’s laws and regulations are in place to uphold the integrity of the institution and ensure that all appointments are made fairly, transparently, and without bias.

The actions taken so far appear to be in contravention of these laws, undermining the trust and confidence of the university community and the public at large.

I, therefore, call on you to investigate the delay, ensure transparency, prevent nepotism, and announce the result of the already conducted interview.

Also, instruct the university governing council to immediately advertise for suitable candidates to apply for the already vacant office of the university registrar and appoint, in the interim, the most senior deputy registrar in an acting capacity to oversee the affairs of the office.

These are misconduct or irregularities within the university that merit investigation and corrective action.It is pertinent to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the administration of educational institutions to safeguard the interests of students, staff, and the reputation of the university.

We believe that addressing these concerns will reinforce the integrity of the appointment process and restore trust in the governance of our esteemed university.

We have full confidence in your commitment to justice and fairness, and we trust that you will take the necessary steps to rectify this situation.

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Damaturu, Yobe State.

By By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe

The Coordinator of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League, Mahmud Hadeija, says the body remains committed to providing the necessary enablers for the game to excel in the nation.

Speaking with Sports Writers during the 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League, second round at Nnewi High School Beach Soccer Pitch, he said it would not relent in developing the sport through staging competitions.

While describing the game as unique and one of the fastest-growing leagues in Nigeria, he stressed that youngsters could demonstrate their skills and participate actively on a national scale through the game.

Hadeija, who is President of the African Beach Soccer League, emphasised that fostering a robust Beach Soccer League in the nation could enhance the growth of the game and the nation’s global sports presence.

“The good thing now is that we have the league that is ongoing for the fourth year, fourth season consistently and gradually both on the technical aspect, organisational aspect and also the structure of the teams.

He expressed gratitude to the Anambra State Beach Soccer Association for successfully hosting the event and providing the players with support services to pursue success.

Victor Madubuko, Contributing Chairman of Anambra State Beach Soccer Association, said his gift for innovation and passion for doing something new spurred him to contribute to the development of the game.

Madubuko said he was glad that the collaboration with stakeholders and sponsors, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), was yielding the desired result.

One of the highest goal scorers in the league, Chimobi Ekwo, Anambra State Beach Soccer Team, said the team, which has remained unbeaten so far, would not relent in its determination to excel in the Super Four Competition slated to be held in Kaduna.

Six teams from Kebbi, Kaduna, Jigawa and Anambra States are participating in the League.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In a bid to strengthen customs community relations, Comptroller Kola Oladeji of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has embarked on a familiarisation visit to traditional rulers in the South West Zone. 

During the visit, Comptroller Oladeji met with several traditional rulers, including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Onikpokia of Ikpokia Kingdom, Oba Yisa Adeniyi Olaniyan, and the Olu of Owode Yewa Land, Oba Matthew Akindele. 

Comptroller Oladeji noted the importance of community support in achieving the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) mandates, stating, “We attach much importance to these communities and seek the blessing and guidance of Royal Fathers to strengthen customs community relations.” 

He stated the innovative approaches introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which have enhanced the service’s performance. 

The Olu of Owode Yewa Land, Oba Matthew Akindele, appreciated the improved relationship between the customs service and the community, stating, “The chaos we experienced with customs officers has reduced drastically, thank you for that, and we also thank the federal government.” 

He also requested employment opportunities for youths and a more cordial relationship to foster peace and tranquility in the community. 

Comptroller Oladeji assured the traditional rulers that the NCS would continue to discharge its responsibilities within the ambits of the law and observations of rules of engagement.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to establish reconciliation committees to unite party members nationwide.

Speaking at the APC stakeholders’ meeting for the Northwest in Kaduna, the Speaker emphasized the need to reconcile and make peace with aggrieved members, as the party faces internal conflicts in various states.

The Speaker urged Ganduje to constitute reconciliation committees for each state and zone to bring peace and unity to the party, stressing that elections are over, and it’s time for governance.

He also suggested that APC members who perform well should be given the opportunity to return in 2027, citing the high turnover rate of National Assembly members.

Additionally, the Speaker commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving key positions to the Northwest and called on party leaders to support the party structures at all times, not just during elections.

He also mentioned the ongoing constitution amendment by the National Assembly, highlighting areas like state police, local government autonomy, women’s inclusion, and traditional institutions’ roles.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe 

The Chairman of the technical committee on the mini sports festival, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Yaalleman, also the chairman of the Jigawa State Badminton Association, went around to supervise the preparations to kick off the Jigawa State Mini Sports Festival 2024 across the five selected participating associations.

During the supervision, the chairman was accompanied by the senior special assistant on sports and other members of the technical committee. He commended the executive governor of the state, Mallam Umar Namadi, for approving the conduct of the festival for the teeming youths in the state.

He said the state has many potential and talented youths, which, if properly utilised, will make the state more productive in all sporting activities.

He equally appreciates the efforts of the state commissioner of sports, Hon. Sagir Ahmad, for giving all associations the necessary support directly to organise their program and selecting the experienced team to handle the successful conduct of the program.

He said that these initiatives have immensely benefited the association in terms of court repair, sporting equipment purchases, and the rest.

He thanked the governor and Commissioner for sports for fulfilling their promise about the conduct of this festival.

He also appealed to the Commissioner to make this program quarterly, as this would help reduce tension and crime and increase revenue and employment for the state.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, arresting four members of a cocaine cartel and declaring a couple wanted in connection with the crime.

According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the agency arrested Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan on April 3, 2024, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, as they attempted to export 3.40kg of cocaine to Oman.

Investigations revealed that the duo was allegedly working for a cartel headed by Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, aka Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun, an Indian resident who has been declared wanted alongside his wife, Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, aka Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke.

NDLEA operatives also arrested Hamed Abimbola Saheed, a member of the syndicate, on May 14, 2024, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos, and recovered 900 grams of phenacetine, a cutting agent for cocaine, from his residence.

A follow-up operation at the Owoalade couple’s residence in Ogudu Orioke, Lagos, led to the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of a new Toyota RAV4 SUV, 400 grams of cocaine, and other drug paraphernalia.

In related operations, NDLEA officers intercepted cocaine and amphetamine concealed in steel bolts and shea butter at a courier firm in Lagos, and thwarted attempts to export cannabis and opioids to Dubai, China, and the UK.

The agency also arrested several suspects and recovered large quantities of drugs in various operations across the country, including 840kg of cannabis in Lagos, 75,000 pills of opioids in Benue, and 2kg of cannabis and diazepam in Borno.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers involved in the operations and reiterated the agency’s commitment to fighting drug abuse and trafficking.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A 26-year-old man, Yusuf Abdullahi, was arraigned before a Kano State Sharia Court, Fagge, for allegedly assaulting his friend, Aminu Umar, resulting in the loss of a tooth.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Abdul Wada, the defendant and the complainant had a disagreement on May 9, which escalated into a physical altercation.

The defendant allegedly gave the complainant several blows to the head and body, causing injuries and resulting in the loss of a tooth.

The Khadi, Malam Umar Lawal-Abubakar, ordered the defendant to be remanded in a correctional center and adjourned the case until May 30 for further hearing.

By Usman Muhammad Salihu 

As the rainy season sets in over Jos, the Plateau State capital, residents are cautiously optimistic about relief from the persistent water scarcity that has plagued the city for months. The onset of the rainy season brings a glimmer of hope for the residents of Jos, replenishing parched earth and depleted water sources and offering a reprieve from the relentless struggle for access to clean water.

For many in Jos, the arrival of the rainy season symbolises the prospect of a brighter future. With each drop of rain, the reservoirs begin to fill, easing the burden on communities that have long been forced to endure rationing and scarcity. However, while the rains offer respite, they also underscore the need for sustainable solutions to Jos’s water woes.

The city’s infrastructure must be fortified to harness and manage this precious resource effectively. Investments in water treatment facilities, storage infrastructure, and distribution networks are imperative to ensure every resident can access safe and reliable water year-round.

Moreover, Jos’s challenges are not unique; they reflect broader issues of water scarcity and management that affect communities worldwide. As climate change intensifies, erratic weather patterns and dwindling water supplies pose increasingly urgent threats to global populations. The lessons learned from Jos’s struggle are pertinent not only for Nigeria but for all nations grappling with the repercussions of environmental degradation and resource depletion.

The resilience and resourcefulness of the people of Jos shine through in the face of adversity. Communities come together, sharing resources and supporting one another in times of need. This spirit of solidarity will propel Jos forward towards a future where access to clean water is no longer a luxury but a fundamental human right.

As the rain continues to fall over Jos, let us remember the lessons of the past and the challenges that lie ahead. Let us seize this opportunity to build a more sustainable and equitable future where every individual can thrive, nourished by the life-giving waters that sustain us all.

Usman Muhammad Salihu writes from Jos, Plateau state. He can be reached via muhammadu5363@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Flame Tree Writers’ Project, in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, has announced a call for applications for a writers’ workshop targeting emerging writers from Northern Nigeria.

The initiative aims to support young writers in honing their craft and envisioning a more democratic and peaceful Nigeria.

According to Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, founder of the Flame Tree Writers’ Project, “This has been a passion project of mine for so long, and I am excited that, with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, it is coming to fruition.”

The workshop, scheduled for June 24–28, 2024, in Abuja, will be co-facilitated by NLNG Nigeria Prize–winning authors Abubakar Adam Ibrahim and Chika Unigwe.

Participants will receive guidance in writing a short story suitable for publication in an anthology. 

Ere Amachree, Program Manager at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, noted, “The foundation is excited about the Flame Tree Writers’ Project, as it advances our vision of promoting writing as a means of political expression, just like Heinrich Böll, the German writer after whom our foundation is named.” 

The call for applications is exclusively for writers from the 19 Northern States of Nigeria, aged between 18 and 35. Female emerging writers are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Interested participants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit their applications to flametreewritersproject@gmail.com by June 1, 2024. 

Encouraging writers to apply, Mr. Abubakar said, “It’s not just a workshop but a project that will publish the stories from the workshop in an anthology of new writing and get them into institutions of learning, where they will be taught as part of the growing and exciting corpus of literature from this part of the country.”

By Mutalib Jibril

With ten awards and a CGPA of 4.88, Abdulsalam Ibrahim recently emerged as the best-graduating student of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, for the 2022/2023 academic session. In this interview with Mutalib Jibril, after the Induction ceremony held on May 10, 2024, he speaks about his educational journey and how he achieved this feat.

Who is Abdulsalam Ibrahim?

Abdulsalam Ibrahim was born to the family of Alhaji Hussaini Abdulsalam and Hajiya Bashirah Ibrahim Abdulsalam in Minna, Niger state. I hail from Zungeru, Wushishi L.G.A of Niger State. I’m the fifth child of a family of six. I had my Primary and Secondary education at Minna before proceeding to the then School of Matriculation Studies, UDUS. I was admitted to study pharmacy at the most prestigious faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, UDUS.

With a Grade Index of 4.88, you emerged as the 2022/2023 best-graduating student of the faculty of pharmacy. How was this possible?

Alhamdulillah for the blessings of Allah upon me. Emerging as the best-graduating student is only possible because Allah has destined it to be so. Numerous factors contributed to this being a reality. Many of which are external and beyond my control. It couldn’t have been the hard work or the consistency. Many of my classmates were more hard-working and consistent. In summary, pray to the Almighty Allah always, try your best in a healthy manner and leave the rest. What Allah wishes for you will always prevail whether you like it.

Why did you choose to study Pharmacy?

 I never chose pharmacy. Allah chose pharmacy for me. After completing the school of matriculation studies, UDUS (2016/2017 set). I was admitted to study medicine and surgery at the university. However, due to some challenges the university faced with JAMB, some of our admissions had to be changed to other courses. It was a bitter experience for me because I wanted medicine. After attending some lectures on the History and Ethics of Pharmacy, a course offered at 100 level. I became interested in the profession and decided not to write another JAMB. The rest is history.

Would you say you knew you were going to be the best–graduating student?

Not until some days before the induction did I know. Of course, the chances were high because I always had one of the best results in my class right from 100 level. The class was competitive with many hardworking, consistent, outstanding and intelligent scholars. Hence, the name “Mavericks” class of 2022”. The environment was encouraging because everyone contributed, and there was always much to learn. Alhamdulillah

What was your reading schedule like?

I don’t have a specific reading schedule. Pharmacy is overwhelming, with extended hours of lectures and practicals. The time available is always not enough. You keep studying even when you get tired. To pass a course with 50% as the pass mark is not for the lazy. Some courses even require a minimum of 60%. So, I was able to adapt to the system. The time at my disposal always determines my reading schedule for that particular time, except for my 100-level days when there was ample time to study during the day and sleep at night.

Which area of the course did you find most interesting?

Clinical pharmacy (therapeutics) and pharmaceutical microbiology.

How many awards did you receive? Please list them

10 awards, Alhamdulillah. These are:

– PCN award for the best-graduating student.

– Nigerian Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) award for the best graduating student.

– The faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, UDUS award for best-graduating student.

– Award for the best-graduating student in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice.

– Board of Fellows of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria award for the best graduating student in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice.

– Award for the best-graduating student from Niger State.

– The faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has a UDUS certificate of distinction.

– PSN, Kebbi state cash award for the best-graduating student.

– Centre For Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET) cash award for the best-graduating student.

– Bioraj Pharmaceuticals cash award for the best-graduating student.

Did you engage in extracurricular activities or take up leadership roles during your stay at the university?

Yes, there were some leadership roles. I served as the Asst. Sec. Gen., Pharmaceutical Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (PMSSN). I also served as deputy Ameer, PMSSN. I was part of the Imams at the Masjid in Amanawa Hostel for two sessions. I served as deputy Ameer Association of Muslim Health Students(AHMS).

I was Organizing Secretary NANISS Health wing (National Association of Niger State Students). I served as Sec. Gen., PANISS (Pharmaceutical Association of Niger State Students). And also President PANISS.

What was your best and lowest moment while in school?

My best moment was at the 200 level, when I passed all my courses with distinction, while my lowest moment was at the 300 level.

What are your future aspirations in your field?

I want to be a specialist in cardiovascular therapeutics or psychiatry. This will help me give back to society in a community or hospital setting. If Allah so wishes, I would like to be a researcher and teacher in clinical pharmacy or pharmaceutical microbiology.

What would be your advice to students aiming to attain academic excellence?

Restrict yourself from toxic situations. Know your limits. Maintain your physical and mental well-being. In academic settings, the brain does the work. You can easily achieve a lot in little time with a healthy lifestyle. 

Secondly, you need to start strong and be consistent throughout. Your academic performance is a cumulative result of your effort from the 100 level. Additionally, always start reading early to grasp the concepts efficiently. This also allowsfor repetitive study. Proper understanding always saves the day. 

Finally, always pray to Allah in everything you do. Eat well, sleep well, work hard, and trust in Allah.