Education

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has commenced the practical phase of a 10-day intensive training for 23 community artificial insemination (AI) technicians, with participants now applying their skills on live cattle.

The Daily Reality reports that the practical sessions, taking place at the Artificial Insemination Centre and Farmer Field School in Kadawa, are designed to equip the trainees with the skills required to provide artificial insemination services to livestock farmers across Kano State.

The training is part of L-PRES’s plan to conduct 5,000 artificial insemination exercises across the state’s 44 local government areas and wards.

The participants are being trained in semen collection, evaluation and preservation, heat detection, selection of suitable animals and the proper insemination of female cattle.

Speaking on the practical sessions, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, an Animal Husbandry Officer with the Kano L-PRES Project and supervisor of the training, said the trainees had progressed from classroom lessons to hands-on exercises involving live animals.

Kabiru said the training had reached its seventh day on Sunday, with the participants being assessed on their ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the earlier theoretical sessions.

“From yesterday, which was the sixth day of this training, the participants have been going through a series of trainings. That includes collection of semen, semen evaluation and examination for quality, and inseminating the female animal. Now they are into live animal practicals,” he said.

According to him, the trainees had earlier been taught how to examine the reproductive organs of cattle and correctly pass the artificial insemination gun through the vagina and cervix until it reaches the appropriate part of the uterus where the semen is deposited.

He said experts from the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, were leading the practical sessions using the facilities and laboratory at the Kadawa centre.

Kabiru explained that the participants had also been trained to assess semen quality using parameters such as colour, consistency, volume, sperm motility, live-to-dead sperm ratio, sperm morphology and pH.

He added that they had been exposed to techniques for preserving semen in both chilled and frozen forms.

“AI entails three major aspects: collection, evaluation or examination for quality, and artificial insemination of the female cows. They have been taken through these processes and today we are on the live animals,” Kabiru said.

The training supervisor expressed confidence in the participants’ performance, saying their results in the theoretical assessment and practical exercises indicated that they were capable of becoming effective AI technicians.

He disclosed that none of the participants scored below 21 out of 30 in the theoretical assessment, while some scored the maximum 30 marks.

Kabiru added that the resource persons had confirmed that all the trainees were able to successfully pass the AI gun through the reproductive tract during practical exercises, although only some had so far performed the procedure on live cattle.

He said the practical sessions would continue until the training ends on Wednesday.

Also speaking, Isa Muhammad, a trainer from NAPRI, described the participants as committed and enthusiastic, saying they had demonstrated an impressive ability to master the techniques taught during the programme.

Muhammad said the trainees’ ability to quickly learn how to pass the AI gun was evidence of their commitment to the training.

“These students are serious. They are even more than serious. During my service, I could not introduce the AI gun in two minutes, but these trainees can pass the AI gun in five, six, eight or ten seconds,” he said.

He explained that properly trained AI technicians could contribute significantly to improving the genetic quality of livestock and increasing productivity in Nigeria.

According to him, the training also exposes the participants to the use of semen from improved exotic breeds to crossbreed local cattle and enhance their productive capacity.

“This is one of the advantages of livestock production. We want to exchange the local breeds with exotic breeds. Here, we have exotic semen such as Jersey, Brahman and others,” Muhammad said.

He added that the trainees were being taught how to examine sperm cells under a microscope to determine their viability, movement and suitability for artificial insemination.

Muhammad commended L-PRES for providing the equipment and materials required for the training, saying the support would enable the participants to extend AI services to livestock-producing communities across Kano State.

He disclosed that the trainees would be provided with equipment including liquid nitrogen containers, semen straws and hormones used to induce heat in animals, among other materials needed to provide artificial insemination services.

The NAPRI trainer, however, urged the participants to safeguard the equipment and use them for the purpose for which they were provided.

“My message to them is that they should be careful and should not sell the materials and equipment. They should keep them and use them for the work,” he said.

Meanwhile, participants said the practical component of the training had improved their understanding and confidence in artificial insemination.

Faiza Umar Abdulkadir, an AI technician from Kumbotso Local Government Area, described the programme as a refresher course that had expanded her previous knowledge and skills.

She said the training had exposed her to improved techniques in heat detection, animal selection, semen handling and insemination.

“We can say this is like a refresher to us because before now we were AI technicians. But with this training, I got more knowledge about how to inseminate at the first stage and how to detect whether a cattle is in heat,” she said.

Abdulkadir said the practical sessions were particularly useful because participants were taken through semen collection and preservation before moving to heat detection and the actual insemination process.

She stressed that accurate heat detection was essential to successful artificial insemination, noting that a cow must first be confirmed to be in the appropriate reproductive stage before the procedure is carried out.

“For an AI technician, you have to be very conscious about how to select the animal. First, you have to detect whether her uterus is okay for AI because this is something we have to introduce to the farmers,” she said.

She added that the participants had also practised rectal palpation and learnt how to identify the cervix and correctly deposit semen.

Another participant, Anas Abubakar Abdullahi, said the training had equipped him with practical knowledge on selecting suitable animals and choosing appropriate breeds depending on whether the production objective was beef or dairy.

He said the trainees had also learnt how to select suitable bulls, collect semen, process it and preserve it for subsequent use.

“We have learned a lot in that aspect. We are very much grateful to the L-PRES project team for their support and effort in ensuring that we gain knowledge in this area of training,” Abdullahi said.

He said the project had informed the participants that they would receive equipment to enable them to provide AI services in communities across Kano State.

According to Abdullahi, the community-based approach would make artificial insemination services more accessible to livestock farmers and pastoralists while contributing to improved dairy and beef production.

He expressed appreciation to L-PRES for the training and support, saying the participants were prepared to apply the knowledge acquired to improve livestock production in their respective communities.

The ongoing training is expected to expand the pool of community-based artificial insemination technicians in Kano State and support the implementation of L-PRES’s broader livestock productivity programme, particularly its target of carrying out 5,000 artificial insemination exercises across the state.

By Dr Kabir Asgar

Nobody disputes that students in a university environment need to participate in sports, recreation, cultural activities, social interaction, and entrepreneurship. In fact, our great Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, itself presents holistic student development as part of its mission.

This relatively new yet popular ABU-SRC Cultural Carnival has now become a regular fixture on the calendar for every Second Semester at ABU Zaria. Looking at its popularity, the attention it’s getting from all stakeholders, and the distraction it creates, I cannot help but ask: could the timing, scale and intensity of this event be one of the factors that compete with students’ academic concentration and, perhaps, contribute in some measure to the challenges we sometimes observe in undergraduate examination performance?

Let’s think about the amount of energy, time and resources students put into their weeks-long intensive preparations for the carnival, as well as the money spent on costumes, transportation, rehearsals, entertainment and other logistics. For many students, the excitement surrounding the event inevitably competes for their attention with lectures, laboratory work, assignments, projects, and examination preparation.

I am not arguing that the university should have no cultural or recreational activities. Never. I’m aware that the training of these students and the development of their mental and industrial skills extend beyond the classroom, and that cultural activities can have legitimate educational and social value. My concern is rather about proportion, timing, end results, and priorities.

To the best of my knowledge, no assessment is conducted to investigate the academic impact of this carnival and/or other related extracurricular activities on the participating students; therefore, there is no reliable data to base a judgement on. Yet, there is a need to ask questions such as: Does its timing interfere with students’ academic responsibilities? How much time and money do students invest in the event? Who are the person(s) financing the carnival, and what return(s) do they aspire to? And, most importantly, do the educational and developmental values of the event justify its scale and its place in the academic calendar?

There is also the moral and religious dimension, which I deliberately leave aside for the moment: the nature of some of the displays, immodest dressing, unrestricted interaction between male and female students, the conduct of the rehearsals, the chaotic nature of the event and the kind of entertainment sometimes associated with such events should all be subjected to our religious and moral values.

Even if we temporarily put all those concerns aside, one fundamental question remains: What kind of university do we want ABU Zaria to be, and what should occupy the greatest share of our students’ time, attention and energy? Perhaps this is not a call to abolish the carnival, but rather a call for the university to pause, reflect, and objectively evaluate its academic, financial, social, and moral implications.

May Allah continue to guide us to the right path, amin.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Borno State Police Command has recovered an unexploded ordnance, identified as a hand grenade, from a drainage slab in Moduganari, Maiduguri.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

Daso said the recovery followed a report received by the police at about 12:40pm on August 15, 2026, about a suspected explosive device found in the area.

According to the statement, operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Base 13, Maiduguri, were deployed to the location after the report.

The statement, titled, “Borno Police Command Recovers One UXO (Hand Grenade) in Maiduguri,” said the operatives safely removed the device from the drainage slab.

“Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, psc, following a report received at about 1240hrs on 15 August 2026 regarding a suspected UXO found on a drainage slab in Moduganari area, operatives of the EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri, promptly mobilised to the scene and safely recovered the item,” it said.

The command said the recovered device had been secured for further examination. It added that an investigation had commenced to determine its origin and the circumstances that led to its discovery.

Daso said the Commissioner of Police appreciated residents who alerted the authorities after noticing the suspected explosive.

“The Commissioner of Police commends the vigilance of the members of the public who promptly alerted the Police and reiterates the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the State,” he added.

The police spokesperson also warned residents against touching, moving or tampering with objects suspected to be explosive devices.

“The Borno State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and urges continued cooperation and timely reporting of suspicious objects or activities,” the statement said.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Tazkiyah University, Zaria, the first all-female university in Nigeria, has opened applications for admission into its 2026/2027 academic session.

Based in Kaduna State, the university is inviting qualified female candidates to apply through UTME, Direct Entry and transfer admission routes for programmes across Allied Health Sciences, Management and Social Sciences, and Computing.

Available programmes include Nursing Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Taxation, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering and Information Technology.

Operating under the philosophy of “Blending Knowledge with Noble Character,” the university says it is committed to providing quality education alongside character development.

Students will have access to modern facilities and dedicated faculty, while scholarship and financial aid opportunities are also available for eligible students, including orphans.

Interested candidates can obtain further information and apply for admission through the university’s official website, www.tazkiyah.edu.ng.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has disowned documents and correspondences circulating in the public requesting financial support for the production, printing and nationwide distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) for the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a disclaimer signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the council described the documents as fictitious and frivolous, warning individuals, organisations and institutions against responding to such requests.

The council stated that the purported correspondences did not originate from NERDC and should be disregarded.

“Our attention has been drawn to fictitious and frivolous document and correspondences purported to emanate from the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) requesting for financial support for the production, printing, and nationwide distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) covering the 2026/2027 academic session,” the statement read.

NERDC further said it “strongly and unequivocally” disclaimed and disowned any document or correspondence requesting financial support for the production, printing and distribution of the revised curriculum under any arrangement.

The council explained that adequate plans had already been put in place for the production, printing, dissemination and distribution of the revised Basic Education Curriculum through the appropriate federal and state education authorities, agencies and departments.

According to the statement, there is no need for any institution or organisation to provide financial support for the exercise, as the established channels for implementation have already been arranged.

NERDC therefore called on government agencies, educational institutions, departments and members of the public to ignore any correspondence claiming to have been issued by the council seeking financial assistance for the curriculum project.

“We therefore call on all relevant agencies, departments, institutions and the general public to disregard and discountenance any correspondence purported to be written by NERDC requesting financial support for production, printing and distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC),” the Executive Secretary said.

The council also assured stakeholders in the education sector of its commitment to maintaining diligence in its official communications and safeguarding the integrity of the national curriculum while ensuring that the revised curriculum is made readily available through appropriate channels.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has announced an immediate ban on the charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply across all its campuses.

According to a special bulletin issued on Monday, the university said the widespread charging of private electric motorcycles has contributed significantly to rising electricity bills, placing a heavy financial burden on the institution.

The directive applies to staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators, and all other users of electric motorcycles. Management warned that anyone found violating the ban will face disciplinary action in line with the university’s rules and regulations.

The university has also directed Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Units to monitor compliance and report violations. In addition, a monitoring team will conduct regular patrols across the campuses to ensure strict enforcement of the directive.

BUK urged all affected persons to comply with the new policy, describing it as part of the university’s efforts to reduce energy costs and promote the prudent use of its resources.

By Myolisi Gophe

When meningitis robbed him of his hearing at the age of eight, many believed Ibrahim Tukur’s future had been written off. His teachers could no longer reach him. Friends drifted away. Some mocked him. Even his father, convinced there was no future for a deaf child, withdrew him from school.

Today, that same boy is pursuing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Disability Studies at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Department of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences as the first Deaf Mandela Rhodes Scholar – one of Africa’s most prestigious leadership scholarships – and is using his experiences to advocate for a more inclusive society.

For Tukur, who hails from Nigeria, his journey is not simply one of overcoming adversity – it is proof that when barriers are removed and opportunities are created, people with disabilities can thrive.

“Receiving the scholarship was one of the happiest moments of my life,” he said. “It reminded me that our disabilities do not determine our success.”

Growing up in Ingawa, a small town in Nigeria’s Katsina State, life changed overnight when meningitis left him Deaf.

Unable to follow lessons in mainstream classrooms, he experienced a sharp decline in academic performance.

“My life drastically changed,” he recalled. “I could no longer understand what my teachers were teaching.”

The social isolation that followed was equally devastating.

“I lost most of my friends, who avoided me because of my deafness, as if it were a curse.”

Believing there was little hope for his son’s future, his father removed him from school.

But fate intervened.

A relative encouraged his father to enrol him at the Government School for the Deaf in Malumfashi, a residential school where sign language was the primary means of communication.

The impact was immediate.

“For the first time since losing my hearing, I learned in an environment where everyone communicated through sign language. Gradually, I regained my confidence, rediscovered my love for learning, and began to believe in myself again.”

That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to ensuring other Deaf children would not face the same barriers.

He went on to earn a degree in Special Education from Bayero University in Kano before enrolling at UCT to deepen his understanding of disability inclusion and advocacy.

Today, he serves as the head teacher at Dambo Tukur School for the Deaf and he also co-founded the Thrive Disability Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities through education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Finding inclusion at UCT

Although he had spent years advocating for disability rights, arriving at UCT introduced him to a level of inclusion he had never previously experienced.

“I have never experienced what real inclusion was like until I came to UCT,” he said.

When he struggled to find accommodation upon arrival, staff at UCT’s Disability Service stepped in immediately, helping secure accessible accommodation at Obz Square in Observatory and installing assistive technologies in his room.

Initially, he worried he might be inconveniencing others.

“I realised that inclusion is not about doing someone a favour. It is about removing barriers so everyone can participate equally.”

Another turning point came when his South African Sign Language interpreter connected him with members of the Western Cape Deaf community.

“Through them, I found friendship, belonging and a sense of home.”

Those experiences reinforced his belief that leadership begins by creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued and included.

The importance of leadership

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship recognises more than academic excellence. It seeks young leaders committed to reconciliation, entrepreneurship and social impact.

For him, leadership has always been measured by how many lives are impacted, rather than what titles people have.

Among his proudest achievements is advocating for the establishment of Dambo Tukur School for the Deaf back home, which now provides quality education to more than 50 Deaf children who previously had little or no access to schooling.

He has also organised mentorship programmes for Deaf learners, trained government workers in sign language to improve communication with Deaf citizens and coordinated vocational skills programmes that have enabled many unemployed Deaf adults to become financially independent.

One of his biggest challenges came while campaigning for the school.

Government officials initially resisted the proposal because of misconceptions about Deaf people.

Rather than allowing disagreement to create division, he chose dialogue.

“By continuing to engage respectfully and demonstrating the importance of inclusive education, we eventually secured approval and established the school.”

He believes those experiences embody the leadership values championed by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

Overcoming invisible barriers

His own university experience also revealed the everyday obstacles Deaf students continue to face.

As an undergraduate, before his journey with UCT, he completed his degree without the support of a sign language interpreter.

Instead, he relied on lecture notes, handouts, and hours of independent study to compensate for the information he could not access in class.

“There were moments when I questioned whether I truly belonged at university and whether I could succeed in a system that was not designed with Deaf students in mind.”

Despite those challenges, he graduated with an Upper Second Class pass (an average score between 60% and 69% across his university courses).

The experience shaped his conviction that disability itself is not the greatest obstacle.

“Inaccessible environments create the greatest barriers to success.”

As someone who has lived the realities of exclusion, he believes universities have an important role to play in changing society.

He would like to see disability studies integrated across disciplines so that graduates in every field understand disability rights, accessibility, and inclusive communication.

He also advocates for stronger support services, including timely access to sign language interpreters, assistive technologies and accessible learning materials.

Financial support for students with disabilities, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is equally important.

Long-term vision

His long-term vision is ambitious: over the next decade, he hopes to empower at least 500 people with disabilities through education, leadership development and entrepreneurship.

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, he said, provides more than financial support.

“It gives me the knowledge, networks and leadership experience to achieve these goals.”

Looking back on his journey, he hopes his story inspires other Deaf learners to believe in themselves.

“Do not allow society’s expectations to define your future,” he said.

“There will be obstacles, and there may be moments when people underestimate your abilities, but your deafness does not determine your intelligence, your talent or your potential.”

His message is simple but powerful.

“If a boy who was once withdrawn from school because people believed he had no future could become a Mandela Rhodes Scholar and study at one of Africa’s leading universities, then you should never doubt what is possible for your own life.

“Dream boldly, persevere through challenges, and remember that you deserve to learn, to lead and thrive just like everyone else.”

Editor’s Note: The article was first published on the Cape Town University news website here: How a Deaf student experienced real inclusion at UCT.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir 

Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, has announced plans to host an international conference in honour of renowned Hausa literary icon and musician, Aminu Ladan Abubakar, popularly known as Alan Waka.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammad Khalid Othman, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ensuring the success of the event, describing it as an opportunity to promote Hausa language, literature and cultural heritage on the global stage.

Speaking during a meeting with the Local Organising Committee, the Chairman, Professor Ibrahim Garba Satatinu, commended the university management for its support and pledged effective coordination to deliver a successful conference.

In his remarks, Aminu Ladan Abubakar expressed gratitude to the university for recognising his literary contributions, describing the conference as a rare honour. He said the event would inspire younger generations of writers, poets and researchers to preserve and promote Hausa literary traditions.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Bashir Aliyu Sallau, and other university officials also praised the initiative, noting that the conference would attract scholars, researchers and cultural enthusiasts from within Nigeria and abroad.

The conference is expected to bring together academics, writers, poets and students to examine the literary philosophy, poetic style and enduring contributions of Aminu Ladan Abubakar to Hausa literature and African scholarship.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, Faisal Manir, has called on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to immediately review its registration policy that allegedly compels married female Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) to adopt their husbands’ surnames.

In a letter dated July 30, 2026, and addressed to the Director-General of the NYSC, Manir argued that the policy violates the constitutional rights of married women by overriding their choice to retain their maiden (father’s) names during online registration.

According to the letter, female PCMs who indicate that they are married are prompted to provide their husbands’ details. While the registration portal appears to offer them the option of retaining their maiden names, Manir alleged that the system ultimately requires them to accept their husbands’ surnames before completing the registration process.

He contended that the practice is inconsistent with Sections 37, 38(1), and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee the rights to privacy, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and protection from discrimination.

The lawyer further argued that the policy disproportionately affects Muslim women, noting that Islamic teachings emphasize preserving a person’s lineage through the father’s name. He cited Qur’an 33:5 and a Hadith to support his position that adopting a surname other than one’s father’s is contrary to Islamic principles.

Manir also referenced a Supreme Court decision, Lagos State Government & Ors v. Asiyat AbdulKareem (SC/910/16), stating that it affirmed citizens’ rights to practise their religion and uphold their beliefs in matters of personal identity.

He called on the NYSC to discontinue the practice immediately and to amend its registration system to allow married women to retain their maiden names without coercion or additional justification.

In addition, the lawyer demanded that the NYSC reissue, free of charge, certificates to women who were allegedly compelled to adopt their husbands’ surnames during the scheme.

The letter serves as a pre-action notice, warning that failure to address the demands could result in legal proceedings seeking a declaration that the practice is unconstitutional, an order directing the NYSC to issue corrected certificates, and compensation for affected women for the psychological distress and inconvenience allegedly caused.

As of the time of filing this report, the NYSC had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demands contained in the letter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The University of Jos Alumni Association has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged mob killing of one of its members, Ibrahim Mbaya, and urged security agencies to ensure that everyone connected with the incident is brought to justice.

Mbaya, a Jos-based model and alumnus of the University of Jos, reportedly lost his life on Sunday after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos, Plateau State.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji over the alleged culpable homicide.

According to available reports, Mbaya attended a social event before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s apartment because it was too late for him to return home. He was also said to have been working to resolve an outstanding academic matter at the University of Jos.

The following morning, his friend allegedly informed him that an iPhone was missing and accused him of stealing it because both of them were the only occupants of the apartment. Although Mbaya initially left the premises, he reportedly returned after his friend asked him to come back and explain himself.

Police said he was confronted by his friend and a group of youths after his return. The group allegedly accused him of stealing the phone before assaulting him with sticks and other objects for several hours in an attempt to force a confession. He eventually lost consciousness, while a nurse who examined him later reportedly confirmed that he had died.

The command also disclosed that one of the suspects appeared in a viral video allegedly hitting the deceased with a large wooden plank.

Reacting to the incident, the University of Jos Alumni Association condemned the killing in a statement issued on Tuesday. The association described the attack as “barbaric, unjustifiable, and a gross violation of the right to life.”

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the gruesome killing of our colleague and brother, Ibrahim Mbaya,” the statement read.

“No Nigerian deserves to die in such a manner, irrespective of any allegation against them.”

The association urged the relevant authorities to speed up investigations, arrest every person involved in the incident and ensure that those responsible face justice.

“We demand justice for Ibrahim Mbaya. The rule of law must prevail and not mob action,” the association stated, urging the police to make public the findings of their investigation.

The alumni body also appealed to governments at all levels to intensify public awareness campaigns against jungle justice and strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We must collectively reject mob killings and allow due process to take its course,” the statement added.

The association also expressed sympathy to Mbaya’s family and pledged its support in their pursuit of justice.