Lifestyle

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A 3-foot-tall medical doctor in India, Dr Ganesh Baraiya, is inspiring millions worldwide after his extraordinary journey was spotlighted by BBC News.

Born with dwarfism and standing at just about three feet, Baraiya grew up confronting stigma and low expectations. In the widely circulated report, he recalled being once offered a place in a circus—a path his father firmly rejected in favour of education and a life of dignity.

That decision changed everything.

Against the odds, Baraiya pursued his studies with determination, overcoming social and institutional barriers to qualify as a medical doctor. When discrimination threatened to halt his progress, he refused to back down, taking his fight for equal opportunity to India’s Supreme Court.

Today, the 3-foot-tall doctor stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, courage, and possibility. His story has gone viral, touching hearts across the world and sparking renewed calls for inclusion and equal access for persons with disabilities.

For many, Baraiya’s journey is more than a personal triumph; it is a reminder that greatness is not measured by physical stature but by strength of purpose.

By Uzair Adam

As National Kidney Month comes to an end, health experts continue to emphasise the need for greater awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and the steps people can take to prevent it.

The kidneys play a vital role in the body by filtering waste products and excess fluid from the blood. When these organs become damaged, they gradually lose their ability to perform this function properly.

Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease and, in severe situations, kidney failure.

A 2025 study reported that CKD is becoming an increasing global health concern, affecting about 11 to 14 percent of adults, with more than 25 million people potentially living with the condition.

In Nigeria, however, many people remain unaware of the dangers, often resulting in late diagnosis when the disease has already progressed to advanced stages.

Understanding daily habits that may contribute to kidney damage can play a key role in preventing the condition. Several lifestyle choices that seem harmless can gradually place pressure on the kidneys if they are repeated frequently.

One common habit is not drinking enough water. Proper hydration is essential for the kidneys to function effectively because they rely on water to filter waste from the blood and produce urine.

When the body lacks sufficient fluids, toxins can accumulate, increasing the likelihood of kidney stones and infections. Severe dehydration can also weaken kidney function over time.

Health experts recommend a daily intake of about 2.7 litres of water for women and 3.7 litres for men.

Another habit that may harm the kidneys is the frequent use of painkillers. Many people turn to medications to cope with physical stress and fatigue, but excessive or unsupervised use can damage the kidneys.

Drugs such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin, which belong to the group known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may gradually affect kidney tissues when taken too often.

Long-term misuse has been associated with a condition known as Analgesic Nephropathy, where the filtering units of the kidneys become damaged.

These medications can also reduce blood flow to the kidneys, raising the risk of injury and scarring.

Frequent consumption of energy drinks is another lifestyle habit that can negatively affect kidney health.

Although many people use them to cope with daily stress or fatigue, these drinks typically contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar.

Excess caffeine increases urine production, which can lead to dehydration and additional strain on the kidneys.

High sugar intake, on the other hand, may contribute to health conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure, both of which are known risk factors for kidney disease.

Studies have also linked heavy consumption of energy drinks to several kidney-related complications, including reduced kidney function and acute kidney injury.

The combination of caffeine, taurine and sugar found in many of these beverages may increase oxidative stress and gradually put pressure on the kidneys.

Another factor that can affect kidney health is physical inactivity. Research shows that many adults do not engage in enough exercise, contributing to a sedentary lifestyle.

A lack of regular physical activity has been associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease and faster decline in kidney function.

Health experts advise that maintaining healthy habits — including staying hydrated, using medications responsibly, limiting energy drinks and engaging in regular physical activity — can significantly reduce the risk of kidney-related diseases.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has intensified efforts to combat tuberculosis as activities marking World TB Day 2026 are held, reaffirming its commitment to controlling and eliminating the disease.

Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the state is emerging as one of the leading in Nigeria’s fight against tuberculosis.

According to the statement, the government has continued to scale up interventions aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, which remains a major public health concern.

Speaking during the commemoration, the Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the state is taking deliberate steps to address the burden of tuberculosis through sustained health programmes and policies.

He noted that TB is still a serious health challenge but added that the government is intensifying efforts to curb its spread across communities.

The commissioner explained that symptoms of the disease include persistent cough, excessive sweating and significant weight loss, warning that tuberculosis is airborne and can easily be transmitted if not properly managed.

“The symptoms should not be ignored, as early detection remains critical in controlling the disease,” he said.

He further stated that the government is committed to eradicating TB through various initiatives, including the renovation of Yada Kunya General Hospital to improve treatment and patient care.

Yusuf also commended the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support in strengthening the health sector.

The statement revealed that 913 people were diagnosed with tuberculosis in Kano State in the past year, with 720 successfully treated, indicating progress in managing the disease.

It added that development partners have supported the state with mobile healthcare vehicles to expand access to medical services, particularly in underserved communities.

Health officials urged residents to seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment remain key to stopping the spread of tuberculosis.

By Abdalla Uba Adamu

My most recent post on the Hausa traditional technologies of cloth-making and weaving raised a very interesting—and very welcome—comment: did I use AI to write the post? The simple answer is no. Now, let me unpack the issue (and while this sentence is not AI-generated, it is definitely AI-syntax!!!).

I have noticed over several weeks postings that are definitely AI by people whose writing I am quite familiar with. You get to notice these things after almost half-century of teaching and supervising student projects and dissertations at all level, and all in the English language. Words that keep popping up in these recent postings include: “ecosystem”, “DNA”, “spine”, “architecture”, “chamber”, “leverage”, “cartography”, “nuance”, “cascade”, and of course, “unpack.” 

Generative AI produces prose in a neat, grammatically correct and often archaic language. When someone is not used to writing in that syntax and they suddenly do, then it is AI at work. And words that don’t belong in normal conversation. For God’s sake, how frequently do you use “ecosystem” or “DNA”? But suddenly they begin to appear in someone’s writing! Even if it is not directly AI, you were subtly influenced by AI Grammar!

Further, AI can produce perfect grammar and spelling, but the content often lacks depth or original insight. Do you see spelling errors or factual mistakes? That’s human, not AI. Do you see polished perfect grammatically error-free narrative? Suspect, but not always, AI, especially if the person is not a seasoned or regular writer.

As I assured my commenter, none of my postings has ever been written by AI, nor will it be. Every word, comma and period are made by me in Ɗorayi Babba, Kano! My writing might seem like AI simply because I use an academic register in my normal writing. In other words, ingantaccen turanci, which the AI machine is not used to seeing in social media posts. AI detectors are guessing probabilities—not identifying authorship. I write very carefully, going over what I write at least three times, checking facts, spelling, context, before I press the send paper airplane icon (I also use my laptop for all postings, to avoid mistakes as much as possible).

Pick any of my writings from, say 2001, dump it in AI, it will tell you it was AI-written. This was before the Generative version of AI became commodified social conversations. Thus, in an academic writing AI will not flag my writing. But it might in social media posting because the AI checker will expect a loose, public-oriented syntax. Look for “human flags” in all my writings. In the post in question, the flag is: “Remove the cloth—and we revert back to our animal origins. Our shame exposed, because we are now aware.” No AI will write that because it is a human thought, expressed by a human. In fact, it even tells you that the human is religious—invoking religious imagery to make a point. AI is religiously, spiritually and politically neutral—except Grok!

The passage refers to the awareness Prophet Adam (AS) of his nakedness after eating the Forbidden Fruit in Paradise. The leaf he used to cover himself is now the clothe the picture glorifies—the civilizational tool which separates us from animals that are naked. That is religious philosophy. No AI can come up with this insight.

So, do I use AI?  Referring of course to Generative AI. Of course! In 2026 any person NOT using AI is in serious trouble in the global knowledge economy, in any sphere. I use the paid version which gives me more features (I will not tell you which AI I use so as not to advertise free for them!).

If I am asked to write a chapter for a book or a journal article, I never use AI for the main prose. I use it only to gather titles of reference materials (and I then fly to the Acibilistan Central Library, using Acibilisian Airways, to borrow copies), and I doubly verify the references are real, not AI-hallucination (I have caught it on one or two occasion, and I “warn” it never to give me what it thinks I want; only what is real). But the prose is mine. Funnily enough, even the AI I used is quietly impressed with the titles of my projects—go over my past publications and you will what I mean—and this was before the Generative AI revolution.

I don’t even use it for my lectures. I may ask for lecture outline—and promptly decline any offer of writing the lecture notes. The reason is that all my lectures are based on my ethnographic field experiences—with actual examples of videos, photos, or experiences shared with my students at all levels.

Other cases where I allow AI to draft something for me might be where I am asked on a short notice to be a keynote speaker. But give me weeks’ notice in advance, I cook my own meal.  Or write reference for someone. When it produces the draft, I go over it and input personal touches. (it will write, “he is a hard worker”, I will write, “he is an excellent co-worker and sociable person whom I have known for over ten years”).

One ongoing case where I use the AI is in editing my autobiography, and I find it tremendously useful at that. I have written more than 90% of the book, given it to human editors to correct, mainly article misplacement, grammar etc. Once I subscribed to the paid version of my AI, I send it the previous chapters (which, unwisely, were written in Third Person, but that’s a story for another day). It converted everything to the First Person POV I asked it to. Then it smoothened sentences, polished passages, but, and I warned it right from the beginning, did not add anything. I always use it in editorial mode. Save me lots of money from human editors (and time chasing them for return)! It has an often irritating tendency to lead you to a rabbit hole, but I always claw my way out of it. So, my Prompts tell it to be Editorial, not Authorial. It is a nice relationship that keeps the integrity of my words, and saves me a lot of money in paying human editors to edit the work.

I am happy that people are beginning to notice the increasing rise—and use— of Generative AI, even trying to pinpoint it. This is good. Equally happy that some AI tools are capable of answering Prompts in the Hausa language—thus opening up the Hausaphone world to the global knowledge economy.

Now, I ask you. Do you use Generative AI? In what ways. Are you happy with it, or do you feel you are surrendering your intellect to a machine? Or are you Die Mensch-Maschine (ask your AI to translate that!)?

Abdalla Uba Adamu
Department of Information and Media Studies
Faculty of Communication
Bayero University Kano
March 10, 2026

A Chinese livestreamer has reportedly lost about 140,000 followers after a beauty filter malfunctioned during a live broadcast.

The incident occurred while the content creator was streaming to her audience. A sudden glitch caused the filter to drop. Viewers then saw her natural appearance in real time. Clips from the moment later spread widely across social media platforms.

The development triggered fresh conversations online. Many users debated the role of beauty filters and how they shape digital identity. Others also discussed the pressure on content creators to maintain a flawless appearance during broadcasts.

Some commentators said the incident highlights the gap between online images and reality. Others noted that it shows the human side of creators who often feel the need to meet unrealistic standards.

The situation has also renewed calls for more authenticity in online spaces. Several users argued that audiences may value genuine content more than heavily edited visuals.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Wednesday, 18th February, 2026 as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH following the confirmed sighting of the new moon.

The announcement was contained in a press release signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.

According to the statement, reports from various National Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirmed the sighting of the new moon on Tuesday, 17th February, which marked the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447AH.

Accepting the reports, the Sultan, who is also the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), officially declared Wednesday as the first day of the holy month.

The Sultan congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and prayed for Allah’s guidance and blessings throughout the period. He urged all Muslims to use the season to pray for peace, progress, and development of the nation.

He wished all Muslims a happy and blessed Ramadan Kareem, praying that Allah (SWT) accepts all religious deeds.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the immediate retirement of directors who have spent eight years or more in the directorate cadre.

Those affected include directors working within the ministry, federal health institutions, and related agencies. The directive was contained in an internal memo obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday morning.

This development follows an earlier report that the Federal Government had instructed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to implement the eight-year tenure policy for directors and permanent secretaries. The instruction came with a fresh deadline issued through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The memo enforcing the decision in the health ministry was signed by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Tetshoma Dafeta. It stated:

“Further to the Eight (8)-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, which mandates the compulsory retirement of Directors after eight years in that rank, as provided in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021(PSR 020909) copy attached, I am directed to remind you to take necessary action to ensure that all affected officers who have spent eight years as Directors, effective 31st December, 2025, are disengaged from Service immediately.

“Accordingly, all Heads of Agencies and Parastatals are by this circular, to ensure that the affected staff hand over all official documents/possessions with immediate effect, their salaries are stopped by the IPPIS Unit and mandate the officers to refund to the treasury all emoluments paid after their effective date of disengagement.

“This is reiterated in a circular recently issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225, dated 10″ February 2026. A copy is herewith attached for guidance, please.

“In addition, you are to forward the nominal roll of all directorate officers (CONMESS 07/CONHESS 15/CONRAISS 15) In your institution, send to DHRM@health.gov.ng and Agudosi.obinna@health.gov.ng. You may please note that officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministry will conduct a monitoring exercise to ensure compliance.

“Failure to adhere to paragraph 2 above shall be met with stiff sanctions.”

The policy has its roots in the revised Public Service Rules introduced in 2023. The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, announced the implementation during a lecture held at the State House, Abuja, to mark the 2023 Civil Service Week.

In a circular issued at the time to permanent secretaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General for the Federation, and heads of extra-ministerial departments, she confirmed the enforcement date.

“Following the approval of the revised Public Service Rules (PSR) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on September 27, 2021, and its subsequent unveiling during the public service lecture in commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week, the PSR has become operational with effect from July 27, 2023,” the circular read.

Under Section 020909 of the revised rules, permanent secretaries are to serve a four-year tenure, renewable only on the basis of satisfactory performance. The same rules prescribe compulsory retirement for any director on Grade Level 17, or its equivalent, after eight years in office.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A councillor in Zamfara State, Abubakar Muhammad Tahir, who represents Mayana Ward in Gusau, has shared bags of charcoal and charcoal-fired pressing irons with residents of his constituency as part of what he described as an empowerment effort.

Findings show that the items were provided to members of the community to assist them in small income-generating activities. Reports indicate that the outreach targeted residents of Mayana Ward and formed part of the councillor’s engagement with constituents at the grassroots level.

Information published by Nasarawa Daily News stated that the materials were intended to help beneficiaries venture into petty businesses and other trades that depend on charcoal and pressing irons for daily operations.

The development has again drawn attention to the pattern of modest empowerment packages often rolled out by political office holders across the country. Such initiatives, in many cases, have attracted public criticism, with some observers arguing that they offer limited long-term economic value.

In May 2024, the senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rufai Hanga, reportedly distributed 5,000 white garments and clay pots to constituents for burial purposes. The lawmaker’s aide, Dawuud Auwal, later shared a report of the exercise on Facebook and commended the gesture, writing, “Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah A Newspaper Named Newsveo Revealed The Good Things That Senator Rufai Hanga Has Brought To His Region In 2024, After I See You On My Facebook Page I See The Contentment Of What They Did And The Truth Of The Conversation Is Why They Did It.”

Earlier in March 2024, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, handed out cooking stoves and other items to constituents in Abia State under an empowerment scheme.

Records also show that on April 29, 2022, Senator Aliyu Wamakko donated wrappers and cash assistance to less-privileged women in Sokoto North Senatorial District to ease financial pressure during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. His media aide, Bashar Abubakar, said the former governor personally presented the packages, which went to young girls, women and the elderly.

In February 2022, a councillor in Sokoto donated two plastic mats to residents of Sadada community in Kebbe Local Government Area and posed for photographs during the presentation.

Other examples have surfaced over the years. In 2020, Abdullahi Mamudu, who represented Rijau/Magama Federal Constituency in Niger State, distributed wheelbarrows to youths as part of an employment drive. In 2018, Alhassan Ado Doguwa shared cutlasses and hoes with constituents in Kano State under a youth support initiative.

Media reports in 2021 also highlighted how a local government chairman in Ilesa East, Osun State, presented hairdryers and sewing machines to selected beneficiaries to encourage small businesses.

Across different states, empowerment items have ranged from tricycles and motorcycles to grinding machines, sachet water packs and shoe-shining kits. There have also been instances where donkeys and cassava stems were shared as livelihood support.

One such case involved wheelbarrows branded “Gov Ortom for You,” which were distributed by an aide to former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom. Beneficiaries were expected to use them for errands and street hawking.

A similar programme later appeared in Taraba State, where a lawmaker, Maigari Bello-Kasimu, distributed wheelbarrows to constituents. His spokesperson, Saidu Na-Anabi, explained the rationale, stating, “All of them used to hire wheelbarrows and push to earn their living, but now they have the opportunity of owning their wheelbarrows.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the successful holding of the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival signals the return of stability to Kebbi State and the nation at large, as over 50,000 fishermen from Nigeria and neighbouring countries participated in the four-day cultural extravaganza.

Speaking at the grand finale in Argungu on Saturday, the President witnessed a local fisherman, Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area, emerge as the overall winner after landing a 59kg catch. Usman went home with N1 million and two brand new cars.

The festival, which returned after a six-year hiatus, featured cultural displays, water competitions, traditional boxing, and dancing, drawing participants and spectators from across the region.

“This festival has endured for 83 years and stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” Tinubu told the gathering. “The organisation, security arrangement, and internal outlook of the event demonstrate what is possible when leadership is purposeful and inclusive.”

The President used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the fight against banditry and insurgency is being won, attributing the peaceful conduct of the festival to sustained investments in security and community engagement.

“I am pleased to note that significant progress has been made in combating insecurity across Kebbi and other parts of our nation,” he said. “The relative peace we are witnessing today in this region is not accidental. It is the result of sustained investment in security, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.”

Tinubu pledged stronger federal support for agriculture, tourism, and rural development, noting that events like Argungu can only thrive in a conducive security atmosphere. He commended Governor Nasir Idris for what he described as purposeful leadership in organising the historic event.

Before attending the festival, the President commissioned several infrastructure projects in Birnin Kebbi, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Secretariat Complex, a new modern motor park, a three-lane dual carriageway, and the Kauran Gwandu College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences.

Governor Idris, in his remarks, outlined his administration’s achievements across infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, including the recruitment of over 1,800 health workers, construction of thousands of classrooms, and free distribution of fertilisers and improved seedlings to farmers.

The Emir of Argungu, Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, described the President’s presence at the festival as “a profound identification with the core values of courage, reconciliation, peace, and friendship” that the 61-year-old festival represents.

In the keenly contested fishing competition, Abdullahi Garba from Argungu secured second place with a 40kg fish, winning N750,000, a brand new car, and a Hajj seat. The third position was jointly claimed by two contestants from Jigawa and Kogi states with a 33kg catch each, earning them N1 million and a motorcycle apiece.

All four winning fish were presented to President Tinubu as souvenirs at the conclusion of the event.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The 61st edition of the Argungu International Fishing Festival commenced on Saturday at Mata Fada in Argungu town, Kebbi State, with the heaviest fish weighing 59 kilograms.

The Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, noting the remarkable size of the catch recorded at this year’s outing.

“61st Argungu fishing festival, biggest fish caught 59Kg,” Dare said.

The annual cultural event attracted thousands of fishermen, tourists, and culture enthusiasts from different parts of Nigeria and outside the country. Excitement heightened as a large crowd of the anticipated 40,000 participants rushed into the river shortly after noon. This happened before the formal opening ceremony and ahead of the arrival of President Bola Tinubu.

Reports from the venue indicated that in the fishing contest, “Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area emerged overall winner with a 59kg catch.

“Abdullahi Garba from Argungu placed second with a 40kg fish, while third position was jointly claimed by Nasir Garba and another contestant, who each landed a 33kg catch.”

While announcing the winners, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor stated that the champion would receive “two Toyota vehicles donated by the Sokoto State Government, bags of WACOT rice and a cash prize of ₦1 million.

“The second-place winner received a car, a Hajj slot and ₦1 million, while the joint third-place winners were awarded two motorcycles each and ₦750,000.”

Earlier, President Tinubu arrived in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, where he inaugurated two major projects. The projects included the newly built State Secretariat and the renovated Central Motor Park. He later proceeded to Argungu to formally declare the festival open.

The Argungu Fishing Festival dates back to 1934. It was established to celebrate peace between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom. Over time, the festival has grown into an internationally recognised cultural event that features fishing contests, traditional music, dance, wrestling, arts, crafts, and other cultural displays.