National

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

The recent appointment of Mallam Isa Yuguda as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has sparked hope for a new era of growth and excellence at the institution.

As a former minister and governor, Yuguda brings a wealth of experience to the table, which will be crucial in shaping the future of NOUN.

However, the new leadership faces significant challenges. NOUN has struggled with issues of funding, infrastructure and quality of education, which have hindered its ability to reach its full potential.

One of the primary challenges is the need to improve the university’s infrastructure, including its virtual learning platform, to enhance the learning experience for students.

Another challenge is addressing the issue of funding, which has been a perennial problem for NOUN. The new leadership must explore innovative ways to secure sustainable funding to support the university’s programs and initiatives.

The quality of education is also a critical area that requires attention. NOUN must ensure that its programs meet the highest standards of academic excellence, and that its graduates are competitive in the job market.

Despite these challenges, the prospects for NOUN are bright. With the right leadership and support, the university has the potential to become a center of academic excellence, providing access to quality education for millions of Nigerians. The new leadership must also focus on building strategic partnerships with local and international organizations to enhance the university’s research and innovation capabilities.

Furthermore, NOUN must leverage technology to expand its reach and improve its services, including online learning platforms and digital resources. It has the potential to play a critical role in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, including poverty, inequality, and unemployment. By providing access to quality education, NOUN can help build a more skilled and competitive workforce, which is essential for driving economic growth and development.

The new leadership at NOUN faces significant challenges, but the prospects for growth and excellence are bright. With the right vision, leadership, and support, NOUN can become a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians, providing access to quality education and driving national development.

Jarmajo wrote from Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Rivers State High Court has declared the seats of 25 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant.

The court ordered the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other lawmakers to stop parading as lawmakers pending the determination of a suit before it.

The court gave the order in Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024, brought by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Speaker, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Hon.

Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, over the crises rocking the legislative arm of the state.

The defendants include 25 lawmakers who defected from PDP to APC, including Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, Hon. Dumle Maol, and 23 others.

The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honourable Chief Judge Of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, are also defendants in the suit.

The court restrained the lawmakers from parading as lawmakers or meeting to carry out legislative business pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The case was adjourned to July 1, 2024, for mention.

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”.

This was revealed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at a joint session of the National Assembly marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.

The old anthem, composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, replaces the current “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem.

The lyrics were written by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams, and the music was composed by Frances Berda.

The anthem played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The House of Representatives has passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, in a swift move that saw the bill pass through first, second, and third reading within minutes. 

House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, led the debate, arguing that the old anthem is a national symbol and sign of authority that acknowledges the country’s realities.  

He stated the need for Nigerians to embrace the anthem as a unifying force. 

However, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, opposed the bill, citing the colonial origins of the old anthem, which was authored and composed by Britons.  

He questioned the timing of the bill, given the more pressing challenges facing the country. 

Despite Chinda’s objections, the bill received expedited passage and was subsequently passed by the lawmakers.  

The move marks a significant change, as the old anthem was replaced with the current one, “Arise, O Compatriots”, in 1978.

By Murtala Sani

The story of Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo cannot be narrated without weaving greatness with success and mixing niceness with kindness, for he is a character of dignity and simplicity. His life is a hub of imagination and determination, creativity and possibility, humanism and activism because he is a master of generosity and hospitality. Gwarzo’s life style is full of optimism, strength, zeal, courage, tolerance with no iota of hopelessness and laziness as seen in his commitments and achievements.

Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo is an origin of Gwarzo Local Government, Kano State, pursuance of knowledge took him to France where he obtained all his degrees. He held Bachelors degree in French, Masters of Arts in French, PhD in French Linguistics, and then PhD in High Education. This gave him a room to become a Professor of Modern European Languages and also a Professor of Leadership. Obtaining dual Professorship is a feat that only a genius can attain.

Gwarzo became a Professor in his early fourties, coincidentally; he was the President of Protection Rights of Journalists of Africa (PRJA) in his early thirties when he was active in the field of Journalism. At the young age he fought for the rights and freedom of Journalists across Africa.

His passion for business and entrepreneurship opened doors for him to get opportunities in France where he made a huge success. He was the first person that founded bilingual University in Niger Republic, Maryam Abacha American University, Niger (MAAUN) in 2013. Seven years later, Gwarzo founded Maryam Abacha American University, Nigeria, (MAAUN) at Kano in 2021 after two years he founded two more Universities in Nigeria, Franco-British international University, Kaduna and Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja the former is the first Franco-British University in Nigeria.

Therefore, within ten years, Adamu Gwarzo founded four universities making him the first and youngest man that founded four universities in Africa.

Gwarzo is the pioneer President of the Association of African Private Universities due to his dedication to the development of education in Africa. Considering his outstanding contributions to education sector, International Union of Universities in collaboration with Association of African Private Universities gave him an award which serves as commendation to his tireless effort in uplifting education within the African continent.

Again, noticing Gwarzo’s impact on the education sector, International Academic and Management Association (IAMA) inducted him as the Member of its Advisory Board. For the same reason, World Education and Ed Tech 2 awarded him as Innovative Leader in New Delhi, India. These are few out of the numerous awards and honors Gwarzo received from various governmental and non-governmental organizations, national and international associations institutions, schools, communities and students.

The generosity of Adamu Gwarzo led him to establish a foundation with which he can easily touch the lives of many people that are in need of assistance, therefore, Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation was initiated. The philanthropic activities of the foundation revolve around education health, entrepreneurship, empowerment and provision of infrastructural facilities to communities.

For instance, the foundation donated 66 seater bus to Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil (ADUSTECH), 60 seater bus to Bayero University Kano (BUK) , 66 seater bus to Al-Istiqama University Sumaila, 60 seater bus to Kaduna State Polytechnic and 60 seater bus to Niger University. The foundation also constructed more than one hundred boreholes in Gwarzo Local Government area and some areas within Kano State that were in dire need of water. Again, the foundation undertakes the tasks of giving skills and capital to orphans and masses in order to make them self – reliable considering the economic hardship and the rate of unemployment within the country.

Adamu Gwarzo is an enigma. If you see him dining with the elites today, you may see him feasting with the masses tomorrow. His down-to-earth joyous interactions with the masses make him the hero of the commoners. His capacity gives him the opportunity in rubbing shoulders and shaking hands with African, Arabian and European Presidents despite his young age. No wonder Chinua Achebe said a boy that washes his hand well dine with the elders.

His fluency in Hausa and Yoruba languages, plus his mastery of French and English languages speaks volumes of his intelligence. He is peaceful and tolerant because he is he is neither a racist, nor a tribalist, nor a religious jingoist. Muslims, Christians and Jews have no problem with him as seen in his constant navigation to almost every continent of the world. In his entourage, there is no separation between Sunni and Shi’ite believers, therefore, Qadiriyya, Tijjaniyya, Shi’ites and Izala followers work closely with him without segregation. He embraces the actors, musicians, footballers and all sorts of celebrities or legends that swarm around him without stigma.

Adamu Gwarzo is heterogeneous, as a Pan- African, he named MAAUN’s Senate Building after Nelson Mandela, the former South African President and activist that fought against the subjugation of the black people under Apartheid system of government. He named MAAUN’s President Building after Thomas Sankara, that revolutionist that served as the President of Burkina Faso. He named MAAUN’s Deanry Block after Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and nationalist who fought for the independence of the country. He named MAAUN’s Library after Murtala Ramat Muhammad, the patriotic Nigerian General who was assasinated on power.

Furthermore, as an advocate of girl-child education, he named MAAUN’s Social Centre after Magajiya Danbatta, the legendary female singer who promoted girl-child education in her songs. As a Philanthropist, he named MAAUN’s School of Health Sciences after Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a legendary business man and iconic philanthropist. As a non-partisan, he named MAAUN’s school of Social and Management Science after Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice president of Nigeria and former Nigerian Presidential candidate under PDP. He named the Association of African Private Universities (AAPU) Secretariat Building after Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwaso, the former Governor of Kano state and former Nigerian presidential candidate under NNPP. He named MAAUN’s School of Law Building after Remi Tinubu, the First lady of the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, who became President under Apc. Reciprocally, streets, buildings and schools were named after him by the communities, institutions and schools that benefitted from his philanthropic gestures.

In appreciation of Adamu Gwarzo’s friendly and kinship relationship with people he interacts with, Sarkin Hausawan Turai, a leader of Hausa community living in Europe turbaned him as Wazirin Sarkin Hausawan Turai. A Hausa community living in Agege, Lagos, turbaned him as the Sarkin Zumunchi of Agege. In Niger Republic, African Aminci Cultural Association Niger crowned him as the Sarkin Yaki da Jahilci na Afrika. This is in tune with his ambition where he stated that his ambition is to sponsor the education of one million people.

Currently, Maryam Abacha Amercan University Nigeria (MAAUN) is the 4TH best private University in Nigeria, 17th in Africa and 854 in the world, according to the AD Scientific Regulatory Ranking Body for global Academic Institutions. The ranking is based on capacity in Research Inputs /Outputs, Quality Teaching Aids (Faculties and Facilities), Conductive Atmosphere of Learning, Internalization and Collaborations, Students /Staff (Academic and Non – Academic), Positive Interpersonal Relationships, Community Services and Support, Human and Infrastructural Developments that fit with global standard.

Murtala Sani writes from Gwarzo Local Government of Kano State. He is also an academic staff of Kano State Polytechnic, Department of Basic and Remedial Studies.

In a historic visit, President Bola Tinubu received his Senegalese counterpart, President Bassirou Faye, at the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday.

This marks Faye’s first official visit to Nigeria since assuming office last month. 

Faye, who arrived at 3:09 pm, was greeted by President Tinubu at the Villa’s forecourt.

The Senegalese president’s victory in a delayed presidential election in April made him the youngest president in Senegal’s history, securing over 54% of the votes. 

The State House was adorned with both Nigerian and Senegalese flags in preparation for the visit, which was announced by President Tinubu’s social media aide, Dada Olusegun. 

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and exploring areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Senegal.

The visit is seen as an opportunity to boost economic growth and development in the West African region. 

Faye’s visit marks a significant milestone in Senegal-Nigeria relations, building on a long history of cooperation between the two nations.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to be announced soon, but the visit has already highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has issued a serious alert to Kano State residents concerning the impending danger posed by the possibility of flooding in 14 out of the state’s 44 Local Government Areas this year.

Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, the NiMET Kano/Jigawa Territorial Coordinator, disclosed the high risk of flooding during a Disaster Risk Management Stakeholders Coordination Meeting on Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook in Kano.

Abdullahi named the LGAs to include Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garum Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura, and Dala.

He added that five other LGAs—Karaye, Takai, Bunkure, Dawakin Tofa, and Makoda, were moderately prone to high-risk flooding.

Abdullahi said, however, that the remaining 25 LGAs were at low risk, naming them as Doguwa, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Garko, Albasu, Gaya, Kiru, Rogo, Gwarzo, Shanono, Tsanyawa, Bagwai, Bichi, Kunchi, Danbatta, Minjibir, Gabasawa, Gwale, Fagge, Nassarawa, Kano Municipal, Tarauni, Ungogogo, Kumbotso, and Gezawa.

According to him, the meeting was to stimulate discussion and devise plans on the best ways to avert the predicted flooding across the state.

Abdullahi said, “The meeting, in collaboration with the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), became necessary to remind stakeholders of their responsibilities regarding the impact of climate change and the expensive nature of environmental disasters.”

He lamented that women and children are the most affected persons during the rainy season, calling on the people in the flood-prone areas to take all necessary preventing measures before.

By Uzair Adam Imam and Aisar Fagge

Senator Rufa’i Hanga, representing Kano Central, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to introducing developmental programmes that will positively impact the lives of the less privileged in his constituency.

Senator Hanga made this declaration during a press conference held on Sunday at his constituency office in Kano State, expressing his strong dedication to serving humanity despite facing health challenges.

He stated that his empowerment initiatives for over two thousand women and scholarships for Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Kano State Polytechnic are just the tip of the iceberg. He emphasized his determination to undertake more impactful programmes through his 2024 constituency projects.

Despite battling illness since his appointment, Senator Hanga managed to achieve many programmes such as providing medical check-ups and free medication to the needy in their homes, sallah clothes for 2050 orphans, donating books to schools, securing jobs for some youths, thanks to his dedicated team.

Furthermore, Senator Hanga pledged to introduce a motion aimed at restoring the gradually eroded powers of traditional rulers and emirs in the state, as per the request of the Kano State Emirate Council.

According to Senator Hanga, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has urged him to present a motion in the senate to restore the authority of traditional rulers in the state.

“I firmly believe in their significance. Therefore, they should be endowed with constitutional rights to carry out their traditional responsibilities, which have been integral to the system for years,” Senator Hanga stated.

He emphasized that traditional rulers often utilize their influence to maintain peace and address security challenges, not only at the state level but also nationwide.

Senator Hanga also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Kano state, particularly his supporters, who stood by him with prayers during his challenging times.

He remarked that he is thankful to God for his ongoing recovery.

By Uzair Adam Imam

After enduring 17 years of chronic groin inflammation, a 72-year-old man in Switzerland finally found relief.

Doctors at University Hospital Basel identified the cause as a parasitic infection contracted through mosquito bites decades earlier.

The man, who remained anonymous, suffered significant swelling in his penis, scrotum, and left leg.

Doctors noted severe inflammation upon examination, with bloodwork showing double the normal levels.

Further investigation revealed microscopic worms responsible for lymphatic filariasis.

An antibody test confirmed the presence of Wuchereria bancrofti, transmitted through mosquito bites.

These worms hatch in the bloodstream, travel through the lymph system, and cause swelling.

Treatment with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole proved effective, with the man’s symptoms completely resolving within two months.

This case, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention for persistent and unusual symptoms, regardless of embarrassment.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, recounts his harrowing near-death experience at a hospital in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Dalung reveals that he fell ill on Wednesday and was rushed to the hospital, where he lost consciousness shortly after undergoing doctor’s interviews.

In a post shared via X on Friday, Dalung recounted being admitted to the emergency ward but left unattended for over four hours due to non-payment of admission deposits.

He shared how he regained partial consciousness and managed to make the necessary deposit before receiving medical attention.

“I took ill on Wednesday, arrived at the hospital, and shortly became unconscious after doctor’s interviews.

“I was ferried into the emergency ward but abandoned for over four hrs due to non-payment of admission deposits.

“Regained partial consciousness and later did the transfer of deposit,” he revealed.

“After that,” he continued, “I fell into unconsciousness again for about seven hours.

“To God be the glory, I have been discharged after three days and recovering. Were it not for partial consciousness to pay the deposits, I would have been Mr. late.

“Many Nigerians have gone this way. Where is our humanity?” Dalung added, highlighting the urgency for better healthcare accessibility and compassion towards patients in need,” he said.