News

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 288 people suspected of attempting to trigger violence during the ongoing by-election for the Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency in Kano.

The disclosure was made by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, through his verified Facebook account.

He explained that the suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons and are currently under investigation.

According to him, the arrests formed part of a wider operation to forestall any breakdown of law and order throughout the election.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fatange, with N30 million allegedly meant for vote-buying ahead of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kaduna State.

Fatange was apprehended Friday evening at a hotel in Kaduna, where he was reportedly coordinating the distribution of cash to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency election.

Security sources confirmed the suspect was caught with a large sum of money intended to compromise the electoral process.

The Kaduna Police Command also verified the arrest, stating that investigations were ongoing.

The incident comes amid rising tensions, with political parties trading accusations of vote-buying and electoral malpractice ahead of the polls.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and turn out peacefully to vote.

Muhammad Isah Zng

A former lecturer at Al-Qalam University, Malam Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, stated that education is dead in Nigeria in a post he shared last week on his popular Facebook account.

“Our youth are no longer interested in education at all. They preferred to be celebrities rather than teachers or lecturers because it’s a quick way to be rich, not education.”

“The majority of Nigerian university students are after certificates; they are curious to graduate and leave their schools because the government gives more attention to celebrities than teachers and lecturers,” he said. 

“But there’s still hope for government, if it considers these: First, it should give full attention to the welfare of teachers and lecturers by paying them their allowances on time”, he added.

Malam Mubarak called on the government to make a concerted effort to renovate laboratories and libraries to alleviate the learning difficulties faced by students.

Finally, he advised that the government should also continue providing scholarships to lecturers and teachers to enhance their professional development.

Malam Mubarak resigned from his position at the university a few years ago. Since then, he has been involved in real estate businesses in Kano and beyond.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed media reports claiming that a Canadian court declared the party a terrorist organization, describing the reports as “patently erroneous and misleading.”

In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC clarified that the ruling in question involved a case between Douglas Egharevba and Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, which centered on Egharevba’s immigration status.

The court had dismissed Egharevba’s application for judicial review, citing his membership in Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its alleged involvement in subversive acts during elections.

The APC noted that the only mention of the party in the 16-page judgment was in reference to Egharevba’s false claim of being an APC member as far back as 2007—years before the party was officially formed in 2013.

Morka noted that the court explicitly avoided ruling on terrorism, stating: “Having found that the IAD’s analysis on subversion was reasonable, this is sufficient to dismiss the application for review. I will therefore refrain from analyzing the IAD’s findings on terrorism.”

The APC urged its members and the public to disregard the misleading reports, stressing that the court made no such declaration against the party.

“Such a decision would have been an unjustifiable overreach and a breach of due process, as the APC was not a party to the proceedings,” Morka added.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly appointed Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, was officially decorated with his new rank today in Abuja.

The ceremony was performed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) Hall.

The Minister praised the outgoing CG, Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu, for his outstanding service, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene N. Ajani, urged the new CG to uphold national interest and work within the law.

In his response, CG Adeyemi thanked President Tinubu and other officials for their trust, promising to reposition the agency for greater efficiency.

The event was attended by top government officials, lawmakers, past FFS leaders, and heads of sister security agencies.

A reception followed at the FFS headquarters, marking the occasion with celebration and unity.

The CDCFIB expressed hope that the new CG would justify the confidence reposed in him by the President and Nigerians.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, has announced a three-week medical leave to focus on his health.

The leave will begin on Monday, August 18, 2025.

In a press release by the State Ministry of Information and Culture, Governor Radda expressed gratitude to the people of Katsina for their support and prayers.

He stated that prioritizing his health would enable him to return to office with renewed energy and continue serving the state effectively.

“Taking the necessary steps to address my health is crucial so I can make the best decisions for our state,” he said.

During his absence, Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal, HCIB (Sarkin Fulanin Jobe), will act in his capacity.

Governor Radda expressed confidence in the Deputy Governor’s ability to oversee state affairs smoothly.

The government assured residents that all ongoing projects and programs under the “Building Your Future Agenda” will proceed without disruption.

The administration looks forward to the Governor’s return in good health.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.

The decision, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday, aims to address declining standards and infrastructure challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, is intended to curb duplication, optimize resources, and improve existing institutions.

Alausa stated that Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 42 polytechnics, and 28 colleges of education, yet many struggle with low enrollment and inadequate facilities.

“Access to tertiary education is no longer the problem—quality is,” Alausa said.

He cited alarming statistics, including 199 universities with fewer than 100 applicants in the 2024/2025 academic session and 34 institutions with zero applicants.

Similar trends were observed in polytechnics and colleges of education.

The minister emphasized that the moratorium will allow the government to focus on upgrading infrastructure, enhancing staff capacity, and expanding the carrying capacities of current institutions.

He also warned that unchecked expansion risks producing unemployable graduates. Meanwhile, FEC approved nine new private universities, clarifying that these were long-pending applications.

Alausa noted that stricter guidelines would soon apply to private institutions to prevent unchecked growth at the expense of quality.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the federal and state governments to heed the concerns of Nigerians rather than dismissing their grievances.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the launch of NASFAT’s 30th-anniversary history book, the Sultan urged leaders to show empathy and avoid oppressive measures when addressing citizens’ hardships.

Amid rising inflation and economic challenges, the Sultan emphasized the importance of justice in governance, stating, A nation can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice.”

He advised leaders to act with fairness and truth while urging Nigerians to pray for their leaders instead of cursing them.

NASFAT President, Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulrauf, highlighted the organization’s growth over 30 years, from a small prayer group to a global faith-based body promoting social welfare and education.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

By Musa Abdurrazak

A 25-year-old lady was allegedly found murdered today in the morning at Kabuga Janbulo along Gwarzo Road in the Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

Eyewitnesses expressed their shock and trauma over the disturbing incident. Shu’aibu Bala, whose shop is located nearest to the scene, recounted, “It was around 6 AM when I was opening my shop that I spotted the dead body on the ground by the roadside.”

Another witness, Khalifa, described the scene as “the biggest calamity” he has ever encountered, noting, “The woman was brutally slaughtered, and her dignity has been violated.” He further speculated that the victim may have been killed at a distance and later dumped by the roadside, as he mentioned that police officers arrived shortly after the discovery.

In an effort to gather more information, the Daily Reality (TDR) reached out to Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, via call and message. However, TDR could not get any response at the time of this report.

This tragic incident adds to a growing concern in the community, as reports of unidentified bodies being discovered have become alarmingly frequent, instilling fear and uncertainty among residents.

By Anna Gabriel Yarima

When the internet and digital platforms emerged from the rapid growth of information and communication technology, journalism experienced a fundamental transformation. Traditional newspapers and mainstream media organisations around the world embraced these tools, prompting universities and journalism schools to introduce online journalism courses. The goal was clear — to equip students with the skills to navigate and manage digital media while preserving the profession’s core principles and ethics in a new online environment.

Today, another major technological shift is underway: the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). From established newspapers to online-only platforms, media organisations are experimenting with AI in reporting and content creation. But this raises important questions: Do all journalists possess the skills to use AI effectively and responsibly? At what point in the reporting process should AI be applied — and in what ways? For example, should it be used to create images for advertisements or event coverage? And if so, how do we reconcile that with journalism’s commitment to accuracy and objectivity?

If AI is here to stay in the newsroom, the profession must find ways to use it without eroding the ethical foundations of journalism. This makes it imperative for journalism educators, researchers, and training institutions to include AI literacy in curricula at universities, polytechnics, and media schools.

Professor Farooq Kperogi has written extensively on the potential dangers of AI in journalism and academia. In his commentaries, he has pointed out how misuse of AI can undermine truth and credibility, warning of ethical lapses and factual distortions if its use is left unchecked. His examples are sobering reminders of the stakes involved.

Integrating AI instruction into journalism training is no longer optional — it is essential. Without it, journalists risk damaging the profession’s reputation and eroding public trust. The benefits of such training are clear, especially when we consider recent cases that have attracted global attention.

A lack of AI literacy is already causing problems. Many journalists remain either unfamiliar with AI or unaware of the ethical implications of its misuse. For instance, The Guardian US reported on an experienced reporter who used ChatGPT to produce news stories, adding fabricated quotes that were later denied by the supposed sources. This journalist had 15 years of professional experience — a fact that raises serious concerns about what could happen when inexperienced or student reporters misuse such tools.

In another case, The Guardian exposed how the Chicago Sun-Times published a summer reading list generated by AI. While the authors named in the list were real, the books themselves did not exist. Titles such as Hurricane Season by Brit Bennett and Nightshade Market by Min Jin Lee were entirely fabricated. The paper later admitted the content had come from a syndicated partner, not its own newsroom, but still apologised and pledged to investigate. “This should be a learning moment for all of journalism,” the paper said, emphasising the unique value of human reporters and editors.

The fallout spread beyond Chicago. On Threads, AngelaReadsBooks accused the Philadelphia Inquirer of publishing the same AI-generated list, prompting outrage from library advocates who viewed it as a betrayal of journalistic integrity at a time when libraries are under constant pressure.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has recognised the risks and announced the creation of a dedicated fact-checking desk to address AI misuse and protect the credibility of the media.

Professor Umar Pate, a respected communication scholar, has also warned of the broader implications of AI in education and employment. Speaking at the University of Maiduguri, he noted that 92 million jobs could disappear in the coming years, even as over 100 new job categories emerge. As Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, he confirmed that the institution is already preparing to teach students about the responsible and ethical use of AI. Extending such measures to journalism education nationwide would greatly strengthen the profession’s resilience in the face of technological change.

Anna Gabriel Yarima writes from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.