News

By Uzair Adam

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of four persons and the injury of seven others following the collapse of a three-storey uncompleted building at Abedi Sabon Gari in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.

Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Coordinator for the Kano Territorial Office, disclosed the development to the newsmen on Monday.

According to him, the agency received a distress alert on Sunday, July 13, at about 6:49 p.m., reporting the collapse of the structure after a prolonged heavy downpour.

He said the incident occurred at about 6:42 p.m.“On receiving the information, we immediately mobilised a Search and Rescue (SAR) response team to the scene in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that eyewitnesses at the scene indicated several individuals were inside the building at the time of the collapse, with many believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

The agency, he said, confirmed two fatalities and rescued six injured persons by 1:56 a.m. on Monday. By 5:41 a.m., two more deaths and one additional injury were recorded.

All victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano for treatment.

“Several individuals are suspected to be trapped, and efforts are being intensified to reach them safely,” he said.

He added that the rescue team secured the perimeter to control the crowd and ensure safety while using heavy equipment and Amida lighting for the night operation.

Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing in collaboration with stakeholders and local authorities.

Abdullahi said a detailed post-incident assessment report will be compiled at the conclusion of the operation.

He also noted that there is currently no immediate request for additional external reinforcement, but updates will be provided as necessary.

By Uzair Adam

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a courageous leader and a highly disciplined military officer devoted to the nation’s service.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said it received the news of Buhari’s death in a London hospital with deep sadness.

According to the party, Buhari will be remembered for his various roles in public service — including his time as Governor of Borno, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, Military Head of State, and later, as a democratically elected President.

The PDP extended its condolences to his widow, Hajia Aisha Buhari; the entire Buhari family; the Federal Government; the Nigerian Army; the people and government of Katsina State; and the Daura Emirate.

The party also prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide as a sign of mourning and respect for the late former president.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, a two-time leader revered as a soldier and statesman, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in the United Kingdom at 82.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed the death in an emotional press release, describing Buhari as “a patriot to the very core” whose “legacy of service and sacrifice endures.”

Buhari governed Nigeria first as a military ruler (1984–1985) and later as a democratically elected president (2015–2023) Tinubu praised his predecessor’s “unwavering dedication” to Nigeria, highlighting Buhari’s “quiet strength” during turbulent times, anti-corruption campaigns, and commitment to national unity.

“He placed the country above personal interest at every turn,” Tinubu stated.

The president extended condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha, his children, the Buhari family, and the people of Katsina State—particularly the Daura Emirate.

In honour of Buhari, Tinubu ordered all national flags flown at half-staff for seven days and summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday.

The federal government will accord Buhari full state honours, reflecting his “towering contributions” to Nigeria.

Tinubu concluded with a prayer: “May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.” He expressed hope that Buhari’s life would inspire Nigerians to serve “with courage, conviction, and selflessness.”

Buhari’s death marks the end of an era for a leader whose career spanned four turbulent decades in Nigerian politics.

Tributes are expected nationwide as the country enters a week of mourning.

By Anwar Usman

Former President of Nigeria, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has passed away this afternoon in a clinic in London.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the former President’s spokesperson Malam Garba shehu.

Detail later…

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Nigerian Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration over unpaid wage awards and the detention of labour activist Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze.

In a statement shared on his social media accounts, Atiku accused President Tinubu of worsening economic hardship through the “hasty and thoughtless” removal of fuel subsidy on his inauguration day, which he said plunged Nigerians into inflation, hunger, and despair.

Atiku said the government promised a ₦35,000 monthly wage award to federal civil servants pending the conclusion of a new minimum wage deal. Ten months later, only six months have been paid, leaving ₦140,000 owed per worker.

He condemned the arrest of Comrade Emelieze, who was detained for attempting to organise a peaceful protest over the unpaid wages, calling it “an affront to democracy.”

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Emelieze,” Atiku said. “Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten.”

The Federal Government has yet to respond to the statement.

By Uzair Adam

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to explain the whereabouts of N825 billion and $2.5 billion allegedly allocated for refinery rehabilitation and other oil-related revenues.

The lawsuit, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos (Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/722/25), seeks a mandamus order compelling NNPCL to account for the missing funds. SERAP also wants the company to recover and remit the money into the Federation Account.

The group further requests that the court direct NNPCL to identify individuals responsible for the missing funds, surcharge them, and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.

SERAP’s action follows the revelations in the 2021 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on November 27, 2024.

The report raised concerns about several unaccounted financial transactions involving the NNPCL.

Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, recently echoed similar concerns, suggesting that the NNPCL refineries may never work again, despite \$18 billion reportedly spent on them.

According to SERAP, the allegations point to gross violations of public trust and various legal obligations, including those enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption frameworks.

The suit details several financial discrepancies. Among them are over N82 billion deducted from crude oil sales for refinery repairs between 2020 and 2021, and more than N343 billion from domestic crude sales, reportedly for pipeline maintenance.

The Auditor-General fears these amounts may have been diverted and recommends their recovery.

Other flagged transactions include N83 billion from NNPC joint venture operations withdrawn from a suspense account, over N204 billion in unjustified deductions from oil royalties, and more than N3.7 billion paid to a company as a shortfall on PMS cargo sales.

The audit report also highlighted N28 billion in outstanding bridging allowances from NNPC retail, over N13.5 billion from three major oil marketers, and over N15 billion owed by 26 marketers—all from 2021.

Further, the NNPCL reportedly failed to collect over $2 billion and N48 billion in outstanding royalties from oil companies for the same year, a situation the Auditor-General says has likely hindered budget implementation.

SERAP’s legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni, and Valentina Adegoke, emphasized in the court filing that the missing funds underscore a broader issue of systemic accountability failure within the NNPCL.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that a recent Federal High Court judgment poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s broadcast industry, national security, and cultural heritage.

In an open letter titled “For Records and Posterity,” Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Chairman of the NBMOA Board of Trustees, urgently called for presidential intervention.

The plea follows a July 2nd oral judgment by Justice Omotoso of the Abuja Federal High Court, which classified ‘Arewa24 TV’ – a Hausa-language channel owned by foreign interests – as merely a “content creator,” not a broadcaster requiring licensing under Nigerian law.

Ramalan contends this ruling allows foreign entities to bypass crucial licensing requirements from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), evade taxes and levies from agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and ignore federal local content policies.

“This flawed verdict opens dangerous loopholes that can be exploited to recolonise Nigeria’s broadcast economy, drain local advertising revenue, and erode our cultural and traditional heritage,” Ramalan wrote.

The NBMOA alleges that Arewa24, despite branding itself with the culturally significant “Arewa” name and Hausa symbolism, is foreign-owned and has operated for years without fulfilling national tax and regulatory obligations.

Legitimate broadcasting in Nigeria, the association stresses, mandates licenses from the NBC plus approvals from ARCON and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The ruling, NBMOA fears, sets a precedent enabling other entities, both foreign and local, to pose as “content creators” to avoid oversight by the NBC and ARCON.

Ramalan warned this could lead to copycat channels targeting other ethnic groups (e.g., “ODUATV” for Yoruba or “FULFULDETV” for Fulani audiences), eroding indigenous control of Nigeria’s airwaves and advertising revenue.

“This is not just about the Media, but ‘National Security’. Job losses in our indigenous broadcast industry will swell youth unemployment, fueling crime and instability,” Ramalan added, demanding an immediate Executive Order to close the regulatory gaps.

The NBMOA commended the Kano State Government for taking action against Arewa24 within its jurisdiction.

Kano recently banned 22 Hausa film series on the channel for breaching censorship laws, initiated court proceedings over cultural concerns, and served a quit notice on Arewa24’s operations within the state-owned Abubakar Rimi Radio and Television (ARTV) premises, citing illegal transmission sites.

Critics allege Arewa24’s backers exploited political connections in Northern Nigeria to circumvent broadcasting rules and cultural norms, dominating the Northern TV market for over a decade and causing significant capital flight, estimated in hundreds of millions of US dollars.

These unproven allegations have fueled calls for a federal forensic investigation into Arewa24’s ownership, finances from Nigerian advertising, and the potential complicity of officials.

The NBMOA letter, also sent to the Senate President, House Speaker, security chiefs, media regulators, and the National Judicial Council, highlights rising tensions over foreign influence and regulatory weaknesses in Nigeria’s broadcast sector.

While preparing to challenge the ruling at the Federal Court of Appeal, the ECOWAS Court, and the Supreme Court, the NBMOA insists that only swift Presidential action via Executive Order, coupled with regulatory and national security measures, can prevent what it terms “cultural exploitation, financial and economic sabotage with impunity.”

By Anas Abbas

Nigerian political satirist and social media influencer, Bello Habib Galadanchi, widely known as Dan Bello, was briefly detained on Saturday afternoon upon his arrival at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, according to multiple sources.

His comedic sketches often highlight pressing issues such as the deterioration of public education, the collapse of healthcare facilities, and the increasing economic hardships faced by citizens.

While the exact reasons for his arrest remain unclear, it quickly attracted public attention given his reputation as a staunch critic of the political elite.

Fortunately, he was released shortly after being taken into custody, as confirmed by an associate.

As of now, there has been no official statement from the Nigerian Immigration Service or any other security agencies regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest and subsequent release.

By Anwar Usman

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe state Professor Umaru Alhaji Pate, has been elected a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).

Pate’s election was approved by the College of Fellows during a meeting held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

The Academy also announced other new Fellows both Regular and Overseas as well as Honorary Fellows and recipients of its 2025 Awards of Excellence in Humanistic Practice.

Professor Pate, a scholar in Communication and Media Studies, was recognized for his works in journalism education and university leadership.

NAL, in a statement, said the formal inauguration of Professor Pate and other newly elected Fellows will take place on August 14, 2025, during the Academy’s 27th Convocation at the University of Lagos.

The statement in part reads “The investiture of the new Fellows and the conferment of awards will take place during the Academy’s 27th Convocation”.

Other newly elected Fellows include Professor Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole and Professor Temisanren Ebijuwa in Classical Studies, Philosophy, and Religions; Professor Emeritus Alkasum Abba in Historical Studies; and Professors Gbemisola Aderemi Adeoti, Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, and Victor Chiagozie Ariole in Literary Studies.

In Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, Theatre, Visual and Performing Arts, the Fellows are Professors Mohammed Inuwa Umar-Buratai, Ameh Dennis Akoh, and Charles Emeka Nwadigwe.

In Linguistics, Professors Gideon Sunday Omachonu and Obiajulu Augustine Emejulu were named.

Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran was elected an Overseas Fellow in Historical Studies.

The Academy of Letters further revealed that, the event will mark a moment to reflect on “the profound contributions of these individuals to humanistic scholarship and practice.”

By Muhammad Sulaiman

In a major stride toward social justice and responsible governance, the Kano State Government has cleared ₦22 billion out of the ₦48 billion backlog owed to retired workers and families of deceased civil servants.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the release of the fourth tranche of ₦6 billion, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf described the payments as a milestone in his administration’s commitment to restoring dignity to pensioners and bereaved families.

“This settlement is part of our broader agenda to address long-standing liabilities and reposition Kano State as a model of responsible governance,” the governor said.

Governor Yusuf emphasised that the payments not only bring relief to affected families but also reaffirm his administration’s dedication to restoring trust in government institutions. He assured that the remaining ₦26 billion will be paid in subsequent tranches.

“No pensioner or bereaved family will be left behind,” he declared.