News

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the movement of vehicles and the operation of motor parks during environmental sanitation hours, warning that violators will face strict penalties.  

The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, issued the warning on Saturday while overseeing the end-of-month sanitation exercise across motor parks, markets, and major roads in the state.  

He announced plans to block key roads to prevent travellers from entering Kano during designated sanitation hours. 

The commissioner also highlighted gaps in waste management, emphasising the need for immediate intervention.  

“The issue of vehicle movement during sanitation hours will not be taken lightly, especially for those coming from outside Kano who continue to violate our regulations. 

In the next exercise, we will deploy adequate security and block some roads leading into the state,” he said.  

Dr Hashim also criticised motor parks that remained operational during the sanitation period, stressing that such actions would not be tolerated. 

“Some motor parks continue their business activities in defiance of the law, which is unacceptable. We will take decisive steps to ensure compliance,” he added.  

He urged residents and travellers to respect the restrictions and adjust their travel plans to avoid disruptions. 

He reiterated that any individual or transport operator caught violating the directive would face strict penalties.  

“I want to express my displeasure over the continuous movement of vehicles during sanitation hours. This is a clear violation of existing regulations, and anyone who fails to comply will face appropriate sanctions,” he warned.  

Meanwhile, Dr. Hashim commended the residents of the Kauyen Alu community in the Tarauni Local Government Area for actively cleaning their environment, including cemeteries, drainage channels, and surrounding areas.  

The Chairman of Tarauni Local Government, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, lauded the commissioner’s commitment to environmental cleanliness, assuring him of the local government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate open defecation and enhance sanitation standards.  

During the exercise, the task force arrested 28 offenders and imposed fines totalling N78,000 on those who violated sanitation laws.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State government has rejoined the National Housing Fund (NHF) Contribution scheme after a 25-year absence, following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

The agreement, signed by the state’s Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, on behalf of the government and FMBN’s Managing Director, Shehu Usman Osidi, marks a renewed commitment to improving housing access for civil servants.

During the signing ceremony, Osidi assured the Kano government of FMBN’s dedication to ensuring that state workers benefit from the scheme.

He disclosed that the bank has financed ten housing projects in Kano, investing over N6.8 billion, with most of the projects completed and delivered.

“This development is a milestone in our collective efforts to provide sustainable and affordable homeownership opportunities for Nigerian workers, particularly in Kano State,” Osidi stated.

He described the state’s return to the scheme as historic, noting that thousands of civil servants had been unable to access housing loans since the state’s withdrawal in 2000.

Under the renewed agreement, Kano’s civil servants will now have access to various housing finance options, including mortgage loans at single-digit interest rates, individual construction loans, home renovation loans, cooperative housing development loans, and rent-to-own schemes.

There are also non-interest mortgage products designed to meet ethical financing standards. The Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, expressed regret over the previous withdrawal from the scheme, stating that it had deprived workers of crucial financial opportunities.

“This initiative aligns with our unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare and well-being of our dedicated civil servants,” he said.

FMBN assured that ongoing reforms within the bank have improved efficiency, transparency, and digitalized processes, which will ensure that contributors can access funds more easily and that refunds to retirees are processed promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State government has allocated N2.5 billion for conducting quarterly mass weddings across the 44 local government areas of the state in 2025.

The Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Musa Shanono, disclosed this while presenting a breakdown of the state’s 2025 budget, recently passed into law by the State House of Assembly.

Shanono stated that the initiative aims to promote social welfare, uphold human rights, and improve the living standards of residents.

He noted that the government has earmarked N91.32 billion for governance and service delivery programs, including the mass wedding initiative.

In 2023, the state conducted a mass wedding for 1,800 couples, including widows, divorcees, and spinsters, at a cost of over N800 million.

Beyond the mass weddings, the commissioner outlined other allocations in the budget, including N1 billion for Ramadan feeding, N955 million for a manpower statistics survey, general household survey, and out-of-school children statistics, and N1.049 billion for purchasing a printing machine, rehabilitating the general water system, and procuring library equipment for the Government Printing Press.

Additionally, N267.6 million has been budgeted for infrastructure provision, printing an Islamic calendar, and supporting Islamic Da’wah programs and new converts.

Another N589 million has been set aside for security research, empowerment initiatives, and special interventions for street beggars.

The budget also includes N200 million for procuring office furniture, maintaining the Accountant-General’s office, and developing public financial management software and reform activities.

Shanono further stated that the total size of the approved 2025 budget stands at N719.76 billion, marking a 31% increase from the N549.16 billion initially proposed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The budget includes N262.67 billion for recurrent expenditure and N457.08 billion for capital projects, representing a 65% increase compared to 2024.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria (NCMN) has strongly condemned the recent arrest and arraignment of Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential aspirant from the African Action Congress (AAC). 

According to the NCMN, the actions taken against Prof. Usman Yusuf, known for his outspoken advocacy for good governance, transparency, and accountability, and Sowore, a journalist and human rights activist, are part of a broader attempt by the government to suppress opposition and weaken democratic principles in the country.

Although Sowore was released on bail, the NCMN called for the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Usman Yusuf, warning that such actions undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations. The group expressed concern that suppressing dissent could pave the way for an era of criminalising opposition voices.

The movement, led by Mal. Jabir Ibrahim Yaro emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to free speech and opposing any efforts to intimidate government critics. The NCMN further urged the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action and ensure the protection of democratic rights.

Comrade Ahmad Ashir, the National Secretary, and Comrade Muhammad Ayuba, the NCMN spokesman, signed the press release.

The movement addressed key figures, including the President of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a broader call for accountability.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier who was involved in an accident at the Myhoung barracks in the Yaba area of Lagos state.

At least 20 soldiers were seriously injured after a driver rammed his vehicle into them during a drill session earlier today.

Providing an update on the incident, Olabisi Ayeni, acting deputy director of army public relations, 81 Division, confirmed that the accident resulted in the death of a soldier, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Ayeni said that the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary, while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba.

He added that the military police from the division and other relevant security agencies are conducting a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident.

“The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” the statement reads.

“The GOC also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced.

“The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.

“Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its area of operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed all police officers who have reached the age of 60 or completed 35 years of service to retire in accordance with government civil service regulations.

This directive aligns with the guidelines governing mandatory retirement ages for government employees.

The PSC reiterated that no extensions would be granted to senior officers who are retiring.

The commission also stated that there are sufficient personnel within the police force to replace them.

Additionally, the PSC expressed support for the order from the Inspector-General of Police, which instructed officers meeting the retirement criteria to submit their retirement documents promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a wanted terrorist and his wife in a major operation aimed at dismantling a terrorist network attempting to establish a base in the state.

The suspect, Ahmad Adam Abba, a Chadian national, was wanted for masterminding the brutal killing of 17 people in Chad.

While he managed to escape from Nigeria, his wife and two associates—another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed (42) and a Nigerian accomplice—were captured in a decisive police operation.

The command also recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), preventing what could have been a deadly attack.

Commissioner of Police Salman Dogo Garba, speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the Bompai Police Headquarters, reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to ensuring that Kano does not become a safe haven for terrorists.

Recall that last week Friday, January 24, the police issued a security alert, warning the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities after intelligence reports suggested the presence of terrorists planning an attack in the state.

However, the timing of the warning—on the eve of the annual Maulud celebration of the Tijjaniyya sect—sparked controversy, with some accusing the police of attempting to disrupt the religious gathering.

Despite the criticisms, the command intensified its surveillance, working closely with intelligence agencies to track down suspected terrorists. Their efforts led to the arrest of Abba’s associates and the recovery of explosives.

“These criminals thought they could establish a foothold in our state, but they underestimated our resolve. There is no hiding place for them,” Garba declared.

He urged the public to continue cooperating with security agencies, stressing that intelligence-sharing is crucial in preventing security threats.

With the latest breakthrough, Kano residents remain on high alert as security forces intensify efforts to dismantle any remaining terrorist networks.

By Anwar Usman

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said the registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has now been shifted to Monday, February 3, 2025, instead of Friday, January 31, 2025, as earlier slated.

The Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

He said the change was necessary to allow the Board to implement essential adjustments to its registration templates.

“These adjustments came in light of the recent suspension of certain law programmes at selected universities, as submitted to the Board by the Council for Legal Education.

“Additionally, the Board discovered that some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres had used deceptive facilities to be approved, prompting the need for further scrutiny and corrections by disapproving such centres”.

He further stated, “The Board acknowledges the disruption this may cause to candidates and other stakeholders and sincerely apologises for any inconvenience”.

He said the additional time would be used to ensure that all necessary changes were implemented for a smooth registration process.

By Maryam Ahmad

The Italian government has blocked the Chinese AI app DeepSeek due to concerns about data privacy. Garante, the country’s data protection authority, stated that the app failed to provide sufficient details on how it collects and stores user data, raising security risks.

As a result, DeepSeek has been removed from app stores in Italy but remains available in other countries. This move highlights growing global concerns about AI applications and data protection.

With AI adoption increasing in Nigeria, this development raises questions about how such apps handle user data and the need for stronger regulations to protect personal information.

By Anwar Usman

The Kaduna State Government has approved N548 million to the Nigeria Union of Teachers Endwell Fund, resolving a long time dispute between the state government and the union.

The dispute, which had been ongoing for several years, was resolved following the intervention of the state governor, Uba Sani, who directed the immediate release of the funds to the NUT.

The acting Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Mubarak Mohammed, made this known at a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday.

He said, “I am pleased to announce that Governor Uba Sani has successfully resolved the long-standing dispute between the Kaduna State Government and the NUT regarding the NUT Endwell Fund”.

The NUT Endwell Fund is a statutory deductions from teachers’ salaries, aimed at supporting them during service and retirement.

Mohammed further explained that the dispute was resolved as a result of a series of negotiations between the state government and the NUT.

“Under the agreement, all litigation related to the NUT Endwell Fund will be discontinued, and the sum of N548 million will be released to the NUT to manage the Endwell Fund independently,” he said.

He further revealed that the NUT Endwell Scheme will undergo a structural reform to ensure improved efficiency and accountability.

He said, “Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to education and teacher welfare has been evident since his assumption of office in May 2023.According to the chairman SUBEB, the resolution of the dispute is expected to reinvigorate the relationship between the Kaduna State Government and the NUT and to enhance the overall quality of education in the state.

“This resolution paves the way for a renewed, cordial relationship between the Kaduna State Government, the NUT, and the teachers of Kaduna State,” Mohammed said.

The resolution of the dispute has been welcomed by the NUT, which has commended the governor for his intervention.

The Chairman of the NUT in Kaduna State, Ibrahim Dalhatu, acknowledged that the released N548m would surely improve the welfare of teachers in the state.

He also expressed their gratitude to Governor Uba Sani.