News

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.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, describing it as a political maneuver aimed at silencing opposition voices.

Professor Yusuf was apprehended by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his residence in Abuja on January 29, 2025. He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 30, 2025.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant Yusuf’s bail, stating that the case should be adjourned to allow the EFCC time to amend the charges against him.

Reacting to the development, NEF’s spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, described the arrest as part of a broader political scheme to suppress opposition voices critical of certain government policies.

The group has called for Yusuf’s immediate release and reiterated that silencing dissenting voices undermines the democratic process.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, describing it as a political manoeuvre aimed at silencing opposition voices.

Professor Yusuf was apprehended by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his residence in Abuja on January 29, 2025. He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 30, 2025.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant Yusuf’s bail, stating that the case should be adjourned to allow the EFCC time to amend the charges against him.

Reacting to the development, NEF’s spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, described the arrest as part of a broader political scheme to suppress opposition voices critical of certain government policies. The group has called for Yusuf’s immediate release, emphasising that silencing dissenting voices undermines democracy.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested a man and his girlfriend for allegedly solemnising their marriage at Banana Restaurant on Zoo Road, Kano.

The board’s Deputy Commander General of Operations, Dr. Mujahideen Abubakar, confirmed the arrests to Daily Reality Online on Thursday, explaining that the Hisbah personnel raided the restaurant on Wednesday night following a tip-off.

Abubakar described the incident as “unfortunate” and noted that the marriage ceremony was conducted without the consent of the couple’s parents and with no formal legal or religious procedure.

According to him, the ceremony was orchestrated by the groom’s friends.

“We are not going to allow any violation of the Shari’a in this state,” Abubakar stated, adding that the board is actively pursuing the other individuals involved, as several guests fled the scene before Hisbah personnel arrived.

The deputy commander also noted that the couple’s actions breached several essential marriage conditions, violating the principles of Shari’a law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje has postponed the arraignment of Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to February 3, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had taken Yusuf into custody on Wednesday and brought him before the court on Thursday for arraignment over allegations of fraud.

However, the proceedings were deferred to Monday to allow for amendments to the charges.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed this development in a statement.During the court session, Isah Dokto Haruna, who represented the lead defense counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, applied for bail on behalf of the defendant.

However, the court denied the request due to the postponed arraignment.

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu ruled that Yusuf be held in EFCC custody until his arraignment on the scheduled date.

Yusuf’s arrest and impending prosecution stem from a petition submitted to the Federal Government during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which alleged misconduct and fraudulent activities.

Reports indicate that in 2019, Buhari dismissed Yusuf from his position, following a recommendation from a fact-finding panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Health.

The panel had accused him of mismanaging N919 million.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee known for organizing Quran-burning demonstrations in Sweden, was shot and killed on Wednesday night in Södertälje, near Stockholm.

According to Swedish authorities, police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building, where they found Momika with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting as investigations continue.

Momika gained international notoriety in 2023 for desecrating copies of the Quran, sparking widespread protests and condemnation from Muslim-majority countries. He moved to Sweden in 2018 and had been granted a three-year residence permit.

At the time of his death, he was facing trial for incitement to hatred, with a verdict scheduled for Thursday morning. The court has since postponed the ruling.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that the country’s security service is involved in the investigation, citing possible foreign links to the killing.

Authorities are yet to disclose a motive, but the killing has raised concerns over tensions surrounding Momika’s controversial actions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Over 5,000 Nigerians living in the United States illegally are at risk of deportation following heightened enforcement measures under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Among these individuals, approximately 1,500 are currently detained, as part of a broader initiative aimed at expelling undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.

According to statistics released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in November 2024, there are an estimated 1.445 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., including 3,690 Nigerians.

Recent updates from ICE show an additional 1,454 Nigerians have been detained, with deportation plans already in motion. Of those detained, 772 are awaiting trial, while the rest have been sentenced for various crimes, including immigration violations.

While the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a formal statement on the situation, the Nigerian agency responsible for citizens abroad has confirmed it has set up a committee to investigate the matter and explore possible solutions.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc officially took effect on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

One year ago, the three Sahel nations declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS, and now they have taken a further step by introducing a common passport under the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS).

ECOWAS, however, noted that it remains open to dialogue “for the spirit of regional solidarity.”

Despite the introduction of the new passport, ECOWAS has urged authorities within and outside its member states to continue recognizing the ECOWAS-branded national passports and identity cards of citizens from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

The bloc also called for the continuation of visa-free movement, residency, and trade benefits for these countries “until further notice.”

The new Sahel passport is expected to become operational from January 29, replacing the ECOWAS passport for citizens of the three countries.

However, authorities in the Sahel states have assured that existing ECOWAS passports will remain valid until their expiration dates.On January 28, hundreds of pro-junta demonstrators in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger took to the streets to express support for their governments’ decision to leave ECOWAS.

In Niger, military officials led thousands of supporters to the capital, Niamey, where they chanted slogans critical of French President Emmanuel Macron and other regional leaders.

A similar demonstration occurred in Burkina Faso, where Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo and other government officials joined thousands of citizens in a rally in Ouagadougou.

Although no major protests were reported in Mali, observers expect further developments in the coming days.

The departure of these three countries from ECOWAS marks a significant shift in regional dynamics.

Experts warn that the move could disrupt regional integration, complicate trade, and increase travel restrictions.

“Now, the three countries will lose the duty-free trade benefits that ECOWAS members enjoy,” one analyst noted, adding that the landlocked nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger may face higher costs for accessing coastal ports in West African countries like Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana.

According to ECOWAS Trade Information Systems (ECOTIS), Mali recorded $3.91 billion in exports and $6.45 billion in imports in 2022, while Burkina Faso had $4.55 billion in exports and $5.63 billion in imports.

Niger, with a smaller economy, exported goods worth $446.14 million while importing $3.79 billion worth of goods.

With their departure from ECOWAS, these nations may face additional tariffs and trade barriers.ECOWAS introduced its regional passport in December 2000, allowing visa-free movement across member states and granting citizens the right to stay in another member country for up to three months.

With the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, travel restrictions may now come into effect, especially for citizens of these countries and West Africans wishing to visit the Sahel region.

The bloc has given the three countries a six-month grace period, extending until July 2025, to reconsider their decision in case they wish to rejoin.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS has put structures in place to facilitate discussions with the departing nations to minimize disruptions to lives and businesses during the transition period.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Presidency has criticized former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his comments about democracy in the country.

The Daily Reality reported that El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday to strengthen democracy in Nigeria, stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party has failed to fulfill its promises to the people.

He said, “I no longer see the APC as a party. There has been no meeting of any party organs for two years—no meetings of the party leadership, no NEC, nothing. We don’t even know if it’s a one-man party or if there’s no structure at all.”

The former governor added that there was a significant gap between the party and the people, noting that the APC had deviated from its founding purpose and could no longer deliver on its promises to the public.

He further stated that the country’s problems result from the leadership of incompetent, lackadaisical individuals who hold power.

In response, Daniel Bwala, former Federal Capital Territory Minister and Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communications, accused El-Rufai of plotting to destabilize the government he helped establish.

On his X platform, Bwala queried whether El-Rufai would make such remarks if he were part of the current government and seated in the cabinet.

“Brother, if you were in the government and the cabinet, could you take this position and express such views? History has shown such behaviour in the past. Now you want to overthrow the government you helped establish,” Bwala said.