News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night awarded Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour.

The ceremony took place in Lagos in recognition of Gates’ contributions to global health and development through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The CFR is reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Nigeria and humanity at large.

Gates has long supported initiatives in Nigeria, particularly in healthcare, polio eradication, and economic development.

President Tinubu praised Gates for his dedication to improving lives worldwide and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with global leaders in advancing sustainable development.

By Anas Abbas

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has mandated that deposit money banks (DMBs) cease the direct deduction of charges from customers’ accounts.

Instead, these fees will now be deducted from users’ mobile airtime.This change, effective June 3, 2025, was communicated to customers via an email from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) on Tuesday.

The bank outlined that, in compliance with the NCC’s directive, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be taken from bank accounts but will instead be billed directly to mobile airtime.

According to the UBA’s statement, each USSD session will incur a fee of ₦6.98 for every 120 seconds, a charge that will be processed by the user’s mobile network operator.

Customers will receive a consent prompt at the beginning of each session, and airtime will only be deducted after they confirm their willingness to proceed, provided the bank is available to complete the transaction.

For those who prefer not to use USSD banking under this new billing structure, UBA has indicated that customers can opt out of this service.

Additionally, they can continue to utilize other digital banking options and internet banking platforms for their transactions.

This latest directive appears to be a strategic effort by the NCC to address the long-standing conflict surrounding USSD payments between commercial banks and mobile network operators (MNOs).

In December 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NCC had instructed MNOs and DMBs to settle an outstanding USSD debt estimated at ₦250 billion.

The situation escalated in January when telecommunications companies threatened to withdraw USSD services due to unpaid debts owed by banks.

In response, the NCC warned it would suspend USSD services and publish a list of banks that were still in arrears.

On January 15, the regulator ordered telcos to disconnect USSD codes assigned to nine banks by January 27 due to these outstanding debts.

On February 28, MTN Nigeria reported receiving ₦32 billion of the ₦72 billion owed by banks as part of the resolution of this USSD debt issue.

This recent directive marks a pivotal shift in how USSD banking services will operate in Nigeria, potentially benefiting both consumers and service providers in the long run.

By Anwar Usman

Government Secondary School Kwakwaci, Kano, has a rich history of academic excellence spanning decades. Over the years, the school has produced thousands of graduates who have gone on to achieve greater things.

The Daily Reality reliably gathered that despite these notable achievements, the school is now facing significant challenges.

Many fear that Kwakwaci will be among the schools in Kano State that may cease to exist due to severe environmental and managerial problems that have plagued the institution.

These unresolved issues threaten to ultimately force the school to close its doors.

Part of the problems bedevilling the school include dilapidated classrooms, abandoned laboratories, and other infrastructural decay, further exacerbated by rampant theft of school facilities by hooligans living in the vicinity.

Neglect despite huge education allocations

The Daily Reality also gathered that this menace persists despite the state’s declaration of an emergency in the education sector and the allocation of massive funds to improve education in the state.

This persistent neglect raises uncomfortable questions about the priorities of the Kano State Government, which allocated a staggering ₦95 billion to the education sector in its 2024 budget and an additional ₦168,350,802,346.19 (representing 31.00% of the budget) in 2025, making education one of the most heavily funded sectors in the state.

Current state of the school

The once-proud institution has no gate to protect its infrastructure, giving people of all kinds unrestricted access to the premises.

A staffer of the school, who spoke under the condition of anonymity during an interview with our reporter, lamented how the school has been grappling with issues that threaten its very existence.

“At night or after school hours, people enter the school and steal whatever they want due to the absence of security personnel at the gate,” he said.

He added that, “That’s what makes it easy for people to engage in criminal activities like smoking, drug abuse, and other illegal acts.”

He further noted, “The school is located very close to a market, and people have taken advantage of that proximity to carry out illegal activities.”

Other schools suffering a similar fate

Kwakwaci is not the only school in this dire situation. Several other schools are either on the verge of collapse or desperately need renovation to continue operating.

Schools like Mai Kwatashi, GSS Tudun Bojuwa and many others in the rural communities have suffered from over a decade of neglect.

In the case of GSS Tudun Bojuwa, the school has no gate, students sit on the floor, and the classrooms lack doors and windows, among other distressing conditions.

It is evident that while the state government’s declaration of an emergency in education is a vital step, these persistent problems continue to undermine teaching and learning.

Response from the principal

When contacted, the principal of Government Secondary School Kwakwaci said he was not fully aware of the situation.

“The only thing I know is that the school has no junior secondary students because they are under the supervision of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and they don’t send junior secondary students here anymore,” he said.

He attributed the lack of students to the high cost of living. “Most of the students come from areas like Kurna, Rijiyar Lemo, and Bachirawa.

“Many parents cannot afford the transport fare for their children, and that’s why the school has no junior classes.”

He added, “We only have SS2 and SS3 classes, and we have already appealed to stakeholders to reconsider the situation and send fresh students for junior secondary education.”

Government response

TDR also contacted the Kano State Ministry of Education through its Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi, who referred us to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSMB) for a comprehensive report on the condition of the school.

However, the Executive Secretary’s phone could not be reached.

Efforts to contact the PRO of the KSSMB also proved futile as there was no response to the calls and messages we sent to him at the time of compiling this report.

Many people believe that it is high time the government took decisive action to address the plight of these schools, especially Kwakwaci.

They also believe that that would help not only in revitalising education but also in curbing illegal activities by individuals who exploit the school’s deteriorating facilities.

By Maryam Ahmad

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Announcing the holidays on behalf of the government, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo extended congratulations to the Muslim Ummah both within Nigeria and in the diaspora. 

Dr Tunji-Ojo urged Muslims to embody the spirit of sacrifice and faith exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to use the period to pray for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the minister assured Nigerians that the people-oriented reforms and initiatives carried out under President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agendaare aimed at restoring Nigeria to progress.

Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Eid al-Adha, is one of the most significant festivals in Islam. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. In Nigeria, the festival is marked by prayers, animal sacrifices, and sharing meals with family, friends, and the less privileged.

The declaration of these public holidays allows Muslims across the country to observe the religious rites and festivities associated with Eid al-Kabir.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In an unprecedented move, Moroccan authorities have ordered the closure of livestock markets nationwide ahead of Eid al-Adha following a royal directive from King Mohammed VI.

The decision aims to mitigate the impact of severe drought and economic strain, which have drastically reduced livestock numbers and left many families unable to afford traditional sacrifices.

Local officials have been instructed to enforce the ban on all public and seasonal animal markets, with some provinces also suspending municipal slaughterhouses and restricting sales of sacrificial tools.

The measures seek to preserve Morocco’s dwindling herds and ease financial burdens on households grappling with rising meat prices.

In a gesture of solidarity, King Mohammed VI announced he would perform the Eid sacrifice on behalf of all citizens, echoing a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The move has drawn widespread praise, with many Moroccans viewing it as a compassionate response to the country’s challenges.

While the restrictions may disrupt customary celebrations, they highlight Morocco’s emphasis on unity and shared resilience during hardship.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his intention to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the 2027 general elections. He made the statement on Monday during a media interaction in Abuja, dismissing claims that he was undermining the PDP while serving in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.  

“I am still in PDP. I worked hard for the party,” Wike said. “No one can question my membership because nobody has contributed more than I. I will lead the PDP campaign in Rivers in 2027.”  

Wike, a former Rivers State governor, has faced criticism from PDP members for his role in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government. However, he defended his actions, stating that he takes pride in making tough decisions, even if they upset powerful figures.  

“I step on the toes of big men, and it makes me happy,” he said. “If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care.”  

On the political crisis in Rivers State, Wike denied any personal rift with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and stated that he would have opposed a state of emergency if consulted by the president.  

“I don’t have any crisis with Fubara,” he said. “If Mr. President had asked me, I wouldn’t have agreed to a state of emergency.”  

Wike’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the PDP, with his loyalty remaining a contentious issue among party members.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Matthew Miller, former spokesperson for the U.S. State Department under President Joe Biden, has said Israel has “without doubt” committed war crimes in Gaza.

In a recent interview, Miller pointed to the targeting of civilian infrastructure, the high civilian death toll, and the ongoing blockade as clear violations of international law. His remarks mark a significant departure from the official U.S. position, which has largely avoided directly accusing Israel of war crimes.

Miller’s comments come as independent investigations into alleged violations by Israeli forces continue. He also criticized the Biden administration’s support for Israel, warning it risks enabling serious breaches of humanitarian law.

By Muhammad Abubakar

NDLEA operatives have seized illicit opioids worth ₦9.3 billion during a joint inspection at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.

Between May 28 and 30, seven flagged containers were searched, yielding 825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol (valued at ₦5.77 billion), and 5.1 million tapentadol tablets (valued at ₦3.57 billion).

In Kano, NDLEA officers intercepted two men—Abubakar Hussein, 42, and Sahabi Adamu, 53—on May 30 with $900,000 in suspected counterfeit currency along the Kano-Maiduguri road.

Meanwhile, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) continued with sensitisation programs across secondary schools in Katsina, Enugu, Anambra, Kano, and Cross River.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised officers for reducing the drug supply and promoting public awareness nationwide.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate exploiting hajj pilgrims as cocaine couriers to Saudi Arabia.

Two intending pilgrims, Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado, were arrested on Monday, May 26, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during screening for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah. They were found to have ingested 90 wraps of cocaine between them, weighing a total of 1.04 kilograms.

Following intelligence gathered from their arrest, NDLEA operatives apprehended three alleged sponsors of the operation: Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba, on May 27 and 28 in Kano.

In a related operation, a 60-year-old businessman, Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, was arrested on May 28 at the same airport while boarding a Qatar Airways flight to Iran. He excreted 65 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.41kg.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s Kano command for its swift action and called for continued vigilance during the hajj season.

“This bust shows how far traffickers are willing to go. We will not let religious pilgrimage be used as a cover for criminal activity,” Marwa stated.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared Monday a public holiday to sympathise with the families of the 22 Kano athletes who died in a tragic accident while on their way from Ogun State.

The governor gave the directive while still away on a pilgrimage for the 2025 Hajj.

“He directed that Monday, 2nd June 2025, be declared as a public holiday for the good people of Kano to pray and sympathise with the families of the victims.”

In a late-night statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed his profound sadness over the loss and assured that all necessary support would be provided to the grieving families.

“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief,” he added

The state also called on Imams and all Muslims within and outside Kano to pray for the departed souls and for their respective families to bear the loss.