News

By Zainab Haruna Abba

Social media has become an integral part of teenagers’ lives, but its impact on their well-being and mental health is a topic of concern.

Social media allows teenagers to connect with friends and family, share their thoughts and experiences, and access information and resources. It can also provide a platform for self-expression and creativity. Additionally, social media can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about important issues and promoting social change.

The impact of social media on teenagers can be significant. It’s not just a case of losing sleep and getting distracted during the day; social media can have far-reaching adverse effects on a teen’s mental health.

As the adolescent brain is still developing, it’s more vulnerable to time online. And since teens can sometimes struggle to self-regulate their screen time, their exposure and the risk of harm increases. As a result, teens’ social media use often correlates with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, envy and loneliness.

However, parents can take steps to encourage responsible use of social media and limit its negative effects. Setting reasonable limits on social media use is crucial. Parents should talk to their teens about avoiding interference with important activities such as sleep, meals, or homework. Establishing a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use and keeping cellphones and tablets out of bedrooms is also essential.

Monitoring teens’ social media accounts regularly is vital. Parents should let their teens know they will check their accounts and follow through. Explaining what’s not okay to share or do online, such as gossiping, spreading rumours, bullying, or damaging someone’s reputation, is also important.

Encouraging face-to-face contact with friends is particularly important for teens who are vulnerable to social anxiety disorder. Parents should talk openly about social media and its potential impact, sharing their experiences and habits and asking teens how they use it and how it makes them feel.

Reminding teens that social media is full of unrealistic images can help mitigate negative effects. Parents can also help protect their teens by setting guidelines and teaching responsible use.

An estimated 4.9 billion people worldwide are expected to use social media in 2023. For teens who grow up with technology, those digital platforms are woven into the fabric of their lives.

“Social media is here to stay,” said Mary Alvord, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Maryland and adjunct professor at George Washington University and a member of the APA panel. That doesn’t mean we have to accept its dangers, however. “Just as we decide when kids are old enough to drive, and we teach them to be good drivers, we can establish guidelines and teach children to use social media safely,” Alvord said.

By Uzair Adam

Power has been restored in Kano and other northern states after an extended blackout that disrupted business and social activities.

The Daily Reality learned that the electricity was restored in areas like Dorayi, Rijiyar Zaki, Tudun Murtala in Kano City around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Other cities in northern Nigeria, including Bauchi and Jos, have also regained power after about ten days of darkness.

The blackout was triggered by the tripping of the 330kV transmission line, which disconnected several northwestern and northeastern states from the national grid.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) worked extensively to reconnect the affected states to the grid, gradually restoring power to communities across the region.

By Uzair Adam 

The Senate has approved the nomination of several new ministers following a rigorous screening process. 

Among those confirmed are Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Other appointees include Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment. 

Idi Muktar Maiha was also confirmed as Minister of Livestock Development, and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad was confirmed as Minister of State for Education.

The Senate dedicated approximately five hours to screen and confirm the nominees following a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to suspend certain procedural rules. 

This suspension allowed the Special Adviser to the President on Senate matters, Basheer Lado, to introduce the nominees during the plenary session.

Last week, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out President Bola Tinubu’s letter listing the nominees for the ministerial positions.

By Uzair Adam

A Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, has taken legal steps against Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a House of Representatives member from Abia State, following an alleged assault incident in Abuja.

According to Abuwatseya’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, the arraignment will take place today at Kuje Magistrate Court.

He confirmed, “We are on our way to Kuje Magistrate Court for the arraignment of the honourable member who assaulted our client, Mr. Stephen, a Bolt driver,” adding that media personnel are invited to cover the 12 pm session.

This incident, which has gained significant media attention, follows a report from the Nigeria Police Force that it had launched an “impartial” investigation into Ikwechegh’s actions.

The lawmaker is accused of physically assaulting and threatening the driver, with parts of the altercation captured in a video that quickly went viral on social media.

The footage allegedly shows Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency, slapping and verbally abusing the driver for requesting he approach the car to collect a delivery.

Ikwechegh reportedly threatened to “make the driver disappear” without consequence, even breaking the driver’s phone and tearing his clothes in a display of authority.

In a statement released Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi expressed the police’s commitment to a thorough investigation.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an impartial investigation into the matter and wishes to reaffirm its commitment and readiness to ensure justice is served accordingly.”

The incident reportedly occurred on October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja.

By Uzair Adam

A Sharia Court in Kofar Kudu, Kano State, has ordered the remand of Nasiru Mukhtar, accused of assaulting an Imam at a mosque in Tudunwada.

According to police reports, the incident occurred on October 22, 2024, around 5 a.m. when Mukhtar allegedly approached Imam Malam Murtala Sulaiman during the early morning prayers, grabbed him by the neck, slapped him, tore his clothing, and took his microphone.

Following the incident, Malam Sulaiman reported the case to the Kano State Police Command.

The charges against Mukhtar, according to the police, align with Sections 165 and 166 of the Kano State Penal Code.

During the court proceedings, the accused pleaded not guilty.

The presiding judge, Malam Isah Rabi’u Gaya, rejected the defense’s bail application and ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Mukhtar to assess his mental state.

The judge has set the case’s next hearing for November 22, 2024, pending further investigations.

By Uzair Adam

A High Court in Kano State on Tuesday ordered the remand of Zhang Qunfang, a Chinese national, in a correctional facility over allegations of forgery and destruction of property belonging to Huafei International Nigeria Ltd., located at No. 52 Hadejia Road, Gezawa District Area, Kano.

During the arraignment before Justice Ma’aji, prosecution counsel Eristio Asaph from the Force Headquarters legal department presented a charge filed on October 3, 2024, requesting the court’s approval to read the charges to the defendant.

However, defense counsel Ibrahim Abdullahi Chedi opposed the reading, contending that the case was not ready for arraignment as Qunfang had only received the charges that day.

He noted that Qunfang, arrested by INTERPOL in Abuja, had been granted administrative bail and argued that, according to Section 127 Sub 2 of the ACJL 2019, the defendant should be served seven days prior.

The prosecution responded that the defendant had refused to accept the charge sheet post-release on bail. After reviewing both sides, Justice Ma’aji granted permission to proceed with reading the two-count charge.

According to the charge, Qunfang allegedly forged the signature of Mr. Zhu Bin, a company client, to add her name as a signatory and used her access to withdraw $80,000 from the company’s account without approval from other directors.

Additionally, she is accused of intentionally demolishing a building owned by Huafei International Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecution asserted that these acts violate sections of the Penal Code Law. Qunfang pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court adjourned the session to November 1, 2024, to address the defense’s bail application and ordered her remand in custody pending the hearing.

By Habibu Maaruf Abdu

Nigeria has selected the Kannywood film ‘Mai Martaba’ as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film (IIF) category at the 97th Academy Awards, also known as Oscars.

The 15-member Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) confirmed in its official statement that the selection was made after a rigorous voting session.

Mai Martaba is a historical epic featuring 500 actors that showcases northern Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. It tells the story of the succession struggle between competing claimants for the throne of the fictitious Jallaba Kingdom.

Reacting to the selection, the film’s director, Prince Daniel Aboki, expressed his delight, adding, “It is a privilege to represent our country at this prestigious global event.” 

He added, “Mai Martaba is more than just a story; it’s a celebration of our culture, struggles, and triumphs as Nigerians. We’re bringing the voices and stories of our people to the global stage, sharing the heart of Nigeria with the world.” 

The film, which stands as the most expensive Kannywood production, was also selected for the Septimus Awards in Amsterdam before its theatrical release in Nigeria in July 2024.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organises the Oscars, confers the IFF Award yearly to a feature-length film produced outside the US with at least 50% non-English dialogue.

A shortlist of 15 finalists will be revealed on December 17, 2024, followed by the announcement of the final five nominees on January 17, 2025.

This marks the second time a Hausa film has been selected for the Oscars, following The Milkmaid (directed by Ovbiagele, 2020).

However, unlike The Milkmaid, whose Kannywood identity is disputed, Mai Martaba is a bona fide Kannywood production, proudly representing the Hausa film industry’s cinematic talent.

The 97th Oscars will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live to over 200 territories worldwide.

Electricity is slowly becoming history in the North, over a week without a flash of light. Nothing has ever been taken seriously by our northern politicians. They only prioritize politics over the needs of people.

Some believe that electricity is just for lighting our homes and charging our phones, but it goes far beyond that.

Prices for water and other materials needed for electricity generation have skyrocketed in these eight days without power, and they will likely remain high even after electricity is restored.

During this financial crisis, the lack of electricity has severely impacted many small business owners who rely on nighttime hours to support their families.

Additionally, power outages put people’s property at risk, leading to security challenges. Our brothers and sisters in hospitals are also struggling.

If you hear someone in the North complaining, it often affects them personally or someone close to them.

We tend to care only about ourselves and our families, with only a few among us showing generosity.

We are always praying for a better Nigeria but change begins with yourself and myself.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has teamed up with the World Customs Organization (WCO) to host a workshop on “Gender Diversity” at the Old Federal Secretariat in Garki, Abuja.

The event, which began on Monday, October 28, 2024, reaffirms Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s commitment to creating a work environment where every officer thrives, regardless of gender. 

Chief Superintendent of Customs Zara Musa, representing Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, emphasized the workshop’s importance in fostering a workplace with equal opportunities for growth and success.

“This workshop will pave the way for officers to contribute fully to the Service’s success, regardless of gender. CGC Adeniyi remains committed to nurturing a gender-inclusive environment within the NCS,” Musa stated. 

This initiative follows a previous capacity-building session in April 2024 on gender inclusivity, demonstrating CGC Adeniyi’s efforts to advance gender equality across the Service.

“These initiatives form a series of efforts under CGC Adeniyi’s tenure aimed at advancing gender equality across the Service, promoting a culture where diverse perspectives contribute to enhanced Customs operations,” the National Contact Point added. 

Jennifer Goistene Burs from the WCO highlighted the strategic impact of gender inclusivity on service delivery.

“We are committed to supporting the Nigeria Customs Service in finalizing the draft action plan on Gender Equality and Diversity, which was developed following the sub-regional workshop organized in April,” she said.

Experts Sendra Chihaka from Zimbabwe and Johanna Tornstrom also shared insights on fostering a supportive workplace culture. 

The WCO has been actively promoting gender equality and diversity in customs administrations globally, providing tools and resources to support its members.

This collaborative effort between the NCS and WCO aims to strengthen inclusivity and empower officers to contribute to the Service’s success.

By Anwar Usman 

The Kano State Police Command on Tuesday arresty a notorious kingpin identified as Inuwa Zakari, also known as “Gundura,” together with 14 others. 

SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Command’s spokesperson, confirmed the arrest through a press statement released to journalists in Kano. 

Gundura, aged 24, who was wanted for terrorising the metropolis, was also identified as the assaulter who attacked a Vigilance Group Commander, which caused life-threatening injuries and damaging a police vehicle. 

The arrests were made during clearance operations conducted between 25 and 27 October 2024, following directives from the State Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, to launch aggressive action against thuggery. 

The police sent a clear and strong warning that such violent activities would not be tolerated. 

The assailants are currently under investigation at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department and, upon completion, will be charged in court to face the full wrath of the law. 

The Commissioner of Police expressed appreciation for the public’s continued support and cooperation.

He stated, “This isn’t the first time the Kano State Police Command has taken a serious action against criminal activity.”