News

By Sumayyah A. Ishaq

Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani on Monday commissioned the Kagarko Township Road Project in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna, marking his two-year anniversary in office.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, which was attended by top government functionaries, members of the State Executive Council and the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and traditional, religious, and political leaders, among others, Governor Uba Sani Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that the delivery of the projects will further enhance economic achievements in the Kagarko area of the State.

He further said, “The commissioning of this road project is another fulfilment of our administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development through the continuous provision of efficient infrastructure”

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Council, Honourable Muhuyideen A. Umar, said the construction and commissioning of the road stands as another milestone in Governor Uba Sani’s administration’s commitment to infrastructure development that enhances the socio-economic well-being of Kagarko residents.

It would be recalled that prior to the intervention of the Gov Uba Sani administration, the dilapidated Kagarko township road had remained in a state of disrepair for over two decades while motorists and residents navigated in high-risk conditions.

By Maryam Ahmad

An Upper Shariah Court in Kano has sentenced one Shafiu Abubakar to death by hanging for setting fire to a mosque in Gadan village, Gezawa Local Government Area, leading to the death of several worshippers.

The tragic incident occurred earlier this year when Abubakar reportedly locked the mosque doors and poured petrol before setting the building ablaze during early morning prayers. The attack claimed the lives of multiple worshippers and left others with severe injuries.

Presiding over the case, the judge described Abubakar’s actions as deliberate and heinous, noting that the punishment was in line with Shariah provisions for such offences.

The sentencing has drawn mixed reactions. Some residents welcome the verdict as justice served, while others continue to mourn the devastating loss.

Authorities have urged communities to remain calm and uphold peace and coexistence.

By Anwar Usman

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas has withdrawn a bill aimed aimed at making voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

The bill, which he co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago, was meant to change the Electoral Act 2022 to encourage more people to vote and strengthen democracy.

In a statement on Monday, signed by the media aide to the speaker, Musa Krishi, said the decision to pull the bill came after speaking with many people and groups across the country.

“From the start, the goal was to get more people involved in elections and strengthen democracy by boosting voter turnout,” the statement said.

The bill had passed second reading in the House on Thursday but it sparked debate.

Some people supported it, saying it would lead to better voter turnout while others said it would take away personal freedom and would be hard to enforce in a country as diverse as Nigeria.

The speaker, pointed out that countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil have high voter turnout thanks to compulsory voting, but stressed that Nigeria must find its own way that suits its people.

Abbas further stated that “Lawmaking is about serving the people, and any new law must respect personal freedom”.

Instead of forcing people to vote, he said the government would look for another alternative that’ll encourage voting, especially among young people and those voting for the first time.

“This withdrawal gives us time to talk more about how to build a culture of voluntary voting that supports our democracy and respects citizens’ rights,” he added.

Many Nigerians had criticized the bill, urging leaders to focus on solving problems like election violence, lack of trust in the system, and poor planning on election days, issues that stop people from voting.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In response to recent media reports suggesting a potential easing of Saudi Arabia’s longstanding alcohol prohibition, a senior Saudi official has categorically denied any plans to lift the ban.

Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, the Assistant Minister of Tourism, addressed the issue during a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos. She emphasized that the Kingdom remains committed to its laws prohibiting alcohol consumption.

“The short answer is that we’re going to continue with our current laws,” she stated, highlighting that Saudi Arabia has successfully attracted tourists without altering its cultural and legal frameworks.

The clarification comes amid speculation fueled by the recent opening of a liquor store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, exclusively serving non-Muslim diplomats. While this move marks a controlled exception, it does not indicate a broader policy shift regarding alcohol availability in the country.

Furthermore, Saudi officials have reiterated that the alcohol ban will remain during major upcoming events, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi ambassador to the UK, confirmed that alcohol will not be available to fans during the tournament, aligning with the Kingdom’s cultural and religious values.

As Saudi Arabia continues its Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the economy and promote tourism, officials stress that modernization efforts will proceed without compromising core cultural principles.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has revealed that Saudi Arabian authorities barred him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage despite granting him a valid visa.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Sheikh Gumi wrote: “Alhamdulillahi, I’ve already completed my Hajj 2025 and I’m at home in our beloved country Nigeria.”

He referenced a verse from the Qur’an (Q2:196) to explain that being prevented from performing the pilgrimage due to external circumstances frees one from the obligation after offering a sacrifice, in line with Islamic teachings.

The cleric attributed his denial of entry to his political views, stating: “For some obvious reasons—my views about world politics—the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj visa.”

He expressed gratitude to Nigerian authorities. He said, “Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.”

Sheikh Gumi was among several Islamic scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for this year’s pilgrimage.

He reportedly arrived in Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air, but was denied entry by Saudi immigration officials.

Now back in Nigeria, Sheikh Gumi said he would focus on his health and farming activities while urging continued prayers for the safe return of all pilgrims and for peace and prosperity in the country.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Spain has called for international sanctions against Israel following its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has led to heavy civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian situation.

At a high-level summit in Madrid, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares proposed suspending the EU’s cooperation agreement with Israel, imposing an arms embargo, and targeting top Israeli officials with sanctions. 

Mr Albares also called on world powers to recognise the State of Palestine as a step toward peace.

Spain has joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide, further escalating diplomatic pressure. 

Meanwhile, public protests across major Spanish cities have amplified demands for an end to arms sales and more decisive action against Israel.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A high-stakes coalition meeting involving prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, was thrown into chaos after delegates from Jigawa State protested over representation.

The meeting, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel and organized by the National Political Consultative Group (North), was temporarily halted when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak on behalf of Jigawa State.

Angered by the selection, several Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, blocking the nominee and insisting they would not accept an imposed representative.

The confrontation prompted security personnel including police, DSS operatives, and private guards—to swiftly form a protective cordon around Atiku, Amaechi, and other leaders.

After tense moments, order was restored following appeals, with Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, and another delegate chosen to represent the state.

The incident highlights rising tensions within opposition ranks as key figures negotiate alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Anas Abbas

In the recently released results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 17,025 candidates, representing 0.88% of the total 1,931,467 participants, scored 300 and above. 

This information was disclosed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Sunday, coinciding with the announcement of results from the resit examination.

This year’s performance marks a notable improvement compared to previous years since the introduction of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format in 2013. The latest figures surpass the 1,842,364 results released in 2024, reflecting a consistent increase in UTME participation over time.

For context, only 8,401 candidates (0.46%) achieved similar scores in 2024, while just 5,318 candidates (0.35%) reached this benchmark in 2023.

The Christian community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of Reverend Azzaman David, a popular Kaduna-based preacher and staunch Christian faith advocate.

Rev. Azzaman, who was the senior pastor of The King Worship Chapel and Ministry, Inc., died on Saturday in a fatal car accident while traveling from Makurdi, Benue State, back to Kaduna.

His death has caused deep shock through the religious community, particularly among young Christians and scholars who followed his theological discussions online.

Though details surrounding the incident are still emerging, Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, a close associate of the late cleric, confirmed his passing via a Facebook post.

“REV Azzaman Azzaman had an accident on his way back from Makurdi. He died alone in the car. May he rest in peace. May the Lord comfort us in the name of Jesus,” the post read.

Known for his strong presence on Facebook, Rev. Azzaman gained widespread recognition for his approach to religious debates, often engaging Muslim scholars and atheist thinkers.

Tributes have continued to pour in since news of his passing broke.

He is survived by his wife and children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointments of several prominent Nigerians to head key federal agencies and institutions. The appointments, which reflect a mix of political, professional, and regional considerations, aim to strengthen governance and service delivery across sectors.  

Among the notable appointees are former Senate President Sen. Ken Nnamani (Enugu) as Chairman of the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and former Edo Deputy Governor H.E. Philip Shaibu as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports.

Other appointments include Omobolanle Akinyemi Obe (Ondo) as DG of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr. Segun Aina (Osun) as DG of the Academic Staff College of Nigeria,

and former Senate President Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi) as Chairman of the National Merit Award Committee. 

Additionally, Hon. (Dr.) Asabe Vilita Bashir (Borno) was named DG of the National Centre for Women Development, while Sen. Jalo Zarami (Yobe) and Hon. Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu (Nasarawa) were appointed as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission

The President expects the new appointees to bring their expertise and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s developmental goals in their respective roles.