News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged officers who graduated from Senior Course 10 at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, to prioritize staff welfare and continuous learning. 

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on June 7, 2024, CGC Adeniyi said, “I congratulate you for your commitment, which has led us to today’s occasion. I implore you to put to work all you have learned during your training at the college.” 

He also assured the college management and members of his unflinching efforts to enhance the welfare of officers and members, directing staff, which will improve efficiency in the Service. 

The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kingsley Egwuh, conferred the graduating students with the title of Pass Senior Course (PSC) and implored them to practice what they have learned. 

Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted that the students had been duly trained in various fields in accordance with the curriculum of the Senior Course to enhance officers’ skills and abilities with a high level of moral standards. 

The management of the college had earlier hosted a regimental dinner night to honour the graduates of Senior Course 10, where the CGC was represented by DCG Beatrice Nwafor, who tasked the graduates to consider the opportunity of attending a month’s course at the college as a means to improve their performance as Customs officers. 

The graduation ceremony marked the end of a rigorous six-month training program for the officers, who are now expected to add value to the Service and contribute to maximizing security at the borders, suppressing smuggling, and generating revenue.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has faced criticism for naming a road after Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. The road, formerly known as “Pepsi Road”, was scheduled to be commissioned on June 3 by Katsina State Governor, Umaru Dikko Radda, but was postponed.

A photo of the renamed road, “Seyi Ahmed Bola Tinubu Road,” went viral on social media, sparking outrage.

Residents expressed disappointment, stating that Seyi Tinubu has not made any significant contributions to Sokoto or Nigeria.

“The governor ignored notable indigenes of Sokoto and named a road after someone with no connection to the state or region,” said Salisu Ahmadu.

Social media users also criticized the decision, with one user saying, “This is how Sokoto’s name is being tarnished.” Another user questioned why Sokoto would name a road after Seyi Tinubu when even Lagos, his father’s state, had not done so.

The spokesperson for the Sokoto State governor could not be reached for comment. Despite holding no official position, Seyi Tinubu has accompanied his father on foreign trips and was recently barred from attending a Federal Executive Council meeting.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has launched a discreet investigation into an alleged scam involving some individuals in the streets hawkers empowerment scheme of the state government.

The scheme, which was inaugurated last Wednesday, aimed to empower 465 street hawkers with N50,000 each.

However, viral videos showed some youths impersonating beneficiaries and collecting the money.

The commission’s chairman, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, confirmed the investigation and assured that culprits would be brought to book.

He also appealed to the public for information to enhance the investigation, promising confidentiality.

The commission is also investigating other empowerment schemes and activities of the past and present administrations, including the suspended managing director of Abubakar Rimi Television, who is facing allegations of misappropriation of funds.

This investigation demonstrates the commission’s commitment to preventing fraud and ensuring that empowerment schemes reach their intended beneficiaries.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Hon. Bashir Shehu Aliyu, the councillor of Achika ward in Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State has sponsored over 100 out-of-school orphans to study in secondary schools.

The Daily Reality has gathered that the beneficiaries comprise a total of 65 girls and 54 boys.

Malam Aliyu, in a grand ceremony to present educational materials to the beneficiaries, said the gesture was to secure their future.

He added, at the event that took place on Sunday at the Achika ward, Aliyu said the beneficiaries would enrolled at Government Junior Secondary School Achika and Government Arabic Junior Secondary School Achika.

It was gathered that the beneficiaries would be sponsored to study from junior up to senior secondary school.

Aliyu said he would continue the good job even if he is not holding any political office.

Items distributed to the beneficiaries include 1,200 exercise books, 120 bags, 240 sets of uniform, 120 pairs of shoe, 120 socks, 240 pens and 240 pieces of pencil.

He stated that the gesture was his contribution towards the development of Kano state through empowerment of vulnerable and downtrodden.

He disclosed that he deemed it fit to come up with the initiative in a bid to secure the future of children, especially orphans who nowadays fond it difficult to achieve their education dream.

He was qoutes as saying, “I will continue to look after these children until they graduate from secondary school. Empowering children like these, all of them orphans, is a great service to humanity.

“They need the society’s support in order to be good and productive members of the society. Abandoning them would be dangerous.

“That is why I decided to sponsor their education from junior up to senior secondary school level even if i am no longer holding a political appointment,” the councillor said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kano State’s new Mandatory Premarital Law, signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, requires intending couples to undergo medical screening for genotype, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other related conditions before marriage.

The law aims to reduce the likelihood of children being born with underlying health issues and ensure the sanctity of marriages in the state.

Stakeholders, who spoke to Daily Trust on Saturday, have expressed diverse views on the development. While some, like Dr. Abdurrahman Ahmad Tijjani, a medical practitioner, welcome the law as a positive step.

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Shehu Usman Danfodio Jumat Mosque, Sheikh Isa Abba Umar Madabo, supports the law, citing Islam’s emphasis on protecting lives. Some individuals, like Malam Hamza Nata’ala and Alhaji Usman Ya’u Magashi, suggest that the medical screening should be free or subsidized, considering the economic situation.

The law prohibits discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, hepatitis, and related conditions and imposes a fine of up to N500,000 or a minimum of five years imprisonment for non-compliance.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Rep. Aminu Jaji (APC-Zamfara) has purchased 3000 rams for distribution to his constituents and the All Progressive Congress (APC) executives, members, and vulnerable households in the state, according to a statement by the State Chairman of Jaji’s Coordinating Committee, Aliyu Abubakar.The statement, issued in Gusau on Saturday, also revealed that Jaji, who represents the Kaura-Namoda/Birnin-Magaji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has earmarked N250 million for distribution to individuals, orphans, and vulnerable groups across the state as Eid-el-Kabir welfare packages.The beneficiaries of the donation include state, local government, and ward executives of the party, party elders, prominent persons in the state, former political office holders, Islamic scholars, orphans, youths, and women APC support groups, among others.Jaji urged Muslims to use the first 10 days of Zulhijjah and Eid-el-Kabir period to intensify prayers for sustainable peace and stability in the state and country.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In Kano State, three community groups have emerged winners of the Rising Awareness Driving Action (RADA) pitch competition, each receiving a grant of N100,000 to implement advocacy programs in their respective communities.

The competition, organized by Blue Sapphire Hub, a leading non-governmental organization, was supported by the MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

The competition followed a 12-week radio program that aimed to raise citizens’ awareness about the roles and responsibilities of political office holders, from councilors to the president.

The program, aired on Arewa Radio every Sunday, included a question-and-answer session, allowing listeners to participate and ask questions.

The radio program was followed by a two-month training session for over 100 participants who applied.

The three winning groups will use the grants to advocate for community development and health, with a focus on inclusive political activities for people with hearing impairments.

Babangida Zama, leader of the first-place group, expressed gratitude to the organizers and pledged to use the grant to advocate for inclusive political activities for people with hearing impairments.

Abdullahi Mustapha Rabi’u, leader of the second-place group, expressed his gratitude to Allah and stated that the grant serves as a motivation to kickstart impactful projects in their community.

Engineer Sulaiman Bala Sani, the Executive Supervisor of the Hub, stated that the program aimed to educate citizens about their rights and the responsibilities of political office holders, and to advocate for good policies that benefit the community.

Abubakar Ibrahim Machika, the Community Coordinator of the Hub, emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that most people are unaware of their rights and the roles and responsibilities of their leaders, making this move crucial for society.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raided two popular nightclubs in Akure, Ondo State, arresting over 50 customers, including a groom-to-be, during a Bachelor’s Eve celebration.

The operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, also resulted in the seizure of vehicles, laptops, phones, and other items.

The raid occurred at two major nightclubs in the Alagbaka area of Akure, where the EFCC operatives stormed the lounges and event centers, shooting sporadically into the air.

Eyewitnesses reported that the operatives entered the nightclubs, tear-gassing people, beating them up, and arresting them without regard to their identity, even injuring two soldiers in the process.

The groom-to-be was among those arrested, along with his friends, while celebrating his Bachelor’s Eve.

The EFCC operatives allegedly removed CCTV cameras from the scenes and confiscated scores of vehicles, laptops, sophisticated phones, and other items.

The arrested individuals were allegedly profiled as internet fraudsters.

The incident has raised concerns about the EFCC’s methods and the treatment of suspects.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned three suspects and a company, Giddyson Healthcare Limited, before a federal high court in Kano for manufacturing, distributing, and selling fake children’s medicines.

The suspects, Amao Gideon, Alumona Okwiludili, and Hillary Chigozie, pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.

The medicines in question, which include Asian Ampicillin and Artil-Go, were found to contain zero active ingredients, putting patients at risk of treatment failure and possible death.

NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye noted that the products were not registered and had fake numbers and manufacturer’s addresses on the labels.

The illegal factory, located in Tafa town, Niger state, has been sealed by NAFDAC.

The suspects were arrested following intelligence gathering and a discrete investigation.

The court has fixed June 14 for the bail application and June 20 for the hearing.

This development shows the ongoing efforts of NAFDAC to combat the manufacture and sale of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria, and the need for increased vigilance to protect public health.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his decision to ask Permanent Secretaries of the FCT administration to publicly bow before President Bola Tinubu. 

Wike had come under criticism for his action, which many Nigerians described as “sycophancy taken too far”.

However, the minister explained that the gesture was meant to show appreciation to the president for approving the appointment of the permanent secretaries. 

“Two days ago, when the president came, we tried to thank him for what he did in making sure that those who had already lost hope in their career progression got to the peak of their career,” Wike said. 

He added that the president’s approval had given hope to the permanent secretaries, who had previously lost hope in their career progression. 

“Mr. President granted that, and then I called out the permanent secretaries who are the beneficiaries to come out and take a bow and thank Mr. President,” Wike explained. 

The minister condemned those criticizing him, saying they lacked anything good to say.

“It is an honour to be called out to take a bow, but some human beings can never see anything good.

Instead, they are criticising, saying, ‘How will you call people who are permanent secretaries and ask them to take a bow?” Wike added, “Instead of you to commend Mr. President for doing well, for giving hope to those that didn’t have hope before.” 

The minister’s defense comes after widespread condemnation of his action, with many Nigerians describing it as an act of sycophancy.