News

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Kano State following a devastating fire incident at a mosque in Larabar Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of several worshippers.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, condemned the “heinous act” and prayed for a speedy recovery for those injured.

According to reports, a family dispute over inheritance led to the tragic incident, which occurred during the early morning prayer session at around 5:30 am.

The suspect, Shafiu Abubakar, allegedly set the mosque ablaze by spraying petroleum and locking the door, trapping approximately 40 worshippers inside.

President Tinubu strongly denounced the act of arson, directing law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the prosecution of those responsible.

He extended his sympathies to the bereaved families, all those affected, and prayed for the quick recovery of the wounded.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State House of Assembly has agreed to amend the State Emirate Council law 2019 and Kano State Emirate amendment law 2023.

This move follows an urgency and public importance motion moved by the majority leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Chediyar ƴan Gurasa, and seconded by Shu’aibu Rabi’u, representing Dawakin Kudu Constituency.

The amendment seeks to revisit the changes made to the emirate structure in 2019, which led to the fragmentation of the Kano Emirate into five distinct emirates and the deposition of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi.

The recent electoral victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who campaigned on restoring the traditional Kano Emirate system, has revived efforts to reinstate Emir Sanusi.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has emphasized the party’s commitment to reviewing the changes made to the emirate structure.

He expressed confidence in Governor Yusuf’s ability to address the challenges effectively and resolve the issues planted in Kano state, ensuring peaceful coexistence among citizens.

As the legislative process progresses, the potential amendment of the Emir Appointment Law holds significant implications for the traditional emirate system and leadership structure in the region.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets on Tuesday to bid a final farewell to President Ebrahim Raisi and seven members of his entourage who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash.

The mournful procession began at a central square in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the destination Raisi was headed to when the helicopter went down on Sunday.

With somber faces and waving Iranian flags, the crowd paid their respects to the late president and his companions, carrying portraits of Raisi as they marched through the streets.

The funeral procession was a poignant display of national grief and solidarity, as Iranians came together to honor the memory of their leader and the lives lost in the devastating crash.

By By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe

The Coordinator of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League, Mahmud Hadeija, says the body remains committed to providing the necessary enablers for the game to excel in the nation.

Speaking with Sports Writers during the 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League, second round at Nnewi High School Beach Soccer Pitch, he said it would not relent in developing the sport through staging competitions.

While describing the game as unique and one of the fastest-growing leagues in Nigeria, he stressed that youngsters could demonstrate their skills and participate actively on a national scale through the game.

Hadeija, who is President of the African Beach Soccer League, emphasised that fostering a robust Beach Soccer League in the nation could enhance the growth of the game and the nation’s global sports presence.

“The good thing now is that we have the league that is ongoing for the fourth year, fourth season consistently and gradually both on the technical aspect, organisational aspect and also the structure of the teams.

He expressed gratitude to the Anambra State Beach Soccer Association for successfully hosting the event and providing the players with support services to pursue success.

Victor Madubuko, Contributing Chairman of Anambra State Beach Soccer Association, said his gift for innovation and passion for doing something new spurred him to contribute to the development of the game.

Madubuko said he was glad that the collaboration with stakeholders and sponsors, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), was yielding the desired result.

One of the highest goal scorers in the league, Chimobi Ekwo, Anambra State Beach Soccer Team, said the team, which has remained unbeaten so far, would not relent in its determination to excel in the Super Four Competition slated to be held in Kaduna.

Six teams from Kebbi, Kaduna, Jigawa and Anambra States are participating in the League.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In a bid to strengthen customs community relations, Comptroller Kola Oladeji of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has embarked on a familiarisation visit to traditional rulers in the South West Zone. 

During the visit, Comptroller Oladeji met with several traditional rulers, including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Onikpokia of Ikpokia Kingdom, Oba Yisa Adeniyi Olaniyan, and the Olu of Owode Yewa Land, Oba Matthew Akindele. 

Comptroller Oladeji noted the importance of community support in achieving the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) mandates, stating, “We attach much importance to these communities and seek the blessing and guidance of Royal Fathers to strengthen customs community relations.” 

He stated the innovative approaches introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which have enhanced the service’s performance. 

The Olu of Owode Yewa Land, Oba Matthew Akindele, appreciated the improved relationship between the customs service and the community, stating, “The chaos we experienced with customs officers has reduced drastically, thank you for that, and we also thank the federal government.” 

He also requested employment opportunities for youths and a more cordial relationship to foster peace and tranquility in the community. 

Comptroller Oladeji assured the traditional rulers that the NCS would continue to discharge its responsibilities within the ambits of the law and observations of rules of engagement.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe 

The Chairman of the technical committee on the mini sports festival, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Yaalleman, also the chairman of the Jigawa State Badminton Association, went around to supervise the preparations to kick off the Jigawa State Mini Sports Festival 2024 across the five selected participating associations.

During the supervision, the chairman was accompanied by the senior special assistant on sports and other members of the technical committee. He commended the executive governor of the state, Mallam Umar Namadi, for approving the conduct of the festival for the teeming youths in the state.

He said the state has many potential and talented youths, which, if properly utilised, will make the state more productive in all sporting activities.

He equally appreciates the efforts of the state commissioner of sports, Hon. Sagir Ahmad, for giving all associations the necessary support directly to organise their program and selecting the experienced team to handle the successful conduct of the program.

He said that these initiatives have immensely benefited the association in terms of court repair, sporting equipment purchases, and the rest.

He thanked the governor and Commissioner for sports for fulfilling their promise about the conduct of this festival.

He also appealed to the Commissioner to make this program quarterly, as this would help reduce tension and crime and increase revenue and employment for the state.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, arresting four members of a cocaine cartel and declaring a couple wanted in connection with the crime.

According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the agency arrested Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan on April 3, 2024, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, as they attempted to export 3.40kg of cocaine to Oman.

Investigations revealed that the duo was allegedly working for a cartel headed by Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, aka Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun, an Indian resident who has been declared wanted alongside his wife, Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, aka Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke.

NDLEA operatives also arrested Hamed Abimbola Saheed, a member of the syndicate, on May 14, 2024, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos, and recovered 900 grams of phenacetine, a cutting agent for cocaine, from his residence.

A follow-up operation at the Owoalade couple’s residence in Ogudu Orioke, Lagos, led to the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of a new Toyota RAV4 SUV, 400 grams of cocaine, and other drug paraphernalia.

In related operations, NDLEA officers intercepted cocaine and amphetamine concealed in steel bolts and shea butter at a courier firm in Lagos, and thwarted attempts to export cannabis and opioids to Dubai, China, and the UK.

The agency also arrested several suspects and recovered large quantities of drugs in various operations across the country, including 840kg of cannabis in Lagos, 75,000 pills of opioids in Benue, and 2kg of cannabis and diazepam in Borno.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers involved in the operations and reiterated the agency’s commitment to fighting drug abuse and trafficking.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Flame Tree Writers’ Project, in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, has announced a call for applications for a writers’ workshop targeting emerging writers from Northern Nigeria.

The initiative aims to support young writers in honing their craft and envisioning a more democratic and peaceful Nigeria.

According to Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, founder of the Flame Tree Writers’ Project, “This has been a passion project of mine for so long, and I am excited that, with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, it is coming to fruition.”

The workshop, scheduled for June 24–28, 2024, in Abuja, will be co-facilitated by NLNG Nigeria Prize–winning authors Abubakar Adam Ibrahim and Chika Unigwe.

Participants will receive guidance in writing a short story suitable for publication in an anthology. 

Ere Amachree, Program Manager at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, noted, “The foundation is excited about the Flame Tree Writers’ Project, as it advances our vision of promoting writing as a means of political expression, just like Heinrich Böll, the German writer after whom our foundation is named.” 

The call for applications is exclusively for writers from the 19 Northern States of Nigeria, aged between 18 and 35. Female emerging writers are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Interested participants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit their applications to flametreewritersproject@gmail.com by June 1, 2024. 

Encouraging writers to apply, Mr. Abubakar said, “It’s not just a workshop but a project that will publish the stories from the workshop in an anthology of new writing and get them into institutions of learning, where they will be taught as part of the growing and exciting corpus of literature from this part of the country.”

By Mutalib Jibril

With ten awards and a CGPA of 4.88, Abdulsalam Ibrahim recently emerged as the best-graduating student of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, for the 2022/2023 academic session. In this interview with Mutalib Jibril, after the Induction ceremony held on May 10, 2024, he speaks about his educational journey and how he achieved this feat.

Who is Abdulsalam Ibrahim?

Abdulsalam Ibrahim was born to the family of Alhaji Hussaini Abdulsalam and Hajiya Bashirah Ibrahim Abdulsalam in Minna, Niger state. I hail from Zungeru, Wushishi L.G.A of Niger State. I’m the fifth child of a family of six. I had my Primary and Secondary education at Minna before proceeding to the then School of Matriculation Studies, UDUS. I was admitted to study pharmacy at the most prestigious faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, UDUS.

With a Grade Index of 4.88, you emerged as the 2022/2023 best-graduating student of the faculty of pharmacy. How was this possible?

Alhamdulillah for the blessings of Allah upon me. Emerging as the best-graduating student is only possible because Allah has destined it to be so. Numerous factors contributed to this being a reality. Many of which are external and beyond my control. It couldn’t have been the hard work or the consistency. Many of my classmates were more hard-working and consistent. In summary, pray to the Almighty Allah always, try your best in a healthy manner and leave the rest. What Allah wishes for you will always prevail whether you like it.

Why did you choose to study Pharmacy?

 I never chose pharmacy. Allah chose pharmacy for me. After completing the school of matriculation studies, UDUS (2016/2017 set). I was admitted to study medicine and surgery at the university. However, due to some challenges the university faced with JAMB, some of our admissions had to be changed to other courses. It was a bitter experience for me because I wanted medicine. After attending some lectures on the History and Ethics of Pharmacy, a course offered at 100 level. I became interested in the profession and decided not to write another JAMB. The rest is history.

Would you say you knew you were going to be the best–graduating student?

Not until some days before the induction did I know. Of course, the chances were high because I always had one of the best results in my class right from 100 level. The class was competitive with many hardworking, consistent, outstanding and intelligent scholars. Hence, the name “Mavericks” class of 2022”. The environment was encouraging because everyone contributed, and there was always much to learn. Alhamdulillah

What was your reading schedule like?

I don’t have a specific reading schedule. Pharmacy is overwhelming, with extended hours of lectures and practicals. The time available is always not enough. You keep studying even when you get tired. To pass a course with 50% as the pass mark is not for the lazy. Some courses even require a minimum of 60%. So, I was able to adapt to the system. The time at my disposal always determines my reading schedule for that particular time, except for my 100-level days when there was ample time to study during the day and sleep at night.

Which area of the course did you find most interesting?

Clinical pharmacy (therapeutics) and pharmaceutical microbiology.

How many awards did you receive? Please list them

10 awards, Alhamdulillah. These are:

– PCN award for the best-graduating student.

– Nigerian Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) award for the best graduating student.

– The faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, UDUS award for best-graduating student.

– Award for the best-graduating student in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice.

– Board of Fellows of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria award for the best graduating student in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice.

– Award for the best-graduating student from Niger State.

– The faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has a UDUS certificate of distinction.

– PSN, Kebbi state cash award for the best-graduating student.

– Centre For Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET) cash award for the best-graduating student.

– Bioraj Pharmaceuticals cash award for the best-graduating student.

Did you engage in extracurricular activities or take up leadership roles during your stay at the university?

Yes, there were some leadership roles. I served as the Asst. Sec. Gen., Pharmaceutical Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (PMSSN). I also served as deputy Ameer, PMSSN. I was part of the Imams at the Masjid in Amanawa Hostel for two sessions. I served as deputy Ameer Association of Muslim Health Students(AHMS).

I was Organizing Secretary NANISS Health wing (National Association of Niger State Students). I served as Sec. Gen., PANISS (Pharmaceutical Association of Niger State Students). And also President PANISS.

What was your best and lowest moment while in school?

My best moment was at the 200 level, when I passed all my courses with distinction, while my lowest moment was at the 300 level.

What are your future aspirations in your field?

I want to be a specialist in cardiovascular therapeutics or psychiatry. This will help me give back to society in a community or hospital setting. If Allah so wishes, I would like to be a researcher and teacher in clinical pharmacy or pharmaceutical microbiology.

What would be your advice to students aiming to attain academic excellence?

Restrict yourself from toxic situations. Know your limits. Maintain your physical and mental well-being. In academic settings, the brain does the work. You can easily achieve a lot in little time with a healthy lifestyle. 

Secondly, you need to start strong and be consistent throughout. Your academic performance is a cumulative result of your effort from the 100 level. Additionally, always start reading early to grasp the concepts efficiently. This also allowsfor repetitive study. Proper understanding always saves the day. 

Finally, always pray to Allah in everything you do. Eat well, sleep well, work hard, and trust in Allah.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage is set to reconvene on May 23 to continue negotiations on a new minimum wage for workers.

This comes after the organized labor walked out of the negotiation on May 15, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s proposal of N48,000.

According to an invitation letter sent to labor leaders by the committee’s chairman, Bukar Goni, the government has agreed to shift its position on the proposed minimum wage.

The letter urged labor leaders to attend the reconvened meeting next Tuesday and to speak to their members about the new development.

The organized labor, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has proposed a minimum wage of N615,000, significantly higher than the government’s initial proposal.

The private sector, on the other hand, has proposed an initial offer of N54,000.

The labor leaders had expressed their anger and disappointment over the government’s offer, blaming both the government and the private sector for the breakdown in negotiations.

They have given the government a deadline of May 31 to meet their demands.

The minimum wage negotiations have been ongoing since January 30, when Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the 37-member tripartite committee to recommend a new national minimum wage.

The committee is chaired by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Aji.With the cost of living rising following the removal of fuel subsidy, calls for a new minimum wage have intensified.

Labor leaders argue that the proposed minimum wage of N615,000 is necessary to meet the needs of an average Nigerian family of six, given the current economic situation.

The resumption of negotiations next week offers a glimmer of hope for workers who have been waiting for a new minimum wage.

The government’s willingness to reconsider its proposal is seen as a positive development, and labor leaders are expected to approach the negotiations with renewed optimism.