News

By Muhammad Sabiu

Honourable Abdulsobur Olayiwola Olawale, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has passed away in Jos at the rally of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The deceased, also known as Omititi, served as a state representative for Mushin II.

A source who spoke to journalists about the death said, “It is true that he died, but you will understand that at this moment, I can’t put out a report to announce the death of a very good friend.

“He slumped and died. We both travelled to Jos and it’s sad to not come back with him to Lagos.”

Bola Tinubu, a 2023 APC presidential candidate, launched his campaign yesterday Tuesday in Plateau State.

Omititi was also the head of the House Committee on Local Government Services in the state assembly.

In 2017, the deceased politician was appointed the Sariki Adeen of Mushin Central Mosque.

By Habibu Maaruf Abdu

The famous Kannywood producer, Alhaji Abdurrahman Muhammad, popularly known as Abdul Amart Mai-Kwashewa, has received an honorary doctorate in Diplomacy and Public Management from IHERIS University, Togo.

This was disclosed in his Instagram post on Sunday, November 13, 2022.

“On the 12th of Nov 2022, I was honoured by the IHIRIS (sic) University Togo with a doctor of philosophy in Diplomacy and Public Management. It is indeed a great honour, and as such, I will like to thank the management of IHERIS university for this great honour. May Allah almighty make it useful for me and the entire Universe.”

Amart is the CEO of Abnur Films and the national president of the Yahaya Bello Network (YBN) group. He was recently appointed as the director of Northern Artists (Kannywood) for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

This is IHERIS University’s second degree of honour conferment on a Kannywood personnel, having previously conferred producer-cum-actor, Usman Uzee, with a doctor of philosophy in Media and Communication Studies in 2021.

Recall that Ali Nuhu was the first Kannywood member to receive an Honorary Doctorate after being awarded a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship and Youth Development by the ISM Adonai American University, Cotonou, in 2018.

By Aisar Fagge

Kano State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said no serious government will succeed without the contributions of Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) and Non-Governmental organizations (NGO’s).

Gawuna made this statement on Monday, 14th November, 2022 during a continuation of interactive session series organised by a coalition of 21 Kano CSO’s and NGO’s aiming to promote peace and development of Kano State.

Gawuna said, “We are not enemies of NGO’s. That’s why we are here. We’ll work together with NGO’s and CSO’S especially on the issues concerning education, youth and women.

“In many places, government alone cannot do all it’s work. They need the intervention of NGO’s. I have seen one person in Kenya teaching the whole school. We too here are going to involve NGO’s in improvising classrooms to cater the needs of our school pupils,” he stressed.

“I urge you journalists, NGO’s and CSO’s to to enlighten people about the activities of government and its programmes,” Gawuna appealed.

Other issues the APC candidate discussed were his development agenda on employment, health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, climate change, etc.

Convened by Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, the sessions allowed the gubernatorial candidates to interact with members of NGO’s, CSO’s, media practitioners and community leaders and share their blueprints on critical areas such health, education, youths, women, environment, commerce, agriculture, technology among others.

The event that commences on 9th November was graced by gubernatorial candidates of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Salihu Tanko Yakasai; Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mal. Ibrahim Khalil of African Democratic Congress (ADC); Engr. Bashir I. Bashir of Labour Party (LP) and Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada of Action Democratic Party (ADP). Participants were hoping to see Abba Kabir Yusuf of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Sadiq Wali of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the subsequent meetings.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The population of humans on earth has reached an unprecedented 8 billion people.

The United Nations disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the UN, 1 billion people were added to the global population in just 12 years.

The UN said this was made possible because of increased lifespan due to medicine, hygiene and persistent fertility in some countries.

“This unprecedented growth is due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine. It is also the result of high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries,” the UN statement read.

CNN reported that Middle-income countries, mostly in Asia, accounted for most of the growth over the past decade, gaining some 700 million people since 2011. India added about 180 million people, and is set to surpass China as the world’s most populous nation next year.

With this development, by 2030, Nigeria’s population is estimated to reach 263 million. Experts are anxious to see what plans and actions Federal and state governments would take to address the needs of this skyrocketing number.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Amazon founder and second world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos, has hinted on plans to give away most of his massive fortune.

Bezos, in a response to CNN’s journalist question on whether he planned to give most of his wealth away, said: “Yeah, I do.”

He told CNN that he and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, were building the capacity to be able to give away his money .

“We are building the capacity to be able to give away this money,” he said.

According to him, the money will go to causes that are dear to his heart. These include tackling climate change and supporting people who can unify humanity.

Jeff Bezos is the latest billionaire to make promises of giving away his massive fortune. While Warren Buffett and Bill Gates lead the world in support for philanthropic causes, Bezos has only given $2.4bn to philanthropic causes in his lifetime.

According to Forbes, his donations to charity is dwarfed by that of his ex-wife, Ms Scott, who has given away $12.8 bn of her money.

By
Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has imposed N2 million sanction on Arise TV for broadcasting fake news.

NBC Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Helah, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The Director-General described the action of Arise TV as an unfortunate breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, grossly unprofessional and insensitive.

“This is the most unfortunate breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and gross display of unprofessionalism and insensitivity by your organization at this time of electioneering,” he said.

The Director-General argued that Nigeria’s extant laws on broadcasting clearly prohibited fake news. He added that the NBC has taken its time to enlighten broadcasters on the provisions of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act as the 2023 General election approaches.

Consequent of the breach, the NBC sanctioned Arise TV and requested they pay the sum of N2 million naira with two weeks.

“Consequently, pursuant to Section 5.1. 3 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, Arise TV is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of 2, 000, 000.00 ( Two Million Naira only) Note that the penalty shall be paid within two weeks of the receipt of this letter or sanction shall be graduated,” the statement reads.

Arise TV maliciously reported that the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmad Tinubu is under investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of alleged forfeiture in a US Court. Arise TV had admitted their guilt and apologized to the party and person involved.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigerian Military has revealed the names and identities of terrorist commanders destabilizing the northern part of the country.

On Monday, the Defense Headquarters released the names of 19 men allegedly culpable for terrorism in the North. 

According to the Director of Defense Information, Maj-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, the names were released so that members of the public with genuine information about the insurgents would contact the military. 

The military also promised a cash reward of five million naira to persons with genuine information. They urged the public to contact 09135904467 to share the information.

The names released by the Defense Headquarters include the names of the following persons : 

SANI DANGOTE – ORIGIN: Dumbarum Village. Zurmi LGA of Zamfara States.

BELLO TURJI GUDDA – ORIGIN: FAKAI Village of Zamfara State.

LEKO – ORIGIN: MOZOJ VIllage, Mutazu LSA of Katsina State

DOGO NAHALI – ORIGIN: YAR TSAMIYAR JNO Village. Kankara LGA of Katsina State

HALILU SUBUBU – ORIGIN: SUBUBU Village in MARADUN LGA of Zamfara State.

NAGONA – ORIGIN: ANGWAN GALADIMA in ISA LOA of SOKOTO State.

NASANDA – ORIGIN: Kwashabawa, Village in Zurmi LGA of Zamara State.

ISIYA KWASHEN GARWA – ORIGIN: KAMFANIN Daudawa Village of Faskari, Katsina State.

ALI KACHALLA aka ALI KAWAJE – ORIGIN: KUYAMBARA VILLAGE in Danaadau MARU LGA of Zamfara State

ABU RADDE – ORIGIN: VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA Katsina State.

DAN-DA – ORIGIN: VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State

SANI GURGU – ORIGIN: VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State

UMARU DAN NIGERIA – ORIGIN: RAFI VIllage. MADA District in GUSAULGA of

NAGALA – ORIGIN: MARU LGA of Zamfara State

ALHAJI ADO ALIERO – ORIGIN: YANKUZO Village Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State

MONORE – ORIGIN: YANTUMAKI Village, Dan LGA of Katona Stata

GWASKA DANKARAMI – ORIGIN: SHAMUSHELE Village in Zuri LGA of Zamfara State

BALERI – ORIGIN: SHINKAFI LGA of Zamfera State

MAMUDU TAINANGE – ORIGIN VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has pledged to cast all of his state’s votes for Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, the APC’s presidential candidate, in the general election of 2023.

This was said by the Governor on Sunday at the Hadejia kickoff of the Jigawa North East APC gubernatorial campaign.

He noted that the event was intended to introduce to the populace the gubernatorial, senatorial, and other zonal candidates.

Bola Tinubu, according to Governor Badaru, is the only presidential candidate who can protect the nation from economic suffering and endeavour to advance national development.

He was quoted saying, “Looking at his track record and experience, I am sure he has plans and policies that will help in the development of the country.”

According to him, the huge crowd that gathered at the event is a clear indication that Jigawa State is a stronghold of the APC.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria after his routine medical check-up in London, United Kingdom.

Special Assistant on Digital Communication to the President, Bashir Ahmad, announced the President’s return in a Facebook post on Sunday.

He said, 

“President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja from London, the United Kingdom.” 

Amidst criticism of medical tourism, Buhari departed the country for the UK on October 31, 2022, for what the presidency described as a routine medical check-up.

The trip will be one of several medical trips the President has embarked on since assuming office in 2015, spending at least seven months abroad.

By Aliyu Nuhu

Police authorities were angry for having the Nigeria police force ranked among the worst police in the world. But the police is its own worst enemy because it lacks effective Internal control and cleansing mechanism.

In 2019 NDLEA arrested a policeman in Borno who has been supplying drugs to Boko Haram. Two days ago a very bad video of a policeman went viral. He not only collected bribe, he short-changed his colleagues. The Police posted to guard former president Jonathan’s house stole everything including his clothes.

In 2017 when the people of Rijana said kidnappings along Kaduna-Abuja highway were carried out in collaboration with the police, the police authorities only transferred its men from the area and replaced them with another set. The bad ones were taken to another place to go and continue their trade. In the same year, the policemen sent to guard former president Jonathan’s house looted it bare and sold all the furniture and electronics. They broke doors and windows too. In short they vandalized the house!

Three years back, villagers on the Abuja highway blocked the highway to protest killing of vigilante informant by the kidnappers after he was given away by the police. In an interview, the kidnappers claimed to purchase their weapons from the police.

Nigerian Police is not only the most corrupt force in the world, it is also the most shameless and dangerous.

Imagine a former IG himself telling the world that he was free to sleep with any police woman of his choice. And he kept his words by impregnating and marrying one and promoting her in the service in return. Now retired, the former IG is said to be under demonic spell with the woman imprisoning him in the house. Where on earth but Nigeria can this happen without retribution?

The police had admitted being involved in kidnappings, the best thing is for the force to parade those men and dismiss them and at the same time prosecute them in courts.

There are good men and women in the police force no doubt, but one rotten egg in the bowl can spoil an omelette of thousands eggs. And there are more rotten eggs in the Nigeria police today.

The federal government should draft the military to restore sanity on the expressway. Military are involved in internal policing jobs because the police has failed to do its job.

It is that bad!

Aliyu Nuhu is a renowned social commentator. He writes from Abuja, Nigeria.