News

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that his country may take military action against Israel if the conflict in the Gaza Strip is not resolved quickly.

Speaking at a campaign rally on Sunday, Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s support for the Palestinian cause and hinted at potential intervention. 

Erdogan stated, “We must be strong so that Israel cannot strike Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh and Libya, maybe we’ll do the same thing. There’s nothing we can’t do. We have to be strong.” 

The Turkish president’s comments come as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate.

Israel has blamed Hezbollah for a recent rocket attack that killed at least 12 people, an accusation Hezbollah denied. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded to Erdogan’s threats, warning that any attempt to intervene in the conflict could lead to a fate similar to that of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Katz wrote on his social media handle, “Erdogan follows in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatens to attack Israel. Just let him remember what happened there and how it ended.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Borno State government, in a bid to cushion the effects of rising food prices and basic amenities, has distributed 20 truckloads of rice to 35,000 vulnerable individuals in Monguno town.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum personally oversaw the distribution, which was supported by Senator Muhammad Tahir Monguno and other top government officials. 

The relief effort is part of the state government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of its citizens.

Each male beneficiary received a 25kg bag of rice and a 10kg bag of cowpeas, while female residents got clothing materials and a N10,000 cash grant as part of the state’s financial inclusion initiative. 

Governor Zulum praised the federal government for its support, saying, “We appreciate the Tinubu administration’s continued show of compassion to our citizens.” 

In addition to the rice distribution, the state government received 90 trucks of fertilizer, which will be distributed to farmers to boost food production across the country. 

During his visit to Monguno, Governor Zulum inspected ongoing construction projects, including a Dental and Eye Hospital and a School of Nursing.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress and pledged to recruit more personnel to ensure the institutions provide effective services.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Jibawa Community in Gaya Local Government Area, Kano State, are sounding the alarm over the dire condition of their local healthcare centre. 

The facility, which serves a population of over 13,000, including vulnerable women and children, has deteriorated to a shocking state, posing a significant threat to their health and wellbeing. 

Photos of the clinic reveal a hazardous environment, with collapsed ceilings and wards overrun by bats, making it uninhabitable for patients. 

The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of medical personnel and equipment, leaving residents to fend for themselves in times of medical need. 

Expectant mothers are forced to embark on a treacherous 5-kilometre journey to neighbouring communities in search of healthcare, while others face a harrowing experience in their quest for medical attention. 

In a desperate plea for help, the community is calling on the Kano State government, Federal Ministry of Health, and Kano Ministry of Health to intervene and address the facility’s deplorable state. 

They are urging for immediate reconstruction, equipping, and staffing of the healthcare center to ensure residents have access to quality medical care.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully recovered a two-month-old infant from a couple, Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam, during a naming ceremony in the state.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the couple had purchased the baby from a suspected human trafficker, Loretta Nelson, for a sum of N2,350,000.

The statement further disclosed that Nelson had previously acquired the baby from a pastor, Peter Udoh, for N1,450,000.

Udoh, in turn, had bought the baby from another suspected trafficker, Gloria Sunday, for N500,000.

It added that Sunday had allegedly kidnapped the baby on July 11, 2024, prompting the baby’s mother to report the incident to the authorities.

Following the report, the police launched an investigation and arrested Sunday, who led them to apprehend other suspects involved in the crime.

The PPRO stated, “Our detectives took swift action, leading to the arrest of Gloria Sunday, who confessed to selling the baby to Pastor Peter Udoh for N500,000.

“Udoh, who was arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, admitted to reselling the baby to Loretta Nelson for N1,450,000. Nelson was subsequently arrested in Festac Town, Lagos.

“The statement further revealed that Nelson confessed to selling the baby to the Uwam couple for N2,350,000 during the naming ceremony.

The police have commenced investigations and will arraign the suspects in court upon completion of the investigation.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Amidst growing concerns over economic hardship, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges. 

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Olawande acknowledged the difficulties faced by Nigerians while expressing confidence in the President’s ability to implement effective solutions.

The Minister highlighted several key achievements, including a 130% increase in the minimum wage and the passage of legislation reducing the review period for minimum wage from five to three years. 

He urged citizens to adopt a pragmatic approach and capitalize on government initiatives, cautioning against the misuse of social media to destabilize the nation.

Olawande appealed to Nigerians to collaborate with the government in addressing the country’s challenges, emphasizing President Tinubu’s dedication to the nation’s well-being. 

He stressed the importance of unity and collective effort in overcoming adversity and building a prosperous Nigeria.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a group supportive of the government, launched an initiative titled “The Jagaban Will Fix It Nigeria” project.

This project aims to engage citizens through town hall meetings and capacity-building programs, promoting constructive dialogue and solutions. 

The group warned against the potential risks of protests and encouraged citizens to explore alternative avenues for driving positive change.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Reports reaching the Daily Reality have shown that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and representative of Anambra South, has passed away in London, United Kingdom.

Sources close to the matter revealed that Senator Ubah’s demise occurred just 48 hours after his arrival in the city, at a local hotel. 

The news of his passing was confirmed through a group chat of senators, who have since begun paying tributes to their late colleague.

This devastating incident comes on the heels of a significant donation made by his campaign council to the APC in Anambra State, totaling N71 million, with Senator Ubah personally contributing N50 million. 

The donation was part of his commitment to bolstering the party’s presence and effectiveness in the region.

As the news of his passing continues to unfold, the Senate has yet to issue an official statement.

Further details surrounding the circumstances of Senator Ubah’s death are still emerging.

 By Uzair Adam Imam  

Two persons, David Iluebe and Chike E. Eke, were apprehended by security personnel at Bayero University, Kano, for masquerading as lecturers and peddling textbooks to unsuspecting first-year students.  

The impostors, hailing from Edo and Delta States, respectively, brazenly entered a lecture hall in the Faculty of Engineering and introduced themselves to the department’s lecturers. 

According to a statement released by Bala Abdullahi, Secretary of the Information and Publication unit of the Acting Registrar, the duo presented four textbooks on various subjects, coercing students into purchasing them as a prerequisite for their Continuous Assessment, threatening failure if they didn’t comply.  

The students, intimidated by the impostors, bought multiple copies to meet the supposed requirement. 

However, their scheme was foiled when security operatives stormed the hall following a tip-off, arresting the pair on July 25, 2024, for suspected criminal trespass, impersonation, and cheating. 

During the initial investigation, the suspects claimed authorship of the textbooks and confessed to the allegations, citing unemployment as their motivation.  

They revealed this was their second visit to the state, having previously targeted Kano State Polytechnic earlier in the year.

The seized textbooks were of poor quality and believed to be pirated. This incident highlights a disturbing trend of charlatans infiltrating tertiary institutions, exploiting unsuspecting students.  

The university management has warned students to be vigilant and has intensified surveillance to prevent similar incidents. The suspects will be handed over to the police for further action.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced plans to hire new staff.

A statement by NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the development on Friday.

The recruitment will be for various positions across various departments within the energy company.

Interested applicants have been directed to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions.

“NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments.

“We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” the statement read.

However, due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.

The company has assured that its technical team is working to resolve the issue.

Despite the technical challenge, the application process deadline remains August 20, 2024.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has allayed fears of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms, saying his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution.

The President, who received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, said his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in getting support from Nigerians.

“I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God.

“One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption.

“What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what it takes to be a good citizen and what it takes to be a responsible citizen,’’ the President stated.President Tinubu said protests, fuelled by anger and hate, could degenerate into violence and set the country backwards.

“We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards, again, so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable.

“The student loans will pay for school fees. There will be monetary support for the education of our children. The consumer credit will support citizens to buy cars and houses, and they can repay gradually.

“We have increased the minimum wage by more than 100 percent,’’ the President said.

President Tinubu said the sponsors of protests place their selfish ambitions above the national interest.

“The sponsors of protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports.

“They are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually.

“We do not want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful. We should be careful with premature politics; politics of hate, and anger.

“The internet has made it possible to hold meetings in artificial settings. They hold meetings and sponsor anger,’’ the President told the religious leaders.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Bala Lau, assured the President of support with prayers and more sensitization.

“Peace is paramount for us in the country. The first thing Abraham asked God for was peace and guidance,’’ Sheikh Lau noted.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has expressed his profound gratitude to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the landmark signing of the North West Development Commission Bill describing it as “a decisive step to pull the North West back from the brink”.

Governor Sani extended his commendation and well wishes in a statement on Wednesday 24th July 2024, “I wish to express my profound gratitude to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for signing the North West Development Bill into law. This is no doubt, the most significant piece of news I have received in decades. It clearly demonstrates President Tinubu’s deep concern for the North West and commitment to addressing its multifaceted developmental and security challenges,” governor Sani said.

The Governor further lauded President Bola Tinubu for his “uncommon support to State Governments in the North to effectively tackle their myriad challenges and set the region on the path to sustainable growth and development.”

Additionally, Governor Uba Sani urged leaders and people of the North West to see the signing of the North West Development Commission Bill into law as a call to action.

“We must come together and fashion a Marshall Plan for the development of the North West. Our plan must be people – driven and all inclusive. The people that will be saddled with the responsibility of running the North West Development Commission must be men and women of transparent honesty, knowledgeable, creative and innovative. There must be no room for incompetence and lethargy,” Kaduna State governor added.

The North West Development Commission was established to address the challenges facing the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone with the aim of bringing the Federal Government closer to people in all North Western states.