News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Civil society organisations have unleashed strong criticism against Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State following his decision to bestow brand new SUVs upon members of the state House of Assembly, executive members, and heads of parastatals. 

The move, initially perceived as a gesture of appreciation, has ignited widespread condemnation due to its ill-timed nature amidst prevalent economic hardship and hunger among residents. 

Comrade Ibrahim Ngaski, Secretary of the Coalition of Civil Society in the state, articulated the collective sentiment, noting that while the governor’s intent might have been noble, the gratuitous distribution of the vehicles, funded by taxpayers’ money, is contentious.

He advocated for either monetizing the vehicles or deducting their cost from the recipients’ transport allowances to ensure prudent use of public funds. 

Ngaski also underscored the populace’s discontent with the timing, stating that the distribution of luxury vehicles to government officials fails to address the pressing needs of ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet. 

Gurusa Abubakar, Secretary of the Civil Liberties Organisation, echoed this disappointment, stating that the gesture fell short of people’s expectations, stating their desire for essential services like stable electricity rather than lavish gifts to already affluent individuals. 

In the midst of this outcry, Abubakar Aliyu, a vulcanizer in Birnin Kebbi, expressed his disillusionment, highlighting the disparity between the officials’ windfall and the citizens’ dire circumstances. 

Governor Idris defended his actions, asserting that the vehicles were essential tools to facilitate officials’ duties, citing previous allocations to security agencies and commissioners.

However, he faced further scrutiny as critics questioned the necessity of such extravagance amidst the state’s challenges. 

In response to mounting criticism, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, clarified that the vehicles were not gifts but rather loans extended to officials to enhance their operational efficiency.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A mother of three has committed suicide due to incessant economic hardship after abandoning her children at a police station in Enugu State.

It was gathered that the woman went to Ogui Road police station with the children, handed them to officers, stripped herself naked and run under the moving vehicle which crushed her to death.

The ages of the three children are reportedly six, four, and two. Her husband allegedly ran away from home months ago due to increased hardship, abandoning his wife and children.

When asked about their father, the eldest of the children simply said he was lost. She could not provide any other information about their family, town, or residential address.

The wife of Enugu State Governor, Nkechinyere Mbah, who rushed to the police station upon learning about the incident, was told that the woman might have been suffering from depression.

Mbah was touched by the development. She said she would take care of the children and educate them from nursery school to university.

She announced that sponsorship for the children would be undertaken by her Custos Care Foundation.

Mbah also directed the immediate relocation of the children from the station to a home where the state government could take care of them.

She urged people who suffer from depression to seek counseling and avoid rash decisions.

She also urged the Commissioner, Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Development, Ngozi Enih, to intensify sensitisation and counselling, especially for the depressed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, faced a widespread outage today, disrupting access to its popular social media platforms worldwide.

Internal system failures within Meta are believed to be responsible for the outage, leaving millions of users unable to log in or refresh their feeds.  

Users across the globe experienced difficulties accessing Meta’s Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram platforms as the tech giant grappled with a significant outage on Tuesday.

The outage, believed to have been triggered by internal system failures, resulted in frustration for users unable to access their accounts or engage with the platforms. 

Reports indicate that users were forcibly logged out of their Facebook and Messenger accounts and encountered issues logging back in, despite inputting correct credentials.

Similarly, Instagram users experienced difficulties refreshing their feeds, rendering the platforms unusable for many.

By Uzair Adam Imam

According to reports from Turkish TRT World, a recent aid mission to two hospitals in northern Gaza by the World Health Organization (WHO) has uncovered horrifying scenes of children dying from starvation. 

Dire shortages of food, fuel, and medicines exacerbate the situation.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the findings as “grim,” particularly highlighting the dire conditions at Al Awda Hospital, where one of the buildings has been destroyed. 

The Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only paediatrics facility in northern Gaza, struggles to cope with the overwhelming number of patients. Tedros revealed that the lack of food has tragically led to the deaths of 10 children.

Meanwhile, the Geneva-based organization Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has released a statement presenting disturbing evidence of Israeli tanks deliberately running over Palestinians. 

Describing these actions as part of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, Euro-Med reported several cases of Israeli forces intentionally running over Palestinian civilians, including incidents on February 29, January 23, December 2023, and February 20.

The organization has called for an independent international investigation committee to address Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip.

The deadly offensive initiated by Israel following a cross-border incursion by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties. 

As the Israeli bombardment continues into its 150th day, TRT casualty counts estimate that at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed, with 71,980 others wounded due to mass destruction and shortages of essentials.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reconciled with the Commander General of the State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, who had resigned his appointment last week.

Daurawa, who resigned from his position through a video that went viral while attending a retreat organized in Kaduna, stated that his decision was influenced by the public’s criticism of the Hisbah operatives and their actions.

Speaking to journalists about the development, the spokesperson to the governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed the reconciliation on Monday.

Dawakin Tofa said the reconciliation was achieved through the intervention of respected Islamic clerics and a meeting with the governor that lasted for hours.

Some of the people in attendance include Prof. Salisu Shehu, Dr. Saidu Dukawa, Sheikh Abdulwahab Abdallah, among others.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a new initiative aimed at improving compliance and streamlining import processes for vehicles.

For a limited time, vehicle owners will have a 90-day window to regularise their import duties. 

This program applies to vehicles that have not been seized or condemned by customs officials.

Owners of such vehicles can apply to Zonal Coordinators to rectify their import duties. 

To participate in this initiative, vehicle owners will need to submit all necessary documents along with their application.

Additionally, a 25% penalty will be applied on top of the standard import duty. 

This move by the NCS is seen as a positive step towards improving compliance and generating revenue for the country.

It also provides an opportunity for vehicle owners to rectify their import status and avoid potential penalties in the future. 

The 90-day window provides a limited window for vehicle owners to take advantage of this program.

Those who wish to regularise their import duties are encouraged to contact their nearest NCS Zonal Coordinator for more information and to initiate the application process.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

Nollywood actor, Mr. Ibu, has passed away at the age of 62. Mr. Ibu, whose real name is John Okafor, was a well-known and respected figure in the Nigerian film industry.

According to multiple reports from sources close to him, the veteran comedian passed away at Evercare Hospital. Many fans have shared condolences on X (formerly Twitter), reminiscing about movies the late actor has featured in.

Confirming his death, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, posted a message on his Facebook page.

According to Rollas, “Sad day for Actors Guild of Nigeria.

“Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager for 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor.

“I announce with (a) deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it.”

Details surrounding his death are still forthcoming. Also, Mr. Ibu’s family and representatives have yet to comment publicly.

The actor had been facing health challenges since October 2022 and had undergone several medical procedures, including the amputation of his leg.

By Umar Sani Adamu

The recent public criticism by Governor Abba of the Hisbah board in Kano State has sparked controversy and raised concerns about leadership decorum and responsible governance. While it is crucial for leaders to address concerns and seek improvement within government agencies, the manner in which Governor Abba chose to express his dissatisfaction raises questions about his leadership style and the potential consequences of his actions.

First and foremost, criticizing a government agency publicly, especially one tasked with religious and moral enforcement like the Hisbah board, can create unnecessary tension and undermine public trust in the institution. Governor Abba’s decision to air his grievances in a public forum instead of handling them internally or through diplomatic channels demonstrates a lack of discretion and undermines the credibility of the Hisbah board.

Furthermore, by openly criticizing the Hisbah board, Governor Abba risks exacerbating existing tensions within the community and fueling resentment towards the agency. This could potentially undermine the effectiveness of the Hisbah board in carrying out its duties and could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

Additionally, Governor Abba’s public criticism of the Hisbah board without offering concrete solutions or constructive feedback demonstrates a lack of leadership maturity. Effective leaders understand the importance of providing constructive criticism in a constructive and respectful manner, focusing on solutions rather than simply pointing out problems.

Moreover, Governor Abba’s decision to publicly criticize the Hisbah board instead of engaging in private dialogue with relevant stakeholders, such as Sheikh Mallam Daurawa, further highlights his disregard for diplomatic protocols and his tendency to prioritize personal agendas over the well-being of the community.

Adding the context of Murja Kunya’s situation provides further insight into the potential implications of Governor Abba’s public criticism of the Hisbah board. Murja Kunya, a social media influencer, has been accused by the Hisbah board of encouraging indecency and immorality. In this context, Governor Abba’s public condemnation of the Hisbah board could be interpreted as a form of protection for Murja Kunya.

By publicly criticizing the Hisbah board’s handling of the situation, Governor Abba may be perceived as undermining their authority and potentially shielding individuals like Murja Kunya from accountability. This not only weakens the effectiveness of the Hisbah board in enforcing moral standards within the community but also sends a troubling message about the government’s commitment to upholding moral values and protecting societal norms.

In light of these circumstances, Governor Abba’s public condemnation of the Hisbah board takes on an even greater significance. It not only raises questions about his leadership style and approach to governance but also calls into question his commitment to upholding moral standards and protecting the well-being of the community.

Therefore, it is imperative for Governor Abba to reconsider his approach and prioritize responsible leadership that fosters constructive dialogue and collaboration, while also upholding the values and principles that are essential for the well-being of society as a whole.

Umar Sani Adamu (Kawun Baba) 

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) commenced a 2-day ICT—Modernization Management Retreat in Abuja, spearheaded by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. The event, which began on Friday, March 1, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the service’s journey towards digital transformation. 

In his address to attendees, CGC Bashir Adewale stated the imperative of embracing technology to enhance customs operations.

He stressed the need for collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the seamless execution of the modernization project, citing the demand for efficiency and transparency from stakeholders. CGC Adeniyi urged his Management Team, particularly in ICT, to lead the digitalization efforts and utilize internal resources to expedite the implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system.

He noted the importance of modernizing every aspect of the Customs Enforcement Ecosystem to fortify operations. Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman of Trade Modernization Project Limited, commended the CGC’s commitment to modernization, recognising the pivotal role of trade in national development.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would revolutionise NCS operations, facilitating trade across Nigeria and the African continent. 

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernization, ACG Kikelomo Adeola, lauded the CGC’s dedication to the modernization project, emphasising its significance in reshaping and digitising NCS activities. She welcomed participants to the retreat.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Commander General of Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, has tendered his resignation following criticisms from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over the board’s methods of operation. 

Sheikh Daurawa announced his resignation in a brief video clip posted on his official Facebook page on Friday.

His departure comes less than 24 hours after Governor Yusuf expressed disapproval of the tactics employed by Hisbah in combating acts of immorality within the state. 

Governor Yusuf, while addressing Ulama at the Government House on Thursday, voiced his objections to the approach of Hisbah, particularly condemning their practice of conducting raids on public spaces to apprehend individuals engaged in immoral activities, which he deemed uncivilised. 

The governor also expressed dissatisfaction with the methods used by Hisbah in apprehending suspects, urging the board to reevaluate its current operations to address societal wrongs. 

In response to Governor Yusuf’s remarks, Sheikh Daurawa defended the actions of Hisbah under his leadership, stating that the board had taken measures to combat immorality, particularly targeting social media influencers.

He asserted that Hisbah’s actions were in accordance with Islamic principles. 

However, acknowledging the governor’s stance, Sheikh Daurawa announced his resignation from his position and extended well wishes to Governor Yusuf and his administration. 

The resignation of Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa marks a significant development in the ongoing discourse surrounding the methods and effectiveness of Hisbah’s operations in Kano State.