News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu warmly congratulates the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, MNI, as he marks his 55th birthday.

Governor Zulum is an academic, visionary, reformist, and statesman.

President Tinubu joins the family, friends, and people of Borno State in celebrating the young and dynamic leader who embodies the pragmatism and energy of youth, as well as the sobriety, prudence, and wisdom of the elderly.

The President commends Governor Zulum’s hands-on approach to leadership, demonstrated by his unchoreographed, pre-dawn inspections of rural clinics and critical agencies to ensure their smooth operations and that staff are on hand to provide essential services at world-class standards.

President Tinubu also applauds the governor’s courage, exemplified by his personal interventions in security situations in Borno State and in the recent resettlement of displaced citizens.

The President appreciates Professor Zulum’s facility for providing unifying leadership, epitomized by his efforts towards ensuring the welfare of citizens from other parts of the country and in the promotion of Nigerians of diverse ethnic backgrounds and faiths through the ranks of the Borno Civil Service on the exclusive basis of merit.

“Babagana is one of those luminescent northstars of meritocratic rise in the Nigerian political firmament. From humble beginnings, his tenacious pursuit of personal growth and later on, expeditious state and national development, is a guide to Nigeria’s future generations.

“Borno State and Nigeria at large are fortunate to benefit from his benevolent brand of modest, rigorous, and visionary political and administrative leadership,” the President states.

As the governor marks this milestone, the President wishes him many more years in good health and renewed strength in his service to the nation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

President Bola Tinubu commiserates with the people of the Ningi Emirate and the Bauchi State government over the passing of the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya. 

The first-class monarch passed away in the early hours of Sunday. 

President Tinubu describes the deceased as an illustrious leader who deployed the power and resources of his throne in the service of his community. 

The President prays for the repose of the soul of the departed traditional ruler and condoles with his family and all those grieving the loss.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, has passed away.

He died on Sunday morning in Kano, where he was receiving medical treatment for age-related health issues. 

The late Emir will be buried on Sunday evening at 4pm, following a funeral prayer at the Emir’s Palace in Ningi.

The funeral announcement was made by the Secretary of the Emirate, Alhaji Usman Sule, Magayakin Ningi. 

In a statement, Alhaji Sule said: “We belong to Allah and to Him we hope. God bless His Majesty the King of Ningi, Dr. Yunusa Muhammadu Dan Yaya (OON), who passed away this morning in Kano.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, has made history by inventing Nigeria’s first electric automated tricycle.

The innovation, unveiled at the institution’s innovation centre, is a significant milestone in the country’s quest for sustainable transportation solutions. 

Rector Dr. Mukail Akinde stated the need for government and corporate support to commercialize the invention, stating, “Mass production of this tricycle will reduce importation, ease pressure on foreign exchange, and create job opportunities for youths.” 

The polytechnic’s Governing Council Chairman, Alhaji Garba Gashua, praised the innovation and promised to mobilize support for its commercialization.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council also commended the initiative, urging government assistance to expand the project. 

The innovation centre’s director, Jide Soyemi, highlighted the centre’s focus on cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence and robotics, with students contributing significantly to the projects. 

This groundbreaking invention has the potential to revolutionize Nigeria’s transportation sector, and with adequate support, it could become a reality.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Kano State court has released 40 minors on bail who were among the hundreds arrested during the recent #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.

The minors were freed following the intervention of Advocate for Justice Alliance, a civic organisation led by Barrister AK Musa. 

The Kano State Police Command had arrested 873 suspects for alleged crimes committed during the protests, which were held to demand solutions to Nigeria’s economic woes and insecurity.

The suspects were arraigned before magistrates and detained in various prison facilities. 

Barrister Musa confirmed the release of the minors, saying, “We’re pleased that 40 minors have been granted bail, but unfortunately, no adults have been released.”

He added that his organisation is working to secure the release and representation of more detainees, with the next court hearing set for September 11, 2024. 

The protests, which took place across the country, saw over 1000 Nigerians arrested and detained, according to Amnesty International.

The global human rights organisation criticized the government’s response to the protests, saying it failed to address the economic issues driving the demonstrations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced key management appointments and redeployments within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following the statutory retirement of some management team members.

BM Jibo has been appointed as Acting Deputy Comptroller General of Finance Administration and Technical Services (FATS), while OA Alajogun takes on the role of Acting Deputy Comptroller General of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (EI&I).

IG Umar has been redeployed as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Headquarters, OA Salefu as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), BA Makinde as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Human Resource Development (HRD), and T Bomodi as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (EI&I).

The appointments, made in acting capacity, aim to enhance strategic service delivery and are a testament to the officers’ exemplary services and dedication to the NCS.

Adeniyi congratulated the newly appointed officers, charging them to “redouble their efforts to ensure the Service achieves greater heights in its mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.”

The Comptroller General also thanked the retired members of the management for their meritorious services.

By Uzair Adam

A woman in Jigawa State has died by self-immolation after reportedly being devastated by her recent divorce.

The 40-year-old, whose identity has been withheld, set herself on fire in Garin Mallam village, located in the Guri Local Government Area.

The incident was confirmed by DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, in a statement released on Friday in Dutse.

According to Shiisu, the woman poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze on the outskirts of the village.

“On Thursday at about 7:40 a.m., the command received heartbreaking news from Guri that a woman had set herself on fire after pouring petrol on her body. The incident occurred in Garin Mallam village, and she was burnt beyond recognition,” Shiisu stated.

Following the report, officers from the Guri Divisional Police Headquarters were dispatched to the scene to verify the incident. The woman’s charred remains were subsequently taken to a hospital and later released to her family for burial.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman had been struggling with depression for several months after her divorce.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmadu Abdullahi, expressed his condolences and urged the public to seek guidance and counseling from elders when facing difficult situations.

He also encouraged people to entrust their affairs to a higher power for solace.

By Uzair Adam

A Chinese company, Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd, has seized another Nigerian jet, this time in Canada.

The firm, which has already been involved in the seizure of three Nigerian aircraft in France and other assets in various countries, took custody of the Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 aircraft after a Quebec court authorized the seizure.

This action is part of Zhongshang’s efforts to enforce an arbitration award of over $70 million against Nigeria, leading to the confiscation of several Nigerian assets overseas.

The dispute stems from a legal battle involving the Ogun State Government, which has seen the firm seize numerous Nigerian properties and aircraft as it seeks to recoup its claims.

Despite ongoing tensions, Zhongshang recently released an Airbus A330 aircraft, allowing Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to travel to France for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

By Uzair Adam

Residents of Sabon Birnin Daji in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have accused soldiers of killing three people and over 100 cows during an incident at a local cattle market on Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers, some reportedly on motorcycles, arrived at the market and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of both humans and cattle.

Villagers are demanding compensation for the damages and losses incurred, claiming over 140 cows were killed and goods worth more than N50 million were destroyed.

One witness, Shamsudeen Sabon Birni, described how the soldiers confronted the Sarkin Pawa, the market leader, before shooting him.

Shamsudeen lamented the indiscriminate nature of the soldiers’ actions, stating they forced traders to lie down before firing at the animals and damaging their goods.

In response, the Nigerian Army has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the army spokesperson, confirmed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has directed an inquiry to determine the causes of the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

Amnesty International Nigeria and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have called for an independent investigation, expressing concerns about potential bias in the military’s internal probe and emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in such cases.

The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to comment on the incident, as efforts to reach their spokesperson were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the event, seeking justice and answers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The burial of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto State, was conducted without his body after he was abducted, tortured, and killed by terrorists.

The traditional ruler’s death, which occurred on Wednesday, has been marked by a series of harrowing events and demands from the perpetrators. 

A distressing video surfaced before Bawa’s death, showing him pleading for his life and calling on the government to intervene.

In the footage, the late ruler, speaking in Hausa, described his horrific captivity and the dire conditions endured by him and his son, who were seized in July while traveling from Sokoto to Sabon Birni. 

The burial ceremony, as described by Facebook user Sarki Yaqi, adhered to Islamic guidelines for such tragic circumstances, which allow for burial without the physical presence of the deceased.

Yaqi’s post stated, “The burial of the Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto State has been held now without his corpse,” and further explained, “The burial of the king of Kudun Gobir has just concluded, the burial ceremony of the death of the gunmen who were killed and held his corpse and buried.” 

It was reported that the terrorists behind Bawa’s death had issued a chilling demand for a ransom of N60 million and five motorcycles in exchange for the return of his body.

This demand followed an initial ransom request of N1 billion for the release of Bawa and his son, who were abducted while en route to their hometown. 

The video also shows the extent of the coercion faced by Bawa and his son, with a gunman dictating their statements under duress. Tragically, their plea for rescue went unanswered in time, leading to Bawa’s brutal killing.