News

By Uzair Adam Imam

Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, the senator representing Kano Central, was commended by the Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), for sponsoring the registeration of 200 BUK students.

Senator Hanga was applauded for rescuing Kano students who initially thought their academic journey at BUK was over as a result of the increment in the registration fees by the school management.

This was contained in the BUK weekly Bulletin made available on Friday by the Deputy Registrar Public Affairs, Malam Lamara Garba.

Other persons commended by the university were Honourable Abubakar Kabiru Abubakar, member of the House of Representatives, Bichi Federal Constituency, who sponsored 100 students and the Rep of Doguwa who is thinking of doing something similar.

Similarly, the national body of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students Association (NUESA) was also commended for sponsoring 39 BUk students as part of its support to the less privilege.

The Daily Reality recalls that in July, the management of BUK, in its Special Bulletin, announced the increment of school fees, a development that came as a shock to many students.

The decision by the university management generated a pandemonium considering the economic hardship in the country.

However, Senator Hanga, and his likes, who felt the student’s pain, responded and instructed his scholarship committee to screen the indigent students for the fully-funded scholarship.

Hanga said, “This is in response to the outcry caused by the registration fee increment in Bayero University, Kano which threatens the progress of many students in the university.

While I consider this a quick intervention, I want to stress that more programmes that target the upliftment and empowerment of our people are on the pipeline, in shaa Allah,” he added.

Our reporter learnt that the list of the 200 successful applicants has been compiled and submitted to the management of Bayero University, Kano.

While commending his scholarship committee, Hanga said, “I wish to advise the beneficiaries to make the good use of the opportunity.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

One of Burkina Faso’s popular radio stations has been suspended by the junta-run administration for airing an interview that was deemed “insulting” to the new military rulers in Niger.

Thursday saw an instant suspension of Radio Omega “until further notice,” according to a statement from Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo.

The action, according to him, was “in the higher interests of the nation.”

After the statement was released late on Thursday, the station, which is a part of the Omega media group and is owned by journalist and former foreign minister Alpha Barry, stopped transmitting.

The channel aired an interview with Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, the spokesperson for a recently formed Nigerien organisation pushing for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Recall that on July 26, the Presidential Guard deposed the nation’s elected president.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

In a recent announcement, the British Council informed test takers about an upcoming fee increase for its IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examinations.  

Effective September 1, 2023, the new pricing structure aims to maintain the high-quality standards of testing experiences. 

Under the revised pricing, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests will be priced at NGN 107,500, while the cost for UK visa and Immigration-related tests will be NGN 116,000. Additionally, the Life Skills test will see a price adjustment to NGN 104,000. 

The British Council emphasised that the decision to raise prices is essential to upholding the exceptional quality that test takers have come to expect from their IELTS assessments. 

Despite the increase, the council remains committed to providing accurate evaluations of English language proficiency to individuals pursuing academic, professional, or immigration-related goals. 

In a concise statement, the British Council expressed gratitude to all those who have chosen their services for language assessment. 

Test takers and individuals planning to take the IELTS tests after September 1, 2023, are advised to take note of the updated pricing structure to ensure accurate financial planning for their assessment endeavours.    

By Muhammadu Sabiu
 
Manchester United has given the green light for midfielder Fred’s move to Fenerbahçe, marking a significant milestone as all parties involved have successfully come to an agreement.
 
The deal, which has been confirmed as an exclusive story, showcases the remarkable development in the football transfer landscape.
 
Sources reveal that Manchester United have accepted Fenerbahçe’s proposal, which includes a base transfer fee of €10 million along with an additional €5 million in potential add-ons.
 
This financial arrangement underlines the strategic nature of the deal and emphasises the high level of interest in securing Fred’s talents.
 
Equally crucial, Brazilian midfielder Fred has given his affirmative response to Fenerbahçe’s proposition.

By Muhammad Idris

The attention of the Association of Fulbe Youths Development Association, Plateau State, under the leadership of AY Umar has been drawn to an unfortunate incident that took place at Heipang Village (located at Plateau State Airport) Barikin Ladi Local Government Area on Sunday 06/08/2023 between the hours of 7pm and 8pm.

Facts at our disposal reveals that some criminals gangs strongly believed to be from Birom Armed Militias groups attacked and killed the innocent FULANI Citizens while they were returning home from the popular cattle market in Bukuru, Jos South, LGA, Plateau state.

Victims of the incident were Umar (adult ‘m’ from Barikin ladi) who was killed and Yakubu (adult ‘m’) from Bokkos sustained gun shot injury and currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Moreso, Yusuf Bibbi (20yrs) and Abdulrahman Bibbi were also ambushed around KwallDistrict of Bassa LGA, when they were going to fetch water for domestic use about 7:00Pm, on Monday 7th August 2023. Both of them sustained enjury and they are receiving medical treatment.

Similarly, another attack was carried out on innocent fulani commuters while returning from the same cattle sometimes in June 2023, involved in the incident were Muazu Aliyu (adult from Barkin), Aminu Goma from Barkin were wounded and one other killed.

Few days later another Fulani commuters were attacked in the same area while coming back from the same market.

Furthermore, one Alhaji Auwalu Shanono of Barkin Ladi was murdered on his way to inspect his herds on Sunday 16th April 2023 by the same armed men suspected to be Berom militias in between Plateau State Polytechnic and Airport, Barkin Ladi, Plateau state. His dead body was recovered with about 10 bullets wounds on it and his bike stolen away. All these were reported to security agencies including the Police and Operation Safe Heaven and all promised were make to take serious action but nothing was done to date while the trend continued not mitigated.

This Association has noticed that, this unprovoked act of criminality has been in practiced for decades although was tackled by former Commader Sector Seven Barkin Ladi when he took necessary security measures around the area sometimes in 2018.

While drawing the attention of all stakeholders, The President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Plateau state Government, the media, international organisations and observers, civil society organisations, religious leaders, Christians Association of Nigeria,(CAN) Jamaatul Nasrul Islam (JNI), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), TABITAL PULAAKU International, FUDECO, that this incident has resurged and is going on unabated in a time when state Government and security agencies have told the world that all necessary measures have been taken to bring lasting peace on the Plateau state.

It is in view of the above we urged the above mentioned stakeholders and any other interested party to note this developments and further requests as a matter of urgency fetch out the killers in Hipang.

To share more light on the trend is that these Birom Militias gangs do used to pin down on the Federal road Junction of Hipang community fully armed and thereby shut on citing any car carrying Fulani men on the road.

We therefore called on the plateau state Government to act on the issues of security, so that peace shall return to the Plateau state.

We wish to reaffirm that pastoralists are bonafide citizens of Nigeria and Plateau state and hence deserve the protection of their lives and properties as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and International convention and treaties, United Nations and African Union and ECOWAS treaties for the protection of rights of persons and their properties.

We also wish to call on the Fulani youths to show calmness, resilience and eschew all forms of taking the law into their hands and as well have faith that the government will take necessary action in curtailing this trend.

We further wish to state that the enemies of peace should be aware that Fulanis are Nigerians and citizens of Plateau state and therefore, no amount of blackmail and intimidation will make them leave their homes. The ethnic cleansing and profiling that had been ongoing against the Fulanis in the cover story of terrorists to derail the truth in the Plateau must be stopped as a matter of urgency to forestall further breakdown of law and order across the state.

As an association, we reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty to the federal Republic of Nigeria.

Muhammad Idris
FOYUDA Publicity Secretary
08/08/2023.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

The former Super Eagles captain and philanthropist, Ahmed Musa, donated the sum of ₦5.5m to the embattled veteran Hausa actor Abdullahi Shu’aibu, alias Abdullahi Kano or Karkuzu.

In a viral social media video, the aged actor, who has also gone blind, pleaded with the general public for help.

He further spoke about his daily struggle to feed, adding that he had even been threatened with eviction. Thus, he wanted people to help him own a house before his death.

The Daily Reality has yet to be able to contact Karkuzu, his family in Jos, Plateau State, or Ahmed Musa during this report. However, sources and reports have confirmed the donation.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC) has taken a decision in fighting corruption as it announced the dismissal of Ibrahim Garba, Chief Secretariat Assistant attached to the State Pension Board. 

The decision was made on August 1, 2023, at the Commission’s Conference Hall during its 17th plenary session. 

Ibrahim Garba was fired as a result of his involvement in wage and pension fraud, which the Commission judged to be gross misconduct. 

Public Service Rules (PSR) 0327 (XI), which expressly handle matters of financial embezzlement, were judged to have been directly violated by his acts. 

Ibrahim Garba’s attempt to illegally syphon pension funds was discovered during the disciplinary procedure. 

He altered the late Audu Mohammed’s account information, replacing it with his own account information. 

Then, after the deceased’s relative reported the death, he was able to adjust the pay point. 

Ibrahim Garba was able to obtain an unauthorised pension for an astonishing fifty-five (55) months at a cost of N54,871.26 per month, thanks to this fraudulent behaviour. 

This fraud continued for a total of four years and seven months and resulted in the theft of N3,017,919.30.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

President Bola Tinubu is currently having a meeting with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the WTO’s director general, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

At around 2:50 on Tuesday, Dr Ali Pate, a former minister of state for health, and Okonjo-Iweala arrived at the Presidential Villa.

This medium has not been able to gather the purpose of the meeting as of the time of filing this report.

Recall that Okonjo-Iweala and Tinubu met earlier in June while attending the leadership summit in Paris, France.

Okonjo-Iweala served as finance minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

By Ukasha Rabiu Magama

The new Bauchi Commissioner of Health, Dr Sambo Umar Adamu, has charged Bauchi youths to be productive and peace ambassadors of their respective communities to bring the desired development to the state. 

The disclosure was made at his Magama residence when he received the delegation of the Magama Youth Forum on a congratulatory visit. Expressing his happiness over the visit, Dr Sambo assures his readiness to work closely with youths to bring much-needed development to the state, particularly in the health sector.

Further, Dr Sambo said his door will always be open for consultations on moving Bauchi state to the greater pedestal. He added that Governor. Bala Muhammad’s administration was an inclusive regime. Therefore, he promised to learn from his footsteps by carrying everybody along, irrespective of party, religion and tribal affiliations, for the sustenance of peace and to bring progress to the state. 

In his remark, the acting chairman of Magama Youth Forum, Malam Isma’il Abubakar Najjar, asserted that the visit aimed to felicitate with Dr Sambo on his appointment as the new Bauchi state commissioner of health as well as pray for more success in the distant future.

Malam Najjar said Magama Youth Forum are ready to give maximum support and cooperation to the new commissioner to perform his responsibilities to revamp the Bauchi health sector.

While making his comment, the acting assistant secretary of the Magama Youth Forum, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkarim Jibrin, appealed to the new commissioner to consider the union at a time of enjoying the democratic dividend as well as shun nepotism by giving equal opportunity to the entire citizens of the state.

The visit had in attendance chairmen and secretaries of various associations within Magama and its environs.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Niger coupists have named former Economy Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as the country’s new prime minister, nearly two weeks after they took power.

Zeine appointment was announced late Monday night by the military junta spokesman on television.

It was gathered that Zeine was the former Minister of Economy and Finance for several years in the cabinet of then-president Mamadou Tandja.

Our reporters gathered that Tundja had led the country from 1999 after its return to civilian and was ousted in 2010.

This is coming a few days after an ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States to the coup plotters to reinstate Bazoum has expired.

However, the Daily Reality learned that the prime ministers of the ECOWAS member states will now meet in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Thursday to discuss how to proceed.

Many Nigerians, especially the Northerners, are not in support of the ECOWAS measures that could possibly include force, as the ultimatum threatened.