News

B Muhammad Sabiu

In the early hours of today (Sunday), the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State emerged triumphant after the results of Saturday’s governorship election indicated that the party’s candidate, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, defeated the 15 other contestants that took part in the race.

Oyebanji, the state’s immediate past Secretary to the Government, won in 15 of the state’s 16 Local Government Areas after receiving 187,057 votes in the election.

His nearest rival, Mr Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party, polled 82,211 votes, while Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party received 67,457 votes.

Kolawole won his LGA, Efon, with a total of 6,303 votes, beating the APC’s 4,012 votes and the SDP’s 339 votes.

However, Chief Segun Oni, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, who voted in his home town of Ifaki-Ward Ekiti’s 2, Unit 6, accused the other parties of vote-buying in Ado Ekiti and Oye Ekiti.

He was reported to have said, “I have been told that selling and buying of votes are going on in Ado and Oye. This is not allowed by the law. I want security agents to move in and stop those doing that.”

Vote buying isn’t an unusual practice in the Nigerian political space since the rebirth of democracy in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo took over power.

By Muhammad Aminu

The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched a hate speech monitoring team to monitor and record politically inclined cases of hate speech on social media as the 2023 general elections approach.

In a press briefing in Kano, the head of monitoring team, Malam Hamza Ibrahim, said the team would provide database for incidents of hate speech in Nigeria.

Mal. Ibrahim noted that monitors were trained to monitor utterances in both English and the Nigerian languages on the Nigerian political process leading to the 2023 election.

“The essence of the monitoring is to record instances of hate speech and sensitise stakeholders about them and devise strategies to counter them,” he said.

According to him, hate speech on social media when left uncountered could impede unity and diversity of Nigeria as a country.

He cautioned political actors to avoid engaging in hate speech in their electioneering as many elected political actors engaged in it during the 2019 elections.

“In 2019, politicians used hate speech for political gain and incited violence. Government elected officials used hate speech.

“Politicians need to be cautioned. We advised that as we approach the 2023 election, politicians’ utterances should be free from inciting violence and hate speech.”

He called on scial media influencers, bloggers and the media to support in countering hate speech which he described as “a cancer that must be eliminated.”

He regretted that youths were mostly used hence targeting the youths in CITAD’s intervention against the menace of hate speech.

He further revealed that June 18 was set aside by the United Nations to observe countering of hate speech. That signifies the serious attention it’s getting because of its roles in conflicts that could lead to loss of lives and displacement.

“It’s timely recognition by the UN because many lives were lost due to conflicts induced by hate speech,” he noted.

The team unveiled a publication titled “Extinguishing Hate Speech: Roles for Politicians, Religious and Community Leaders” to help guide key stakeholders to ensure peaceful election in 2013.

“It is based on researches across Nigeria with recommendation for political, religious and community leaders on how prevent and tackle hate speech,” he concluded.

In another development, CITAD converged a roundtable on the draft code of practice released by the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) to guide operations of major social media platforms in Nigeria.

Experts argued that while some parts of the codes were needed to checkmate the excesses of the giant tech, others were aimed at stifling freedom of speech and expression.

They called on Nigerians to have their inputs before the draft codes were operationalized in the country.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari.

President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, fell off his bicycle on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The incident happened at Cape Henlopen State Park near his beach home in Delaware.

A video from the White House pool report confirmed the incident. The video showed the 79 years old president immediately getting up after he fell. He then said. “I am good”

Biden was biking with First Lady Jill Biden at the Rehoboth Beach and had stopped to talk to unlookers when he fell.

According to the White House, the president did not need any medical attention after the bike accident.

The President had fallen in March on the stairs of Air force One. His falls are raising concerns on whether the president would be fit to contest the 2024 US presidential election, which Biden and his allies assured Americans he would contest.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Raliya Kashim, a senior staff member of the Bauchi State-owned Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, has been suspended by the institution’s management for supporting All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Maimako Baraya, a spokesman for the polytechnic, signed the letter announcing the suspension.

The main opposition, the Peoples’s Democratic Party (PDP), is in charge of Bauchi State.

Kashim works as the polytechnic’s deputy general manager of consulting services.

She was aware of the state’s public service law prohibiting civil servants from participating in party politics, according to Mr Baraya’s letter.

Baraya was quoted to have said in the letter, “The employee recently posted videos containing campaign materials of the presidential and the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is a clear violation of the code of ethics for public servants.”

“We wish to assure the general public that there would be no sacred cow, and it will never be intimidated by the activities of political jobbers, fifth columnists and enemies of the state.”

By Muhammad Aminu 

Kano State Police Command has returned seven (7) vehicles stolen from different parts of the State to their rightful owners after thoroughly investigating the suspects.

The Police Command said three other vehicles remain in its custody as nobody advanced any claim.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Kano.

SP Kiyawa noted that the arrest of Odinaka Godwin and two others with nine number plates led to further investigation that unravelled their activities in Kano, which enabled the police to recover ten stolen vehicles.

“In continuation of a case of suspected Motor Vehicles theft, where one Odinaka Godwin, ‘m’, and two others were arrested in possession of nine (9) Pairs of Motor Vehicles number plates, a total of ten (10) Motor Vehicles were so far recovered.”

“The Commissioner of Police had directed that seven (7) of the recovered stolen Motor Vehicles were handed over to owners; whereas, the following Motor Vehicles are yet to be claimed;

i. Toyota Camry LE Motor Vehicle, Golden Colour with Registration Number ADK-885AE, Ekiti 

ii. Toyota RAV4 Motor Vehicle, Black in colour with Registration Number APP-35BP Lagos 

iii. Toyota Camry LE Motor Vehicle, Ash in Colour without Registration Number, he narrated.”

According to Kiyawa, three other suspects were arrested for faking motor documents in the State.

“Discreet investigation also led to the arrest of one Abdulra’uf Olalade, ‘m’, 57 years old Fagge Quarters Kano. His accomplices, Abdullahi Suleman, ‘m’, 52 years old of Kurna Quarters Kano, and Suleman Ibrahim, ‘m’, 57 years old Haye Hotoron Arewa Quarters Kano, were arrested. 

“The suspects confessed to having specialized in producing fake Motor Vehicles Documents, he said

The Police spokesman further explained that the suspects would be charged to court after a thorough investigation.

He called on people whose vehicles were stolen with the above description to present themselves at the police public relations unit at Bompai headquarters.

“The discreet investigation is in progress, after which suspects will be charged to court for prosecution. 

“Anyone whose Motor Vehicle was stolen and discovered above should report it at the PPRO office, Bompai Police Headquarters Kano, or contact 08168629521, 08105359575.”

While commending residents of Kano for supporting the police, he called on the criminals to desist from their activities or face the full wrath of the law.

Kiyawa further warned the general public against taking laws into their hands.

By Muhammad Aminu

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, has called on all Nigerians to forge a new contract with nature in the face of the danger of desertification and drought, and its growing threat to lives and livelihoods across Nigeria and Africa.

In statement after a virtual commemoration of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022 signed by UN Information Officer, Nigeria, Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, Mr Schmale appealed to Nigerians to help preserve the nature.

He said:“Together we can build a more inclusive and sustainable world that leaves no one behind. On this day, let’s begin to see ourselves as caretakers of the precious resource that is land.”

He explained that “we could forge a new contract with nature that would ensure a healthy and prosperous Nigeria for future generations,” and noted that restoring nature was the great test of our generation, a test that could not be failed.

The Resident Coordinator advocated for a more inclusive, balanced and sustainable world that leaves no one behind.

Schmale further called for actions to be taken at all levels, from citizens, businesses, governments and UN partners, “everyone can come on board and lend a helping hand to rise up from drought together.” He added.

In his welcome remarks, the WMO Representative, Mr Benard Gomez, who was represented by the National Professional Officer, Mr Roland Abah, emphasized that the State of the Global Climate 2021 report released in May 2022 by the UN Community through WMO, indicated that the past seven years had been the warmest seven years on record, and drought affected many parts of the world, including parts of Africa.

Abah disclosed that “UN Agencies support programmes and projects to combat drought, desertification and other extreme climate-related events in Nigeria. These programmes cover meteorological and hydrological observation, data infrastructure, monitoring and forecast products from satellite and data processing centres, information services, and early warning systems, emergency response and recovery.”

FAO Representative, Mr Fred Kafeero, represented by FAO Assistant Representative, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, disclosed that “FAO’s large-scale landscape restoration activities were carried out in 15 communities with a total of 2,240 Ha of drylands put under restoration through the planting of native woody and herbaceous fodder species including 2,757 Ha farmland areas that were naturally regenerated for biodiversity conservation and protection.”

Abubakar emphasised that FAO was promoting nature-based approach through sustainable land management practices and restoration of degraded dry lands in three states of Bauchi, Jigawa and Sokoto in Northern Nigeria.

He further emphasized the commitment of FAO to transformation of the food system and sustainable management of Nigeria’s natural resources.

In her presentation on “Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in the Savannah Zones of Northern Nigeria”, the Project Manager, UNDP-GEF-IAP- FS Project Nigeria, Ms. Rhoda Dia, explained how UNDP have worked with small holder farmers to build resilience to climate risks (Desertification and Drought inclusive) and other shocks that drives food insecurities.

She cited the introduction of different erosion control measures such as use of cover crops, earth and stones bund and use of sandbags; and disclosed that “So far, 17.14 % (84.4 hectares) of eroded land was reclaimed in farmers plots. Planted /grew 180,747 seedlings/tree at farmer’s plots, school compounds, orchards and household gardens.”

Ms Dia further informed that the project provided linkages to research institution to access foundation for Seed multiplication; Established over 97 orchards with economic tree species in schools and communities; Trained over 38,000 beneficiaries on: Integrated pest & weed Management, and different erosion control techniques; among others.

Explaining the remedy for drought management, the Coordinator, Northern Zone, Natural Eco Capital, Mr Umar Saleh Anka, said that “Reliance on ground water and surface water are viable option for reducing the impact of drought.”

On the other hand, Irrigation as an option, according to him, will increase cost of production, but will definitely save farmer from drought induced total loss or crop failure.

The virtual observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022 in Nigeria under the theme, “Rising up from drought together”, was organised by the UN Information Centre (UNIC), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

By Muhammad Aminu 

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Kano State Chapter has pleaded with Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to prioritise payment of outstanding retirement benefits than installing CCTV in the State.

The Union described the recently-approved loan for security infrastructural development in Kano as a misplaced priority in the face of over N27 billion outstanding retirees’ benefits.

In a statement co-signed by NLC Kano Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Minjibir and Acting Secretary Hussaini Budah on Friday,  the Union urged the Governor to secure another loan to settle retirees’ benefits.

“We wish to appeal to His Excellency the Executive Governor to make a case to the State House of Assembly for their assent to secure another loan to settle the outstanding gratuity and other retirees’ benefits in the best interest of justice and humanitarian consideration. In fact, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.”

“While the Congress is not in any way against improving the security of lives and properties or its Citizens, which is one of the sole responsibilities of the Government, we are of the opinion that, in the face of over 27BN outstanding retirees benefits, such a step amounts to robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“The congress acknowledges the giant strides by the Government in providing security to the citizens, we wish to argue that providing CCTV in the name of improving security is curative, while payment of gratuity and other retirees benefits is preventive, taking into consideration the multiplier effects.”

The Union acknowledged that the outstanding gratuity is cumulative from previous administrations, it, however, said it is time for the incumbent administration to do the right thing in order to make a difference in the spirit of its “change mantra”.

“We are hopeful and optimistic that His Excellency would consider this our ‘save our souls’ submission in view of the multiple advantages such a positive step by the Government will provide.”

It can be recalled that The Daily Reality reported that the Kano State House of Assembly had approved a loan request of 10 billion naira for Gov Ganduje’s security Infrastructure development in Kano.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Lagos State’s ban on female Muslim pupils attending public schools in the state wearing the hijab was overturned by the Supreme Court on Friday.

In a 5–2 split ruling, the Supreme Court maintained the Court of Appeal, Lagos judgement from July 21, 2016, which overturned Justice Grace Onyeabo’s October 17, 2014 decision from the High Court of Lagos State.

The lead majority judge, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, dismissed the Lagos State appeal against the 2016 decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, because it lacked merit. 

Justice Tijani Abubakar read the lead majority judge’s decision on Friday.

Wearing the hijab in the Yoruba-dominated region, which is a mixture of Muslims and Christians, has been causing a lot of controversies.

By Muhammad Aminu 

The Kano State Chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has condemned the Kano State Government’s plan to secure a loan of N10 billion for CCTV installation in the State.

The party, in a statement signed by Kano State Chairman, Hon. Umar Doguwa described the loan as mortgaging the future of Kano children by the incumbent Governor.

The statement read: “The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), condemned in totality, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s fresh demand of N10 billion loan request from Acess Bank to install CCTV cameras in the State. 

Governor Ganduje seems to be using his seat of power to mortgage the future of the State and that of our children.”

Hon. Doguwa stated that despite the acute water shortage in Kano, the Governor chose to fund insignificant projects.

“Ignoring the fact that the State is experiencing widely increased water scarcity, the Governor chooses to borrow to fund a project as insignificant as CCTV installation.

“The NNPP can’t sit down to watch this clueless administration stockpiling debts in the state without a commensurate achievement on the ground,” he added.

He lamented that the administration refused to settle secondary school students’ examination fees, which led to students dropping out despite taking loans in the name of reforms in education.

“Due to the failure of Ganduje’s government to pay their Senior Secondary School examination fees, countless students have been forced to drop out of school, and others are on the verge of dropping out.

“Kano people can vividly recall that Ganduje had borrowed the sum of fifteen billion naira on education reform, but the money was diverted to something else, and today, a significant number of our students dropped out from schooling as the government cannot cater for their common interest examination and senior secondary school examination,” he said

While appealing to the State Assembly to desist from granting such approval in the future by putting Kano’s interest ahead of Governor’s desire, Doguwa warned that should NNPP win the 2023 gubernatorial election; it will not honour the agreement.

“We wish to categorically draw the attention of all commercial banks and other financial lending institutions within and outside the country to be cautious with the Ganduje’s demand for loans as the next administration will not in any way honour such reckless borrowings.”

He stated, “Our great party is urging the State House of Assembly to refrain from granting trivial demands from the Governor like these.

“We implore honourable members to put the needs of Kano’s good people ahead of the Governor’s insatiable desire to wreck the future of the State before we defeat them in the 2023 election.

“We also call on the Access Bank to resist any temptation to advance any loan to the borrowing Governor Ganduje, who is hellbent on mortgaging the state to satisfy his self ends.”

He chided Ganduje’s administration for its failure to maintain CCTV installations deployed by the Kwankwaso administration only to plan to borrow funds for the same purpose.

“With a sense of nostalgia, the general public remembered that in the past, our party’s presidential hopeful, Engr, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, deployed CCTV in strategic locations throughout the State.

“However, the current administration, that seeks N10 billion loan to install new ones, failed to handle them, and the good people of Kano can’t trust a governor with the installation of new ones at their detriment,” he noted.

It can be recalled that The Daily Reality reported that the Kano State House of Assembly had approved a loan request of 10 billion naira for Gov Ganduje’s administration to install CCTV installation in Kano to tackle security challenges.

By Muhammad Aminu

Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK), has established a laboratory for screening cervical cancer in women, the first of its kind in northern Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Mukhtar Kurawa, said the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA Modular Research Laboratory would greatly help in the research and treatment of cervical cancer in women, especially in North-Western Nigeria.

The laboratory, situated on the Main Campus of the University, was funded by a grant from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund). Prof. Kurawa further explained that there is a rise in cervical cancer among women in the region hence the university’s efforts to address the problem.

The VC challenged researchers to take advantage of the centre by conducting scientific research to achieve the set objectives. The VC assured continuous support for the centre, saying that “researches are now conducted not only for academic progression but also for economic development”.

He expressed optimism that the centre would excel and achieve its objective due to its state-of-the-art facilities. The Lead Researcher and Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences of the university, Dr Iman Usman-Haruna, said, “the centre is established to provide free services to women with cancer problems.”

She said about 1,500 patients are expected to benefit during the first phase of its programme. “This research is a multi-centre study to be conducted in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa and is mainly on cervical cancer screening.

“We will be performing pap smear and HPV test for 1,500 women, samples will be transported to Yusuf Maitama Sule University for processing.” This is through a grant from TETFund and with great support from the university management,” she said.

She applauded the Vice-Chancellor and TETFUND for their support for the actualisation of the project, describing it as a welcome development for the betterment of society.