News

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

The worsening fuel scarcity that hit Kaduna State has forced several motorists to abandon their vehicles in queues at many filling stations when petrol was not available to go back home.

The Daily Reality visited some filling stations and observed that long queues have risen exponentially. Motorists were seen in the early hours, precisely, 6.30 am, queueing at Mobil Fuel Station, Independence Way, Kaduna, where PMS was dispensed via only one nozzle point with four orders inactive.

Also, at the filling stations on Constitution Road, Ali Akilu Road, Yakowa Way, among others, fuel attendants were seen turning back motorists.

The development came almost one week after the import of millions of dirty PMS from Europe into Nigeria disrupted the fuel supply system of the country, leading to long queues nationwide. The situation has resulted in total confusion and long lines of vehicles at various filling stations in the metropolis.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Abba Kyari, the former chief of the Police Intelligence Response Team, is in a new quagmire after officials from the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) indicted him in a sting operation.

Mr Kyari, who is awaiting extradition to the United States on charges of cyber fraud, faces life in jail if convicted of distributing cocaine by a competent court.

After the NDLEA declared Kyari wanted and posted a video of him peddling cocaine, the police apprehended him on Monday.

Kyari was charged with official corruption, tampering with narcotic exhibits, and other unprofessional behaviour, according to the police statement.

As a result, Kyari has been handed over to the cops for further investigation and prosecution under the NDLEA.

Henry Kelechukwu, a legal expert, claimed that Kyari’s prospects of receiving a prison sentence were high.

He added that every case contains gaps to be exploited, but this one is particularly close-knit. The reason for this is that the offences for which he is being charged have an appearance of strict liability, which means that you don’t even have to establish intent; of course, this relies on the charge that the prosecuting agency wishes to bring against him.

In relation to this, an NDLEA act has it that “(a) Any person, who without lawful authority imports, manufactures, plants, or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin, and other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

“(b)export, transport, or otherwise traffic in the drug popularly known as cocaine, LSD heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.

“(c) sells, buys, exposes or offers for sales or otherwise deals in or with the drug popularly known as cocaine, LSD heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life.”

By Hussaina Sufyan Ahmed

Following up on the meeting between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government in the early morning of February 14, 2022, has declared a four week comprehensive and total strike.

On Monday, the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, announced the strike at a press conference.

The strike takes effect from Monday, February 14, 2022.

He said, “The union tried to avoid the strike, but the Federal Government was unresponsive to the union’s demands.”

Prof. Osodeke also said that ASUU NEC faulted the creation of new universities.

“NEC resolved to embark on the four-week roll-over total, and comprehensive strike as the government has failed to implement the Memorandum of Action it signed with ASUU since December 2020.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A stadium is set to be named after Sadio Mane in his home town of Sedhiou in Senegal after helping his country to win the just concluded AFCON.

Senegal’s minister of culture and communication, Abdoulaye Diop, confirmed the news this past week.

According to Diop, the stadium is named after the region’s favourite son.

“I would like, through this decision to give the name of Sadio Mané to the Stade de Sédhiou, to express the recognition of all the daughters and sons of the region, towards a man who makes known to the humanity as a whole, Bambali and its regional capital, namely Sédhiou,” Diop was quoted saying by the local media.

Diop added that “Sadio Mane really deserves this honour.”

The Liverpool forward scored the winning penalty as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 to win the 2021 African Cup of Nations held in Cameroon for the first time in history. Mane also earned the love and respect of millions of people owing to his charity works.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A fire has damaged yam tubers worth millions of naira at a market in Taraba State’s Wukari Local Government Area.

Although the cause of the outbreak, which occurred at midnight on Saturday, is unknown, Anthony Agbu, the Chairman of the Yam Sellers Association in the state, stated that there was a major misunderstanding between farmers and sellers, which may have led to the incident.

According to Agbu, this is the 14th instance of its kind this year, with the majority of them occurring after harvest.

The yam dealers and farmers have appealed to the government for assistance, claiming that they have lost N200 million worth of tubers and motorcycles and wheat.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent a condolence message to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar over the death of Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, the Magajin Garin Sokoto.

The message, which was signed by MURIC’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, reads:

“With sorrow in our hearts, we commiserate with the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on the death of the Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba.

“He was the head of the kingmakers of Sokoto and grandson of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello. He reportedly slumped in a hotel in Kaduna yesterday Sunday, 13th February 2022. He was there to attend a social event. He was rushed to 44 Army Resident Hospital, Kaduna where he was confirmed dead.

“He was very active in the Rice Revolution of President Muhammadu Buhari which is being championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He also played a key role in the Rice Pyramid Fair in Abuja held by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN). He was also one of the eminent Nigerians who converged on Lagos last weekend to find solutions to the challenges confronting the country ahead of the 2023 elections.

“He is expected to be buried at the Hubbaren Shehu Cemetery where members of the Sokoto royal family are usually buried. He was survived by three wives and six children. May Allah have mercy on him. May Allah also give members of the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The member representing Kano municipal in the House of Representatives, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, has reiterated the need to invest more in education.

Sharada also accused some politicians of supplying drugs and dangerous weapons for the youth for some selfish reason.

The rep was speaking on Saturday during the 40th Anniversary of Mass Communication Alumni Association (BUMCAA) at Bayero University, Kano. 

He said that there was no better investment in any society than the provision of the right atmosphere through education.

 Sharada argued that societal development has a direct link with people’s educational attainment, saying education and development cannot be separated. 

He said, “Education is the key that unlocks everything. And for this, I would like to call on politicians, philanthropists, businessmen and other well-meaning Nigerians to heavily invest in education. 

“For politicians, there is no better investment than providing the right atmosphere and an enabling environment for our children to forge ahead educationally. 

“Instead of supplying drugs and dangerous weapons to the so-called political thugs, politicians should instead choose to sponsor them and make their lives better,” he added.

The events, which took place on Friday and Saturday at BUK, aimed at commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Department of Mass Communication of the institution.

By SSumayyah Auwal Ishaq

An influential member of the Sultanate council, the Magajin Garin Sokoto, Hassan Danbaba, is dead. He was 51 years.

A source confirmed to The Daily Reality that the Magajin Gari died today (Saturday) in Kaduna, ansmd that his remains would be flown to Sokoto for burial.

The late Danbaba was the grandson of late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Northern Nigeria. Until his demise, Danbaba was Part-Time Chairman of the Governing Board of Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority, Sokoto.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The new Attah of Igala, Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche Akpa II, will officially receive the Staff of Office in March 2022.

In a statement signed on Friday, February 11, by the Kogi State Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Momodu Ozigi Deedat, the state government, invites the public to the official installation and presentation of the Staff of Office to the new Attah of Igala, Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche Akpa II, by the Kogi State Governor, Yahya Adoza Bello.

The statement scheduled the installation as follows: “Date: Friday, 4th March 2022. Venue: Attah Igala Palace. Time: 9 am”.

It is also noted from the statement issued that there will be a presentation of the Staff of Office to other traditional leaders. The statement partly reads:

“Presentation of Staff of Office to other concerned traditional rulers holds the next day (Saturday 5th of March, 2022). Time: 10 am. Venue: Muhammadu Buhari Civil CENTRE, Opposite Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lokoja”

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Potable water scarcity has been one of the major problems facing residents of the Kanuda metropolis for a long time. Stories of potable water scarcity in places like Rigasa, Kawo, Barnawa, Tudun Wada, Kabala West, Unguwar Kanawa, Unguwar Rimi, and others have, in the past years, remained a recurring issue with most of the past administrations failing to arrest the situation till date.

Although the past administrations failed at finding a lasting solution to the water scarcity, nearly all of them committed a large chunk of money to the rehabilitation of water facilities in the state. 

As of now, an investigation by The Daily Reality reveals that water scarcity across the metropolis becomes worst during the dry season when the majority of those that could not afford sachet water, borehole water resolve into patronising a series of questionable water sources available to them. 

It has been discovered that most of the administrations put up measures at making the corporation effective and efficient, the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KSWC). Still, the efforts were not all needed to tackle the chains of problems facing the corporation.

Most of the residents that spoke to The Daily Reality (TDR) in the affected areas expressed displeasure. However, they are pleading with the administration of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i to pay attention to the issue before the expiration of its term.