News

By Anwar Usman

The Federal Government has reconstituted and inaugurated the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to expedite ongoing discussions with academic and non-academic unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the federal ministry of education, Folasade Boriowo, it was stated that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has set up a new committee to harmonise all negotiation processes under one coordinated framework that reflects institutional memory and sector-wide inclusiveness.

Alausa explained that, unlike previous fragmented negotiations, the expanded committee will engage all unions collectively to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable agreement. “The membership of the committee has been carefully chosen to represent the full spectrum of the education sector, ensuring that no group is left behind,” he said.

The Minister stated that the committee has been given a well-equipped and functional secretariat to enable it to carry out its mandate effectively, adding that, “its inaugural meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, 7th of October. He urged all academic and non-academic unions to cooperate fully and respond promptly to the committee’s engagements.”

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has given full political support to the process, with a clear directive that all negotiations be concluded swiftly, fairly, and in a spirit of civility and mutual respect.

Earlier, ASUU, in a bulletin released to its members on Monday, urged them to prepare towards a two-week warning strike set to commence on October 13.

The planned strike follows a two-week ultimatum issued by the union last week, calling on the Federal Government to proffer solutions to its unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

In the fresh circular, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, complained about the government’s failure to provide any meaningful response to the union’s demands despite the ultimatum.

By Anas Abbas 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has scheduled Thursday, October 9, 2025, for the main online recruitment examination for shortlisted candidates in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

This was disclosed in a public notice released by the Service on Tuesday through its verified online platforms.

According to the announcement, applicants have been divided into three batches: A, B, and C. They are expected to log in to the official recruitment portal, using their National Identification Number (NIN) to confirm their batch, date, and examination time.

“The Main Online Recruitment Examination for all shortlisted Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadre applicants has been scheduled for Thursday, 9th October 2025,” the notice stated.

The Customs Service emphasised that strict adherence to the assigned batch and time was compulsory, warning that failure to comply could lead to disqualification.

Candidates were further cautioned against using calculators, mobile phones, or any other electronic devices during the test.

“Applicants are strongly advised against multiple logins or switching browser windows while taking the examination, as this may affect their participation,” the Service added.

The NCS also clarified that the upcoming examination was strictly for candidates in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres, noting that those under the Superintendent cadre would be scheduled for a later phase of the recruitment process.

“Only Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadre applicants are to take part in this stage of the examination. Applicants of the Superintendent Cadre are not to participate at this stage,” the statement concluded.

By Uzair Adam

Barely a week before the commencement of its planned nationwide strike, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun mobilising its members across universities in the country.

The move follows what the union described as the federal government’s silence despite the 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to all relevant authorities, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi.

The Daily Reality gathered that ASUU had, last Monday, announced plans to shut down all public universities in Nigeria to press home its long-standing demands.

The union explained that the strike notice, which took effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025, would begin with a two-week warning strike before progressing to an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to act.

In a fresh letter dated October 5, 2025, and signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union said it had no choice but to proceed with the planned strike due to the government’s failure to address the issues at stake.

Piwuna expressed disappointment over what he described as the government’s lack of meaningful engagement since the notice was issued.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) of our union, at its emergency meeting on September 29, 2025, after evaluating the results of the referendum conducted across our branches, resolved to give the government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the renegotiated agreement transmitted since February 2025,” he said.

“It was further resolved that the union would embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable steps toward addressing the lingering issues.”

According to him, the resolutions were immediately communicated to the Ministers of Labour and Education as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

He lamented that a week after the ultimatum, “there has been no meaningful development worth reporting.”

“As we enter the final week of the ultimatum, I wish to thank members for their patience and understanding throughout this long and tortuous negotiation process, which has dragged on unjustifiably for over eight years,” Piwuna added.

He reaffirmed that the objective of ASUU’s current action is to compel the federal government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement and meet other key demands affecting the university system.

The ASUU president called for total mobilisation of members nationwide to ensure unity of purpose, urging them to rely solely on instructions from their branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators.

“We are strong when we organise but weakened when we agonise,” he said. “Our union has always acted collectively in solidarity—this action will not be different.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Frustrated by persistent and deadly bandit attacks, residents of the Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have issued a desperate appeal to the Federal Government, urging President Bola Tinubu to grant them permission to bear arms for self-defence.

The appeal was made during a press conference held at the press centre in Sokoto, where community leaders voiced their profound frustration with the government’s perceived failure to protect them.

Led by their community head, Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, the residents accused both state and local government authorities of abandonment, leaving them in a state of perpetual fear and vulnerability.

“We cannot sleep with both eyes closed. Our towns have been nearly wiped out, yet the government is not doing enough to protect us,” Alhaji Kebbe stated.

He emphasized that the people can no longer endure the relentless killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property.

The community’s request highlights a growing trend of citizen militancy in the face of escalating insecurity. Security analysts have warned that such calls for self-armament are a clear indicator of eroding public confidence in the state’s ability to provide security, necessitating urgent federal intervention.

“If the government cannot protect us, it should allow us to protect ourselves,” one villager was quoted as saying, capturing the sentiment of many.

In their appeal, the Kebbe community also requested direct financial support from the Federal Government to the local councils to enable them to take immediate emergency measures to protect civilians.

Sokoto State, particularly regions like Isa, Sabon Birni, and Kebbe, has been one of the epicentres of bandit violence in recent years. While the state government has acknowledged the severe threat, residents insist that the measures taken so far are insufficient to guarantee their safety.

Community leaders at the conference reported that at least 17 villages have been completely deserted due to the frequent attacks, displacing thousands and crippling agriculture and daily life.

This is not the first such plea from the state. Earlier, youths in the Shagari local government area had also threatened to take up arms, citing exhaustion from the relentless attacks and kidnappings that have plagued their region.

In response to the latest appeal, the Sokoto State government has assured the public that it is doing everything within its power to end the security crisis in Kebbe and surrounding areas.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has expanded its hypertension prevention and treatment services to 208 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the 44 local government areas of the state, according to the Ministry of Health.

The initiative, which builds on an earlier pilot phase, was launched under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to strengthen early detection and management of hypertension — a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, and premature deaths in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, said the expansion followed the successful implementation of the programme in 52 PHCs under the National Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI).

He explained that the initiative, with technical support from Resolve to Save Lives and Project HOPE, has now been scaled up to 208 facilities to ensure more residents have access to regular blood pressure checks, treatment, and follow-up care within their communities.

Quoting the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the statement noted that the government’s decision reflects its commitment to strengthening the primary healthcare system and addressing non-communicable diseases across the state.

Dr. Yusuf commended the dedication of health workers participating in the programme and urged them to sustain their efforts to ensure lasting success in hypertension prevention and control.

“The scale-up of hypertension services across 208 PHCs demonstrates Kano’s leadership in improving access to essential care. This should serve as a model for other states in advancing equitable and sustainable health services,” the commissioner said.

The Ministry expressed optimism that the initiative will help prevent costly complications, reduce hospital admissions, and promote healthier, more productive lives for Kano residents.

By Uzair Adam

Northwest University Kano is set to host the 65th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG), which will attract scholars, researchers, and professionals from across the country to deliberate on pressing developmental issues.

The Daily Reality reports that the theme of this year’s conference is “Navigating Physical Vulnerability, Economic Disparity, and Social Inequality in Developing Countries.”

The Head of Department of Geography, Dr. Nazifi Umar, disclosed this during a media briefing held on Saturday at the university.

He explained that preparations were in top gear to receive geographers from all parts of Nigeria for the three-day event scheduled to begin on Monday, October 6, 2025.

According to Dr. Umar, arrival of delegates and council members of the association is expected on Sunday, October 5, ahead of the formal opening ceremony.

The ceremony, he said, will be graced by top dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, who will serve as the Special Guest of Honour, while the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, will be the Guest of Honour.

The Vice Chancellor of Northwest University, Professor Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, will serve as Chief Host, while Professor Adamu Mukhtar Bichi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, will chair the opening session.

Dr. Umar also announced that the keynote address will be delivered by Professor Adamu Idris Tanko, Vice Chancellor of Baba Ahmed University, Kano.

Lead paper presentations will be made by Professor Aliyu M. Babanebegu of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and Professor Aliyu Saleh Suberu of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Kano.

The host added that the conference will feature technical sessions where over 250 papers will be presented, both physically and virtually, covering diverse sub-disciplines such as economic disparities, social inequality, regional development, and environmental hazards.

“Scholars from all over the country will come together to share knowledge and exchange ideas on addressing critical developmental challenges through the lens of geography,” Dr. Umar said.

He further noted that the conference would not only foster academic collaboration and innovation but also contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors to Kano.

Dr. Umar emphasized that at the end of the conference, a communiqué summarizing key discussions and recommendations would be released to guide policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The event will also feature activities for secondary school students, including a geoquiz competition, in which Kuntau Science Academy emerged as the state winner and will represent Kano at the national level.

The Association of Nigerian Geographers, established in 1957, holds its annual conference as a platform for professionals to exchange ideas and advance the discipline in Nigeria.

This year’s edition marks the first time Northwest University Kano will host the prestigious gathering.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has received international recognition for its outstanding communication practices, earning the Golden World Award (GWA) for Impactful PR in Customs Management at the 2025 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Gala held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Mövenpick Hotel in Accra, Ghana.

The award, presented by IPRA President Nataša Pavlović Bujas during the Golden World Awards Gala Night, honoured the NCS for its achievements in impactful public relations within customs management.

The winning project, produced by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, highlights the communication strategies of the Comptroller-General of Customs and has become a model for public relations research and practice in Nigeria.

Philip Sheppard, Secretary-General of IPRA, explained that the publication provides practical communication strategies for institutions and showcases real-life leadership lessons derived from the reforms implemented by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Service, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, expressed gratitude to IPRA for the recognition, noting that it reflects the Service’s dedication to transparency and credible communication.

“This award is a validation of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and stakeholder engagement,” Maiwada said.

“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, we have repositioned communication as a strategic tool for reform and trust-building.”

The recognition marks another milestone for the NCS, which had earlier won the 2024 GWA for Crisis Communication at the IPRA Gala in Belgrade, Serbia.

The 2025 award further underscores the agency’s consistency in innovation and effective reputation management.

The award ceremony was part of a three-day Public Relations Knowledge Sharing Conference held from October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The event, themed “Global Realities and Innovative Communication,” attracted prominent communication experts, including Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Nataša Pavlović Bujas, President of IPRA; Arik Karani, President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA); and Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana.

At the closing session, Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, called on public relations professionals to maintain integrity and excellence in their work.

“As communicators, you hold the power to shape narratives and influence public trust,” President Mahama said. “Our continent needs professionals who communicate with integrity, clarity, and purpose to support national development.”

Ghana’s Vice President, Jane Nana, also commended the award recipients for their contributions to advancing global communication practice.

The event concluded with Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah being inaugurated as the new President of the International Public Relations Association, succeeding Nataša Pavlović Bujas.

Her appointment as the first African to lead the 70-year-old global body represents a major milestone and a source of pride for communication professionals across the continent.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has assured Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s commitment to fairness and religious equity, while also pledging to decisively tackle the nation’s security challenges.

The President gave the assurance on Saturday during a visit to Jos, Plateau State, where he met with Christian leaders at the Headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and attended the funeral of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of the APC National Chairman.”

I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” President Tinubu stated.

He emphasized his personal commitment to religious harmony, citing his own family as an example.

“In our family, we have a strong Muslim background, and I married a Christian, a pastor for that matter, and I have never forced her to change her religion.”

On the pressing issue of insecurity, the President was resolute.

“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” he declared.

The funeral service served as a platform for the President to pay tribute to the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, whom he described as a devoted mother and humanitarian.

The event also featured remarks from her son, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, who thanked the President for his support.

Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, the President of COCIN, expressed gratitude for the appointment of Northern Christians like Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, into key government positions.

He also appealed to President Tinubu for increased assistance for victims of conflict in Benue, Plateau, and for Christian communities displaced from Borno and Adamawa into Cameroon.

The high-profile event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, several state governors, and top government officials.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Ulama Forum in Nigeria has condemned what it describes as false and inflammatory allegations by some international media outlets, including Fox News, Radio Genoa and American talk show host Bill Maher, claiming that 500,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria last year.

In a statement signed by Convener Aminu Inuwa Muhammad and Secretary Engr. Basheer Adamu Aliyu, the Forum described the claims as “entirely unfounded, reckless, and designed to misinform the international community.” 

It added that Nigeria’s security challenges—terrorism, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes—affect both Muslims and Christians, not any single religious group.

The Forum noted that Muslim communities, particularly in the Northwest, have “suffered disproportionately,” with thousands killed in repeated attacks ignored by international coverage. It warned that spreading false genocide narratives could inflame tensions and undermine peace efforts.

Quoting the Qur’an, the Forum reaffirmed Islam’s prohibition of killing innocents and called for unity among Nigerians “to resist attempts by foreign actors to manipulate false narratives.” 

It also urged the government to intensify security measures and advised international media to report responsibly and respect Nigeria’s diversity.

By Anwar Usman

The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said troops arrested about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals across the country last month.

This was disclosed in a statement by Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, he said 39 terrorists surrendered while 180 civilians were rescued during the operations.

He said 63 arms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition and 294 items including grenades, improvised explosive device materials, handheld radios, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered.

Kangye added that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft valued at N112,175,220, consisting of 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of automotive gas oil, 1,900 litres of dual-purpose kerosene and 1,475 litres of premium motor spirit.

“For the month of September, about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals were arrested, 39 of them were surrendered, while 180 civilians were rescued. Quantity 63 arms, 4,475 ammunition were recovered, 294 items such as grenades, IED marking materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles and other items used in perpetrating crimes were also recovered.

“Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth N112,175,220.00 representing 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of AGO, 1,900 litres of DPK and 1,475 litres of PMS. 41 Illegal refining sites were also destroyed” the statement reads.

He further stated that, troops also seized automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, live cartridges and assorted ammunition in different operations.

“Overall, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices making material. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered” the statement concluded.