News

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Professor Umar Farouk of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano and a former Kano State Commissioner of Information during the second tenure of Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso spoke with The Daily Reality on the possibility of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s return to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the possible emergence of the Third Force before 2023 elections.

Prof. Farouk said that “Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau’s decamping to APC didn’t help him. They don’t respect him. Someone as eloquent as Shekarau is now missing in the headline tells you there is a problem in APC. His silence tells you he is not happy with the manner he is treated. He is just waiting for an opportunity to break his silence.”

“When he was at PDP, Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso visited him, sought for his support and made him many promises when they form a government. But Shekarau thought differently and decamped to APC. Even though people see him as our arch-rival, look at how Kwankwasiyya supporters received him at the airport without any hard feelings. Look at how they escorted him to his car, and also those at Nassarawa Local Government look at their pictures with him. This is the discipline instilled in them by our “Jagora” [Kwankwaso].”

A similar incident brought Senator Kwankwaso and the Minister of Communication, Dr Isa Aliyu Pantami, at the same Malam Aminu Kano Airport in 2019. At that time, some Kwankwasiyya supporters shouted at the latter, a few others attempted to wrestle him. Recalling this regrettable incident, Prof. Farouk responded, “Dr Isa Pantami was only unlucky because of the political climate at that time. And that brawl was mainly premeditated by a lot of issues.”

Since 2003, supporters of Kwankwaso and Shekarau dominated political programmes on Kano radio stations with talks and counter talks on the two political giants. But it seems that is no longer the case.

Prof. Farouk argued, “To the best of my knowledge, it is infrequent now, that is if even it happens to see a bona fide Kwankwasiya supporter criticising Shekarau on both social media and conventional media. Considering how the leadership of APC in Kano and at the national level treats him, we sympathise with him. A Kano State governor for eight years; a former minister and presently a senator of Kano Central, but his party, APC, doesn’t see his worthiness.  He is not contacted about the party’s activities in most cases as he was not considered in the previous local government elections.”

“There is a possibility that both Shekarau and Kwankwaso will forget their differences and form a formidable alliance to bring the change people have been aspiring for because we all tested the bitterness of APC’s administration. Shekarau was from PDP, and certainly, he will return. We, the Kwankwasiyya bloc, have an existing structure that is waiting for him. It is not a shame if he comes back to his home, PDP. His return will certainly boost the strength of PDP,” said Prof. Farouk.

The Third Force is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria’s politics, especially when there are crises in the ruling party and things are not faring well. Both politicians and the governed look for an alternative. Prof. Farouk added, “Though it is a bit late, Third Force is inevitable considering the political unrests in the country. Both APC and PDP have internal crises with many cases in the court about the leadership structure and other issues.”

“There would be a lot of movements to and from both parties depending on where the wind blows. Therefore, governors, senators, and state and federal representatives need to be the third force to cause any change. Without these people, it is a futile exercise to talk about the third force. This is the reason why, often, some people stay in the ruling party because it has the resources to win elections, legitimately or otherwise.”

“But naturally, there must be an opposition. Those members who stay and nurse their ambition to fruition will win. This is what President Muhammadu Buhari did for many years, and in the end, APC won. So you must be patient,” Prof. concluded.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of the Uyo Zonal Command has apprehended no fewer than 33 suspects, alleged to have been involved in Internet fraud, in different places in Calabar, Cross River State.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the anti-graft agency via its official Facebook account.

According to the commission, “The suspects aged between 22-35 years are Modey Terrence Akong, Detoo Bem Daniel, Godson Topbie, Moses Valentine Nkpung, Idang Confidence, Chinagorom Edward, Enwereuzo Chidiebere, Obioma ThankGod, Richard Reinhard, Clinton Christopher, Raymond Samuel, Etim Paul, Okechukwu Caleb and Joseph Akobo.

“Others are Morayo Jerry, Ogar Jemyford, Emmanuel Chika, Okpubeku Prosper, Onedo Caleb, Enajemo Oghenekaro, Great Asume, Ebuka Uzokwe, Obikwelu Ugochukwu, Oloko Pius Monshe, Gideon Ani, Effiong Akaninyene, Agoh Oscar, Agu Favour, Abang Godswill, Amalam Micheal, Luka Kaben, Ifeanyi Enwereuzo and Achilonu Moses.”

Not only the arrests were made, but the commission also recovered mobile phones and computers in the course of their raid on the locations the suspected fraudsters were nabbed.

“At the point of arrest, several laptops and mobile phones were recovered from the suspects. Also recovered from them are three Lexus saloon cars with registration numbers: LAGOS AKD 56 FQ, ABUJA KUJ 79 BM and IMO UMG 956 KU; a Toyota Camry and a Honda Accord with registration numbers LAGOS -APP 368FY and OYO-BDJ 476AQ respectively,” the commission stated

It also added that “The arrested suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

The erstwhile Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, on Thursday handed over to the new Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubkar in a brief ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

In his speech, Nanono thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity given to him to serve the country. He also thanked the entire staff for the cordial relationship and teamwork they have had. During his remarks, Dr. Mahmood commended President Buhari for the confidence bestowed in him. He also saluted the outgoing minister for the achievements.

The Minister reiterated his commitments towards the actualization of President Buhari’s policies for the economic development of Nigeria.

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

The Government of Kaduna State has announced a new resumption date for its schools after months of disruption in the school calendar due to insecurity ravaging the state.

The state’s commissioner for education, Shehu Makarfi, disclosed this while participating in a virtual workshop organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria. According to him, students of the state are expected to resume on Sunday, September 12, 2021.

However, the commissioner said rather than resuming for the third term that was aborted in the state, the schools will resume the first term for the 2021/2022 academic calendar.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

In recognition of their significant contribution to scholarship, research and development at the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies (FAIS), the governing council of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of Dr Sani Umar R/Lemo, Dr Umar Sani Fagge, others, to the coveted professorial positions.

The following faculty members have been promoted to full professor status: Shehu Ahmad (Arabic), Aminu Lawal Auta (Nigerian Languages), Usman Sani Abbas (Islamic Studies), Sani Ayagi ( Islamic Studies) and Umar Abdulkadir (Islamic Studies).

Furthermore, the following have been promoted to associate professor status: Umar Sani Rijyar Lemo (Islamic Studies), Aliyu Harun (Islamic Studies), Nura Sani (Islamic Studies), Isa Yusuf Chamo (Linguistics), Aishatu Umar (English), Tijjani M. Naniya (History), Muhammad Wada (History), Umma Aminu Inuwa (Nigerian Languages), Maryam Mansur Yola (Nigerian Languages), Halima Abdulkadir Dangambo (Nigerian Languages), Ahmad Salisu (Arabic), Matabuli Shehu Kabara (Arabic) and Umar Sani Fagge (Arabic).

More members from other faculties have been equally promoted based on their value of excellence in teaching and scholarship, and service to BUK. However, as of during filing this report, the lists were still incomplete.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have dismissed a senior lecture, Adebayo Mosobalaje, from the institution over alleged sexual misconduct.

The senior lecturer was from the Department of English in the Faculty of Arts.

The dismissal was announced in a statement by the university’s public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.

Mr Olarewaju said, “In its avowed determination to rid the University of any form of sexual intimidation, harassment and, or coercion, the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has dismissed another lecturer who was found guilty of sexual demeanour against a female student.

“The decision to dismiss Dr. Adebayo Mosobalaje of the Department of English Language in the Faculty of Arts was taken by the University Council at its last sitting on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021.

“Having exhaustively deliberated on the report of the Joint Committee of Council and Senate, which investigated the case of sexual harassment against Mosobalaje, the University Council, unambiguously declared its zero tolerance to sexual harassment in any form or guise and, accordingly, applied the appropriate University sanctions for such an offence as contained in the University regulation.”

This is not the first time the OAU got enmeshed in the scandal of sexual misconduct between lecturers and students.

In 2018, a professor of accounting at the institution, Richard Akindele, was also found to have been involved in a sex-for-marks scandal, which got him fired from the institution.

Prof. Akindele demanded five-round sex from a student before he would pass her in a course he took. 

The news went viral after the student exposed him through their recordings in the course of their engagement.

Since 2018 when the story of sexual harassment allegations against a professor of accounting at the university’s Faculty of Administration, Richard Akindele, went viral, the institution has regularly been in the news for similar reasons.

Akindele, who the university dismissed, was also found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment following his prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He has since been released.

There is also the unresolved case of a lecturer of International Relations, Bisi Olaleye, and another at the school’s Centre for Distance Learning, Monday Omo-Etan.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A gun duel between suspected bandits and vigilantes in the Mayaki community in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State has led to the death of two people.

According to the Daily Trust newspaper, the two victims were on the side of the vigilantes.

Confirming the death of his members, the Lapai division commander of vigilante corps, Muhammadu Ibrahim, said, “It is true that we lost two of our men during a patrol in an ambush by the bandits around Mayaki forest.”

He added that they had deployed their men to launch a manhunt for the suspected gunmen.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Today, the Abuja Central Mosque Imam, Prof. Ibrahim Maqari, formally withdrew his lawsuit against Dr Abdallah Usman Gadon-Kaya, seeking N20 million in damages for defamation.

The Daily Reality reported on September 1, 2021, that Dr Gadon Kaya’s lawyers had yet to receive any formal request to withdraw the lawsuit as of then. Instead, according to Barrister Ibrahim Umar Abere, all they saw was Prof. Maqari’s viral video alleging that he was compelled to withdraw it.

However, after appearing at the court today (6/9/2021) to defend their client, they got an official request from Prof. Maqari’s lawyers wherein the plaintiff withdrew the lawsuit in pursuit of peace.

Reacting to the reports that the defendant and his lawyers were preparing to file a counterclaim, Barrister Abdulrazak Kabiru Kofa said they had also shelved that plan. He cited a Quranic verse that says, “Peace is best” (4:128).

Recall that on July 23, 2021, Dr Abdallah Uthman Gadon-Kaya delivered a Friday sermon in a mosque in Kano State. That sermon did not go down well with Prof. Ibrahim Maqari. Thus, he appeared in a video warning Dr Abdallah to withdraw parts of the statement or meet him in court, which he eventually did.

The court order showed the case was due for hearing on September 6, 2021. Maqari demanded that Gadon Kaya retract the said statements, publish an apology in national dailies or pay the N20 million in damages.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Guinea Conakry’s octogenarian president, Alpha Conde, has reportedly been overthrown by the country’s military.

The BBC has reported that an unverified video, which had gone viral, shows the president in the hands of soldiers.

Subsequent reports coming from Conakry, Guinea’s capital, have indicated that there was heavy gunfire in the city.

President Conde won a third term in a controversial election last year, which had ignited mass protest in the country.

There are still no details as to how the coup was staged.

Details follow…

By Muhammad Sabiu

The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed an incident that led to the killing of one person and injuring of another by some unidentified gunmen on Saturday in Burshin Fulani, a community on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis.

Confirming the incident, a police spokesperson in Bauchi, Ahmed Wakil, told journalists that the deceased was a senior staff at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

He was quoted as saying, “Gunmen attacked Burshin Fulani village and killed one, Abubakar Muhammad, a senior staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

“He was shot on the neck and died on the spot. Policemen who rushed to the scene evacuated the victim to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he was certified dead.

Mr Wakil added that policemen stationed close to the scene of the incident quickly responded on hearing gunshots of the gunmen.

He said, “Our patrol team stationed at the polytechnic gate on hearing gunshots from the direction at about 4:000 am quickly rushed to the area, on sighting the light of the patrol van the gunmen fled.

“The deceased came out to rescue his children who were struggling with some people at the gate, and immediately he emerged, they shot him.”