News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In an act of interfaith solidarity, prominent Christian leaders joined tens of thousands of Muslims in Kaduna to celebrate Maulud, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru, and church elders were special guests at the main event held at the Murtala Mohammed Square.

Pastor Buru used the platform to extend congratulations to major Islamic leaders across Nigeria and to deliver a lecture on peace.

He emphasized that his participation was a key part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between the two faiths and foster national unity.

“Maulud celebrations offer a golden opportunity for Christians and Muslims to meet, interact, dialogue, and exchange goodwill messages,” Buru stated.

“It’s a platform to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”

He noted that his church reciprocates by welcoming Muslims during Christmas celebrations for the birth of Jesus Christ, adding that Prophet Muhammad is a messenger for all humanity.

Highlighting practical acts of unity, Pastor Buru recalled a Muslim woman, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, who donated 100 Bibles to his church and supports his humanitarian efforts for widows and orphans.

In response, Muslim scholars praised the gesture. Sheikh Iliyasu Husaine, representing Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, emphasized the importance of forgiveness and love, noting he had also attended Christmas services at Pastor Buru’s church.

The event saw a massive turnout, with thousands of Muslims from all 23 local government areas of Kaduna participating in parades and Qur’anic recitations.

Officials expressed hope that such collaboration would continue to pave the way for lasting peace in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expelled Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, the lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency, accusing him of working against the party’s interest and failing to fulfill his financial commitments.

The announcement was made on Saturday in Kano by the state chairman of the party, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, during a press briefing. He explained that the decision followed Jibrin’s frequent public criticism of the NNPP and its leadership.

“This is coming barely 24 hours after the member said it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he dumps the party,” Dungurawa stated.

Earlier, Jibrin had hinted at the possibility of leaving the party.

According to him, “he is old enough to take a stand independently what is best for him politically.”

By Khadija Muhammad

In a momentous ceremony steeped in academic tradition and spiritual reverence, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree on one of Nigeria’s most influential Islamic scholars and peace advocates, Sheikh Muhammad Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa.

The prestigious honour was bestowed on Saturday during the university’s 40th Combined Convocation Ceremony, held at its main campus in Sokoto. The event, attended by dignitaries from across the academic, traditional, and religious spheres, recognised Sheikh Daurawa’s monumental contributions to Islamic education, moral rejuvenation, and national cohesion.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, in his address, stated that the decision to honour Sheikh Daurawa was a unanimous one by the Senate and Council of the institution. He described the renowned cleric as a “beacon of knowledge and a pillar of moral rectitude,” whose work has profoundly impacted the lives of millions across Nigeria and beyond.

“Today, we are not just honouring a man; we are honouring a lifetime of dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society,” Professor Bilbis said. “Sheikh Daurawa’s efforts through the Hisbah and his countless sermons promote peace, discipline, and ethical living, which align perfectly with the core values this university stands for.”

Sheikh Aminu Daurawa is widely celebrated for his leadership of the Kano State Hisbah Board, where he championed initiatives aimed at promoting social welfare and moral ethics. As the founder of the popular Daurah Islamic Institute and through his extensive preaching tours and online lectures, he has educated a generation of Muslims, advocating for a message of moderation, tolerance, and community service.

Dressed in the university’s signature academic gown, a visibly humbled Sheikh Daurawa expressed his profound gratitude to the university community for the recognition. He dedicated the honour to all his teachers, students, and supporters who have been part of his decades-long journey in dawah (Islamic propagation).

“This doctorate is a challenge to do more,” Sheikh Daurawa stated in his acceptance speech. “It is a call to further dedicate myself to the service of knowledge and humanity. I accept this not as a culmination, but as a catalyst to intensify our collective efforts towards building a more peaceful, virtuous, and educated society, in line with the teachings of Islam.”

The Daily Reality gathered that the ceremony was hailed by a wide range of attendees, all of whom were happy, smiling, jubilant, and chanting “Allahu akbar” (Allah is the greatest), especially when the Sheikh stood while the University orator read his citation.

Many consider Sheikh Daurawa as a significant bridge between the academic and religious communities. Prominent Sultanate Council members, led by the revered Sultan and fellow scholars, praised UDUS for acknowledging the critical role of traditional Islamic scholarship in national development.

The conferment solidifies Sheikh Daurawa’s legacy as a key figure who harmonises deep traditional scholarship with contemporary societal challenges, earning him a place of honour within the hallowed halls of one of Nigeria’s premier institutions of learning.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Egyptian police have arrested dozens of teenage TikTok creators on charges ranging from indecency to money laundering, in what critics say is a crackdown on free expression.

Authorities have confiscated the influencers’ devices, frozen their assets, and imposed travel bans. Among those detained is 19-year-old Mariam Ayman, known online as “Suzy El Ordonia,” who has more than nine million followers. She is accused of posting indecent content and laundering millions of pounds.

Rights groups warn that vague morality provisions in Egypt’s cybercrime law are being used to silence young voices online, while traditional media remains tightly controlled by the state.

So far, none of the detained creators have been released, and the government has not indicated any change in its approach.

Authorities ordered TikTok to delete content it described as inappropriate or face a ban.

According to reports, TikTok had removed more than 2.9 million videos, some of them even before being reported or flagged by users.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approached the World Bank for a fresh loan of $1.75 billion to support its economic reform agenda.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed that the facility would help cushion the impact of recent policy adjustments, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate, which have placed significant strain on households and businesses.

He explained that the request, if approved, would provide critical budgetary support, strengthen fiscal sustainability, and help address the nation’s infrastructural and developmental challenges.

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has repeatedly defended his administration’s reforms, insisting they are necessary to revive the economy and attract foreign investment.

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, confirmed that discussions are ongoing, although no official approval has been given yet.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has in recent years relied on multilateral loans to bridge financing gaps amid rising debt obligations and dwindling revenues.

By Ibrahim Mustapha

I read a story entitled “Fraud, Job racketeering scandal rocks Nigeria’s Technical Education Board,” carried out by Sahara Reporters, an online media outlet, on August 14, 2025, with great shock. Ordinarily, one should not have bothered to reply to the tissues of lies, misrepresentation of facts, and poor grasp of public service rules by Sahara Reporters and its co-sponsors. However, considering the weight of allegations and how gullible minds can be negatively influenced, it has become pertinent to set the record straight. 

Though one had expected Sahara Reporters to produce a balanced story by contacting the executive secretary of the board, Professor Idris Bugaje, who remains accessible to share his side, this has never happened. The online media is so desperate to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The online media has discarded professional ethics and turned into a willing tool to smear the good image of Professor Bugaje and NBTE through fictitious allegations.

To accuse Professor Idris Bugaje of fraud and so-called jobs racketeering is nothing but lies, vendetta, and a deliberate campaign of calumny aimed at tarnishing his reputation, which he has built over many years. Government organisations carry out recruitment to fill vacancies created by staff death, retirement, and other circumstances.

Those organisations also recruit to meet their workforce demand. NBTE, like any other government organisation, is not exceptional. It carried out its recruitment exercise after vacancies had been identified, a waiver had been granted, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had approved. There has never been any recruitment conducted without due process and the extant laws duly followed. 

Another lie concocted by the Sahara Reporters and their sponsors is that Professor Idris Bugaje is bypassing the Minister of Education in all the recruitment he carried out. There is no iota of truth, as the executive secretary ensures that he consults widely with the Minister of Education for seamless policy implementation and recruitment exercises. Therefore, their allegations are nothing but a figment of their imagination.

The sponsors of the publication have spent considerable energy on “wild goose chase” allegations that Professor Idris Bugaje has made staff redundant and opted for a few to work with them. I think these people are rushing to blackmail Professor Idris Bugaje and cannot even stop to see some of his reforms that have transformed the board. For instance, upon assumption of office, Professor Idris Bugaje unbundled the NBTE by opening regional offices across the country. The “raison d’être” was to simplify work and assign more responsibilities to staff. If Bugaje wanted to make staff redundant, he would not have opened new offices across the country. 

Regarding the allegation of rapid promotion for transferred staff, Sahara Reporters and its co-travellers have also gotten it wrong. Professor Idris Bugaje will never approve of illegality. He ensured the proper placement of staff. You cannot expect a staff member on level 14 to be demoted to level 13 because they have transferred their service to NBTE. That is why those who have been promoted to directors are eminently qualified.

Professor Idris Bugaje has been transforming NBTE in various aspects of human development. He is poised to achieve sound and qualitative technical and vocational education in line with Mr President’s renewed Agenda. Under his watch, NBTE has achieved great success through the monitoring and evaluation of vocational and technical institutions. It is sad to note that some unscrupulous people are bent on tarnishing his hard-earned integrity through spurious and blatant lies. 

No amount of blackmail can distract Professor Idris Bugaje from initiating and implementing policies in line with the NBTE mandate.

 Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State, via imustapha650@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former United States President, Joe Biden, has undergone a surgical operation for skin cancer after images and videos emerged showing the 82-year-old with a bandage and scar on his forehead.

Fox News reported on Thursday that Biden’s spokesperson confirmed he had Mohs surgery, a procedure designed to remove thin layers of skin one at a time until all cancer cells are cleared while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

The specific type of skin cancer has not been disclosed.The surgery drew public attention after Biden was seen leaving a church in Delaware during the Labour Day weekend with a visible mark on his forehead.

His spokesperson, Kelly Scully, explained that the operation aimed to “completely remove the cancer while minimising skin damage.”

This is not Biden’s first encounter with skin cancer. In 2023, while still president, a basal cell carcinoma lesion was removed from his chest.

His physician at the time, Dr Kevin O’Connor, confirmed the cancerous tissue was fully extracted without the need for further treatment.Earlier this year, in May 2025, Biden revealed that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer which had spread to his bones.

Despite this, he has continued to project a message of hope. On social media, he wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”

The Biden family has a painful history with cancer.

His late son, Beau Biden, died of a brain tumour, while his wife, Jill Biden, had two cancerous skin lesions removed in 2023.At 82, Biden remains the oldest living former U.S. president.

He continues to manage his health while maintaining public appearances, reflecting resilience and the value of prioritising medical care.Health experts stress that his case underscores the importance of early detection.

The American Cancer Society has long advised regular screening, warning that cancers such as skin and prostate cancer can be treated effectively if discovered in time.

The organisation recommends prostate-specific antigen testing for men of average risk from the age of 50, and from 45 for those at higher risk, including Black men or individuals with a family history.

Medical professionals also urge families and communities to share knowledge about preventive measures and to seek medical attention promptly.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Kaduna State Police Command has launched an investigation into several serious allegations against key members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.

In a letter addressed to the Party Chairman of the ADC’s Kaduna Chapter, the police requested his presence alongside seven named party members to clarify allegations reported against them.

The case, filed under the headings: Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance of Public Peace, Mischief, and Causing Grievous Hurt, was reported by complainants on Monday, September 8, 2025.

The individuals summoned for questioning are Mal. Nasir El-Rufa’i, Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed (a.k.a 30), Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (a.k.a Mikiya).

The police letter, which anticipates the party’s “timely response,” concluded with the regards and best wishes of the Commissioner of Police.

As of now, the ADC party leadership has not issued an official public statement regarding the summons or the specific details of the allegations.

By Uzair Adam

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old woman, Maryam Atiku, for allegedly attempting to kill her newborn baby girl by burying her alive in a bush in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, Bello M. Sani.

According to the statement, the incident happened on June 25, 2025, around 8:00 p.m., when Maryam, a resident of the Nasarawa area of Kamba, gave birth and allegedly tied three wrappers around the baby’s neck, covered her mouth, and buried her in a shallow grave at Malam Yaro bush.

The statement explained that on June 26, at about 12:30 p.m., a farmer, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, discovered a disturbed patch of soil resembling a fresh grave while working on his farm near Mallam Yaro village.

He raised an alarm, and with the help of nearby residents, the baby was exhumed alive.

The statement further noted that the baby was immediately rushed to General Hospital, Kamba, where she received medical attention and was certified to be in stable condition.

On receiving the report, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Birnin Kebbi, swiftly arrested the suspect.

According to the statement, she confessed to the crime during preliminary investigation. The Commissioner of Police, as quoted in the statement, condemned the act and described it as barbaric.

He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and all forms of gender-based violence in the state.

The statement added that CP Bello urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to fear Allah in safeguarding children under their care and to resist compromising their future because of poverty or other factors.

It also acknowledged the support of the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, for her intervention in ensuring the rescued child’s welfare, as well as the efforts of Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, whose quick action saved the baby’s life.

The statement concluded that upon completion of investigation, the suspect was arraigned in court for prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State has developed a sustainable framework to boost its HIV response despite the withdrawal of global donor funding, the state government has disclosed.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA), Sa’adatu Suleiman, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the Director General of KSACA, Dr. Usman Bashir, presented the state’s progress and strategies during a briefing with the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, heads of government agencies, and key partners.

The statement explained that while several states experienced disruptions in HIV services following global policy shifts, particularly under the Trump administration in the United States, Kano remained resilient through proactive planning, strong political will, and consistent government support.

It added that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf backed the HIV response with a dedicated budget of N2 billion, with nearly half of the funds already released to ensure test kits, drugs, consumables, and improved data systems remain available.

“The government’s commitment has ensured that the agency is now stronger, functional, and working hand-in-hand with sister agencies to prevent service interruptions,” the statement quoted Dr. Bashir as saying.

The statement further noted that the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining HIV services.

It stressed that KSACA continues to collaborate with agencies including the Hospital Management Board, Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, KHETFUND, KSCHMA, KNCDC, and PHIMA.

It added that the presentation was not only a review of progress but also an opportunity to identify challenges and chart new strategies to sustain and strengthen HIV services in the state.