News

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Federal Government has approved an upward review of passport fees for Nigerians, effective September 1, 2025.

This was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by A.S Akinlabi, the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service.

He said the increment aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, set to take effect from September.

“The review which only affect Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now set a new fee thresholds for 32-page with 5-year validity at ₦100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at ₦200,000.

“Meanwhile, Nigerian Passport Application fees made by Nigerians in diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for 32-page with 5-year validity and $230 for 64-page with 10-year validity”, he said

The Service reaffirms its commitment to balancing high-quality service delivery with the necessity of ensuring Passport services are accessible to all Nigerians.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A tragic building collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her young children in the early hours of Wednesday in the Karauka area of Zaria.

The victims have been identified as Mallama Habiba Nuhu, her two daughters, Hauwa’u Nuhu and Aina’u Nuhu, and her granddaughter, Za’uma.

According to a relative, Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim, the disaster occurred between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. when a mud wall from a neighbouring house gave way and collapsed onto the family’s room.

“The victims died on the spot because they were covered by rubble,” Ibrahim stated.

The husband and father, Mallam Nuhu Dogara, was the sole survivor. He was recovered alive from the debris and rushed to a hospital for medical attention.

He was later discharged just in time to attend the funeral prayers for his family.

Local authorities attribute the collapse to the ceaseless rainfall that has been battering the Zaria area, which weakened the structure of the adjacent building.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Brasília for Abuja after a state visit to Brazil aimed at deepening bilateral ties between the two nations.

The presidential jet departed the Brasília International Airport Air Force Base at 12:57 pm local time on Wednesday.

The brief departure ceremony was attended by senior Brazilian diplomats, including Secretary for Africa and the Middle East Amb.

Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, and featured a guard of honour.

The visit, which began on Monday, August 25, was marked by a formal welcome ceremony at the Palácio do Planalto, where President Tinubu was received with full military honours by his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The core of the diplomatic engagement was a meeting between the two leaders, who oversaw the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding.

The agreements cover critical sectors for Nigeria’s development, including aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture.

The Nigerian delegation included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was present at the airport for the President’s departure.

By Anas Abbas

The Bauchi State Hisbah Command has introduced a set of new regulations governing weddings, birthdays, and other social gatherings across the state.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Commissioner of Hisbah, Barrister Aminu Balarabe Isah, the Sharia enforcement agency said the guidelines were prompted by rising public complaints over social vices and breaches of peace at events.

Titled “Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Marriage Ceremonies and Other Festivals in Bauchi State,” the document outlines several restrictions.

These include prohibition of male and female mingling, as well as opposite-sex, dancing in the presence of children, ban on the sale or consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants disallowing entry of individuals carrying weapons into event venues, gender-based seating arrangements and suspension of activities during prayer times, compulsory adherence to traditional dress codes.

The circular further prohibits DJs and musical entertainment at events, as well as cultural festivals such as Sharo, Shadi, Garaya, Kauyawa Day, Gala, and Aloba.

It also forbids the use of abusive or blasphemous language, gambling, prostitution, pornography, and birthday parties considered “immoral.”

Hisbah directed that all recreational centers, clubs, and cultural organizations comply with the order or face sanctions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A group known as the Concerned Kaduna Central Constituents has initiated a process to recall their Senator, Lawal Adamu Usman, citing poor representation and neglect of duties.

In a statement to the press, the group accused the senator of failing to advocate for the constituency, being persistently absent from legislative duties, and providing no tangible projects for the people.

They claimed he has been disconnected from the realities of his constituents since taking office.

The group has begun gathering signatures from registered voters to petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for his recall.INEC has not yet responded.

By law, a recall requires signatures from at least half of the registered voters in the senatorial district before a verification and referendum can be held.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A passenger train service from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, causing multiple carriages to overturn and creating a scene of panic and confusion among travellers.

The incident occurred along the busy transport corridor at approximately 11 a.m., shortly after the train’s departure from the nation’s capital.

Eyewitnesses aboard the train described a chaotic scramble for safety as the carriages left the tracks.

The precise cause of the derailment is currently unknown and is likely to be the subject of an official investigation.

At this time, there has been no official confirmation of injuries or fatalities.

Security sources indicate that military personnel have been deployed to the scene to aid in the evacuation of stranded passengers.

Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a group of its officers who were filmed counting large bundles of cash inside an official patrol vehicle.

A video, which went viral on social media, showed the officers handling the money while seated in a van marked “Area Command Asaba,” sparking public outrage and allegations of extortion.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, stated in a post on X that the personnel were swiftly identified, tracked, and taken into custody.

The officers were summoned to appear before the Commissioner of Police.

Edafe detailed that the four involved personnel include two senior officers, who have been issued official queries, and two inspectors, who have been detained.

All are awaiting an orderly room trial, the force’s internal disciplinary proceeding.

The police command assured that necessary sanctions will be imposed following the outcome of the trial.

By Anwar Usman

The Nigerian Air Force has announced the commencement of applications for its Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) 34/2025.

The announcement was made via the NAF’s official X handle (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday, invites applications across a wide range of professions, including engineering, medical, and cyber specialities, reflecting the force’s evolving needs in modern warfare.

Interested candidates can apply for free online from August 27 to October 7, 2025, through the official NAF recruitment portal: https://nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng.

According to NAF, candidates must possess the following requirements to qualify:

Applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth.

Applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 32 years; Medical Doctors (consultants) could be between the ages of 25 and 40 years at the time of application.

The exercise is not for serving personnel desiring Branch Commission. Therefore, personnel above 32 years of age are not to apply.

A serving personnel must be recommended by his/her Commanding Officer/Commander, must have served for 10 years and attained the rank of Cpl.Applicants must not be less than 1.66 m tall for males and not less than 1.63 m tall for females.

The announcement further revealed that, applicants must be free of any previous conviction(s) on criminal grounds by a court of law.

The Force added that applicants must be medically, physically and psychologically fit and must meet the Nigerian Air Force medical and employment standards.

Interested applicants must possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division and Upper credit for HND holders and must possess a NYSC Discharge Certificate or Letter of Exemption.

The Zonal General Aptitude Test will hold on a date to be revealed on the NAF Recruitment Portal. Only successful applicants will be invited for the Selection Interview, the statement concluded.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The African Union (AU) has officially endorsed the Equal Earth map projection this month, marking a shift away from traditional world maps that many critics say distort the size of Africa and other regions in the Global South.

Developed in 2018 by cartographers Tom Patterson, Bernhard Jenny, and Bojan Šavrič, the Equal Earth projection aims to present landmasses in their true proportions while maintaining a visually appealing shape. Unlike the widely used Mercator projection, which significantly shrinks Africa relative to Europe and North America, the Equal Earth map shows the continent’s actual scale.

“The Equal Earth map restores dignity to Africa’s representation,” said an AU spokesperson. “It reflects the continent’s real size and importance in the world.”

Supporters argue that adopting the Equal Earth projection will help challenge Eurocentric biases in education, media, and policy discussions. The AU plans to encourage member states to introduce the map in schools and official publications.

Cartographers say the Equal Earth map strikes a balance between scientific accuracy and accessibility, offering a fairer perspective of the world’s geography.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordinating Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a World Bank–supported programme, has commenced a two-day training for 200 livestock extension agents and advisory service providers on modern livestock production strategies.

The training, which began on Tuesday at the Kadawa Mechanisation Institute in Garun Malam Local Government Area, is aimed at equipping extension agents to support the adoption of improved breeds through selection, breeding and artificial insemination techniques, as well as the proper management of forage resources and feed formulation.

In his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, described the training as a strategic step towards transforming the livestock sector in Kano.

He said the project aims to increase productivity, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable practices that would uplift farmers and improve livelihoods.

Dr. Inuwa was quoted as saying,“You, the extension officers, are the bridge between research, policies, innovations, and the farmers in our communities.

The knowledge and skills you gain here will help our livestock keepers adopt improved breeds, better management practices, and modern feeding techniques.”

Speaking on behalf of the state government, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who represented the Commissioner, Dr. Danjuma Mahmood, said Kano has invested heavily in agriculture, including the recruitment of over 1,000 extension workers and expansion of irrigation facilities.

He noted that extension agents remain the frontline soldiers of agriculture and urged participants to take the training seriously.

“Extension work is not theory; it is practical. When extension agents are well trained and equipped, they can support farmers to achieve higher yields, improved livestock production, and better access to markets,” Sanusi said.

Also speaking, Gambo Isa Garko, an extension officer with L-PRES, said the project is expected to transform livestock production in the state, particularly in meat, milk, and poultry output.

He added that the initiative would also establish livestock centres where farmers can access feed, veterinary services, and advisory support.

According to him, L-PRES is building a database of livestock farmers through profiling, which will enable targeted interventions.

“We are going to transform Kadawa into a practical school for livestock where farmers will learn from one another through farmer-to-farmer interaction, which makes adoption of new practices easier,” he explained.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Ibrahim Adamu Aliyu commended the organisers for providing what he described as a timely and practical training.

He said the knowledge gained will enhance their capacity to deliver advisory services to farmers more effectively.

“This training is equipping us with modern techniques that will help us address the challenges faced by farmers, especially in adopting improved breeds, better feeding systems, and disease control measures.

“We are committed to taking this knowledge back to our communities and ensuring that it translates into tangible results for farmers,” Aliyu said.

The training includes lectures on extension strategies and models for reaching farmers, livestock production and breeding, artificial insemination, animal feed formulation, and pest and disease control, among others.