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Zuru emir, Muhammadu Sani Sami, dies at 81

The Emir of Zuru in Kebbi State, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Sani Sami, has died on Saturday night at the age of 81.

This was announced in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday by Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor.

According to the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Umar-Dutsinmari, the monarch passed away in a London hospital after an illness.

He is survived by four wives and seven children.

“The Kebbi Government extends its heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the Zuru Emirate Council, the people of Zuru, and the entire people of Kebbi State.

“May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus,” the commissioner said, adding that burial arrangements would be communicated later.

Maj.-Gen. Sami joined the Nigerian Army on December 10, 1962, and was commissioned after training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, on July 25, 1963.

He rose through the ranks and served in various capacities, including Military Administrator of Bauchi State (1984–1985), Commanding Officer of the 82nd Division, and General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanised Division in 1988.

In 1995, he was appointed Emir of Zuru, a position he held until his death.

288 suspects nabbed in Kano over alleged by-election violence plot

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 288 people suspected of attempting to trigger violence during the ongoing by-election for the Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency in Kano.

The disclosure was made by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, through his verified Facebook account.

He explained that the suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons and are currently under investigation.

According to him, the arrests formed part of a wider operation to forestall any breakdown of law and order throughout the election.

DSS nabs PDP agent with N30m for vote-buying in Kaduna

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fatange, with N30 million allegedly meant for vote-buying ahead of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kaduna State.

Fatange was apprehended Friday evening at a hotel in Kaduna, where he was reportedly coordinating the distribution of cash to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency election.

Security sources confirmed the suspect was caught with a large sum of money intended to compromise the electoral process.

The Kaduna Police Command also verified the arrest, stating that investigations were ongoing.

The incident comes amid rising tensions, with political parties trading accusations of vote-buying and electoral malpractice ahead of the polls.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and turn out peacefully to vote.

Nigerian education is collapsing, says former lecturer 

Muhammad Isah Zng

A former lecturer at Al-Qalam University, Malam Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, stated that education is dead in Nigeria in a post he shared last week on his popular Facebook account.

“Our youth are no longer interested in education at all. They preferred to be celebrities rather than teachers or lecturers because it’s a quick way to be rich, not education.”

“The majority of Nigerian university students are after certificates; they are curious to graduate and leave their schools because the government gives more attention to celebrities than teachers and lecturers,” he said. 

“But there’s still hope for government, if it considers these: First, it should give full attention to the welfare of teachers and lecturers by paying them their allowances on time”, he added.

Malam Mubarak called on the government to make a concerted effort to renovate laboratories and libraries to alleviate the learning difficulties faced by students.

Finally, he advised that the government should also continue providing scholarships to lecturers and teachers to enhance their professional development.

Malam Mubarak resigned from his position at the university a few years ago. Since then, he has been involved in real estate businesses in Kano and beyond.

APC denies claim Canadian court labeled it “terrorist group”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed media reports claiming that a Canadian court declared the party a terrorist organization, describing the reports as “patently erroneous and misleading.”

In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC clarified that the ruling in question involved a case between Douglas Egharevba and Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, which centered on Egharevba’s immigration status.

The court had dismissed Egharevba’s application for judicial review, citing his membership in Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its alleged involvement in subversive acts during elections.

The APC noted that the only mention of the party in the 16-page judgment was in reference to Egharevba’s false claim of being an APC member as far back as 2007—years before the party was officially formed in 2013.

Morka noted that the court explicitly avoided ruling on terrorism, stating: “Having found that the IAD’s analysis on subversion was reasonable, this is sufficient to dismiss the application for review. I will therefore refrain from analyzing the IAD’s findings on terrorism.”

The APC urged its members and the public to disregard the misleading reports, stressing that the court made no such declaration against the party.

“Such a decision would have been an unjustifiable overreach and a breach of due process, as the APC was not a party to the proceedings,” Morka added.

New fire service boss vows to transform agency

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly appointed Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, was officially decorated with his new rank today in Abuja.

The ceremony was performed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) Hall.

The Minister praised the outgoing CG, Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu, for his outstanding service, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene N. Ajani, urged the new CG to uphold national interest and work within the law.

In his response, CG Adeyemi thanked President Tinubu and other officials for their trust, promising to reposition the agency for greater efficiency.

The event was attended by top government officials, lawmakers, past FFS leaders, and heads of sister security agencies.

A reception followed at the FFS headquarters, marking the occasion with celebration and unity.

The CDCFIB expressed hope that the new CG would justify the confidence reposed in him by the President and Nigerians.

Katsina governor Radda takes 3-week medical leave

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, has announced a three-week medical leave to focus on his health.

The leave will begin on Monday, August 18, 2025.

In a press release by the State Ministry of Information and Culture, Governor Radda expressed gratitude to the people of Katsina for their support and prayers.

He stated that prioritizing his health would enable him to return to office with renewed energy and continue serving the state effectively.

“Taking the necessary steps to address my health is crucial so I can make the best decisions for our state,” he said.

During his absence, Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal, HCIB (Sarkin Fulanin Jobe), will act in his capacity.

Governor Radda expressed confidence in the Deputy Governor’s ability to oversee state affairs smoothly.

The government assured residents that all ongoing projects and programs under the “Building Your Future Agenda” will proceed without disruption.

The administration looks forward to the Governor’s return in good health.

FG imposes 7-year ban on establishment of new federal tertiary institutions

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.

The decision, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday, aims to address declining standards and infrastructure challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, is intended to curb duplication, optimize resources, and improve existing institutions.

Alausa stated that Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 42 polytechnics, and 28 colleges of education, yet many struggle with low enrollment and inadequate facilities.

“Access to tertiary education is no longer the problem—quality is,” Alausa said.

He cited alarming statistics, including 199 universities with fewer than 100 applicants in the 2024/2025 academic session and 34 institutions with zero applicants.

Similar trends were observed in polytechnics and colleges of education.

The minister emphasized that the moratorium will allow the government to focus on upgrading infrastructure, enhancing staff capacity, and expanding the carrying capacities of current institutions.

He also warned that unchecked expansion risks producing unemployable graduates. Meanwhile, FEC approved nine new private universities, clarifying that these were long-pending applications.

Alausa noted that stricter guidelines would soon apply to private institutions to prevent unchecked growth at the expense of quality.

Sultan urges leaders to listen to Nigerians, prioritize justice

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the federal and state governments to heed the concerns of Nigerians rather than dismissing their grievances.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the launch of NASFAT’s 30th-anniversary history book, the Sultan urged leaders to show empathy and avoid oppressive measures when addressing citizens’ hardships.

Amid rising inflation and economic challenges, the Sultan emphasized the importance of justice in governance, stating, A nation can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice.”

He advised leaders to act with fairness and truth while urging Nigerians to pray for their leaders instead of cursing them.

NASFAT President, Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulrauf, highlighted the organization’s growth over 30 years, from a small prayer group to a global faith-based body promoting social welfare and education.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Alleged murder of lady in Kano instills public fear, outrage

By Musa Abdurrazak

A 25-year-old lady was allegedly found murdered today in the morning at Kabuga Janbulo along Gwarzo Road in the Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

Eyewitnesses expressed their shock and trauma over the disturbing incident. Shu’aibu Bala, whose shop is located nearest to the scene, recounted, “It was around 6 AM when I was opening my shop that I spotted the dead body on the ground by the roadside.”

Another witness, Khalifa, described the scene as “the biggest calamity” he has ever encountered, noting, “The woman was brutally slaughtered, and her dignity has been violated.” He further speculated that the victim may have been killed at a distance and later dumped by the roadside, as he mentioned that police officers arrived shortly after the discovery.

In an effort to gather more information, the Daily Reality (TDR) reached out to Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, via call and message. However, TDR could not get any response at the time of this report.

This tragic incident adds to a growing concern in the community, as reports of unidentified bodies being discovered have become alarmingly frequent, instilling fear and uncertainty among residents.