News

By Anwar Usman

The West African Examinations Council has announced the official release of the results for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates.

This was revealed in a statement issued through X on Monday, August 4, 2025, the examination body confirmed that candidates who sat for the exam can now access their results online.

“The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025 that the result has officially been released today, Monday, August 4, 2025,” WAEC stated.

Candidates are advised to visit the Council’s result portal to check their performance.

“To access the result, log on to http://waecdirect.org,” the statement added.

Details later…

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history by securing their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship after defeating Mali 78-64 in a thrilling final on Sunday night in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised the team for their exceptional skill, resilience, and teamwork, which led to their seventh continental title.

Despite a slow start in the match, the Coach Rena Wakama-led squad fought back to dominate and claim victory.

In a statement, President Tinubu commended the players for inspiring the nation and upholding Nigeria’s sporting excellence.

“Your superb performance has made Nigeria proud. Like the Super Falcons, you have shown the world the strength and talent of Nigerian women,” he said.

The President also applauded Coach Wakama and the Nigeria Basketball Federation for their dedication, assuring continued support as the team prepares for the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers next year.

Tinubu expressed his eagerness to receive the team and the trophy in Abuja, wishing them a safe return.

The victory cements D’Tigress’ dominance in African basketball and reinforces Nigeria’s reputation as a powerhouse in women’s sports.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has appointed Mr. Ben Solomon Dalhatu Kure as the new Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).

He takes over from Mr. Ahmed Maiyaki, who was recently appointed Commissioner for Information.

The governor expressed confidence that Kure would build on Maiyaki’s achievements in transforming KSMC into a strategic platform for effective public communication.

Kure, a seasoned public communication expert and political strategist, brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors.

He previously served as Chairman of Jaba Local Government (2016–2017), Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (2018–2019), and Special Adviser (Political Matters) to the governor (2019–2021).

Before his public service career, Kure held key roles in banking, including Branch Manager at Oceanic Bank/ECOBANK and Team Leader at Zenith Bank and Broad Bank.

He holds a Master’s in Conflict, Peace, and Strategic Studies and a B.Sc. in Geography and Planning.

He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC).

Governor Uba Sani congratulated Kure on his appointment and wished him success in his new role.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad‎‎

The Vice-Chancellor Federal University, Kashere, Prof. Umaru A. Pate has donated twenty laptop computers to the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, which was recently upgraded to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

‎‎The computers were donated last week during a one-day interactive session for mass communication students from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State University and Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri. ‎‎

The interactive session was organised by the Department of Mass Communication in collaboration with the Northeast Zone of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB),‎ ‎Prof. Pate handed over the Computers to the Department, through the Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Laminu Mele.

He promised to facilitate more supports to the newly established faculty so that it would globally compete by providing more quality journalism and communication knowledge and skills that are needed in the contemporary world. ‎

‎The event was graciously attended by the management of the University of Maiduguri that included the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, Registrar and Bursar.

Professor Mele appreciated Professor Pate for his generosity, experiences and wisdom sharing as well as commitment to support communication professionals and students.

He said the University would provide all the necessary support for the growth of mass communication. ‎‎

The Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Abdulmutallib A. Abubakar who is also the ACSPN’s Northeast Deputy President, appreciated Prof. Pate for empowering Department and students.

He promised to use the knowledge and computers for inculcating 21st skills and knowledge to students. ‎‎

The students also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to not only interact with one of the most respected professors in Nigeria but also to draw insight, wisdom and inspiration from his dispatch.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria and the Benin Republic have reached a significant agreement on a joint trade framework aimed at removing cross-border trade barriers, promoting economic growth, and strengthening ties between both nations.

The agreement was sealed during a high-level meeting held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Cotonou.

The session brought together top officials, Customs leaders, and trade experts from the two countries, all focused on improving the efficiency of cross-border trade.

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, described the new framework as a strategic advancement in West Africa’s quest for regional economic development.

“This agreement signals strong political will from both countries to pursue a progressive and inclusive trade relationship,” she stated.

She recalled the recent meeting between Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Patrice Talon at the West African Economic Summit, where both leaders signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and directed their technical teams to turn political agreements into real progress.

“Our joint commitment is to dismantle barriers, improve logistics, and ensure that trade becomes a tool for job creation and regional prosperity. The Heads of Customs of both nations have demonstrated commendable synergy, which we are expanding through four thematic working groups covering trade facilitation, enforcement, data sharing, and infrastructure,” she added.

Mrs. Oduwole also noted that Nigeria is positioning itself to transition from a regional trading hub to a global player in shaping equitable trade systems.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, assured that the Nigeria Customs Service is fully prepared to implement the agreement in line with the country’s trade agenda.

“What we have witnessed today is the culmination of intensive technical meetings between Nigeria and Benin Customs officials over the past 48 hours. We’ve developed a joint framework that reflects our Presidents’ shared vision for economic growth,” he said.

He disclosed that both countries are planning to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding based on the framework by early 2026.

Addressing the role of Customs in improving trade processes, CGC Adeniyi said measures have been outlined to ensure corridor-based trade solutions, which will promote transit and transshipment activities and reduce the bureaucratic delays affecting small and medium businesses.

“We’re committed to removing trade barriers that hinder local businesses. New trade corridors have been identified, and connectivity between our systems has already been activated,” he added.

He also expressed gratitude to the Director-General of Benin Customs, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, for her support, particularly for Benin’s endorsement of Nigeria’s leadership role at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both delegations later toured the Cotonou Port to review existing operations and identify areas for modernisation. They also visited the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, demonstrating their commitment to closer coordination and regional integration through joint border management.

This new agreement marks a major milestone in the trade relations between Nigeria and Benin and is expected to promote growth, transparency, and innovation across both economies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A three-storey building collapsed on Saturday evening in the Lifecamp area of Abuja, trapping a 27-year-old man, Aliyu Salisu, beneath the rubble for several hours.

He was rescued alive in the early hours of Sunday following an extensive emergency operation.

Salisu, who is a citizen of Niger Republic, remained under the debris for nearly 10 hours before rescue teams successfully pulled him out at around 4:00 a.m., according to a statement from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh confirmed the details of the rescue on Sunday. “The rescue teams worked tirelessly to extricate Aliyu Salisu from the rubble, and their efforts paid off at about 4am on Sunday,” she said.

The rescue operation began shortly after a distress call was received at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.

A team led by the Divisional Police Officer of Lifecamp swiftly arrived at the scene, secured the area, and initiated emergency procedures alongside other response agencies.

Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ajao Adewale, oversaw the operation and praised the collaborative effort.

“We commend the swift response of the various agencies and volunteers who worked together to rescue Aliyu,” he stated.

Salisu was taken to Cedar Crest Hospital in the Gudu area for medical treatment. He is reportedly recovering well.

The police have urged residents to remain alert and take immediate action when emergencies occur.

“We urge residents to be proactive in reporting emergencies,” Commissioner Adewale said.

“Our control room lines are active round-the-clock, and we are committed to responding swiftly to distress calls.”

At the time of this report, authorities have yet to disclose what led to the building’s collapse.

An investigation is expected to follow.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to suspend the operations of AREWA24 television station in Kano over allegations of misrepresenting Hausa culture and traditions in its film content.

The group also commended the Kano State Film Censorship Board for banning over 20 Hausa films aired on AREWA24 and other stations.

Speaking at a two-day event organized by the Sardauna Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, Alhaji Danjuma Hassan, a member of ACF from Kano, praised the censorship board for its action.

He urged Governor Yusuf to shut down AREWA24’s illegal operations on the premises of Kano’s state-owned television station, ARTV.

Hassan further called on President Tinubu to impose a nationwide ban on AREWA24 for broadcasting without a valid license from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

He accused the station of violating NBC regulations, advertising laws (ARCON), tax laws, and Nigeria’s local content policies, which he claimed harm the interests of Kano residents, Northwestern Nigerians, and the nation at large.

He alleged that the station, owned by an American Jew, has profited over $200 million from advertisements in Kano while disregarding Nigerian laws and policies meant to protect local investors and Hausa cultural values.

The Kano State Film Censorship Board recently banned 22 Hausa films, including popular titles like Labarina and Dadin Kowa, citing violations of broadcasting regulations.

The board’s chairman, Abba El-Mustapha, stated that the producers failed to submit their films for mandatory review before public release.

Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, the board’s spokesperson, confirmed the suspension, warning that legal action would follow if the directive was ignored.

He urged NBC and other media regulators to support the board’s efforts in enforcing censorship laws to promote ethical film production in Kannywood.

The banned films include: Dakin Amarya, Mashahuri, Gidan Sarauta, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Mallaka, Kudin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wa Yasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Manyan Mata, Fatake, Gwarwashi, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Tabarma, Kishiyata, and Rigar Aro.

The board reaffirmed its commitment to upholding cultural values in Hausa film production and urged broadcasters to comply with censorship guidelines to ensure industry growth.

This move is part of the Kano State government’s broader efforts to sanitize and restructure the Kannywood film industry, promoting discipline and cultural integrity in media content.

The banned films, widely viewed on television and social media, have sparked public debate on the role of censorship in regulating entertainment content.

The board insists on strict adherence to cultural and ethical standards in Hausa filmmaking.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called for special funding to address the Nigerian Army’s accommodation crisis as it prepares to receive 13,000 new recruits.

Speaking during a visit by the Senate Committee on Army to the Army Headquarters in Abuja, Oluyede lamented that current budgetary allocations under the envelope system are insufficient to meet operational and welfare needs.

“We lack the resources to house these new personnel, and the problem keeps growing,” he said, urging lawmakers to approve dedicated funds for military infrastructure.

Senate Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Yar’Adua pledged support, stating, “The Army should be exempted from envelope budgeting to enhance its capabilities.”

The committee also conducted oversight inspections of projects in multiple states, vowing to push for improved funding before year-end.

By Uzair Adam

Government has revealed that the majority of bandit attacks in the state are being aided by informants and some members of affected communities who supply food, fuel, drugs, and other essentials to the criminals.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Mu’azu, made this known while briefing journalists on Thursday in Katsina, lamenting that about 80 per cent of attacks are linked to insider collaboration.

Mu’azu said some community members act as informants or conduct illicit trade with the criminals at highly inflated prices inside the forests, thereby enabling their operations and profiting from the insecurity.

“In one of the communities affected by the insecurity, a man was found selling a bottle of Coca-Cola for N3,000, and another sold fuel to the bandits for N5,000 per litre,” he disclosed.

He added that drugs and illicit substances are also being supplied at high prices, creating a profitable business for the collaborators.

“Some people even connive with bandits to facilitate abductions of specific victims, including family members,” he said.

Citing a shocking example, the commissioner narrated a case where a man colluded with bandits to kidnap his diabetic father.

“When the bandits brought him to their hideout, they already had diabetic medication ready for his daily treatment. The family eventually paid N30 million in ransom, and the man received N8 million for facilitating the abduction,” he explained.

Mu’azu also said that some informants tip off bandits when Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets take off for operations, enabling the criminals to evade airstrikes by taking cover within civilian populations.

“This has made it difficult for the military to succeed in some of their missions,” he said.

According to him, only about 20 per cent of the insecurity challenge in the state can be attributed directly to bandits, while the remaining 80 per cent is driven by the actions of insiders who aid and abet them.

While noting that the state government has made significant progress using kinetic approaches in some local government areas, he stressed the need for community cooperation and non-kinetic solutions to address the root of the problem.

He urged the public to provide credible information that could support security efforts, assuring that all such reports would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to increase investments in poverty eradication, rural electrification, agriculture, and infrastructure to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking at the 150th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday, Tinubu emphasized the need for collaboration between federal and state governments to stimulate growth in rural areas.

“We must change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is recovering, but we need to do more to benefit the grassroots,” he said.

The NEC endorsed the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), a new initiative targeting Nigeria’s 8,809 wards to boost economic growth.

The plan, presented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, aims to achieve double-digit growth by supporting agriculture, food security, and local economic activities.

Tinubu also directed the transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General to the presidency to fast-track major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways.

Additionally, the council called for stronger state emergency agencies and the release of funds to tackle impending flood risks.

The RHWDP will be overseen by a National Steering Committee, with implementation handled by federal, state, and local governments.