News

By Anwar Usman

Former presidential candidate and the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has firmly denied claims that he submitted a letter of intent to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He made this statement in response to reports of his imminent defection to the APC.

This comes amidst rising political chatter early Friday morning, suggesting that the former Defence Minister had made formal overtures to the APC and had already begun talks with the party’s National Chairman behind closed doors.

In a statement personally signed and released through his media team on Friday, Kwankwaso refuted the claims, describing them as “online statements” lacking credibility or foundation.

The statement in part reads “we have been alerted to some online statements suggesting that we have submitted a letter of intent to join a political party in the country”.

“We would like to clarify that we have not made any such submission to any party. The public is therefore advised to stay informed of any further information regarding our matter through the established official channels”.

The speculation has triggered fresh speculation within political circles, especially as the 2027 general elections begin to cast long shadows across the country’s volatile political landscape.

Earlier on Friday, reports from political sources within the APC said that Senator Kwankwaso had allegedly sent a “discreet” letter to the party’s national secretariat indicating interest in joining the party.

The reports also hinted at ongoing discussions between Kwankwaso and the APC National Chairman, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media platforms and party caucuses.

With 2027 elections coming closer and the APC reportedly eyeing a broader northern consolidation, insiders believe both sides may be keeping lines of communication open — even if no formal letter has yet changed hands.

For now, Kwankwaso maintains that no move has been made — but in Nigerian politics, silence and denial are often the calm before a calculated storm.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Visionary Leaders Foundation (VLF) has called for the immediate release of two Nigerians arrested over online posts about allegations against Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abdulbasit Muhammad, the group said the arrests “illustrate a pattern of shrinking civic space, criminalisation of free expression, and intimidation of citizens who dare to engage in public debate online.”

It explained that Mr. Daure David was detained by the Bauchi State CID after translating into Hausa a Sahara Reporters headline on the senator, while TikTok creator Mr. Ishaq Abubakar Major was arrested in Abuja by the FCID for a video commentary.

According to the foundation, “He is currently held without any clear evidence of wrongdoing other than exercising his voice on a public platform.”

The group stressed that freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international conventions, warning that attempts to silence citizens online amount to a violation of civic rights.

It further demanded an “independent, and impartial investigation” into the allegations against Senator Umar, saying that only transparency can restore public trust.

The foundation listed six demands, including the release of the detainees, protection of digital rights, and passage of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill.

“The arrests of Mr. Daure and Mr. Ishaq Major send a chilling message that free expression, particularly in digital spaces, is under siege. This trend must be reversed,” the statement concluded.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, top figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have declared their intention to reclaim the state from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The pledge was made on Thursday in Abuja following a strategic meeting of party stakeholders.

The meeting was led by former APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and House of Representatives member Abubakar Bichi.

Addressing journalists, Dr. Ganduje, a former governor of Kano, stated that the meeting was held to assess the party’s progress and affirm its unwavering support for President Tinubu.

He expressed confidence in the APC’s growing strength in the state, despite its loss in the 2023 polls.

“We have resolved that we will continue to work very hard to ensure that we succeed in the next gubernatorial election in Kano State,” Ganduje said.

He added that part of their strategy includes mobilizing supporters for the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Echoing this sentiment, Senator Barau Jibrin cited President Tinubu’s “giant strides” and developmental projects in Kano and the wider northern region as the reason for their solid backing.

He pledged that stakeholders would intensify efforts to publicize the administration’s achievements.

Similarly, Hon. Abubakar Bichi dismissed claims that Tinubu lacks support in the north, labeling such insinuations as “cheap politics.”

He affirmed that the APC in Kano is united and determined to deliver victory for the party in the 2027 elections.

By Uzair Adam

The Katsina State Government has terminated the employment of 3,488 staff from 34 Local Government Councils and Local Education Authorities following a biometric screening exercise that uncovered extensive fraud.

Governor Dikko Radda, who received the screening report on Wednesday, said the exercise covered 50,172 staff members, verifying 46,380, while the remainder were found with fake credentials, ghost postings, absenteeism, or refusal to participate.

The report was formally presented at a State Executive Council meeting attended by top government officials and members of the Biometric Screening Committee.

The initiative has produced the state’s first-ever unified digital database of all Local Government Council (LGC) and Local Education Authority (LEA) staff, with projected monthly savings of N453.3 million if recommendations are fully implemented.

The 10-member committee identified falsified birth certificates, underage employment, illegal promotions, and instances where staff positions were sublet to others.

Additionally, N4.6 million was recovered from officers drawing double salaries or collecting pay while on leave.

Committee chairman Abdullahi A. Gagare revealed that the exercise also exposed the Education Secretary of Zango LEA for allegedly colluding with others to insert 24 ghost workers, describing the case as a “serious breach of trust.”

Governor Radda said, “We have been in the system for a long time, and we know these issues exist. Many warned me that the Committee’s work could damage my political standing, but I was determined to reform the system and do what is right for Katsina.”

He directed that the committee’s findings be converted into a White Paper for full implementation. Radda noted that local governments currently have about half a billion naira in savings, which could increase to N5.7 billion if the recommendations are applied.

“Despite high revenue allocations, many local governments in Katsina still struggle to pay salaries. Councils such as Kafur, Malumfashi, and Daura carry heavy wage bills, mostly due to staff who are not genuine,” he explained.

The governor emphasised that reducing this burden would free up resources to support grassroots development.

“This reform is aimed at saving the state from the grip of a few, ensuring more funds reach the people in our local governments,” Radda added.

The screening exercise was carried out by a 10-member committee, including four retired Permanent Secretaries and six Directors, supported by 16 co-opted members and security personnel.

By Uzair Adam

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed charges against five retired senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for allegedly falsifying their ages to unlawfully extend their years of service.

The case, brought before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu, who has fixed September 25 for the arraignment of the defendants.

The 14-count charge names Idowu Owohunwa, a retired assistant inspector-general of police; Benneth Igwe and Ukachi Opara, both retired commissioners of police; Obo Ukam Obo, a retired deputy commissioner of police; and Simon Lough, a retired assistant commissioner of police, while also referencing “others at large.”

According to the police, Owohunwa allegedly falsified his date of birth in Abuja in December 2024, claiming July 20, 1970, instead of his actual birth date. Igwe is accused of altering his records to reflect October 7, 1968, when investigators found he was born four years earlier, with his enlistment record showing contradictory entry dates of 1988 and 1996.

Lough allegedly changed his birth date from May 14, 1967, to May 14, 1969, in July 2022 to remain in service.Police say these acts violate public service rules and are punishable under sections 97, 161, 366, and 158 of the Penal Code.

The accused officers, however, denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations malicious and politically motivated.

They said the case arose from a petition by the Integrity Youth Alliance, a civil society group led by Kelvin Adegbenga, which accused them of manipulating service records.

Following the petition, the IGP issued them queries for serious misconduct on January 7, 2025.

In response, Owohunwa admitted a clerical error in his APER form listed 1970 instead of 1967 as his birth year, insisting his official appointment date remained August 15, 1996.

Igwe and Lough also denied the allegations, claiming the petitioners had confused their career records with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) scheme, which allows certain officers’ records to be updated.

By Uzair Adam

Nigeria lost an estimated N2.2 trillion to ransom payments between May 2023 and April 2024 — an amount higher than the country’s 2024 defence budget — according to the 8th Nigeria SDG 16 Shadow Report released by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) Nigeria.

The report, titled “Leaving No One Behind: Anti-Corruption, Right to Information, and Justice for All,” was unveiled during a side event at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

At the launch, CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of TI Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), warned that the country is “trapped in a dangerous cycle of corruption, weak institutions, and worsening insecurity,” which could derail its chances of meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

He described kidnapping for ransom as fully “commercialised,” revealing that more than 2.23 million incidents were recorded within the one-year period, with payments amounting to N2.2 trillion — about US $1.4 billion.

Rafsanjani noted that this figure surpasses Nigeria’s entire 2024 defence allocation, stressing that insecurity has been effectively “privatised” at the cost of national stability.

He also linked governance failures to political impunity, pointing out that many leaders routinely ignore constitutional requirements to declare their assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau.

According to him, such disregard erodes public trust and undermines anti-corruption efforts, while some politicians divert taxpayers’ money to luxury properties in Nigeria and abroad, fueling illicit financial flows.

The report further raised alarm over opaque asset recovery processes, allegations against judicial figures, irregularities in the electoral commission, and weak vetting of political appointees — warning that democratic institutions are increasingly viewed as compromised.

Examples cited include the arrest of Katsina whistleblower Mubarak Bello after he exposed police payroll fraud, and a UK Tribunal ruling against Chief Mike Ozekhome and his son in a case involving a property transfer linked to General Jeremiah Useni.

It also referenced allegations of luxury property purchases in the United States linked to Nigeria’s FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

On fiscal transparency, the report highlighted Nigeria’s poor scores in the 2024 Open Budget Survey (31/100) and Freedom of Information Act compliance (11.4%), while noting that the Open Treasury Portal has become inactive.

It also identified procurement fraud, vote-buying, campaign finance violations, and repression of civic space as persisting threats.

Rafsanjani described the report as both “a mirror and a roadmap,” stressing that Nigeria risks missing the 2030 goals not because of weak laws but due to a lack of political will.

He called for stronger institutions, an open civic space, and true respect for the rule of law to ensure that “no one is left behind.”

By Uzair Adam

The Bauchi State Government has dismissed two senior officers from its Civil Service after they were found guilty of forgery.

Mr Saleh Umar, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (BSCSC), confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Bauchi.

He explained that the officers, Mr Yusuf Ningi, an Administrative Officer, and Mr Suleiman Ahmed, a Principal Executive Officer I, were dismissed during the commission’s 35th plenary session held on Tuesday.

Umar said the officers were indicted for forgery, an offence that contravenes the State Public Service Rule 0327 (ii, iii and vi).

“The officers were posted to Government House from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and their dismissal took effect from Sept. 23,” he stated.

He also quoted the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Muhammad, as urging civil servants to always work in line with the Public Service Rules and Regulations, as well as internal and external circulars guiding their duties.

Muhammad stressed that strict adherence to laid-down laws would protect workers from unlawful practices and enhance quality service delivery, free of corruption.

The chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to promoting ethical conduct, integrity, and the rule of law within the state civil service.

Meanwhile, the plenary also formalised the promotion of three substantive directors into the State Civil Service and endorsed the elevation of four Deputy Directors to Directors, covering Administration, Human Resources, Audit, Planning, Research, Statistics, Civil Litigation, Land and Valuation.

Others promoted include eight Chief State Councils and a Chief Land Officer to the rank of Deputy Directors.

It can be recalled that on Sept. 11, the commission also dismissed an Education Officer over alleged gross misconduct involving sexual harassment.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, September 22, 2025, officially flagged off its 2025 Public Relations Officers Workshop in Kano, charging officers to demonstrate professionalism, resilience, and innovation in sustaining the Service’s image and public trust.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was represented by Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, at the opening ceremony held at the Centre of Excellence, Twin Theatres, Bayero University, Kano.

Delivering the CGC’s keynote address, Ag. DCG Bomodi highlighted the Service’s critical role at the “confluence of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and national security,” noting that every decision made by Customs affects citizens, the business community, and international partners.

He stressed that communication in such a sensitive environment must be more than ceremonial.

According to him, public relations officers serve as policy interpreters, dispute mediators, crisis managers, and custodians of the Service’s corporate image.

“Our actions may speak, but it is the voice of public relations that interprets, contextualises, and gives meaning to these actions. That is why this workshop is not just a routine exercise, but a strategic investment in the future of the Service,” he said.

Speaking on the workshop’s theme, “Beyond Masters of Ceremony: The Strategic Role of Public Relations Officers for Institutional Growth and Stakeholder Trust,” the CGC described it as timely and transformative, as it redefines the role of PROs from mere event announcers to key players in policy and stakeholder engagement.

He called on participants to embrace new technologies and crisis response tools, explaining that the rise of artificial intelligence and the risks of misinformation demand higher communication standards.

According to him, “The work of a PRO is not without its challenges. You will face crises that test your judgment, criticism that questions your integrity, and moments where silence may seem safer than speaking. But it is in these moments that your professionalism is most needed.”

Bomodi further assured that the leadership of the Service regards public relations as a vital component of its reform agenda, adding that its partnership with Bayero University represents “a bridge between scholarship and practice.”

He also welcomed BUK students present at the session, noting that their interaction with officers would enrich their academic exposure.

Declaring the workshop open, he urged participants to recommit to integrity and innovation, remarking: “The legacy you leave will not be measured by the number of events you anchored, but by the trust you built, the narratives you shaped, and the credibility you sustained for the Service.”

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, represented by his Director-General of Media, Sanusi Bature, commended the Customs Service for its role in national security, trade facilitation, and revenue generation. He described integrity and fairness as the backbone of effective public relations, stressing that the Service’s National PRO had set a standard for building public confidence.

He added that artificial intelligence, digital analytics, and social media engagement have become new frontiers for PR professionals.

However, he cautioned that “no technology can replace human values of honesty, empathy, and responsibility in communication.”

The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Professor Haruna Musa, also welcomed participants and reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to support the Service through training and research.

He described the workshop as a platform that “blends theory with practice in preparing officers for the demands of modern communication.”

In his presentation, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, emphasised that strategic communication is central to nation-building, urging officers to evolve from “managing perception to actively shaping the credibility and trust upon which governance thrives.”

Also speaking, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, former Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, underlined the importance of social media as a tool for transparency and accountability.

He advised officers to deploy digital platforms effectively while guarding against disinformation.

Other experts at the event expressed optimism that the four-day workshop would enhance officers’ communication capacity, strengthen their stakeholder engagement, and further solidify the Service’s reputation as a forward-looking institution.

By Uzair Adam

Some Islamic clerics in Kano State have received training on fact-checking and media literacy to help them counter false narratives and disinformation in their sermons and public engagements.

The two-day training, organised by Alkalanci, a fact-checking platform, brought together members of the Council of Ulamas and other religious leaders across the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the programme focused on equipping clerics with tools to identify, verify and dispel fake news, particularly on social media.

Speaking at the session, the Chairman of the Council of Ulamas in Kano, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, emphasised that religious leaders carry the responsibility of upholding truth and preventing the spread of falsehood.

He noted that misinformation has contributed to social tension and division, urging clerics to lead by example in promoting accuracy and fairness.

“Millions of people listen to you. Whatever you tell them carries weight,” Khalil said, adding that Islam condemns lies and encourages verification before passing information to followers.

Similarly, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, represented by Bauren Kano, Alhaji Abbas Dalhatu, Managing Director of Freedom Radio Group, highlighted the impact of social media on shaping public opinion.

“Freedom Radio reaches over 230 million people. The impact of fake news is delicate and dangerous,” he said.

He also cited Surah An-Naml, where Prophet Suleiman instructed his servant and a bird to verify reports about Queen Bilqis, describing it as an Islamic precedent for fact-checking.

Earlier, the founder of Alkalanci, Alhasan Bala, said the workshop targeted religious leaders because of their central role in shaping public opinion.

“We live in a time where information travels faster than ever. A single message, video, or image can reach thousands in seconds, and much of it is inaccurate,” Bala said.

He warned that misinformation threatens peace, unity, and trust in society, stressing that clerics must ensure what they share is true, informed, and beneficial.

Bala added that Alkalanci, established in October 2024, is committed to promoting media literacy and countering disinformation in Hausa-speaking communities.

The training included practical methods of verifying information both online and offline. Bala expressed appreciation to the emir, the Council of Ulamas, and other facilitators for their support.

By Gambo Zilkifilu Mohammed

In a moment that resonated with profound significance, the world of Nigerian academia has a new, groundbreaking milestone, and it bears the name of yet none other than the humble yet Noble Professor Umaru A. Pate (Kaigama of Adamawa state). He was inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), shattering a long-standing tradition.

For the first time in the Academy’s esteemed history, this highest of honours has been bestowed upon a scholar from the field of Communications, a moment that feels both like a personal triumph and a victory for an entire discipline. The induction ceremony in Lagos was more than just a formal event, it was a heartfelt recognition of a lifetime of dedication.

The Academy, a hallowed body of the finest minds in the arts and humanities, wasn’t just celebrating a list of publications, they were honouring the immense impact of Professor Umaru Pate’s work. They acknowledged how his prolific research and visionary scholarship have fundamentally shaped the development of Mass Communication and Media Studies in Nigeria, empowering a generation of thinkers to understand the powerful role media plays in weaving the fabric of society.

But this historic moment didn’t appear out of thin air. It is the culmination of a decades-long journey marked by relentless pursuit of excellence.

Long before this fellowship, Professor Umaru Pate(Kaigama of Adamawa state) had already cemented his legacy as an academic titan. His path saw him shape young minds as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Communication, also the Dean school of post graduate Studies both at Bayero University, Kano.

The pioneer president society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SBN), The current president of Association of communication scholars and practisioners (ACSPN).

He didn’t just teach curriculum but nurtured the ethical core of future media professionals. Today, he provides strategic leadership as the current Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, guiding an entire institution toward its potential.

Beyond the walls of universities, his expertise has rippled out into the real world, impacting lives through his work as a consultant for global organizations like USAID, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, World Bank, Ford Foundation, Mac Arthur foundation and the BBC World Service Trust.

Here, he leveraged the power of communication not for theory, but for tangible human development.

This profound body of work, over 70 publications strong, has already been celebrated with awards like the NUC’s Best Researcher Award and Award of excellence for service to humanity by the National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ )in 2020, yet this latest induction carries a unique emotional weight.

Professor Umaru Pate’s story is about more than one man’s ceiling-breaking achievement. It affirms, in the most powerful way possible, that the study of how we connect, inform, and persuade one another is not just a social science. it is a vital humanity, one that sits at the very heart of media, culture and society.

His fellowship is a beacon, illuminating the path for future pioneers.Gambo Zulkifilu Muhammad is a final year student at thedepartment of mass communication BUK