News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Burkina Faso has released a detained Nigerian Air Force aircraft and its 11 military personnel, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed Wednesday night.

The release followed a meeting in Ouagadougou between Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

“The aircraft and personnel have been released,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated.

The Nigerian military plane had been held after making a forced landing in Burkina Faso earlier.

The swift diplomatic resolution underscores ongoing efforts to maintain regional cooperation amidst political shifts in the Sahel.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Government has completed the payment of N15.67 billion in outstanding allowances to former local government councillors, settling a financial obligation that had lingered for over ten years.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the conclusion of the process on Wednesday, fulfilling an earlier pledge to clear the backlog before the end of 2025. The final tranche of N8.26 billion was disbursed to 1,371 councillors who served between 2021 and 2024.

This payment marks the third and final phase of a settlement initiative begun earlier this year. In May, the state paid N1.8 billion to 903 former councillors from the 2014–2017 term. This was followed by a N5.6 billion payment to 1,198 councillors from the 2018–2020 batch in August. In total, more than 3,400 former council members have benefited.

Governor Yusuf described the exercise as a “restoration of dignity, trust, and justice.” He stated, “We are not just closing a ledger; we are opening a new chapter. Never again should those who serve the public be left in uncertainty about what is rightfully theirs.”

The governor also confirmed that current councillors, whose tenure began in 2024, have received 50% of their furniture allowance, totaling N1.27 billion.

He credited several agencies, including the Ministry for Local Government and the Office of the Accountant-General, for ensuring a transparent verification process in collaboration with the Former Councillors’ Forum.

To prevent a recurrence, Governor Yusuf announced ongoing institutional reforms such as digitalizing records and upgrading payroll management systems.

The announcement event was attended by former councillors, senior officials, and labour representatives. Many beneficiaries expressed relief, calling the payment long overdue but welcome.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm new leaders for Nigeria’s two key petroleum regulatory agencies following the resignations of their previous heads.

The President nominated Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

This move comes after Engineers Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe, who were appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, stepped down from their posts at the NMDPRA and NUPRC respectively.

The nominees bring extensive industry experience. Eyesan, an Economics graduate from the University of Benin, had a 33-year career at the NNPC, culminating in the role of Executive Vice President, Upstream.

Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, has held several high-profile positions, including Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company.

He was also pivotal in major gas infrastructure projects like the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, authorities said Sunday.

Police reported that the couple were found dead at their residence earlier in the day. Investigators have not released details about the circumstances of their deaths, citing the ongoing investigation.

Reiner was taken into custody without incident, according to law enforcement officials. He is expected to make an initial court appearance in the coming days.

Officials emphasised that the charges are allegations and that the investigation remains active. No further information was immediately available.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Coalition of Ulama and Islamic Organizations in Kano State has strongly rejected comments credited to an American Congressman who reportedly urged the Nigerian government to abolish Shariah laws and dismantle the Hisbah institution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and titled LEAVE OUR SHARIAH ALONE!, the coalition described the remarks as unwarranted and provocative. It accused the lawmaker of portraying himself as a “savior” of Nigerian Christians while calling for actions the group said undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.

According to the coalition, such calls amount to interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and pose a threat to the fragile harmony between Muslims and Christians across the country. The group stated that residents of Kano understand and appreciate the benefits of Shariah, both for Muslims and for non-Muslims living in the state.

The scholars recalled past incidents when religious tensions in other parts of the world led to reprisals in Kano, during which Christians were attacked and lives were lost. They noted that such incidents no longer occur and attributed the improvement to the implementation of Shariah, which they said some outsiders now seek to discredit by inviting foreign intervention.

The coalition further stated that peace in Kano resulted from deliberate efforts by religious leaders and institutions. It cited the role of the Hisbah Corps in protecting churches during periods of tension and joint media programmes that brought Christian and Muslim clerics together to promote peaceful coexistence. The group added that similar efforts remain in place despite what it described as a renewed push of a Christian genocide narrative.

The ulama stressed that they would continue to safeguard lives and property in Kano without discrimination. They said this commitment covers Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

In a series of resolutions, the coalition declared that Muslims in Kano and across Nigeria would not abandon their constitutional and God-given rights to implement Shariah among the Muslim population. It maintained that the Hisbah would continue to operate as an institution of Shariah enforcement, regardless of formal government recognition, while affirming respect for democratic processes.

The group also urged the American government to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and allow elected Nigerian leaders to manage domestic affairs. It called on the Federal and State Governments not to succumb to intimidation from any foreign country and to remain accountable to the citizens who elected them. The coalition pledged its support for efforts aimed at ending violence nationwide.

In addition, the scholars appealed to ulama and imams to observe alqunut, described as special prayers, seeking Allah’s intervention against enemies of Muslims and Nigeria. They said the prayers should hold daily for at least thirty days. The statement also urged Muslims to repent from wrongdoing, uphold Islamic teachings, and cooperate fully with the Hisbah and other Islamic institutions.

The coalition called on Nigerians to ignore threats from foreigners whom it said misunderstand Nigeria’s social and religious fabric. It encouraged citizens to continue living together peacefully and to resolve grievances through dialogue.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of faith in the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It called on the government to instruct foreign powers to refrain from intimidation and to channel any assistance through duly constituted Nigerian authorities.

By Uzair Adam

Journalists have been urged to treat emergency reporting as a life-saving public service, given the powerful role of the media in shaping public understanding and behaviour during health crises.

The call was made at a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop for journalists organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme, aimed at strengthening ethical and responsible health reporting during public health emergencies.

Delivering a session on Emergency Reporting and Ethical Guidelines for Public Safety during Health Crises, media expert and editor with The Daily Reality Newspaper, Malam Aisar Salihu Musa, said information often spreads faster than disease during outbreaks, stressing that the way journalists report emergencies can either reduce harm or fuel fear and panic.

“Where trust is strong, public health succeeds. Where trust is weak, fear becomes the real outbreak,” he said, noting that trust remains the most valuable currency during health emergencies.

He explained that journalists serve as information gatekeepers, with a responsibility to verify reports that could affect public health outcomes and to collaborate closely with health authorities in sharing credible information.

According to him, emergency reporting presents ethical challenges, including balancing urgency with accuracy, avoiding sensational headlines, and protecting the dignity and privacy of patients and their families.

Musa urged journalists to communicate risk clearly and proportionately, translate medical terms into simple language, and always include practical steps the public can take to protect themselves.

“Words can either save lives or cause harm,” he said, adding that responsible, transparent and empathetic journalism strengthens public trust and supports effective public health response.

He concluded by calling on journalists to see themselves as partners in public health, committed to countering misinformation, promoting preventive behaviours and reporting emergencies in ways that protect lives and strengthen society.

By Uzair Adam

The Director General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, has urged journalists to prioritise responsible and ethical reporting during public health emergencies to prevent the spread of misinformation and public panic.

Prof. Abbas made the call during a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop organised to strengthen media engagement and information management during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.

He stated that the workshop followed the identification of critical gaps in Risk Communication and Community Engagement during recent Joint External Evaluation and multi-hazard preparedness assessments conducted in the state.

“This workshop was designed to address the gaps identified during the Joint External Evaluation and multi-hazard preparedness assessment,” Prof. Abbas said, adding that the media remains a key partner in managing public health emergencies.

The Daily Reality reports that the workshop, with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme, revolved around improving media engagement during outbreaks, ethical emergency reporting, managing misinformation, strengthening collaboration between journalists and health authorities, and developing a media-focused Emergency Risk Communication plan for Kano State.

The DG further stated that journalists have a responsibility to prevent the spread of false information, correct myths and harmful practices, and promote evidence-based decision-making that strengthens public trust in official health guidance.

He added that responsible media engagement should also encourage preventive behaviours such as hand hygiene, vaccination, safe food practices and environmental sanitation, while reinforcing official public health advisories.

The workshop was attended by journalists from print, broadcast and online media organisations, alongside public health officials and communication experts.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has urged journalists to handle information carefully during public health emergencies, warning that panic can sometimes be more harmful than the disease itself.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, stated this in Kaduna during a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme.

“Sometimes causing panic in a community can be more destructive than the disease itself,” Dr. Yusuf said, stressing that emergencies are often measured in hours or days, and careless communication could cost lives.

He noted the time-sensitive nature of outbreaks, explaining that early and accurate reporting can save lives, while rushed or misleading information can worsen the situation.

Drawing a comparison to medical practice, Dr. Yusuf said suspected disease cases must be carefully investigated, isolated, and confirmed before public disclosure, just as health workers consider worst-case scenarios during diagnosis.

He further highlighted the importance of verification before reporting, cautioning that while journalists often have access to early signals, not all information should be immediately released to the public.

The commissioner also emphasised the ethical dimension of reporting, warning against publishing identifiable details of patients without consent, which could have legal consequences and undermine public trust in health authorities.

Dr. Yusuf stressed that responsible media engagement is crucial in promoting preventive health behaviours such as vaccination, hand hygiene, safe food practices, and environmental sanitation, which are essential to reducing the spread of diseases in communities.

He added that building public trust through careful, evidence-based reporting ensures that citizens follow official health guidance during outbreaks, strengthening the overall effectiveness of emergency response efforts.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has confirmed the receipt of a petition filed by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.

In a media release issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by the Commission’s spokesperson, John Okor Odey, the anti-graft agency disclosed that the petition was formally submitted through Dangote’s legal representative.

The Commission stated, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today Tuesday 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.”

The ICPC assured the public that the allegations contained in the petition would be subjected to due process.

According to the statement, “The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated.”

The confirmation follows recent public attention generated by allegations made by Dangote against the leadership of the NMDPRA, which have sparked debates and reactions across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has filed a petition against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ahmed Farouk, before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The petition, dated December 16 and submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, urged the ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute the NMDPRA chief over allegations of corruption and living far above his lawful income as a public officer.

The document, which was received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, alleged that Farouk spent more than seven million dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland. The petition claimed that the fees were allegedly paid upfront for a six-month period without any legitimate source of income to justify such spending.

“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and, in doing enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of Public funds running into millions of dollars.

“That Engr Farouk Ahmed spent without evidence of lawful means of income humongous amount of money of over 7million dollars of Public funds, for the education of his four children in different schools in Switzerland for a period of six years upfront,” the petition read.

Dangote listed the names of the four children, the Swiss schools they attend and the amounts allegedly paid on their behalf, stating that the details would enable the ICPC to verify the claims.

He further accused Farouk of using the NMDPRA as a tool to divert and embezzle public funds for personal benefit and private interests. Dangote said such actions had triggered public outrage and led to recent protests by different groups.

According to the businessman, Farouk has spent his entire adult working life in public service and could not, based on his legitimate earnings, have amassed funds close to the alleged seven million dollars used to sponsor his children’s education abroad.