By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Senate Services Committee, has announced that the National Assembly plans to pass legislation transferring the responsibility of conducting local government elections from state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

Senator Karimi commended President Tinubu for his courage in returning power to the people, stating, “Since 1999, the third tier of government has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages. No president has been able to change that, but President Tinubu has returned the local government to the owners – the masses.” 

He lamented potential resistance from state governors but expressed confidence in the President’s commitment to ensuring the judiciary’s independence.

Senator Karimi aligned himself with the President’s stance, praising his courage and understanding of the people’s needs. 

The Senator said it good if capable individuals manage local government funds effectively and prioritise grassroots development. He also highlighted the need for proper allocation of funds, citing past instances of mismanagement or embezzlement. Senator Karimi concluded by assuring that the National Assembly will ensure the legislation is passed and that President Tinubu’s achievement will be remembered, securing his second term.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, effective immediately.

This move marks a significant improvement in diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Federal Government and UAE authorities have reached an agreement to vacate travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians.

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to the UAE without any hindrance. 

The lifting of the visa ban comes after several diplomatic disputes, including a dispute over $850 million in revenue owed to the UAE.

However, with 98 percent of the debt now paid, the UAE has agreed to lift the ban. 

This development is a significant win for Nigeria, and it is expected to improve trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Nigerians seeking information on the updated UAE visa conditions can visit the official government website for further details.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The High Court in Kano State has issued a permanent injunction in favour of Emir Sanusi, prohibiting the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and four other former Emirs from parading themselves as Emirs. 

The ruling explicitly states that the former Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, along with their employees and representatives, are forbidden from portraying themselves as Emirs. 

This decision comes after the Kano State government took legal action to prevent the deposed emirs from using their royal titles and residing in their palaces. 

The government had earlier issued a 48-hour notice for the emirs to vacate their palaces following their deposition. 

With this ruling, the court has reinforced the government’s stance, solidifying Emir Sanusi’s position as the rightful Emir of Kano. 

The ruling is going to take another dimension in the ongoing dispute over the Emirship of Kano, and it is expected to bring clarity and stability to the traditional institution in the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has welcomed the release of two Kaduna-based journalists who were abducted from their homes in the outskirts of Kaduna last weekend.   

Speaking when he received the two journalists, AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspapers and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint newspapers, from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the minister commended security agencies for the timely rescue of the victims. 

The two journalists were released along with Mr. Alabelewe’s wife and two children.  

Mohammed expressed sympathy for the two families.  

“We are most grateful of what you have done. We are aware that this is part of your ongoing effort to ensure that all kidnapped victims are rescued alive and reunited with their families.  

“I want to urge Nigerians to keep faith with the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our security agencies. The security agencies under the coordination of the NSA are working tirelessly to ensure that all those who have been taken into unlawful custody are freed without paying any ransom,” he said.  

Speaking earlier, the NSA said the five victims were rescued following a combined effort of security agencies, which led to swift search and rescue operations.  

Responding, one of the rescued victims, Mr Alabelewe thanked the NSA and his team for the swift intervention.  

“The rescue mission which brough us out of the bush yesterday gave us hope in our country and gave us confidence to believe that the government is serious about tackling this problem of kidnapping. I never thought that within a week of our kidnap we could get out.  

“We are grateful that the government swung into action and ensured that we were released,” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Argentina edged out Colombia 1-0 in extra time to secure a record 16th Copa America title at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal in the additional period sealed the victory, cementing Argentina’s status as a football powerhouse. 

The win marks Argentina’s third consecutive major tournament triumph, following their 2021 Copa America victory and 2022 World Cup success in Qatar.

However, the match was not without its challenges, including a 82-minute delay due to security and crowd issues. 

On the field, Colombia started strong, with Jhon Cordoba’s early shot hitting the post. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria later had opportunities, but Colombia’s defense held strong.

The game remained goalless until Martinez’s winner in extra time. 

Off the field, chaos erupted outside the stadium as fans struggled to enter due to security issues and inefficient entry systems.

The situation was eventually resolved, but not before some fans required medical attention for heat exhaustion.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spain’s national team secured their fourth European championship title by defeating England 2-1 in Berlin, Germany. 

Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal in the 86th minute proved to be the winner, after Nico Williams and Cole Palmer had earlier traded goals for Spain and England, respectively. 

Spain’s defense held strong to deny England an equalizer, with Dani Olmo’s crucial intervention thwarting Marc Guehi’s last-gasp effort.

The victory marks Spain’s fourth Euro title, cementing their status as one of the continent’s top teams.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made two significant seizures, uncovering cocaine hidden in shoe soles and tramadol pills concealed in custard containers. 

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed the discoveries in a statement, warning travelers to exercise caution when accepting luggage or items from others to deliver. 

According to Babafemi, the cocaine was discovered in the soles of shoes bound for Europe, while the tramadol pills were found hidden in custard containers.

He reiterated the importance of vigilance, stating, “This is another reason why you must be careful with any bag given to you to deliver.” 

The seizures unearthed the creative methods used by drug traffickers to conceal illegal substances and the NDLEA’s commitment to intercepting them.

By Uzair Adam, Anwar Usman and Anas Abbas

Malam Aisar Fagge, a renowned media personality, has urged journalists to prioritize what is best for their audience during reportage to avoid chaos and unnecessary tensions.

Fagge, who is also a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Kano State Polytechnic, made this call during a one-day workshop held at the NUJ Secretariat, Kano state on Saturday.

As the discussant, Fagge lamented the tendency of journalists to focus on negative stories, emphasizing that not all truths are publishable.

He cautioned that journalists should consider their religious and cultural values and only report what is significant and does not conflict with those values.

“Journalists should know that even if something is true, it is not all truths that should be reported, as we have publishable and unpublishable truth,” he said.

He also called on journalists to consider the interests of the owners of their organizations, stating, “However, you need to also consider the interest of the owners of your organisation so that it will not affect you.”

Additionally, Fagge stressed the significance of following up on events, as they can provide valuable insights and information for reporting.

“Journalists should be following such events as they will help them significantly,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Dr Bala Muhammad, a university lecturer and veteran journalist, has urged media house owners to pay journalists a good salary to prevent them from accepting bribes.

He made this call during a one-day workshop on ethics in journalism organized by the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Dr Muhammad, who teaches at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), emphasized that fair compensation is essential to curb the menace of bribe-taking in journalism.

He cited his personal experience of receiving a significant salary increase when he joined the BBC in 1996, which made him less susceptible to external influences.

He encouraged media house owners to emulate international media organizations like BBC, CNN, DW and VOA, which prioritize fair compensation for their journalists.

Dr. Muhammad noted that accepting money from external sources can compromise a journalist’s integrity and lead to unethical reporting.

He shared an anecdote about 15 journalists who Voice of America sacked for accepting an honorarium after an interview.

Despite receiving a monthly salary of $5,000 each, they were dismissed for compromising their ethical standards.

The Daily Reality reports that salary issues are a significant problem in the journalism industry, with some media organizations failing to provide adequate compensation, leading journalists to seek alternative sources of income, including “brown envelopes”.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Nigeria Office, Kano, organized a one-day workshop to combat unethical reporting narratives in the state.

The workshop, held on Saturday, focused on the ethics of journalism and was themed “Guide to Best Islamic Practices.”

The event was in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kano state chapter and took place at the NUJ Secretariat in Kano.

Dr. Bala Muhammad, a veteran journalist and lecturer at Bayero University’s Department of Mass Communication, emphasized the significance of the workshop.

He urged journalists to adhere to ethical reporting, reminding them that they will be accountable to Allah for the information they disseminate.

Dr. Ibrahim Siraj, a senior lecturer at Bayero University’s Department of Mass Communication, presented a paper titled “Ethics of Journalism.”

He stressed the need for professional reporting and defined ethics as “forms of behavior and conduct that are socially correct based on the core values cherished and upheld by society.”

Dr. Siraj criticized biased reporting, particularly in the western media, and lamented that the failure to follow ethical journalism practices would lead to a “mess” in the profession.

He also specifically criticized a recent report by Sahara Reporters on the Hisbah controversy regarding LGBT, describing it as “unjournalistic.”

Dr. Siraj emphasized the importance of truthfulness, fairness, credibility, and objectiveness in reporting, adding that religious and political inclinations should not influence journalists’ reports.

The NUJ President, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, commended IIIT for collaborating with them to host the workshop, which was attended by journalists from various media organizations in the state and journalism students from Bayero University, Kano state polytechnic, and Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies.