By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President states that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The President emphasizes that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu stated.

He also noted that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

By Aisha Musa Auyo

Come, let me share some secrets with you, my sis. Sure, many will not accept it as a fact that most men dislike heavy makeup and artificial stuff. Of course, like in every rule, there are exceptions. So, know your man. 

My opinion is based on the fact that you can look very classy, elegant, and feminine without using hard makeup or loud stuff. Yes, in most cases, decent men prefer the natural looks of the opposite gender.

Gurl (this also applies to you, bro.!), neatness is paramount in all cases. Bathe at least twice a day. Take time to wash your underarms, under and between busts, thighs, and navel. Pay attention to your feet, areas around your ears, and between your face and neck, and wash down with warm, clean water.

Brush your teeth at least twice daily, and floss at least once daily. Shave at least once a week. Use deodorant at least once a day. Use alum or lemon on your armpit if deodorant is expensive for you. Once in a week, try to exfoliate your lips. Dry, cracked lips are a turnoff. Mix sugar and olive oil to form a scrub, then rub on your lips for a few minutes. Clean with a wipe. Repeat the process more than once a week if you have dry skin. The result is something I consider a subject for another day. But know for now that moisturized and soft lips are more alluring than lipstick-painted lips.

You see, exfoliation or scrubbing is very essential. Our body releases new cells daily, and the old cells die. Ordinary soaps do not exfoliate. This is where bath salts, bath sugars, scrubs, and exfoliating body washes come in. These products ensure the dead cells leave your skin and let the new cells breathe. This will make your skin look fresher, softer and younger. This will make you neat and glow. Just as it will help eradicate bad smells from your body.

If money is a problem, there are cheaper options. Lemon. Squeeze lemon in your bathing water. It helps to remove dirt and impurities from your skin. It also removes all bad smells and won’t let your sweat smell during the day. It also lightens your complexion and leaves your bathroom smelling fresh. Scrubbing your body with salt once in a while similarly does the trick. Henna (lalle) also helps exfoliate, soften, and remove bad smells from the skin.

On perfume, this is tricky, especially for us Muslims, because our religion frowns at women using it. So, deodorant, cool body spray, and a kullaccam will work when you go out. When you’re home, if you like, bath with perfume. If you’re married, check with your husband what kind of perfume he prefers on you. 

Another very important self-care is manicures and pedicures. You see, the first thing people, both men and women, subconsciously observe in your body is your feet. It’s crucial, therefore, to work on your toes and fingers. Make sure your nails are trimmed. Learn how to cut cuticles and shape your nails. If you can afford it, go to the salon for expert service.

Long nails are a turnoff, please! As a Muslim, please use natural henna—black, red, or maroon- if you must colour your nails. If you’re married, check if your husband likes it before you do. “Kada garin neman gira a rasa ido.’

Let’s talk about the feet. Our feet must be clean, regardless of the weather or your skin type. If you have dry skin and cracked feet, make time every day to exfoliate the dead cells, and apply shear butter after every ablution and bath. That will soften the feet and make it look neat. Also, use socks regularly. If you’re lucky your feet don’t crack, make sure they’re always dirt-free and moisturized. Cracked, dirty, and dry feet are a turnoff. Soft, moisturized, neat feet are a turn-on.

For your palms, always use moisturizers after washing or using water. Because we ladies touch water often, this results in dryer, harder palms. Coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter help with moisture and softness, but they darken the skin. Let’s look for hand creams made specifically for hands to overcome this. If you can’t afford one, vaseline also works wonderfully well.

Dear lady, the choice of body cream or moisturizer you use significantly affects your life. I’m not exaggerating. Girls who are comfortable with their skin colour, in other words, who do not bleach their skin, clearly exhibit contentment in how our Lord created them. They exude confidence, and they don’t smell like rotten fish when they’re under the sun. These ladies have almost the same skin colour throughout their bodies and do not have to hide their palms and toes. 

Don’t disobey your Lord and harm your body to attract men. Decent men prefer women in their natural colours. Moreover, while your skin colour or body may attract a man, it’s your character that will keep him.

Universally, that’s in time and space. Women have always known that our hair and how we take care of it play a huge role in our looks and attractiveness. 

Wash your hair regularly. Plait your hair, or style it in ways that accentuate your beauty. (Some ladies look better with braids, while others look better without them.) Or, in ways your husband prefers… if you’re married.

Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner regularly, steam it monthly, and dry it after washing. Find a good-smelling hair moisturizer, or use natural oils that smell nice. You can add a drop of oil perfume to your hair creams or oils. When you’re home, please allow your hair to breathe. 

Earrings are the basic jewellery. If you can, necklaces and waist beads are perfect additions. Some people like anklets, nose piercings, bracelets, wristwatches, rings, etc. Please don’t overdo it—it’s classless! Keep it simple and modest.

When it comes to clothes, decency should never be compromised. But please don’t look like a granny when you’re a teen or even anything less than 60 years old. Even the grannies are now slaying—they don’t care for anybody! 

Tight clothes are bad for you religiously and health-wise. They make you look cheap and classless. Even hygiene-wise, tight clothes are bad. People who wear tight clothes smell! Yes, because the human body needs to breathe, and tight clothes hinder that process. 

Avoid shouty colours or mismatched colours when dressing. Don’t interchange corporate dressing with wedding attire. Dress nicely and appropriately for each occasion, and don’t take any outing for granted. You don’t know who you’ll see or meet. The phrase ‘Dress the way you want to be addressed’ is something you should always hold on to. 

Accessories like shoes and bags are available at different prices. You know better than me what you can afford, but they’re a must-have for ladies. Wear shoes that will not embarrass you, that are comfy, and that will not splash sand on your feet. We are in Nigeria. When they say there are shoes for car owners and trekkers, understand that it’s nothing but the truth. Shoe shining and polishing are not only for men. Please keep your shoes and bags neat.

Let me stop here… I’m tired… I’ll conclude with this statement. “No matter how neat and beautiful you are, you sink if your character stinks. In other words, there ain’t no need telling it: with a character that stinks, you’re finished, girl. So work on your personality more than your physicality”.

You are welcome.

Aisha Musa Auyo is a Doctorate researcher in Educational Psychology. A wife, a mother, a homemaker, caterer, parenting, and relationship coach. She can be reached via aishamuauyo@live.co.uk.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, paid a heartfelt condolence visit to the family of the late Deputy Comptroller Etop Essien on July 10, 2024, in Abuja.

Essien passed away on June 25, 2024, while making a presentation before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee. 

The CGC expressed deep sorrow and offered prayers for the repose of the deceased.

He said, “We pray that God will strengthen the family during this difficult time and give you the wisdom to understand that only He gives and takes, and we cannot question His will.” 

Adeniyi praised Essien’s dedication to his duties, noting, “He was highly committed to his duties and knew exactly what he was doing. We pray that God will comfort you and stay with you through this time of grief.” 

The CGC acknowledged the fragility of life and the impact of dedicated public servants like Essien, whose memory will continue to inspire his colleagues.

The Nigeria Customs Service will expedite the processing of benefits due to the late officer, Adeniyi assured the family. 

The widow, Mrs. Essien, expressed gratitude for the visit and kind words, sharing that her husband held the CGC and the Nigeria Customs Service in high esteem until his final moments.

She promised to update the service on the burial arrangements to ensure a fitting honour for Deputy Comptroller Essien.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday led a high-level federal government delegation on a condolence visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, to express sympathies over the passing of her mother, Mrs. Victoria Immaculata Uzoka. 

The delegation included several key cabinet members, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo; the Minister of State for Steel Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu; the Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, among others. 

Later, VP Shettima also paid condolences to Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah on the death of his wife, Hajiya Safiya Na’Allah, who passed away Tuesday evening in Abuja. 

Senator Na’Allah, who formerly represented Kebbi South Senatorial District, served as Deputy Majority Leader in the Eighth Senate.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Comrade Shehu Sani, on his X (Twitter) account, said no amount of falsehood and disinformation would change the facts and figures that from 2015–2023, Kaduna State was looted, and our children and grandchildren have been left with a huge burden of debt. 

He was quoted as saying, “They shamelessly left behind a litany of uncomplicated projects and contractual liabilities that has suffocated the economy of our state.

“They pocketed billions for non existent light rail projects, tied our IGR to fraudulent Bank loans.  

“Kaduna is like a woman raped and the rapist wants honour. Every reasonable resident of Kaduna can clearly see and attest to the properties and wealth amassed by those who claimed to have served the state.

“The spirit and the blood of the people they wasted and the lives and livelihoods they destroyed will continue to haunt them. We shall recover every penny of our state funds looted by those rodents and their larcenous head.

By Anas Abbas

A Kano Islamic scholar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, stated that Hausa films can be important in shaping society.

He stated this at a symposium on Hausa film, culture, religion, among others, which was held via Zoom on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

It was attended by other academic scholars and notable figures.

During the event, Sheikh Daurawa was quoted as saying, “We cannot stop Hausa film in our society; rather, we should use it to bring positive change , especially in our politics, economy, and even social lives.”

He encouraged the academics to use the medium to promote positive change, saying, “let the academic intellectuals bring film stories that will sharpen and change people’s behaviour.”  

Sheikh Daurawa also announced that Hisbah will venture into film production, focusing on stories that align with Islamic Shari’ah.

This move aims to promote values and principles that align with Islamic teachings. 

The symposium participants engaged in lively discussions on the potential of Hausa films to influence culture, religion, and societal values. 

The symposium featured a diverse range of speakers, including Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu from the faculty of communication at Bayero University, Kano; Prof. Aliyu Muhammad Bunza from the department of Nigerian languages at Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; Dr. Hadiza Salihu Koko from Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, and Prof. Ibrahim Mulumfashi from the Department of Nigerian Languages at Kaduna State University, Kaduna. 

The event tried to potray the need for responsible content creation and the importance of leveraging media for positive impact. 

Sheikh Daurawa’s call to action and Hisbah’s entry into film production are expected to spark a new wave of creative and values-driven content in the Hausa film industry.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Bashir El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has sent a cryptic message to President Bola Tinubu, warning that even the backing of the IMF and World Bank will not save him from being voted out of office after his first term.

El-Rufai asserts that no institution can prevent the people from voting out an incumbent government and that Tinubu’s governance has been an “utter failure” disguised as a “useless, dangerous, ethnocentric political strategy.”

The message comes amid tensions between Tinubu and El-Rufai’s camp after the former governor’s name was excluded from the ministerial list. Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s successor in Kaduna, has also lamented the enormous debts inherited from the previous administration, saying the state has limited funds to pay salaries.

Despite the World Bank and IMF lauding Tinubu’s economic reforms and offering support, El-Rufai’s son believes these institutions will not be able to prevent the president from being voted out if the people are dissatisfied with his performance.

The cryptic message serves as a warning to Tinubu of what the camp of El-Rufai and other disgruntled APC members have in store for 2027, which has been discussed privately but is now being made public.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. L.S. Bilbis, has invited the general public to a virtual symposium titled “FINAFINAN HAUSA DA ZAMANTAKEWAR MAGIDANTA: INA AKA DOSA?”

The symposium, scheduled for July 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM West Central Africa time, will explore the intersection of Hausa culture and religion. 

Featuring in the event are Prof. A.M. Bunza, Prof. I.A. Malumfashi, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Ado Ahmad Gidan Dabino, and Dr. Hadiza Salihu Koko.

Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu will chair the cultural event. 

The virtual symposium can be accessed via Zoom using the meeting ID: 619 7601 3625 and passcode: 632535. 

The university invites all interested individuals to join the virtual symposium and engage in the discussion on Hausa culture and religion. 

However, no further details on the specific topics or themes to be discussed have been provided.

 By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms on Tuesday in Abuja to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities that benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain.  

The President appointed the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, as Co-Chairman of the Committee. 

President Tinubu stated that the implementation of the reforms will require the collective efforts of members of the committee, drawn from the public and private sectors, state governors, and all Nigerians. 

“From here, I will appeal to everyone to remove every iota of partisan politics from this. I will assume the chairmanship of the committee as President and appoint Professor Attahiru Jega as my deputy or co-chair. 

“This is not about politics; this is about opportunity. This is about our nation. While I may be absent, Jega will preside and continue to promote our objectives,’’ the President said. 

Inaugurating the committee in the Council Chamber at the State House, the President thanked the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for his efforts in assembling experienced and reputable experts to ensure the activation of opportunities in the livestock sector, stating that a Ministry of Livestock Development will be created to further explore the potential in the area. 

“When we have great opportunities in our states, why should Nigerians continue to experience conflicts? 

“With the calibre of people that are here, this presents a unique opportunity also to delineate and establish a centric ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development. It will give us the opportunity so that our veterinary doctors can haveIt will give us the opportunity so that our veterinary doctors can have the necessary access to research and cross-breed. We can stop the wanton killings,’’ President Tinubu stated. 

The President noted that the traditional method of livestock farming will need to be reviewed and repositioned with the support of stakeholders, which include state governments, in order to open up new opportunities for growth and prosperity.  

He said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), will ensure the removal of all legal obstacles to the implementation of the reforms, while the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, will provide support with automation.  

“Modern technology is available to us. We are ready to work. I said at the beginning, with you, all of you, the solution is here, and we must run with it. Any law that might inhibit the promotion and actualization of our objectives, the Attorney-General is here, please give it a priority; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning is here; create a budget for it to grow, and the Minister of Finance is here as well to work out the money,’’ the President stated. 

The president also said the reforms will be comprehensive and collective, urging the support of all stakeholders.  

“We need to provide the incentive to enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming; dairy products and cold-chain logistics collectively offer substantial commercial and economic advantages. We have seen solutions and opportunities. With these adversities that have plagued us over the years, I believe that prosperity is here – in your hands. 

“The dairy industry contributes significantly to nutrition and food security by supplying essential proteins and vitamins, through milk and its derivatives, such as cheese, yoghurt, and butter. Efficient cold-chain logistics is crucial in maintaining the quality and safety of these perishable goods from farms to markets, thereby reducing food waste and ensuring a steady supply. 

“This sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors, and consumers alike,’’ the President said. 

President Tinubu thanked the APC National Chairman for his initiative and leadership of the committee.  

“Let me thank the former Governor of Kano State and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for assembling the best minds and experts to find solutions by convening the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria in February last year,” the president said. 

In his remarks, the former chairman of the committee thanked the president for taking further action, following the submission of a report on livestock reforms on September 28, 2023.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a bid to enhance inter-agency collaboration, paid a courtesy visit to the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Abdullahi Maiwada.

The visit was said to have been paid at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja on July 9, 2024. 

ACP Adejobi noted the importance of collaboration between the two security agencies, stating, “Our roles as security agencies are crucial to national security and economic stability. By working together, we can better discharge our responsibilities and serve the public more effectively.” 

CSC Maiwada expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “This visit is a significant step towards strengthening our relationship with the Nigeria Police Force. Our combined efforts will undoubtedly enhance our operational efficiency and public service delivery.” 

The meeting focused on identifying areas of mutual interest where both agencies can cooperate to improve their functions and foster a positive image for both institutions.

The visit concluded with a mutual pledge to work towards enhancing national security and economic prosperity.