Nigeria

By Musa Abdurrazak

A 25-year-old lady was allegedly found murdered today in the morning at Kabuga Janbulo along Gwarzo Road in the Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

Eyewitnesses expressed their shock and trauma over the disturbing incident. Shu’aibu Bala, whose shop is located nearest to the scene, recounted, “It was around 6 AM when I was opening my shop that I spotted the dead body on the ground by the roadside.”

Another witness, Khalifa, described the scene as “the biggest calamity” he has ever encountered, noting, “The woman was brutally slaughtered, and her dignity has been violated.” He further speculated that the victim may have been killed at a distance and later dumped by the roadside, as he mentioned that police officers arrived shortly after the discovery.

In an effort to gather more information, the Daily Reality (TDR) reached out to Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, via call and message. However, TDR could not get any response at the time of this report.

This tragic incident adds to a growing concern in the community, as reports of unidentified bodies being discovered have become alarmingly frequent, instilling fear and uncertainty among residents.

By Anna Gabriel Yarima

When the internet and digital platforms emerged from the rapid growth of information and communication technology, journalism experienced a fundamental transformation. Traditional newspapers and mainstream media organisations around the world embraced these tools, prompting universities and journalism schools to introduce online journalism courses. The goal was clear — to equip students with the skills to navigate and manage digital media while preserving the profession’s core principles and ethics in a new online environment.

Today, another major technological shift is underway: the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). From established newspapers to online-only platforms, media organisations are experimenting with AI in reporting and content creation. But this raises important questions: Do all journalists possess the skills to use AI effectively and responsibly? At what point in the reporting process should AI be applied — and in what ways? For example, should it be used to create images for advertisements or event coverage? And if so, how do we reconcile that with journalism’s commitment to accuracy and objectivity?

If AI is here to stay in the newsroom, the profession must find ways to use it without eroding the ethical foundations of journalism. This makes it imperative for journalism educators, researchers, and training institutions to include AI literacy in curricula at universities, polytechnics, and media schools.

Professor Farooq Kperogi has written extensively on the potential dangers of AI in journalism and academia. In his commentaries, he has pointed out how misuse of AI can undermine truth and credibility, warning of ethical lapses and factual distortions if its use is left unchecked. His examples are sobering reminders of the stakes involved.

Integrating AI instruction into journalism training is no longer optional — it is essential. Without it, journalists risk damaging the profession’s reputation and eroding public trust. The benefits of such training are clear, especially when we consider recent cases that have attracted global attention.

A lack of AI literacy is already causing problems. Many journalists remain either unfamiliar with AI or unaware of the ethical implications of its misuse. For instance, The Guardian US reported on an experienced reporter who used ChatGPT to produce news stories, adding fabricated quotes that were later denied by the supposed sources. This journalist had 15 years of professional experience — a fact that raises serious concerns about what could happen when inexperienced or student reporters misuse such tools.

In another case, The Guardian exposed how the Chicago Sun-Times published a summer reading list generated by AI. While the authors named in the list were real, the books themselves did not exist. Titles such as Hurricane Season by Brit Bennett and Nightshade Market by Min Jin Lee were entirely fabricated. The paper later admitted the content had come from a syndicated partner, not its own newsroom, but still apologised and pledged to investigate. “This should be a learning moment for all of journalism,” the paper said, emphasising the unique value of human reporters and editors.

The fallout spread beyond Chicago. On Threads, AngelaReadsBooks accused the Philadelphia Inquirer of publishing the same AI-generated list, prompting outrage from library advocates who viewed it as a betrayal of journalistic integrity at a time when libraries are under constant pressure.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has recognised the risks and announced the creation of a dedicated fact-checking desk to address AI misuse and protect the credibility of the media.

Professor Umar Pate, a respected communication scholar, has also warned of the broader implications of AI in education and employment. Speaking at the University of Maiduguri, he noted that 92 million jobs could disappear in the coming years, even as over 100 new job categories emerge. As Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, he confirmed that the institution is already preparing to teach students about the responsible and ethical use of AI. Extending such measures to journalism education nationwide would greatly strengthen the profession’s resilience in the face of technological change.

Anna Gabriel Yarima writes from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.

By Uzair Adam

A total of 1,000 youths, women and less privileged persons have completed a six-week skills acquisition training in Kano, organised by Islah Consult and Training Limited in collaboration with Ar-Riddoh Islamic International Foundation and the Islamic Forum of Nigeria.

The training covered seven areas – solar installation and repair, tailoring, phone repairs, ICT, bedsheet production and catering – and was designed to give participants practical skills for self-reliance.

The Daily Reality reports that in an event on Tuesday in Kano, the Association of Zakat and Waqf Operators in Nigeria (AZAWON) distributed financial support to some of the graduates.

Speaking during the exercise, Prof. Dahiru Muhammad, Chairman of Islah Consult and Training Limited and National Secretary of AZAWON, said 500 graduates each received N50,000 as start-up capital.

“We wanted to ensure this support went only to those who were serious about the training. That is why we required them to present their certificates before receiving the money. It’s our way of encouraging commitment and accountability.”

He explained that the funds came from zakat contributions, notably from businessman Alhaji Ibrahim Sabi’u of Kantin Kwari market, as well as from AZAWON’s national body and Ja’iz Bank.

“Zakat is not just charity; it is a right ordained by Allah. We must use it strategically to lift people out of poverty,” Prof. Muhammad added.

According to him, 20 less privileged persons also received N30,000 each, while more than 45 others – including new converts to Islam – from Rano, Gaya and Karaye benefited from similar support.

He further urged beneficiaries to use the money wisely, saying, “We will follow up. We want to see success stories, not wasted opportunities.”

Prof. Muhammad also called on the government to promote zakat and waqf in the same way it handles tax collection, saying, “It is a duty from Allah, mentioned in the Qur’an. If properly managed, zakat can address many of our social challenges.”

Alhaji Ibrahim Sabi’u Linda, who contributed to the fund, said giving zakat brought him fulfilment.

“I am happier than the recipients because I know I have done what Allah commanded,” he said.

He further noted that, “if the government can bring together wealthy traders from markets like Kantin Kwari, Singer, Wambai and Dawanau, and direct their zakat towards youth empowerment, I believe crimes like phone snatching will drastically reduce.”

One of the beneficiaries, Nafi’u Isa, who trained in ICT, expressed gratitude for both the skills and the financial support.

“This has opened a new chapter in my life. We pray Allah blesses our businesses so that one day, we can also give back,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Nafisa Tahir, who learned tailoring, said she never imagined she would receive such assistance.

“When I came here, I didn’t even know how to use a sewing machine. Now, Alhamdulillah, I can sew bedsheets that will impress you,” she said with a smile.

By Sale Rusulana Yanguruza 

Thousands of lives, homes, government properties, and businesses in Nigeria and Africa are lost or submerged due to ongoing floods. The crucial questions are: what measures can end this crisis? Will we continue to watch houses and people suffer? What has the government done so far, and has it been effective? If not, citizens, residents, and the government must re-strategise their flood response plans to address the issue permanently.

The government needs to give special attention to addressing these flood-related matters, especially since the country has been facing this disaster since the beginning of the rainy season. The 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) indicates that 1,249 communities in 176 local government areas across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fall within high flood risk areas.

The statement added that High-flood-risk states are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT.

Unfortunately, some of the aforementioned areas have started experiencing floods this year; for instance, Oyo State, Kano State, Edo State, and Borno State. According to the State Emergency Management Agency’s assessment, after the flood hit some communities in two local governments in Borno State, comprising Chibok and Damboa, the Acting Manager, Ali Abdullahi Isa, of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), stated, as I quoted him.

 “As directed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, we have carried out an on-the-spot assessment of all the areas affected by the flash flood in the two local governments. A total of 1,103 houses in Gumsuri, Wovi, and Garjang in Damboa LGA have been severely affected, while 106 houses in Mboa, Whuntaku, and Yarchida villages of Chibok Local Government were also affected”.

Even though floods this year have become a global concern, with incidents reported in the USA, including Texas, where about 51 lives were lost, and some are still missing. The government in Nigeria must take precautions and measures to tackle them.

However, we all had the most painful and unforgettable experiences of the disaster in Nigeria, specifically the Maiduguri flood and Makwa flood, which have taught us lessons that the government, citizens, and stakeholders must learn from to avoid and prevent further occurrences. We must use these bad memories to avert the recurrence of such disasters, which claimed over 300 and 200 lives and affected many souls.

It’s for these reasons that I’m calling on the federal government to declare a total national emergency on floods. This will enable the government to respond effectively to the crisis. Resources should be allocated for this disaster, allowing the government to support those displaced as a result of the flood. 

Undoubtedly, declaring a national emergency on flood would allow the government to focus on fixing the bridges and dams that have broken or collapsed in the past, which are capable of causing water to wash over communities and lead to flash floods across the country.

Furthermore, the number of victims affected by the flood is increasing, with no specific measures in place to mitigate the situation permanently; hence, declaring a state of emergency is necessary to address these flood-related issues. 

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 1,000 people were killed and 740,000 displaced by floods affecting 5 million in Africa, as reported last year. 

While declaring a national emergency, a high-powered committee needs to be inaugurated by the federal government in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agencies in all 36 states to discuss ways to address the issue extensively. The committee should comprise the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), NiMet traditional rulers, community leaders, and government officials to deliberate on the problem permanently.

Additionally, the committee’s responsibilities should include providing a comprehensive list of all dams and bridges in the country that may cause flooding and reporting it to the federal government. After submitting the report, the government should expedite repairs to these structures within a short period to prevent further escalation of floods in the country.

If   global concerns like the coronavirus and the Ebola virus can be addressed within a short period, then flood concerns can also be tackled to protect citizens. While I’m fully aware that it’s not easy to address due to a lack of preparedness and in some states, houses have been built in waterways, the government shouldn’t fold its hands. Actions are necessary, and the government should ensure that no houses or markets are built in waterways going forward.

Sale Rusulana Yanguruza 

By Uzair Adam

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is weaponizing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target political opponents.

Atiku made the claim while reacting to the detention of former Sokoto State Governor and Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, describing it as part of a broader plan to “harass, intimidate, and decimate” members of the opposition coalition.

He stated that, “The only reason the EFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition Coalition. It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to intimidate the opposition.”

The former Vice President, who played a key role in establishing the EFCC during his tenure, accused the commission of abandoning its core anti-corruption mandate to serve political purposes.

He alleged that opposition leaders were being targeted with “phantom” corruption allegations, only to be absolved once they defect to the ruling party.

Atiku warned that such practices undermine institutional integrity and fuel corruption, pointing to what he called a “growing trend” of using anti-corruption agencies to pressure governors and political leaders into joining the ruling party.

While expressing support for a genuine anti-corruption fight, Atiku urged Nigerians, civil society groups, and the international community to resist “anti-democratic machinations” aimed at creating a one-party state.

“We will never succumb to these tactics. The use of anti-corruption agencies as a political agenda must be roundly condemned,” he added.

By Zekeri Idakwo Laruba 

‎In every thriving democracy, journalists are the soul of public accountability, the guardians of truth, and the voice of the voiceless. In Nigeria, the people won independence without a single bullet being fired. 

‎But decades later, the same pens have become symbols of struggle, silence, and survival. The Nigerian journalist today is overworked, underpaid, and largely forgotten.

‎From the courage of Dele Giwa to the frontline sacrifices made during military regimes, Nigerian journalists have risked, and even lost, their lives in service to the nation. But rather than being celebrated, many of them now live in poverty, working without insurance, health care, decent pay, or professional protection.

‎The profession that once produced national heroes is now filled with invisible men and women, reporters who go out daily with no transport allowance, editors who cannot afford basic medication, and photojournalists who cover events on empty stomachs. 

‎At some press events, journalists are reduced to scrambling for food or transport stipends. The humiliation is not just individual; it is institutional. In 2020, the nation witnessed the public verbal assault of Eyo Charles, a Daily Trust journalist, by a former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode. 

‎His only crime? Asking a legitimate question. That moment, broadcast across the country, exposed the vulnerability of journalists and how little value some political elites attach to press freedom. Many media professionals now survive on meagre and inconsistent pay. 

‎In some private media organisations, reporters work for months without a salary and still carry personal costs to cover assignments. Few private media organisations provide welfare and accommodation for their staff, despite struggling to maintain steady revenue streams. Government-owned outlets, while slightly better, still offer limited welfare support in the face of inflation and economic downturns.

‎The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and other professional bodies have become mainly toothless. While they occasionally issue press statements in moments of outrage, their long-term effectiveness remains questionable. 

‎Advocacy is weak, reforms are slow, and protection is minimal. Journalists are left to fend for themselves in a system that no longer honours them. What is even more tragic is that many journalists report every day on injustice and neglect, yet rarely report their own. 

‎The irony is cruel. And so is the silence. Yet, the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the survival of journalism. If journalists are weak, the truth is endangered. If they are compromised, the nation drifts into ignorance. 

‎It is not enough to speak about press freedom; we must act to protect the people behind the stories. To restore dignity and professionalism in the Nigerian media space, urgent reforms must be pursued. First, the Federal Government, in collaboration with media owners and unions, must establish a National Media Welfare Fund. 

‎This fund should provide emergency support, health insurance, and affordable housing for journalists. It will serve as a safety net for media workers in distress. Second, there must be legislative protection through the passage of a Journalist Protection and Welfare Bill, which will address workplace rights, ethical standards, job security, and compensation for risks undertaken in the line of duty.

‎Third, an independent Press Freedom and Redress Commission should be established to investigate harassment, unlawful detention, and abuse of journalists. This commission will serve as a watchdog against both state and private offenders.

‎Fourth, support for independent media startups and community-based journalism should be expanded. Through grants, training, and infrastructure, we can nurture new media platforms that prioritise public interest over politics or profit.

‎Lastly, the NUJ and NGE must reform themselves. They must earn back the trust of their members by becoming more transparent, democratic, and responsive. The time for docile leadership in journalism is over.

‎Of course, journalists must also hold themselves accountable. Ethical journalism is not optional. They must resist the temptation of brown envelopes, fact-check relentlessly, and report with clarity, compassion, and courage. The profession must regain its honour by defending the truth, not selling it.

‎The pen that once won our independence still holds the power to shape our future. But only if it is wielded with integrity, and supported with justice. Until we build a media system where journalists can live with dignity, we remain a country that praises democracy while neglecting those who protect it. 

‎A free press without empowered journalists is an illusion. And Nigeria deserves better.

‎‎Zekeri Idakwo Laruba is the Assistant Editor of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential. He can be reached via idakwozekeri93@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Strategic Command, has arrested a 23-year-old suspected notorious drug dealer, Faisal Yusuf-Umar, in Fagge Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kano on Sunday, saying the arrest followed a targeted surveillance operation prompted by community complaints about the suspect’s alleged illicit activities.

“On July 18, NDLEA operatives attached to the Fagge Area Command carried out a strategic operation at the suspect’s residence in Dandali, Fagge Local Government Area.

“A significant quantity of controlled substances was recovered, including 40 bottles (4kg) of Benylin with Codeine and cash amounting to N204,000,” Muhammad-Maigatari said.Quoting the State Strategic Commander, Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, he noted that the arrest demonstrated NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks across Kano.

“This operation is part of our broader strategy to take down drug dealers who pose a serious threat to the health and safety of our communities,” Idris-Ahmad said, adding, “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Kano remains safe and drug-free.”

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to support the ongoing fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

By Gambo Zilkifilu Mohammed

The turquoise waters off Yemen’s coast, often a beacon of hope for thousands fleeing despair, have once again become a graveyard. In a chilling echo of tragedies past, more than 140 African migrants are feared dead after their overcrowded boat capsized late Saturday night on one of the world’s most perilous journeys, the so-called “Eastern Route” to survival.

Imagine the desperation that drives you onto a fragile vessel, crammed shoulder to shoulder with strangers, knowing the journey could end beneath the waves. For at least 74 souls, that nightmare became reality. 

They are missing, vanished into the vastness of the sea. The cruel waves have already surrendered 68 bodies to the shores of Abyan province in southern Yemen, a grim testament to the disaster. Only 12 shattered survivors bear witness to the final, terrifying moments.

These weren’t just numbers

They were individuals, mostly young Ethiopians, carrying the crushing weight of poverty, conflict, or climate-driven devastation back home. 

They clung to the fragile dream of menial work in the glittering Gulf states—a chance to feed families, build a future, survive. Yemen, itself ravaged by a decade of brutal civil war, famine, and disease, was never their destination, merely a deadly transit point on a path paved with broken promises.

“Many of the bodies have been found scattered along various parts of the coastline,” authorities in Abyan posted somberly on Facebook, sharing images that revealed a haunting truth: most had no life vests.

 They were utterly defenceless against the indifferent sea. Abdusattor Esoev, head of the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, pointed the finger squarely at the ruthless calculus of human smuggling: “The underlying cause… is due to smugglers filling boats over capacity and not providing enough life vests on board.” Profit over people, yet again.

This latest catastrophe is not an isolated horror. It’s part of a relentless, bloody pattern. Just four months ago, in March, at least 188 migrants drowned in similar circumstances between Yemen and Djibouti. The Eastern Route consumes lives with terrifying regularity.

Why do they keep coming?

 Because the alternative, staying in communities gripped by violence, starved by drought, or hollowed out by poverty,  feels like a slower death. They gamble everything for a sliver of hope. Yet, reaching Yemen offers no sanctuary. The country, fractured by war between the Houthis and the internationally recognised government, is a lethal labyrinth. Migrants face not only the sea’s fury but also airstrikes, exploitation, trafficking, and detention. Remember April? When US-made bombs obliterated a migrant detention centre in Saada, killing at least 60 souls who had already survived the crossing?

Many who do survive the voyage find themselves trapped in Yemen’s nightmare borders closed, opportunities vanished, preyed upon by smugglers demanding ransom, and subjected to abuse. The dream of the Gulf becomes a cruel mirage, replaced by a daily struggle for survival in a land consumed by its own suffering. 

The bodies washing ashore near Abyan are more than a statistic; they are a searing indictment. They represent the crushing weight of global inequality, the failure to protect the most vulnerable, and the deadly consequences of conflicts and climate crises they did not create. Each recovered body leaves a family across the Red Sea shrouded in agonising uncertainty, waiting for news that may never come. The waves took their lives, but the world’s indifference drowns their hopes.

 How many more mothers must mourn before this deadly exodus is met not with apathy, but with action?

By Abubakar Musa Idris

I will never forget the 2015 elections. The chants of “Sai Baba!” were everywhere. We had fallen in love with a man. To us, he wasn’t just Muhammadu Buhari—he was Baba, the man who had captured the imagination of a weary nation. 

In those moments, Nigerians didn’t just vote for a candidate; they believed in a symbol, a promise that something better was possible. As the election results came in, I sat glued to the television, pen and paper in hand. 

Each state collation felt like history unfolding. There was electricity in the air—a kind of national awakening. It wasn’t just that we were watching a man become president; it was the quiet miracle of a peaceful democratic transition. We believed we were witnessing the rebirth of our nation.

Baba had his flaws, like every human being. But I will never forget what he did for agriculture, for infrastructure, and most especially for security. As a son of Yobe, I saw firsthand the fear that once gripped our people—the empty markets, the shuttered schools, the silence that replaced the sound of daily life. 

But I also saw how things slowly began to change. Soldiers came. Communities began to breathe again. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something. It was hope. In agriculture, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme lifted countless farmers. The vision of feeding ourselves, of restoring dignity to rural life, started to take root. 

In infrastructure, we saw roads, rails, and power projects long spoken about finally begin to materialise. You didn’t need a policy paper to understand it—you just had to look outside your window. But what stayed with me most was his integrity. In a land where power often corrupts, Baba remained astonishingly simple. No long convoys, no palatial estates. 

Just his home in Daura, another in Kaduna, and a reputation built not on wealth, but on character. He reminded us that leadership doesn’t have to be loud or luxurious to be meaningful. Now that he’s gone, we mourn not just a man, but an era. Baba showed us that leadership could be humble, disciplined, and deeply patriotic. 

He may have left Aso Rock, but his footprints remain in our fields, our roads, our memory. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him al-jannah firdaus. Nigeria will never forget Sai Baba.

By Salisu Uba Kofar-Wambai 

There is no doubt that football remains one of the strongest unifying forces for Nigerians, especially during major tournaments when our national teams fly the green-white-green flag at continental or global competitions. The story was no different recently.

The nation erupted in joy when the Super Falcons delivered a stellar performance at the recently concluded African Women’s Championship, coming out victorious in style. For their success, the players were rewarded with ₦160 million, luxury apartments in Abuja, and national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Before the cheers died down, another shock arrived from the basketball court. Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, achieved victory in Africa for the fifth time — an unprecedented milestone in the continent’s history. They also received ₦160 million, national honours, and additional perks from the Tinubu administration as recognition for making the country proud.

These are well-deserved accolades, and we congratulate them wholeheartedly. But in the backdrop of Nigeria’s biting economic hardship — worsened by currency devaluation and the removal of fuel subsidy — one cannot ignore that the families of these women are now among the lucky few.

It is also not lost on observers that all these celebrated athletes hail from southern Nigeria, where culture and religion give more room for women to thrive in such sports. For northern women, however, social norms and religious considerations largely shut the door on similar opportunities.

The resentment deepens when we recall another recent achievement — this time not on the field, but in the arena of intellect. A group of Nigerian students from the North travelled to London and conquered the world, emerging champions at the prestigious English-Speaking and Debate Competition. Unlike the Falcons and D’Tigress, these young women did not just defeat African teams; they beat the entire world.

Yet, to the disappointment of many, the president’s response was a mere congratulatory statement issued through his media aides. No grand reception, no cash reward, no national honours. To some in the North, this is another example of what they perceive as a lopsided and selective reward system — a reflection of the same imbalance they accuse the administration of in project allocations. This, despite the North delivering 64.5% of the votes that secured the president’s 2023 electoral victory.

Thankfully, there was a silver lining. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stepped in, awarding the victorious students scholarships to pursue their education to any level they desire. This gesture is commendable and serves as a reminder that recognition and reward should not depend on geography or political convenience.