From Christiana Gokyo, Jos The Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has proposed about 1,100 pilgrims for the 2026 pilgrimage to the Holy Land, with an additional 13 outstanding from the 2025 exercise, bringing the total expected number to 1,120. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Rev. Wanson Yuaufu Bagu, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists in his office in Jos. He said about 800 of the intending pilgrims had so far been screened, while others were yet to complete the screening process. Bagu explained that the first batch, initially projected to comprise 300 pilgrims, departed with…
Author: Hussaini Ibrahim
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By Hussaini Ibrahim The Kano State Universal Basic Education Board has announced plans to establish 30 learning centres across three Local Government Areas as part of efforts to expand access to education for out-of-school children in the state. The initiative was disclosed in a statement on Friday and signed by the Director of Corporate Communications, Balarabe Danlami. The Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Malam Yusuf Kabir, made this known at Garun Dau Special Primary School in Warawa Local Government Education Authority while addressing facilitators selected to serve in the centres. Kabir explained that the initiative is part of the 2024 UBEC/SUBEB…
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja The leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGANSSAN) has expressed deep concern over provisions contained in the recently signed Executive Order 9 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that certain clauses could undermine the stability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. In a statement issued by the association during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, PENGANSSAN described the Executive Order as a “direct attack” on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and emphasized that any amendments to the law should follow due legislative process through the National…
From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina The Jibia Local Government Council has commenced the rehabilitation and expansion of the Tsamben Tsauni Dam in Mallamawa Ward, a decisive intervention aimed at addressing persistent water shortages affecting both residents and their livestock. The dam, which had suffered years of neglect and erosion of its capacity, had in recent times failed to meet the community’s water demands, particularly during the dry season when scarcity intensifies. Speaking on the project, the Chairman of Jibia Local Government, Hon. Sirajo Ado Jibia, directed the immediate desilting and expansion of the dam to increase its water retention capacity…
From Sani Gazas, Chinade, Damaturu The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday inaugurated its 2026 National Convention Committee, signaling the party’s readiness to conduct a well-structured and widely accepted national convention. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to deliver a transparent and credible exercise. The 98-member committee will be chaired by Rt. Hon. Kabiru Aminu Masari, with Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State serving as Secretary. In a press statement issued by Mamman Mohammad, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor…
From Joseph Asegba, Yola Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic decision aimed at securing long-term stability, development, and prosperity for the state. The governor’s defection was accompanied by twenty-two commissioners who aligned with him in the political shift, signaling a collective move by the state executive. In a statewide broadcast, Fintiri recalled the overwhelming electoral mandates given to his administration in 2019 and 2023, noting that the people’s support placed a moral responsibility on the government to remain…
By Hussaini Ibrahim Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Partnership for Learning and Education (PLANE), has launched a safeguarding short messages initiative aimed at promoting child protection and creating a safe learning environment across schools in the state. The programme, officially unveiled on Wednesday, is designed to reinforce a culture of safety, respect, and dignity for every learner in Kano’s public schools. The development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the board’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, Usman Da’u Isa. Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Education, Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda,…
By Hussaini Ibrahim The Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative has emphasised the role of the media and citizens in promoting transparency, accountability and participatory governance at the grassroots level in Kano State. The organisation made this known following the conclusion of its one-day Media Roundtable and Social Media Advocacy Launch held at Mambayya House, Kano, on February 10, 2026. The event, facilitated by development consultant Mansur Umar Kurugu, brought together women leaders, youth representatives and other community stakeholders to strengthen citizen engagement in district-level budget processes and enhance the use of media as a tool for advocacy. Speaking after the…
By Abba Dukawa, Abuja Following mounting public pressure, the National Assembly amended Section 60 of the Electoral Act, allowing presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit results to INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (IREV) where technology permits. While the law now permits electronic transmission, the retention of manually signed Form EC8A as a fallback in case of “technical failure” leaves a loophole that many Nigerians consider unacceptable. Before this amendment, the Senate had upheld restrictive provisions of the 2023 Electoral Act, limiting electronic transmission and casting doubt on its commitment to transparency. Even after conceding to public pressure, further concerns…
From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina Katsina State House of Assembly has charged local government councils to ensure strict adherence to budgetary implementation as a means of enhancing grassroots development and improving the welfare of citizens. The call was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Danjuma, during the ongoing 2026 local government budget defense exercise. Danjuma emphasized that proper budget implementation would stimulate economic activities at the grassroots level and positively impact the lives of residents. “As representatives of the people and members of this committee, we will closely monitor all…