Ilorin Emirate Descendants’ Progressive Union (IEDPU) Kano Branch, a premier socio-cultural, non-governmental association dedicated to the unity, development, cultural preservation, and welfare of its members, is poised to lay the foundation stone for its multi-million naira state-of-the-art secretariat on 25th April 2026.

In a joint Statement released on Monday by the Public Relations Officer,Sheikh Abdulrazaq Shehu Aladire and the Vice Chairman of the Union, who is also the chairman of Foundation Laying Committee,Mallam AbdulQuadri Ahmed Firdaus,the Union said the occasion represents a monumental leap and defining moment in its pursuit of excellence.

Part of the statement read,”This Foundation Laying Ceremony for the New Secretariat Complex Project marks a significant milestone in enhancing and providing the necessary infrastructure to boost our activities and better support our members and stakeholders”.

According to the statement,”The ceremony will commence by 10:00 a.m. at the Union’s construction site located at No. 53, King’s College Street, Kurna Asabe, Dantata Estate, Kano. This new facility, often referred to as the “IEDPU Kano Complex,” comprises: a mosque, an Islamic school, a secretariat, and a guest house. It represents a strategic investment in the future of the Association and its members.”

The foundation stone laying will be performed by Alh. Dr. Surajudeen Adewuyi Usman Mohammad (Asamu 1) as the Special Guest of Honour, along with Engineer Suleiman Kale Kawu (Dan Iya Ilorin Emirate), Alh. Abdulrazaq Abubakar Toyin (Founder, AATU University), Alh. Ibrahim Tajudeen Adeta (CEO, Apex Garden Abuja), and Alh. Kazeem Omotayo Akande (Agba Akin Yoruba Kano) the statement added.

“This foundation stone laying ceremony is more than just building a physical structure; it embodies the dedication, commitment, and ambitious spirit of our members. All stakeholders, members of other associations, and media representatives are invited to join us in celebrating this historic milestone.”the statement concluded

Prominent legal practitioners in Kano have cautioned proponents behind a purported lawsuit seeking to halt the legislative processes leading to the screening and confirmation of Murtala Sule Garo for the vacant seat of deputy governor to desist henceforth.

Besides, the senior lawyers submitted that seeking to interject the constitutional responsibility of an independent arm of government does not only amount to exercise in futility but also premature and invalidate standard practice.

The lawyers were reacting to a notice filed by one Kuliyya Muhammad Salihu and two others before Kano state house of assembly seeking to stop the screening of Murtala Sule Garo, a leading nominee for the position of Deputy Governor in Kano.

The petitioners who claimed to have file a suit before a Kano high concerning the nomination of Garo, urged the assembly to suspend any attempt to carry out the legislative processes and procedures for the confirmation of the former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.

In their separate submission however, Abdul Adamu Fagge, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prominent human rights lawyer Abba Hikima, insisted those claiming to have file a law suit against Garo are simply desperate to interfere with the selection process.

Abdul Adamu Fagge, SAN questioned the procedural and factual foundation of the case being peddling by the petitioners, insisting that courts cannot act on uncertainty or assumptions.City & Local Guides.

He argued that it is unclear whether any formal screening process has actually commenced, stressing that judicial intervention must be based on established facts rather than speculation. He further maintained that court proceedings require properly verified processes and cannot be grounded in media reports or unconfirmed claims.

Fagge SAN also warned against attempts to interfere with the constitutional functions of the legislature, stressing that each arm of government must be allowed to operate within its defined mandate.

In a separate but related perspective, Barrister Abba Hikima also argued that the matter raises issues of jurisdiction and constitutional boundaries, noting that courts should be cautious in interfering with legislative processes.

He described the case as having political undertones, arguing that legal processes are sometimes used to advance political interests.

Hikima maintained that the State House of Assembly derives its powers from the Constitution and cannot be restrained by the court in the exercise of its legislative functions at this stage.

He warned that allowing such intervention could open the door to constant judicial interference in legislative activities, potentially disrupting governance.

Although the two lawyers approached the matter from different legal angles—one focusing on procedural validity and the other on jurisdictional limits—their views converge in a way that casts doubt on the strength of the suit seeking to halt the screening process.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria and Türkiye have agreed to establish a major military training facility in Nigeria as part of a defence partnership aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture.

The agreement was reached during bilateral talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Ministry of Defence’s Chief Information Officer, Queeneth Iheoma-Hart, the planned training centre will serve as a long-term hub for capacity development, with Nigeria already identifying a suitable coastal location for the permanent facility.

She said a temporary site is also expected to be provided to kick-start operations.

Under the arrangement, Nigerian Armed Forces personnel will undergo specialised training in areas such as Special Forces operations, counterterrorism, intelligence integration, counter-drone and counter-IED operations, as well as United Nations pre-deployment exercises.

The statement partly read, “The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), led a high-level Nigerian delegation to productive bilateral talks with the Turkish Minister of Defence at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.

“The delegation included the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy, the Defence Adviser and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Embassy in Türkiye.

“Training and capacity development: Türkiye proposed structured, scalable training programmes for Nigerian Armed Forces in areas including Special Forces operations, counterterrorism, intelligence integration, counter-drone and counter-IED operations, and UN pre-deployment training.

“Immediate deployment of an initial cohort to Türkiye was agreed, alongside Turkish language instruction and participation in field training exercises.

“Both parties agreed to establish a major military training facility in Nigeria as a long-term centre of excellence; Nigeria will provide a temporary training site and has identified a suitable coastal location for permanent infrastructure.”

Beyond training, she said the partnership includes provisions for technology transfer, defence industry collaboration, and co-development of military capabilities.