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Stop Distracting Senator Barau-CSO Urges Ganduje

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Civil Society Group for Transparency and Accountability on Friday urged Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to desist from distracting Senator Barau Jibrin from performing his legislative duties in the National Assembly.

On Thursday, some groups suspected to be sponsored by Abdullahi Ganduje and his allies had gathered at the National Assembly, throwing jibes and insults against the Senator.

However, in defence of Barau, the group, led by its Spokesman, Sunday Attah, gathered at the National Assembly early on Friday to condemn the campaign of calumny launched against the Senator and his colleagues by the governor.

Attah said: “What they failed to understand is that they are being used by a highly corrupt Governor whose dollar stuffing video has continued to give Nigeria bad name at the international community.

“We are here today to set the records straight and we call on Governor Ganduje and his misguided advisers to desist from their evil machinations and come to terms with the reality of the fact that Senator Barau Jibrin towering political achievements cannot be dwarfed or subjugated in the eyes of his constituents and the Nigerian public.

It’s regrettable that Governor Ganduje who should be hiding his face in shame allowed himself to be hoodwinked by political opportunists who would no doubt abandoned him after he lose his temporary immunity.

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“Ganduje popularly known as Gandollar has in our nation today symbolizes sleaze, pillage and plunder of public funds and it’s very worrisome to us in the Civil Society to see this corrupt Governor launching campaign of calumny against courageous individuals who are working tirelessly to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State.

“On this note we wish to assure Ganduje and his cohorts, that we will not relent in our struggle until the very day the people of Kano State get justice because of the way and manner he and his families fritter away the resources of the state.

We are calling Ganduje and whosoever care to listen that we demand that they should leave Senator Barau Jibrin, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Sha’aban Sharada and all credible people that are openly opposing his thievery of Kano State resources.

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“It’s on record that Senator Barau Jibrin alongside his colleagues worked hard to deliver the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari agenda of returning the nation budgetary system to January-December budget cycle.

“Nigerians are happy with this great feat achieved by these credible Nigerians, which has no doubt brought transparency and accountability in our budget system.

We make bold to say that, under the Distinguished leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin the padding of budgets has become a thing of the past and transparency, openness and accountability is the order of the day.

It’s on this note that we wish to pass a vote of confidence on the leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin. And we urge him to stay focused and continue to do his good work for the betterment of the country and shouldn’t allow himself to be intimidated by hired urchins and political detractors.

Finally, we call on the EFCC, ICPC and the Nigeria Immigration Service to put their surveillance on Gandollar, because credible information available to us shows that he’s planning to go on exile before the expiration of his tenure as Governor of Kano State.

According to him, “Nigeria can only move forward and achieve it’s full potentials when people like Ganduje, who betrayed the trust reposed in them are made to face justice, while credible individuals like Senator Barau Jibrin are applauded and commended for their service to the nation.’’

Although a political pundit, in Kano, Ibrahim Yahaya alleged that the group are sponsored by Senator Barau also.

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EFCC Secures Arrest Warrant for Former Humanitarian Minister, Permanent Secretary

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, following her failure to appear for arraignment.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the ex-minister on Thursday after the prosecution informed the court that she had repeatedly failed to attend proceedings. The judge also ordered the arrest of Bashir Alkali, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who is facing trial alongside Farouq.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two defendants on a 21-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged sums involved are approximately $1.37 million and ₦748 million.

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At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants had been granted administrative bail and served with the charges. “However, they have failed to appear before this honourable court for their arraignment,” he said.

Jacobs added that efforts to secure their attendance had proved unsuccessful, with only one of the defendants present in court. He also drew the court’s attention to the former minister’s failure to return her international passport after being permitted to travel abroad for medical reasons. “The first defendant has failed to return her international passport after travelling abroad on medical grounds, and no medical report has been presented before this court to justify her absence,” Jacobs stated.

Defence counsel Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) attributed his client’s absence to ill health and urged the court to consider an affidavit to that effect. He further requested a six-week window to produce the former minister in court.

Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected the request and granted the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

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Dangote Spotlights Refinery, Vision 2030, Others, At Nasarawa Trade Fair

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Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Aliko Dangote, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman.

 

Africa’s leading conglomerate will feature its flagship Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the 2026 Nasarawa Trade Fair, which will be officially declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 20.

Dangote Industries Limited will also showcase its Vision 2030, which focuses on driving innovation and Africa’s industrialization.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.

A statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said other Strategic Business Units of the company will be participating at the annual event in the state capital, Lafia.

Anthony Chiejina stated that products to be featured at the Fair will include those from the Group’s Strategic Business Units, such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt and seasonings, Dangote SinoTruk, Dangote Packaging, and Dangote Fertiliser.

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The statement quoted the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that Nasarawa State is key to the Group’s overall investment in Africa.

“It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments in Africa,” she said.

Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.

She stated that a dedicated Help Desk will handle inquiries, enabling the company to effectively engage participants on the Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units.

Speaking to newsmen in Lafia, Chairman and Council members of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the theme for this year’s Trade Fair aptly aligns with Dangote Group’s vision.

“We align strongly with the vision of Aliko Dangote, whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s economic future. His focus on industrialization, local production, and value creation inspires our efforts to connect MSMEs to structured value chains.

“Through this partnership, we are building a bridge between grassroots businesses and large industries, driving inclusive growth,” he said.

He said the third edition of NASTFE is designed as a practical business, industrial, and human capital development platform, adding that it is not just an exhibition.

According to him: “A major highlight of this year’s programme is the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), now structured as a package project for sponsorship support.

“ESAP is a yearly initiative from July-December targeting 2,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.

“The programme is strategically designed as a mobile training system, moving from one Local Government to another to ensure inclusive grassroots participation.”

Speaking on the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030, he said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems.”

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Al-Istiqama University Secures Full Accreditation for 11 Academic Programmes

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The Management of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, is pleased to announce that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted Full Accreditation status to a total of eleven (11) academic programmes following the comprehensive accreditation exercise conducted in November and December 2025.

According to the official report released by the NUC, the programmes were assessed based on the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with emphasis on curriculum content, quality of academic staff, physical facilities, library resources, and employers’ rating.

The programmes granted Full Accreditation are:

Faculty of Health Sciences:
• Community Health Science
• Nursing Science
• Public Health

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Faculty of Arts, Social and Management Sciences:
• Shari’ah
• Criminology and Security Studies
• International Relations
• Sociology

Faculty of Science and Computing:
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering

This achievement affirms the University’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality education and reflects the dedication and professionalism of its academic and administrative staff in building a centre of excellence. With this development, all accredited programmes have secured full recognition for a period of five (5) years.

The Management expresses its profound appreciation to the Founder, Senator Sulaiman Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, OFR, Ph.D., the Governing Council, Faculty Members, Heads of Departments, staff, and students for their collective efforts and commitment, which made this milestone possible.

Al-Istiqama University remains resolute in sustaining and further enhancing the high standards that have earned it this prestigious recognition.

Signed:
Professor Abdulhadi Sale Kumurya
Vice-Chancellor
Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State

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