It is with grave concern and deep disappointment that we feel obliged to respond to the recent statement credited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, entitled “Kano State Government Cannot Usurp NBC’s Role or Gag Free Speech.” While the title may project the image of a principled and objective stand, however the content reveals a shocking lack of due diligence, restraint, and national responsibility expected from the leader of the Nigeria’s foremost legal association

For the NBA President to issue such a sweeping condemnation against the Kano State Government without verified facts, direct engagement, or even a formal inquiry is not only premature but shamefully unprofessional. We are therefore compelled to ask: Has the NBA reached out to the Kano State Government for clarification? Did the NBA receive any official complaint from its Kano branch or media stakeholders within the state? Or is this simply a desperate attempt to strike a public outrage, create unnecessary tension, or project NBA as a concerned stakeholder

It is a well-established fact that the purported “ban” on live political programming was not a directive from the Kano State Government, but a resolution made by the Media Executives’ Forum during its quarterly meeting that was attended by stakeholders who understand the Kano media landscape and local sensitivities. The aim was to curb rising recklessness, disrespectful, insensitive, and inflammatory commentary that could incite unrest, but not to suppress free speech.

It is, therefore, deeply disturbing for the NBA President to portray the situation as an assault on constitutional freedom, particularly without making any effort to verify the facts.

For someone of his stature, issuing such sensational and unfounded statements is not only misleading, damaging on the integrity of this high esteemed body, but also dangerously reckless.

Statements like these risk inflaming public sentiment, undermining trust in institutions, and provoking unnecessary unrest in an otherwise peaceful state. The NBA’ s president hasty statements on the suspension of live political broadcast in Kano’ is unwarranted, shameful, and potentially destabilizing.

More troubling, however, is the NBA’s deafening silence on truly urgent national crises. Where was the NBA when scores of innocent Kano citizens lives were massacred at Oromi in Edo State? Did NBA issue even a sympathy message to the family, Kano people or the Government of Kano over the unfortunate incident?
Where was NBA when ethnic killings ravaged Plateau State, and what did NBA do to hold those responsible accountable?
Why has the NBA remained mute on the rise of kidnappings and killings that have crippled Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, leading to the death of innocent souls, displacement and economic collapse

What is the NBA’s position on the constitutional chaos and robbery of democratic rights of over four million Rivers State people, whose mandates were snatched under the gun to State of Emergency? And how about the disturbing actions in the National Assembly where critical decisions are being made without broad consultation?

Is the NBA president selective in choosing which issues to address ignoring national emergencies while rushing to comment on unverified state-level development? Such a skewed and reactionary approach raises questions about the motives behind this approach. Is this an attempt to politicize the NBA or to undermine Kano State for some other hidden agendas?

It is both ironic and unfortunate that the NBA, which should be a moral compass and a guardian of justice, has instead chosen the path of propaganda and half-truths. The NBA president must resist the urge to play to the gallery or risk reducing the association’s credibility to mere political noise.

We call on the NBA Executive Council, through its Ethics and Privileges Committee, to urgently investigate and address this unprofessional and inflammatory behaviour. If no disciplinary action is taken within 72 hours, we may be forced to conclude that the NBA, under its current leadership, is complicit in attempts to destabilize Kano State. We will not hesitate to pursue legal action for defamation of character and for inciting unnecessary tension in our dear state.

Signed:
Tijjani Sarki,
Secretary General,
Eye on Kano Initiative

By Alhassan A. Bala

As the Fourth Realm of the state as well as the known watchdog of society, a media house is an entity that delivers news, information, or entertainment to the public through various channels.

Nowadays, these channels can include traditional media like newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, as well as newer platforms like websites, social media, and online video platforms.

Therefore, a media outlet acts as a bridge between creators of content and the audience and shoulders the burden of presenting such contents as truthful as they are.

Suffice it to say, however that when a Nigerian politician acquires a radio, newspaper or a broadcast station, he/she is not merely diversifying his/her business portfolio; rather he/she is ostensibility purchasing a direct influence over our national conversation.

As more of our elected officials and political elites secure ownership stakes in media outlets across Nigeria, we witness a dangerous blurring lines between those making policy decisions and those tasked with scrutinising them. This troubling trend poses a serious threat to our still-maturing democracy.

As a journalist that started the carrier with a privately-own media organisation, who later moved to an international media organisation and having covered Nigerian politics for over a decade, I’ve observed this pattern with growing alarm: acquisition is followed by subtle editorial shifts, culminating in the transformation of once-credible news organisations into partisan mouthpieces that serve their owners’ political ambitions.

The evidence surrounds us daily. Major broadcast networks linked to prominent political figures consistently frame national issues to advance specific political agendas. Several newspapers owned by serving or former governors remain conspicuously silent on corruption allegations against their proprietors. Media houses connected to ruling party stalwarts reliably amplify government achievements while downplaying policy failures. Meanwhile, opposition-owned outlets focus exclusively on criticising the government without offering constructive alternatives.

The damage extends beyond mere partisan bias. Journalists working for politically-owned media houses practice self-censorship to protect their livelihoods. Investigations into corruption involving politically-connected figures mysteriously disappear. Critical national issues like security challenges in the North receive shallow coverage shaped by owners’ interests rather than public welfare.

This represents a fundamental corruption of journalism’s essential role in our society. Some argue the proliferation of online media will solve this problem that Nigerians will recognise bias and find alternative sources. This underestimates how information environments function, particularly in a country where digital literacy and media literacy remains uneven and data costs limit many citizens’ access to diverse news sources.

The economic realities make matters even worse. Independent journalism in Nigeria operates under extreme financial pressure, while politician-owned media houses benefit from government advertising, exclusive access to information, and sometimes, protection from regulatory scrutiny.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and other regulatory bodies often find themselves powerless against media operations backed by powerful political interests. This creates an impossibly uneven landscape for truly independent voices to survive.

What’s at stake isn’t merely abstract journalistic principles. It’s Nigeria’s future as a functional democracy. When politicians control the narratives about their own performance, they effectively shield themselves from accountability. This undermines the very foundation of representative governance that Nigerians fought so hard to establish after decades of military rule.

Consider how this affected our last general elections. Media houses aligned with different political interests presented completely different versions of reality. Facts became malleable, election results contested not based on evidence but on media narratives crafted by politically-owned outlets. How can Nigerians make informed electoral choices when the information environment is so thoroughly polluted by political interests?

Let me be clear about what must change: First, we need stronger enforcement of existing media ownership transparency laws by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Nigerians deserve to know who truly owns the media they consume. Second, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission must become truly independent, free from political interference when making regulatory decisions. Third, we need specific legislation limiting political figures’ ownership stakes in media enterprises.

Most importantly, we need civic education that helps Nigerians critically evaluate news sources and recognise when political interests shape coverage. And we must support the few remaining independent media organisations through subscriptions and advocacy.

Some will dismiss these concerns as partisan; they’re not. This problem transcends party lines and affects both APC and PDP aligned media equally. Whether media houses serve ruling party interests or opposition agendas, the fundamental issue remains: the corruption of journalism’s essential function as a check on power.

A Nigeria where politicians control significant portions of the media landscape is like a courtroom where judges take instructions from defendants. The appearance of democratic process remains, but the substance of accountability cannot survive. If we value the Nigeria our founding fathers envisioned, a true federation of informed citizens capable of self-governance we must demand information systems that serve the public, not political paymasters.

The choice before us is stark: accept a future where political elites manipulate our understanding of national challenges, or fight for independent journalism that pursues truth regardless of who holds power. Nigeria’s democratic experiment depends on choosing wisely.

Alhassan A. Bala is the founder/Editor of Alkalanci, a fact-checking and media literacy platform, writes from Abuja and can be reached at editor@alkalanci.com

By Muhsin Alhassan

Before taking the mantle of leadership as Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf developed a clear vision of industrialization, taking cognisance of the business and economic viability of Kano in the Northern region.

For centuries, Kano has remained a major economic centre in the African region, a vital hub for Trans-Saharan trade, facilitating the exchange of goods like kola nuts, cloth, and leather for salt, weapons, and manufactured goods.

Governor Abba Yusuf’s broad understanding of commerce, trade, investment opportunities and creating an enabling environment for corporate entities to strive left no one in doubt about his unwavering commitment to rebuild and rebrand the economic potential of the ancient city to compete with industrial and megacities in Africa.

On assumption as Chief Executive of the state, Governor Yusuf, who had earlier set his eyes on target to visualize the vision as conceptualised in his blueprint and campaign promises hinged on industrialization and commerce.

In the blueprint, the award-winning Governor on education and empowerment planned to create an enabling environment for Kano to be ranked highest on ease of doing business and support micro, small and medium enterprises for wealth creation as well as reviving moribund industries and businesses in the state.

To execute the huge mandate, Governor Yusuf searched for the right man for the
job and rightly settled for the choice of one of his confident and former Chief of Staff, Alh. Shehu Sagagi, whose wealth of experience in both public and private business ecosystems, speaks volumes of capacity and competency.

With a clear mandate to turn around the system, ‘Goni’ Sagagi immediately swung into action, injecting a breath of fresh air into trade, commerce, industries and bilateral investment environment, leaving no stone unturned to make Kano an attraction and destination for unlimited business opportunities.

Goni Sagagi, a strong torchbearer of Governor Yusuf’s mandate in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, has made a significant impact and recorded success, giving the business environment a facelift.

For the first time in history, the Ministry approved the establishment of a private export processing zone in the two senatorial zones to widen the ease of doing business in Kano. The new zone will also serve side by side in trade and investment opportunities with the existing Federal Government trade zone.

Another giant stride recorded by Governor Abba Yusuf under the ministry was the approval for the resuscitation of the 44 garment centres abandoned by the last administration for eight years. With the reopening of the garment clusters, the centres have opened a new vista of training and job opportunities to over 10,000 youths.

Similarly, the Ministry of Investment under Sagagi constituted a technical committee for the establishment and promotion of a commodity exchange market to boost trade and commerce that will facilitate access to agricultural produce to the international market.

Sagagi has also opened up an additional common facility centre for shoe and bag making to accommodate more women entrepreneurs, making them self-reliant and reducing poverty and gender-based violence in Kano.

Again, part of the success stories recorded under Sagagi since he took over as Commissioner at the Ministry was the idea of the Ramadan Trade Fair, the first of its kind that brought the business community in the commodity market and traders across the major markets together to sell their products at largely discounted cost.

The gesture came timely enough to offer succour and intervention to a large number of middle and low-class earners to provide for their families. The initiative was timely when prices of foods were hitting the ceiling.

Still in the days under review, Alh. Shehu Sagagi engaged market leadership and settled disputes as well as embarking on a solidarity visit to the business environment.

The Ministry was able to, under the government Economic Policy Initiative, introduce policies for hiring local workers against exploitation. The government had also approved the setting up of an IT unit in the ministry.

In the interim, Goni Sagagi has concluded necessary plans to upgrade infrastructure in local marketplaces like Tarauni, Sheka, Gyadi-Gyadi, and others. The Ministry is also committed to elevating the Danbatta, Wudil, and Kura weekly market to bi-weekly spending to upscale trade volumes.

Nevertheless, Goni Sagagi has repositioned the mission and strategies on how to monitor and broaden the scope of business opportunities and committed to attracting investors.

With the opportunity afforded by Governor Abba Yusuf to serve the good people of Kano, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce has renewed vigour to go the extra mile to build a conducive atmosphere for the Kano economy to flourish.