Senator Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila of Kano South has strongly criticized recent statements made by United States Senator Ted Cruz, describing them as inflammatory and a threat to Nigeria’s unity. According to Sumaila, Cruz’s rhetoric misrepresents Nigeria’s complex security challenges and risks inciting conflict.

The senator noted that despite the Trump administration’s earlier decision to remove Nigeria from the “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) list, Cruz has continued to push for Nigeria’s reclassification. Sumaila argued that this campaign disregards verified progress made through diplomatic engagement and undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Sumaila accused Cruz of oversimplifying Nigeria’s security crisis by framing it primarily as a religious conflict. He stressed that such a narrative ignores the realities on the ground, where violence affects Muslims, Christians, and other communities alike. He warned that this distorted portrayal could deepen divisions and derail ongoing peace efforts.

The senator emphasized that Nigeria’s security forces, made up of both Christians and Muslims, continue to fight side by side against terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers, and bandits. He said Cruz’s rhetoric overlooks these shared sacrifices and dishonors the resilience of Nigerians who have suffered from insecurity.

Sumaila urged Christians in Nigeria and abroad to reject divisive narratives and instead support peace, reconciliation, and interfaith cooperation. He insisted that true allies of Nigeria respect its sovereignty and promote unity rather than polarization.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty, Sumaila declared that the country’s strength lies in the unity of its diverse people. He rejected attempts by foreign political actors to exploit Nigeria’s internal challenges for ideological or political gain.

The senator called on the international community, diplomatic partners, media organizations, and Nigerians of all faiths to resist divisive rhetoric and support genuine efforts toward peace, national security, and sustainable development.

The Kano Lecturers Forum has honoured the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, with an Award of Excellence for Educational Transformation in recognition of his administration’s commitment to revitalising the education sector in the state.

The award was presented during the Kano State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday.

Presenting the award, the Chairman of the Kano Lecturers Forum, Dr. Abdulkadir Abdulkadir Sufi, said the recognition was in appreciation of Governor Yusuf’s unwavering dedication and the remarkable achievements recorded by his administration in improving education across Kano State.

According to Dr. Sufi, one of the administration’s landmark decisions was the declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector, a move aimed at addressing longstanding challenges and restoring the quality of education in the state.

He noted that the government has undertaken the construction and renovation of schools, recruited additional teachers, increased funding for tertiary institutions, provided teaching and learning materials, and expanded investment in technical and vocational education to equip young people with relevant skills.

The Forum also commended the state government for settling outstanding tuition fees and scholarship obligations owed to Kano indigenes studying in Nigerian and foreign institutions. It further praised the administration for extending support to indigent students whose education in private universities had previously been sponsored by past governments.

In addition, the lecturers acknowledged the government’s decision to sponsor outstanding first-class graduates from Kano State to pursue postgraduate studies in India and Uganda, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the development of highly skilled human capital.

On staff welfare, the Forum applauded Governor Yusuf’s administration for paying earned allowances to academic staff in state-owned universities, as well as introducing special allowances for lecturers in state-owned colleges. It said the measures have boosted staff morale, improved the welfare of lecturers, and contributed to industrial harmony across tertiary institutions in the state.

The Kano Lecturers Forum stated that these achievements demonstrate Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s visionary leadership and his commitment to making education the cornerstone of Kano State’s development. It added that the administration’s reforms reflect a clear determination to transform the education sector for the benefit of present and future generations of Kano residents.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three suspects to life imprisonment for their roles in the Oriire kidnapping case after finding them guilty of concealing information about the masterminds of the abduction.

The convicts had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges filed against them by the Federal Government, admitting their involvement during the court proceedings.

The court convicted them after they confessed to withholding information about those behind the kidnapping in Oriire, Oyo State.

The three defendants pleaded guilty before Justice Salem Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja to concealing information about the masterminds of the Oriire school kidnapping in Oyo State.

They also admitted being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.

In addition, the first and third defendants, Abdulrazak Umar and Shamsudin Adamu, pleaded guilty to providing training and instructions as well as inciting members of their WhatsApp group, “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” to engage in acts of terrorism.