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Buhari@80:A Documentary “Essential Muhammad Buhari “Presented At The Villa

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Dignitaries at the occasion, President Muhammad Buhari flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ,APC Presidential candidate and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu

 

A documentary, Essential Muhammadu Buhari, set the stage for encomiums on Friday as family, friends and associates celebrated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his place in history has been assured for integrity, transparency and transformative leadership.

Asiwaju said the President would be remembered like Charles de Gaulle of France, Winston Churchill of Britain and Franklin Roosevelt of America when he leaves office, having carefully influenced Nigeria’s history with a unique leadership style that is selfless, sacrificial and responsive to the needs of the people.

“You have been at the helm of affairs at a critical time in Nigeria’s history. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism and honesty. You have done well.

“Our nation has seen the difference. The leadership style you demonstrated while reading your speech during inauguration, when you said dollars or pounds you had not, and even if you had it, you will not pay.

“You are a man of integrity, great commitment and exceptional humility. The nation may not at this stage appreciate who you are, as we know, but there is one thing, you belong to the ranks of generals who came at challenging periods to serve like Winston Churchill of Britain, Charles De Gaulle of France and Franklin Roosevelt of America,’’ he said.

The Presidential candidate said the President would continue to standout among leaders for the courage he brought to democracy in Nigeria, demonstrating and supporting transparency and honesty in electoral processes.

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The President was honored by family members and some close associates following his absence from the country on the day of his birthday, Saturday, December 17, 2022, in Washington DC, where he attended the US-African Summit, turning an octogenarian.

The documentary, produced and directed by US based filmmaker, Ose Oyemadan, showcased the President’s early life, school days, military career, rise as Head of State in 1984, coup and imprisonment, release, PTF days and return to democracy, where he contested elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, when he won and his re-election in 2019.

The narrative was driven by the President, and supported with deep and authoritative insights by his nephew, Mamman Daura, classmate, Sen Abba Ali, close family members, friends, aides and political associates, including Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Aliyu, Spokesman, Femi Adesina, former running mate in CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Special Envoy to Chad, Amb, Babagana Kingibe, State Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and publisher/biographer, John Paden.

Speakers in the documentary underscored the President’s integrity, loyalty and commitment to national development, and his distaste for tribalism, laziness, insincerity and corruption.

At the event, which was compered by Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, tributes poured from the Vice President, President Buhari’s eldest daughter, Hajiya Fatima Abba, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Hajeeb Hussain Adamu.

Umahi and Amosun, who were in opposition party, PDP, told the gathering how the President’s warmth, friendliness and empathy attracted them to the All Progressives Congress, while the royal fathers recounted personal experiences, and how infrastructural development had touched the lives of Nigerians, like Lagos-Ibadan express way and the Second Niger Bridge.

The night of tribute on the President’s 80th birthday was also witnessed National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, Gov. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, former Governors, Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole, service chiefs, ministers, political associates of the president, and family members.

In a statement signed by senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity Malam Garba Shehu said the he business community was represented by Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabi’u Tope Shonubi, Faruk Adamu Aliyu, Nasiru Danu and others.

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I Gave Tijjani Gandu N10 Million to Support Musicians, Media but Funds Were Allegedly Not Distributed – Governor Yusuf’s Spokesperson

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The spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, has alleged that popular singer Tijjani Gandu failed to distribute ₦10 million that was reportedly entrusted to him for musicians and media practitioners, according to a statement shared on the spokesperson’s verified Facebook page.

According to Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,he has released the ₦10 million to Tijjani Gandu with the intention that the money would be shared among fellow musicians and members of the media as financial support. He claimed, however, that the funds were allegedly not distributed as intended.

Writing in Hausa on his verified Facebook page, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa stated: “Na bawa Yaron nan Tijjani Gandu kudi naira miliyan goma ya rabawa mawaka da ‘yan media ya cinye, amma wai har dashi a maganar masu amana.” The statement translates to: “I gave this young man, Tijjani Gandu, ₦10 million to distribute among musicians and media practitioners, but he consumed it all, yet he still speaks as though he is among the trustworthy.”

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According to the governor’s spokesperson, the allegation was made in response to ongoing public discussions regarding accountability and trustworthiness. He did not provide additional details on when the funds were allegedly handed over or identify the intended beneficiaries.

As of the time of this report, Tijjani Gandu has not publicly responded to the allegation made by Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. There has also been no official confirmation or independent evidence released to substantiate the claim beyond the spokesperson’s social media statement.

The allegation has generated reactions on social media, with supporters and critics expressing differing views on the claims made by the governor’s spokesperson.

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Oloyede Bows out as JAMB Registrar, Hands over to Prof. Aina

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the outgoing registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, on Friday, said strong institutions built on integrity, technology and transparency remained the key to sustaining public confidence in the tertiary admissions system.

Mr Oloyede stated this during the handover ceremony to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, in Abuja, where he reflected on his 10-year stewardship and expressed confidence in the board’s future.

He said the board’s achievements were anchored on five cardinal principles: staff welfare, discipline, technology, transparency and networking, which guided reforms that strengthened the credibility of JAMB’s operations.

He added that staff welfare received unprecedented attention during his tenure through improved working conditions, rehabilitation and construction of office facilities across the country, and enhanced retirement benefits.

He said, “When I stood at the threshold of this national assignment 10 years ago, I understood the depth of the responsibility placed on me.

“I knew the privilege and burden of stewarding a process that opens the doors to millions of Nigerians.

“One thing I remembered clearly was that I was just like a general on a military expedition and to fight, I needed officers and troops.”

Recounting his achievements, Mr Oloyede disclosed that the board committed more than N8 billion to strengthen employees’ retirement savings and financial security.

He added that the board under his leadership also introduced a 13th-month salary, increased examination-duty incentives from 10 per cent to 20 per cent and provided daily meals for staff.

The outgoing registrar said that retired workers received benefits ranging from N3 million to N10 million, while medical interventions and performance-based rewards were also introduced to boost staff morale.

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Mr Oloyede, however, stressed that improved welfare did not diminish the board’s commitment to discipline.

He said more than 10 members of staff faced prosecution over various allegations of misconduct, noting that accountability remained non-negotiable in preserving the institution’s integrity.

Highlighting JAMB’s technological reforms, Mr Oloyede said the board expanded the use of biometrics, digital verification, CCTV surveillance, electronic payment platforms and remote monitoring systems to improve examination security and service delivery.

“I share the belief that we must all suffer for either the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment. This is why discipline is incontestable as a cardinal principle of JAMB operations, and that accounts for the well-known remittances of scores of billions in operational surpluses to the government treasury.

“At the heart of our operational blueprint is technology, and we owe many of our far-reaching reforms to innovative technologies.

“Scaling up of computer-based test (CBT), improvement of digital architecture, creating a central admissions processing system (CAPS), advanced biometric and identity verification, CCTV monitoring, and others are some of the steps taken to make our operations seamless on rock-solid integrity,” he said.

He acknowledged that technology was not infallible, recalling recent operational challenges, but maintained that continuous innovation and internal vigilance remained essential.

He also said that transparency was institutionalised by publishing the board’s operational and financial activities and making the admission process more open and accountable.

According to him, the reforms have significantly reduced arbitrary admissions and strengthened public trust in the board.

Mr Oloyede also attributed some of JAMB’s achievements to collaboration with security agencies, tertiary institutions, the National Identity Management Commission, communications regulators, civil society organisations, the media and more than 1,000 accredited CBT centres.

He said the board had modernised its operations, reduced examination malpractice, strengthened accountability and restored confidence in Nigeria’s admission process.

“We made mistakes because we are human, and we corrected them. Whatever was done right was a collective effort, while I accept responsibility for whatever fell short,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the board’s institutional culture, dedicated workforce and robust systems would enable his successor to consolidate on the reforms.

He urged stakeholders to support the new registrar, saying the success of any institution depended not on an individual but on the strength of its systems and values.

In his inaugural address, the new Registrar, Mr Aina, pledged to preserve JAMB’s integrity while building a stronger institution driven by professionalism and accountability.

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Brilliant Minds Shine As Gusau Army Girls School Graduates 25, Amidst Low Enrollment

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The atmosphere was filled with pride and joy in Gusau as Command Science Secondary School (Girls) celebrated its graduation, speech, and prize-giving day on Thursday, 30 July 2026, graduating 25 exceptional students out of its 75 total enrollment.

Delivering her address, the Commandant of the institution, Major Fatima Jimoh, highlighted the school’s steady growth since its establishment by the Nigerian Army in May 2017. She noted that the institution has successfully produced 180 graduates to date, maintaining commendable academic performances in both West African Senior School Certificate Examination and National Examinations Council examinations.

Major Jimoh also highlighted recent milestones achieved since assuming duty in May 2026, including the restoration of regular solar-powered water supplies, administrative block renovations, revived school band performances, and heightened institutional discipline.

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While celebrating these achievements, the Commandant drew attention to critical challenges facing the school, such as the absence of a standard science laboratory, a dilapidated dining hall, leaking roofs, and inadequate staff accommodation, while appealing to the government, the Nigerian Army, and well-meaning Nigerians for urgent intervention.

She passionately urged parents and guardians to leverage the secure and disciplined learning environment provided by the academy to champion girl-child education by enrolling more daughters.

Representing the Special Guest of Honour, the Theatre Commander Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General WB Idris, Lieutenant Colonel Gezawa Musa assured the school management and students of maximum operational and developmental support.

He charged the graduating Class of 2026 to remain focused on upcoming future challenges, uphold utmost integrity, and serve as worthy ambassadors of the prestigious institution.

The memorable event featured a colorful parade by the graduating students, lively cultural displays, intellectual debates, the launch of the school magazine, and the presentation of prizes to outstanding cadets.

 

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