It was a moment of joy and motivation for Sai Masu Gida on Sunday as Kano Pillars FC returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Remo Stars and were handsomely rewarded for their dominant display.

Businessman and staunch supporter of the club, Alhaji Alkasim Musa, gifted the Kano Pillars players the sum of ₦1 million in appreciation of their impressive performance and fighting spirit against the visitors.

Mid-season signing Luis Dadong proved to be the difference on the day, netting the decisive goal in the 57th minute to secure all three points for the Pride of Kano at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

At the end of the encounter, midfielder Olakunle Alaka was named Man of the Match, an award presented by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano State Chapter. In recognition of his outstanding display, Alhaji Alkasim Musa further rewarded Alaka with an additional ₦200,000.

The generous gesture by Alhaji Alkasim Musa was warmly received by the players and officials, serving as a major morale boost as the team continues its push for a strong finish in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Next up, Sai Masu Gida will be on the road as they travel to Ilorin, Kwara State, to face Kwara United in NPFL Matchday 26, aiming to build on the momentum and secure valuable points away from home.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The #OccupyNASS protest demanding urgent amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act entered its second day on Tuesday, marked by a significant police blockade and the participation of high-profile political figures.

Protesters, who are advocating for provisions mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, were prevented from entering the National Assembly complex by a heavy security cordon. The standoff amplified criticisms of the police’s handling of peaceful assembly.

A substantial deployment of security personnel barricaded the entrance to the legislative complex, preventing demonstrators from submitting their demands directly. The move drew sharp condemnation from activists at the scene.

Prominent rights activist Aisha Yesufu directly challenged the police, stating, “Nigerian police, una no dey shame?” She accused them of targeting peaceful citizens while security challenges persist nationwide. “They send you to fight innocent citizens who want their voices heard, when there are terrorists to kill… When we pray against enemies of this country, we would have to include police that have made themselves a tool of oppression,” Yesufu declared.

Frustrated by the blockade, protesters chanted, “How many people police go kill o, how many people police go kill,” voicing concerns over what they described as excessive force and intimidation.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a recent defector from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), addressed the crowd. He linked his support for the protest to broader issues of governance and corruption.

“Is life easier now than when I was in the APC? Life is worse now,” Amaechi claimed, comparing the current administration to that of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He alleged severe corruption, citing an unspecified “16 billion dollar road project awarded without due process,” and firmly stated, “I left APC already and they will not win.”

The protest’s momentum has been building since Monday when former Labour Party presidential candidate and ADC chieftain, Peter Obi, joined the demonstrations. Obi endorsed the calls for electoral reforms, specifically urging lawmakers to enshrine real-time electronic transmission of results into law.

The ongoing #OccupyNASS action underscores increasing public pressure on the National Assembly to prioritize electoral transparency and accountability through comprehensive legislative amendments.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Facts have beginning to emerge on why Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON), resigned from his position.

Since assuming office, Professor Usman was embroiled in a series of controversies ranging from questions over his competence and allegations of nepotism to concerns about his limited grasp of the administrative demands required to effectively manage Nigeria’s Hajj operations.

Investigations revealed that the final straw was a petition jointly written by all members of the NAHCON board, outlining serious concerns over his leadership. The petition was forwarded to the Presidency for action.

Sources further disclosed that the President was particularly displeased after being briefed on the reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims, a development believed to have negatively impacted intending pilgrims nationwide.

In addition, reports from intelligence agencies and an ongoing financial investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were said to have compounded the situation, ultimately weakening the chairman’s position.

However, other sources disclosed that the decision was taken personally by Prof. Saleh after deep reflection, stressing that the move was not prompted by the board or external pressure, but by his desire to step aside at this time.

The sources further explained that Prof. Saleh chose to resign to allow the Commission remain focused on its core mandate as preparations intensify for upcoming Hajj operations. They added that he remains committed to cooperating with relevant authorities and believes his exit will help shield the institution from distractions, while arrangements are underway to ensure continuity at NAHCON.

Mr Usman, a professor, was appointed chairman of NAHCON by President Bola Tinubu in 2024. He oversaw his first Hajj operations in 2025, marking his debut in managing Nigeria’s Hajj affairs at the national level.

He was appointed in 2024 to replace Jalal Arabi, who was sacked by President Bola Tinubu. At the time he was removed, Mr Arabi was being investigated for allegedly misappropriating funds released by the federal government for the 2024 Islamic pilgrimage.

Despite the denial of the latter sources agreeing to the former sources Prof. Sale’s relatively short tenure was marked by a series of controversies that generated tension within the commission. Central to the disputes were allegations of financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds during the 2025 Hajj exercise—claims that heightened internal disagreements and drew public attention to the commission.

The situation prompted the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who convened a meeting with key stakeholders approximately two weeks ago in an attempt to reconcile aggrieved parties and restore stability within NAHCON.