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ABU Alumni holds Pre-AGA lecture

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The lecture

 

As part of activities marking its Annual General Assembly (AGA) for this year, Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association has held its 17th Pre-Annual General Assembly Lecture, today, Friday, 27th September, 2024.

The lecture took place at the Assembly Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

Presenting a paper, titled: “Hunger and Economic Hardship: A Call to Return to our Roots and Embrace Innovative Agricultural Solutions”, the Hon Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, explained that according to the United Nations, hunger is increasing in many countries where economic growth is lagging and mostly in countries that rely heavily on international primary commodity trade, and that Nigeria is a classical case, in which it was ranked 109 out 128 countries in 2023.

Represented by the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, the Minister disclosed that this was what informed the prime position of Food Security in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda.

Senator Sabi stated that other causes of this ugly phenomenon are climate change and environmental degradation; conflict and displacement and economic factors.

The Minister, who is also the Baraden Borgu, noted that Northern Nigeria was known for peace and tranquility, which is now replaced with the long standing terrorism by the Boko Haram group, and which is now complicated and garnished by the scourge of banditry and armed criminal herdsmen rampaging across the north and south, further creating mistrust in the relationship between the north and the south.

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Senator Sabi reiterated that the North was known for massive agriculture as the foundation of wealth and prosperity. He said states in the North known for cash and food crops such as ginger, groundnut, soyabean, sesame, cotton, beans, rice, maize, cowpea, sorghum, yams, potatoes, tomatoes, onions and water melon among others.

The Minister reminisced on the fond memories of how the north held the position of Africa’s largest livestock population with 19.5 million cattle, 72.5 million goats, 41.3 million sheep, 28,000 camels, 145 million chickens, 1.2 million turkeys and 947,499 donkeys.

Senator Sabi encouraged the North to give maximum support to the current administration to change the tide and restore the hope of the North through massive agricultural programs and initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He posed a challenge to ABU to come up with initiatives to re-live the vision and dream of the founding fathers.

Earlier in a remark, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, commended the ABU Alumni Association for organizing the Pre-AGA lecture and urged all invited guests to make contributions where necessary.

Prof. Bala reminded all alumni of the University Endowment Fund and the need for everyone to contribute.

The Vice-Chancellor lamented on how education is facing its biggest threat due to gross underfunding.

He said graduates of Harvard University pay certain amount of money every year, hoping that Nigerians will reciprocate in the same way to their home Universities.

In a welcome address, Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, stated that all alumni should be encouraged to donate one percent of their monthly income to the University.

Represented by the Wazirin Zazzau, Khadi Inuwa Aminu, the Chairman enjoined all established alumni to build hostels in the University due to challenges faced by students outside.

Alhaji Yayale, who is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, said there is need for the government to import food into the country as an emergency in order to bring down the cost of food items in the market.

He advised the Federal Government to tackle insecurity, which is one of the reasons people cannot go to their farms.

Also speaking, the President World-wide of Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association, Malam Adamu Mamman Kontagora, thanked Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed and Senator Sabi for accepting to chair the occasion and be the presenter respectively.

The President, who is also the Barden Kontagora, appreciated the leadership of the University under Prof. Kabiru Bala for their unwavering support all the time.

Highlights of the event were interactive sessions and awards presentation to the Vice-Chancellor and other distinguished alumni of the University. The event was attended the Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, staff and students of the University.

 

 

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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