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International journalist Alhassan Bala launches Hausa fact-checking platform

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Alhasan Bala

 

An international multimedia bilingual journalist, Alhassan Bala, has launched a Hausa fact-checking platform called “Alkalanci” (The Arbiter).

The platform focuses primarily on fact-checking claims on health, politics, and many other topics in Hausa language.

It will also be fact-checking pictures and videos to enlighten the Hausa readers in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and beyond about misleading claims or false pictures and videos.

This becomes even more imperative at this time when people nowadays use photoshop and AI to create “deep fake” pictures and videos.

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“We look at the digital space and realize how misinformation and disinformation are gaining ground among Hausa digital platform users.

“There are also many myths and false claims on health matters that a number of people believe with utmost belief.

“This is why it is important for us to provide a platform that will enlighten the Hausa readers,” Bala said in a statement on Sunday.

The statement continued: “We at the ‘Alkalanci’ would be providing media literacy so that people will know how to protect themselves from getting trapped by misinformation, disinformation or false claims, pictures and videos.”

Bala is currently a stringer with Voice of America (VOA) Hausa and English services with decades of journalism experience.

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NUJ Inaugurates Chapel Executives for Freedom Radio

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Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai receiving his certificate of return from Kano NUJ Vice Chairman Comrade Mustapha Gambo

 

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State council, has inaugurated new executive members for the NUJ chapel covering Freedom Radio and Dala FM. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Freedom Radio premises in Sharada, following the expiration of the previous executives’ tenure.

Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai, Head of News and Current Affairs at the station, was sworn in as the new Chapel Chairman of NUJ for Freedom Radio and Dala FM. Abubakar Musa Labaran was inaugurated as Vice Chairman, while Tijjani Adamu was appointed as the new Financial Secretary, having previously served as Auditor. Abubakar Sabo was sworn in as Assistant Secretary, among other newly elected officers.

Delivering remarks shortly after the inauguration, the NUJ State Chairman, Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, represented by his Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Gambo Muhammad, urged the new leadership to work with diligence, integrity, and accountability.

Also speaking, the Station Manager of Freedom Radio, Malam Ado Sa’idu Warawa, encouraged the new chapel leaders to focus on promoting the welfare of journalists and contributing positively to society.

In their separate remarks, some of the newly sworn-in officers—Abubakar Sabo of Dala FM (Assistant Secretary), Comrade Tijjani Adamu (Financial Secretary), and Treasurer Comrade Asma’u Muhammad Sani—pledged to deliver progress and reforms during their tenure.

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Malam Adamu Isma’il Garki, the General Manager of Freedom Radio Group , also charged the new executives to strive for progress and innovation in journalism practices.

According to the NUJ constitution governing the chapel, the tenure of elected executives lasts for three years, after which fresh elections are held.

Freedom Radio is the first indigenous private radio station in Northern Nigeria. The new chapel chairman, Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai, is a Mass Communication graduate from Bayero University Kano and a dedicated journalist known for his impactful stories that have brought development to Kano and its surroundings.

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BUK, Ummah for Earth Launch Green Hajj and Umrah Guide in Hausa

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Participants at the launch

 

 

The Ummah for Earth Alliance, in partnership with the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University Kano (BUK), has launched a Hausa-language version of the Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah to promote environmentally responsible pilgrimage among Nigerian Muslims.

Speaking at the launch held at the Center for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau of BUK’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences welcomed guests and emphasized the urgency of ecological awareness during Hajj. “As Muslims, we must reflect on how to perform Hajj responsibly, especially considering recent climate challenges,” he said, citing the deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims in 2023 due to extreme heat and 51-degree temperatures recorded at Masjid al-Haram during the 2024 pilgrimage.

Prof. Barau also noted that over 300 million litres of treated sewage are flushed daily into the Red Sea, underlining the environmental pressure the holy cities face during pilgrimage seasons. “This guide has been introduced in other languages like Malay and Hindi, but Nigeria—being among the top contributors of pilgrims—deserves one in Hausa,” he added.

Rianne Ten Veen, a representative of Ummah for Earth, highlighted that the alliance comprises over 50 organizations worldwide, working toward environmentally conscious Islamic practices. “Nigeria is leading in this space, and we are advocating for policy changes through initiatives like the Islamic Finance for Earth campaign,” she said.

Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, representing the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), expressed appreciation for the collaboration with BUK. “We’re proud to support this initiative that ties faith with environmental stewardship,” he said.

Book reviewer, Professor Murtala Uba, noted that Hausa is the tenth most spoken language globally and the most spoken in West Africa. “This 46-page guide shows how environmental values are embedded in Hajj rituals,” he said. He praised the simple, clear language and symbolic green and white cover but pointed out some errors. “For example, on page six, ‘ku guji’ was incorrectly written as ‘kugudi,’ and some Qur’anic verses like Wala tubazzir tabzeera were not fully contextualized to reflect broader meanings.”

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama, stressed that protecting the environment is integral to Islamic conduct. “The Prophet said if the Day of Judgment comes while you’re planting a date, continue planting it,” he noted, adding that managing waste and limiting air pollution are critical during Hajj. “This is why building in Mina is discouraged to allow air circulation,” he explained.

He also emphasized the role of human behavior in environmental degradation. “If you want to clean the environment, you must first purify human conduct,” he said, citing Islamic teachings on health, hygiene, and moderation during Hajj.

Professor Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at BUK, closed the event by stating that universities must be at the forefront of knowledge dissemination. “Translating this guide into Hausa is critical, given the number of Hausa speakers who travel for Hajj annually,” she said.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that the guide encourages eco-conscious behaviors such as avoiding excessive water use during ablution, not littering, minimizing carbon footprints, and respecting animal and plant life—all rooted in Islamic teachings.

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Credicorp Kicks Off Nationwide Cultural Reorientation Campaign In Kano With First Market Activation

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The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has commenced its nationwide Cultural Reorientation Programme, beginning with a landmark market activation event held on Wednesday 21st May 2025 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

CREDICORP, established under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is a national institution working to democratize access to consumer credit for all hardworking Nigerians. Through its mandate, the Corporation enables Nigerians to acquire essential goods and services—such as locally assembled vehicles, solar solutions, and home improvement products—on credit, rather than relying on limited cash-based transactions.
This campaign represents the third pillar of CREDICORP’s national strategy Cultural Reorientation which complements the Corporation’s other pillars, Infrastructure and Capital. In the last year this has already been demonstrated through the rollout of impactful initiatives such as Project S.C.A.L.E (Securing Consumer Access for Local Enterprises), which channels consumer credit toward the purchase of goods and services from local vendors and manufacturers to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic industries; the C.A.L.M. Fund (Credit Access for Light and Mobility), which provides credit for CNG vehicle conversions and solar home systems; and YouthCred, a national programme offering responsible, affordable credit to young Nigerians at the very start of their economic lives beginning with 100,000 NYSC members.
Cultural Reorientation is CREDICORP’s effort to shift long-standing perceptions around credit—helping Nigerians see it not as a trap, but as a tool for growth. The programme reorients the public through a mix of community training sessions, digital sensitization campaigns, and on-ground activation events designed to promote responsible borrowing and financial literacy. It also engages financial institutions, encouraging a transition from traditional collateral-heavy models to more inclusive credit assessment methods that better reflect the realities of everyday Nigerians.

 

Participants at the activation were sensitized on:
What consumer credit is and how it works, including both interest-based and non-interest financing options.
The difference between responsible credit use and harmful debt.
The long-term value of building and maintaining a verifiable credit history.
How CREDICORP partners with financial institutions both traditional and non-interest providers to expand access to affordable and culturally appropriate credit solutions.
The event featured live testimonials from beneficiaries, as well as pre- and post-event questionnaires designed to measure shifts in public sentiment and understanding. Leading the event was His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who was joined by representatives from the Kano State Government, alongside leaders of market associations, trade cooperatives, and Participating Financial Institutions.

This first activation marks the beginning of a national conversation one that positions consumer credit not as a burden, but as a tool for economic mobility, and improved quality of life.

Further activations are scheduled to take place across the nation in the coming months.

For more information, visit www.credicorp.ng.

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