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OCCEN Empowers Youths with Pro-Democracy and Human Rights Training in Northwest Nigeria

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In an effort to boost and encourage democratic practices and rights activism in Nigeria, Organization for community civic engagement (OCCEN) has trained human rights activists and pro-democracy campaigners in Northwest Nigeria.

The training which involves participants from Kano, Katsina, Kaduna Zamfara and Jigawa states is aimed at building their capacity and equip them with modern ways of practice.

OCCEN Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Alkali said, the aim of the one day sensitization seminar for democracy and human rights activists in northwest Nigeria is to sensitize the participants on how best to go about their activities in the region.

He said, the purpose is to strengthen the capacity of young activists on how to demand good governance and political accountability in society.

“The main objective of the seminar was to equipped the participants with knowledge and skills that will help them do their work safely amidst increasing harassment and intimidation from power holders”

The project which is supported by National endowment for democracy (NDA) will continue to coach the youth in how to claim and demand their rights on political Arena and political accountability in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina , Zamfara and Jigawa states.

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Josephine Omajari, OCCEN Project senior officer lamented over failure of authorities prioritize and meet the needs of citizens in these states.
She said, youth continue to suffer from democratic deficits despite concerted efforts by civil society and donor communitie to enhance youth political participation during recent elections.

“”Youth continue to suffer disproportionately from these democratic deficits. Despite concerted efforts by civil society and the donor community to enhance youth’s political participation during the recent elections, they remain largely absent from leadership ranks of the government, parties, and traditional structures that wield authority”

“OCCEN will design and broadcast civic engagement radio programs to educate local youth and citizens on political processes, government policies and legislation, accountability and transparency to enable them to participate in political discourse as informed members of society.

“”Approximately ten episodes of the radio program will be aired. Panels of experts will be drawn from civil society, academia, and political parties for each episode to provide citizens with a varied perspective on political processes and government performance. OCCEN will also design and produce information, education, and communication (IEC) materials that will stimulate discussion with clear messages aimed at empowering citizens to build movements in their struggle for good governance in Nigeria.

These materials will be distributed during major public events as part of the sensitization effort.

On his part, a humar right lawyer Barrister Abba Hikima said, the rights to freedom of speech and freedom of Assembly are fundamental human rights that play a central role in the functioning of democratic societies.

He said, these rights enable individuals to express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions without interference or punishment from the government and to gather in groups for a common cause or purpose.

“While these rights are enshrined in international human rights frameworks and national constitutions, their precise definitions can vary across legal systems and scholars.

He said, the right to freedom of speech refers to the right of individuals to express their thoughts, ideas, opinions, and beliefs without undue government interference.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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