By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved Engr. Buba Galadima of his appointment as Chairman of the Governing Council of Kano State Polytechnic.

The development was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, the governor has approved the appointment of the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, as the new Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council.

The government said the decision was part of ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at aligning the polytechnic with the administration’s “Kano First Agenda.”

Although members of the Governing Council are expected to serve a three-year tenure, the statement noted that Galadima’s appointment was terminated before its expiration due to reforms targeted at enhancing the institution’s performance.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to Galadima for his service during his time as chairman and wished him well in his future endeavours.

He also urged the newly appointed chairman to deploy his experience and leadership capacity toward repositioning Kano State Polytechnic for improved academic and administrative excellence.

Galadima, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and a close ally of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has been vocal in recent political developments in the state.

In an earlier interview with Trust TV, conducted amid speculation about Governor Yusuf’s political realignments, Galadima cautioned the governor against taking actions he described as contrary to Kwankwaso’s political influence.

He had asserted that many political office holders in Kano, across party lines, emerged through what he called the “Kwankwaso school of politics,” describing the former governor as a key political force in the state.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of shifting political dynamics in Kano State.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ramadan is unlikely to commence in Nigeria on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following astronomical projections that indicate the crescent moon will not be visible on Tuesday evening.

Abubakar Simwal, an astronomer and member of the National Moonsighting Committee of Nigeria, said calculations show that the new moon will be too young and positioned too low on the horizon to be sighted—either with the naked eye or through a standard telescope.

According to Simwal, the astronomical conjunction of the Ramadan moon will occur at 1:01 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday, February 17. By sunset that day, the crescent will be less than six hours old across Nigeria, with an average elongation of about two degrees.

He added that the moon is expected to set approximately nine minutes after sunset nationwide, a window he described as insufficient for visibility under established astronomical criteria.

“With this data, it is astronomically established that the crescent will not be visible in Nigeria on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, either with the naked eye or with a standard telescope. These calculations are carried out with a high degree of precision,” Simwal said.

Based on the projections, Ramadan is therefore likely to begin on Thursday, February 19, subject to official confirmation.

However, the formal declaration of the commencement of Ramadan rests with the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs under the leadership of the Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, following the nationwide moonsighting exercise.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday praised Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for executing transformative infrastructure projects, describing him as a “man of mission and vision” with the masses’ interests at heart.

The President made the remarks in Birnin Kebbi during the inauguration of an ultra-modern State Secretariat Complex, which the state government named after Tinubu in recognition of his leadership. The visit marked the President’s first official trip to the state and underscored the strong political ties between the two leaders.

“I know what you can do. You are a man of mission and vision. I am always proud of you,” Tinubu said, addressing Governor Idris. He further characterized the Governor as “a brother, friend and committed leader,” adding that his sterling performance since assuming office came as no surprise.

The President’s itinerary was packed with commissioning ceremonies as he virtually and physically inaugurated multiple flagship projects that define Idris’s development agenda. The centrepiece of the visit was the new secretariat complex, a multi-billion-naira project originally initiated in 2012 but revived and completed under Idris’s administration. The decision to name the facility after President Tinubu was framed as a symbol of the state’s appreciation for federal support and the President’s national leadership.

In addition to the secretariat, Tinubu inaugurated the Birnin Kebbi Central Motor Park, a modern transport hub designed to enhance commercial activity and passenger experience, as well as the newly dualised three-lane carriageway along Emir Haruna Road and the dualised Old Argungu By-Pass. He also commissioned the Kauran Gwandu College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences in Ambursa, a significant addition to the state’s healthcare education infrastructure.

Beyond the project inaugurations, President Tinubu took time to commend the people of Kebbi State for their sustained support and cooperation with his administration. He noted that such solidarity from the grassroots has been a critical factor in the achievements recorded under Governor Idris’s leadership.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborative governance, Tinubu pledged unwavering support to states in delivering democratic dividends, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. “We will continue to work together to bring more development to our people,” he assured.

The President’s one-day official visit coincided with a major cultural moment for the state: the grand finale of the 61st edition of the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival. Tinubu attended as the Special Guest of Honour, blending governance with the celebration of a heritage event that draws visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.

The visit successfully married political solidarity with development diplomacy, as the President used the platform to both endorse Governor Idris’s performance and connect with the broader Kebbi electorate ahead of future political cycles.