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We won’t succumb to blackmail from our students, says NIPSS

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1 year ago

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The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has reiterated its commitment to grooming credible leaders for national development, declaring that it will not succumb to what it described as blackmail by students unwilling to abide by the Institute’s rules.

In a statement on Sunday, Head of Public Affairs at the Institute, Prof. Sola Adeyanju, reacted to a media report linked to a student identified simply as Yeshua, describing it as an attempt to discredit the institution.

Adeyanju noted that a petition allegedly sent to the President but instead published in the media contained claims of intimidation, which he dismissed as baseless. He maintained that NIPSS remains focused on its core mandate of training top decision-makers and policy-makers across the public and private sectors.

As Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank, NIPSS is mandated to build leaders who are effective, ethical, and capable of making sound decisions in their organisations and for the country,” he stated.

As Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank, NIPSS is mandated to build leaders who are effective, ethical, and capable of making sound decisions in their organisations and for the country,” he stated.

He said, “In doing this, it has set some parameters along the lines of discipline, time management, emotional intelligence, respect for rules and regulations, respect for other people’s rights, and many more. Those who have passed through the National Institute trainings, particularly the Senior Executive Course, leading to the award of the Member of the National Institute (mni), will attest to this.

The performance of the products of the National Institute has been acknowledged in Nigeria and around the world; that is in addition to its cutting-edge, top-notch research results for national development. It has not, at any time, been found wanting in the discharge of all its mandates and obligations.

This is the 47th Course and the graduates with mni are always proud and happy to raise their shoulders high wherever they find themselves for the level of moulding they have received from the National Institute.

Coming to the specific issue of Mal Yushau, it is a case of someone who would not allow himself to be subjected to constituted authorities in the Institute. One of the cardinal rules of the National Institute is to keep whatever is discussed within, particularly during plenary, confidential.

This is a rule that all participants have signed to uphold. It is modelled along the Chatham House Rule. The essence is to give all our resource persons the freedom of intellectual and academic independence to speak their minds. Whatever will be published should be after the course is concluded. In fact, some process their Individual Research Projects into books, with approval from the Management.

However, Mr Yushau, being a PR and media person, violated this rule by publishing what transpired in the Institute. He got it wrong by insinuating that he meant well. The truth is, the content is immaterial; the act of publishing when you are not supposed to is what matters.

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Mr Yushau knows very well that he signed the document where he promised to abide by this rule. Upon violation, he was queried and he responded by apologising. Thereafter, he was warned that it should never happen again.

However, it did not take Mr Yushau long before re-violating the same rule he was warned about. He published another story on the theme of the study given to the Senior Executive Participants of SEC 47, 2025, and NIPSS, which he belonged to, using his byline.

The study is still ongoing and should not, by any imagination, be published, in part or full, until the Course is over. This is in flagrant violation of the rules for which he was appropriately queried for the second time.

‘However, instead of replying to the query accordingly, Mr Yushau threw caution to the wind and decided to lecture and threaten the National Institute on the inappropriateness of issuing him a query. This he did in bad faith. Let us reiterate that the cheap blackmail of saying the content was to support Mr President on his agenda cannot hold.

We are all working towards the success of Mr President, as exemplified in the many detailed research and other activities of the Institute being submitted to Mr President from time to time.

Nevertheless, being an orderly and law-abiding Institution, with a reputation built over the years with a clear and known ethos and standards, Mr Yushau was given a suspension for six weeks, after receiving the second query for the same offence. He was still serving the suspension when he sent a letter of complaint to the media, insinuating bullying.

We need to stress here that all we asked Mr Yushau to do is obey laid down rules and regulations, and this is not tantamount to bullying in whatever way. The newspaper did a story on this, and the Director General gave a detailed response.

“As if that was not enough, his case is still being considered, as he has been invited by the Disciplinary Committee set up by the Management to look into his case and give him a fair hearing when he decided to publish (again) a petition meant for Mr President in the media. One would have thought that a petition meant for Mr President would be submitted in his office.

We are aware that he has been going from one media house to another in order to blackmail the National Institute. This is counterproductive, as the National Institute will not subject itself to blackmail by a candidate who refuses to obey simple rules and regulations.

“The National Institute, in line with the dreams of its founding fathers, many of whom are still alive, will not reduce the standard of producing decent, courteous, sound and effective leaders for the country. Let us say here that Mr Yushau is using his affiliation with the media for a negative cause.

Contrary to his claims, he is actually trying to denigrate the very National think tank, which is the pride of Nigeria, for his selfish end. That Mr Yushau’s nomination came from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR (an organisation we are all proud of) speaks volumes.

He has not demonstrated the very tenet of public relations, as he has not only let himself down professionally, but he has let his nominating agency down. We are looking for leaders with emotional intelligence, not those who will betray his or her temperament when faced with the issue of discipline.

Without prejudice to the outcome of his letter to Mr President, let it be on record that the NIPR has also set up a panel of inquiry to look into his case. The questions Mr Yushau should ask himself are: how many participants are in his Course, and how many of them have been queried twice within two months? For the benefit of doubt, there are 96 of them, and he is the only one who has gotten two queries.

We leave this to the general public to judge. In conclusion, the Disciplinary Committee set up to look into his case has submitted its report to Management, and the six-week suspension has not lapsed, so we await the verdict of Management on his case. Until then, we want to thank all our media organisations for holding on to the truth.”

Nation

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Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

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13 hours ago

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July 28, 2026

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The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

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According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

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Muhuyi Declares War on Drug Crime, Says No Politician Can Influence Arrests

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15 hours ago

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July 28, 2026

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The Chairman of the Kano State Taskforce Committee on the Control of Drug Abuse and Illicit Substances, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has declared that no politician or influential individual can compel him to release suspected drug offenders arrested in the state.
Barrister Muhuyi made the declaration while briefing journalists in Kano, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to intensifying the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He stressed that the committee would not tolerate any form of interference from individuals or groups seeking to obstruct its operations or influence its decisions.
“I will not spare any politician or individual who attempts to influence our work or requests the release of offenders. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere with our mandate,” Barrister Muhuyi said.
The taskforce chairman called on residents of Kano State to support the committee by providing credible and timely information that would aid the fight against drug-related crimes.

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He also warned drug dealers, traffickers, financiers, and other members of criminal syndicates to desist from their activities, insisting that Kano would no longer serve as a safe haven for the illicit drug trade.
“Our committee will not spare anyone found engaging in the sale, distribution, or consumption of illicit substances. We are determined to rid Kano State of drug-related crimes and create a safer society for all,” he added.

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NOA, Kano Drug Task Force Forge Partnership to Strengthen Fight Against Drug Abuse

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15 hours ago

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July 28, 2026

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kano State Directorate, has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Kano State Multi Joint Task Force on Drug Abuse and Other Related Crimes to strengthen efforts aimed at curbing drug abuse and related criminal activities across the state.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by officials of the NOA Kano State Office to the Chairman of the Task Force, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, in what both parties described as a congratulatory and strategic engagement focused on enhancing inter-agency cooperation.

 

Speaking on behalf of the NOA State Director, Hajiya Mero Idi Waziri commended the Task Force leadership for including the Agency in the committee and reaffirmed NOA’s readiness to contribute actively to the initiative. She emphasized that the Agency’s extensive grassroots presence across Kano State’s 44 local government areas places it in a strategic position to support public enlightenment and community engagement.

 

Waziri also highlighted the availability of the Agency’s Special Marshals as an additional resource for grassroots mobilization and public education. According to her, the NOA is prepared to extend the committee’s activities to communities across the state by leveraging its existing structures to promote awareness and prevention. “We are ready to extend the committee’s activities to the local government areas and beyond, leveraging our structures to reach communities where prevention and awareness are required most,” she said.

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Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, described the fight against drug abuse as a shared responsibility that requires sustained collaboration among government agencies, traditional and community leaders, religious institutions, and civil society organizations. He expressed concern over the growing prevalence of drug abuse and related crimes in Kano State, stressing that coordinated efforts are essential to reverse the trend.

 

Barrister Muhuyi reaffirmed the Task Force’s commitment to impartial enforcement, warning that offenders would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law regardless of their status or background. “Whoever is found guilty will be treated without fear or favor,” he stated, adding that while enforcement would remain firm, the committee would also expand non-kinetic approaches centered on prevention, advocacy, and rehabilitation.

 

During the meeting, both organizations agreed that sustained public sensitization and education are critical to complementing law enforcement efforts. They identified several areas of collaboration, including community awareness campaigns across all 44 local government areas using NOA’s grassroots structures, outreach programmes in schools, religious institutions and youth organizations to discourage substance abuse, and the deployment of NOA Special Marshals to support public education and community engagement initiatives.

 

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to strengthen institutional partnerships aimed at integrating enforcement, prevention and community mobilization in the fight against drug abuse. Both the Task Force and the National Orientation Agency pledged to maintain close communication and jointly develop a schedule of activities designed to reduce drug abuse and other related crimes across Kano State.

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