The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA), a coalition of progressive youth voices across the 19 Northern States, condemned the recent public altercation involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a young military officer in Abuja. The group described the incident as “uncivil and disgusting,” asserting that Wike’s conduct reflects a troubling pattern of arrogance and abuse of power.

The confrontation, which occurred during an enforcement exercise in Abuja, was captured in a viral video showing Wike in a heated exchange with uniformed soldiers guarding a disputed plot of land. According to reports by Daily Post, the Minister lashed out at one of the officers, saying, “Shut up! Keep quiet! You are a fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in…”. The NYA argued that such public humiliation of a law-abiding officer is unethical and a direct affront to the values of public service and leadership expected under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In their statement, jointly signed by Dr. Ali Mohammed (President) and Dr. Abdulhafiz Garba (Secretary General), the NYA emphasized that this incident is not isolated. They cited multiple allegations against Wike, including persistent verbal intimidation of subordinates and contractors, politicization of administrative matters for personal vendetta, and confrontational outbursts against political stakeholders. These behaviors, they claim, have consistently tarnished the image of the federal government.

The group also raised concerns about transparency in recent demolitions and property allocations within the FCT, suggesting that Wike’s leadership has eroded public trust. “Leadership in 21st-century Nigeria must reflect maturity, restraint, and respect for due process,” the NYA stated, adding that Wike’s actions undermine democratic principles and disrespect uniformed institutions.

Calling for immediate action, the NYA urged President Tinubu to review Wike’s continued tenure as FCT Minister. They argued that his removal would signal a commitment to accountability and a rejection of impunity in public office. “Nigeria deserves leaders who uplift institutions, not those who embarrass them; who inspire the youth, not those who intimidate them,” the statement concluded.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Senate has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reimburse the Federation Account with ₦210 trillion. The order was issued after the Senate formally rejected the company’s justifications for the unaccounted funds.

The decision came to a head when NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, declined to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. He had been summoned to clarify the NNPCL’s official responses to 19 detailed financial queries. With his non-appearance and the submitted explanations found to be insufficient, the Committee proceeded with the directive for a full refund.

The committee, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, has been investigating the firm’s financial operations from 2017 to 2023.

Its probe revealed ₦103 trillion listed as accrued expenses and ₦107 trillion as receivables in NNPCL’s audited financial statements — figures the Senate described as “contradictory and unjustifiable.”

Wadada, while addressing the committee, said NNPCL’s claims raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

“NNPC claimed ₦103 trillion as accrued expenses and ₦107 trillion as receivables -amounting to ₦210 trillion. On question eight, NNPC’s explanation on the ₦107 trillion receivables -equivalent to about $117 billion -contradicts available facts and evidence provided by NNPC itself. The committee is duty-bound to reject this,” Wadada stated.

He further questioned how the company could have paid ₦103 trillion in cash calls to Joint Venture (JV) partners in 2023 alone, despite generating only ₦24 trillion in crude revenue between 2017 and 2022.

“Cash Call arrangements were abolished in 2016 under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. How can NNPC claim to have paid ₦103trn in one year, when it only generated ₦24trn in revenue over five years? Where did NNPC get that money?” he queried.

Adding that the company’s explanations is unsatisfactory, Wadada said the committee would not hesitate to summon former officials of NNPCL and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) if the current management fails to provide credible answers.

‎
‎Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
‎
‎Efforts to enhance Kano’s preparedness and response to health emergencies have received a major boost as stakeholders gathered in Zaria for a three-day Workshop on Outbreak Communication Plan.
‎
‎The training, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme, is designed to strengthen collaboration among health communicators, media practitioners, and government agencies in ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information during disease outbreaks.
‎
‎Participants drawn from across the health and media sectors are expected to develop a harmonized framework for outbreak communication, focusing on coordination, transparency, and public engagement.
‎
‎Declaring the workshop open, the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the initiative marks a significant step toward improving risk communication structures at both state and national levels.
‎
‎According to him, experience from past outbreaks such as COVID-19 and cholera has shown that misinformation can spread faster than the disease itself, often leading to fear, confusion, and public mistrust. He emphasized that effective communication is as vital as medical response in managing any health crisis.
‎
‎“This workshop is about building a united front — where health officials, journalists, and communication experts speak with one voice, guided by facts and science,” Prof. Abbas stated.
‎
‎He commended the FCDO-Lafiya for their consistent partnership in strengthening Nigeria’s public health system, particularly through capacity building and institutional support.
‎
‎Throughout the three-day engagement, participants will undergo intensive sessions on crisis communication, rumor management, stakeholder coordination, and media strategy development. The outcome is expected to provide a robust communication plan adaptable for future health emergencies across states.
‎
‎The workshop continues through the week, featuring panel discussions, group exercises, and scenario-based simulations aimed at translating knowledge into practical response mechanisms.