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Media Access Vital for Empowering Rural Fulani Women – FUDECO Chairman

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The Kano State chapter of the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization (FUDECO), in collaboration with the National Commission for Nomadic Education, has hosted a stakeholder engagement focused on strengthening media access for rural Fulani women. The event, held in Kano, was themed “Consolidating the Outcomes of the IDRC-SPARC GES Research Findings on the Media Empowerment of Pastoralist Women in Kano State.”

In his opening remarks, the Kano State Chairman of FUDECO, Abdullahi Isa, emphasized the critical role of media in shaping societies. He noted that the media serves as a mirror of the society, providing moral and cultural reflections through both mainstream and traditional platforms. He quoted scholars and leaders such as Kofi Anan former UN secretary General and a former U.S. President to support his claim that media is now as vital as air and blood in contemporary life.

Abdullahi Isa pointed out the stark media access disparity between urban and rural Fulani communities. He stressed that Fulani women in remote areas are often left behind in the information flow. “Just recently, a Fulani man asked a question that showed how much media access is missing in our rural areas,” he said, adding that through radio, many people learn values, school requirements, and critical information that prevent societal ills.

He further stated that their research examined how rural pastoralists are using or failing to use media tools to educate themselves, particularly women who, in many cases, have limited exposure.

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Presenting the detailed research findings, Maryam Nuhu Bayero of FUDECO revealed that over the past five years, the organization has worked with stakeholders in states like Taraba and Kaduna on issues including land tenure and media literacy. According to her, research in select communities, encompassing around 35,000 residents across clusters of 15 settlements, showed that these areas maintain seasonal migration patterns with minimal security threats.

She explained that there findings in Dawakin Kudu Local Government in Kano women in the communities are economically active, with about 74% owning domestic animals such as poultry and goats. However, she noted that men retain control over these resources. Only 30% of women own land, and even then, their control is limited. Bayero said that domestic responsibilities dominate women’s roles and that their access to formal education remains extremely restricted. “Empowerment for these women is often defined as the ability to be economically independent through small-scale businesses or vocational training,” she said.

Dr. Muhammad Sale of the Department of Nigerian Languages at Bayero University Kano spoke as a resource person at the event. He reiterated the need for improved communication between the Fulani people and media practitioners. “There is a huge gap between the media and what is happening in our communities,” he said. “We want to be able to provide accurate information to media houses without censorship, and for media professionals to understand our context.”

Also speaking the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II represented by the Bunun Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ahmad Sadiq, who is also the District Head of Rijiyar Lemo, urged greater unity and mutual respect within communities. He lamented the erosion of traditional values, noting that people no longer inform community leaders when they enter or settle in a community. “We must return to our roots, be our neighbours’ keepers, and ensure that societal norms are upheld,” he said.

The engagement concluded with a unified call for improved access to media for rural Fulani women, greater collaboration between media outlets and pastoralist communities, and sustained efforts to empower women through education, economic participation, and cultural recognition.

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INEC Extends Submission of Nominated Candidates Deadline for 2027 Elections by Three Days

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10 hours ago

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July 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has granted a three-day extension to political parties for the submission of candidate names for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The deadline, initially set to expire at midnight on Saturday, July 11, 2026, has been moved to Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The commission announced the adjustment in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

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According to INEC, the extension was necessitated by a formal appeal from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which cited difficulties encountered by several parties in uploading the required names and personal particulars of their aspirants within the original timeframe.

In the statement, INEC emphasized that the decision underscores its dedication to an inclusive electoral process while remaining strictly within the bounds of the law. The commission reaffirmed that the adjustment is a responsive measure to the operational challenges raised by the political parties.

INEC has consequently urged all political parties to make the most of this additional window to finalize their submissions.

“The Commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” Haruna added.

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ICPC to Arraign ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over Forged Credentials

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July 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over allegations of certificate forgery that led to his resignation in 2025.

According to Peoples Gazette, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission was compelled to open an investigation on Mr Nnaji after evidence of forged credentials surfaced, further reinforced by a follow-up petition by the HEDA Resource Centre, an anti-corruption group.

Reports had in 2023 that Mr Nnaji’s discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps was a dupe and that his so-called bachelor’s degree certificate was so poorly done that any curious observer could spot its inconsistencies without extra effort.

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Despite resigning over alleged certificate forgery, Mr Nnaji picked up the 2027 PDP Enugu governorship nomination form earlier this year and emerged the winner.

He was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on July 1, having shirked previous invitations to visit the ICPC office for questioning.

Sources acquainted with the matter said the anti-graft commission has built a “water-tight” case against Mr Nnaji and filed criminal charges against him before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce.

The Gazette learnt that it will be nearly impossible for Mr Nnaji to wriggle his way out of these evidence-backed charges, which border on corruption, including the submission of forged credentials to the National Assembly during his ministerial screening, and so on.

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Remi Tinubu Urges Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, to Help Tackle the Economy, Says Govt Alone Can’t Fix It

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11 hours ago

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July 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said that although luxury is good, Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and other wealthy Nigerians should help the less-privileged.

She said “the burden on the government is huge”, so the rich should help.

Also, Mrs Tinubu reiterated her call for Nigerians to consider small businesses such as akara.

She made the calls in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, where she launched the national community food bank.

“Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry.

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“I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.

“The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.

“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.

“You can still help.

“There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara, kulikuli. Akara is delicious; I can tell you that,” she added.

The first lady also urged Nigerians not to look down on legitimate means of eking out a living.

“And I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. And he said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job, and he’s in Abuja.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers under him, and he’s doing very, very well.

“So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.

Speaking on empowerment programmes in Kogi, Tinubu announced the donation of ₦100,000 to empower another 2,000 petty traders in the state.

She also commended the beneficiaries for their efforts.

“Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.

“And I’m glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today.

“And I think the message is quite received, no matter how people want to turn it around,” Mrs. Tinubu added.

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