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As IPC and Online Journalists Interface on Support to Media and Democratic Governance

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By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

As Nigerian democracy is gaining firmer roots and awareness is being injected into the psyche of Nigerians, the International Press Centre held an interface with selected online journalists from Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, and Jigawa States.

The interface is being undertaken as part of the initiatives under Component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II programme, which IPC and CEMESO are implementing with the overall objective media professionalism in the coverage of elections.

The main goal of the interface is to examine the newsroom enabling environment and measures for improvement, in order for the media to engage in impactful reporting of the 2027 elections.

In his welcome address during the event, the Director of the International Press Centre and veteran journalist, Lanre Arogundade, said the reason why the online media was gathered for the interface is to prepare for the coverage of the 2027 elections. He said the IPC works to build the capacity of the media in areas such as election reporting and investigative reporting on elections.

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According to Arogundade, the pillars supporting elections are INEC, the judiciary, and the media.

The overall objective is for the media to enhance professionalism, combat misinformation, and promote the Freedom of Information Act and media access during every election.

Lanre pointed out that the International Press Centre also trains female politicians and journalists on how to stay safe during elections due to their chaotic nature.

On the coverage of elections, the director posed a question to the journalists: who is responsible for the challenges in publishing stories during elections is it the reporter, the publisher, or the editor? He noted that reporters often complain that their stories are not published.

He asked whether the issue is a logistical challenge or a matter of gatekeeping. He added that the more we sanitize the information system, the better.

On women’s participation in politics, he asked why so few women are elected into political offices and urged the journalists to “RUSH” Report Until Something Happens.

The Executive Director of the Centre urged the participating journalists to also come up with stories and editorials on women’s participation in politics and why they should be involved.

The online journalists drawn from Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States include Nigerian Tracker, Solacebase, Authentic News Daily, Katsina Post, Kano Times, and Blazon News.

Mr. Lanre Arogundade urged the journalists present to explore the use of AI in reporting electoral promises that are not fulfilled by politicians once they attain political positions.

 

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If the PDP does not put its house in order, there will be an alliance,” -Sule Lamido

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The former Governor of Jigawa State and one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has cautioned that unless the party resolves its internal crisis, it risks forming alliances and coalitions that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

Lamido made the statement while receiving Jigawa PDP stakeholders and party leaders at his Kano office, stressing the urgent need for unity and reconciliation.

Lamido recalled that he had earlier given party members an ultimatum to wait until December 9 to determine the fate of the current acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

He disclosed that after consultations with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, several strategies were devised to engage PDP governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in reconciliation talks, which were hosted at Saraki’s residence.

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“We have consulted all of them and asked for cooperation. We are going to sit again. Don’t worry, you are going to vote. There is no party still like the PDP. We should not allow our personal ego to destroy it,” Lamido emphasized. He warned that if reconciliation fails, alliances and coalitions would become inevitable, adding that “if you want to make a name in Nigeria, you should join the PDP.”

Lamido lamented the party’s dwindling influence in Kano State, where it managed only 15,000 votes in the last general elections.

He also criticized the defection of the PDP’s former vice-presidential candidate to the All Progressives Congress. “The rivalry within PDP is only benefitting the APC,” Lamido said, accusing the southwest of rallying behind the APC due to tribal sentiments.

On his part, Alhaji Babandi Gumel, PDP Chairman in Jigawa State, explained that the gathering was part of ongoing reconciliation efforts. He noted that similar meetings had been held in Dutse, following a paper presented by former local government chairmen during Lamido’s tenure as governor. Gumel added that the November 27 meeting in Kano was a continuation of those efforts, aimed at resolving leadership disputes.

“Our leader, Sule Lamido, asked us to wait a little to ensure the national leadership is sorted out. Up till now, there is no substantive chairman. The faction of Turaki is still claiming leadership, while other factions are also laying claims. Even on INEC’s website, it is still Damagum’s name that appears,” Gumel stated.

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The Kano Online Media Chapel congratulates the NUJ awardees

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The Kano Online Media Chapel, under the leadership of Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, has congratulated the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Director-General, Media and Communications to the Kano State Governor, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dan Tiye, on their conferment with Awards of Honour by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.

The awards were presented by the NUJ Kano State Council under the chairmanship of Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding contributions to information management, media development, public communication, and sustained support for journalism practice in Kano State.

In a statement issued on behalf of members of the Chapel, Chairman Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo described the honour as well-deserved, noting that the awardees have, at different times, demonstrated commitment to transparency, media freedom, and effective government–media relations.

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Dangambo particularly commended Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya for his open-door policy and constructive engagement with journalists, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa for strengthening strategic communication and media coordination within the present administration, and Baba Halilu Dan Tiye for his enduring legacy in advancing information dissemination and professionalism in the state.

He added that the recognition by NUJ serves as encouragement to public office holders to continue supporting ethical journalism and creating an enabling environment for media practitioners to discharge their responsibilities to society.

The Kano Online Media Chapel wished the award recipients continued success in their respective roles and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, responsible reporting, and partnership with relevant stakeholders in promoting good governance and public enlightenment in Kano State.

It also Congratulated the leadership of NUJ Kano council for hosting a successful 2025 Press week.

Dangambo also thanked the NUJ national president, comrade Alhassan Yahaya for being present at the opening of Kano online media Chapel office and the NUJ press Week dinner and awards night.

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Arewa Rents Charts a Digital Future for Northern Nigeria’s Property Market”

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Arewarents.com, a property marketplace startup focused on Northern Nigeria, is positioning itself to transform how people rent, buy, and access short-let properties across the region through technology and innovation.

The startup pitched its idea today at the first Kano Startup Weekend, an event organized by the Kano State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). The event brought together startups, investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders to showcase emerging solutions addressing real market challenges.

At the pitch, Arewa Rents presented its vision of building a centralized digital platform for property rentals, sales, and short-lets, designed specifically for the Northern Nigerian market. According to the Founder of Arewa Rents, Anas Y. Yusuf, the goal is to “create a single trusted platform where people can easily find verified properties without relying on scattered and unreliable sources.”

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Northern Nigeria’s real estate market remains largely informal, with property listings scattered across social media, local agents, and offline networks. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies, limits visibility for property owners and agents, and makes it difficult for renters and buyers to access verified properties in one trusted place.

Addressing this gap, Anas Y. Yusuf noted that Arewa Rents is “leveraging technology to bring structure, transparency, and trust into the property market, while making it easier for agents and landlords to reach serious clients.”

Arewa Rents is developing a technology-driven property marketplace that aggregates verified listings for homes, apartments, shops, and short-stay properties. The platform is designed to connect renters, buyers, agents, developers, and landlords more efficiently, while improving transparency in property transactions.

As the startup continues to build and scale its platform, Anas Y. Yusuf emphasized that the long-term mission is “to make property renting, buying, and short-let access in Northern Nigeria more efficient and accessible through a trusted digital marketplace.”

With its regional focus and marketplace-driven approach, Arewa Rents is emerging as a startup positioned to play a key role in the digital transformation of Northern Nigeria’s real estate sector.

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