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I Still Don’t Regret Working Under Ganduje-Anwar

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Abba Anwar Ganduje's former Chief press secretary

 

This piece of information is just a tip of an iceberg, regarding my work as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON. More and more issues will be unfolded in my Memoir, in due course.

Principally, I want reveal to all, interested parties, onlookers, pretenders and undecided elements, that I HAVE NO REGRET FOR SERVING UNDER GANDUJE ADMINISTRATION. I served directly under him, as his Spokesperson, CPS, from February 2018 to May 2023. Six consecutive years, without any break, by whatever circumstance.

While I gained a lot in his wealth of experience, as the Chief Security Officer of our dear state, Kano, I was extremely happy to serve my state in that capacity. To God be the glory, I came to know what media engagement means to politics. And vice versa.

I can always be happy to be identified with his effort in securing Kano state, from its breadth and length. I, for many times, referred that onerous effort as Ganduje Model of Security System. His inclusion of all and sundry, when it came to collective responsibility in our security architecture, was incomparable, with most of the state governments, then. Not to talk of now, when security becomes gold.

Ganduje’s human relations, as simple as he appears, gave me more chances to work with open heart and learn, from the close nexus relationship between power, institutions and bureaucracy. I learned a lot in this area. I came to fully understand how media managers, work as a team.

During my sojourn as Governor’s Spokesperson, under Ganduje administration, to date, I learned how media managers behave after their official engagement with their principals, in life after government. The best example of us all, is Prof Sule Ya’u Sule. Who was Director Press in Military Administration and civilian administration of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. But there are factors responsible for that. I learned a lot from him, when I was CPS. So also from Comrade Baba Halilu Dantiye (mni).

I walked to them and gained from their vast knowledge and experience. Simply because I didn’t see myself as a politician, belonging to the ruling party. I regarded myself and behaved as a professional. Who wanted to protect my professional calling. And the good image of my primary constituency, the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

As a result of my work as Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Ganduje, I became conversant with politics in media engagement. I do not mean political communication. But how media managers, who suppose to take lead, dwarf the good face of the profession with an ugly face.

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To the extent that, the unprofessional conduct of the managers affect their output. It will disturb your thought significantly, to see that, one of the simplest responsibilities of such managers, as in designing press releases, are poorly written and utterly arranged.

Let me urge my readers to take samples of divergent press releases issued by different media managers of different Kano state administrations, compare them with that of Police or Presidency or any organized non-media organization and see the display of uncoordinated experience.

It was because of my work as CPS, that I came to understand that, many at times, governance is ditched by undeserved media managers. Who sometimes, appear to be “sincere”, “committed”, “enduring”, and “friendly.” While on the flipside, they care only for their personal gains, tailored and awkward sensitivity. Ignorance at its “best” form.

During my work as CPS, my principal, Ganduje, him alone, gave me chance to use my professional knowledge and work uninterrupted. That was why, I worked more as a professional than a unionist or half – professional – half- politician. That time, all directives came from him directly. Not from any Cabinet member or highly placed office holders or family circle. And I stood by that throughout my six years with him.

I still don’t regret being identified with all the infrastructural development during his tenure, that I witnessed as his spokesman. Flyovers flying all over. General hospitals across the then newly established 4 additional Emirates. State-of-the-art Cancer Centre, in Giginyu. Completion of Muhammadu Buhari General Hospital, Giginyu and Khalifa Isyaka Rabi’u Paediatric Hospital, Zoo road, etc etc.

Establishment of four additional Emirates are one of the major interventions I love most in his administration. That, to me, was meant for transformation of our traditional institutions. I saw it as such and will continue with the thought.

Thinking that, Abba Anwar will reverse those efforts, is not only misleading, but, deceit, sheer display of ignorance and uninterrupted sadism. Yes, sadism, as always projected and promoted at the expense of professionalism and genuine engagement.

As I’m still not regretting my participation in Ganduje’s administration, as his Chief Press Secretary, I still believe, as I believe for all other administrations, that none is infallible. From the very time Kano was created, as a state, all governments, either military or civilian, up to the present day administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf, are not and cannot be flawless. This is my conviction. So it is left for ditchers and sadists around to understand otherwise.

With these few points, I challenge anyone, who thinks he or she understands, governance, image making, media engagement and commitment to leadership, to show me a single paragraph or sentence, where I glaringly and in black and white, as a Chief Press Secretary then, condemned any previous administrations in my press releases. Or after my CPS years, when I condemned, in black and white, not only Ganduje administration, that I served, but Kwankwaso or Shekarau administrations. Yes I mean a single paragraph or sentence. Same thing applies to Abba Gida Gida’s administration. Eagerly waiting!

I was not trained to be so. From my upbringing to my school days. I was trained to be a professional journalist, not a unionist. And all my professional years proved to that. My work under Ganduje administration, as CPS, speaks volumes.

My Memoir will unveil stark realities, undisputed circumstances and typical examples with relevant characters.

Signed
Abba Anwar
Kano State, Nigeria
Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025

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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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