Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Information Chapel, alongside directors and staff of the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, gathered in celebration to honour the retiring Acting Permanent Secretary, Malam Usman Bello, marking his 60th birthday and over three decades of distinguished public service.

The send-forth ceremony, held on Thursday at the ministry’s conference hall within the Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano, drew colleagues, associates, and well-wishers who paid glowing tributes to Bello’s legacy in the civil service.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NUJ Information Chapel, Comrade Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, described the celebrant as an exemplary civil servant whose leadership style was defined by humility, courage, and dedication. He highlighted Bello’s immense contributions to both the ministry and the NUJ, noting his commitment to mentorship and professional excellence.
Yakasai, who once served as a Deputy Director under Bello, further praised him as a fair and compassionate leader who nurtured subordinates with integrity and a strong sense of responsibility. He offered prayers for Allah’s abundant rewards for the retiree’s years of service.
Representing the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya congratulated Bello on attaining the milestone age of 60 and completing 33 years in service. He described the achievement as a testament to wisdom, resilience, and divine favour.

Waiya emphasised that staff training and capacity building remain a top priority of the ministry, revealing that a significant percentage of training initiatives were driven by Bello during his tenure as Acting Permanent Secretary. He assured that the ministry would continue to benefit from his expertise, disclosing plans to include him in a proposed training committee for information managers.

“The ministry will not forget his contributions to the growth of the information sector and the development of Kano State,” Waiya stated, adding that Bello’s legacy would remain part of the ministry’s institutional history.
In his response, Malam Usman Bello expressed gratitude for the honour, noting that serving for over 33 years and attaining the age of 60 was a source of pride and fulfilment. He appreciated the NUJ Information Chapel, the ministry’s leadership, and staff for organising the event.

He described the Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, as a progressive leader, commending his efforts in revitalising the Ministry of Internal Affairs and restoring its core mandates.

Goodwill messages were delivered by colleagues and associates, including Sunusi Abdullahi Kofar Naisa, Maikudi Muhammad Marafa, and Bahijjah Kabara, among others, all of whom acknowledged Bello’s professionalism and impact.

The event climaxed with the presentation of an award of honour to Malam Usman Bello by the NUJ Information Chapel in recognition of his outstanding service.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, following her failure to appear for arraignment.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the ex-minister on Thursday after the prosecution informed the court that she had repeatedly failed to attend proceedings. The judge also ordered the arrest of Bashir Alkali, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who is facing trial alongside Farouq.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two defendants on a 21-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged sums involved are approximately $1.37 million and ₦748 million.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants had been granted administrative bail and served with the charges. “However, they have failed to appear before this honourable court for their arraignment,” he said.

Jacobs added that efforts to secure their attendance had proved unsuccessful, with only one of the defendants present in court. He also drew the court’s attention to the former minister’s failure to return her international passport after being permitted to travel abroad for medical reasons. “The first defendant has failed to return her international passport after travelling abroad on medical grounds, and no medical report has been presented before this court to justify her absence,” Jacobs stated.

Defence counsel Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) attributed his client’s absence to ill health and urged the court to consider an affidavit to that effect. He further requested a six-week window to produce the former minister in court.

Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected the request and granted the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

Africa’s leading conglomerate will feature its flagship Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the 2026 Nasarawa Trade Fair, which will be officially declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 20.

Dangote Industries Limited will also showcase its Vision 2030, which focuses on driving innovation and Africa’s industrialization.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.

A statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said other Strategic Business Units of the company will be participating at the annual event in the state capital, Lafia.

Anthony Chiejina stated that products to be featured at the Fair will include those from the Group’s Strategic Business Units, such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt and seasonings, Dangote SinoTruk, Dangote Packaging, and Dangote Fertiliser.

The statement quoted the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that Nasarawa State is key to the Group’s overall investment in Africa.

“It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments in Africa,” she said.

Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.

She stated that a dedicated Help Desk will handle inquiries, enabling the company to effectively engage participants on the Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units.

Speaking to newsmen in Lafia, Chairman and Council members of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the theme for this year’s Trade Fair aptly aligns with Dangote Group’s vision.

“We align strongly with the vision of Aliko Dangote, whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s economic future. His focus on industrialization, local production, and value creation inspires our efforts to connect MSMEs to structured value chains.

“Through this partnership, we are building a bridge between grassroots businesses and large industries, driving inclusive growth,” he said.

He said the third edition of NASTFE is designed as a practical business, industrial, and human capital development platform, adding that it is not just an exhibition.

According to him: “A major highlight of this year’s programme is the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), now structured as a package project for sponsorship support.

“ESAP is a yearly initiative from July-December targeting 2,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.

“The programme is strategically designed as a mobile training system, moving from one Local Government to another to ensure inclusive grassroots participation.”

Speaking on the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030, he said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems.”