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Northern Youths Hail National Assembly’s Approval of State Police, Describe Move as Landmark Security Reform

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The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has commended the National Assembly for its approval of the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria, describing the development as a landmark step toward addressing the country’s persistent security challenges.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Abdulhafiz Garba, the group said the overwhelming support for the bill by federal lawmakers reflects a growing national consensus on the need to strengthen security through a more decentralized and community-focused policing system.

According to the assembly, the endorsement of the bill by 289 legislators, with only four voting against it, demonstrates the urgency attached to security reforms and the recognition that local communities must play a more active role in maintaining peace and order.

The group noted that insecurity has remained one of the most pressing concerns across Northern Nigeria, where communities have grappled with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, and communal conflicts. These challenges, it said, have disrupted economic activities, displaced families, and undermined social stability across the region.

The NYA argued that while officers of the Nigeria Police Force have continued to make sacrifices in the line of duty, the existing centralized policing structure has struggled to adequately respond to the country’s complex and evolving security threats due to Nigeria’s vast population and geographical size.

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It maintained that the creation of State Police would provide an additional layer of security by enabling state governments to establish law enforcement agencies capable of responding swiftly to local challenges while complementing federal security institutions.

The assembly highlighted intelligence gathering as one of the major advantages of the proposed reform. It explained that security personnel recruited from local communities would possess deeper knowledge of the language, culture, terrain, and social environment of their states, making it easier to detect criminal activities and prevent threats before they escalate.

The group further stated that decentralized policing would improve emergency response times, as state-controlled police formations would be able to act promptly without waiting for instructions from distant command structures.

Beyond security, the Northern Youth Assembly said the reform could create significant employment opportunities for young people. It noted that recruitment into state police services would provide jobs for thousands of youths while helping to reduce unemployment and strengthen community engagement.

According to the organization, improved security would also encourage investment, boost agricultural production, revive local economies, and facilitate safer movement of goods and people across Northern Nigeria.

The group pointed to several countries operating successful decentralized policing systems, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. It argued that these examples demonstrate that state-based policing structures can coexist with federal law enforcement agencies without undermining national unity.

Rather than weakening the federation, the assembly said decentralized policing has proven effective in enhancing accountability, improving public safety, and ensuring more responsive governance in many democratic nations.

Describing the passage of the bill as a historic moment, the NYA said the reform offers renewed hope for communities affected by insecurity and represents a significant step toward building a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

The organization pledged its continued support for policies aimed at promoting peace, security, youth empowerment, economic development, and national unity, while urging relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed State Police framework once it becomes law.

 

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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