Connect with us

News

BUK, European Space Agency Equip Journalists with Satellite Tools for Climate Reporting

Published

on

The participants during the workshop

Anas Yushau Yusuf

Journalists and media practitioners have been equipped with practical skills in the use of Earth Observation technologies to improve climate change and environmental reporting during a capacity-building workshop organised by Bayero University Kano (BUK) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Future Earth.

The one-day workshop, titled “Achieving Transformative Flood Risk Management in Informal African Cities Using Demystified Earth Observation,” was held at Bayero University Kano. It brought together journalists from various media organisations to explore how satellite imagery, geospatial data and Earth Observation platforms can support evidence-based reporting on environmental and climate-related issues.

In his welcome address, the Project Lead, Prof. Aliyu Salisu Barau, said the training was designed to empower journalists with practical tools that would improve the quality, accuracy and credibility of environmental reporting.

“As the climate change crisis continues to unfold across our societies, the public depends on accurate, timely and evidence-based reporting,” he said.

According to him, participants would gain hands-on experience with Earth Observation platforms that can help journalists verify environmental claims, strengthen investigative reporting and communicate complex climate issues more effectively.

Prof. Barau noted that environmental challenges such as flooding, drought, land degradation and rapid urbanisation require reporting that is supported by scientific evidence rather than assumptions.

Advert

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) of Bayero University Kano, Prof. Amina Mustapha, described climate change as one of the most pressing development challenges confronting Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.

She urged journalists to pay greater attention to environmental stories that directly affect communities, including desertification, the shrinking Lake Chad, food insecurity, climate-induced displacement and the implementation of initiatives such as the Great Green Wall.

Prof. Mustapha stressed that the media has a critical role in informing the public, influencing policy discussions and promoting accountability through accurate and well-researched environmental reporting.

Delivering her remarks virtually, Freya Muir, Research Coordinator at the European Space Agency and Future Earth, highlighted the importance of Earth Observation data in supporting climate monitoring, disaster preparedness and sustainable environmental management.

She explained that satellite-generated data provides reliable information that can help governments, researchers, humanitarian organisations and journalists better understand environmental changes and communicate risks before disasters occur.

The workshop featured technical sessions on the fundamentals of Earth Observation, accessing satellite data for evidence-based reporting, visual storytelling using geospatial information, investigative environmental journalism, and the application of Earth Observation tools for early warning communication and climate risk reporting.

Participants also took part in a hands-on practical session where they were introduced to digital Earth Observation platforms and guided through the process of accessing and interpreting satellite data for story development.

The training forms part of an ongoing collaborative project aimed at strengthening flood risk management in informal African cities by making Earth Observation technologies more accessible to researchers, policymakers and the media.

For many participants, the workshop demonstrated that modern journalism increasingly requires the ability to interpret scientific data alongside traditional reporting methods. By combining satellite imagery with field reporting, journalists can produce more accurate, compelling and impactful stories that contribute to public awareness and informed decision-making on climate and environmental issues.

The workshop ends with a renewed call for stronger collaboration between scientists, academic institutions and the media to ensure environmental reporting is rooted in credible evidence and serves the public interest.

News

Kano Governor Yusuf Visits Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Commends Staff, Managements

Published

on

 

 

The executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has visited Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano to assess the quality of healthcare services being provided to residents and commend health workers for their commitment to saving lives.

The governor made the visit on Friday night as part of his routine inspections of healthcare facilities to assess service delivery and observe first-hand how patients are being attended to, particularly during night hours.

During the visit, Governor Yusuf inspected patients receiving treatment at the hospital and toured different sections of the facility accompanied by the doctor on duty and other members of staff.

The governor observed the activities of health workers and assessed the manner in which patients were being attended to at the time of his visit.

Advert

He commended the staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for what he described as their dedication to providing healthcare services to the people of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf also acknowledged the contribution of private healthcare providers to the state’s healthcare system, stressing the importance of collaboration between government and private-sector operators in improving healthcare delivery.

The visit, according to the governor’s entourage, demonstrated that the administration’s concern for healthcare extends beyond government-owned facilities to private hospitals and other health institutions contributing to the wellbeing of residents.

Governor Yusuf thanked the management and staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for their efforts and commitment to saving lives.

As a gesture of encouragement, the governor presented the hospital staff with a special award in recognition of their service and dedication.

The governor’s visit also provided an opportunity to appreciate the role of private healthcare providers in complementing government efforts to expand access to medical services across Kano State.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital, located at Tal’udu Junction, opposite Sheikh Al Rayyan School in Kano, operates round the clock and provides healthcare services through qualified doctors and other medical personnel across its various departments.

The governor’s inspection forms part of his administration’s broader emphasis on monitoring healthcare delivery and ensuring that residents receive appropriate medical attention in both public and private health facilities across the 44 local government areas of Kano state.

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu Trusts Barau To Speak on Security, Development at a Summit

Published

on

 

By Abba Anwar

When President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, assigned the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, PhD, to represent him at an all-important International Conference on Security and Development in Abuja recently, it is a clear demonstration of trust and confidence from Mr President.

It was the International Conference on National Security and Sustainable Economic Development, organised by the Muslim World League in collaboration with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS). Senator Jibrin’s choice to represent President Tinubu underscores the President’s belief in the Senator’s reliability, depth, and commitment to security, national unity and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

At a time when diverse religious groups, both intra and inter, started discussing national issues around the security of the land, Presidency concurs with the DSP model of securing our nation. Representing a President of a nation, in such events, speaks volumes about DSP’s relevance in the security of our motherland, Nigeria.

It is without any doubt to understand that, President Tinubu must have deeper knowledge about DSP’s commitment to the fight against insecurity disturbing the nation. Especially North West, where the Senator comes from. Security agencies are in the best position to catalog his unmatched contributions in the sector.

The fact that the Conference brought together participants from across the country and beyond, and was competently attended by prominent religious, traditional and political leaders from different faiths and ethnic backgrounds, it showcases what Senator Jibrin means to Nigerian nation state. In one and indivisible Nigerian project.

It also shows the level of confidence President Tinubu has in DSP’s capacity, composure, and loyalty. It, at the same time, positions him as a trusted voice of the Presidency on sensitive national matters. Recognition of patriotic competence of the Senator from the top most occupier of the ladder.

Speaking for the Commander-in-Chief is not a joke at all. We can all see how DSP conveyed Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment to achieving sustainable security”.
It takes a great mind of meaningful substance to be given a task to address religious, traditional and political leaders on a matter as sensitive as security on behalf of the C-in-C.

It clearly demonstrates that Mr President trusts him to handle delicate, multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-faceted audiences without fear of misrepresentation. A stamp of greatness and persistent commitment.

Advert

Distinguished Senator Jibrin was able to link security to development and tied both to the “Renewed Hope Agenda.” An attestation that he understands and can articulate the President’s policy direction beyond just reading a speech. He’s aligned with the vision.

On diplomatic and statesmanship qualities, as the Conference was global in nature, with Muslim World League and Nigeria as the host country, sitting in for the President,
shows that Tinubu trusts him to project Nigeria positively on the global stage.

This is diplomacy. It is clear for all that, DSP has for long been a global citizen. Does my reader remember him as the First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament? Whose work and achievements are evident even beyond the showers of the country.

It was argued by many that, Jibrin’s role as a bridge-builder and unifier, was the best choice to represent the President in an event like this,
where the audience was of diverse faiths and ethnicities. The message he carried was loud and clear. That, “Government remains committed to preserving our unity despite our differences.”

It is clear for all that, DSP has a history of legislative bridge-building and constituency engagement in Kano and nationally. Some of the feats he achieved are linked to sustainable security for Africa and the world at large. A Pan-Africanist per excellence!

In the space of consistency in leadership from the part of the DSP, ranging from his primary constituency Kano North Senatorial District, to Deputy Senate President to representing Mr President internationally, this is a progression of trust. Which ultimately reinforces the belief that in matters of security and development, the Presidency sees Barau as dependable, reliable and steady.

To demonstrate how global he has been, in his Facebook page, while referring to the Conference, DSP puts, “I further urged them to take advantage of the internationality of the gathering to share diverse experiences that will further contribute to the ongoing debate on searching for viable options for restoring sustainable regional, continental, and global peace in this era of heightened global security turbulence.”

To further show how committed is the President in securing the nation, he said, “I reiterated the President’s unwavering commitment to achieving sustainable security in Nigeria. He remains focused on consolidating the gains being recorded in the security sector and across other critical areas of national development.”

As a leader who understands diplomacy he conveyed to the participants that, “On behalf of the President, I commend the Muslim World League for choosing JIBWIS as a collaborative partner for this important Conference and for selecting Nigeria as the host country for this significant gathering.”

It is therefore important to note that, with responsible political leaders like Distinguished Senator Jibrin, there is every hope for everlasting peace and security in the country. Representing the President in this global Peace Summit, in the face of the current security challenges across the globe sheds more light on the DSP’s capacity in handling delicate national matters.

Which ultimately means, his continued presence and visibility at the national level means a lot in strengthening efforts against insecurity and hopelessness. With DSP at the top, it is rest assured that, fight against insecurity plaguing the world, is being faced with stiffer opposition from the Nigerian government.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday, 14th August, 2026

Continue Reading

News

Osun State Governorship Election: Preliminary Report on Digital Access, Political Parties’ Websites Availability, Data and Privacy Breach Using PAWSOM-Monitor

Published

on

 

 

Background

Last week, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) launched an AI-based platform, PAWSON-Monitor, to pilot monitoring of digital rights, data and privacy breaches ahead of the Osun State gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The platform was trained to track and document instances of digital rights violations and data and privacy breaches involving political actors and their digital presence – possible restrictions on contesting political parties’ websites, aspirants and their social media platforms, as well as potential misuse of citizens’ personal data for political campaigns. What CITAD aims to achieve with the monitoring platform is assessing whether equal opportunities and fair play are enjoyed by all the participating parties and aspirants as guaranteed by the democratic tenets before, during and after the Osun gubernatorial election. While this is serving as a pilot, CITAD plans to deploy the same platform to the 2027 general elections. This is the second report we are issuing based on the observations so far.

Updates for August 14, 2026

Advert

In the last 24 hours, our observatory, the PAWSON-Monitor, has monitored fifteen (15) political parties participating in the Osun gubernatorial election holding tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, returning a total of 17,888 checks on the websites of the parties. Eleven parties have their sites operational from all the over seventeen thousand checks run between yesterday and today; therefore, we can conclude that within the period during which this update is given, we haven’t recorded any anomalies to warrant urgent action or signal a deliberate attempt to undermine the digital presence of the parties.

However, four political parties, namely, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Action Peoples Party (APP), all have their websites operating with anomalies. Those of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) continue to require particular attention, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) recorded a relatively low 57.3% success rate during the monitoring period.

Based on the data scraped and analysed, action is required from the parties to rectify the anomalies to be able to operate optimally and take advantage of the digital presence, especially at a crucial moment like this. We have also noticed that two more political parties that were previously not among those flagged to be operating with anomalies, PDP and APP, have taken a space in the stagnant position, and this has raised the number of parties with red flags on their sites. We therefore urge all political parties and especially those whose websites are currently operating with anomalies to take immediate measures to look into the issues and rectify them.

CITAD will continue monitoring the digital environment and conducting human and cross-network verification of emerging anomalies to ensure that any genuine disruption of political parties’ digital platforms is identified, documented and appropriately reported.

Continue Reading

Trending