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NIPSS suspends participant over articles backing Tinubu’s reforms

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A Nigerian public relations professional, Yushau A. Shuaib, has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as “unjust, humiliating, and deeply distressing” treatment at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, where he was suspended from the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 allegedly over harmless articles supporting the President’s Digital and Blue Economy agenda after paying a fee of N18 million.

The participant stated this in a detailed petition, titled: “Unjust Treatment at NIPSS Over Articles Supporting Digital and Blue Economy Reforms.”

In it Shuaib, founder of PRNigeria and a Golden World Award recipient of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), accused the institute of harassment, cyberbullying, and professional ostracisation despite his full compliance with institutional guidelines and ethical publishing practices.

He revealed that following his suspension on May 2, 2025, he was asked to vacate the NIPSS premises immediately.

The abrupt action shocked his family and colleagues, who were left to speculate on the rationale, especially since all other participants remained in the programme.

This petition sets the record straight and seeks to prevent false insinuations that could damage my reputation,” he stated.

Shuaib recounted that on October 28, 2024, shortly after receiving an international award in Belgrade, he was nominated by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to participate in the prestigious SEC 47 course.

He disengaged from his company, Image Merchants Promotion Limited, and joined the course in good faith.

However, on March 21, 2025, PRNigeria published a story, titled: “NIPSS Goes Digital,” which Shuaib neither authored nor edited.

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The article commended the institute’s transition to a paperless system and highlighted its alignment with the Tinubu digital transformation agenda.

Despite this positive coverage, Shuaib was issued a query by Nima Salman Mann, the Acting Director of Studies, and was subsequently pressured by Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha a Directing Staff, to discard his initial written defence and submit a revised version dictated by them.

On April 7, 2025, Shuaib was summoned before a disciplinary panel, but was denied the opportunity to speak or present his case.

The panel relied exclusively on the rewritten response imposed by Rear Admiral Mustapha, rather than the original defence he had prepared.

He was then issued a perplexing final warning letter, his first and only formal warning since the commencement of the programme.

Other participants also reportedly faced disproportionate sanctions.

One was queried for commending the initiatives of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State during a vote of thanks at the Government House, Jos; another for arriving late after a family emergency; and a third for representing NIPSS positively in an external engagement.

On April 28, Shuaib received another query, less than two months after the first.

This time, the NIPSS cited a restricted internal PRNigeria editorial email dated April 25, 2025, titled: “Understanding the ‘Blue’ in the Blue Economy: A PR Perspective.”

The unauthorised interception of this internal correspondence constituted a serious breach of digital privacy and can rightly be described as cyberbullying and cybercrime.

Shuaib said: “The article, which I authored and later published in the media, provided insights into the government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda from a Public Relations standpoint and did not refer to NIPSS whatsoever.

Shockingly, the institute had accessed the email before it reached its intended editorial recipient—a clear act of unwarranted surveillance and professional misconduct.

“This act was not just a violation of privacy—it amounted to cyberbullying and professional misconduct.”

The mental strain from the ordeal reportedly led to a hypertension diagnosis at the NIPSS clinic.

According to Shuaib, an official directive later barred other participants from interacting with him, leaving him completely isolated.

In addition to his suspension and exclusion from all official communication platforms, Shuaib was denied participation in the SEC 47 international study tours, despite having paid the full N18.2 million fee.

All other participants were granted travel privileges and Estacodes for official tours across Africa and other continents.

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Ganduje’s 12,000 Capacity Independent Hisbah Distributes Application Forms

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Independent Hisba Fisabilillah has launched the distribution of forms to 12,000 persons who were screened in 44 local government areas of Kano State from Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration to the current administration.

The Co-Chairmen of the committee who distributed the forms are former Kano State Commandant of the Hisbah Board during Ganduje’s tenure, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Ibn Sina, and Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, in Kano.

After the committee formed by the former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, completed its work, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, sought the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his alleged intention to launch his own security forces. But the committee that conducted the operation denied this, saying that it is the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah.

The committee added that this Independent Hisba has been operating since the tenure of former Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he was reluctant to implement Islamic Shari’a law at that time.

The committee stated that the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah will work in collaboration with the security agencies and will not tolerate anything that is against the law and not the work of Almighty God.

And as the committee explained, the Nigerian Constitution allows that anyone found to be acting improperly should be handed over to the appropriate authority.

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Therefore, the committee said that if he did so, then according to the Constitution of the country, he did not commit a crime.

Likewise, the committee warns anyone who joined Hisba Kwankwasiyya to leave it or go and collect this Hisba Fisabilillah form, which is free and not for sale.

The Chairman and Co-Chairman of the committee, Sheikh Haroon Sani Ibn Seena and Dr. Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, said that if the APC takes power in 2027, they will confirm that this person is not a Hisba Fisabilillah and is not a person who is doing the work of God.

Therefore, they called on them to go and collect this form so that they will not be screened and found to be non-compliant, saying that this is not Hisba Gandujiyya or Hisba Ganduje Foundation, but only Hisba Independent Fisabilillah.

After the committee formed by the former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, completed its work, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, sought the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his alleged intention to launch his own security forces. But the committee that conducted the operation denied this and said that it is the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah.

The committee added that this Independent Hisba has been operating since the time of former Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he did not implement Islamic law at that time.

The committee stated that the Independent Hisba will work in collaboration with the security forces and will not tolerate anything that is against the law and not the work of God.

And as the committee explained, the law of the land allows that anyone found to be acting improperly should be handed over to the appropriate authority.

Therefore, the committee said that if he did so, then according to the Constitution of the country, he did not commit a crime.

Likewise, the committee warns anyone who joined Hisba Kwankwasiyya to leave it or go and collect this Hisba Fisabilillah form, which is free and not for sale.

The Co-Chairman of the committee said that if the APC party takes power in 2027, he will confirm that this person is not a Hisba Fisabilillah and is not a person who is doing the work of God.

Therefore, he calls on them to go and collect the form so that they will not be screened and found to be non-compliant, saying that this is not Hisba Gandujiyya or Hisba Ganduje Foundation, but only Hisba Independent Fisabilillah.

 

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Kano Convenes Prayer Session With 4,444 Reciters

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The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, organised a special prayer session where 4,444 Qur’anic reciters devoted the entire day to supplications for lasting peace and security across the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.

Kano State has, in recent weeks, experienced incidents of banditry, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, where 15 persons were abducted and one woman was tragically killed.

According to the statement, the prayer session was held at the Government House, Kano, and brought together Qur’anic reciters, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and government officials to collectively pray against the enemies of the state, especially those responsible for the recent security challenges.

Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful gathering and urged the people of Kano, particularly key stakeholders, to support the government’s commitment to addressing insecurity, stressing that banditry does not distinguish between political affiliation, social status, or community.

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He recalled that the ancient city of Kano and its environs have historically enjoyed divine protection, noting that the administration will continue to embrace prayers alongside lawful measures to ensure the sustenance of peace and tranquillity.

The Governor also appealed to residents to engage in personal prayers, especially during the late hours of the night, for lasting peace and stability in Kano State and across the country.

Governor Yusuf further commended the security agencies for their continuous support and sacrifices, emphasising that cooperation between the agencies and the present administration remains cordial and effective.

In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, thanked Almighty Allah for the successful prayer gathering and called on the people of Kano to remain united in supporting government efforts toward restoring peace for the collective good.

The Emir also appreciated Governor Yusuf’s recent visit to affected communities alongside heads of security agencies, describing the action as timely and reassuring.

Sheikh Muhammad Sani Ashir led the prayers.

Leaders of various Islamic sects, including Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Sani Ashir, Sheikh Adam Abba Koki, Sheikh Bazallah, Sheikh Nasir Kabara, Sheikh Abdullahi Uwaisu Madabo, Sheikh Dr. Mujitaba Abdulkadir Bauchi, and Gwani Lawi Gwani Dankillori Maiduguri, emphasised the urgent need for continuous prayers to overcome the security challenges facing the state.

They commended Governor Yusuf for combining physical security efforts with spiritual interventions, describing the approach as bold, holistic, and reassuring to the people of Kano.

 

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Soldiers Toppled President Talon of Benin

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Toppled President Talon of Benin: Photo Credit AFP Via BBC

 

Soldiers in the West African nation of Benin have announced on national TV that they have ousted President Patrice Talon and seized power.

A message from the French embassy in Benin said gunfire had been reported near the residence of the president in the main city of Cotonou.

The soldiers also announced a suspension of the constitution, the closure of all land borders as well as the country’s airspace.

According to their statement, Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal will be leading a military transition council.

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They justified their actions by criticising President Talon’s management of the country

Talon, 67, is due to step down next year after completing his second term in office, with elections scheduled for April.

A businessman known as the “king of cotton”, he first came to power in an election in 2016. He had promised not to seek a third term and had already named a successor.

The French Embassy has urged its citizens to stay indoors for their safety.

This apparent coup in Benin comes just over a week after Umaro Sissoco Embaló was overthrown as president in nearby Guinea-Bissau.

In recent years, there have been several coups in West Africa, including in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, heightening fears that the security of the region could worsen.

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