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Jaiz Bank Rebranding Saga: An Intellectual Sparring Between Professionals

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4 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Jaiz Bank rebranding of its logo has sparked series of debates in the past few days among professionals. Most engaging of all the discourse was that of Aliyu Jalal, a communication specialist and Safwan Idris, a brand designer.

Safwan Idris, from his years of experience as a brand designer, argued that the new choice of design by the bank is below par, and even posited that the management could be sued for a copyright violation owing to the fact that a flip of the bank’s new logo design resembles that of Bixby Samsung. Not only that, he also critiqued the use of lowercase for the letter ‘j’ which starts the bank’s name, Jaiz. Safwan, in his criticism, added that the rebranding has got too much colors on the logo which has made it look unfit for such an establishment.

Aliyu Jalal on the other hand, while responding to Safwan’s criticisms, expressed shock as to why such an acclaimed brand designer would be ignorant of things that he is to know even better. In his rebuttal, Aliyu highlighted that the adoption of the lowercase instead of the conventional uppercase which many brands are used to is a step toward solidifying their ideology of operating differently in the banking industry.

The communication specialist went further to juxtapose brands like adidas, spotify, reddit, tajbank, paypal, and others that have adopted the same lowercase; citing reasons for such an adoption to be the fact that it looks more aesthetically appealing, softer, friendlier, and less rigid.

Furthermore, Aliyu countered the designer’s claim that the new logo of the bank is a “flipped” version of Samsung’s Bixby; reiterating that such claim is weak. He justified his position by sharing that what it’s considered a legal breach in Corporate Law is a “near-identical copying”, stressing that “mere resemblance is not an issue.”

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He buttressed further that logos are symbols, and that symbols are drawn from shared ideas in which a bit of research would have him find out that there are “resemblance for almost every logo in the world.”

Responding to the “too much color” criticism by the designer, Aliyu pointed out that big brands like Google and Microsoft are using four different colors whereas the antagonized bank adopted only three which, by all means, still serve the simplicity purpose as expected.

Not relenting, Safwan held a space on the X app(formerly Twitter) yesterday evening on Thursday with the topic: Logo Design Process: Avoiding Copyright Breach and IP Lawsuit, where he expantiated more on his claims about the rebranding of Jaiz Bank.

The brand designer, once again, faulted the person whom the bank contracted for the job, remarking that no professional designer would come up with a word mark logo that’s in lowercase with the ‘j’ having the dot that it originally has. He emphatically conveyed that even though the person wish to use the word mark in lowercase, the ‘j’ should not have appeared with the dot on it.

Secondly, he argued that rebranding is not always about changing everything that a brand is already known with; that such move is risky as customers have known the brand with certain features already. Safwan noted that since Jaiz Bank, which is an Islamic bank, had adopted green which is globally recognized among Islamic countries as the favorite color of Islam; and that customers have acquainted themselves with already, it was unnecessary for the bank to replace that with yellow which, according to him, means nothing deducing from their unveiling ceremony clip that he watched online.

Lastly, he remarked that Jaiz Bank is known for its unique way of banking, hence, that should have made the designer to have avoided coming up with any logo that is in existence already; and which wouldn’t have made people debate on whether it resembles the Samsung Bixby or not.

Safwan ended the space with the mentioning of some tenets of trade mark, how copyright really works, and how it could be avoided.

Moreover, a staff of this very Jaiz Bank, Ameer Lukman Haruna, in his reaction to the online debate, shared that though he has received and seen quite a number of logo proposal for the bank, the management has reasons to stick to what it has now, while urging the youths to continue in their show of talents; that it might actually inspire the bank’s future decision to rebrand again if such opportunity arises. He also acknowledged the fact that the debate, being an intellectual discourse, is a way to keep the bank visible and relevant.

Are you a Jaiz Bank customer? If yes, what’s your take on the issue: should the bank stick to its current design or it should go back to the old one? Let’s know your thoughts!

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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2 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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2027: Former 44 Local Government Speakers During Ganduje’s Tenure, Malam Takai Endorse Senator Barau as Kano APC Gubernatorial Candidate

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19 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has confirmed that a forum of former local government speakers in Kano State, who served during the tenure of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, have formally endorsed him as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.

Senator Barau disclosed this while receiving the delegation, led by Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya, Chairman of the forum, at his office in the National Assembly, Abuja. He described their visit as a demonstration of unity and commitment to the progress of Kano State.

According to Senator Barau, the delegation, comprising 32 former House Leaders, came with a clear and united message of support. He explained that the group not only declared total backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid but also adopted him as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Kano in 2027.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya said the forum had overwhelming confidence in Senator Barau’s leadership. He described him as “a senator for all, who, irrespective of constituency, offers support for the well-being and development of Kano State and its people.” Gamarya added: “You are our gubernatorial candidate and governor come May 29, 2027, Insha Allah.”

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The forum’s Secretary, Hon. Usman Muazu Garin Malam, reaffirmed their grassroots commitment, stating: “We, the house leaders, hereby support President Tinubu’s second-term bid and endorse you as the sole APC gubernatorial candidate. All we need is your support, and we will mobilise the grassroots for you.”

Former Speaker of Tofa LGA, Hon. Shehu Halilu, highlighted Senator Barau’s developmental projects across communities. He said: “The bridge you built in our village is saving lives. Your interventions touch women, men, children, farmers, and teachers everywhere. This is why we want you as the next governor of Kano.”

Halilu subsequently moved a motion for the formal adoption of Senator Barau’s candidature for 2027. The motion was seconded by Hon. Sunusi Abdu, former leader of Garko LGA, who declared: “Anybody that is against you is an enemy of Kano and an enemy of APC. That person is also against President Tinubu.”

Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Kano, also lent his voice to the endorsement. He urged party members and stakeholders to work together for APC’s victory in the state, saying: “Choosing Senator Barau as Governor is the best decision for Kano, and promoting his candidature is a duty for all lovers of our state.”

In his remarks, Senator Barau expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and thanked the forum for their courage, unity, and unwavering belief in Kano’s future. He reminded them of the shared responsibility to restore Kano to its rightful place as a centre of commerce, education, industry, good governance, and social progress.

“With dedication, sincerity, and unity of purpose, we will build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Kano,” Senator Barau said, praying for Allah’s guidance and success in the journey ahead.

 

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Kano Bans Unauthorized Hisbah Groups, Outlaws ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’

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19 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The Kano State Government has issued a sweeping executive order banning the formation and operation of any unauthorized Hisbah-like groups, particularly targeting a self-styled body known as the “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi.

 

The order, titled “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025,” was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and publicly read by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a press briefing

 

 

He said the executive order draws its authority from Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which vests executive powers in the state governor, including the responsibility to maintain public order and enforce state laws.

 

The Commissioner said government expressed deep concern over the emergence of individuals and groups who have been “undertaking recruitment, mobilization and organisation of persons into a body described as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, without lawful authority and in contravention of the Laws of Kano State.”

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According to the order, Waiya added, such activities amount to the creation of “parallel, unauthorised enforcement structures within the State,” which the government deems “an unlawful act capable of disturbing the peace” and undermining the statutory functions of the Kano State Hisbah Board.

 

He maintained that the order unequivocally declares that “the formation of Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi is unlawful and it is prohibited from operating or carrying out any activity in the state.”

Reinforcing the exclusive mandate of the Kano State Hisbah Board, the government emphasized that it “shall remain the sole legally recognized institution in the State” for coordinating Hisbah-related functions. Any impersonation of the Board’s authority, uniforms, symbols, or activities is now officially prohibited.

 

He pointed out that the order further directs all relevant security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the outlawed group, halt all related activities, and take lawful measures to prevent any breach of peace.

 

In a stern warning to the public, Commissioner Waiya explained that “participation in, support for, or affiliation with the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi constitutes violation of the laws of Kano State.” Individuals who have already been recruited or approached for recruitment are urged to “disengage immediately and report to the nearest Security Agencies Division, Hisbah Office or Local Government Authority.”

 

According to him also, violators of the order face prosecution under applicable laws for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and the establishment of unauthorized enforcement groups. The term “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” is broadly defined to include “any group, unit, committee, movement or body organised for the purpose of performing Hisbah-like enforcement functions outside the statutory Hisbah Board.”

 

“The executive order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order on December 8, 2025, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to centralize religious enforcement under lawful authority and prevent the rise of parallel vigilante structures

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