Elder statesman, Inuwa Waya, has congratulated the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, following Kano State’s emergence as the highest-ranked sub-national government in education among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a congratulatory statement he personally signed, Waya described the recognition as a historic achievement and commended Governor Yusuf’s leadership, saying the award reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to repositioning the education sector through strategic investments and sound policies.

According to Waya, the prestigious recognition was conferred through the University of Paris’ Sub-National Education Spending Index, which ranked Kano State ahead of 209 first-level sub-national governments across the 15 ECOWAS member states. He said the feat represents a significant endorsement of the governor’s vision and deliberate commitment to making education the foundation for sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

Waya stated that Kano’s emergence as the leading sub-national government in education across ECOWAS demonstrates that purposeful leadership, prudent management of public resources, and well-articulated policies can deliver measurable outcomes capable of attracting both national and international recognition.

The elder statesman further attributed the achievement to Governor Yusuf’s declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector and the administration’s unprecedented budgetary commitment, noting that 29.5 percent of the state’s 2024 budget and 30 percent of the 2025 budget were allocated to education. Waya said the investments have translated into tangible improvements across the sector.

According to Waya, since assuming office, Governor Yusuf has embarked on an ambitious programme that includes the construction of new schools, renovation of old and dilapidated classrooms, recruitment and training of teachers, as well as the provision of essential teaching and learning facilities. He said these interventions have revitalised the education system and established a strong foundation for future generations.

Waya also noted that the international recognition extends beyond the Kano State Government, describing it as a source of pride for the people of Kano State and Nigeria. He maintained that the honour reinforces the importance of sustained investment in education as a catalyst for social and economic transformation.

Waya said he joined millions of Nigerians, including the British High Commission in Nigeria, in congratulating Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the people of Kano State on what he described as a well-deserved honour. He expressed confidence that the recognition would further inspire the state government to sustain its reforms and consolidate the gains recorded in the education sector.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has granted a three-day extension to political parties for the submission of candidate names for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The deadline, initially set to expire at midnight on Saturday, July 11, 2026, has been moved to Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The commission announced the adjustment in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to INEC, the extension was necessitated by a formal appeal from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which cited difficulties encountered by several parties in uploading the required names and personal particulars of their aspirants within the original timeframe.

In the statement, INEC emphasized that the decision underscores its dedication to an inclusive electoral process while remaining strictly within the bounds of the law. The commission reaffirmed that the adjustment is a responsive measure to the operational challenges raised by the political parties.

INEC has consequently urged all political parties to make the most of this additional window to finalize their submissions.

“The Commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” Haruna added.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over allegations of certificate forgery that led to his resignation in 2025.

According to Peoples Gazette, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission was compelled to open an investigation on Mr Nnaji after evidence of forged credentials surfaced, further reinforced by a follow-up petition by the HEDA Resource Centre, an anti-corruption group.

Reports had in 2023 that Mr Nnaji’s discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps was a dupe and that his so-called bachelor’s degree certificate was so poorly done that any curious observer could spot its inconsistencies without extra effort.

Despite resigning over alleged certificate forgery, Mr Nnaji picked up the 2027 PDP Enugu governorship nomination form earlier this year and emerged the winner.

He was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on July 1, having shirked previous invitations to visit the ICPC office for questioning.

Sources acquainted with the matter said the anti-graft commission has built a “water-tight” case against Mr Nnaji and filed criminal charges against him before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce.

The Gazette learnt that it will be nearly impossible for Mr Nnaji to wriggle his way out of these evidence-backed charges, which border on corruption, including the submission of forged credentials to the National Assembly during his ministerial screening, and so on.