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Wale Adenuga Productions, producers of some of Nigeria’s most beloved TV series including Superstory, Papa Ajasco and Company, Akpan and Oduma, and Nnenna and Friends, as well as the creative powerhouse behind PEFTI Film Institute and WAPTV, congratulates Binta International School on the successful launch of its ultramodern campus in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Under the proprietorship of Pastor (Mrs) Ehimwenma Adenuga, the new Ibadan Campus marks a significant expansion to Binta, which previously had campuses in Ejigbo, Mushin, and Ajao Estate, Lagos. This is in a bid to bring premium education closer to the doorsteps of parents who value the professional nurturing and development of their children and wards.

The Chairman of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga, MFR, was full of congratulatory messages to Binta International School as he said:

‘Wale Adenuga Productions and Binta International School have always had a special history together. Aside from the fact that Binta’s Proprietress is my beautiful wife of more than fifty years, WAP has always played a big role, especially in the area of nurturing the talents of Binta students. Binta and Friends TV series was created and featured talented students from Binta. A lot of Binta students feature in WAPTV programs. The relationship between both organizations has therefore played an important role in exposing young talents to opportunities within the creative industry.’

The new Ibadan campus caters to children from Crèche, Playgroup, Nursery, and Primary levels, and is equipped with modern classrooms, computer laboratories, playgrounds and other facilities designed to provide a conducive, engaging and technology-driven learning environment.

Binta International School, located at 32 Oyo Road, Coca-Cola Area, Mokola-Sango Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State, will officially commence classes on September 14, 2026.

However, enrolment is already ongoing.

The vocal cords are like tiny, magical strings that produce sound every time you speak, sing, or shout. When they’re irritated or inflamed, things can get messy-cue hoarseness! Here are some common culprits: Acute Laryngitis: Often caused by a viral infection (like a cold or flu), laryngitis is one of the top reasons for a hoarse voice.

Vocal Overuse: Ever feel like your voice is ‘done’ after a karaoke night or teaching all day? Yelling, singing, or even talking too much can strain your vocal cords. Acid Reflux (GERD): Stomach acid sneaking up into your throat can irritate your vocal cords and lead to a raspy voice.

Allergies: Seasonal allergies can leave your throat irritated, making your voice sound anything but smooth. Serious Conditions: While rare, persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal more serious issues, like vocal cord nodules or even throat cancer. Hoarseness might seem like a minor annoyance, but sometimes it’s a sign that something more serious is going on.

So, how do you know when to stop waiting for your voice to come back and start seeking medical advice? Persistent hoarseness can be a symptom of an underlying issue that requires professional attention. ENT specialists are trained to diagnose voice disorders and throat conditions. They might use a laryngoscope (a small camera) to look at your vocal cords and see what’s causing the problem.

The sooner you get checked out, the better the chances of catching any issues early and preventing further damage to your voice. Ignoring persistent hoarseness might not just affect your ability to speak-it could mean overlooking a treatable condition that’s silently worsening. If something feels off, don’t wait. Your voice is worth protecting!

Mercy O. Martins is a First Class graduate whose academic journey transitioned from international studies to development and security, and will be defending her PhD thesis this September at the University of Bath, United Kingdom. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her work in language decolonisation, among other issues.

You have had an impressive academic journey spanning two countries, from a First Class BSc in Nigeria to an MSc and a PhD in the United Kingdom. What does this journey mean to you?

This journey is proof that you can do anything you set your mind to. It started with wanting to make my parents proud, especially after hearing them tell me and my siblings about the sacrifices they continued to make to ensure that we had access to a quality education, something they themselves had not been privileged to have. Looking back now, I think my journey has become much bigger than academic achievement. It has given me a platform to ask questions about education, language, identity, and inequality, particularly questions that affect people from communities like mine.

Your studies transitioned from international studies to development and security, and now to a PhD in education. How did you manage these diverse fields of study?

This is a very interesting question. Growing up, I wanted to work as a career diplomat and potentially become an ambassador. That was what led me to study International Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, where I graduated with a First Class. I broke an academic record that had stood for more than 35 years in my department. I was also the best graduating student in the Faculty of Social Sciences. These achievements opened doors for me, such as an internship with the ECOWAS Commission.

For my master’s, I applied to more than 13 universities in the UK and several in France. I was fortunate to receive the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship and eventually had to choose between two universities that offered me full scholarships, alongside several others that offered partial funding. I chose the University of Bristol because I felt that the MSc in Development and Security gave me the opportunity to develop expertise in two areas at once. But it was actually when I arrived in the UK that some of my academic questions began to change. I became much more conscious of race and of what it meant to be Black, rather than simply Nigerian, in a different environment.

I started reading more about decolonisation, epistemic justice, social justice, and racism. I reached out to people whose work I admired, and, eventually, that journey led me to the University of Bath, where I began my PhD in Education with amazing supervisors and university funding. So, in many ways, my education has funded itself. I have always wanted the best education possible because I wanted to be able to compete on a global stage.

You will be defending your PhD this September. What is the title of your thesis, its major findings, and its significance to society?

I will be defending my PhD thesis this September and cannot wait to become the first Dr in my family and do so before turning 30. This has been a realm of mine since I was 15.

My thesis is titled ‘Agency and Resistance as Anticolonial Praxis: Reimagining Language Practices in Nigerian Secondary Schools’. Essentially, the research examines language practices in Nigerian secondary schools and asks how we can reimagine them so that our marginalised local languages are not pushed out of education, particularly because language is deeply connected to culture and identity.

One of my major findings is that some schools do have very strict systems of language policing, governance, and surveillance. Students are punished for using local languages even outside the classroom, as those languages are not considered appropriate in educational spaces.

At the same time, I recognise that Nigeria’s linguistic diversity makes this complicated. We have more than 500 languages, and simply saying that every school should teach every language is not necessarily practical. Rather, we should make space for other languages in the school beyond the classroom. My argument is therefore not that English should simply disappear. Rather, we need to create more space for students’ multilingual repertoire beyond the classroom.

The significance of this work is ultimately about identity, culture, and the preservation of languages. When children are repeatedly taught that their own languages are inferior and punished for speaking them, they internalise that message. Given that many Nigerian languages rely heavily on intergenerational transmission and that relatively few have established writing systems, discouraging young people from using them can have serious long-term consequences.

In the course of your PhD fieldwork in Nigeria, how did the people and schools you interacted with perceive what you were trying to achieve?

I think the best description would be cautiously optimistic. The students initially thought I had come to teach them how to speak ‘British’ English. I had to explain that I was there to listen to their experiences of language use in school and to understand their perspectives, rather than to teach them anything. The teachers were more divided. Some were very interested in the research and thought it was necessary, while others were sceptical and felt that local languages belonged in local schools rather than in the formal education system. The parents generally understood the importance of what I was trying to do while also recognising that English has an important place in education and future opportunities. Over time, I think we reached a place of mutual understanding.

Why do you think it is important to decolonise the current language, English, that we use for education? What harm does the colonial language pose to our education and culture?

I think we need to be careful about framing English itself as the problem. English is now part of Nigeria’s linguistic reality, and it has provided access to international education, employment, diplomacy, and global communication. The question is not whether English should exist. The question is what happens when English becomes the only language associated with intelligence, success, and legitimacy. The harm comes when children begin to believe that their own languages are inferior, backward, or inappropriate for education. Nigeria’s multilingualism should be an asset rather than something we constantly try to overcome. A child should be able to become globally competitive in English while still being proud of their local language. For me, decolonisation is therefore not about replacing one language with another. It is about challenging the hierarchy that tells us that one way of speaking, knowing, and being is inherently better than another.

Nigeria got its independence 66 years ago. Aside from the language we inherited from the colonial masters, do you think other elements of colonisation are still with us to date?

We cannot understand Nigeria without considering the colonial experience. In many ways, colonialism shaped the possibilities we inherited, although we can still reclaim and redefine what we consider important. Cultures have always interacted and evolved. The problem comes when we are unaware of our own assumptions and begin to believe that one culture is inherently better than another or that progress requires us to replace our own ways of being.

Are there countries that have successfully decolonised their language of education into their local languages?

I do not think any country can completely ‘decolonise’ itself, particularly in a modern and interconnected world where languages and cultures constantly influence one another. What I think is important is the extent to which countries consciously value and protect their own languages. Countries such as India have recognised the importance of their linguistic diversity, while Wales has made significant efforts to protect and promote Welsh. Ghana, Tanzania, and Rwanda have also developed policies to preserve and promote local languages. The important lesson for Nigeria is that progress does not necessarily require one perfect solution.

What Nigeria can learn from other countries is that protecting indigenous languages does not have to mean rejecting English. We can prepare children to participate confidently in a global world while also ensuring that they do not have to abandon their languages and identities to do so.

Last year, there was a heated debate on the National Language Policy that seeks to promote the mother tongue and its usage as an instructional language in basic schools across Nigeria. What is your take on this?

I think this is a very complex issue. On the one hand, the transition from local languages to English can happen very quickly. On the other hand, if a child is living in a rural area where their primary exposure is to a local language, excluding that language from school can make education itself exclusionary. Perhaps a single nationwide approach is therefore not the best way forward. We could instead consider different models that ultimately support students in transitioning to English, particularly by secondary school. Some schools might use English as the primary medium throughout, some might use a mixture of English and local languages, while others might begin primarily in a local language and gradually transition to English. The bigger question is how we fix the problem rather than simply removing local languages from the equation.

What advice do you have for parents and teachers in making sure that children understand the values in native languages while recognising the importance of the role English and other foreign languages play in making them global citizens?

My advice to teachers and parents would be simple: it is okay to hold beliefs based on what we have always been taught or what we have always known, but we also have a responsibility to seek knowledge for the betterment of society. Once we learn more about the importance of language to identity, culture, and knowledge, we have a responsibility to use our agency within our own spheres of influence to advocate for something better. Learning English does not have to mean losing your local language. In fact, I think the ideal is for children to have both: the confidence to participate in the global world and the confidence to know where they come from.

Tell us about your engagement as the University of Bath’s Student Union Postgraduate and International Officer. Do you have plans or wish to teach in UK universities?

Honestly, I saw the election as an opportunity to do something I had never done before. It has been an opportunity to have a non-academic experience while still advocating for postgraduate and international students. It has also taught me something about myself. I see the role as part of preparing myself for the kind of career I want in international spaces.

In the future, I could continue in research, teach, work in student experience, or move into industry. My father would probably tell you that I should work for the United Nations, and I think he may actually be thinking in the right direction. Ultimately, though, I would like to return to Nigeria after gaining the experience I need to contribute to change there. Maybe I will become a minister one day. Who knows?

What is next for you now that you are almost finishing your PhD? And where do you see yourself and your career in five years?

For me, the next stage is really about gaining diverse experience and ensuring that I have the skills and knowledge I need to make a meaningful difference. I could remain in higher education as a researcher, lecturer, or professional working in student experience. I could also move into organisations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, or the United Nations, working on issues relating to culture, language, development, humanitarian affairs, or international relations.

I am quite open to where the next five years take me. What I do know is that I want my work to have an impact beyond myself.

Are you married? If yes, how do your husband and family support your studies and work? And how is the UK treating you since you moved to the country?

I am not married, but I hope to have a family in the future that is just as supportive of me as my immediate family has been. I have also been incredibly fortunate to have supportive friends, an adopted family along the way, supervisors, teachers, and mentors who have all contributed to my journey. I often say that I am a product of many people’s investments.

The UK has been an important part of that journey. It has challenged me academically and personally. So, while my journey began in Nigeria, the experiences I have had in the UK have helped me understand Nigeria, education, language, and even myself in new ways. I think that is one of the greatest gifts of education: sometimes you travel far away only to understand home more deeply.

After taking some time away to unwind and recharge his batteries, Ogun State governorship hopeful and Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, has returned from vacation, refreshed and ready for the political activities ahead.

The lawmaker, who has remained a prominent figure in the political calculations ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, reportedly used the break to relax away from the demands of political engagements and legislative responsibilities.

With his return, attention is expected to shift once again to the political terrain in Ogun, where the race for the governorship seat is gradually gathering momentum. Yayi’s name has continued to feature prominently in conversations surrounding the state’s next political dispensation.

Known for his energetic political style and extensive grassroots network, the senator has, over the years, built a formidable political structure, particularly across Ogun West, while maintaining relationships with stakeholders across the state.

His return is therefore expected to rekindle a fresh wave of political activities among his supporters and associates, many of whom have been eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Beyond politics, Yayi has also cultivated a reputation for maintaining a vibrant social circle, with his engagements often attracting politicians, business leaders, traditional rulers and members of the high society.

Now back in town, the governorship hopeful appears set to resume his engagements, consultations and other activities as the political temperature in Ogun continues to rise.

For Yayi, the vacation may have offered a much-needed breather, but with the 2027 political season steadily approaching, the period of rest appears to be over. The senator is back, and as his associates would say, refreshed, recharged and ready for the race ahead.

For many Nigerian parents, a child with a cough, catarrh, or fever may not immediately trigger alarm. The first response is often familiar: reach for leftover antibiotic from a previous prescription, buy malaria medicine from a pharmacy, or wait for the symptoms to pass.

But health workers warn that what appears to be an ordinary childhood illness can sometimes signal a more serious respiratory infection and that treating every cough, fever, or sore throat the same way could do more harm than good.

‘Respiratory infections are not just mild infections. It is a leading cause of death in children under five,’ said Oluwasefunmi Oreoluwa Oladapo, brand manager, Pharma Symbiosis, on the sidelines of a training programme for health workers in Ibadan.

The training, organised in collaboration with the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, aimed to strengthen the capacity of frontline health workers to identify and manage respiratory infections.

Young children commonly experience respiratory illnesses, but symptoms that appear similar can have very different causes and require different treatment approaches.

Oladapo said that one of the key messages from the training was the need to distinguish between viral and bacterial respiratory infections.

The distinction is important because antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. Yet antibiotics are still commonly regarded as a quick solution for coughs, sore throats, and fever.

According to Oladapo, some viral respiratory infections may present with a runny nose, cough, low-grade fever, and body pains. Because these symptoms can overlap with other common illnesses, including malaria, individuals may be placed on several medicines without the underlying cause being properly established.

‘If a patient comes to you today with low-grade fever and all these other presentations, it is very easy to place the patient on malaria drugs and antibiotics because you have not clearly revealed and defined the symptoms,’ he said.

Bacterial infections, meanwhile, can present differently and may require antibiotic treatment. Health workers were trained to recognise clinical signs associated with bacterial tonsillopharyngitis and introduced to the Centor scoring tool, which can help clinicians assess patients presenting with acute sore throat.

In Nigeria, fever is often associated with malaria, while cough and catarrh are frequently treated as interchangeable signs of respiratory disease.

But assuming the cause without proper assessment can lead to inappropriate treatment and contribute to antimicrobial resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to once-effective medicines.

As resistance increases, infections that were previously straightforward to treat can become more difficult, expensive, and potentially dangerous.

Oladapo said healthcare workers must recognise when antibiotics are indicated and, when necessary, select them appropriately.

He also warned mothers and other caregivers against treating children based on what worked during a previous illness.

‘A child who was prescribed an antibiotic during a previous infection may not need the same medicine the next time they develop a cough or fever. The new illness could have a different cause and therefore require a different treatment – or no antibiotic at all,’ he said.

Keeping and reusing leftover medicines without professional assessment can also contribute to inappropriate dosing and antimicrobial resistance.

‘The primary healthcare team is responsible for ensuring that your child is nursed back to health,’ Oladapo said.

Although not every cough requires a hospital visit, he urged parents to seek medical assessment when symptoms are persistent, severe, or unusual, instead of relying on previous prescriptions or advice from friends and relatives.

Treatment is only one part of protecting children from respiratory infections.

Oladapo urged parents to pay attention to hygiene and environmental conditions, particularly when children experience frequent infections.

Hand washing remains one practical measure that can help reduce the spread of infections. Children frequently touch surfaces, toys, and other objects before putting their hands near their mouths and faces.

Parents should therefore encourage regular hand washing, particularly before eating, after using the toilet, and after returning from outside environments.

Keeping living spaces clean and reducing exposure to conditions that may increase the spread of infection can also help protect vulnerable children.

However, when a child repeatedly becomes ill, parents should not simply assume that the problem is poor immunity and begin giving medicines or supplements without professional advice. Frequent or severe infections warrant proper medical assessment.

Oladapo said Pharma Symbiosis, an African multinational with a presence in more than 20 countries, sees primary healthcare as the closest point of contact between communities and the health system.

‘For a child with a cough, that early decision can make a difference. We believe that if you empower and strengthen the primary healthcare system, we can have healthier communities, healthier families and healthier Nigerians,’ he said.

That is why educating both health workers and caregivers matters.

Respiratory infections may begin with something as ordinary as a cough or runny nose. But the response should not be based on guesswork.

For Nigeria’s youngest children, the challenge is recognising when a seemingly simple illness may be something more serious – and ensuring that the right treatment reaches the child at the right time.

Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh, has expressed confidence that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, cannot be defeated in Kano in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is credible.

Umeh stated this on Friday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke on the NDC’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

The senator said the popularity of Kwankwaso in Kano would give the NDC a strong advantage in the state, regardless of the political opposition against him.

‘No matter the noise they make in Kano, nobody can beat Kwankwaso there once the election is credible, transparent, free, and fair. I can bet it.

‘I’m working with him and other leaders of the party very closely. The party is well more prepared to be an opposition party that will contest this election with very credible candidates.

‘Look at what our Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, did in Port Harcourt in his first outing. Port Harcourt was shut down.

‘Those people following them in Port Harcourt last week are Nigerians that will vote. Why were they following our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, like Jesus was crossing, and people were marching around him? Something must be motivating and driving the people, the voting population,’ he said.

A sociopolitical group, Kogi Central Youth for Change, has called on Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to intervene in the ongoing dispute surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Kogi Central.

The group made the appeal in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Adeiza, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday.

The group said the appeal became necessary following a legal challenge instituted by Hon. Onimisi Okami over the conduct of the APC primary for the Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency.

Okami had approached the court to seek redress over what he described as irregularities in the primary that produced Muhammed Ahovi Yusuf as the party’s candidate.

Kogi Central Youth for Change expressed concern over reports of pressure allegedly being mounted on Okami in connection with the case, urging the governor to ensure that the matter is allowed to follow due process.

The group said political disagreements arising from party primaries should be handled through dialogue, established party mechanisms and, where necessary, the courts.

It also stressed that seeking judicial intervention over a disputed political process is a legitimate constitutional right and should not be interpreted as opposition to the government or the APC.

‘We are concerned about reports of threats, harassment and pressure allegedly being mounted on Hon. Onimisi Okami to abandon his legitimate pursuit of justice through the courts. If these allegations are found to be true, they represent a troubling attempt to interfere with the judicial process and undermine democratic principles.’

The group urged Governor Ododo to intervene by encouraging all parties involved to respect the judicial process and refrain from any action that could be perceived as undue pressure on the litigant.

It also called on Okami to remain peaceful and law-abiding while pursuing the matter through the appropriate legal channels.

According to the group, the dispute should be resolved in a manner that promotes fairness, internal democracy and confidence in the APC’s processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kogi Central Youth for Change further urged political leaders and other stakeholders in the state to support an environment where party members can raise concerns and seek legal redress without fear.

The group said resolving the matter through dialogue and due process would help strengthen unity within the APC and promote a more stable political environment in Kogi Central.

Glasses and contact lenses are considered corrective in the sense that they help correct a person’s vision while being worn. However, when these corrective lenses are removed, the patient’s ‘normal’ – meaning usual – vision is restored.

This is because glasses and contacts do not address the structural causes of diminished eyesight, like the shape of the eye and the way the eye bends light.

In some cases, wearing glasses and contacts regularly may help to slow down certain vision changes, but it is essential that patients wear an appropriate and current prescription for the maximum benefit.

The Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as ‘Nigeria’s greatest-ever leader,’ arguing that his legacy should be judged by institution-building and difficult reforms rather than short-term comfort.

Audu said Nigeria is living through a moment of consequential leadership and urged Nigerians to examine Tinubu’s record seriously rather than dismiss it as political hyperbole.

Audu, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the City Boy Movement, traced Tinubu’s political life three decades back from his time as a senator in the Third Republic, pro-democracy activist and exile, to his two terms as Governor of Lagos State starting in 1999.

She said the intellectual origins of the Tinubu presidency were visible in Lagos where he confronted the contradiction of extraordinary private dynamism coexisting with inadequate public capacity.

‘States do not become effective because their leaders possess admirable intentions. They become effective when institutions can mobilise revenue, formulate policy, execute decisions, enforce rules predictably and the capacity to govern,’ Audu said.

Audu said Tinubu ended the politics of postponement and defended the administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms while acknowledging that they have imposed genuine hardship on Nigerians. She argued that previous governments understood Nigeria’s structural problems including subsidy costs, forex imbalances, weak revenues and infrastructure deficits but lacked the political will to confront them.

‘President Tinubu disrupted that logic. Leadership sometimes requires choosing not between difficulty and comfort, but between the difficulty of adjustment today and the greater danger of structural failure tomorrow.’

She said PEBEC through its broader business-facilitation framework aimed to reduce the institutional cost of being productive in Nigeria and to ensure that government facilitates legitimate enterprise rather than constitute an obstacle to it.

While highlighting ongoing reforms to make government more efficient, she linked the reforms to Tinubu’s commitment to building a $1 Trillion Economy by 2030 adding that Nigeria has never been more efficient and accountable.

Audu said Tinubu’s greatness rests not on perfection or a single policy, but on accumulation of political struggle, development of people, institutions and ultimately the accumulation of difficult decisions taken.

‘Nigeria has an unfortunate habit of becoming intellectually generous toward its leaders only after they are gone. We should not require death to become historically fair. Giving President Tinubu his flowers does not mean suspending scrutiny.’

President Tinubu’s work is unfinished. History’s final verdict cannot yet be written. But his place in Nigerian history is already impossible to ignore,’ she added.

Jigawa Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, has honoured the Chairman of Birniwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Shehu Baba Birniwa, for voluntarily undergoing a one-week special training alongside 2,449 Hisbah guards in the state.

The award was presented to the council chairman by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Aminu Usman, who represented the governor at the passing-out ceremony held at the Yakubu Gowon NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Fanisau, Dutse.

Namadi commended Birniwa for demonstrating what he described as exemplary leadership by participating in the training alongside the Hisbah personnel.

He said the chairman’s decision to identify with the personnel during the exercise demonstrated that leaders should not only issue directives but also work alongside those operating at the grassroots.

Speaking after the training, Birniwa said he voluntarily participated in the programme to contribute to efforts to curb social vices and promote peaceful coexistence across the state.

He added that his presence was also aimed at motivating the Hisbah personnel and encouraging other community leaders and residents to support initiatives that promote safer and more peaceful communities.

The chairman acknowledged the role of Hisbah personnel in promoting moral values, discouraging misconduct and supporting peaceful coexistence at the grassroots.

He also commended the Namadi administration for its efforts to strengthen the Hisbah Commission through training, improved welfare, equipment and institutional reforms.

The one-week exercise was organised by the state government for Hisbah personnel drawn from the 27 local government areas of Jigawa.

The training focused on improving the knowledge, discipline, skills and operational capacity of the personnel in tackling social vices and promoting peace and harmony across the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Governor Usman reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to continuous training, improved welfare and the provision of operational equipment for Hisbah personnel.

He said the exercise formed part of the government’s broader reform programme aimed at making the Hisbah institution more effective and responsive to communities.

Usman disclosed that the government had upgraded the Hisbah Commission to a board to strengthen its institutional capacity.

He also said the monthly minimum allowance for Hisbah personnel had been increased from ?6,000 to ?25,000, while 27 Toyota Hilux vehicles had been provided, one for each local government area, to enhance patrol operations and mobility.

The deputy governor urged the trained personnel to apply the knowledge acquired responsibly and work closely with communities to prevent social vices and promote peace.

He assured them of the government’s continued support towards strengthening the institution and improving its ability to carry out its responsibilities.

The Commander-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Commission, Dr Muhammad Fa’iz Bashir Haruna, commended the state government for its support, particularly in the areas of welfare, training and provision of operational vehicles.

Haruna said the measures had improved the morale of personnel and enhanced their capacity to carry out their duties.

He urged the trained personnel to justify the confidence placed in them by maintaining discipline, professionalism and commitment in their respective communities.