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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the special enforcement initiative, Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted two trucks carrying a total of 120,000 litres petrol suspected to have been diverted from their documented destination.

According to the coordinator of Operation Whirlwind for Zone B, Kola Olawole, the trucks – each loaded with 60,000 litres of petrol – were intercepted along the Sokoto-Illela road on October 4. The fuel was originally documented for delivery in Kano but was diverted en route Sokoto State.

Speaking to journalists in Sokoto on Friday, Olawole revealed that the drivers of the trucks, bearing registration numbers DKA 309 XA and GSW 321 XA, fled the scene when operatives attempted to apprehend them.

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‘Our investigation indicates that petrol was being diverted for smuggling through the Illela border. The offences involve irregular routing and documentation anomalies, which are clear violations of existing laws,’ Olawole said.

He stressed that fuel diversion was more than an economic crime as it undermines national development, energy security and the general welfare of citizens.

Olawole further noted that Operation Whirlwind had significantly contributed to stabilising petrol supply across the country by curbing smuggling and related illicit activities

The seized tankers were handed over to Mr Ali Ajimi, the Sokoto/Kebbi coordinator for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The recent exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) upon the completion of his two-term tenure as chairman and the immediate appointment of Professor Josh Ojo Amupitan as replacement are significant developments that necessitate an evaluation of the electoral body’s performances, vis-a-vis the challenges ahead.

Many Nigerians will now wait to see how he would shape INEC, especially by subjecting its activities to a critical review to identify the various challenges that have continued to be inimical to the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

It is noteworthy that Professor Yakubu is the first among all the past chairmen of the commission who served out his two term tenure that spanned 10 years, within which he presided over the conduct of two cycles of general elections (2019 and 2023) and a number of off-cycle elections. He also ensured an increased deployment of technology for the purpose of raising the quality of elections, especially with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, a feat for which he will continuously be remembered.

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However, even with all these accomplishments, there are still huge public concerns over some unresolved issues and unanswered questions about the operations of the electoral body the new chairman should strive to address.

As the country inches towards the 2027 general elections, there is the compelling need for the commission to put itself on a scale, with a view to establishing the extent of its genuine capability for the conduct of credible elections.

We note that the new chairman, who is a university administrator, an academic and legal luminary, is widely considered as sufficiently competent for the job. Thus, it is expected that he would quickly initiate an internal process of evaluation so that all the flaws in the operations of the commission can be identified. The INEC under him should be both sincere enough to admit its inadequacies and courageous enough to confront all the issues that have caused the crisis of confidence over its capacity and readiness for the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.

The new chairman must have been adequately aware that for too long, the electoral body is being accused of bias towards certain political party or parties complacent in the face of clear breach of the electoral law or even complicit in the perpetration of malpractices during elections.

Critical segments of the Nigerian population have been raising their voices over perceived and real deliberate abuse of the electoral process by INEC officials, in collaboration with some fraudulent political actors and security agencies.

These are complaints the new chairman should consider as a challenge that calls for real actions, which is fundamental towards strengthening the existing electoral system.

Moreover, INEC should strive to build on the technological advancements deployed in the conduct of elections so far and which majority of Nigerians believe to have added value to the electoral system. Every effort must be made to ensure that all defects that have continued to hinder the process at the stages of voting, collation, transmission and announcement of results are rectified.

Having been appointed at this critical time when the country is gearing up for 2027 general elections, Professor Amupitan may face the twin challenges of image-making and reputation management much more than any of his predecessors had ever done. It is his approach to this particular aspect of the commission’s mandate that will determine the kind of perception Nigerians will have about INEC between now and the time of the elections and even beyond. He needs to take the right steps to erase any doubt or suspicion about his credibility and competence to handle the job.

Daily Trust acknowledges the fact that management of election matters, which is the core mandate of INEC, is one of the most complex and sometimes complicated national assignments. The combination of the desperation of individual power seekers and political parties, as well as the disturbing low level of awareness among the voters has, over time, constituted a drawback for the electoral body.

It is true that the tendency of contestants and parties for the subversion of the rules of the game, which originates from their desire to capture or retain power at all costs, is the reason for much of the controversy that trails the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

The do-or-die syndrome, which has become a dominant feature of the disposition of a lot of political actors, is not only condemnable but also terribly inimical to a reliable electoral system in particular and the country’s democracy in general.

We hope the new INEC leadership would address all these tendencies if it puts in place, mechanisms for the improvement of the quality of elections. The commission must avoid such acts that make it easy or even justifiable for Nigerians to associate it with a bias or favouritism.

As he prepares to assume duties, Professor Amupitan should come to terms with the fact that INEC is an independent body saddled with the task of organising and conducting elections that should ideally give birth to government of the people, for the people and by the people. He should ensure that the commission is allowed to enjoy its independence and not reduced to an extension of government or any arm of it.

A stream of water can be seen trickling down a sandy riverbed, which dozens of residents in Kirawa and Kerawa are critically dependent on for home use and irrigation.

Nestled in the mountains of Mandara, a Boko Haram enclave, this river demarcates the towns, leaving one half in Nigeria and the other in Cameroon.

A little upstream, one can see the residents of Kerawa (in Cameroon) resting cheerfully as they chat and carry out peaceful trading activities under the protection of Cameroonian soldiers. At the other side lies the Nigerian Kirawa town, where visitors are welcomed by the gory sights of carcasses of homes and vehicles with panicking faces of residents cohabiting under duress.

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Both towns, one colonised by the British, the other by French, perfectly fit into the mountainous area, covered by lush green vegetation, under a dazzling golden sun.

Sitting on a rocky desert, these remote nature towns, a distance of 100km from headquarters of Gwoza Local Government Area and 20km from Kolofata subdivision in Cameroon are perfect places for nature lovers, hikers and even tourists.

However, the insecurity situation in the area has made this beautiful landscape a site unattractive for the inhabitants and visitors alike.

On a reporting visit to the town, Weekend Trust observed how the residents of Kirawa and Kerawa coexist peacefully and interact as dwellers of a single indivisible town.

One neighbour helped the other survive in 2014 when Boko Haram overran Kirawa and forced the residents to flee, leaving behind homes, schools and memories of their once a vibrant town.

It was gathered that Kerawa families, friends and good Samaritans welcomed the Nigerian neighbours, especially women and children in their francophone homes. They shared food, farmlands and business spaces with them.

Our correspondent gathered that they hosted them for eight years until the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, repatriated them in 2022.

But the insurgents renewed their deadly attacks in February, July, August and September, 2025, targeting civilians and the only Cameroonian troops protecting them.

Early September, the Cameroonian troops under the Multinational Join task Force (MNJTF) abandoned the position after the August 7 attack that led to the killing of four soldiers.

Spending day in Nigeria, night in Cameroon

The residents, who are yet to recover from the shock of the recent attack, which left two people dead and over 50 houses burnt, said the situation forced them to cross to the other side in Cameroon to spend the night and return to Nigeria in the morning.

Many others said they had relocated permanently there to live with their relatives in search of the lost peace on the Nigerian soil.

This situation shows how a person can live in different security situations and in different social lives.

‘It is no longer news that we spend the day in Kirawa and night in Cameroon for safety. Surprisingly, 100 meters into Kerewa will suffice.

‘Most of the people you see hardly sleep at night because the presence of Nigerian securities personel here has become a rare luxury. We only have Civilian JTF that can’t withstand Boko Haram with Dane guns. Our lives are always at risk,’ he said.

Fati Mala said that on the day of the last attack, she heard a distant gunfire and alerted her family, but it grew louder.

‘A few minutes later, the town was filled with the sounds of heavy blasts and gunshots and people started running to the border. Our aged father was sick and could not walk, so we ran and left him behind,’ she said.

She explained that the incident happened around 9am, and when they returned the following morning, she found her father outside while the house was burnt down.

‘From the border gate, we watched the Boko Haram insurgents setting fire to our houses and people’s vehicles. Many families slept there under the protection of Cameroonian troops,’ she said.

How Cameroon neighbours are becoming heroes

Mohammad Musa, a resident of Kerawa town, said that on the night of the attack on Kirawa, over 40 women and children slept in his house.

‘And many houses in Kerawa did the same. Each time there is an attack you will have hundreds of people crossing over from Kirawa to take shelter here.

‘That boundary you see is just an artificial demarcation for administrative convenience; the truth of the matter is that we are bound by common beliefs, customs and culture,’ he said.

He said that within eight years, the town had received thousands of Nigerian refugees ranging from friends, families, and even strangers.

‘We share our food, farmlands and business spaces with them. Some have built houses, businesses and even married here, so many would not return to Nigeria, no matter the peace gain,’ he said.

Nigerian refugees speak Despite the help that Kirawa refugees received from their kind neighbours in Cameroon, many of them complain about the nonchalant attitude of the federal government to their plight.

‘Our daily lives are full of small struggles that some people and the government would see as trivial, but to us, clean water is a precious commodity.

‘Finding a restroom is often a challenge; and we hardly know where our next meal would come from,’ one of the refugees, Yaa Falmata lamented.

Our correspondent observed that behind most of the wary faces interviewed, there were heartbreaking stories.’We have for long been neglected by the Nigerian government and security agencies. Since our repatriation in 2014, we have been protected by the Cameroonian soldiers.

‘We tried our best to see that a Nigerian military base was stationed in the town, but they left us porous, even after the withdrawal of the Cameroonian soldiers,’ another refugee, Abba, said.

Those who stayed back said the economy of their town was brought to its knees after business and farming activities came to a halt.

‘Our weekly market that once attracted traders from far and near has shrunk drastically. We abandoned our farmlands after we invested huge amounts of money. The farms were taken over by weeds,’ he noted.

Weekend Trust observed that the deepening hardship of internally displaced persons and refugees in Cameroon is due to the collapse of livelihoods, cutting off both food supplies and sources of income.

‘Our community has been left to secure itself. Since the withdrawal of Cameroonian soldiers, we have been abandoned in the middle of nowhere. If soldiers cannot be stationed here, how can ordinary people survive?’ Ali Kirawa said.

I notified the Nigerian military of the dangers of leaving Kirawa without security – Zulum

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who went on assessment visit to Kirawa recently, said the incessant attacks on the town had left lives and property destroyed.

‘Two lives were lost, while 50 houses and our heavy-duty truck, equipment and eight vehicles were burnt down. We thank God that the casualties were not much,’ he said.

He said the town was resettled seven years ago with the support of Cameroonian soldiers. Unfortunately, they were displaced by the insurgents.

‘I duly notified the Nigerian military of the dangers of leaving this town without security. Unfortunately, my request did not receive the deserved attention and the insurgents came on Wednesday and vandalised everything we worked so hard to rebuild,’ he said.

Zulum regretted that private and public structures were destroyed after his administration rehabilitated the schools, hospital and other facilities in the town years ago.

‘Fortunately, the school was intact, but the dispensary has been destroyed. I want to assure you that very soon, we will build a befitting general hospital. This is a border town, so the hospital would serve not only the people in the Nigerian community but across Cameroon.

‘Aside this, I promised the community to rehabilitate the destroyed houses and look into the possibility of compensation to some of the members of the community that have lost their assets,’ he said

However, the case of incessant attacks on Kirawa is not isolated; inhabitants of other resettled Nigerian border communities are now fleeing to neighbouring countries, claiming lack of enough security presence.

Seven more border towns face similar attacks, complaints

Residents of Banki, Baga, Damasak, Wulgo, Banki, Malamfatori, Ngala border communities said that whenever they were under attack, Chad, Niger and Cameroon would be their safe refuge.

Weekend Trust reports that Borno is the only state in Nigeria that shares borders with three countries: Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

These returnee communities were resettled after years of displacement by the Boko Haram insurgents, with some living as refugees in those countries.

However, with the resettlement project by Governor Zulum, many of them were repatriated with improved security.

But many of them alleged that adequate security was not provided to them; hence the deadly attacks that led to the killing of over 200 people within 10 months.

Timeline of attacks on border towns

In March 2025, Boko haram fighters attacked Wulgo border village to Cameroon and killed 12 soldiers, while many others were injured. The Cameroonian Ministry of Defence (CNA) confirmed the attack.

On May 16, 2025, at least 23 farmers and fishermen were brutally killed by the fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Malam Karanti, close to Baga, a border to Niger and Chad.

This attack came barely five months after the terrorists killed at least 40 farmers at Dumba Island, a few kilometers from Baga town, on January 10, 2025.

One of the survivors told Weekend Trust that the victims were attacked in their farms around 3pm.

On September 5, 2025, Boko Haram terrorists killed more than 60 people in an overnight attack in Darul Jamal village, close to Banki town on the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

The Nigerian Air Force said it killed 30 militants in strikes after receiving reports of the raid on the village, where residents recently returned following years of displacement.

Zulum mobilises fighters to border communities, encourages resistance

Governor Zulum has mobilised Civilian JTF fighters and hunters to fight Boko Haram insurgents on the sideline with troops to Kirawa and other border towns

This followed the withdrawal of Cameroonian soldiers stationed in the town.

The governor said he had a fruitful meeting with the theatre commander and the commander of the Multinational Task Force on the protection of lives and property of the returnees.

‘All of us have agreed that within the shortest possible time, the Nigerian army will deploy soldiers to Kirawa town.

‘The second measure we have undertaken is in the area of providing support to our gallant Civilian JTF and vigilante. I listen to them and we will provide them with the needed equipment to safeguard the town.

‘Most importantly, we are looking into the possibility of getting some modern technological equipment that would address insecurity challenges in the general area.

‘Also, we are strengthening the resilience of the community to defend themselves. They need not to panic. I see no reason why very few members of Boko haram will come to defeat the entire community without resistance,’ he said.

He also pleaded with the Nigerian military to be more committed, saying that what matters is not the number of soldiers needed to keep here but how committed they are to fight back the terrorists during military operations.

‘Above all, we need military operations. For sometimes, military operations were not conducted in Borno State, and that has been instrumental to what we have been witnessing now – renewed insurgence attacks.

‘We are pleading with the federal government and the chief of defence staff to release funds and procure equipment so that the military operations should begin in earnest since the rainy season is about to be over.

‘But you have to take note of this very important thing, which is continuing military operations. We need not to just embark on operations and after a few months we slow down or withdraw.

‘There is need for us to sustain the military operations throughout. According to the United Nations resolution, it is clearly stated that military operations have to be followed by stabilisation, recovery, reconstruction and resettlement.

‘That means that whenever we capture a certain place, we have to put in place mechanisms for all these things, otherwise, all the gains may be futile.

‘My only plea to the federal government, as well as the Nigerian military is: Let us do everything possible to ensure that we sustain the peace we achieved, seven or eight years ago,’ added.

The governor continued, ‘Kirawa was never displaced seven years ago when the security situation was very bad, so now that the security is better, I see no reason why Kirawa would be displaced.

‘Once Kirawa is displaced, other adjoining communities like Pulka and Ngoshe would also be displaced; and gradually, it will reach Gwoza Local Government headquarters and the road would be cut off.

‘I appeal to the military to immediately establish their location in Wulgo. Yes, Cameroonians have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean that the Nigerian army should leave the area vacant.

‘Kirawa is standing now. When you go to Wulgo, the opposite site of Wulgo in Cameroon Republic, their soldiers are on ground keeping their cities and towns secured.

‘So, whether we have the Multinational Task Force (MNJTF) on ground or not, there is a need for us to deploy our troops and keep them in their towns.

‘Yes, I am aware that the Nigerian army has lean numerical strength, but we have certain strategic towns and villages that have to be kept on ground.

‘I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff because immediately he heard the information, he took unprecedented measures that would forestall future occurrence.

‘Again, the sector commandant and theatre commander convened a meeting; and I believe they have taken very decisive measures.’

This week has been an eye-opener. Of all the boring medical conferences I have attended in my life (and they have been many, I kid you not)- this week’s has been the most fabulous!

The Medical Women Internation Association (MWIA) hosted this year’s, triennial conference in Cairo, Egypt. The president who just stepped down, is a Nigerian, Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi and it is something that Nigerian medical doctors practicing all over the world take great pride in. Coincidentally, the immediate past present of the World Medical Association was also a Nigerian, Dr Osahon Enabulele. Nigerians and ambition, 5and6.

Anyway, back to the conference. You know something is interesting when it raises questions in you that you previously had not thought of. Or when it changes your perspective on something vital.

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My Hausa people say ‘Ciwon ‘ya mace, na ‘ya mace ce’

How come I never knew gender disparities exist in access to eye care all over the world?

Globally there are 112 million more women than men living with vision loss, including blindness. Women are more likely to experience blindness and vision loss due to social and cultural factors, not biological ones. In rural Ethiopia and Tanzania, the responsibility of fetching water falls almost exclusively on women and girls. They must walk long distances to communal water sources, which are often contaminated and surrounded by flies. The fly is the primary vector for transmitting trachoma, a bacterial infection that causes irreversible blindness. Due to their role, women and girls have repeated exposure, making them four times more likely than men to require surgery for the late, blinding stage of the disease (Trachomatous Trichiasis). A professor from the Philippines told us that in her rural community, blindness is not seen as a medical condition but as a curse, a punishment for past sins, or the result of witchcraft.

Wetin Musa no go see for gate? In my naïve mind, blindness affects both women and men equally. In fact, I thought it was worse for men because of Hypertension and Diabetes.

How come I never knew that exposure to radiation tripled the risk of breast cancer in women, especially among female surgeons? A recent study presented by the American Medical women association showed that women working in healthcare, especially in surgery, radiology and cancer care are three times at risk of breast cancer as compared to other non-healthcare workers. Talk about occupational hazard! Me that wants my daughter to be the first neurosurgeon in northern Nigeria? Ah!

And how come I never knew about the concept of ‘excessive or over utilization’ of caesarean section (CS) as an emerging problem in the medical world. According to new research from the World Health Organization (WHO), caesarean section use continues to rise globally, now accounting for more than 1 in 5 (21 per cent) of all childbirths. This number is set to continue increasing over the coming decade, with nearly a third (29 per cent) of all births likely to take place by caesarean section by 2030, the research finds. However not all the caesarean sections carried out at the moment are needed for medical reasons. Unnecessary surgical procedures can be harmful, both for a woman and her baby. Complications of CS include potential for heavy bleeding, infections, slower recovery times after childbirth, delays in establishing breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, and increased likelihood of complications in future pregnancies. Even in Nigeria- It is CS everywhere you turn. Let me not even get started on the financial gains from private clinics.

There were just so many things to unpack. From Obesity as a risk factor for postpartum haemorrhage among women in Cairo to the adversities faced by female surgeons in Europe and America to vitamin D deficiency among Saudi women because of body covering and nocturnal lifestyle.

Tafiya mabudin ilimi.

As usual, Nigerians won many awards- best papers, research study and on our contributions to Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) in the country. Our new President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr Zainab Kwaru, delivered a beautiful speech about Nigeria’s commitment to health equity across the country especially in the areas of Immunization, Nutrition and Reproductive health.

In a moment of rarity, I was proud of my country.

Of course, no conference is complete without the touristic adventures accompanying it. In the short span of a week, we somehow found time to visit the dingy back-alley shops of Cairo where Kano people had managed to make home. Ah! Come and see my people, left, right and centre. From Maiduguri to Lagos, everyone buying and selling. Some people had completely migrated there. In fact, transactions in one common Elsisi shop where Nigerians frequent, can be done in Naira!

From the markets we moved to the pyramids for sightseeing and more Egyptian tea and coffee. After much haggling, (those people can rob you blind), we were taken on a two-hour tour of the pyramids and sphinxes in Cairo. By the time I came down from the carriage, all my body was sore. Our guide called it ‘Egyptian Massage’.

As if the adventures were not enough, we decided to embark on a desert safari at dawn in Sharm Elsheikh. We just had to go and see what the hype was all about. Wow! Sharm Elsheik is underrated. That place is beautiful! Heaven on earth, I tell you! No wonder Trump came here to settle the Palestinian matter. It is not only ceasing fire in the middle east; we can put an end to world hunger and poverty here. In fact, as soon as your feet touch the sand, gbam! you will feel the toxic energy evaporate from your soul. Ah!

It goes without saying that after all this my waka-waka, my body is showing me pepper. I ache in places I did not know existed. Also, my money has finished, and the conference is over, so it is time to return to my alma mata.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the elite professional body of managing directors, directors of news and editors of print, online, news agency and broadcast organisations, has moved by one week, its All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) 2025 by one week – November 12 to 13.

The Guild, in a statement by the president, Eze Anaba, and general secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, on Friday noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given his commitment to declare the conference open on November 12, 2025 as special guest of honour in Abuja.

The NGE stated that the change of date was due to circumstances beyond its control and apologised to its members, all invited guests and the general public for the inconvenience the change of date may cause them.

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The Guild noted that the conference venue remained Abuja, while giving assurance that the event would be a veritable platform to dissect issues that would sustain national cohesion and development in the country.

‘We promise that despite the change of date, ANEC 2025 would be a credible platform to discuss and proffer solutions to issues pertaining to national development and cohesion.

‘The president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will declare the conference open, while dignitaries from the government, academia, media, organised private sector and diplomatic corps are expected to attend,’ the editors stated.

The Guild stated that the theme of the conference remains: ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,’ with sub-theme as: ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027’.

The group stated that there would be a keynote address on the theme and sub-theme, with other engaging papers to be delivered at the two-day conference.

According to the NGE, other papers to be delivered at the conference include: ‘Election Disputes and Judicial Integrity: Navigating the Thin Line Between Law and Politics’ by Prof Awa Kalu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), managing partner, Awa Kalu and Partners, and ‘State of the Nation: Imperative of Economic and Political Reforms in Challenged Nation’ by Prof Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Head of Department, Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja.

Other papers are ‘The Evolving Face of Journalism: Battling Misinformation, AI Disruption, and Credibility Gap’ by Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Baze University, and ‘Media, Terrorism, and National Security: Addressing the Complexities’ by General Lucky Irabor (retd), former Chief of Defence Staff.

The NGE said there would be an executive session on the second day of the conference where editors would interrogate government officials, political and business leaders.

The ANEC holds every year for editors to address and discuss national issues that have social, economic and political consequences in Nigeria.

The Guild said that this year’s ANEC would see no fewer than 500 members converging on Abuja and is designed to provide a platform for editors/media executives to explore ways to promote national development and cohesion through responsible and responsive journalism.

The El-Mavericky Centre for Educational Research and Development, in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Abuja (Yakubu Gowon University), has announced an international conference themed ‘Lives and Legacies of Nigerian Islamic Scholars: Lessons of Unity Amidst Diversity.’

The conference, scheduled to hold from Monday, 15th to Tuesday, 16th December 2025, will take place at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, University of Abuja, beginning at 10 a.m. daily.

According to the convener and co-chairman of Local Organising Committee, Sulayman Nafiu, the event seeks to ‘critically examine the lives and legacies of Nigerian Islamic scholars and to extract practical lessons for building unity in diversity.’

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It will also ‘provide a rare opportunity for scholars, students, faith leaders, and the wider public to engage in a dialogue that bridges the past and present, ensuring that these legacies remain effervescent and relevant in shaping Nigeria’s future.’

In its background note, the organisers observed that ‘Islam in Nigeria has, for decades, been shaped by towering figures of scholarship, spirituality, and reform whose intellectual and moral leadership transformed communities and inspired generations.’

They added that ‘these scholars were teachers of faith and builders of institutions. They were also community leaders, mediators of conflict, and advocates of justice.’

Highlighting the enduring influence of these figures, the statement noted that ‘their influence cut across regional, cultural, and sectarian divides, providing models of unity even in diversity.’

Among the distinguished speakers expected at the conference are: ‘Prof. Mashood Baderin, Professor of Laws and Academic Director, College of Law, SOAS University of London, who will deliver the keynote address; Emeritus Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, CON, FNAL, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, as Lead Speaker I; and Prof. Muhammad Babangida Muhammad of Bayero University Kano as Lead Speaker II.’

The Chairman of the Day will be Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Secretary to the Gombe State Government, while the Special Guest of Honour is Engineer Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu MINEEE, FNSE, FNIPE, FNIPROCE, fhcd, the Dan Iyan of Ilorin Emirate.

The conference will also feature His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), as the Spiritual Father of the Day.

The organisers noted that ‘reflecting on the contributions of Nigerian Islamic scholars is not only an act of remembrance; it is an urgent intellectual and spiritual task that can inspire the youth and reframe religious discourse for a new generation.’

Conference papers will explore wide-ranging sub-themes, including ‘Islamic Education and the Evolution of Learning Institutions in Nigeria,’ ‘Preaching, Spiritual Leadership, and the Quest for Religious Unity,’ ‘Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Pluralism, and Peacebuilding,’ and ‘Digital Islam and the Transformation of Religious Discourse.’

The organisers emphasised that ‘these diverse figures, while representing different schools of thought and methodologies, share a unifying vision rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah – to promote morality, foster learning, and ensure that Islam remains a force for peace, renewal, and human dignity.’

They concluded that the upcoming conference would ‘offer profound lessons for healing the rift of Nigeria’s pressing issues such as interfaith tensions, the search for national cohesion, the fight against extremism, the need for quality education, and the struggle to harmonise tradition with modernity.’

Motorists in Nigeria are lamenting the delay associated with the processing of driver’s licence at the various offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) nationwide.

Motorists who spoke to Weekend Trust alleged that at times they were extorted when applying for either a new licence or renewal, and described the development as frustrating.

The Nigerian driver’s licence system is overseen by the FRSC, in partnership with licensing authorities at all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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Checks by our correspondents showed that applicants are usually required to undergo biometric capturing, after which they are issued a temporary licence valid for 60 days while awaiting the permanent plastic card. Findings showed that many of the motorists were not issued permanent plastic cards, months after registering, a development that makes motorists face harassment from law enforcers on the roads.

Speaking to our correspondent in the FCT, Paul Samson, a motorist who plies Central Area to Mararaba in Nasarawa State, said he had gone to the FRSC office several times because of the card but his efforts were abortive.

Narrating his ordeal, he said, ‘I applied in August 2024, did the capturing in September and was told to return in November. By January and February, it still wasn’t ready.

‘My temporary licence had even expired by then; and it wasn’t until July 2025 that I finally got my permanent licence.’

On his part, Alice Clement, a driver in Niger State, explained that the problem lies not just in delays but in inefficiencies within the system, saying she had a similar experience when her temporary licence expired before the permanent one was issued.

‘Each time I went, they said network was bad. It took nearly 9 months before I collected mine,’ she said, describing the process as very bad.

Mr Ebere Chukwudi, a driver, told our reporter that he had been visiting the Vehicle Inspection Office in Gwagwalada for over three months to acquire his licence but had received no positive response. He claimed that despite paying and having his data captured on the computer after filling a form, the officials were yet to issue the licence.

He explained that FRSC personnel frequently stopped him on the Kubwa expressway to demand his driver’s licence and vehicle papers. ‘Whenever I try to explain the situation, they would book me. I can’t even count the number of times I visited the VIO office to collect my driver’s licence. And they don’t give clear reasons for the delay,’ he said.

Abdullahi Yahaya, another motorist, said he had been making several unsuccessful efforts to renew his driver’s licence, which expired in March 2025. He visited the FRSC office on multiple occasions but was unable to obtain the new licence. And his inquiries to officials for the reason behind the problem have not yielded a satisfactory response.

‘My driver’s licence expired in March 2025 and I have made several attempts at both the FRSC and VIO offices to get a new one, but unfortunately, I couldn’t. Even when I tried to find out why, I didn’t get any convincing response,’ he said.

He claimed that both VIO and FRSC personnel often embarrass him because of the licence issue. He called on the FRSC management to publicly explain the cause of the delay.

Mr Kayode Abdulganiyu, another motorist, echoed the complaints over the non-issuance of licences. He said he visited both the FRSC and VIO offices in Gwagwalada but was unable to obtain the licence.

‘When I inquired from the VIO in their office in Gwagwalada, they could not give me any convincing response. Some of them claimed they were trying to upgrade the driver’s licence and that is why it is being delayed,’ he said.

Abdulganiyu claimed the FRSC personnel along the Zuba axis had arrested and fined him on three different occasions due to lack of a driver’s licence.

However, Evangelist Simon Edifeh, who processes his licence at the Mararaba office in Nassarawa Sate, said he didn’t have difficulties.

According to him, many licences are ready but left uncollected. ‘If you go there, you will see bags of licences waiting for people. Some motorists prefer shortcuts and fake licences, which cause them problems later.

‘I go directly, renew, get captured, and within a week or so, I get mine,’ he said, arguing that the absence of VIOs could weaken roadworthiness checks.

Many hurdles

Agbo Daniel, a commercial motorist, noted that the difficulty in obtaining a driver’s license would start right from the payment level. According to him, it can take up to three days before officials even confirm the transaction.

He said the next trouble had to do with data capturing, adding, ‘By the time you are through with that, you have to wait for about a month to get the temporary licence before the original copy is ready, which will take months.

‘They would take another period just searching for the document when you go to their office to collect it,’ explaining that this process is for renewals.

For obtaining a fresh licence, an applicant is required to attend a driving school and provide a medical report. He also said, ‘Thereafter, you would wait for about three months before being asked to make the official payment and go for data capturing before the document could be ready at a specific time.’

Speaking about his preference between the FRSC and VIO, Daniel confidently said he preferred to register with the FRSC, explaining that VIO’s procedure was more rigorous due to the high volume of applicants and patronage.

Saminu Sani recounted a previous experience where he rushed to apply for renewal upon the expiration of his license. He said, ‘But I was disappointed as it took me so long before getting a new one. There is a lot of corruption attached to the procedure, which I refused to oblige.’

He urged the present government to declare a state of emergency on the issue and carry out the necessary reforms that would fast-track the process.

Possible reasons for the delay

A retired FRSC personnel, Abubakar Shehu, said the challenge with the issuance of driver’s licence might be as a result of the ongoing upgrade of the licence by the FRSC.

‘I think the challenge may be as a result of the upgrading of the driver’s licence. My friend even gave me money to help him process the licence two months ago, but up till this moment, it is not yet ready,’ he said.

A VIO official attributed the delay to bureaucratic processes from the FRSC headquarters in Abuja, noting that the FRSC handles the core licensing process.

‘If you want to get the true picture about the whole matter, I think you should try and reach out to the FCT sector command of the FRSC, who are in a better position to give you details,’ the official advised.

What happened in the past

In 2012, the FRSC introduced the digital driver’s licence scheme, promising faster processing, improved security and reduced forgery.

More than a decade later, however, motorists say little has changed. Complaints of poor data management, network downtime and central printing backlogs remain widespread.

A driver, Mudi Shuaibu, recalled how he first obtained his licence in August 1988, claiming that the process was ‘more honest than the present days. I can remember how I was interviewed along with other applicants at the VIO office. Thereafter, you would be issued the license immediately once you passed the test.’

Shuaibu alleged that the current process is ‘entirely different’ because a licence can be acquired without necessarily visiting any office. ‘All you need is to transfer the money to an official and send a photo of your choice. And believe me, the document could be ready within a week,’ he said.

For many applicants, the delay is not just an inconvenience but carries real consequences.

Expired temporary licences expose motorists to harassment by security officials, fines and sometimes extortion.

The driver’s licence also doubles as a primary means of identification for banking, voter registration and regional travel within ECOWAS, further compounding the impact of the inefficiencies.

Stakeholders argue that without urgent reforms, including stricter monitoring of licence production, investment in digital infrastructure and a crackdown on middlemen issuing fake documents, the credibility of the licensing system will remain in question.

FRSC gives reasons

Reacting to the delay, the FRSC’s corps public education officer, Assistant Corps Marshal, Olusegun Ogungbemide, noted that the process was an online-real-time, which involves biometric capturing and investigation at the backend.

He said, ‘At the moment, there are some technical challenges the Corps Marshall is currently working on. However, there are about 228,000 licences yet to be picked up in licencing offices nationwide.”

Also reacting, the FCT sector commander of the FRSC, Mr Felix Therman, said over 25,000 processed driver’s licences were uncollected by motorists in the FCT.

Speaking to one of our reporters on telephone, Therman said many applicants refused to come forward to claim their licences despite repeated public calls.

According to him, 17,000 licences are ‘lying fallow’ at the sector command office without any driver, commercial or private bothering to claim them.

‘I want to tell you that we have over 25,000 driver’s licences that are yet to be collected by motorists in the FCT. Even out of this figure, we have 17,000 licences at the sector alone, which have not been collected. So, I wonder how some motorists can complain that they are finding it difficult to acquire a driver’s licence in the FCT,’ he said.

Therman admitted that challenges for some motorists were indeed due to the ongoing upgrade of the licence, which involves changing some features.

‘We just held a meeting with the FRSC Corps Marshal, and by the grace of God, in the next two to three weeks, the driver’s licence will be available,’ he concluded.

The recent policy proposal to abolish Mathematics as a compulsory subject in Nigerian secondary schools has raised deep concern among educators, parents, and well-meaning citizens. One cannot help but wonder what exactly our education policy makers are thinking. This policy appears to contradict the very essence of education in the 21st century, an era defined by science, technology, innovation, and data driven decision making, all of which are rooted in mathematical reasoning.

Mathematics is not merely about numbers, formulas, and equations; it is the foundation of logical and analytical thinking. The subject trains the mind to observe patterns, interpret data, and solve problems with precision. Through mathematics, students develop a disciplined way of thinking that transcends academic boundaries. Whether one becomes an engineer, economist, journalist, or even a political analyst, the ability to think critically and reason logically often traces back to mathematical training.

By removing mathematics as a compulsory subject, policymakers risk weakening the intellectual fabric of future generations. Students would be deprived of one of the most powerful tools for developing rationality and structured thought. A nation that aims to compete globally cannot afford to produce citizens who lack numerical literacy or analytical competence. This policy, if implemented, would create an educational gap that could take decades to repair.

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Education is not just about producing certificate holders; it is about equipping individuals with cognitive tools to understand and engage with the world effectively. Mathematics cultivates perseverance, attention to detail, and the ability to break complex problems into manageable parts. These are skills needed not just in classrooms but in everyday life budgeting, decision making, and critical evaluation of information. Without this foundation, students may find themselves ill-prepared for higher education or professional challenges.

Moreover, the 21st century is marked by rapid technological advancements. From artificial intelligence to data science, from robotics to fintech, every emerging field is deeply anchored in mathematics. How then can a nation aspiring to be technologically relevant abandon the very discipline that powers innovation? Our policymakers should be aligning educational reforms with global trends, not reversing progress by weakening STEM education at the secondary level.

It is crucial for education stakeholders to revisit this decision and conduct a comprehensive impact assessment. Rather than abolishing mathematics as compulsory, efforts should be directed toward making its teaching more engaging and practical.

Mathematics remains the backbone of intellectual development and national progress. To abolish it as a compulsory subject is to undermine the very foundation of critical and analytical thinking among young Nigerians. Our policymakers must think in tandem with the realities of the modern world and protect the integrity of our education system. A nation that neglects mathematics is a nation that risks intellectual decline in a knowledge driven age.

It was commendations galore for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream, who, with their chairman, Ikenga Ikeagwuonu, launched what stands as another of Nigeria’s public fora for thinking about the country’s energy future. That was the recently held ‘2025 Inaugural Annual Downstream Petroleum Week’ (Monday and Tuesday, October 13 and 14, 2025), at the National Assembly. With its theme as ‘Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting our Challenges and Finding Solutions for The Petroleum Downstream Sector,’ it was a forum that brought together as many stakeholders in the industry as could be covered. These comprised policymakers, legislators, regulators, diplomats, unions, investors, civil societies and the media.

This was just as the discussion areas ranged from the ongoing transformation of the country’s energy sector to energy security and market stability, review of the landmark Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, and the apparent ‘elephant in the room’ – the advent in 2023 of the humongous 650,000 b/d refinery by Dangote Industries Limited, as well as the associated monopoly fears. With its humongous capacity, it not only dwarfs the combined capacities of all the other refineries in Nigeria put together, but also fulfills the country’s long desired energy sufficiency, as the country had depended on importation of refined petroleum products since 1975.

It is easily recalled that Dangote Refinery had a recent faceoff with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) over union politics by its workers, which led to a near asphyxiation of the country’s economy as the union tried to stop the refinery from operating until it met their terms. Needless to state that the rapid response of the country to that emerging contingency amply highlights, among other realities, the strategic position of the Dangote Refinery in the country’s energy calculus. Indeed, courtesy of that refinery’s value to Nigeria as a mitigator of fuel importation, whoever touches Dangote henceforth rubs the country on the wrong side. And that is official!

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To the credit of the committee, whereas the forum could as well have been a mere reconciliation session for parties in the industrial action, which featured between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN, its elevation to address some of the lingering, deep-seated burning issues in the petroleum downstream of the country’s energy sector, earns them a thumb up. After all, there are as many issues as there are operators and consumers of fuel, as well as other petroleum products in the country.

Seen in perspective, the forum could not have come at a better time than now, given its relevance to the country’s rapidly transforming energy sector. In Nigeria’s history of energy economics, the period from 2021 to 2025 must be the most defining, even if it is for the reason of the positive responses to the challenges of emerging realities during its course.

In 2021, the PIA was enacted rather belatedly after spending as many as 14 years in the legislative mill to come and introduce order in an otherwise disorderly industry, where although professional practice codes comprised the driving wheel, much of the operations and procedures were governed by laws that dated back to the long past colonial era.

Placed in historical context, the Nigerian oil and gas industry, which drives the country’s energy endowments, is one of the most profound legacies of the British colonial administration, which, with the cessation of colonial rule in 1960, did not automatically transmute into a Nigerian oil and gas industry except in name. For over half of a century after Nigeria attained independence, the sector still retained much of its operational expedients, which were rooted in the industrial culture of the colonial master. For anyone who is familiar with the British and their mercantilist proclivities of ‘British first’, the fact remains clear – the country does not vacate a once-conquered territory without leaving behind ways and means of continuously syphoning nectar from there, even if, and when the sweetness dries up.

That was the lot of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector while under the vicious grip of colonial era laws until the coming of the PIA. In fact, so ingrained have the colonial era laws been in the mental construct of our industry operators and even governments and host communities that even several years after the coming of the PIA, its implementation is still seen as a pie in the sky for the simple fact that it awarded to the oil and gas host communities statutorily, equitable reliefs that are not based on the whims and caprices of the companies. Hence all through the country’s oil and gas bearing communities, the matter of the PIA is discussed with mixed feelings of paradisiac expectations by the communities on one hand, and on the other hand, apocalyptic trepidation by some of the oil and gas companies operating in the region.

In the final analysis, courtesy of the forum, there is now a rethinking of the country’s energy future, with more areas of the industry now gaining attention. With the committee’s realisation of the need to revisit the problem areas of the industry from its vantage legislative viewpoint, Nigerians will look forward to more proactiveness by the government in respect of addressing emerging challenges in the sector.

The Gombe State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rano Air Limited for the commencement of scheduled commercial flights between Abuja and Gombe.

The agreement followed a meeting between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and top management officials of Rano Air at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where both parties finalised plans for the new service.

Under the MoU, Rano Air will deploy an Embraer 145 aircraft with a 50-passenger capacity to operate four weekly flights on the Abuja-Gombe-Abuja route specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

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The document was signed on behalf of the Gombe State Government by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, while Abah Godwin, general manager (operations), signed for Rano Air.

The signing was witnessed by Suleiman Daniel Musa, an engineer and sole administrator of Brig Zakari Maimalari International Airport, Gombe and Mr Auwal Sulaiman Ubale of Rano Air.

The airline management assured Governor Yahaya of reliable and efficient services designed to ease business travel and stimulate economic activities in Gombe and the wider North-East region.

Governor Yahaya, in his remarks, described the partnership as another milestone in the state’s economic advancement, saying it reflects Gombe’s growing reputation as a safe, stable and business-friendly destination.