Author: user user

Gulu City Marathon maps new route as organisers target 4,000 runners

The Gulu City Marathon has revised its route to improve runners’ safety, hydration and race-day experience as organisers target 4,000 participants for the third edition on December 5.

The changes followed a weekend course-mapping exercise involving South African-based international course measurer Gavin Wright, who joined the organising team to review the route and address concerns raised by runners.

Wright is one of only two World Athletics Grade A road race course certifiers on the African continent. His involvement is intended to ensure accurate distance measurement and give athletes confidence in their recorded times.

Community feedback shapes route

Marathon General Manager Bonita Mulelengi said organisers had listened to participants’ concerns and adjusted the course accordingly.

‘We listened to the feedback and acted accordingly. The dusty section has been removed from the route, and water hydration points have been put into consideration to ensure proper hydration,’ Mulelengi said.

Most of the revised route will run through Gulu town, taking participants past landmarks including the cathedral and the palace. Organisers hope the changes will improve conditions for runners, particularly those tackling the 42km race, while giving them a chance to pursue personal bests.

Wright encouraged local and international athletes to participate, noting that performances on accurately measured courses can help runners pursue qualifying standards for international marathons.

Four races, one city

The December 5 event will feature four categories – 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km – catering for elite competitors, recreational runners and participants of different abilities.

Organising team member Newton Mbazira called on runners from Gulu, across Uganda and beyond to take part, adding that entertainment along the course would give spectators a reason to join the occasion.

The marathon will run under the theme Running for Culture and Heritage, with Kaunda Grounds serving as both the start and finish point.

Medical cover strengthened

Organisers are also working with Case Hospital, the Uganda Red Cross and Rotary clubs to strengthen medical and emergency response arrangements.

The partners will hold a medical camp on December 4 before coordinating emergency services during the marathon the following day.

During the route-mapping exercise, a medical team led by Dr Apiyo Marriam assessed emergency response arrangements and identified suitable locations for medical tents along the course.

The measures are intended to ensure runners can access medical assistance when needed as Gulu prepares to welcome thousands of participants for its city marathon.

Gulu City Marathon

Date: December 5, 2026

Venue: Gulu City

Edition: Third

Kwara NSCDC nabs suspects over N78.3m fraud, cultism

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspects in separate cases involving alleged investment fraud and suspected cult-related activity, recovering a locally fabricated pistol and mobile phones in one of the operations.

According to a statement signed by Ayoola Michael Shola, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the arrests were part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led efforts to combat crime, protect lives and property, and bring suspected offenders to justice.

In the first case, the command arrested 33-year-old Onwucheku Odum Umeh over an alleged investment fraud involving the PXES investment platform, following a complaint received on September 19, 2026.

The suspect was arrested at about noon on October 15, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos State, by operatives of the command’s Tracking Unit after investigative and intelligence-gathering efforts.

The complaint bordered on alleged cheating, fraudulent activities and obtaining money under false pretences.

Preliminary investigations indicated that six investors reportedly committed a combined sum of N78,360,709 to the platform.

The command said further investigations traced the account into which the investors paid their money to the suspect. Investigators also reportedly established a link between the PXES platform and Ragekay Global Investment Limited, with a substantial portion of the funds traced to the company’s account.

The platform subsequently became inaccessible, leaving investors unable to access their accounts or recover their investments.

The command explained that it was expanding its investigation to identify other potential victims and determine the full extent of the alleged scheme.

According to a statement signed by Ayoola Michael Shola, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the arrests were part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led efforts to combat crime, protect lives and property, and bring suspected offenders to justice.

In the first case, the command arrested 33-year-old Onwucheku Odum Umeh over an alleged investment fraud involving the PXES investment platform, following a complaint received on September 19, 2026.

The suspect was arrested at about noon on October 15, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos State, by operatives of the command’s Tracking Unit after investigative and intelligence-gathering efforts.

The complaint bordered on alleged cheating, fraudulent activities and obtaining money under false pretences.

Preliminary investigations indicated that six investors reportedly committed a combined sum of N78,360,709 to the platform.

The command said further investigations traced the account into which the investors paid their money to the suspect. Investigators also reportedly established a link between the PXES platform and Ragekay Global Investment Limited, with a substantial portion of the funds traced to the company’s account.

The platform subsequently became inaccessible, leaving investors unable to access their accounts or recover their investments.

The command explained that it was expanding its investigation to identify other potential victims and determine the full extent of the alleged scheme.

Abbas Ndah Mohammed, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining proactive, intelligence-led operations to combat crime and safeguard residents across the state.

He urged members of the public to support security operations by providing timely, credible and actionable information, stressing that public cooperation remained essential to crime prevention and effective law enforcement.

The commandant assured residents that investigations into both cases were ongoing and that appropriate legal action would follow as the investigations progressed.

Gunmen Kill Seven In Plateau Community

Gunmen, on Monday night, stormed Georo community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing seven persons.

The attack threw residents of the community into panic.

This comes amid high tension in various communities of Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom where the state government recently imposed a dust-to-dawn curfew to maintain order following repeated attacks and killings in the area.

Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 10:20pm, shooting sporadically, killing some persons in their shops and others at a local restaurant.

A member of the community, Mr Bot Silas, who confirmed the incident, said, ‘The gunmen stormed the community at about 10:20pm and started shooting sporadically.

‘The attackers came at night and started shooting, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

‘Some of the victims were killed in their shops, while others were attacked at a local restaurant where food was being prepared. Seven persons were killed in the attack, and the incident caused serious panic among residents of the community.’

Reacting to the incident, spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, condemned the attack and described it as unacceptable.

Tengwong said, ‘The killing of innocent people in Georo is condemnable and must not be allowed to continue. I call on the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to protect communities and apprehend those responsible for the attack.’

‘We call on the relevant security agencies to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that residents can live and carry out their legitimate activities without fear.’

Spokesperson of the Plateau State police command, SP Alabo Alfred, did not respond to inquiry from our correspondent as of press time.

Hyundai Home Appliances puts its latest kitchen essentials to the test at ‘Cook With Hyu’

HYUNDAI HOME APPLIANCES, one of the Philippines’ trusted providers of quality and affordable appliances, launched an interactive event featuring their latest line of products.

Held at the UM Kitchen Studio, the event titled ‘Cook with Hyu’ invited several guests to participate in cooking demonstrations headed by Chef Beda Evangelista from The Phat Chef.

The guests that included influencers, content creators and members of media were given different Korean recipes where they followed and cooked along with Chef Beda, utilizing three of Hyundai Home Appliances’ latest products:

The Hyundai Infrared Cooker leverages a powerful 2200w element for quick cooking, instant boiling and fast thermal response times. Unlike traditional cooktops that restrict users to specific magnetic pans, infrared technology boasts compatibility with all types of cookware – allowing home cooks to seamlessly transition between different types of cooking styles.

The Hyundai Power Cooker, is a 3-liter multi-functional electric cooker equipped with a transparent glass inner pot and an integrated carrying handle. The appliance operates at 600W and features a digital LED touch control panel with eight automated cooking presets.

The Hyundai Air Fryer+ is a versatile appliance that embodies the lineup’s design language of functional simplicity. It features 9 preset functions, different accessories for various cooking styles. But the core of the product is still the Air Fryer function – a healthy alternative to deep frying via convection with almost zero pre-heating.

The event concluded with giveaways for participating content creators, along with certificates of participation recognizing their involvement in the Cook with Hyu experience.

Hyu Can Have More

Beyond introducing its latest kitchen appliances, Cook with Hyu also highlighted Hyundai Home Appliances’ ongoing ‘Hyu Can Have More’ promotion.

Customers who make a minimum single-receipt purchase of ?500 worth of Hyundai Home Appliances products may present their receipt at any participating establishment for a chance to join the promotion and win exciting prizes, including up to ?1 million worth of Hyundai Home Appliances products.

The promotion gives customers added value with every qualifying purchase while offering them the opportunity to bring home even more Hyundai appliances.

S4 student drowns in River Nyamwamba days to final UCE paper

A Senior Four student of Kilembe Secondary School in Kasese drowned in River Nyamwamba on Sunday night, days to his final UCE paper.

Innocent Ashraf Nowomugisha, 17, was swept away at about 8pm on October 25 while returning to school from Kasese town where he had gone to play football with fellow student Davis Musanganya, a Senior Six student.

The two were crossing the flooded river after heavy rain when they were swept away. Musanganya survived after being carried downstream near the former Kilembe Bridge.

Rwenzori East Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate said Musanganya reported to head teacher Christopher Ndyanabo, who alerted police.

Residents and police recovered Nowomugisha’s body at about 11:45am Monday, October 26. It was taken to Kasese Municipal Health Centre III for postmortem before handover to family.

Father Abel Rwibande, resident of Saluti B Cell, Kanyangeya Ward, Nyamwamba Division, said his son had hoped to study Medicine and Surgery.

“I feel heartbroken; my son has been my last hope! This couldn’t be now. My son loved football. His dream was to study Medicine and Surgery. My heart is now scattered,” Rwibande said.

Kasese District councillor for Bulembia, Deusi Baluku, asked government to build footbridges.

“If there was an alternative bridge, this wouldn’t have happened. The boys would have used the bridge,” Baluku said.

River Nyamwamba has a history of deadly floods. In February 2021, Biira Karamahyi, 24, drowned crossing from Kihara to Habitant Cell. In August 2021, S1 student Linas Masereka, 17, of same school went missing in floods. In September 2024, nurse Masika Teopista, 40, and Bright Mumbere, 28, died in separate flood incidents. In May 2026, Christine Chachimwa, 16, drowned returning from confirmation ceremony.

ASP Maate cautioned against crossing flooded rivers at night.

“Please let us avoid crossing rivers whenever it rains or during night hours when it is dark, since you cannot determine the water levels. Stay where you are and wait for the river to settle,” Maate said.

Why Uganda’s EdTech ambitions risk Leaving rural learners behind

The promise of digital education in Uganda faces a sobering reality check as officials and industry leaders warn that rushing technology into classrooms without fixing underlying infrastructural divides could severely widen the gap between wealthy and marginalized learners.

Speaking at the EdTech Baraza in Kampala, Dennis Mujimba, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports, cautioned against adopting tech-driven mandates without clear pathways for equitable access. With basic necessities like stable electricity, internet connectivity, and hardware remaining out of reach for millions, the digital shift risks creating a multi-tiered education system.

‘If you mandate ICTs and say a topic must be delivered through technology, who is going to provide that gadget?’ Mujimba challenged the audience, pointing out that government-supported institutions represent only a fraction of the nation’s educational landscape. ‘Out of approximately 5,000 secondary schools nationwide, the government only oversees about 1,600. How will learners in the remaining schools access these digital learning facilities?’

To mitigate the cost burden on low-income families, Mujimba suggested exploring shared digital infrastructure models, similar to systems used in higher education abroad where common devices are provided within lecture rooms rather than requiring individual ownership.

The stark reality of Uganda’s digital readiness was underscored by data presented at the forum. Findings from a comprehensive digital readiness assessment of over 3,200 secondary schools-supported by the Mastercard Foundation’s Leaders in Teaching program-revealed that only one in five schools possesses the reliable electricity, devices, and connectivity required to sustain digital learning. More than a third of the surveyed schools operate with zero internet access.

Wariko Waita, Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, emphasized that technology is not a magic wand for systemic structural flaws.

‘The real opportunity lies in using technology to respond directly to learners’ and educators’ needs, strengthen teaching, and build more inclusive, resilient education systems,’ Waita noted. She called for targeted investments in rural infrastructure and teacher training, stressing that vulnerable groups-including young women, learners with disabilities, and remote communities-are most at risk of being left behind. Through its EdTech Fellowship in partnership with Hive Colab, the foundation is currently working to scale 36 local education technology ventures over the next five years to build contextualized, inclusive learning tools.

Beyond infrastructure, media and academic experts at the Baraza highlighted the urgent need to realign digital learning with real-world skills and market demands. Flavia Tumusiime, Head of Broadcast at Nation Media Group Uganda, stressed that digital tools should foster critical thinking rather than simple rote learning.

‘Uganda’s vibrant, young population is our greatest opportunity, but that potential will be squandered if our youth are not equipped with practical, future-ready skills,’ Tumusiime said, reaffirming NMG’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve tangible learning outcomes across the country.

Echoing these concerns, Prof. Mouhammad Mpezamihigo, Vice Chancellor of Equator University of Science and Technology, urged institutions to abandon rigid traditional frameworks in favor of rapid adaptability.

‘The take-home message is that we must be remarkably agile,’ Prof. Mpezamihigo stated. ‘Things are shifting rapidly around us, whether we run an educational institution or a business. Universities carry the fundamental responsibility of ensuring graduates can compete dynamically on the global job market.’

As the Ministry of Education prepares a comprehensive ICT in Education Policy alongside updated curriculum guidelines, Mujimba urged policymakers to cut through bureaucratic delays and focus on practical impact over procedural compliance.

‘We must move to a level where we assess our progress on actual delivery, not mere compliance with procedure,’ Mujimba concluded, highlighting that digital tools must ultimately teach students how to adapt to an evolving world. ‘At its core, we need to teach our learners how to learn.’

Pinoys’ holiday plans disrupted by Asean Summit ‘parking’

HOLIDAY economics interrupted.

Filipinos cheering the holidays declared from November 16 to 18 (Monday to Wednesday) due to the 49th Asean Summit are now mad as hell after their flights were canceled for the same reason they booked their trips. Malacañang declared the holidays for the National Capital Region last September 22, thus giving bakasyonistas a five-day ‘weekend.’

Much of the exasperation has been aimed at Cebu Pacific Airways (CEB), as it operates mainly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) passenger terminal 3, where the aircraft of arriving foreign leaders will be parked.

‘Basically, the parking bays [at Naia-3] were reduced to accommodate the dignitaries’ planes,’ said a source from the New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the company that manages the Naia. ‘This is a government-led initiative,’ the source explained, adding that the exact number of flights has yet to be finalized, ‘as there will still be a meeting on that with the slot committee.’

CEB started emailing its affected passengers on October 23, informing them of the flight adjustments, even before the Civil Aeronautics Bureau (CAB) issued its advisory stating that, ‘the arrival of Asean delegates may necessitate temporary flight and airport operational adjustments, and enhanced security measures which may affect airline flight schedules and airport operations.’

CAB Advisory

The CAB advisory on the Asean flight adjustments, signed by Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla, was issued on Monday, October 26. He advised airlines to review their flight schedules and ‘coordinate with relevant airport authorities, and ensure that any flight changes or adjustments are reasonably necessary to minimize public inconvenience.’

He also told carriers to immediately notify passengers of the flight adjustments and status at the ‘earliest opportunity’ and ‘strictly adhere to the provisions of the Air Passenger of Bill of Rights,’ regarding passenger entitlements.

Complaints on social media erupted over the weekend after passengers received CEB’s Asean flight adjustments advisory. @EngagingChestnut on Facebook account DIY Philippines said: ‘GRABE! just received an email from CEBU PAC. Naka book na kami ng hotel namin ng Boracay. Pano ba ‘to? Grabe!

One @HoneroChristian said on X: ‘Seryoso ba to @CebuPacificAir I can no longer move my leave as this is a long weekend holiday with family. :(‘

@Winterrifics said, for her part, ‘@CebuPacificAir we have already booked our hotels and activities. if you knew you were hosting Asean why are you only canceling flights now. could have just made those unavailable before? just kill me oh my god.’

An industry source who requested anonymity said, ‘Of course people started booking trips when the holidays were announced. This should have been better managed.’

Over 21 foreign planes expected

CEB’s email to its passengers says: ‘The Philippines will be hosting the 49th Asean Summit from November 16 to 18, 2026. To accommodate the event, [Naia-3] has reduced the number of available aircraft parking bays.’ The airline offers several options for passengers such as the rebooking of their trips, converting the booking on a non-expiring Travel Fund, or an outright refund.

Spared from the Asean flight adjustments are Philippine Airlines, which operates out of Naia-2, and Air Asia Philipines, which uses Naia-1 and Naia-2 for its international and domestic flights, respectively.

A document on the proposed aircraft parking at Naia-3 shown to this paper indicated 21 expected aircraft carrying leaders from Asean, the United States, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

NNIC expects that some countries will have ‘more than one plane’ as in the case of the US delegation, which will be headed by President Trump.

The decrease in available aircraft parking bays at Naia-3 has resulted in the reduction of about 20 percent of CEB flights at the Naia-3, said a separate source. This has forced the carrier to consolidate many of its flights, thus resulting in the cancelation of domestic flights from Manila to 19 destinations, and from Manila to seven international destinations.

The CAB advised air passengers to ‘closely monitor the status of their flights, including any official government and airline advisories for travel updates and coordinate directly with their airlines for any alternative options.’

Boatwright obtains Philippine passport as naturalization finalized for Gilas

Bennie Boatwright’s naturalization process has been completed.

Boatwright’s passport is now ready, Gilas Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy announced during the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) national congress Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas.

‘We have also finally completed the naturalization of PBA champion Bennie Boatwright. The process began in 2024 and we look forward to seeing him play for Gilas soon,’ Dy said.

‘I just received a text message just before coming up to the podium that his passport is now ready. His addition is something to look forward to as we continue working our way to Los Angeles 2028,’ she added.

Boatwright has already taken his oath of allegiance to the Philippines last week, according to the SBP.

The 30-year-old, 6-foot-10 forward will now be eligible to be fielded for Gilas in international tournaments.

The Philippines is currently in fifth place of Group E in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers with a 4-4 slate.

The next window for Gilas will be in November. There, the Nationals will take on 2-6 Syria and 5-3 Iran at the Karisma Arena in Seremban, Malaysia.

The sweet-shooting big man is now added to the naturalized player pool, giving the Philippines another reinforcement aside from Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.

Happy Andrada celebrates 25 Years of fashion, fun, and Filipino pride

Fashion designer Happy Andrada wove her inspiring story into a unique presentation of the iconic clothes she created for more than two decades.

At her 25th-anniversary fashion show directed by Raymund Ramirez Seranillo on October 17 at the Globe Auditorium of the BGC Arts Center, Andrada revisited defining moments of her career, breathing new life into archival pieces that reflected her creative journey.

The show was part of this year’s Pinoy Playlist Musikahan, where Andrada is the lone featured fashion designer at the music festival, organized by the Bonifacio Art Foundation and curated by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, alongside Moy Ortiz, Noel Ferrer, and Maria Isabel Garcia.

Andrada made her mark in the fashion scene by incorporating Filipino heritage fabrics such as binakol, Yakan, T’nalak, pis siyabit, inaul, piña, and inabel in her designs-elevating them with intricate details like handmade embroidery and beadwork made by master artisans.

‘I’ve been using indigenous fabrics since 2004. When I was designing ready-to-wear clothes, not many people were buying my creations. It was something different. People were just looking at it, ‘Oh, that’s nice!’ But now, there’s a market for it. I’m super happy that there are more and more people who are seeing it,’ she told members of the media after the show.

With OPM tunes performed by The CompanY and world music spiritedly played by Anima Tierra, models sashayed on stage presenting 25 of her iconic creations from collections shown on local and global runways in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Seoul.

Among the outfits were an interpretation of an artwork by Juvenal Sansó from a collaboration with Fundación Sansó early this year and a dress shown at the Youngwol Fashion Art Biennale in South Korea.

‘I have my own archive, and I’m so glad I was able to keep these for my milestones from the competitions and my first fashion show.

‘While I was watching, I got teary-eyed. I didn’t expect this would happen. I remember the moments when I showcased them, and now, look where these clothes got me. Now, we’re showcasing them. It’s very surreal to me,’ she revealed.

‘I’ve been using indigenous fabrics since 2004. When I was designing ready-to-wear clothes, not many people were buying my creations. It was something different. People were just looking at it, ‘Oh, that’s nice!’ But now, there’s a market for it. I’m super happy that there are more and more people who are seeing it,’ she told members of the media after the show.

With OPM tunes performed by The CompanY and world music spiritedly played by Anima Tierra, models sashayed on stage presenting 25 of her iconic creations from collections shown on local and global runways in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Seoul.

Among the outfits were an interpretation of an artwork by Juvenal Sansó from a collaboration with Fundación Sansó early this year and a dress shown at the Youngwol Fashion Art Biennale in South Korea.

‘I have my own archive, and I’m so glad I was able to keep these for my milestones from the competitions and my first fashion show.

‘While I was watching, I got teary-eyed. I didn’t expect this would happen. I remember the moments when I showcased them, and now, look where these clothes got me. Now, we’re showcasing them. It’s very surreal to me,’ she revealed.

Andrada has reaped local and international accolades including the National Commission of Culture and Arts Ani Ng Dangal in Visual Art 2018, International Artist of the Year 2017 in the International Fashion Art Biennale, Seoul, Korea, Miami Fashion Week International Emerging Designer, and the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines’ Weaving the Future award.

Modernity meets heritage

The second half of her show affirms her ongoing love affair with Filipino heritage textiles.

Reflecting the timeless and inclusive appeal of her designs, Andrada sent older models down the runway.

Viewers approved as they applauded media personalities like Phillip Cu Unjieng, Dolly Ann Carvajal, and Vicky Barrera, chef Cyrille Soenen, Zonta Makati and Environs president Marcy Konchet Chua, Manila councillor Jo Quintos Manila, designer Frannie Manotoc, and businesswoman Melania Yau, among others, gamely sashaying in their Andrada creations on stage.

Everyday staples such as formal coats, bomber jackets, dresses, and skirts were reworked by Andrada into unconventional ensembles elevated with touches of indigenous weaves. Familiar garments like the ‘tapis’ and ‘saya’ became unique expressions of Filipino identity and pride.

The fashion show was more than a celebration of Andrada’s successful career. It was also a tribute to the weaving communities she continues to work with and the long journey of bringing their fabrics to local and international runways where Filipino artistry and heritage can be appreciated further.

‘I’ve been supporting weavers since I started in 2004 so that I’m able to make their craft sustainable and alive,’ she said.

‘My goal since way back is to work with weavers because I wanted to help. It was a dying practice, but now I’m really glad it’s thriving. Hopefully, it’s going to continue in the future,’ she added.

An emotional Andrada bowed before an appreciative audience. Two of the dearest people in her life and career-her mom, Wilhelmina Villanueva, and husband Tanguy Gras-handed her flower bouquets.

Asked what she would tell the young Andrada from 25 years ago, the multi-awarded fashion designer answered, ‘Well, just have fun and continue what you do. Keep going.’

Wazirin Tinubu: The Influence And Burden Of Ibrahim Masari

When the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation, widely known as Tinubu Must Stay (TMS), inaugurated its national leadership in Abuja, I accepted the responsibility of serving as its National Youth Leader. For me, it was more than an appointment. It raised a larger question about the political culture into which young Nigerians are being invited.

The Foundation’s structure includes a Board of Trustees, National Coordinators, and six directorates focused on citizen engagement and evidence-based communication. It is chaired by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, while Dr. Benjamin Obi Nwoye serves as National Coordinator (South). Former Obidient coordinator Marcel Ngogbehei was appointed Director-General, with Engr. Ibrahim Uba overseeing Mobilisation and Data Management.

At its inauguration, Kashifu emphasised simplifying government reforms, connecting data to everyday realities, and confronting misinformation through technology-driven outreach, town halls and grassroots engagement. Dr. Obi Nwoye similarly argued that many government interventions remain inadequately communicated.

Since then, one question has stayed with me: What values should define the politics young Nigerians inherit? For me, that conversation naturally leads to Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Affairs, an increasingly influential figure in the President’s northern political engagement.

At the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on October 14, Masari reportedly challenged party leaders to abandon inflated claims about votes and focus instead on measurable results at state, ward and polling-unit levels. His instruction was strikingly simple: ‘Stop talking to yourselves and start talking to the people.’

He also urged campaigners to explain the administration’s work in areas such as education, healthcare, economic reforms, infrastructure, acknowledge outstanding challenges, and avoid misinformation and hate speech. That message matters because young Nigerians demand more than slogans. We want evidence. We want to be listened to. We want claims that can be measured against our own experiences.

Masari’s political journey also offers context for understanding his approach. He served as National Welfare Secretary of the APC. In 2022, his name was submitted to INEC as Tinubu’s temporary running mate before Kashim Shettima emerged as the substantive vice-presidential candidate. Masari stepped aside, saying the decision would give Tinubu greater flexibility to accommodate wider interests.

Following the 2023 election, he was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Political Affairs and later elevated to Special Adviser. Perhaps the most symbolic indication of his growing political profile is the ‘Wazirin Tinubu’ title associated with him. The President has publicly addressed Masari as ‘My Waziri.’

In northern Nigerian usage, the traditional title carries connotations of counsel, responsibility, and proximity to leadership. In this context, it is better understood as an expression of presidential trust than as a constitutional office. This is where admiration should give way to scrutiny. The significance of being Wazirin Tinubu cannot be measured by access to the President or public recognition, it must be measured by what that access produces.

A trusted political adviser occupies one of the most sensitive spaces in government. He must understand the President’s priorities while remaining alert to the concerns of party members, elected representatives, and citizens. He must know when to speak and listen; when to intervene, and when restraint is more useful. Such a position demands discretion, maturity, and the capacity to reconcile competing interests.

For Masari, presidential confidence is both an advantage and a burden. Influence creates access, but access creates responsibility. Recent reports have portrayed him as a significant convener in northern politics and one of President Tinubu’s closest figures in the region. Such influence attracts scrutiny. The closer any political adviser stands to power, the more legitimate the public interest becomes in how that access is exercised.

This is why I find his emphasis on measurable performance important. If political leaders insist that campaign organisers should abandon exaggerated claims, communicate honestly and speak directly to citizens, then those principles should also become the standards against which their own influence is judged.

For those of us trying to encourage greater youth participation in public affairs, this distinction is crucial. Young Nigerians should not be introduced to a political culture in which proximity to power is itself an achievement. We should be introduced to one in which access creates an obligation to solve problems, listen to inconvenient truths, and help the government understand citizens beyond the atmosphere of praise.

Nor should evidence-based politics mean communicating only achievements. Credibility also requires acknowledging shortcomings. A genuine conversation about government must have room for what worked, what did not work, and what still needs correction. Otherwise, ‘evidence-based communication’ risks becoming another sophisticated name for political marketing.

This is perhaps the heavier meaning behind the Waziri symbolism. Counsel is valuable when it tells power what it needs to hear, not merely what it wants to hear. Masari today occupies a position from which political relationships can be built and disagreements mediated. His emergence as one of Tinubu’s prominent northern interlocutors makes his choices consequential.

The ultimate question, therefore, is not how close Masari is to the President. It is what that closeness achieves for governance and political engagement. As a young Nigerian involved in TMS, the political culture I want to see is one grounded in evidence, respectful dialogue, accountability, and measurable performance.

If Masari’s political philosophy truly rests on results over rhetoric and honest engagement over bloated claims, then those principles deserve attention. They also deserve consistent application because the greater the influence, the heavier the responsibility. And for Wazirin Tinubu, that may be the real burden of presidential trust, which he has so far performed exceedingly well.