Category: Daily Trust

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has suspended indefinitely the Chairman of Buji Local Government Council, Najibullahi Falalu Tukur, over allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds.

The suspension followed the adoption of the recommendations of the House Committee on Local Government, presented by its Vice Chairman, Sani Sale Zaburan, during plenary on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

In its report, the committee recommended the suspension of the chairman in accordance with Section 36, Subsections (2) and (3) of the Jigawa State Local Government Establishment Law, 2024.

Announcing the decision, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, directed the suspended chairman to hand over all government properties in his possession to the Vice Chairman of the council.

The Speaker also announced the constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation against the suspended chairman.

The committee is chaired by Usman Abdullahi Tura Musari, representing Guri Constituency, while members representing Maigatari, Malam Madori, Birnin Kudu, Yankwashi, Kafin Hausa and Sule Tankarkar constituencies will serve as members.

The committee is expected to investigate the allegations and report its findings to the House for further consideration.

Governor Uba Sani has fulfilled a 30-year old promise that was made to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medalists, by giving them plots of land and naming streets after three of them who are from Kaduna State.

Speaking to newsmen after inspecting the ongoing Ahmadu Bello Stadium project on Tuesday, Daniel Amokachi recalled that in 1996 when the Dream Team won the Olympics Gold Medal, federal and state governments made promises that were never redeemed.

He disclosed that Governor Uba Sani has given him, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Babayaro plots of land 30 years after they were promised, adding that he also directed that streets should be named after those of them who were not so immortalized.

Amokachi who is renowned Football Manager and former Professional Player, said that they lacked the words to thank the Governor for his kind gestures and his promise to duly reward veteran footballers and coaches in their lifetimes.

Another former professional footballer and an ex General Manager of Kaduna United Football Club, Garba Lawal, described the Ahmadu Bello Stadium as a world-class stadium which will be of FIFA standard when completed.

”Now, Super Eagles will not have to go to Uyo to train. Now, this one is right here at my door mouth. It’s a wonderful project and by the Grace of God, we shall come and unveil it by November,” he added.

Another Olympic Gold Medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro noted that Governor Uba Sani has assembled the entire football family of Kaduna State and football is thriving again ”like we used to know it.”

”Coming to the stadium and seeing the edifice and the very amazing work that is going on here, I can not but admit that he is indeed a political conundrum,” the former goalkeeper added.

While thanking the Governor for fulfilling a 30-year old promise, he recalled that ”the first time that Garba Lawal called me and sent me the papers for the land, I doubted it.”

”The next thing that came to my mind was that maybe they needed us to come for one elaborate event and use it for some political whatever. But guess what, nothing of such came up.

”That means, he gave us those lands because he is that awesome. He did not say that ‘I am giving this land, come and say thank you on TV or come and do one political campaign or the other,’ ” he added.

Responding, Governor Uba Sani thanked the football veterans, including coaches and administrators, for contributing to sports and football development in Kaduna State.

He noted that ”Kaduna is the leading footballing state in Nigeria. We have produced more stars that have gone out of the country and made their marks globally.”

”As a Government, it is our responsibility to bring back the glory of Kaduna state in the world of sports. The last time that any CAF football tournament was played in this stadium was in 2016, when Super Eagles played against Egypt,” he recalled.

According to him, the condition of Ahmadu Bello Stadium has deteriorated so badly that he had to reach out to President Bola Tinubu, requesting that the sports facility be handed over to Kaduna State.

”I made it very clear to him that I will demolish the stadium, which had 16,000 seating capacity and was built in 1964. I disclosed to him that in the whole of Nigeria, there is only one CAF-standard football stadium, that is the one at Uyo with 31, 000 capacity.

”But today, I am happy to say that Ahmadu Bello Stadium when completed will be 33,000 capacity,” he said, adding that its pitch will be a hybrid of grass and synthetic.

”When completed, Ahmadu Bello Stadium will be the only stadium in Nigeria with a FIFA-standard pitch. Only last week, I was reading the number of stadiums in Africa that are CAF-standard. In Nigeria, there is only one stadium. When you are talking of FIFA-standard, we don’t have any, not even the Uyo stadium.

Governor Uba Sani pointed out that Kaduna State is investing heavily in sporting facilities because football generates a lot of revenue.

”In the last World Cup that was hosted in the United States, the country made about $20 to $24 billion, in terms of hotel accommodation, transportation and hospitality generally.

”Only recently, Morocco hosted CAF/AFCON tournament and from what we have seen, the country was also able to get at least $1.4 billion from all the different regions where the event took place,” he added.

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the authorities to respect the rule of law in the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amid his ongoing legal battle.

The council, in a statement on Monday by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, expressed concern over what it described as the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s continued detention and the reported difficulty in meeting his bail conditions.

It said the situation could be inconsistent with established legal procedures and constitutional safeguards, stressing that El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, was entitled to his fundamental rights and remained presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

The council said Nigeria was a constitutional democracy where due process, fair hearing and lawful detention must be upheld regardless of a person’s status, political affiliation or disposition.

It, however, stressed that its intervention did not amount to support for any alleged wrongdoing by the former governor.

‘The Council does not, under any circumstances, support or condone criminality in any form by anyone. However, the pursuit of justice must itself be just,’ it said.

The SCSN warned that actions perceived as arbitrary or politically motivated could undermine public confidence in state institutions and weaken democratic governance.

It therefore urged the relevant authorities to ensure that every stage of the proceedings complied with the Constitution and other extant laws.

The council also called on the authorities to avoid actions that could be perceived as political persecution and instead demonstrate commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law.

El-Rufai has been facing legal proceedings over allegations linked to his administration in Kaduna State. His continued detention and bail conditions have remained contentious.

The former governor is standing trial on a nine-count amended charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, fraud, irregular award and execution of public contracts, money laundering, conferring undue advantage and unlawful handling of public funds during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.

The case is instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He is also facing a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of unlawfully taping of telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

A federal High Court sitting in Gusau has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election which held on May 19, 2026, for the election of a candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District.

The Zamfara North APC Primary was contested by four strong aspirants: Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi and Hamafi Moriki. Kaura was declared winner of the May Primary.

Justice Hassan Dikko who delivered the judgement virtually said, looking at the evidences presented before the court, it is sufficient to invalidate the party primary. He then ordered for a fresh exercise and ordered the APC to conduct a fresh exercise within 14 days to determine the candidate of the party

He said, ‘The court set aside the primary after finding that the exercise was not conducted in accordance with the APC constitution and guidelines. .

Counsel to Dr Shinkafi who challenged the outcome of the primary, Barrister Bello Galadi, while speaking with newsmen after the judgment, said the court established that there was neither voting nor a valid primary election.

‘There was no valid primary election. There was no voting. There was no compliance with the APC guidelines. There was no compliance with the APC constitution,’ Galadi said.

The ruling is expected to reopen the party’s nomination process for the senatorial contest and provide an opportunity for eligible aspirants to participate in a fresh exercise conducted in accordance with the party’s rules.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Kaura, Barrister Salahuddeen, said the order for a fresh primary has provided the APC with an opportunity to resolve the dispute through another election.

He, however, said the party would have to consider its legal options, including complying with the judgment or challenging it on appeal.

‘We will advise our client and proceed to petition or appeal against the judgment, or approach another leg directly to My Lord, which is having another primary to be conducted,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Shinkafi, whose legal challenge to the purported primary resulted in the judgment, has urged party members to return to their wards, polling units and local government areas ahead of the fresh exercise.

Shinkafi called on members and supporters to remain committed to the democratic process and intensify mobilisation across the state.

He said the development had demonstrated the importance of adherence to the constitutions and guidelines of political parties in the conduct of internal elections.

The court-ordered fresh primary is now expected to determine the APC’s candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, subject to any further legal challenge or appeal arising from the judgment.

A mother and four of her children have died after a section of a three storey building collapsed on them at Popo Giwa, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday morning.

The tragedy occurred at No. 41 Popo Giwa Street, beside Gogoro Mosque, where eight members of the family were trapped beneath the rubble.

Three people, including the father, were rescued as emergency responders worked to reach those trapped in the collapsed section.

The Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed that four people were recovered dead while four others were rescued alive.

‘We have recovered four people dead and rescued four people,’ he said.

Adekunle said the Fire Service received a distress call at about 5 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to commence the rescue operation.

‘We immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced the rescue operation. This kind of situation is not something the fire service can handle alone,’ he said.

An excavator was deployed while rescuers cleared the rubble and worked to gain access to those trapped.

A child identified as Firdaus, the second to last born of the family, was among those rescued.

When Daily Trust visited the scene, residents were still mourning and consoling the victims’ family.

An individual involved in the rescue operation, who identified himself simply as Abdul, said the incident happened around 5 a.m. when the occupants were just waking up.

He said rescuers initially brought out the mother and her last child, aged about five to seven years, dead from the rubble.

‘We brought out the mother with her last child of about 5-7 years on her chest dead; the building collapsed on on the bed they slept,’ he said.

According to Abdul, rescuers later heard the voice of the father, who had gone to perform ablution in the toilet, and began digging to reach him.

‘That was his saving grace and it was only the wood that was part of the old building that prevented a big pillar from smashing him. We had to dig to pull him out,’ he said.

Abdul said the father was a serving military officer who was on medical vacation.

He also said one of the deceased who is the eldest daughter was a student of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, who was expected to commence his youth service on Thursday.

The SEMA Secretary, Magaji Saadudeen, said the eight trapped persons were members of the same family, adding that the survivors were taken to hospital for treatment while the bodies of the deceased were evacuated.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said preliminary findings indicated that the collapsed portion was the boys’ quarters.

‘It was a three-storey building that collapsed. Our findings showed that the boys’ quarter of the building that collapsed. Information gathered revealed that eight people were trapped in the building,’ he said.

Adekimi said occupants of the main building were subsequently evacuated pending an assessment of its structural condition.

‘For now, the situation is under control. We will examine the remaining buildings and see how people can be secured. But for now, we have evacuated everybody from the main building,’ he said.

The Fire Service said the cause of the collapse had not yet been established, noting that proper assessment would be required before any conclusion could be reached.

‘We are only here to ascertain the actual cause of this collapse and rescue the trapped victims. As at when due, we will communicate to the media about our findings,’ Adekunle said.

He said appropriate action would be taken if the assessment showed that the building required demolition, while occupants would be advised accordingly if it was found to be safe.

Representing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the scene, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with the victims’ families.

‘The rescue mission began immediately after the collapse and to the Grace of God, some were rescued but unfortunately, we have to take it as this,’ he said.

Olohungbebe said the accessibility of the road leading to the building helped emergency responders reach the scene and carry out the rescue operation.

‘One of the things that made it very easy for us to rescue the few people we were able to rescue is the access route,’ he said.

He urged residents and developers to comply with building and town planning regulations, particularly provisions requiring accessible roads to residential areas.

The Ilorin West Local Government Chairman, AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan, said between six and seven ambulances were deployed to assist in evacuating victims.

He urged residents to report structural defects promptly and leave buildings whenever they observed signs that could indicate danger.

‘Whenever you discover something like this, please escalate it. Get to the point of evacuating yourself and your family members from that building. Life is the priority,’ Ladan said.

Several emergency and security agencies, including SEMA, NEMA, the Fire Service, NSCDC, the police, the Red Cross and health officials, participated in the rescue operation.

A Baptist cleric, Reverend Samson Okoro Elekwa, has appealed to the Labour Party candidate, David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, and Uko Nkole of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to withdraw from the 2027 Abia North senatorial race and support the incumbent senator, Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Elekwa said Kalu’s record of representation and development across Abia North justified his continued stay in the Senate, urging voters in the district to focus on what he described as the senator’s tangible achievements.

Speaking to journalists, the cleric said Kalu had attracted several interventions to communities across the senatorial district, particularly in road infrastructure, education and human capital development.

He argued that the district should consolidate on what he described as the senator’s achievements rather than change direction ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘I honestly wonder what those campaigning against Orji Uzor Kalu are looking at. Politics should not prevent us from acknowledging development when we see it,’ Elekwa said.

‘Look at what Kalu has done across Abia North and compare it with what we had before him.’

Elekwa also cited the lengthy tenures of former senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and the late Uche Chukwumerije in making a case for Kalu’s continued representation.

‘If Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could remain in the National Assembly for about 20 years and the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije represented Abia North for 12 years, then I see no reason our people should be talking about replacing a senator who, in my assessment, has delivered tremendously for the district,’ he said.

The cleric further urged Kalu’s supporters to continue highlighting the senator’s interventions in infrastructure and youth development, saying several young people had benefited from his human-capacity development initiatives.

Elekwa described Kalu as ‘Abia’s greatest gift from God’ and ‘a divine instrument,’ through whom, he said, communities across Abia North had witnessed development.

He specifically mentioned road projects in Ndi Orieke in Ohafia Local Government Area and Amannagwu in Arochukwu LGA, alongside other interventions across the district.

‘The road in Ndi Orieke, Ohafia, and the one in Amannagwu, Arochukwu, are just a few among the many projects Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has brought to our people,’ he said.

‘He didn’t just talk; he acted. These roads have opened up our communities and helped our farmers, traders and transporters. For me, this is real empowerment because infrastructure continues to serve the people long after the politics is over.’

According to Elekwa, communities including Atan Abam, Alayi, Ezeukwu, Ndi Inya Abam, Isu, Umuzomgbo, Itumbauzo, Okoko Item, Nneato, Akanu Ohafia and Abia Ohafia had also benefited from Kalu’s representation.

He said the senator’s interventions extended beyond infrastructure to investments aimed at creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in the state.

Elekwa cited Kalu’s investments in Abia, including an ongoing university project, hostels and factories, as examples of what he described as the senator’s long-term commitment to the state’s economic development.

‘Kalu is not only building roads; he is building hope, restoring pride and creating opportunities for another generation. We must acknowledge and protect this legacy,’ he said.

The cleric also claimed that residents outside Abia North had taken note of the district’s federal interventions, with some residents in Abia South and Abia Central, according to him, wishing for similar projects in their communities.

He consequently called on Bourdex and Nkole to place what he described as the collective interest of Abia North above their individual political ambitions.

‘The South East needs leaders who can combine political influence with development and grassroots representation. Senator Kalu has demonstrated capacity, reach and commitment to his people,’ Elekwa said.

‘My appeal to Bourdex and Nkole is simple: step down and support Orji Uzor Kalu. Abia North should consolidate on the development already taking place rather than allow political differences to distract us from what is working.’

Elekwa also urged voters in Abia North to assess all candidates based on their records and contributions to the district, rather than political sentiments, insisting that Kalu’s performance remained, in his view, the strongest argument for his re-election

The lingering battle between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and petroleum marketers over the importation and pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, has taken a fresh turn, with the refinery considering restrictions on supplies to major marketers that continue to import the product.

The proposed measure, which could take effect as early as this week, subject to further consultations and any last-minute intervention, is coming amid rising concerns over petrol prices and the quality of products being sold in the Nigerian market even as a litre of fuel inches close to N1,400.

Sources close to the refinery told Daily Trust that the immediate concern was the alleged blending of imported PMS with products purchased from the Dangote refinery by some major marketers before distribution to consumers.

The development has added another layer to the increasingly contentious relationship between the country’s largest refinery and oil marketers, with both sides divided over the role of imports in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.

While the refinery maintains that continued importation of petrol undermines domestic refining and creates unnecessary pressure on local producers, marketers insist that imports remain necessary to guarantee adequate supply, promote competition and prevent any single supplier from dominating the market.

The latest disagreement has also raised fresh questions about the ability of regulators to independently monitor the quality and specifications of imported petroleum products entering Nigeria.

Dangote raises quality concerns

According to sources familiar with the refinery’s position, Dangote is particularly concerned that some marketers could be mixing imported PMS with products supplied by the refinery before selling the resulting products to the public.

The alleged practice, the sources said, could make it difficult for consumers and other stakeholders to determine the actual source and quality of the petrol being sold.

A source familiar with the refinery’s position said the company was concerned about investing heavily in the production of high-quality petroleum products only for such products to be mixed with imported products whose quality could not be independently verified.

‘It is difficult to understand why we would invest heavily in producing high-quality petroleum products for Nigerians, only for those products to be mixed with imported products of uncertain quality and the resulting product to be associated with the refinery,’ the source said.

The refinery has also raised concerns about the availability of adequate laboratory and quality-control infrastructure for independently testing imported petroleum products.

The refinery said it is particularly concerned about the ability of the regulator to independently verify and certify the specifications of petroleum products entering the Nigerian market.

The concerns have emerged at a time when Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products has become a major point of debate following the commencement of operations at the Dangote refinery with a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, making it the dominant fuel supplier in-country.

The refinery has maintained that its products meet internationally recognised specifications and has progressively increased its participation in both domestic supply and exports.

Imports remain a contentious issue

A recent report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that petroleum product imports remained significant even as domestic refining and exports increased.

The development has generated a sharp debate over whether Nigeria should continue allowing substantial volumes of imported petrol into the country or prioritise locally refined products.

The Dangote refinery has consistently advocated a stronger domestic refining framework, arguing that Nigeria should reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products and conserve foreign exchange by processing crude locally.

Marketers on the other hand however argued that imports provide an important competitive alternative and help prevent supply shortages, particularly when domestic refineries experience operational disruptions or cannot immediately meet market demand.

The disagreement has become more intense as petrol prices fluctuate across the country.

Prices rise across cities

The latest dispute is taking place against the backdrop of fresh increases in petrol pump prices in parts of the country.

Reports from Abuja, Kano and Lagos indicated that petrol prices have hit over N1,300 per litre as motorists and Nigerians continue to groan over the impact on inter and intra-state movement.

In Lagos, a litre of fuel is now sold for N1,300 and N1,350 with prices inching close to N1,400 per litre.

Checks by Daily Trust yesterday showed that petrol prices at different filling stations had risen from about N1,280 to between N1,310 and N1,320 per litre. MRS sold at N1,310, Sunbeth at N1,319, Mobil and Conoil at N1,320, while Heyden sold at N1,310 per litre.

The rising cost of crude oil has also added pressure to the fuel market. Brent crude rose above $90 per barrel on Monday from $88.57, following renewed tensions in the US-Iran conflict.

Commercial drivers who spoke with Daily Trust said the rising fuel cost was seriously affecting their income. Many said they had reduced the number of trips they make daily because of the high cost of fuel.

Kunle Fadipe, who operates between Ikeja and Costain, said he spent N70,000 on fuel at N1,320 per litre and could only make three trips. He said commuters were also complaining about higher transport costs.

Similarly, Imole Oyefunso, who operates between Mile 12 and Ojuelegba, said he now spends N32,000 on fuel for five trips, compared with N12,000 previously.

He said drivers had not increased transport fares because patronage was already low.

Another driver, Sunday Chidioke, who buys fuel at N1,310 per litre at Heyden, said the high cost had significantly reduced his profit.

The drivers said that after buying fuel, little money remained from their daily earnings, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their businesses.

In Kano, major stations adjusted petrol prices from N1,285 to N1,310 per litre, while NNPC retail outlets reportedly increased their price from N1,285 to N1,305 per litre. Similarly, AA Rano increased pump price N1,355 while Aliko station also raised price to N1,350.

‘This happened just hours a go because I bought it at N1,280 in the morning,’ said a motorist in Kano.

In Abuja, petrol is now being sold at about N1,350 per litre at some outlets.

Marketers reject Dangote’s allegation

However, a major petroleum marketer who spoke with Daily Trust in confidence dismissed the allegation that marketers were blending substandard imported PMS with products purchased from the Dangote refinery.

The marketer described the proposed restriction as essentially an attempt to prevent marketers from importing petrol and give the Dangote refinery greater control over the domestic market.

‘He’s just trying to block importation, that’s all. He’s just trying to block importation,’ the marketer said.

According to the marketer, the underlying issue is not necessarily product quality but competition, supply and pricing.

The marketer argued that petrol demand is sensitive to price, explaining that consumers naturally reduce their consumption when prices rise.

‘The higher the price, the lower the demand. The lower the demand, yes,’ the marketer said.

The marketer further alleged that the refinery’s objective was to limit alternative sources of supply so that it could sell petrol at a higher price.

‘All he wants is to stop supply through imports so he can sell at a higher price, and he’s the only person selling. That’s monopoly,’ the marketer said.

The allegation reflects the deepening disagreement between the two sides over what constitutes a competitive and sustainable downstream petroleum market.

The marketer also rejected the argument that imported petrol was no longer necessary because the Dangote refinery could supply the entire Nigerian market.

According to the marketer, recent operational challenges experienced by the refinery demonstrated the importance of maintaining alternative sources of supply.

The marketer pointed to an alleged disruption in the refinery’s operations in July, arguing that imported petrol helped prevent a major supply crisis during the period.

Another marketer also said the latest decision by the refinery is not new, adding that Dangote had stopped coastal loading to marketers three weeks ago.

The marketer disclosed that the refinery’s gantry price was adjusted three separate times within days, between August 21 and August 29, 2026, for a cumulative increase of N100 per litre (roughly 8.6%), even as international crude benchmarks moved in the opposite direction.

Implication of Dangote, Marketers’ Spat – Expert

Wumi Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics in a chat with Daily Trust called for independent investigation of the allegation from Dangote.

According to him, the allegations that marketers are blending imported PMS with Dangote-supplied product and the inability of the regulator ‘to independently verify imported-product quality’ ‘remain allegations and should be independently established, not assumed as fact.’

He said, ‘However, this latest spat between Dangote Refinery and major petroleum marketers is much bigger than a disagreement over who imports petrol and who supplies it. From a petroleum-economics perspective, it exposes a fundamental governance challenge in Nigeria’s transition from an import-dependent downstream sector to a competitive domestic refining market.

‘Nigeria does not need a regulator that chooses the winner; it needs a regulator capable of ensuring that the best-performing market participant wins. The NMDPRA must be the soccer referee of the downstream petroleum market-independent enough to resist market capture, competent enough to enforce the rules, and equipped enough to see the game clearly.

‘The ultimate test is public value: regulation should produce a net welfare gain through quality assurance, competitive prices, reliable supply, energy security and investment. Where regulatory incapacity allows poor-quality products, unfair competition or market distortions to persist, government failure becomes market failure-and the ultimate welfare loss is borne by the Nigerian consumer.’

NMDPRA speaks

Speaking with Daily Trust, the Head, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), George Ene-Ita, said the regulator has the sole responsibility to determine quality parameters for products supplied, whether locally refined or imported.

On the other hand, he said Dangote refinery as a business concern reserves the right to determine with whom they do business under the willing buyer, willing seller framework.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered the immediate suspension and sacking of all village and ward heads in Malam Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam LGA, over their absence from the community.

The governor gave the order on Monday during a working visit to the border community.

He described their absence as unacceptable at a time when displaced residents are returning and undertaking the difficult task of rebuilding their homes.

‘Traditional leaders have a critical role to play in stabilising communities emerging from conflict. Their presence is essential not only for maintaining communication between government and residents but also for strengthening community resilience and providing leadership as returnees settle into their ancestral homes,’ he emphasised.

He directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, to collaborate with the Shehu of Borno to immediately commence the appointment process for new traditional leaders.

Zulum stressed that replacements must be competent, of proven integrity, and able to work hand-in-hand with the government and security agencies to drive stability and development.

Meanwhile, the governor has committed to rapidly reconstructing critical public infrastructure in the war-ravaged Malam Fatori.

He said the effort is aimed at supporting residents returning to communities liberated from insurgency.

Accompanied by top government officials and lawmakers-including Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Zulum inspected extensive damage to schools, government buildings, and housing facilities.

Years of conflict have left Malam Fatori heavily war-ravaged, with dilapidated structures and abandoned public infrastructure that bear witness to the town’s disrupted development.

To fast-track the return of normal life, Zulum directed the immediate construction of a primary school, a secondary school, an Islamiyya school, and a local hospital to restore access to vital education and healthcare services.

‘Provision of basic amenities is critical to enabling returnees to rebuild their lives, restore livelihoods, and give their children a stronger foundation for the future,’ he stated.

During the visit, the governor also met directly with residents to listen to their immediate needs and the challenges they face in resettling.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed two senior commanders of a terrorist group led by notorious kingpin Kachalla Muhammadu Filani in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The two commanders, identified as Hamisu, also known as Mamiyo, and Umar Bocho, were killed during an intelligence-led operation around Kogo Village on Monday, August 31, according to the military.

The Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 encountered the terrorists at a hideout and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

He said Mamiyo was a notorious gunrunner and the second-in-command to Muhammadu Filani, while Umar Bocho was also a key member of the network.

Danja said Muhammadu Filani escaped from the encounter with gunshot wounds, adding that troops were continuing to search the area for the fleeing terrorist leader and other members of the group.

The military described the operation as a major blow to the terrorist network, saying the killing of the two commanders would degrade its operational capability and disrupt its criminal activities.

Residents of communities around the area told Daily Trust that the group’s activities had affected Matazu, Musawa, Dutsinma, Kankia and Kusada local government areas, with repeated reports of abductions, killings, livestock rustling and disruption of farming activities.

A resident said the operation had brought relief to communities that had lived in fear, particularly farmers who were often unable to access their farmlands.

However, a community leader urged the military to sustain the pressure to prevent the surviving members of the group from regrouping.

The military urged residents of Matazu and neighbouring communities, as well as medical personnel, to report anyone suspected of seeking treatment for gunshot wounds to security agencies.

It said operations were ongoing to track Filani and clear the area of remaining threats.

There is a difference between occupying a public office and making an institution work. The real test of leadership is not the title attached to a position, but the changes that become visible after a person assumes responsibility. In the case of Taiwo Oyedele, his early impact at the Ministry of Finance is increasingly being seen in this light. He has started restoring confidence, improving financial discipline and bringing greater seriousness to the management of public resources.

Oyedele came into government with a reputation built over more than two decades in accounting, taxation, fiscal policy and public finance. His appointment as Minister of State and subsequent elevation as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was therefore not simply a reward for professional experience.

It was a decision to place specialised knowledge at the centre of an administration facing the difficult task of rebuilding Nigeria’s fiscal system.

When President Tinubu swore him in as Minister on March 16, 2026, the President described the appointment as a vote of confidence in his abilities. He particularly praised Oyedele’s professionalism, knowledge of tax policy, dedication and determination; qualities that had already been demonstrated during his work with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

That background matters because financial management is rarely about figures alone. It is about confidence. Contractors need to believe that government obligations will be treated seriously. Businesses need clarity about policies. Ministries and agencies need predictable financial processes. Most importantly, citizens need to know that public resources are being managed responsibly.

It is against this background that Oyedele’s presence at the Finance Ministry has become significant. One of the clearest signs of change is the improved atmosphere around the ministry’s headquarters. A place that had, at various times, become associated with complaints and protests by local contractors is gradually returning to what it ought to be: a centre of serious government business.

The significance of this change should not be underestimated. When contractors spend their time protesting over unpaid obligations rather than executing projects, both the government and the economy suffer. Workers, suppliers and communities connected to those contracts also feel the consequences. Addressing such problems is therefore not merely an administrative exercise; it restores confidence across the wider economic chain.

Oyedele’s approach appears rooted in the belief that public finance must ultimately serve the public interest. Since assuming office, he has repeatedly emphasised revenue mobilisation, fiscal discipline and the efficient use of government resources. His message has been straightforward: that public money must be managed with responsibility, transparency and a clear understanding of its impact on ordinary Nigerians.

His professional record gives weight to that approach. An economist, accountant and public policy expert, Oyedele began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2001 and spent 22 years rising to become Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader. He has also undertaken executive education at institutions including the London School of Economics, Yale University and Harvard Kennedy School, while contributing to academia as a Professor at Babcock University and a Visiting Scholar at Lagos Business School.

But qualifications alone do not make a public servant effective. What matters is how knowledge is converted into results. On this score, Oyedele has shown a willingness to confront difficult fiscal questions and explain them in terms that connect government decisions to the wider economy. His disclosure on the impact of subsidy reforms offers one example. According to him, reforms between June 2023 and December 2025 freed ?15.8 trillion in resources for the federation.

He said the Federal Government received ?5.4 trillion while ?10.4 trillion was distributed among state and local governments. He also reported additional independent revenue of ?3.1 trillion, bringing the total additional resources from subsidy savings, independent revenue and borrowing to ?20.4 trillion. The importance of such figures lies not merely in their size, but in the transparency with which they are being presented.

Financial reforms become easier to understand when citizens can see where resources came from, where they went and what pressures shaped government spending. Oyedele’s willingness to place these figures before the public contributes to a culture in which fiscal policy is explained rather than hidden behind complicated official language.

He has also been clear that the reforms were not designed simply to increase government revenue. He has linked them to the need to correct longstanding inefficiencies, distortions and leakages in the fuel subsidy and foreign exchange systems. That distinction is important because sustainable reform is ultimately about building a healthier financial system, not merely collecting more money.

Another dimension of Oyedele’s work is his support for domestic capacity. During a visit to Galaxy Backbone in Abuja, he argued that supporting made-in-Nigeria goods and services, particularly digital infrastructure, should be regarded as a national duty. His argument reflects a broader economic principle that government spending should, where quality and value permit, strengthen Nigerian businesses, create jobs and develop local expertise.

His emphasis on digital infrastructure also shows an understanding that financial reform cannot be separated from technology. Better systems can improve record-keeping, reduce opportunities for leakages, strengthen accountability and make public financial management more efficient. In an economy increasingly driven by data and digital services, this is an area Nigeria cannot afford to neglect.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Oyedele’s approach is his stated understanding of public service as a responsibility rather than a privilege. After his swearing-in, he said his focus would include strengthening revenue mobilisation, promoting fiscal discipline and ensuring that public resources translate into real improvements in the lives of Nigerians. That is the standard by which every public finance official should ultimately be judged.

The early signs are encouraging. A ministry associated with financial administration must project order, confidence and professionalism. When contractors can approach government with greater confidence, when financial information is explained more openly, and when fiscal decisions are tied to measurable outcomes, the institution becomes stronger. Oyedele’s ‘Midas touch’, therefore, should not be understood as magic.

It is the result of experience, technical competence, discipline and a willingness to bring transparency into an area of government that directly affects every Nigerian. His challenge now is to sustain the momentum, deepen accountability and ensure that the culture of seriousness extends across the wider public finance system. Nigeria does not need financial management that exists only on paper. It needs a system where numbers tell the truth, obligations are respected, reforms are explained and public resources are deployed for the public good.

If Oyedele can continue along this path, his tenure at the Finance Ministry may well become remembered not only for the policies introduced, but for the confidence and seriousness restored to the institution itself.