Category: Daily Trust

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Hamza Woru, for the unlawful possession of a human skull.

The arrest followed an attempted sale of the remains, which led operatives to uncover a violated grave in the Kaiama Local Government Area.

The investigation began after the Kaiama Division received a complaint backed by intelligence indicating an attempt to traffic human parts.

The suspect allegedly contacted a complainant via phone to arrange a meeting at an agreed location. He reportedly arrived later with an accomplice identified as Abubakar, where they allegedly proposed the sale of a human skull.

The complainant played along and immediately alerted the police. This led to a swift operation and the arrest of Hamza Woru, though his accomplice managed to flee and remains at large. The human skull was recovered at the scene as an exhibit.

Further investigations revealed that the suspects had traveled to Shirigweria, Kaiama, where they allegedly exhumed the remains of a female relative of Woru-who had been buried in January 2026-to remove her skull.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the development and noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

He assured the public that Woru will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation, in line with relevant provisions of the law.

The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies for swift action.

Team Kosofe and Mushin Local Government Areas in Lagos secured victories yesterday in the football matches of the inaugural Scalepea-Mah Development Association (SAMDA) Nigeria U-13 tournament.

In the girls’ category, Mushin LGA edged Kosofo 3-0 at the Opebi Primary School, Ikeja,

Meanwhile, Kosofe dominated the Badagry side, winning 3-1 in the boys’ category.

The matches were witnessed by ex-international Waidi Akanni, who performed the ceremonial kick off of the second match and offered words of encouragement to the President of Lagos State School Sports, Bisi Joseph and the players.

Former Flying Eagles star Tajudeen Disu who serves as Chairman of SAMDA Nigeria Chapter and Head of Sports for Africa, stressed the importance of sustained support for grassroots sports.

‘The U-13 football tournament is only the starting point. It reflects a broader commitment to grassroots development and a vision to scale impact across the country,’ he said.

Disu added that the organisation is committed to providing structured training, mentorship, and partnerships with schools, organisations, and institutions in a bid to create lasting opportunities for young people.

The CEO, Tony Kona Fele, noted that the grassroots tournament will also serve as a platform to identify talents in other sports such as basketball.

‘We will also help select talented individuals who can pursue higher education in the USA, Canada and other institutions, provided their academic performance supports this journey,’ he said.

Fresh talks between the Federal Government and key players in the maritime sector over a proposed increase in shipping tariffs have ended in a deadlock, following fresh demands by shipping companies for additional charges.

The negotiations, convened in Lagos by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services, were aimed at resolving lingering disputes after the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) suspended its earlier plan to implement a 30 per cent tariff hike and opted for broader stakeholder consultations.

However, discussions stalled as shipping firms rejected the 30 per cent ceiling proposed by the Council, insisting on higher adjustments.

The companies cited rising inflation, increasing operational costs, foreign exchange volatility, and global shipping pressures as reasons the current tariff regime is no longer sustainable.

Speaking after a closed-door session, Chairman of the Committee, Abdusamad Dasuki, disclosed that a fresh round of stakeholder engagement has been scheduled within the next two weeks to address unresolved issues.

He explained that the Committee has directed the NSC, shipping firms, and other stakeholders to identify and resolve grey areas, while also establishing timelines for further engagements.

‘We expect that at the next meeting, there will be a clear framework, including timelines and participation of regulatory representatives, to guide the process towards implementation,’ Dasuki said.

He added that a new implementation date for any agreed tariff adjustment would be announced after consultations are concluded.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Pius Akutah, noted that although the Council had approved a 30 per cent increase, it was suspended following resistance from stakeholders.

Akutah maintained that the adjustment remains necessary, noting that there has been no tariff increment in the sector for over two years.

He added that the Council had proposed a phased implementation approach, with the 30 per cent serving as an upper limit.

According to him, most stakeholders agreed on the need for a tariff review but differed on the scale, with shipping companies arguing that the proposed rate falls below prevailing inflation levels.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the talks, stating that no meaningful progress had been made.

Alabi called for the establishment of a transparent and consistent mechanism for tariff review, similar to frameworks used in other regulated sectors such as telecommunications and energy.

She criticized what she described as ‘mixed signals’ from the NSC, particularly regarding individual tariff approvals granted to some operators, noting that this had complicated the negotiation process.

The deadlock shows the ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s maritime industry, as regulators and operators struggle to balance economic realities with the need to maintain competitive and efficient port services.

When the timetable for the ongoing Universities Tertiaries Examinations was released, leadership of my organisation, the Jos Renaissance Group (JRG), convened an emergency meeting to look at the security challenges facing the examinations, coming couple of weeks after the unfortunate Unguwar Rukuba mass shooting which reopened the old wounds in Jos and further polarised the city along Muslims/Christians divides.

The leadership of JRG decided to step in to see how best it can help to ensure peaceful examinations. The first step taken was to collate data of candidates especially those who are Muslims. Next is an analysis to determine centres that posed security challenges to Muslim candidates.

An announcement was put out Friday evening of March 10 on the JRG Whatsapp platform. Phone numbers of some leaders were put for contact with information from candidates concerning their centres, dates and times for their examinations.

By Sunday morning, JRG collated over 600 candidates with security challenging centres. Incidentally, even our Christian brothers and sisters were not left out as they called or sent their data.

On same March 10, JRG wrote a letter to the Plateau State Commissioner of Police highlighting the challenges ahead. The letter was copied to all the security agencies in the state..

By Monday March 13, more bodies including religious groups joined in the quest for a peaceful JAMB examinations exercise in Jos. Suddenly, both Muslims and Christians are forced to realise one simple significant and compelling lesson – we must coexist in peace with one another!

On Monday a critical stakeholders meeting took place with the JAMB Registrar along with his top officers in attendance.

At the meeting, the JAMB Registrar offered three options: to cancel the JAMB exams for 2026, revisit the postings to post candidates to safe areas (which means a further division of the city) or joining hands of Muslims and Christians leaders to ensure the examination was conducted peacefully, by ensuring the safety of candidates in the opposite sides domains.

Fortunately, all the stakeholders, including leaders of JNI and CAN, took the last option.

This experience exposed the folly of killing one another in Jos because of religious or tribal differences.

It is time for us to wake up and stop this senseless and avoidable rivalry that benefits no one. God in His wisdom created us differently. He brought us together under the same city.

The message is simple: we must live together. Alhamdulillahi so far no single candidate was harassed in any of the centres, apart from an incident at a centre that some Muslim candidates were prevented from praying in its open premises.

Tolerance and accommodation are key to our survival. We need one another to thrive as a people.

The West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has warned that lack of cable resilience is putting the region’s $150billion digital economy at serious risk.

WATRA’s Executive Secretary, Aliyu Aboki, who disclosed this in a report made available to our reporter on Monday, added that the West African cable network ‘rests on a fragile foundation.’

‘In March 2024, a series of submarine cable disruptions along the West African coast exposed a critical vulnerability at the heart of this emerging digital economy. For several hours-and in some cases days-connectivity was degraded across multiple countries. Banking systems slowed, digital platforms experienced outages, and businesses reliant on cloud infrastructure faced significant operational disruption.

‘The incident was not unprecedented. According to the International Cable Protection Committee, most submarine cable faults globally result from fishing activity, anchoring, or natural seabed movement. What made the West African disruption different was its scale. Multiple cables serving the region were affected simultaneously, sharply reducing available bandwidth and overwhelming existing redundancy. The lesson was immediate: capacity is not resilience’, Aboki said.

According to the WATRA scribe, West Africa is served by several major international systems, including West Africa Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), and MainOne Cable.

He said these systems collectively provide significant international capacity ‘yet their routing patterns and landing configurations meant that a single disruption could affect multiple systems at once’.

In the aftermath of the 2024 incident, he said internet traffic in affected countries fell sharply-by some estimates more than 50 percent-while latency increased and service quality deteriorated.

He said restoration timelines varied, but in some cases took several days, highlighting both physical repair constraints and administrative bottlenecks.

‘For policymakers and investors, the implications are clear. Submarine cables are not simply telecommunications infrastructure. They are foundational to economic activity’, he wrote.

Daily Trust reports that the West African region, with a combined GDP of over $800bn, is undergoing rapid digital transformation. Its digital economy-spanning fintech, e-commerce, digital services, and connectivity-has been estimated to contribute between $100 billion and $150 billion in economic activity annually, with strong growth prospects.

Across the region, digital platforms are helping to overcome long-standing infrastructure constraints, boost productivity, attract investment, and create jobs.

More than 95 percent of global internet traffic travels through submarine cables-a statistic consistently emphasised by the International Telecommunication Union.

In West Africa, where digital adoption is accelerating rapidly, the reliability of these systems is directly linked to economic performance. Outages translate into lost transactions, reduced productivity, and weakened investor confidence.

But Aboki said without resilient connectivity, West African digital economy momentum cannot be sustained.

Historically, he said resilience has been treated as a secondary consideration-something addressed after deployment rather than embedded at the point of investment, adding that they approach is no longer tenable.

He said: ‘Across global discussions, including those involving the World Bank, there is growing recognition that digital infrastructure must be approached through the lens of long-term risk and sustainability. Resilience shapes risk premiums, insurance costs, and financing decisions. Where it is poorly defined, it is treated as an additional cost. Where it is clearly linked to reduced downtime and operational continuity, it becomes a value proposition-one that can unlock capital. For underserved regions, this distinction is critical.’

He said the challenge is not simply to build more cables, but to build systems that are financeable, durable, and regionally coherent.

Addressing this, he said, requires a shift in perspective. Submarine cable resilience must be treated as a regional public good, supported by coordinated policy frameworks, he said

President Bola Tinubu has sacked Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy.

Edun was sacked alongside Ahmed Muda Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, announced this in a memo.

Edun has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Oyedele was formerly Minister of State for Finance.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that ‘all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.’

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: ‘These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.’

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that ‘the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.’

Traditional rulers in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have called for the zoning of the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives to Akure North ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the council, the Chairman of Akure North Council of Obas, Oba Faborode Idowu, said the appeal was based on ‘justice, fairness and democratic inclusion,’ stressing that the demand was a collective position of traditional leaders in the area.

‘We speak with one voice-a voice rooted in history, driven by justice, and compelled by the growing realities facing our people,’ he said. ‘This is not a political outburst, but a measured and necessary intervention in the interest of democracy and peace.’

The monarchs noted that since 1999, all elected members representing the constituency in the House of Representatives have emerged from Akure South, a trend they described as a longstanding imbalance.

‘For over two decades, Akure North has been excluded from representation,’ Idowu said. ‘We are compelled to ask whether this reflects the ideals of fairness and justice in a democratic system.’

They argued that Akure North, which comprises 12 wards, plays a significant role in the constituency’s economy, particularly in agriculture, and hosts key infrastructure along the Akure Airport corridor.

‘Despite these contributions, we remain politically sidelined,’ the monarch said, adding that greater inclusion would strengthen democratic participation in the area.

The traditional rulers also raised concerns over security challenges affecting communities in Akure North, noting that representation at the national level would help amplify calls for improved safety and development.

‘Our farmers are increasingly concerned, and our communities are under pressure,’ Idowu stated. ‘At a time like this, our people need a representative who understands the terrain and can advocate effectively.’

The monarchs further pointed to what they described as an imbalance in political representation within the constituency, noting that Akure South currently holds both the senatorial seat and the House of Representatives position.

‘This concentration of political offices in one area raises questions about equity,’ he said, urging political stakeholders to consider a more balanced arrangement.

They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to facilitate the zoning of the seat to Akure North.

‘This is not a favour, but a democratic necessity grounded in fairness and inclusion,’ Idowu said.

While reaffirming their commitment to peace, the traditional rulers cautioned that continued exclusion could affect public confidence in political processes.

‘As custodians of peace, we remain committed to stability, but we urge leaders to act promptly,’ he added.

The monarchs also reiterated their support for the administration of President Tinubu, pledging continued political backing while calling for what they described as equitable consideration for their constituency.

‘This is a defining moment,’ Idowu said. ‘Akure North deserves representation, and we believe our concerns should be addressed in the spirit of fairness and unity.’

The Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCIN), Yang Jianxing, has advised Nigerians to learn the Chinese language (Mandarin), saying it will open doors to opportunities for them.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja, during the 2026 International Chinese Language Day celebration, Jianxing said learning Mandarin will help facilitate trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

He said Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, adding that more than 190 countries and regions worldwide have implemented Chinese-language instruction, with over 200 million international learners and users.

He said, ‘In today’s world, Chinese is not only a ‘gift across time,’ but also a ‘golden bridge’ connecting people’s hearts.

‘It is a bridge of communication: Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. To date, more than 190 countries and regions worldwide have implemented Chinese language teaching, with over 200 million international learners and users.

‘More and more foreign friends are opening windows to understanding ancient and modern China by mastering Chinese. It is a bridge of harmony: For thousands of years, the Chinese nation has pursued the concept of harmony and coexistence.

‘China will further promote high-quality economic and social development, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation with other countries, and share development opportunities with the world.

‘Learning Chinese is undoubtedly an important shortcut to fully understanding China and realising one’s dreams through participation in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nigeria in various fields.

‘We hope that this International Chinese Language Day event will serve as an opportunity for everyone to experience the unique charm and contemporary vitality of the Chinese language.

‘We hope that more and more Nigerian friends will learn Chinese, understand China, and enhance exchanges.

‘Let us work together to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Nigeria to a new level and jointly benefit the people of both countries.’

Also speaking, the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Bulama Mohammed Babagana, represented by the Director, Office of the Director General, Suleiman Musa, said the FRCN has integrated the teaching and learning of the Chinese language in its programmes since last year as part of the execution of the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and China.

He said: ‘This occasion honours not only a language, but a civilisation, a heritage, and a bridge that continues to connect billions of people across cultures and continents.

‘The Chinese language stands as one of humanity’s most enduring cultural treasures. With its rich tapestry of characters and timeless expressions, it embodies centuries of wisdom, philosophy, innovation, and artistic brilliance that have shaped global civilisation in remarkable ways.

‘In today’s interconnected world, the role of language as a tool for diplomacy, trade, media exchange, and cultural understanding cannot be overemphasised. As a media institution committed to fostering dialogue, the FRCN recognises the immense value of linguistic inclusivity in promoting diversity and strengthening international cooperation.

‘The ‘Ni Hao China’ programme is part of the benefits of the Agreements signed between Nigeria and China, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State visit to China in September 2024, aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and communication between Nigeria and China.’

Hours before the official commencement of the 2026 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna, what might ordinarily pass for a routine professional gathering has already assumed a deeper national significance. The conversations preceding the event point to something more profound-an emerging platform where policy, governance, and communication converge, with even traditional institutions now actively woven into the discourse.

Convened by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), this year’s NPRW is anchored on a theme that goes beyond industry reflection to national urgency: ‘Nigeria’s Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate – The Imperative of Public Relations.’ At its core lies a compelling question: can communication move beyond messaging to shape governance outcomes meaningfully?

Set against the backdrop of rising concerns over food security, social cohesion, and governance effectiveness, the Kaduna edition situates public communication within the broader architecture of development. It challenges the traditional notion of public relations as a peripheral tool and instead positions it as a central pillar in policy design, implementation, and citizen engagement.

Kaduna State provides a fitting, if complex, backdrop for this discussion. In recent years, it has navigated a delicate balance between security challenges, governance reforms, and economic restructuring. Hosting NPRW in such a context is therefore not merely administrative-it reflects a growing recognition that communication is increasingly embedded in governance outcomes.

What distinguishes this year’s event is the deliberate expansion of scope by the NIPR. The NPRW is no longer confined to media relations and corporate communication; it now encompasses policy communication, institutional trust-building, and citizen engagement. This shift was evident in the pre-event engagements.

The week began with a strategic interface involving traditional rulers at the General Hassan Usman Katsina House, followed by a high-level workshop for principal government officers, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, commissioners, special advisers, and permanent secretaries. The focus was clear: aligning governance delivery with strategic communication under the Renewed Hope framework.

The opening session, themed ‘The Kaduna Peace Model: Traditional Leadership and National Stability,’ underscored the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in peacebuilding and governance. The conversation was led by the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who also chairs the Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs. Alongside him was the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Jibril Maigwari II, and other respected traditional leaders.

The Emir of Zazzau advocated a constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, arguing that their role in governance-particularly in conflict mediation and peacebuilding-remains underutilised. He noted that these institutions predate colonial administration and continue to serve as stabilising forces within communities. Crucially, he linked peace directly to productivity, stressing that insecurity remains a major constraint on agricultural output.

Building on this, the Emir of Birnin Gwari emphasised the communicative role of traditional leaders in sustaining peace. Drawing from local experience, he described them as critical intermediaries who rebuild trust, facilitate dialogue, and counter misinformation in times of crisis. In his words, their interventions are ‘fundamentally communicative before they become administrative’-a powerful reframing of leadership within fragile environments.

The Kaduna State Government echoed this perspective. Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadeeq Maman-Lagos, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to deeper collaboration with traditional institutions. His remarks reflected a broader governance trend in Nigeria: the increasing reliance on informal structures to complement formal systems, especially where state reach is limited.

Further articulating this framework, the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, presented the Kaduna Peace Model as a template for conflict-sensitive governance. He highlighted the need for early warning systems, inclusive dialogue, and community-based conflict prevention mechanisms. His assertion that ‘security without humanity is insecurity in disguise’ captured the essence of a governance philosophy rooted in empathy and inclusion.

From the perspective of the NIPR, the message was equally clear. The Institute’s President, Ike Neliaku, stressed that governance outcomes are inseparable from how policies are communicated and understood. Implementation, he argued, is not merely administrative-it is communicative. Without trust, clarity, and engagement, even the most well-designed policies risk failure.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the area of food security. For Kaduna, agriculture is not just an economic sector-it is a lifeline. A significant portion of the population depends on farming and agro-based activities. Yet, insecurity across parts of the state and the wider northern region has disrupted farming cycles, weakened productivity, and destabilised markets.

Within this context, NPRW 2026 highlights a critical governance challenge: bridging the gap between policy intent and public response. Agricultural programmes often falter not because of flawed design, but due to weak communication, limited community engagement, and poor integration with local structures. This is where the synergy between government, traditional institutions, and communication platforms becomes indispensable.

A key takeaway from the Kaduna edition is the evolving understanding of communication as governance infrastructure. It is no longer just about visibility-it is about building trust, shaping behaviour, and enabling participation. Yet, this evolution also introduces an important caution.

Communication, no matter how strategic, cannot substitute for performance. Citizens ultimately judge governance by tangible outcomes-security, food availability, infrastructure, and service delivery. Effective communication can amplify success, but it cannot mask failure.

Beyond the formal sessions, the convergence of delegates in Kaduna offers the state an opportunity to project its governance narrative, showcase its economic potential, and test the power of strategic communication in shaping perception.

But perhaps the most enduring significance of NPRW 2026 lies in the question it raises for Nigeria as a whole: can communication move from being a tool of persuasion to an instrument of transformation?

As Kaduna hosts this pivotal gathering, the answer will not be found in speeches alone, but in the ability of leaders to align words with action-ensuring that policies do not merely exist on paper, but reach the plates of the people they are meant to serve.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen electronic payment platforms and improve data sharing mechanisms between both parties.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja on Monday, the Central Bank governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso stated that through the MoU, both parties will strengthen coordination on approvals, technical standards, and innovation trials, including sandbox testing that supports market-led solutions while safeguarding stability.

He said, ‘Under this MoU, we will support measures such as strengthened authentication for higher-risk transactions, effective transaction monitoring, functional fraud reporting channels, and a harmonised consumer sensitisation programme-particularly for underserved segments and MSMEs who are often most exposed to these risks.

‘Also, the MoU supports the implementation of the Telecom Identity Risk Management Portal (TIRMP)-a secure, regulatory-backed data-sharing platform designed to help prevent fraud linked to churned, swapped, or blacklisted mobile numbers.

‘The ability to verify mobile number status in real time across banks, fintechs, and other digital platforms is a critical layer of protection for consumers and for the financial system. Importantly, we will ensure that the use of this capability is governed by clear standard operating guidelines and strict compliance with Nigeria’s data protection requirements, including appropriate safeguards, encryption, and consent protocols.’

The MoU also established two Joint Committees namely the Joint Committee on Payment System and Consumer Protection; and the Joint Committee on Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMP) to provide structured coordination, resolve operational frictions, recommend improvements, and report progress.

Also in his remarks, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida acknowledged that the MoU speaks directly to one of the critical pillars of the NCC which is leveraging cross-sectoral innovation to deliver a safe, resilient, inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem.

‘As mobile numbers increasingly underpin identity, authentication, and financial access, collaboration with the CBN is essential to ensuring that innovation is matched with strong governance, system stability, and consumer safeguards.

‘The MoU is designed to first act in the prevention of electronic fraud, which has become increasingly pervasive, with significant implications for the integrity of our digital economy. Through the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal-which aggregates data on churned (recycled) phone numbers, as well as numbers flagged within your sector-the Financial Services Industry will now have enhanced visibility into the status of phone numbers, one of the most widely utilized resources in your sector, although regulated by the NCC.

‘This means that the Financial Institutions will be able to determine when a line is active, when it has been swapped, when it has been disconnected due to inactivity and reassigned to a new subscriber, and when it has been flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activity,’ he added.