Category: Daily Trust

The Ummah Zakat Foundation has launched the EasyZakat digital platform to simplify the payment and distribution of Zakat while appointing the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, as chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).

The web and mobile platform is designed to connect Zakat payers with eligible beneficiaries, replacing manual processes with a transparent and accountable system.

Launching the platform in Abuja, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, described Zakat as one of the pillars of Islam and a vital tool for social justice, wealth redistribution and community welfare.

He said Islam had provided lasting mechanisms through Zakat, Sadaqah and Waqf to reduce poverty, support widows and orphans, care for the sick and preserve the dignity of the needy.

The Sultan said the foundation’s establishment reflects efforts to align Islamic obligations with modern technology.

‘Through the EasyZakat web and mobile platform, Muslims can now fulfil this important obligation with greater ease, transparency and confidence that their Zakat will reach those entitled to receive it,’ he said.

He stressed that technology should strengthen, rather than replace, Islamic values, and urged members of the foundation’s Board of Trustees to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity, fairness and accountability.

Speaking earlier, the BOT chairman, Emir Mera, said the foundation was established to ensure the proper collection, management and distribution of Zakat, Sadaqah and Waqf in line with Islamic principles.

He said the EasyZakat platform enables users to calculate their Zakat, make secure payments and track donations from payment to the final beneficiary through a dashboard that also provides downloadable records for documentation and reporting.

Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has raised an alarm over a ‘suspicious credit’ into one of his private bank accounts domiciled with one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks.

The transfer originated from a person totally unknown to His Excellency with the narration ‘Contribution Electioneering Campaign.’ Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorized payment.

Understandably, the circumstances surrounding the transfer are deeply troubling to His Excellency. The account is a strictly private one whose details are not in the public domain. This raises a fundamental question: How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?

If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe. Even more disturbing is the suspicion that such confidential information may have been obtained through persons with privileged access. If established, this would amount to a grave abuse of power capable of exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters and other criminal elements.

We therefore put the Nigerian public – and the security agencies – on notice about this latest incident in a litany of suspicious activities leading up to next year’s general elections.

As political activities gather momentum, Nigerians should not be distracted by these tired tactics that smack of character assassination. Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again. The Waziri Adamawa remains focused on offering Nigerians credible leadership and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges.

Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council’s global network with a newly constituted National Member Committee and Governing Board, opening a renewed chapter in the country’s long standing relationship with the Council.

World Energy Council Nigeria will provide an independent, impartial and technology-neutral platform bringing together government, industry, finance, academia and civil society to advance practical responses to Nigeria’s Energy Trilemma: energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

The Governing Board is chaired by Mr Abdulrazaq Isa, Co-founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and a leading advocate for indigenous energy development.

Mr. Bala Wunti, a seasoned energy executive with more than three decades of experience across the oil and gas value chain and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, serves as inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

Other members of the Board are Professor Wumi Iledare, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Mrs. Aisha Farida Katagum, Dr Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, Dr Emmanuel Okon, Dr Victor Ekpenyong and Dr Imamuddeen Talba.

Together, the Board brings extensive experience across energy policy, operations, investment, regulation, technology, research and enterprise development, reflecting the breadth of Nigeria’s energy ecosystem.

Welcoming the Nigerian Member Committee, Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council, said: ‘Nigeria has a significant leadership role, and the Member Committee will help bring that expertise and voice onto the world stage at the Riyadh World Energy Congress in April 2027 and beyond.’

Nigeria’s return comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.

Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Mr Abdulrazaq Isa, said: ‘Nigeria’s return marks more than renewed participation; it creates a platform for stronger national and African leadership within the global energy community. We will work across sectors to advance solutions grounded in our realities, responsive to our development priorities and capable of attracting sustainable investment.’

On his part, Wunti said Nigeria must build an energy system that is secure, affordable, sustainable and capable of powering shared prosperity.

In an era where the creative industry continues to redefine culture and strengthen communities, few performance artists have demonstrated the consistency, influence, and cultural relevance of Olamide Michael Falolu, popularly known as Faloh JAGABAN. Since beginning his creative journey in 2020, the diaspora storyteller has evolved into a respected performance artist whose work extends beyond entertainment to fostering connection, cultural identity, and social engagement, particularly among diaspora communities.

Driven by an unwavering passion for acting and comedy, Faloh JAGABAN entered the creative space with a vision that was both artistic and purposeful. While many entertainers focus solely on performance, he has intentionally built a platform that celebrates shared experiences, promotes cultural expression, and brings people together through relatable storytelling and humour.

His performances have earned recognition for their authenticity, emotional depth, and ability to resonate with audiences from diverse backgrounds. As a cultural commentator, he blends comedy with everyday realities, creating performances that spark conversations while preserving cultural identity. This distinctive approach has cultivated a creative voice that appeals to audiences seeking both entertainment and meaningful connection.

Beyond the stage and screen, Faloh has emerged as a respected community builder. His work reflects a commitment to strengthening relationships within the African diaspora, using performance as a bridge between cultures, generations, and communities. Through engaging content and public appearances, he has helped create spaces where people can celebrate their heritage while embracing contemporary creative expression.

Industry observers note that this blend of artistic excellence and community impact distinguishes Faloh from many of his contemporaries. His growing influence demonstrates how performance art can become a powerful tool for social cohesion, cultural preservation, and positive representation.

His contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Faloh JAGABAN was named UK Creator Award Winner after receiving the Creator Award of the Year at the LEMFI Awards, recognising his creativity, consistency, and impact within the digital and entertainment ecosystem. Building on that achievement, he was honoured with the Media and Community Platform Award of the Year at the 2026 LWB Awards, further affirming his growing role as a creative leader whose work extends beyond entertainment into community development.

These recognitions underscore a career marked by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. They also reflect the increasing appreciation for creatives who leverage their platforms to inspire, unite, and create lasting value for society.

As the creative economy continues to expand globally, Faloh JAGABAN represents a new generation of African performance artists redefining what success looks like. His journey illustrates that influence is measured not only by audience size but also by the ability to create meaningful impact through authentic storytelling and cultural engagement.

With a steadily growing reputation, multiple industry accolades, and a mission rooted in bringing people together, Olamide Michael Falolu is establishing himself as one of the notable voices in contemporary performance art. As a diaspora storyteller, cultural commentator, community builder, and UK Creator Award winner, his trajectory suggests that his greatest contributions to the arts and creative industry are still ahead, positioning him as an influential figure whose work continues to shape conversations around culture, community, and creative excellence.

An agricultural firm, Al-Qaryah Agro Allied Ltd has tabled a landmark $1.295 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposal to the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to convert the Challawa Gorge Dam into Nigeria’s flagship agro-industrial hub.

The company’s management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Abubakar M. Nagwamatse, presented the plan at HJRBDA headquarters in Kano to Managing Director Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and his technical team.

Nagwamatse explained that the initiative seeks to deploy modern aquaculture and floating agriculture methods already in use across Asia to maximise the dam’s underutilised water body.

‘We plan to introduce crop production on water surfaces, alongside aquaculture and irrigation farming. This project will create at least 10,000 jobs and significantly boost food supply, which in turn will lower prices and open export opportunities,’ he said.

He lamented that the arrangement will help maximise the dam, which he said is presently not being put to its maximum capacity, leaving it only to subsistence small-scale farming.

He said the project is multi-dimensional and will integrate deep-water cage aquaculture, aquaponics, hydroponics, rice-fish farming, duck farming, aquatic plant cultivation, floodplain irrigation, and land-based infrastructure, including a 150,000 metric tonne per year feed mill and a 50-million-fry hatchery.

Al-Qaryah stressed that the investment aligns with national food security goals, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, and the Komadugu-Yobe Basin SAP.

Responding, Engr. Bichi welcomed the proposal, noting that the Authority had long awaited private sector participation in PPP ventures.

He described the plan as a major step toward unlocking the socioeconomic potential of Northern Nigeria’s water infrastructure.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has recommissioned the upgraded Kubwa Primary Healthcare Centre to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, urged women, particularly residents of the area, to take advantage of the improved healthcare services available at the facility.

She said the health centre, located in the Owner-Occupier area of Kubwa, had undergone a three-month renovation and is now better equipped to provide quality healthcare services, particularly antenatal and postnatal care.

Fasawe described breastfeeding as a child’s first form of immunisation and urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months to promote healthy growth and cognitive development.

‘The first thing you are expected to immunise your baby with is breast milk, which comes naturally from the mother’s body. It is rich in vitamins, antibodies and essential nutrients.

‘For the first six months, a child does not require any supplements apart from routine immunisation and breast milk,’ she said.

She also urged husbands to support their nursing wives by ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.

The mandate secretary reiterated that antenatal services at all 62 FCT Primary Healthcare Centres are provided free of charge.

She added that women referred from primary healthcare centres to general hospitals for secondary care would also continue to receive free services, including caesarean sections where necessary.

The event attracted a large number of pregnant and nursing mothers, some of whom received baby-care packages in recognition of their commitment to exclusive breastfeeding.

The 46th session of the King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorising, Reciting and Interpreting the Holy Qur’an kicked off in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.

The competition is being held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman.

The competition that runs through Rabi Al-Awwal 6, corresponding to Aug. 19, is organised by the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.

A total of 334 male and female contestants from 133 countries are participating in the event, marking the largest turnout in the competition’s history.

The competition aims to encourage young Muslims to memorise, comprehend, and reflect upon the Holy Qur’an, foster honourable competition, and highlight Saudi Arabia’s efforts in serving the Qur’an and honouring its memorisers.

In a historic first, independent competitions for female participants will be held at the Makkah Hilton Hotel and Convention, while male category finals and the closing ceremony will take place at the Grand Mosque.

The competition comprises five categories, with a total prize pool of SR10,260,000 (N3.7bn), the highest since the competition’s launch. (Saudi Gazette)

Stakeholders have urged Nigeria to harness the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial potential of its youthful population to accelerate economic growth and national development.

They spoke on Thursday at the IDCL Global Conference ’26 in Abuja, where they also called for improvements in electricity supply, reforms in the justice system and greater investment in an environment that enables young Nigerians to create businesses and employment opportunities.

The conference, themed, ‘A New Nigeria,’ brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, development experts, youth advocates and other stakeholders to discuss economic growth, innovation, governance and national development.

Speaking at the event, the Convener of the Made in Abuja Creative and Entertainment Industry Conference and Award, Gabriel Obochi, said Nigeria must create an enabling environment for young people to turn their ideas into viable enterprises.

Obochi said exposure to productive and innovative people could encourage more young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship and creativity.

‘The environment inspires a whole lot of innovation and creativity. When you come into the midst of people who create, who produce, who virtually create anything, it inspires you to start creating or wanting to go into creating as well,’ he said.

He also urged young entrepreneurs not to be discouraged by business failures and other setbacks, saying risk remained an unavoidable part of entrepreneurship.

‘Everything in life is a risk. If you are pulled down by it, you will never get to achieve anything,’ he said.

According to him, successful entrepreneurs are often those who remain focused despite losses and build businesses capable of surviving difficult economic conditions.

Obochi also identified inadequate electricity supply as a major constraint to businesses and called for further liberalisation of the power sector to allow more players to participate in electricity generation.

‘The power sector should be democratised and allow some other smaller companies or ventures to also generate power. That is the only thing that will help us stabilise the power problem and electricity generation in Nigeria,’ he said.

Earlier, the Convener of the IDCL Global Conference ’26, Oluwakemi Olorode, said the gathering was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to play active roles in changing the country’s development trajectory.

‘It’s A New Nigeria. That’s the topic, where Nigerians, as individuals and collectively, are making an impact and changing the narrative,’ she said.

Olorode said the conference provided a platform for business owners, professionals and young people to exchange ideas, establish partnerships and explore solutions to some of the country’s development challenges.

‘So, it’s not a one-person narrative. It’s a narrative for everybody,’ she added.

She also identified electricity supply as an area requiring greater attention, saying businesses and households continued to struggle with inadequate power.

‘We still don’t have 24-hour electricity, even with Band A. We are still pleading with the government to help us make sure that Nigeria is thriving and becomes a success story,’ Olorode said.

Speaking during a panel session, the Executive Director of the Private and Public Development Centre, Mrs Lucy Abagi James, called for greater emphasis on implementing existing policies rather than developing new frameworks.

Abagi, who focused on reforms in the justice sector, said the digitisation of courts would improve efficiency and access to justice.

‘There are already policies. There is no need for another policy framework again. We need to advocate more for judges to be able to digitise their courts,’ she said.

She also urged Nigerians to become more knowledgeable about their legal rights, including the right to legal representation and speedy trial.

According to her, weaknesses within public institutions contribute significantly to corruption and inefficiency in the justice system.

‘One of the problems we are having with corruption is system failure,’ she said.

Abagi said increased digitisation of court processes, alongside stronger public advocacy and awareness, could improve access to justice and strengthen accountability.

Also speaking, development advocate Aisha Sabo said Nigeria’s human capital and the capacity of its people to develop solutions should be regarded as more important to the country’s future than its natural resources.

‘I don’t even believe that minerals are our greatest asset. Our greatest asset and resource is actually our imagination,’ she said.

Sabo urged young Nigerians to think beyond existing limitations and explore innovative solutions to development challenges.

Citing Rwanda’s deployment of drone technology to deliver medical supplies, she said countries could overcome infrastructure and geographical challenges by embracing innovation.

‘The landscape didn’t change, but the way people imagined it did,’ she said.

She said Africa’s youthful population presented a major development opportunity, but stressed that the potential would have to be properly harnessed through skills, innovation and opportunities.

Financial market trader and public speaker, Paschalene Chiemela, similarly urged young Nigerians to develop skills and create opportunities rather than depend solely on government interventions.

‘It doesn’t always have to revolve around the government or policies. It can start with us,’ she said.

Chiemela said young people should develop valuable skills and build credible personal brands to improve their prospects in an increasingly competitive economy.

‘I know the general saying is, ‘There’s no job.’ But what can you do? Build a brand. What can you offer?’ she asked.

She said creating value, developing relevant skills and looking beyond immediate challenges would help more young Nigerians take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from Danbilki Kwamanda, declaring that he is not a registered member of the party.

The State APC Publicity Secretary, Auwal Soja Sani Mainagge, made this clarification while addressing recent political developments within the state.

His remarks follow a stern warning from the party leadership that it will sanction any member found engaging in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwamanda recently granted an interview to a local radio station in which he threatened to sabotage the party’s efforts in the 2027 polls.

In response, the APC leadership reiterated that all party members are expected to support its candidates at all levels, emphasizing that the party maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding anti-party conduct.

Meanwhile Kwamanda has rejected his reported expulsion from the party, insisting that no one has the authority to remove him from the party

In a reaction issued shortly after the announcement, Dan Bilki described the decision as invalid, saying ‘a tenant cannot evict the landlord.’

His response came hours after the Kano State APC Publicity Secretary, Auwalu Abdullahi Soja, announced that the party had expelled Kwamanda over alleged statements said to be in breach of the party’s constitution and regulations.

A fierce debate over the allocation of Nigeria’s aviation revenue took centre stage at the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on Thursday as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) presented opposing arguments on the proposed review of the sharing formula for the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC).

The public hearing, convened by the National Assembly, focused on proposed amendments to the Civil Aviation Act that could significantly alter the distribution of the statutory charges collected from airline ticket and cargo sales among aviation agencies.

While the NCAA urged lawmakers to retain and even increase its share of the fund to strengthen safety oversight, NAMA argued that its growing operational responsibilities and ageing infrastructure justify a larger allocation from the existing pool.

Daily Trust reports that the industry has been sharply divided since the National Assembly commenced a move to amend the Act.

Under the existing legislation, the NCAA collects five per cent TSC and shares among aviation agencies.

Under the extant sharing formula, the NCAA retains 56%; NAMA takes 22%; the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) gets 9%, NCAT receives 7% while the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) gets 6 %.

But the proposal before the National Assembly seeks to slash the NCAA’s share to 40 per cent while NAMA’s 22% is jerked up to 40 per cent.

NCAA demands restoration of 65% of ticket sales

At the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives yesterday, the NCAA demanded the restoration of its original 65 percent share of the 5 percent ticket sales charge (TSC) and cargo sales charge (CSC).

Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, warned that reducing the agency’s allocation would weaken Nigeria’s aviation safety oversight and place the country at odds with international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Najomo stressed that the NCAA, as the nation’s independent aviation regulator, is responsible for certifying, inspecting and supervising airlines, airports, maintenance organisations, training schools, aviation personnel and the country’s air navigation service provider, NAMA.

According to him, unlike other aviation agencies, the NCAA does not generate significant commercial income because it performs sovereign regulatory functions aimed at ensuring public safety.

He disclosed that the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge accounts for about 83 per cent of the Authority’s funding, while all other regulatory fees contribute only 17 per cent.

‘The NCAA is Nigeria’s State Safety Oversight Authority. Our responsibility is to regulate every aviation service provider in the country in accordance with national laws and ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices,’ he said.

Najomo further revealed that Nigeria recently achieved an Effective Implementation score of 91.3 per cent during ICAO’s Coordinated Validation Mission, but recorded its weakest performance-just 50 per cent-in the area of financial resources available to support safety oversight.

He argued that cutting the NCAA’s funding would worsen the very deficiency identified by ICAO and undermine Nigeria’s ability to maintain global aviation safety standards.

The Director-General also cited increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified aviation inspectors due to inadequate funding and poor remuneration, warning that safety oversight could be compromised if the Authority’s financial base is weakened.

He maintained that international best practice requires air navigation service providers such as NAMA to recover most of their operating costs through user charges paid by aircraft operators rather than passenger ticket charges.

According to him, NAMA already has about 16 statutory commercial revenue streams, including en-route navigation charges, terminal navigation charges, calibration fees, consultancy services and telecommunications services.

Others are over-flight and en-route international charges, domestic en-route charges, charges on Class B message charges, terminal navigation charges, sales of aeronautical information, among others.

He noted that these sources account for approximately 75 per cent of NAMA’s total revenue, while the Ticket Sales Charge contributes only about 25 per cent.

NAMA seeks 56%

However, Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, presented a contrasting position, insisting that the current allocation no longer reflects the agency’s enormous operational responsibilities.

He explained that NAMA currently receives only 22 per cent of the statutory five per cent charge, translating to just N11 from every N50 generated through the levy on a N1,000 ticket or cargo sale.

Under the proposed amendment, the agency is seeking an increase to 56 per cent of the existing pool, insisting that the proposal would not raise ticket prices but merely redistribute the current revenue.

Umar said the agency’s operational costs have risen significantly over the years while navigation charges have remained largely unchanged since 2008 despite inflation, exchange rate volatility and increasing costs of maintaining modern air navigation systems.

He noted that NAMA is responsible for air traffic control, surveillance systems, navigation aids, communication infrastructure, aeronautical information services and continuous maintenance of safety-critical facilities across the country.

According to him, the agency also faces the urgent challenge of replacing ageing radar infrastructure under the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) programme and investing in digital airspace management technologies.

The NAMA boss further sought legislative backing for the agency to receive 90 per cent of fees generated from obstacle evaluation and WGS-84 aeronautical surveys, arguing that while the NCAA issues Aviation Height Clearance Certificates, NAMA undertakes the specialised technical assessments that determine whether proposed structures constitute hazards to aircraft operations.

He assured lawmakers that NAMA supports strict accountability measures, including automated revenue collection, quarterly financial disclosures, annual independent audits and transparent procurement processes.

Umar also called for harmonisation of conflicting provisions in the Civil Aviation Act and the NAMA Act regarding the agency’s statutory share of the Ticket Sales Charge.

Ojikutu seeks rational review

Retired Group Captain John Ojikutu in his presentation called for a comprehensive review of the formula.

Ojikutu, a respected aviation security expert and industry analyst, argued that the existing revenue-sharing arrangement among the NCAA, NAMA, NCAT, NSIB and NiMet lacks a rational basis and requires urgent reassessment.

According to him, the allocation of the 5 per cent charges collected from commercial aviation operators should be guided by objective operational realities rather than a fixed percentage formula that does not adequately reflect the responsibilities and resource demands of each agency.

Ojikutu said a more equitable approach should consider key factors such as the number of aeronautical personnel employed by each organisation, the volume and sophistication of equipment deployed, the number of operational locations across the country, hours of operation and other relevant service obligations.

He explained that the charges paid by non-aeronautical operators are designed to support the continuous provision of essential aeronautical safety services required for the smooth operation of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

‘These services are not optional. They are mandatory requirements under the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations and are also part of Nigeria’s obligations to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for both domestic and international air transportation,’ he noted.