Buji council distributes improved seeds to 140 farmers to boost food production

Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State has distributed improved seeds of cowpea, sesame and groundnut to 140 selected farmers as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and strengthen food security in the area.

The intervention is aimed at supporting farmers affected by delayed rainfall and the dry spell experienced during the early and middle parts of the current farming season.

The intervention is expected to enable the beneficiaries to undertake immediate planting and multiply the seeds for future use, thereby improving farmers’ access to quality planting materials in the local government area.

Speaking during the distribution of the inputs, chairman of the local government area, Najeebullah Falalu, said the council was committed to supporting farmers and ensuring that government agricultural interventions translated into tangible benefits for rural communities.

Falalu said the council distributed 140 bags, each weighing 10 kilogrammes of improved cowpea, sesame and groundnut seeds to selected farmers in the local government area.

He said the seeds were provided by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) under the Renewed Hope Seed Support programme of the Federal Government.

The chairman described the intervention as timely, particularly in view of the challenges posed by irregular rainfall and the dry spell recorded by farmers at the beginning of the farming season.

He said the initiative will not only help farmers sustain production, but also contribute to increase agricultural productivity, improved food security and enhanced livelihoods for farming households in the local government area.

Falalu said the intervention was also in line with the 12-Point agenda of the Jigawa State government under Governor Umar Namadi, particularly its emphasis on agricultural development, food security and economic empowerment.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the NASC for providing the improved seeds, describing the support as an important contribution to strengthening agricultural activities at the grassroots.

He assured farmers that the council will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and development partners to attract more agricultural interventions to Buji and ensure that such support reached genuine farmers.

Falalu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the improved seeds, stressing that their successful multiplication will help create a sustainable source of quality planting materials for farmers in subsequent farming seasons.

He also called on farmers in the local government area to remain committed to agricultural production, assuring them of the council’s continued support in efforts to increase food production and improve the economic wellbeing of rural communities.

The distribution is expected to provide immediate support to the selected farmers while contributing to the broader objective of increasing the availability of improved crop varieties and boosting agricultural output in Buji Local Government Area.

Woro abductees reunite with families after months in captivity

The Woro abductees kidnapped by terrorists in February 2026 have been reunited with their families in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The victims, who were rescued by a joint security operation on August 4, 2026, were on Thursday transported from Ilorin, the state capital, to their ancestral communities in Kaiama.

They had been receiving medical attention in Ilorin since their release from captivity.

The spokesperson to the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, M.D. Baniya, disclosed the victims’ return in a statement on Thursday night.

Baniya said the victims were escorted to Kaiama by the council chairman, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, alongside the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Omar Shehu Muazu, and the Kiwazi of Wojibe, Hon. Ahmed Ibn Mohammad.

He said the delegation ensured the victims, some of whom were still recovering, returned to their communities safely and with dignity.

According to the statement, the homecoming was marked by emotional scenes as families welcomed their loved ones after months of uncertainty.

The chairman expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for their intervention and efforts towards securing the victims’ release.

Danladi also thanked the Emir of Kaiama and members of the Kaiama Emirate Council for their prayers, guidance and support throughout the period.

Da’u Aliyu and fair representation in Jigawa

BY any fair assessment of grassroots politics and community development in Jigawa State, Hon. (Engr.) Magaji Da’u Aliyu, PhD mni, stands out as a politician whose influence has been built not only on political office but also on years of selfless services and humanity in the locality. For those who may not be familiar with him or have had the opportunity to interact with him, Dr Magaji Da’u Aliyu is a qualified engineer, grassroots politician, philanthropist and indigene of Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State. He is a former member of the House of Representatives, where he represented the Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency. During his tenure in the National Assembly, he chaired the House Committee on Power and Mines, giving him an opportunity to contribute to policy and legislative interventions in two critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, Magaji Da’u Aliyu remains one of the longest-serving representatives of the Birnin Kudu/Buji constituency, having represented the people for more than two terms. His longevity in office, supporters argue, reflected the confidence many constituents placed in his style of representation.

One of the major areas associated with Magaji Da’u Aliyu’s tenure was infrastructure development. During his time in the House of Representatives, several communities within the constituency were connected to the national electricity grid. Feeder roads were constructed across various communities, while solar-powered water schemes and numerous hand-pump boreholes were also provided to improve access to water. For many constituents, these interventions represented more than political projects; they were attempts to address some of the everyday challenges confronting rural communities.

Perhaps more significant was the emphasis placed on human capital development. As a federal lawmaker, Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu PhD mni was said to have facilitated employment opportunities for thousands of young people across various ministries, departments and agencies, as well as in the private sector. Some constituents also secured opportunities in the military and paramilitary services. His educational support programmes and scholarship schemes have similarly benefited students from Birnin Kudu and Buji local government areas. Beneficiaries have pursued studies in universities, colleges and other institutions, including medical training institutions. Beyond formal education, he supported vocational and skills-acquisition programmes targeting women and young people, particularly those who had limited opportunities for formal education.

Economic empowerment also formed part of his intervention programmes, with constituents receiving financial assistance, business capital and materials to enable them to establish or expand small-scale enterprises. Politics, for Magaji Da’u Aliyu, has also been about maintaining relationships with people at the grassroots. Supporters say political party members across polling units, wards and local government areas benefited from his assistance. Such support reportedly extended beyond political activities to include assistance during religious festivities, marriages, childbirth, bereavements and other emergencies. Whether one agrees with this style of political engagement or not, it has helped him maintain a strong network of supporters across the constituency.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Magaji Da’u Aliyu’s political career is that his intervention programmes did not end with his departure from the National Assembly. Even outside elective office, he has continued to support education, youth empowerment and employment initiatives. In a recent intervention, he reportedly sponsored 42 orphans and children from less-privileged backgrounds, the majority of them girls, to study at a private College of Nursing Sciences. He also facilitated employment opportunities for 20 people in a power company and supported the recruitment of more than 40 youths into the Nigeria Police Force. These interventions, according to his supporters, demonstrate a belief that political influence should translate into tangible opportunities for the people. His activities have also attracted recognition within the political establishment. He was appointed Director-General of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also appointed Deputy Director-General (North) of the Tinubu Support Group.

He has equally served in various capacities and committees within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including responsibilities connected with the conduct of National Assembly primary elections. For a politician who has spent considerable time in public service, such appointments could be viewed as recognition of his experience, political network and capacity to mobilise people at the grassroots.

The question now is not simply who Magaji Da’u Aliyu is, but what his political experience means for the future of Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency. His supporters insist that the constituency needs a return to the type of representation they associate with his tenure, representation that combines infrastructure, education, employment, empowerment and direct engagement with constituents. For many of them, the call for his return is therefore driven by a belief that his experience remains relevant to the challenges confronting the constituency. Politics, however, is ultimately decided by the people.

As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. For the people of Birnin Kudu/Buji, the debate over Magaji Da’u Aliyu’s legacy may well become part of the wider conversation about what they expect from their political representatives in the years ahead.

Ose Oyamendan’s MKO set for October 1 premiere

Filmmaker Ose Oyamendan’s documentary ‘MKO’ is set for its Nigerian premiere on October 1, 2026. The documentary is billed to bring renewed attention to the life, political struggle and controversial death of businessman and June 12 presidential election winner Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The 108-minute documentary had its world premiere at Sheffield DocFest 2026 in the United Kingdom and examines the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Abiola’s subsequent detention and the circumstances surrounding his death in custody in 1998.

Oyamendan, who was a young journalist with Weekend Concord during the June 12 crisis, draws on archival material and interviews with prominent figures connected to the events. Those interviewed include former military rulers Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former electoral chief Humphrey Nwosu, Abiola’s running mate Baba Gana Kingibe, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, members of the Abiola family, journalists and diplomats.

A major focus of the film is the unresolved circumstances surrounding Abiola’s death on July 7, 1998, while he was meeting a US delegation. The documentary examines competing accounts of what happened shortly before his collapse and death, including questions surrounding the tea he was served. Oyamendan has said the film investigates the circumstances without presenting an unsupported verdict on the cause of death.

The October 1 premiere coincides with Nigeria’s Independence Day, placing the story of June 12, democracy and military rule within the broader history of Nigeria’s political development.

Oyamendan has described the project as more than a film about Abiola, presenting it as an examination of Nigeria’s unfinished democratic story and the consequences of the annulment of the June 12 election.

Young people key to selling impact of Renewed Hope across Nigeria – Yari

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, has described Nigeria’s youth as the most critical force for communicating the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda nationwide.

Yari stated this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu and a youth mobilisation advocate, who visited to congratulate him on his appointment and to deepen collaboration with youth-focused stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, accompanied Seyi Tinubu on the visit.

Speaking after the meeting, Yari said young Nigerians are central to how the administration’s story is told and understood.

‘Young people are not just the future of this country, they are the present. If we are going to tell the true story of what this administration has achieved, from infrastructure to the economy to security, it is our youth who will carry that message furthest, fastest, and most convincingly. They understand the language of today’s Nigeria in a way that no press statement alone ever could,’ he said.

He noted that the engagement with Seyi Tinubu was aimed at building stronger bridges with youth groups.

‘My engagement with Seyi Tinubu today was about building bridges. He has consistently demonstrated genuine commitment to youth empowerment, and that is exactly the kind of energy this campaign needs. We are not just asking young Nigerians to vote, we are asking them to become ambassadors of the Renewed Hope story in their communities, online and offline,’ Yari stated.

The Campaign DG disclosed that the Council is finalising a nationwide youth outreach framework to leverage social media, community networks and grassroots structures to amplify government achievements and counter misinformation.

‘Every young Nigerian with a phone and a voice is a potential messenger for this administration’s impact. Our job is to equip them with the facts and the platform to tell that story authentically,’ he added.

Group advises politicians to embrace peace, others

A Group, the Initiative for Peace, Forgiveness and Love for One Another (IPFLOA), has called on politicians, political parties and their supporters to embrace peace, forgiveness and mutual respect in their activities.

Co-founder of the organisation, Bright Atoe, gave the advice while reflecting on the just-concluded Osun State governorship election, saying the outcome provides Nigeria with an opportunity to rethink the nature of political competition and legacy being created for future generations.

Atoe said elections are contests that would produce winners and losers, stressing that political differences should never lead to hatred, violence or the destruction of relationships.

According to him, the Osun election should mark the beginning of reconciliation and renewed efforts to build the state, rather than a continuation of political animosity.

‘An election lasts a day. A society must live with itself for generations,’ he said.

He urged Nigerians to see politics as a contest of ideas, leadership visions and programmes rather than a battle between enemies.

Atoe noted that Nigerians belonged to families, communities, professional associations and social networks that often transcended political affiliations, stressing that political differences should not destroy such relationships.

‘We can disagree passionately and still respect one another. We can compete fiercely and still shake hands afterwards. We can support different candidates and still remain neighbours,’ he said.

He explained that the philosophy behind IPFLOA’s campaign, ‘Let Peace and Love Guide the Ballot,’ was not aimed at weakening political competition but at encouraging Nigerians to combine vibrant democratic engagement with respect for human dignity.

According to him, Nigeria needs strong political opposition, accountability and citizens who are willing to ask difficult questions, but must also recognise that political opponents remain fellow Nigerians.

Atoe urged electoral winners to see victory as a responsibility to serve citizens, including those who did not vote for them.

He said political victories should provide opportunities for reconciliation and bridge-building across political, ethnic, religious and social divides, rather than become instruments of retaliation.

Acknowledging that losing an election could be painful for candidates who had invested resources, time and relationships in the contest, he urged defeated candidates to pursue legitimate grievances through democratic and legal channels.

He called on politicians to ‘win with humility and lose with dignity,’ describing such conduct as a demonstration of strength and democratic maturity.

Atoe expressed particular concern about the impact of political behaviour on young Nigerians, warning that youths were watching and learning from the conduct of political leaders and their supporters.

‘If they see politicians disagreeing respectfully, resolving differences peacefully and putting the interests of their communities above personal animosity, they learn that politics can be a noble calling,’ he said.

He warned that violence, intimidation, hatred and destruction of relationships could create a dangerous impression among young people that such behaviour was an inevitable part of politics.

‘Our young people should be participants in democracy, not casualties of it,’ he said.

Atoe maintained that Nigeria did not need less politics but ‘better politics’ where political ambition was matched by responsibility, competition by respect, victory by humility and disagreement by tolerance.

He said the responsibility for creating such a political culture rested not only with politicians but also with voters, party supporters, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media and civil society organisations.

‘Every one of us contributes to the political culture we eventually inherit,’ he said.

Atoe urged Nigerians to allow the peace that should follow the Osun election to outlive the political contest, stressing that political offices were temporary while the relationships that bind communities and the nation together should endure.

He therefore called on Nigerians to ‘compete without hatred, disagree without division, win without arrogance, lose without bitterness and forgive where necessary.’

‘Let peace and love guide the ballot in Nigerian politics,’ he added.

Police rescue 11 as gunmen abduct NYSC members in Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of passengers along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state, saying 11 victims have so far been rescued.

The incident occurred at about 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction, when armed hoodlums reportedly emerged from the bush and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the attackers abducted some of the passengers, while others managed to escape into the surrounding bush.

She said that, following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ofu led a joint security team to the scene, where two abandoned vehicles were recovered.

The vehicles were identified as a white Hummer bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit and a yellow 18-seater bus.

Afusat said security operatives immediately commenced a coordinated bush-combing and rescue operation, which led to the successful rescue of 11 abducted persons, including the drivers of both buses.

‘Preliminary debriefing indicates that most of the rescued victims are NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja,’ the statement said.

The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed and, after the necessary procedures, allowed to continue their journey.

The police spokesperson disclosed that the joint security operation was still ongoing in the surrounding forest, as operatives intensified efforts to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

She assured residents and motorists using the route that the Command was deploying all available operational and intelligence resources to secure the area and ensure the safe recovery of the remaining victims.

The Police Command said further developments would be communicated to the public as appropriate.

Problems facing Taraba yet to be solved – Gov Kefas

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has acknowledged that despite the state’s 35 years of existence, its leaders cannot claim to have solved all the challenges confronting it.

Taraba State was created on August 27, 1991, by the then Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtrd).

The governor stated this while addressing the media on the occasion of Taraba at 35, saying successive administrations could not claim to have addressed every problem facing the state.

‘The problems in Taraba are many, including the absence of basic infrastructure, among others.

‘There are many communities that are yet to be provided with reliable water supply. There are also many communities that are yet to be provided with electricity, while the education and healthcare systems still need attention,’ he said.

Kefas further stated that many young people were still seeking employment, while several families continued to face economic hardship in the state.

He said some projects embarked upon by the state government might experience delays in completion, stressing the need to identify the causes of such delays and address them to ensure that the projects were completed for the benefit of the people.

Kefas also revealed that his administration inherited serious challenges when it assumed office in 2023, but said such challenges could not continue to serve as an excuse for failure.

‘We are building good systems,

we are building institutions,

we are developing frameworks,

and the next phase must be about accelerated and measurable execution,’ he said.

Kefas, however, encouraged the people of the state to scrutinise government spending constructively, saying this would help ensure that those entrusted with responsibilities remained accountable.

‘We are not afraid of scrutiny because the media must ask questions.

‘Civil society must ask questions and the citizens must also ask questions.

‘The opposition has a constitutional responsibility to question government, but criticism should be constructive and useful and should be based on facts,’ he said.

Governor Kefas also said the government had a responsibility to provide information on its activities, encouraging citizens to visit project sites to see firsthand the progress being made.

GOC urges defence intelligence officers to tackle security challenges

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has charged participants of the Advanced Defence Intelligence Officers Course 16/2026 to deploy the knowledge acquired during their national study tour towards finding practical solutions to contemporary security challenges confronting Nigeria.

Mahmuda gave the charge while receiving the Commandant of the Defence Intelligence College, Commodore Usman Mainasara Bugaje, and participants of the course at the Headquarters, 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, on August 27, 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the GOC emphasised the importance of professional engagements and knowledge sharing among security agencies in strengthening understanding of emerging security threats.

He said such interactions were essential to improving the capacity of intelligence officers to understand and respond effectively to the complex security environment facing the country.

The GOC identified kidnapping and other criminal activities among the security challenges confronting the 2 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR), noting that the situation around the Old Oyo National Park remained a particular concern.

He commended the Defence Intelligence College for organising the study tour and described the interaction with the participants as timely, saying it provided valuable insights into the security realities within the Division’s operational environment.

Mahmuda also expressed appreciation to the Commandant and his team for the visit, stressing that the robust interaction during the engagement would further promote collaboration and professional development among security personnel.

Earlier, Commodore Bugaje explained that the Defence Intelligence College had been in existence for more than 25 years and that the national study tour was a mandatory requirement for participants seeking to successfully complete the course.

He underscored the importance of integrated intelligence in maintaining peace and security, while appreciating the GOC and commanders of 2 Division for their support towards the success of the study tour.

The programme featured an operational briefing by the Commanding Officer, Administrative Battalion, 2 Division Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Simon, who briefed the participants on the security situation in Oyo State and the operational activities of the Division.

The briefing was followed by an interactive session during which participants sought clarifications on issues relating to the operational environment and security challenges within the Division’s area of responsibility.

Danjuma said the engagement was part of efforts to expose intelligence officers to practical operational realities and enhance their capacity to contribute meaningfully to national security.

World’s youngest reigning monarch, King Oyo, dies at 34

King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who became the world’s youngest reigning monarch after ascending the throne at the age of three, has died in Uganda at 34.

The traditional ruler of the Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda died on Thursday, with the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, announcing his death on Friday.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. However, Ugandan media reported that the monarch had been critically ill and receiving treatment in the United States.

In a statement announcing his death, Akiiki described the monarch’s passing as an ‘immeasurable loss’ to the royal family and the people of Tooro.

‘I call upon all the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during this profoundly difficult time,’ he said.

‘May His Majesty the King rest in eternal peace.’

Oyo became king in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Rukidi III. He was only three years old at the time.

Due to his young age, a regency was established to oversee the affairs of the kingdom, with the queen mother among those involved in managing the institution until Oyo reached adulthood.

He was formally crowned at the age of 18 in 2010.

Guinness World Records recognised Oyo as the world’s youngest reigning monarch, a title he earned after inheriting the throne as a toddler.

The Tooro Kingdom, also known as Toro, is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms. Although the country is governed by an elected president and its traditional kingdoms have no constitutional political authority, they retain significant cultural influence.

Oyo was the 13th monarch of Tooro, a kingdom established in the early 19th century.

During his reign, he became a prominent cultural figure in Uganda and was known for supporting causes such as youth empowerment, education, climate conservation and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Succession assured

Despite not being officially married, the Tooro Kingdom said Oyo’s death would not affect the succession to the throne.

Akiiki said the late monarch had left behind a son who would succeed him.

‘The continuity of the Crown is assured,’ he said.

‘His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Tooro Kingdom.’

The Tooro Kingdom follows a hereditary system for selecting its monarch.

Following the announcement of Oyo’s death, other traditional institutions in Uganda began paying tribute to the late king.

The Buganda Kingdom, Uganda’s largest and most influential traditional institution, expressed condolences to the people of Tooro and described Oyo as a valuable figure to the country.

Oyo’s death brings an end to his 31-year reign, which began when he was a three-year-old child and continued into his adulthood.

His extraordinary journey from a child king to an influential traditional leader made him one of Uganda’s most recognisable royal figures.