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The Nigerian Army has immortalised the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, by naming a golf range at the TYB Golf Course in his honour.

The unveiling ceremony drew senior military chiefs, dignitaries, and members of the General Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation.

Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General O.O. Oluyede, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Adetokunbo Fayemiwo, said the initiative underscores the Army’s commitment to preserving the legacies of its fallen heroes.

He described Attahiru as ‘a distinguished officer and visionary leader whose sacrifices and service to the nation will continue to inspire generations of officers and soldiers.’

Former COAS, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, who commissioned the facility, praised his late predecessor, recalling his reforms, vision, and drive to build a professional, people-focused Army.

Secretary of the General Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, Hon. Usman Shehu Bawa (ABG), hailed the gesture as ‘a symbolic effort to safeguard the ideals and values’ that the late Army Chief stood for. He also commended the Army’s leadership under General Oluyede, noting that it would strengthen military-civil relations while preserving Attahiru’s legacy.

Several dignitaries at the event applauded the move, stressing that immortalising leaders who paid the supreme price for the nation is vital to inspiring younger generations and reinforcing the spirit of sacrifice.

The golf range dedication adds to other initiatives by both the Nigerian Army and the Attahiru Foundation to honour the memory of the late COAS, who died in a plane crash in 2021 while on active duty.

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and philanthropist, Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura (AA Zaura), has felicitated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, describing the day as a moment for reflection, unity, and renewed commitment to nation-building.

Zaura, through his media aide, Dahiru Maihuddadu, noted that Nigeria has come a long way since attaining independence in 1960, and despite challenges, the nation continues to demonstrate resilience and potential for greatness.

He commended President Tinubu’s efforts in steering the country towards economic recovery and reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, urging Nigerians to rally behind the president’s vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria.

‘As we mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire Nigerian people. This historic day reminds us of the sacrifices of our past leaders and the responsibility we all share in building a stronger nation,’ Zaura said.

He added that independence should inspire citizens to contribute positively to the nation’s progress, stressing that unity, tolerance, and patriotism remain the bedrock of Nigeria’s survival as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation.

Zaura, who has been actively involved in philanthropic initiatives across Kano and beyond, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting policies and programmes that promote youth empowerment, education, and economic opportunities.

‘Let us use this anniversary to renew our collective determination to ensure that Nigeria continues to thrive. With our vast human and natural resources, we have every reason to believe in a brighter future,’ he stated.

Zaura also prayed for peace, security, and prosperity for the country, expressing optimism that Nigeria will overcome its present challenges and take its rightful place among the leading nations of the world.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 at the Japan Open – before pulling out of this week’s Shanghai Masters.

Alcaraz secured his eighth ATP title of the year in Tokyo.

But he then announced that he has withdrawn from the tournament in Shanghai, which starts on Tuesday, writing on Instagram that ‘the best decision is to rest and recover’.

‘Unfortunately, I’ve been struggling with some physical issues and, after discussing with my team, we believe the best decision is to rest and recover,’ he wrote.

The Spaniard twisted his left ankle during his opening-round match in Tokyo last Thursday.

Islamic scholars have said the widespread deficit of trust in Nigeria reflects societal decay rather than failure of political leadership.

They spoke in Ilorin at the 16th Annual Symposium of the Standard Bearers Islamic Organisation (SB), themed ‘Brave the Tempest: Build the Trust.’

The discussion comes amid growing public discontent over governance and social cohesion.

They warned that unless citizens embody trustworthiness, they will continue to get leaders who reflect their shortcomings.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Trust Deficit in Governance: A Clarion Call’, Dr Haruna Sanusi Lafiagi of Al-Hikmah University, stated that leaders since 1999 have largely been ‘accidental leaders’ who misunderstand the concept of trust (Amanah).

According to him, we can’t talk about the political leaders’ lack of trust without mentioning the society first.

‘Nigeria’s problem is not mostly leadership; the followers are the main problem. The followers lack trust, and that is the promise of God: that you will be given leaders that reflect your society’, he stated.

Dr Lafiagi noted that a good leader requires not only integrity but also strength and trustworthiness, qualities often overlooked in the nation’s political landscape.

In his lecture, Dr Ganiyu Abideen, Director of Pharmaceutical Services for the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, warned that ‘without trust, the community will be disconnected.’

He said the erosion of trust is evident in daily life, from partners defaulting on financial agreements to betrayals within families and the declining credibility of public figures.

He urged civil servants in particular to uphold the trust citizens place in them.

In his remarks, Alhaji Salihu Gidado, Chairman of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Kwara State Branch, noted that, ‘It is our duty to be trustworthy as a people before we can call out our leaders.’

He charged the youth in attendance to ‘champion the theme, because they are the leaders of tomorrow.’

The Chief Host and Kwara State Coordinator of SB, Imaam Abdulhafeez Adeagbo, explained that the initiative aims to promote the core values of Islam.

‘Our vision is to ensure an enabling environment for Muslims to practice pristine Islam, and pristine Islam cannot be achieved without trust,’ he said.

He said rebuilding trust requires a combination of accountability, god-consciousness (taqwah), and calling to goodness (Da’wah).

The Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Habeeb Omokanye, described the symposium as a ‘wake-up call to take up the pledge we made to our country to be truthful and reliable.’

The symposium was attended by academics, community leaders, and students from various schools, including the Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen among others.

An early morning fire destroyed about 26 shops the very busy Bariga Market in Lagos.

The fire started in one wooden shop and quickly spread to others due to the wooden structures used to partition the stalls.

This is despite the early morning heavy downpour.

However, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded in the incident. Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency ( LASEMA) confirmed the incident saying that the fire started around 4am on Wednesday.

Oke-Osanyintolu based on the information, the agency activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from its Onipanu Base, Onipanu.

He disclosed that upon arrival at 4.25 am, it was observed that some key-clamp shops at Bariga market were engulfed by fire.

‘The cause of the fire outbreak could not be ascertained. Further information received at the incident scene revealed that the fire started from one of the shops and quickly spread to other shops because the key-klamp shops were supported and partitioned by wooden frameworks.

‘The fire was extinguished through collaborative efforts of emergency responders. The fire was quickly contained and prevented from spreading to other parts of the market.

‘The incident scene was pro-actively managed to avoid any secondary incidents. Effective collaboration with all stakeholders present to ensure a smooth operation.

‘The fire affected 26 key-clamp shops within the market with properties worth millions of naira lost to the fire. No loss of lives.

To borrow the words of John Buchan in The African Colony, history ‘is always in the happy position of judging from the high standpoint of accomplished fact.’ It is from such a vantage point that we can now look back upon the life and career of Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana, CON, and reflect on both the substance of his achievements and the lasting example of his integrity.

In Abuja, where temptation has often overwhelmed principles and crippled consciences, his record is a striking contrast with others who held high positions in government. He left office on May 29, 2003, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, without acquiring a house, a plot of land, or even the whisper of scandal attached to his name. This, in a city that has for decades been synonymous with land speculation, inflated contracts, and the abuse of power, is remarkable to say the least. His legacy is not simply in what he built or administered, but in what he refused to take, and in the incorruptible standards he set for himself and for the office he occupied and edified for a fleeting moment in our history.

From its inception, Abuja has been more than just a capital city. It has been a laboratory of Nigerian politics-a place where leadership is tested, where resources are contested, and where reputations are either burnished or destroyed. Many ministers before and after Engineer Abba Gana have found the city a slippery terrain, filled with opportunities for personal enrichment. The lure of land allocations, the temptation of contract manipulation, and the pressure to serve sectional interests have undone many otherwise promising careers. Into this treacherous environment stepped Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana. With quiet resolve and deep moral conviction, he charted a different course. His stewardship of the FCT is remembered as one of transparency, discipline, and a firm insistence on fairness. He understood that Abuja was not merely a city to be managed, but a symbol of Nigeria’s unity and aspiration. To abuse its resources would be to betray the very purpose for which it was created.

The hallmark of Engineer Abba Gana’s public life has always been service and integrity. These are no longer fashionable virtues in Nigeria’s political space today, but they remain the qualities without which public office is reduced to mere speculation, plunder and profiteering. Engineer Abba Gana consistently demonstrated that integrity is not about grand gestures or loud proclamations, but about the quiet refusal to bend principle for gain. As minister, he was known for resisting pressure from powerful quarters, for turning down dubious deals, and for treating land, the lifeblood of Abuja politics and power play, as a trust rather than a commodity. He made decisions not on the basis of what would enrich himself or appease cronies, but on what would serve the collective interest of Nigerians. His legacy is measured not in estates or properties acquired or stolen, but in the respect that attaches to his name, and in the memory of a city that, for a brief moment, was governed by fairness and devotion.

But Engineer Abba Gana was not merely an administrator; he was a democrat in the truest sense. Long before and long after his tenure as minister, he devoted himself to Nigeria’s difficult march toward democratic governance. He was an active participant in party politics, a loyal stalwart of his political family, and a consistent advocate of dialogue and compromise. In Nigeria, where politics is often a zero-sum game, his approach was one of tolerance and balance. He believed in institutions rather than personalities, in processes rather than shortcuts and expediences. He understood that democracy is not perfected overnight, but through patience, negotiation, and the cultivation of trust. This devotion to democratic principles reflected his broader worldview; that politics, at its best, is not about self-promotion, but about the creation of a fairer society.

Beyond Abuja, Engineer Abba Gana’s influence radiated across Nigeria’s political landscape. He served as Political Adviser to the President, a position that required both discretion and wisdom. In that role, he provided guidance at moments of national difficulty, always seeking to lower the temperature of politics and to emphasise the need for stability. He was a bridge-builder, someone trusted across divides, and someone whose advice was valued because it was grounded in honesty rather than expediency. His service spanned decades, and in every role he left behind a reputation for integrity. Whether as Commissioner in his native Borno State, as a party official, or as minister in Abuja, he remained consistent in character. There are few figures in Nigerian politics who can claim such continuity of purpose, unblemished by scandal or corruption.

In contemporary Nigeria, where cynicism about politicians and public officials runs deep, Engineer Abba Gana’s story is a refreshing reminder that another way is possible. His life is proof that one can serve the state without exploiting it, that one can hold high office without succumbing to greed, and that one can leave government poorer in material terms but richer in moral integrity and respect. It is often said that the true measure of a public servant is what he leaves behind. Engineer Abba Gana left no estates, no questionable fortune, no trail of bitterness or division and no sense of guilt about misdeeds perpetrated while in position of power and leadership. What he left behind was far more valuable: the memory of decency, the example of integrity, and the reassurance that Nigeria has once produced leaders of genuine honour.

John Buchan’s phrase resonates clearly here. History does not deal in promises or intentions; it judges by accomplished fact. And the accomplished fact of Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana’s career is that he embodied the best qualities of public service at a time when such qualities were scarce. His stewardship of the FCT demonstrated that transparency was possible. His devotion to democracy demonstrated that principle could guide politics. His personal integrity demonstrated that wealth is not the only reward of service but that respect and reputation can be rewards of greater permanence. In a political culture too often defined by greed and opportunism, Engineer Abba Gana’s life is a rebuke to cynicism. It is also a call to future generations of leaders to remember that the essence of public service is not accumulation, but sacrifice; not indulgence, but responsibility.

Today, as Nigeria grapples with profound challenges of governance, insecurity, development, and national cohesion, the example of Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana shines even brighter. It is not only a personal story of integrity; it is a national lesson in leadership. He showed that it is possible to hold power lightly, to use authority wisely, and to leave office with head high and dignity intact. History has already judged him, not with the ambiguity of unfulfilled or nullified promises, but with the clarity of accomplished fact. Few public officials can hope for such a verdict. Fewer still can claim it with such quiet assurance. We can still savour the delight of having him around us, giving wise counsel and leading younger generations towards virtue and truth. We can still enjoy watching him in his distinctive black waist-coat or ‘Farmala’ and black Fez cap or ‘Kalawus’, that stand him out as a proud Kanuri patriarch who carries along with him the heritage of Borno wherever he goes.

With the 2027 general elections inching closer, Nigeria’s political landscape has become a revolving door of defections, alliances, and strategic wooing. Both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the emerging African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition have been relentless in their bid to secure influential figures who could tilt the balance of power.

One name that has suddenly become a prized catch is the 52-year-old Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

Last week, the ADC held a caucus meeting in Abuja, drawing heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Nasir el-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, and members of the party’s National Working Committee. Among those sighted at the gathering was Pantami, whose presence did not go unnoticed.

Daily Trust gathered that just days before the meeting, Atiku had visited Pantami at his Abuja residence to persuade him to join the coalition. The visit, according to Pantami, ‘centred on meaningful discussions about the economy, education, unity, and governance, among other essential topics.’

Three days before Atiku’s visit, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and a 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, had also stopped by Pantami’s Abuja residence. The former minister later revealed that their discussions covered ‘a range of issues, including agriculture, economy, education, artificial intelligence, global statistics, and unity in diversity, among others.’ But the visit quickly stirred controversy online, as netizens resurfaced Obi’s supporters’ past criticisms of Pantami, including comments in which some leaders of the Obidient Movement had once dismissed him as a ‘terrorist sympathiser’. Soon after the caucus, APC’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also paid a visit to the former minister, pressing him to stay within the ruling fold.

In his post on X announcing the visit of Nentawe, Pantami wrote, ‘Last night, I received a friendly visit from His Excellency, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Professor Nentawe and I spent some years together at university while he was pursuing his master’s degree.

‘We reminisced and laughed about our university days. We also discussed education, economy, governance, and the upcoming mother’s burial, among many other topics. We are appreciative of the National Chairman’s visit.’

Earlier this year, former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai, who has been alongside Atiku at the forefront of the coalition formation, had also made the trip. For many observers, Pantami’s home has become ‘the new Mecca’ of Nigerian politics, a pilgrimage site for those eyeing 2027.

These visits are loaded with symbolism. Atiku, still believed to be nursing presidential ambitions, sees Pantami as a gateway to consolidating Northern support. On the other hand, Nentawe is desperate to maintain order within the APC as opposition coalitions gain momentum. With Pantami yet to officially resign from the APC, the party believes his return and commitment to the party’s 2027 goals is still possible-especially if it dangles the prospect of a governorship ticket before him.

Pantami’s appeal is clear. Beyond his political manoeuvres, he is a respected Islamic cleric with a vast following. His endorsement is a political currency neither President Bola Tinubu nor Atiku, or whoever eventually emerges as the coalition’s presidential candidate, can afford to ignore.

Who is Isa Pantami?

Before Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 election victory, Pantami was known mainly as an academic and fiery Islamic scholar. His foray into government began in September 2016 when Buhari appointed him as Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). From there, his profile rose further, culminating in his appointment as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy between 2019 and 2023.

Pantami’s growing importance is also tied to the collapse of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buhari’s old political base. With Buhari gone, CPC loyalists have scattered without a clear leader. Some, led by former Nasarawa governor Tanko Al-Makura, have pledged loyalty to Tinubu, while others, under Alhaji Umar Shuaibu, have aligned with Atiku and the ADC coalition.

The split has created a leadership vacuum, and Pantami’s growing influence positions him as a potential rallying figure for the CPC bloc.

Pantami with Obi

The 2027 Gombe battlefront

With Governor Inuwa Yahaya completing his second term in 2027, Gombe politics is already in motion even before the campaign ban is lifted. Known aspirants within the APC include Transportation Minister Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, House of Representatives Chief Whip Usman Bello Kumo, and State Accountant General Aminu Umar Yuguda.

But the wildcard is Pantami. Though yet to openly declare, many believe he is seriously weighing a run for governor. His credibility rests on multiple fronts: his track record as NITDA DG and minister, his philanthropic projects through the Al-Waalidayn Charitable Foundation-building schools, drilling boreholes, distributing food, and sponsoring students-and his deep ties with grassroots communities across faith lines.

These initiatives have earned him a reputation as a leader with the people’s pulse. Analysts say if he enters the race, Pantami could enjoy an advantage over career politicians, buoyed by youth support and religious networks.

At the national political space, Pantami’s political posture remains deliberately ambiguous. Officially still an APC member, his visible closeness to the ADC has fuelled speculation. For Tinubu’s camp, Pantami is suspected of quietly supporting Atiku in 2023 and must be treated with caution ahead of 2027. For others, this ambiguity is no weakness but a hedge, a way to remain relevant whether APC holds or fractures before 2027.

Commentator Kabir Akintayo summed it up: ‘Politically, his loyalties have appeared fluid. But this ambiguity is Pantami’s strength. In Nigeria’s volatile terrain, those who can speak across divides often emerge as kingmakers-or even surprise contenders. Some analysts even liken his rising stature to that of Buhari in the early 2000s: a northern leader whose religious and cultural influence underpinned his political relevance.’

As 2027 draws nearer, the question lingers: will Pantami remain the ‘bride’ courted by all, or will he finally choose a suitor and, with it, his political destiny?

Nigeria’s top golfer, Sunday Olapade, lit up the greens over the weekend, as he claimed the professional round title at the 2025 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic. Olapade carded a superb ten-under par over 54 holes, sealing victory in style.

Golf Manager of Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Femi Olagbenro, hailed the champion’s brilliance, noting how close he came to breaking the course record set by Ghana’s Vincent Torgah.

‘I believe every player showing up at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club puts in an extra effort to match the pedigree of the course and the tough field that is always on parade at each Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic event,’ Olagbenro said.

The 2025 edition drew West Africa’s golfing elite, including Ghanaian stars Emos Korblah and Barry Yaw, alongside Nigeria’s Oche Odoh, Kamalu Bako, Gift Willy, Godwin Okoko, Michael Ubi, and Francis Epe.

Backed by major sponsors including Oando Nigeria, GAC Motors, Providus Bank, ARM Holding Company, Mixtafrica, Newmark, and International Breweries, the competition lived up to its reputation for intensity.

Olapade posted rounds of 69, 65, and 72, finishing five strokes clear of runner-up Emos Korblah. His victory earned him a ?5 million purse plus an additional ?2.5 million ARM Champion bonus, bringing his total prize to ?7.5 million.

Reflecting on the triumph, Olapade said he was glad to see his efforts crowned with success.

‘This is a very satisfying win, given the effort I have put into my game in the past few months. I have just come back from a training round in Kenya. It’s been a very challenging routine, which is why this is satisfying. I want to thank everyone who has supported me this while, and believe in me.’

In the same vein, young talent Godwin Okoko also made headlines with a third-place finish in the professional round. He then inspired his amateur teammates – Ikechukwu Boniface, David Maji, and Frances Omaruaye – to victory in the Team Event.

The runner-up team, led by Kingsley Oparaku, featured Roland Alexander, Terry Paul, and Abe Ayodeji.

At the closing ceremony, Deji Alli, Chairman of Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate, reflected on the wider significance of the tournament.

‘The game of golf has impacted on my person, and outlook of business for Lakowe Lakes project, despite the challenges of running a world-class facility like Lakowe Lakes Golf Club,’ Alli said.

Georgian Cup kings, El-Amin Polo Team, are gearing up for a grand 30th-anniversary celebration of their high-goal dominance at the much-anticipated 2025 Kaduna International Polo Tournament, scheduled for mid-October.

El-Amin patron and President of Kaduna Polo Club, Mohammad Babangida, had earlier promised that this year’s edition will be the best-organised in years, featuring more teams, thrilling games, and a re-laid pitch at the Murtala Square venue.

While full details of the anniversary festivities are yet to be disclosed, the team’s storied history – including multiple Georgian Cup triumphs and tournament sponsorships – signals that a glamorous celebration awaits fans and players alike.

Babangida further revealed that extensive preparations have gone into making the 2025 event a landmark in the club’s history, adding that the Ahmadu Yakubu Club House will be alive with activities throughout the 10-day fiesta.

‘It’s a new beginning for Kaduna Polo Club, it’s a new leadership, we have been elected for about a year plus and we have been working, renovating the pitch and putting the facilities in the best shape.’

‘We want to host a unique tournament to showcase the pitch, we want to bring back the glory days of the premier club, Kaduna Polo Club and the most prestigious trophy in Africa, the Georgian Cup,’ he added.

‘We hope to host a special tournament that will celebrate special milestones of the game of Kings in Kaduna and indeed across the country that would help everyone participating. We are on the goodwill of everyone, our sponsors and partners to support us to make this tournament thrilling and memorable, he stated further.

El-Amin Polo Team, Nigeria’s most dominant high-goal side, has carved an unmatched legacy with 15 Georgian Cup titles, while its patron, Mohammad Babangida, boasts 16 victories-15 with El-Amin and one with Kaduna Kakuri in 2000.

The team also made history as the first African side to feature in the Dubai Gold Cup series and Al-Habtoor Cup Challenge. Beyond El-Amin, Babangida has been pivotal in Nigerian polo, captaining the Polo Eagles at the 2011 FIP World Cup in Malaysia.

The 2025 Kaduna Polo Festival promises top prizes including the Emir of Katsina Cup, Imani Cup, and El-Amin Cup.

‘We are in high spirits preparing for the 2025 Kaduna International Polo Tournament. Right now, Kaduna Polo Club is ready as we are expecting lots of new selected cups because there are lots of sponsors that have shown interest in sponsoring our tournament, Gen. Kapeh assured.

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba says he has signed a new five-year contract at the club because boss Mikel Arteta and his staff can help him ‘become the best’ defender in the world.

The 24-year-old France international’s previous deal was scheduled to expire in June 2027 and speculation had linked him with being a target for Real Madrid.

Saliba joined the Gunners from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in July 2019 and was loaned back to the French club for the 2019-20 season before having further loan spells in Ligue 1 at Nice and Marseille.

He made his Arsenal debut in August 2022 and has established himself as a key member of the side, making 105 league appearances for the Gunners, scoring six goals and