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The Chairman of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Trafficking (MATFDAT), Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has inaugurated nine subcommittees to strengthen the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Kano State.

The committees were inaugurated on Friday, August 21, 2026, with the chairman charging members to demonstrate greater commitment, dedication and determination in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Rimin Gado stressed that the task before the committees was enormous, noting that the success of the Multi-Agency Task Force would largely depend on the seriousness and commitment with which members approached their assignments.

He urged the members to redouble their efforts, work collectively and remain focused on the objectives of the task force, stressing that tackling drug abuse and trafficking required sustained commitment, effective coordination and a shared sense of responsibility.

According to him, the committees were established to provide a more coordinated and specialised approach to addressing the various dimensions of the drug problem and to ensure that relevant stakeholders work together towards achieving lasting results.

The nine committees inaugurated are Finance, Media and Publicity; Advocacy and Sensitisation; Licences, Inventory and Verification; Compliance, Inspection and Electronic Tracking; Monitoring and Implementation; Intelligence; Reformative and Traditional Council; and Anti-Drug Coordination Committee.

This was contained in a statement signed by Lamara Garba, mnipr, Member, Media and Publicity Committee, (MATFDAT)a copy made available to press in Kano

The chairman urged members to regard their appointments as a call to service rather than merely an assignment, saying the responsibilities entrusted to them required discipline, professionalism and commitment to the collective interest.

He also called for effective collaboration among the committees and urged them to ensure that their activities translated into concrete results in the ongoing campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.

The inauguration, he said, marked another step towards strengthening institutional coordination and broadening the response to drug-related challenges in the state.

He expressed confidence that the committees would deploy their expertise and collective efforts towards building a more effective and sustainable campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in Kano State.

Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Saturday urged Nigerian youths to shun political and digital thuggery, saying that allowing themselves to be used for violence today could destroy the future they hope to build for themselves and the country in general.

The IGP stated this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.

He, however, counselled young Nigerians to become active partners in building a peaceful, secure and democratic Nigeria.

IGP Disu warned young people against allowing politicians or other interests to manipulate them into acts of violence.

According to him, ‘Do not allow anyone to use your today to destroy your tomorrow for their own political gains.’

The three-day initiative, held under the theme ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’, focused on youth leadership, peace, security and responsible citizenship, with activities including panel discussions, a walkathon and a tree-planting exercise.

IGP Disu, who pointed out that the gathering was more than another youth conference, noted that its real value would be measured by what participants did after leaving the venue.

He said, ‘Youth engagement must go beyond speeches. It must create understanding, responsibility and action.’

He pointed out that despite Nigeria’s ethnic, linguistic, political and social differences, young Nigerians share common aspirations for peace, security, opportunity and dignity.

A major focus of the closing ceremony was the Nigeria Police Force’s new youth campaign, ‘My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery’.

IGP Disu urged young Nigerians to make better use of technology by deploying it for education, innovation, positive engagement and nation-building rather than violence and destruction.

The IGP also acknowledged that building public confidence in policing requires a relationship in which young people see the police as partners rather than only an institution they encounter when something has gone wrong.

More than 100 residents of Tunga, Minna, Niger State, have received cash donations, bags of rice and wrappers in a humanitarian intervention organised by the Future Pathways Foundation in collaboration with Senator Sani Musa.

The beneficiaries, drawn from the Old Alheri Road area of Tunga, received the items as part of an initiative aimed at providing immediate relief to vulnerable families in the community.

Speaking during the intervention, founder of the Future Pathways Foundation, Hajia Saadatu Sani Musa, said the initiative was part of the foundation’s commitment to supporting people at the grassroots.

She said, ‘Our mission is rooted in compassion, dignity and practical support. We understand the pressures many families are facing, and we believe that even a modest intervention can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

‘What we are doing is not simply giving out cash or food; it is about reminding people that they matter and that they are not forgotten.’

Saadatu said the foundation would continue to support communities and vulnerable people through humanitarian interventions.

She also acknowledged the support of Senator Sani Musa towards initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of residents.

‘We will continue to do our part, in partnership with well-meaning individuals and organisations, to bring relief and create opportunities for people to improve their circumstances.

‘We are grateful to Senator Sani Musa for his continued support of initiatives that directly touch the lives of our people,’ she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Aisia Kuta, expressed appreciation for the gesture, saying the support would help ease some of the financial pressures facing her household.

‘This support has come at a very important time. The cash donation and food items will help me meet some immediate needs and provide for my family.

‘I sincerely appreciate Hajia Saadatu Sani Musa and Senator Sani Musa for remembering people like us,’ she said.

Another beneficiary, Hajia Hadiza Umar, described the intervention as a demonstration of concern for members of the community.

‘We are very grateful for this assistance. It is not only the cash and food items that matter, but the fact that somebody thought about our welfare and came to support us.

‘May Allah continue to bless Hajia Saadatu Sani Musa and Senator Sani Musa for this gesture,’ she said.

The foundation said the outreach was part of its continuing efforts to provide relief and social support to families, particularly vulnerable households in underserved communities.

The City Boy Movement (CBM), Ekiti State Chapter, has adopted a unified grassroots mobilisation framework as it intensifies preparations to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and strengthen its organisational presence across the state.

The framework was unveiled at the conclusion of a two-day strategic retreat in Ado-Ekiti, bringing together members of the movement’s State Executive Council, Local Government Coordinators and other grassroots leaders.

Held under the theme, ‘Youth. Unity. Action.’, the retreat was conducted in two phases. The first day was devoted exclusively to the State Executive Council, which reviewed the movement’s structures and deliberated on its strategic direction. The second day featured an enlarged house involving Local Government Coordinators, with emphasis on implementation and coordination at the local level.

Declaring the retreat open, the State Director of CBM, Kasali Oluwafemi, said the movement must enter the 2027 political season with functional and accountable structures capable of delivering measurable results.

He said CBM’s activities must go beyond meetings and public appearances to sustained engagement with communities, wards and polling units across the state.

‘This retreat should produce more than speeches. It should produce practical strategies, measurable targets, stronger structures, and a renewed determination to deliver results,’ Oluwafemi said.

A major outcome of the retreat was the adoption of the Unified Framework for Grassroots Mobilisation and District Synergy, designed to bring CBM’s structures across Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South under a more coordinated operational approach.

The framework focuses broadly on strengthening grassroots organisation, improving membership registration and profiling, expanding youth and women engagement, increasing community-focused activities and developing a more coordinated communication structure.

It also seeks to improve coordination between the State Executive Council and local structures, with greater emphasis on clearly defined responsibilities, monitoring and accountability.

A key aspect of the framework is a more systematic approach to membership mobilisation and community engagement, aimed at giving the movement a clearer understanding of its grassroots reach while improving its ability to respond to local needs.

The strategy also incorporates community-focused programmes, including environmental sanitation, medical outreaches and economic empowerment initiatives, alongside youth-oriented activities such as football competitions, traditional sports, talent development and community entertainment programmes.

The Women’s Directorate is expected to deepen engagement with market women, entrepreneurs and other women-led community networks through regular marketplace activities and stakeholder interactions.

The framework equally provides for a stronger grassroots media structure, with local media officers expected to document community activities and support the central media team with relevant content for wider communication.

The movement’s communication strategy places emphasis on factual, issue-based and responsible messaging, with members expected to avoid misinformation, hate speech, incitement, threats and personal attacks.

Speaking on the significance of the retreat, one of the Local Government Coordinators, Yewande Aribasoye, praised the initiative, saying it provided members with an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another and gain broader perspectives on how to strengthen the movement’s activities.

She noted that bringing leaders from different levels of the organisation together created an avenue for participants to share experiences from their respective areas and identify practical approaches that could be adapted across the state.

Aribasoye said the interaction was particularly valuable because grassroots leaders faced different realities in their localities, adding that the exchange of ideas could help promote greater coordination and more effective implementation of the movement’s programmes.

At the conclusion of the retreat, participants adopted the operational framework and accompanying resolutions aimed at strengthening coordination, improving grassroots engagement and promoting greater accountability across the movement’s structures.

Oluwafemi urged participants to return to their respective areas with a clear understanding of their responsibilities and a commitment to translating the decisions reached at the retreat into practical activities.

He described the conclusion of the retreat as the beginning of a new phase for CBM in Ekiti, with the focus now shifting from planning to implementation.

Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee investigating the benefits accruing to the Federal Government from the concessioning of Nigerian ports and terminals, Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo, has expressed delight over the completion of the reconstruction and renovation of three schools across Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.

The intervention, according to the lawmaker’s media team, was aimed at improving the quality of learning infrastructure and creating safer and more conducive environments for pupils and students across the constituency.

The beneficiary schools include Amure High School, Ikun Ekiti, in Moba Local Government Area; Community Primary School, Ipere Ekiti, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area; and Babalola Borisade High School, Usi Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area.

The projects, which have been completed, are expected to provide improved learning facilities for pupils and students in the three communities while addressing some of the infrastructure challenges confronting the schools.

At Amure High School, Ikun Ekiti, the intervention is expected to enhance the learning environment for students and support the school community in providing better educational services.

Similarly, Community Primary School, Ipere Ekiti, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, benefited from the intervention as part of efforts to improve basic education infrastructure and provide pupils with a more suitable environment for learning.

Babalola Borisade High School, Usi Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area, was also included in the constituency intervention, bringing the number of beneficiary schools to three across the federal constituency.

The projects are part of Hon. Akinlayo’s constituency interventions aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs and improving the welfare of residents, particularly children and young people who depend on public educational institutions.

The completion of the projects also underscores the importance of constituency-level interventions in complementing government efforts to strengthen education infrastructure and improve access to quality learning environments.

According to the Akinlayo Media Team, the renovation and reconstruction projects reflect the lawmaker’s commitment to strengthening education infrastructure and improving the welfare of learners across Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, with its National Merit Award titled ‘Icon of Peace, Safety and Progress in Nigeria,’ in recognition of his contributions to safeguarding polytechnics and other institutions nationwide.

The award was contained in a statement issued by the Immediate Past President of NAPS, Comr. Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.

The award was presented at the DSS Service Headquarters in Abuja through Mr. Benjamin Bulus, alongside the Students Desk Officer, Mr. Agada Moses, and other senior officers.

The presentation was originally scheduled for the NAPS Wrap-Up National Polytechnic Students Summit held on July 23, 2026, at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Benin City, but was rescheduled due to the DG’s unavoidable absence.

NAPS expressed appreciation to the DSS under the leadership of Ajayi for its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property and its contribution to creating a secure environment for students, campuses and communities nationwide.

The association particularly commended the Service for its proactive intelligence gathering, assessment and dissemination, as well as inter-agency coordination, noting that such efforts were important in identifying threats, preventing security breaches and sustaining peace.

NAPS also acknowledged that the peaceful conduct of its National Convention and other student activities was significantly aided by the security support and intelligence architecture provided by relevant security agencies.

According to the association, the presentation also provided an opportunity to formally introduce the new NAPS leadership and seek continued guidance and collaboration from the DSS.

The association urged the incoming leadership to sustain the relationship with the Service based on mutual respect, patriotism, constructive engagement and a shared commitment to national peace and development.

NAPS further emphasised that security institutions should be regarded not only as enforcement agencies but also as strategic partners in creating an environment where young Nigerians can learn, innovate and contribute meaningfully to national development.

‘On behalf of NAPS, the Immediate Past President, Comr. Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, formally passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, (DG DSS) commending his professionalism and the Service’s efforts in intelligence gathering, threat prevention, national security coordination and the provision of actionable intelligence to relevant agencies,’ the statement said.

The students’ body also commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly its interventions in the education sector, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as well as broader efforts to improve access to education and strengthen education financing.

NAPS said it remained committed to constructive engagement with security institutions and other stakeholders in promoting a safe and conducive environment for students across the country.

Nigerian gospel singer Asu Ekiye has clarified that his estranged wife, Kunemofa Asu, initiated the divorce proceedings that led to the dissolution of their 28-year marriage.

Ekiye, popularly known as the ‘Prince of the Niger Delta’, made the clarification in a statement shared on social media.

The clarification followed reactions to his earlier announcement on Thursday that his marriage to Kunemofa, which began in 1998, had ended.

The announcement sparked widespread reactions from fans of the award-winning singer, especially netizens, with many expressing shock at why a marriage of that length could have been salvaged.

However, following public curiosity, the singer, in a new post, clarified that his wife initiated the split and filed for divorce without a prior quarrel, and that reconciliation efforts failed.

Ekiye said his wife had expressed her desire to end the marriage, moved out of their home, and subsequently instituted divorce proceedings.

‘The decision regarding the dissolution of my marriage was not one I initiated.

‘Having done all I could to seek reconciliation, I eventually came to the difficult decision to accept the reality of the situation,’ he said.

The singer said he spent about a year making efforts to reconcile with his wife and preserve the marriage, but she remained firm in her decision.

Ekiye said he decided to clarify the circumstances surrounding the divorce after receiving numerous calls and messages following his announcement about the end of the marriage.

He said he bore no bitterness or ill will towards his former wife and had chosen to approach the new phase of his life with dignity and respect for all concerned.

‘I bear no bitterness or ill will toward anyone,’ he said.

The Bayelsa-born gospel artiste is acclaimed for his energetic gospel music, incorporating Niger Delta cultural influences into his performances.

The singer had earlier said the marriage ended about a year ago but that he delayed making the development public to allow time for reflection, clarity, and acceptance.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has called for immediate public support for the United Nations Human Rights Council’s ruling regarding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The group is urging the public to demand that Nigeria release him, provide compensation, and end the selective application of international law based on political convenience.

In a statement issued on Friday by IPOB’s Spokesperson and Media/ Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the organisation addressed recent comments made by the British Foreign Secretary concerning real estate development in Jerusalem.

IPOB stands firmly with Israel and recognises Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital. However, they feel compelled to highlight what they see as the hypocrisy of His Majesty’s Government.

The Spokesperson stated that the United Nations Human Rights Council, operating under the United Nations General Assembly, has officially indicted Nigeria for serious violations of international law and fundamental norms in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.

He noted that the United Nations has declared that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was subjected to torture and extraordinary rendition-having been kidnapped from Kenya and forcibly returned to Nigeria in 2021, in clear violation of international legal standards.

According to him, in the course of their findings, UN Working Group explicitly called for his immediate release and payment of compensation for these grave violations.

He said: ‘These are not the words of IPOB. These are the findings of the highest international human rights bodies’.

IPOB regretted that, rather than support this binding call for justice, Britain chose to assist Nigeria in defying international law regretted that the same Britain now lecturing Israel about ‘international law’ turned a blind eye to the torture of a British citizen.

He said: ‘The same Britain invoking legal principles against our Israeli brothers and sisters actively helped Nigeria circumvent those very principles when it concerned Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’.

IPOB condemned Israel for building homes near Jerusalem while ignoring Palestinian terrorism, incitement, and the Palestinian Authority’s ‘pay for slay’ policy.

According to them, the systematic policy of blaming only Israel while ignoring Palestinian extremism has contributed to a massive wave of antisemitic hatred against the British Jewish community.

IPOB vehemently rejected outright the patronising tone of the British government’s lectures, pointing out that the Jewish people have the right to live throughout the historic and Biblical land of Israel.

He said: ‘Jerusalem is Israel, and Israel is Jerusalem. The Balfour Declaration formally recognised this historic right more than a century ago’, Britain, which still controls colonial territories thousands of miles from its shores, has no right to lecture the Jewish people about where they may live in their tiny historic homeland’

IPOB pointed out that Israel will not be a passive victim of this policy, and neither will we adding that the UK Government’s decision to damage its relationships while enabling human rights abuses is deeply unfortunate.

The group urged Britain to choose to respect international law for all, or be exposed as a hypocrite that uses law only as a weapon against its friends.

Even though she used to be a good driver, my wife has suddenly become afraid of driving. Anytime she drives, she feels like blacking out. I want to know if this is Panic Disorder.

Benson (by SMS)

Yes, your wife seems to have a typical presentation of Panic Disorder. Panic disorders are characterized by sudden, unexpected bouts of intense fear. People with panic disorders typically experience panic attacks that last several minutes and cause dizziness, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing.

Treatment measures include cognitive behavioural therapy – where counsellors help individuals examine their thoughts around anxiety-producing activities – and medications such as antidepressants.

The Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, at the weekend hosted a high-level delegation of experts from the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) following the successful completion of a diagnostic assessment mission on Nigeria’s takaful sector.

At the engagement, Dr Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar, leader of the delegation, briefed the Commission on the preliminary outcomes of its mission, which concluded a five-day engagement with key stakeholders, including regulators, takaful operators, industry associations, and development partners.

According to a statement by the Commission, in his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Insurance reaffirmed NAICOM’s commitment to unlocking the immense potential of takaful as one of the strategic vehicles for expanding insurance penetration, promoting financial inclusion, and supporting sustainable economic development across Nigeria.

He encouraged the delegation to provide frank, practical, and data-driven recommendations that would support ongoing regulatory reforms and market development initiatives.

In the statement, Omosehin further reiterated that takaful is an alternative insurance model, rather than a subset of conventional insurance, and has the capacity to serve a broad spectrum of consumers while operating within established Shariah governance principles.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening risk-based capital and supervisory frameworks, enhancing data transparency, and adopting prudent surplus management practices that protect participants while ensuring the sustainable growth of the sector.

The preliminary findings of the mission identified several measures aimed at strengthening the legal, regulatory, and supervisory framework for takaful in Nigeria.

NAICOM views its collaboration with the IFSB as a significant milestone in the development of a robust and resilient takaful ecosystem in Nigeria. The partnership is expected to contribute to greater financial stability, increased consumer confidence, stronger policyholder protection, and responsible innovation within the Nigerian insurance industry.

‘A comprehensive report on the Diagnostic Assessment Mission will be released upon the conclusion of the review process and incorporation of stakeholder feedback,’ the statement noted.