The Historica Nigeria

Author name: Umar Idris Shuaibu

National, News

Customs Service Board Makes Key Appointments

The Nigeria Customs Service Board has approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptroller-Generals and twelve Assistant Comptroller-Generals. The newly appointed DCGs are AB Mohammed from the North-West, GO Omale from the North-Central, OC Orbih from the South-South, and D Nnadi from the South-East. The new ACGs include MP Binga from the North-East, CA Awo from the South-East, AB Shuaibu from the North-Central, AT Abe from the North-West, K Mohammed from the North-West, B Mohammed from the North-West, TM Daniyan from the North-Central, B Oramalugo from the South-East, OP Olaniyan from the South-West, B Olomu from the South-West, IK Oladeji from the South-West, and CC Dim from the South-East. Read Also: PSC Approves Promotion of Senior Police Officers Across Ranks In addition to these appointments, the Board approved the promotion of 3,514 officers across various ranks. The promotions reflect the Service’s commitment to merit-based career progression and recognition of outstanding performance. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated the newly appointed and promoted officers, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them. The NCS has also made significant progress in its Trade Modernisation Project, with notable achievements including the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System codenamed B’Odogwu, arrival of six scanners, acquisition of Electronic Cargo Tracking System equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System, reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture, and expansion of capacity-building programmes. The Board reviewed the Service’s revenue performance for the first half of the year, disclosing that the Service generated N3.68 trillion between January 1 and June 30, 2025, exceeding projections by N390.2 billion. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of ongoing reforms, improved stakeholder compliance, and enhanced deployment of technology in Customs operations. The development was announced in a statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, Assistant Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer of the service, and published on the Nigeria Customs Service’s official social media handle.

Kano, News

Kano State, Islamic Development Bank Deepen Collaboration

The Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to accelerate sustainable development in key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and rural development. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, following the courtesy visit of the Bank’s Vice President (Operations), Dr. Rami Ahmad, to Government House, Kano. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, described the partnership with IsDB as central to his administration’s development blueprint. Read Also: Kano Mobilises 9,680 Volunteers for Voter Registration “Our administration is determined to work hand in hand with the Islamic Development Bank to accelerate growth, create opportunities, and improve the living standards of our people. We are confident that this partnership will open doors for critical investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure,” Governor Yusuf said. He commended the Bank’s global interventions, noting that its initiatives continue to deliver positive impact in Nigeria, with Kano as one of the major beneficiaries. On behalf of the Governor, Comrade Gwarzo presented a letter of appreciation to Dr. Ahmad, assuring the Bank of Kano’s unwavering support and readiness to provide an enabling environment for its projects. “We extend our profound appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank for its steadfast support. This government will not relent in backing your initiatives to ensure their successful implementation across Kano State,” he said. He further acknowledged the impact of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), citing interventions in milk collection centres, abattoirs, roads, and other infrastructure as directly advancing the state’s development agenda. In his response, Dr. Rami Ahmad praised Kano State for its commitment to people-centred governance and assured that the Bank would continue to expand its collaboration with the state. “Kano remains a strategic partner for the Islamic Development Bank in Nigeria. We are impressed by the government’s vision and are committed to supporting projects that will have a lasting impact on the people,” he said. The visit marks another milestone in strengthening Kano’s partnership with international development institutions as the state positions itself as a hub for sustainable growth in Northern Nigeria.

News, Sport

Asisat Oshoala Signs Two-Year Deal with Al-Hilal

Six-time African women’s player of the year, Asisat Oshoala, has joined Al-Hilal on a two-year contract. The Super Falcons forward leaves Bay FC, where she played since January 2024, following a successful stint with FC Barcelona. Oshoala, 30, brings a wealth of experience to Al-Hilal, having won the UEFA Women’s Champions League three times with Barcelona and multiple domestic titles. Her recent WAFCON victory with the Super Falcons in Morocco solidifies her legacy in African football. She’ll join international stars like Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, boosting Al-Hilal’s ambitions and adding firepower to their squad. This move highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in women’s football, attracting top talent to elevate the league. Read Also: Super Falcons Insist on Dollar Payment of Tinubu’s $100,000 Gift Oshoala’s distinguished career spans England, China, Spain, and the United States, and this latest move marks another chapter. Her arrival is set to make an impact in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.

Abuja, News, Religious

Ganduje Inspects Islamic Centre Project in Abuja

The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, has inspected an Islamic Centre currently under construction by the Ganduje Foundation at Jahi, Abuja. According to him, the facility is being developed to serve both religious and community purposes, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to promoting spiritual growth and social development. Read Also: Photos: Oyetola Hosts Ganduje in Talks on Nigeria’s Growth Agenda The centre will feature a mosque, a research hub, a commercial building, an ablution facility, and an Islamiyya school, making it a multi-purpose complex designed to cater to the needs of worshippers and the wider community. During the inspection, Ganduje expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and reaffirmed the foundation’s determination to complete the project within schedule for the benefit of residents in the area. Photo news:

National, News

Presidency Confirms Reinstatement of NTA DG and Executive Director of News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the reinstatement of Mr. Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, Executive Director of News, to enable them to complete their tenures. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. READ ALSO: NNPC Limited Appoints New Corporate Communications, Relations Chiefs According to the statement, Dembos, who briefly vacated his position following management changes in the agency, will now return to complete his three-year tenure. He was first appointed DG of the NTA by President Tinubu in October 2023. Similarly, Adewuyi, who was appointed in 2024, is to continue in office until the expiration of his tenure in 2027. “The President directed the recall of Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News, to complete his three-year tenure, which ends in 2027,” Onanuga explained. The directive, he added, effectively reversed earlier appointments made for a Director-General, Executive Director of News, Executive Director of Marketing, and Managing Director of NTA Enterprises.

Business, National, News

44.5% Jump in Cooking Gas Prices in One Year – NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a significant increase in the price of cooking gas, with a 44.5% rise in one year. According to the NBS’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Price Watch Report for July 2025, the cost of refilling a 12.5 kg cylinder jumped from N14,261.57 in July 2024 to N20,609.48 in July 2025. This sharp increase poses a challenge for Nigerian households already struggling with energy costs. Notably, the current price surge contrasts with July 2024, when cooking gas prices had dropped by 9.37%. Read Also: NNPC Limited Appoints New Corporate Communications, Relations Chiefs In an effort to mitigate the rising costs, the Federal Government halted the export of locally produced gas in October 2024, effective November 1, 2024. Despite the yearly increase, the NBS report showed a slight month-on-month relief, with prices dropping by 1.91% from N21,010.56 in June 2025 to N20,609.48 in July 2025. Experts caution that this minor drop may not indicate a continued trend. For smaller households, the cost of refilling a 5 kg cylinder decreased by 0.96% month-on-month but increased by 37.98% year-on-year. Regional price differences were notable, with Adamawa having the highest average price for 5 kg cylinders at N9,011.36, while Yobe recorded the lowest at N7,612.00. For 12.5 kg cylinders, Adamawa topped the list with N22,528.39, while Yobe had the lowest average price at N19,030.00. By zones, the South-South region recorded the highest average prices for both 5 kg and 12.5 kg cylinders, at N8,511.26 and N21,278.14 respectively. The NBS’s findings were based on data from over 10,000 respondents across all 774 local government areas of Nigeria.

National, News

NNPC Limited Appoints New Corporate Communications, Relations Chiefs

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced the appointment of two seasoned professionals, Mr. Andy Odeh and Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi, to head its corporate communications and relations units. Mr. Odeh has been named Chief Corporate Communications Officer, while Mrs. Adewunmi assumes the role of Chief Relations Officer. Odeh, with over 30 years of experience spanning communications, business administration, advertising, broadcasting, and oil and gas, previously served at Nigeria LNG (NLNG) for 26 years. At NLNG, he held leadership roles in community relations, corporate communications, government relations, and sustainable development, culminating as General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development. Read Also: NNPCL Nears Full Crude Production Capacity, Credits Security Agencies’ Collaboration He is widely recognized for managing NLNG’s rebranding, spearheading its micro-credit scheme for host communities, and instituting the prestigious NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting. Odeh is an alumnus of the University of Jos, University of Lagos, INSEAD Business School, and the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). On her part, Mrs. Adewunmi brings over 25 years of legal and stakeholder management experience in the oil and gas sector. She served extensively with the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN), where she worked as Regulatory Affairs Manager and Government Relations Manager. In those roles, she successfully built strategic relationships with the Presidency, ministries, departments, and regulatory agencies while ensuring compliance and protecting the company’s license to operate. She is noted for her expertise in managing non-technical risks, as well as her strong leadership and emotional intelligence. A lawyer by training, Adewunmi studied at Olabisi Onabanjo University and the Nigerian Law School. The appointments, according to NNPC Ltd., reflect the company’s renewed commitment to strengthening stakeholder engagement, effective communications, and public trust.

Health, Humanitarian

AKTH Records High Dialysis Attendance After FG Subsidy Rollout

Renal failure remains one of the most serious health challenges affecting thousands of indigent Nigerians. To cushion the financial burden on patients, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has rolled out a subsidised dialysis programme, reducing the cost of treatment from ₦50,000–₦60,000 to just ₦12,000 per session. The intervention, which is part of broader health reforms, also includes the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS), designed to provide free 48-hour emergency services for accident, gunshot, and other critical cases. Read Also: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Launches Free Emergency Ambulance System During a visit to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Dialysis Centre, kidney patients expressed relief over the subsidy. A patient, Salihu Ahmed Dukawuya, recalled paying between ₦54,000 and ₦60,000 per dialysis session before the intervention. He said the cost later dropped to ₦20,000 and now stands at ₦12,000. Another patient, Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu from Gwale, said the reduction from ₦60,000 to ₦12,000 per session has been life-saving. Halima Abubakar, also undergoing dialysis, confirmed that she previously paid ₦60,000, then ₦55,000, ₦45,000, and ₦20,000, before the current ₦12,000 rate. All three patients appreciated the Federal Government’s intervention but appealed for complete removal of dialysis costs to further ease their burden. Speaking on the intervention, the Deputy Director of Nursing Services at AKTH, Tijjani Rahim, who doubles as Head of the Dialysis Unit, noted that the subsidy has led to a significant increase in patient turnout. He maintained that the unit now attends to 22–25 patients daily, making AKTH one of the first hospitals to benefit from the intervention. Speaking during the launch of the NEMSAS scheme at the hospital, the Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Professor Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, confirmed that the subsidised dialysis programme has already commenced at AKTH. He revealed that the hospital has consumables to cater for 1,000 dialysis patients under the initiative. Professor Sheshe further explained that under the NEMSAS scheme, pregnant women, children, accident victims, and other emergency cases will be transported to hospitals free of charge and given 48 hours of free medical care. However, he appealed for urgent support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as from philanthropists, to sustain the programme. Recall that on 21st August 2025, the Federal Government approved a new subsidy scheme to reduce the cost of dialysis across 11 federal tertiary health institutions spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Abuja, Kano, National, Politics

The Strategist-in-Chief: How Ganduje Stays Relevant After Power

When Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stepped down as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), many political observers speculated that his influence on Nigeria’s turbulent political scene might wane. But the former Kano State governor, known for his resilience and deep political networks, continues to assert his presence in both northern and southern political circles. In Kano, Ganduje remains a towering figure despite the setbacks his loyalists have faced since the opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf took power. He is still regarded as a political godfather by several lawmakers, party loyalists, and grassroots supporters, with many describing him as the “strategist-in-chief” of Kano politics. Nationally, Ganduje’s brief but eventful tenure as APC Chairman left an imprint on the party. He assumed office at a time of turbulence, tasked with balancing power blocs after the 2023 elections and managing the early days of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. While his leadership style drew mixed reactions, his ability to hold the party together amid defections and regional agitations is still being studied. Related: APC Chair Yilwatda Hails Ganduje as ‘Co-Chairman’ of Party Beyond the North, Ganduje has been active in fostering political collaborations across the South, particularly as debates on restructuring, power-sharing, and economic reforms intensify. His recent engagements with leaders outside Kano highlight a deliberate effort to maintain visibility and relevance on the national stage. Analysts suggest that Ganduje is positioning himself as a kingmaker ahead of the 2027 elections, leveraging his networks within the APC and across opposition lines. While age and controversies around his tenure in Kano may cast shadows, his political longevity is undeniable. For a man who has weathered storms in Kano politics and at the national level, Ganduje’s story underscores a familiar truth in Nigerian politics: influence does not always come from holding office, but from the ability to shape conversations and broker alliances. As the countdown to 2027 gathers momentum, all eyes will be on whether Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will reinvent himself as a quiet strategist, a political dealmaker, or a resurgent frontline player in Nigeria’s ever-shifting political chessboard.

Feature, National

Inside Story of Ex-Police Chief Solomon Arase’s Sudden Health Crisis

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Ehigiator Arase, a lawyer and Nigeria’s 18th police chief, was reportedly flown back to Abuja in a coma after falling seriously ill during a trip to Morocco. According to a report by NewsmakersNG, Arase had traveled to Rabat last week to attend a wedding. Witnesses said he suddenly fell ill after a meal during the ceremony, leaving friends and associates shocked by the turn of events. The Edo-born former police boss, known for his lively and engaging personality, departed for Morocco in high spirits. However, the situation quickly deteriorated, and he slipped into a coma. He was flown back to Abuja on Friday in that state. Read Also: Former IGP Solomon Arase Dies in Abuja Hospital Tinubu Praises Shettima as Loyal Partner at 59th Birthday Malami Condemns Attack on Convoy, Calls Incident ‘Painful’ Tinubu’s Presidency Counters El-Rufai Over 2027 Election Claims Family sources told NewsmakersNG that Arase briefly regained consciousness on Saturday, raising hopes of recovery. Sadly, he passed away 24 hours later. The report included a photograph from the Moroccan wedding showing Arase dressed elegantly and laughing heartily with another guest, a final public image of the late police chief. Until his death, Arase was the immediate past chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja, aged 69. His son, Solomon Arase Jr., confirmed the passing, saying his father died after a “brief illness.” The news of his death has sent shockwaves across the country, particularly within the police institution, where his leadership and reforms left a lasting impact.

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