The Historica Nigeria

Author name: Umar Idris Shuaibu

Kano, News

Kano Government Expands Youth Programmes, Strengthens Fight Against Drugs

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating sustainable jobs, expanding skills development opportunities, and intensifying the fight against drug abuse as part of efforts to empower young people. This was conveyed in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, to mark this year’s International Youth Day. Read Also: Jigawa, HJRBDA Partner to Tackle Flooding, Boost Irrigation The governor emphasised that youths remain central to the socio-economic transformation of Kano, noting that his government has rolled out far-reaching programmes to equip them with the tools to succeed. “We have reopened skills acquisition institutions across various sectors, putting thousands of our young people on the path to self-reliance,” Yusuf said. According to him, direct employment opportunities have been created in strategic sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and public works. He further disclosed plans to reopen the Kiru Reformatory Centre to rehabilitate and reintegrate young offenders—particularly those struggling with drug abuse—back into society as productive citizens. Highlighting achievements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Yusuf cited the establishment of the Kano State KASITDA and the successful hosting of the International Conference on Technology and Computing, describing these initiatives as strategic steps towards positioning Kano as a hub for innovation and digital skills. “On this International Youth Day, we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and potential of our young people. My government will continue to invest in their future through job creation, education, technology, and a resolute fight against the scourge of drugs,” the governor said. He called on community leaders, educators, parents, the private sector, and other stakeholders to join hands in creating a safe, inclusive, and prosperous environment where the youth of Kano can fully realise their dreams.

Environment, National, News, Weather

NiMet Forecasts Widespread Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain, and Flood Risks Nationwide

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall across much of the country from Thursday to Saturday, warning of potential flooding in several states. In its weather outlook released Wednesday in Abuja, NiMet said parts of the northern, central, and southern regions would experience varying intensities of rain during the three-day period. Thursday: Morning thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected in parts of Borno, Kebbi, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, and Taraba States. Afternoon to evening thunderstorms are likely in the same areas, with a high flood risk in Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, and Taraba. Read Also: Jigawa, HJRBDA Partner to Tackle Flooding, Boost Irrigation In the central region, thunderstorms with intermittent rains will affect Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Niger in the morning, spreading to Kwara later in the day. Flooding is likely in parts of Nasarawa and Benue. The southern region will see cloudy skies and light morning rain over Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, followed by moderate rainfall in Oyo, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa. Cross River faces a high flood risk. Friday: Northern states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Taraba, Yobe, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara will experience morning thunderstorms, with heavier rainfall later in the day. Flooding is possible in Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, and Bauchi. In the central region, thunderstorms with moderate rain will occur in the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Kogi, with light rain expected later. Benue, Niger, Kogi, and the FCT face high flood risks. Southern states will see light morning rain in Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, and Lagos, continuing later in Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Bayelsa. Saturday: Morning thunderstorms are likely over Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Taraba, and Sokoto, with further rainfall later in the day extending to Bauchi. Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara have elevated flood risks. The central region will get light morning rain in Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and the FCT, followed by widespread afternoon thunderstorms. In the south, Ondo, Osun, Ebonyi, and Cross River will see light rain in the morning, increasing to moderate rain in Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Rivers later. Safety Advisory: NiMet urged residents in flood-prone areas to activate emergency response plans and avoid driving during heavy rain. Farmers were advised not to apply fertilisers or pesticides immediately before rainfall to prevent nutrient leaching. The agency also recommended fastening loose objects, disconnecting electrical appliances, staying clear of tall trees during storms, and wearing warm clothing in cool night conditions. Airline operators should obtain location-specific weather reports for flight planning. Further updates are available on NiMet’s website: www.nimet.gov.ng (NAN)

Agriculture, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, News

Jigawa, HJRBDA Partner to Tackle Flooding, Boost Irrigation

Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has pledged stronger collaboration with the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to curb seasonal flooding and open up thousands of hectares for irrigation farming. Speaking at the Government House in Dutse on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by HJRBDA’s Managing Director, Engr. Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, the governor said the Hadejia Valley alone holds vast agricultural potential of 24,000 hectares in total, with only 6,000 developed so far. “With the remaining 18,000 hectares brought into full cultivation, the volume of land going into production will be remarkable. This will transform livelihoods across our communities,” Namadi said. Read Also: FG to Establish Cattle Breeding Centres Across Six Geopolitical Zones He revealed that discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already taken place on developing an additional 6,000 hectares through international funding, with a formal request submitted to the Minister of Water Resources. Namadi also outlined a plan to revive 10 abandoned dams, two through the SPIN project, three via ACReSAL, and five directly by the state government. The initiative is expected to add about 4,500 hectares to the state’s irrigated farmland. In addition, he highlighted the success of the Lalashi industrial borehole scheme, which prevented more than 120 households from migrating in search of work. Similar projects, he said, would soon be launched in Gajagarma, Dutse, and four local government areas under Gumel Emirate. On the flood menace, the governor described it as “critical and worrisome,” noting that Jigawa had constructed 120 kilometres of embankments and cleared 70 kilometres of Typha grass to ease water flow. Earlier, Engr. Bichi praised the state government’s support in clearing Typha grass and restoring waterways, which he said had significantly reduced flooding. “The governor’s commitment has been instrumental in restoring our canals and improving water management for the benefit of our farmers,” he said. Bichi disclosed that HJRBDA plans to expand irrigation by 6,500 hectares in Jigawa, with presidential approval already in place for key projects, including the Greater Dutse Water Supply Scheme and repairs to the Hadejia Barrage. He added that farmers currently cultivate 5,440 hectares under the authority’s schemes, producing an estimated 220,000 metric tonnes of crops such as wheat, rice, maize, tomato, and vegetables worth over ₦154.4 billion annually. According to him, the 2025 budget provides more than ₦28 billion for HJRBDA projects in Jigawa, in addition to ₦59 billion already allocated for the Greater Dutse Water Supply, small earth dams, erosion control, and new irrigation initiatives.

News, Sport

PSG Fight Back to Win First UEFA Super Cup on Penalties Against Spurs

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) claimed their first-ever UEFA Super Cup title in dramatic fashion, coming from two goals down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties at the Bluenergy Stadium. Tottenham, led by new manager Thomas Frank, appeared on course for victory after Micky van de Ven tapped in from close range in the 39th minute and Cristian Romero headed home Pedro Porro’s free-kick early in the second half. Read Also: Tinubu Rewards Super Falcons with Cash, National Honours, and Housing After AWCON Victory PSG’s attack, spearheaded by Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, struggled to break through Spurs’ disciplined defence. The game turned in the final 10 minutes, with Lee Kang-in firing in from a tight angle in the 80th minute and Gonçalo Ramos heading in Dembélé’s cross to level at 2-2. With no extra time in the competition, the match went straight to penalties. Spurs led after PSG’s Vitinha missed, but Lucas Chevalier, standing in for the departed Gianluigi Donnarumma, saved Van de Ven’s spot kick before Mathys Tel missed for Tottenham. Ramos, Dembélé, and Lee converted for PSG, and Nuno Mendes scored the decisive penalty to secure the historic win.

National, News

FEC Approves ₦493bn for Kano–Katsina Road Upgrade, New Carter Bridge

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦493 billion for two major infrastructure projects, the upgrade of the Kano–Katsina Road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Umahi explained that the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina Road, earlier split into two sections under the previous administration, has undergone significant cost adjustments due to economic realities. Read Also: FEC Bans Creation of New Federal Tertiary Institutions for Five Years The first section, spanning 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 for ₦14 billion, later revised to ₦24 billion, and is now updated to ₦68 billion. The second section, covering 79.5 kilometres, was awarded in 2019 for ₦29 billion, increased to ₦46 billion, and has now been revised to ₦66.115 billion. This brings the total cost to about ₦134 billion. Section One is allocated ₦6 billion in the 2024 budget and ₦34 billion in 2025, while Section Two will receive ₦80 billion over the same period. On the Carter Bridge, Umahi revealed that underwater inspections in 2013 and 2019 found severe structural damage caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion. Julius Berger, the contractor handling repairs, advised that the bridge was beyond repair and should be replaced. The new bridge is estimated to cost ₦359 billion, with funding discussions ongoing with Deutsche Bank. Umahi also disclosed that the 3rd Mainland Bridge has similar underwater structural issues, with rehabilitation estimated at ₦3.8 trillion and new construction at ₦3.6 trillion. FEC has approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) model to carry out investigations, design, and bidding on both rehabilitation and replacement options for the Carter and 3rd Mainland Bridges. Public-private partnership (PPP) bids will also be considered. The Council also endorsed emergency interventions for several other bridges, including Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, Ido Bridge with fire damage, Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a damaged bridge on the Abuja–Kogi road, bridges along the Lagos–Ibadan corridor affected by vehicle collisions, Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos. “These emergency works will be detailed and forwarded to Mr. President for approval through the Minister of Finance,” Umahi said.

Business, National, News

NNPC Wins Appeal as Court Overturns Araraume Judgement

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has upheld the appeal filed by NNPC Ltd. against the April 2023 judgement of the Federal High Court, which had annulled the removal of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as Non-Executive Chairman of the company’s Board and awarded him ₦5 billion in damages. In its ruling on Friday, August 8, 2025, the appellate court set aside the lower court’s decision, sparing NNPC Ltd. from a massive financial payout and removing a legal risk that could have invalidated all Board decisions taken since 2021. Read Also: NNPCL Drills Four Oil Wells in Kolmani, Constructs Gas Plants in Kogi The court agreed with NNPC Ltd.’s position that the earlier judgement was delivered in error, noting, among other points, that the claim was statute-barred. Legal analysts say the ruling not only secures governance stability for NNPC Ltd. but also sets an important corporate governance precedent in Nigerian law. It further upholds the validity of Board resolutions seen as critical to investment confidence and policy direction in the nation’s oil and gas sector. Signed NNPC Ltd. Abuja 13th August, 2025

National, News

Tinubu to Embark on Two-Nation Tour of Japan, Brazil, With Brief Stop in Dubai

President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, August 14, embark on a two-nation tour of Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. The meeting, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, will focus on economic growth, private investment, innovation, and building a stable and secure continent. Read Also: FEC Bans Creation of New Federal Tertiary Institutions for Five Years During the summit, Tinubu will hold bilateral talks and meet with top executives of Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria. TICAD, launched in 1993, is organised by the Government of Japan in partnership with the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission, and the World Bank. From Japan, the President will proceed to Brasilia for a two-day state visit from August 24 to 25 at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. While in Brazil, Tinubu is expected to meet President Lula, attend a business forum, and witness the signing of agreements aimed at boosting trade and cooperation between the two nations.

Education, National, News

FEC Bans Creation of New Federal Tertiary Institutions for Five Years

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a five-year moratorium on the creation of new federal tertiary educational institutions across Nigeria. The decision, reached during Wednesday’s FEC meeting, means no new federal universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education will be established until at least 2030. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the measure is aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies in the sector, noting that the challenge is no longer access but the duplication of institutions, which has weakened infrastructure and manpower. Read Also: Sa’adatu Rimi College Holds 2023/2024 Matriculation for BUK-Affiliated Students “In our country, access to quality tertiary education is no longer the main issue,” he stated. “What we are facing is an over-proliferation of new institutions, which reduces the capacity of existing ones and degrades both infrastructure and staffing. If we do not act decisively, the quality of education will suffer and erode the global respect our graduates currently enjoy.” Alausa highlighted that Nigeria already has 72 federal universities, 108 state universities, and 159 private universities, alongside numerous polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics, and specialized schools. However, many of these operate far below capacity. For example, he revealed that in the 2024–2026 admission cycles, 199 universities had fewer than 99 applicants, while 34 had no applicants at all. Similarly, 295 polytechnics and 219 colleges of education recorded fewer than 99 applicants, with dozens attracting zero candidates. “This is a waste of resources,” Alausa said, citing one federal university in the North with fewer than 800 students but over 1,200 staff members. “Such situations are not sustainable.” He explained that the moratorium will allow the government to redirect resources toward upgrading facilities, expanding the capacity of existing institutions, and strengthening manpower. “Our goal is to improve quality, not quantity,” he stressed. “We want Nigerian graduates to continue to command respect anywhere in the world.” Alausa commended President Tinubu for his commitment to education reform, noting that his political will has been instrumental in advancing the policy. Nine New Private Universities Approved Despite the moratorium, the minister confirmed that nine new private universities have been approved by the council. He clarified that these approvals were part of a longstanding backlog at the National Universities Commission (NUC), with some applications pending for over six years. “Investors had already built campuses and committed billions of naira,” he said. “We cleared over 350 inactive applications and streamlined the process, leaving 79 active applications, nine of which have now been approved.” The moratorium will also cover new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with only proposals that meet the new rigorous standards being considered in the future. Alausa warned that without such reforms, graduate unemployment could worsen and Nigeria’s human capital index could decline due to the increasing number of graduates lacking employable skills. “This policy is necessary to safeguard educational quality and ensure our graduates can meaningfully contribute to the economy,” he reiterated.

Kano, News

Kano Assembly Suspends Rano Local Government Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

The Kano State House of Assembly (KNHA) has suspended the Chairman of Rano Local Government Council, Alhaji Muhammad Naziru Ya’u, for three months over allegations of misconduct. The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by Speaker Alhaji Jibril Isma’il Falgore, following the presentation of an investigative report by the House Committee on Public Petition. Read Also: Kano Government Approves ₦14.8 Billion for Major Developmental Projects Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman and Majority Leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala, said the probe was prompted by a petition signed by nine out of the ten councillors in Rano. The petition accused the chairman of financial recklessness, sale of shops, and diversion of fertilizer meant for the local government, among other allegations. Lawan explained that although the chairman denied the accusations, the lawmakers, acting under Section 128 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 55 (1–6) of the Kano State Local Government Law 2006, recommended his suspension for three months to allow for a thorough investigation. Other recommendations included the immediate submission of Rano LGA’s 2025 financial statement and the appointment of the vice chairman to serve in an acting capacity during the suspension period. After deliberations, the House unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations, thereby suspending the chairman and placing the local government council under temporary oversight.

Education, Kano, News

Sa’adatu Rimi College Holds 2023/2024 Matriculation for BUK-Affiliated Students

Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, on Tuesday held its 2023/2024 matriculation ceremony for over 400 new undergraduate students admitted through its affiliation with Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The event marked the beginning of their academic journey in various degree programmes, according to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Shamsudden Ahmad, on behalf of the Director, Public Relations. In his address, the Provost of the College, Dr. Kabiru Ahmed Gwarzo, welcomed the new students and underscored the importance of academic excellence, discipline, and integrity. He noted that the large number of matriculating students reflects the passion and commitment of Kano’s youth towards teacher education. Read Also: Progress Over Propaganda: How Dr. Gwaram is Redefining Leadership at FCAPT Dr. Gwarzo commended the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for its timely interventions in uplifting the education sector. He urged the students to attend lectures regularly, complete all assignments, and avoid deviant behaviour or other vices that could jeopardise their safety and academic progress. Representing the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Salihu Lawan Malumfashi congratulated the students on gaining admission into what he described as “one of the greatest citadels of learning in Nigeria.” He encouraged them to take full advantage of modern academic facilities and resources to excel in their studies. He also stressed the importance of commitment, attendance, and seriousness in Continuous Assessment (CA) to justify their selection from among many who were not fortunate to secure admission. The Registrar of the College, Dr. Atika Bala Maiyafe, mni, administered the matriculation oath to the students, formally welcoming them into the academic community.

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