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National, News

IGP Disu Inaugurates State Police Committee, Unveils Policing Vision

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police and advance his policing reform agenda, following his confirmation as the 23rd indigenous IGP. According to TVC News, Disu held his first formal engagement with senior officers after the Nigeria Police Council unanimously ratified his appointment, paving the way for his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Professor Olu Ogunsakin was appointed to chair the eight-member State Police Implementation Committee. Addressing the top hierarchy of the force, the IGP stressed that leadership “is not about position but responsibility,” reiterating that professionalism and accountability must guide police conduct and operations across commands nationwide. Read Also: FG Targets Informal Sector, Expands Tax Base Without Raising Rates He emphasised that authority is strongest when exercised with restraint and insisted that respect for human rights must remain fundamental to policing. According to him, every Nigerian deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and justice, regardless of status or background. As part of broader internal reforms, Disu announced plans to strengthen oversight within the Force. He directed that the Public Complaints Unit and the X-Squad be empowered to operate independently in order to enhance transparency and discipline. On decentralisation, the IGP noted that state policing would enable different tiers of government to play more active roles in security management, thereby improving responsiveness to local threats. The committee’s inauguration comes at a critical time for the Nigeria Police Force, following the recent leadership transition. President Tinubu appointed Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police on February 24, 2026, after the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun. His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council. Disu is expected to be formally sworn in as substantive IGP during the Federal Executive Council meeting. His emergence comes amid heightened security concerns nationwide, including rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and attacks on communities. The state police initiative, championed by the current administration, forms part of broader security sector reforms aimed at decentralising policing powers to enhance effectiveness at the grassroots level.

Kano, News, Politics

Doguwa Resigns Commissioner Role, Clinches Kano APC Chairmanship

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected new state executive members to pilot the affairs of the party in Kano State. The election, held on Tuesday night, produced Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa as the new State Chairman. Doguwa recently resigned from his position as Commissioner for Water Resources in Kano State to contest for the party’s top seat. Other key officials elected include Hon. Salisu Maje Ahmad Gwangwazo as Vice Chairman, Prof. Yusuf Muhammad Sabo Bichi as State Secretary, and Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi Dala as State Woman Leader. Read Also: Ganduje Pushes Sports as Tool for Youth Empowerment Oyedele Tapped to Replace Uzoka-Anite as Finance Minister of State FG Targets Informal Sector, Expands Tax Base Without Raising Rates The newly elected 28-member executive is expected to strengthen internal cohesion within the party and position it for future political engagements in the state. Below is the full list of elected officials: Chairman Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa Vice Chairman Hon. Salisu Maje Ahmad Gwangwazo Secretary Prof. Yusuf Muhammad Sabo Bichi Legal Adviser Abdul Adamu Fagge SAN Assistant Legal Adviser Barr. Bashir Yusuf Tudun Wuzirci Treasurer Kabiru Sule Rogo Assistant Treasurer Umar Yusuf Umar Financial Secretary Ma’aruf Abdullahi Garo Assistant Financial Secretary Mustafa Muhammad Kalwa Organising Secretary Dr. Kabiru Hussaini Zawaciki Assistant Organising Secretary Barr. Abdussalam Umar Publicity Secretary / PRO Auwalu Abdullahi Sani Mai Nagge Assistant Publicity Secretary Sani Fata Sharada Welfare Secretary Bashir Mai Sango Assistant Welfare Secretary Garba Hussaini Kwami Auditor Abubakar Salisu Makoda Assistant Auditor Nura Muhammad Ingili Women Leader Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi Dala Assistant Women Leader Hajiya Habiba Abdullahi Takai Youth Leader Salisu Yahaya Hotoro Assistant Youth Leader Mussadiq Wada Waziri Leader, Persons With Disabilities Nura Umar Malami Ex Officio I Alhaji Auwalu Nagero Ex Officio II Alhaji Rabiu Nagoggo Ex Officio III Alhaji Wada A.A Rano Assistant Ex Officio Alhaji Musa Bagwai Assistant Ex Officio Rahama Kabir Fagge

National, News

FG Targets Informal Sector, Expands Tax Base Without Raising Rates

The Federal Government has banned cash collection of taxes and the mounting of roadblocks for revenue enforcement nationwide, marking a major step in the implementation of recently enacted tax reforms. The announcement was made in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, during the signing of the Presumptive Tax Regulations and Guidelines at the Federal Ministry of Finance. Adesokan said the new framework was designed to eliminate informal, coercive and fragmented tax practices, particularly at the subnational level. He stressed that all forms of cash collection by tax authorities are now prohibited, alongside the use of roadblocks for revenue enforcement. According to him, the regulations are aimed at entrenching transparency, equity and uniformity in tax administration, especially within the commerce and informal sectors. Under the new presumptive tax regime, nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of N12 million and below are exempted from taxation. For other categories of informal businesses, a one per cent tax on turnover has been introduced. The framework also encourages the adoption of technology-driven payment systems to enhance accountability. Adesokan noted that the guidelines provide a uniform structure for subnational governments to tax the commerce sector while integrating operators into the formal system through a Tax Identification platform. He described the alignment of states with the framework as a signal of a coordinated national approach to revenue administration. Read Also: President Tinubu Renews Audi’s Tenure as NSCDC Boss Oyedele Tapped to Replace Uzoka-Anite as Finance Minister of State Tinubu Pushes State Police, Urges Governors to Focus on Poor, Youths Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the signing marked the transition from legislative approval to structured enforcement of the tax reforms enacted in 2025 and early 2026. Edun described the regulations as a simple and transparent framework anchored on fairness, clarity, equity and economic inclusion. He emphasised that the reforms are not designed to raise tax rates but to broaden the tax base in a structured and consistent manner. “We aim to ensure consistency, prevent arbitrary assessments and protect small businesses while ensuring continuous growth of the Nigerian economy,” he said. The minister added that the reforms were developed in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board to ensure coordination across federal, state and local governments, reducing fragmentation in tax administration. Linking the reforms to broader economic targets, Edun noted that economic growth exceeded four per cent in the last quarter of 2025 and expressed optimism about achieving higher growth rates in pursuit of the administration’s long-term goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030 under Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He assured stakeholders that implementation would be closely monitored to safeguard fairness, adding that an ombudsman mechanism has been introduced to oversee compliance and address grievances. Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Joseph Tegbe, described the signing as a decisive shift from policy intention to practical execution. He said the reforms are intended to restore order to a previously fragmented system and replace arbitrariness with transparency. Tegbe observed that Nigeria’s informal sector, which employs more than 80 per cent of the workforce, has historically contributed little to structured public revenue due to systemic weaknesses and complex frameworks. He stressed that sustainable development depends on sustainable revenue mobilisation and pledged disciplined and transparent implementation of the new regime. In June 2025, President Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law, including the Nigeria Tax Act, overhauling decades-old tax legislation and setting the stage for the current implementation phase.

National, News

Oyedele Tapped to Replace Uzoka-Anite as Finance Minister of State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, as Minister of State for Finance. The nomination was conveyed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, through a letter seeking confirmation, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Oyedele is expected to succeed Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and Planning as Minister of State — her third portfolio under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Describing the nominee as an economist, accountant and public policy expert, Onanuga said Oyedele obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from Yaba College of Technology and later earned a BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. Read Also: President Tinubu Renews Audi’s Tenure as NSCDC Boss FG Debunks Claims Poor Nigerians Will Bear New Tax Burden BOOST Partners Seek Policy Backing, Sustainable Financing for Vaccination Drive He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School. Oyedele spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he joined in 2001 and rose to become Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader. He is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School. In July 2023, President Tinubu appointed Oyedele to chair the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, tasked with overhauling Nigeria’s tax system. Uzoka-Anite was initially appointed Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in August 2023 before her redeployment to the finance ministry in November 2024.

Health, Humanitarian, News

BOOST Partners Seek Policy Backing, Sustainable Financing for Vaccination Drive

Health stakeholders have called on the Kano State Government to increase funding, strengthen policy frameworks and deepen community engagement to curb vaccine hesitancy and reduce the number of zero-dose children across the state. The call was made at a meeting convened under the Better Opportunities for Optimal Services and Targeted Immunization for Zero-Dose and Under-Immunized Children (BOOST) project. The engagement brought together professional health associations, government officials and development partners to chart practical steps for improving service delivery and rebuilding public trust in routine immunisation. The BOOST project, implemented by Save the Children International with support from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is designed to demonstrate effective and scalable strategies for reducing zero-dose and missed vaccinations among children. Full implementation began in January 2024 and will run until December 2027, covering Gezawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas of Kano State. Speaking at the meeting, the BOOST Project Manager and Kano Field Manager for Save the Children, Malam Abdullahi Magama, identified vaccine hesitancy fueled by misconceptions and inadequate information as a major factor responsible for missed routine immunisation. Read Also: VaxSocial Launches Digital Immunization Campaign in Kano ICRC Raises Alarm Over Attacks on Healthcare in Northwest Nigeria Kano Stakeholders Push for Stronger Financing to Tackle Zero-Dose Children He said some parents rely on misleading narratives from uninformed sources, resulting in resistance to vaccination. According to him, the project has intensified community sensitisation and evidence-based advocacy to counter such perceptions. Magama explained that findings from a recent assessment helped identify key drivers of vaccine hesitancy, enabling targeted interventions that have begun to yield measurable results. He added that media organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders were deliberately engaged due to their strong influence at the grassroots level. While acknowledging progress, he urged the government to be more proactive in funding immunisation programmes, especially amid dwindling donor support. He emphasised the need for clear policies and legal frameworks to strengthen routine immunisation systems and discourage vaccine refusal. Also speaking, the Community of Practice (CoP) Co-Chair, Comrade Salisu Yusuf, gave an update on the 2025 immunisation budget tracking baseline data collection process, which involved planning sessions, stakeholder engagement, data sourcing, analysis, monitoring and feedback. He disclosed that 15 zero-dose Local Government Areas in Kano were identified through a national survey and are currently receiving focused attention. Yusuf noted improvements in fund utilisation compared to previous years but stressed that accountability challenges persist. According to him, accessing reliable data often requires visits to multiple institutions, including the Primary Healthcare Management Board, the Accountant General’s Office, the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury Department, making the tracking process cumbersome. He called on the state government to adhere strictly to established micro-plans developed at facility, local government and zonal levels to ensure effective implementation of annual immunisation work plans. He also advocated expanded outreach services and targeted interventions to bridge existing coverage gaps. In his remarks, the Project Advocacy Officer, Umar Ibrahim, said the programme has recorded significant gains in immunisation coverage and urged the government and partners to sustain the momentum. He stressed the importance of institutionalising mechanisms that will preserve the project’s achievements beyond the lifespan of external funding. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and community engagement to ensure that every eligible child in Kano receives life-saving vaccines. Photo News:

Kano, News

Kano Assembly Passes Local Govt, Assembly Service Commission Bills

The Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Kano State Local Government Service Commission Bill and the Kano State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill. The passage followed deliberations at the Committee of the Whole and a third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Isma’il Falgore. Speaking with journalists shortly after the sitting, the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, said the Local Government Service Commission would oversee the recruitment, promotion, and discipline of local government staff, particularly officers on Grade Level 7 and above. Read Also: Nigeria Elections Get New Dates How Governor Yusuf Moves to Empower Local Councils With Financial, Administrative Freedom Weak Local Government Structure Fuelling Insecurity — Senator Dickson He explained that the commission would be chaired by a serving civil servant not below Grade Level 15 or a retired Permanent Secretary from the state civil service. Its membership, he added, would include representatives from key institutions such as the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the Ministry of Justice, among others. Dala further noted that the amendment to the Kano State Assembly Service Commission Law would pave the way for the appointment of an additional Deputy Clerk, increasing the number from one to two. The positions will now comprise Deputy Clerk (Administration) and Deputy Clerk (Legislative Services). According to him, the Deputy Clerk will be nominated by the executive arm of government and confirmed by the Assembly through a majority vote, with the position carrying a status equivalent to that of a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service. The Majority Leader reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that would strengthen governance and elevate administrative standards in the state in line with global best practices, reiterating the legislature’s resolve to deepen institutional efficiency and service delivery.

Kano, News

Kano Police Strengthen Public Relations, Human Rights in Statewide Retraining

The Nigeria Police Force, Kano State Command, has commenced a comprehensive retraining workshop for police officers across the state, aimed at reinforcing professionalism, public relations, and respect for human rights in the discharge of their duties. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command. The training, which began at the Police Officers Mess, Bompai, Kano, is designed as a participatory exercise, allowing officers to share experiences and adopt best practices in modern policing. Read Also: Tinubu Pushes State Police, Urges Governors to Focus on Poor, Youths The facilitation team includes a public relations expert, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah, alongside the Command’s spokesperson and other resource persons with expertise in public relations, human rights, and law enforcement. While addressing participants, Isah emphasized the importance of professionalism, noting that every police officer represents the image of the Force in their daily interactions with the public. “Every police officer on the street is a walking Public Relations officer. Every checkpoint interaction, every response to a complaint, and every conversation at the front desk are reputation-defining moments,” he said, stressing that public trust remains critical to effective policing. The retraining exercise will be conducted across the 11 Area Commands, 78 Police Divisions, and two Police Mobile Squadrons in the state. It is expected to enhance officers’ capacity in community policing, conflict resolution, and human rights protection. The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to equip officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively serve and protect the community. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to upholding professionalism and respect for human rights, while urging members of the public to cooperate with the police and report any cases of misconduct or unprofessional behaviour. The exercise is expected to last for several days, with all officers mandated to participate. Photo News:

National, News

FG Sets Transition Plan for Direct Oil Revenue Payments to Federation Account

The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of Executive Order 9 of 2026, mandating the direct remittance of oil revenues to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The development follows the inaugural meeting of the implementation committee held on February 26, 2026. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, outlining key resolutions reached at the meeting. According to him, the committee reaffirmed the directive of President Bola Tinubu that all revenues accruing to the federation from petroleum operations must be managed in line with constitutional provisions, safeguard national earnings, and support fiscal stability across the three tiers of government. Read Also: A Quiet War on Our Soil: How Aid, Chemicals, and Banditry Are Strangling Northern Nigeria’s Ginger Heartland As part of the reforms, the government directed the NNPC Limited to immediately discontinue the collection of 30 percent management fees and 30 percent frontier exploration fund deductions from profit oil and gas under Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs). The statement also announced the immediate suspension of remittances of gas flare penalties into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, in compliance with the executive order. On the provision for direct payments by contractors into the federation account, Edun explained that the committee approved a structured transition period to ensure the process aligns with existing contractual obligations and maintains investor confidence. “Until detailed guidelines are issued, contractors will continue with the current remittance process,” he said, adding that standardised procedures would be introduced to ensure a seamless transition. To facilitate implementation, the committee approved the establishment of a technical subcommittee tasked with developing comprehensive transition guidelines within three weeks. The subcommittee will also commence a review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to address structural and fiscal gaps affecting federation revenues. The subcommittee, to be led by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, will include key stakeholders such as the Solicitor-General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, and representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Budget Office of the Federation. Edun noted that the committee would continue to provide coordinated guidance and updates as implementation progresses, while commending stakeholders for their cooperation in advancing reforms aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s petroleum resources deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

International, News

Iran Says Kheibar Missiles Targeted Israeli Govt Compound

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile strike targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and the Israeli Air Force Command headquarters. In a statement carried by Mehr and Fars news agencies, the IRGC said the attack was carried out using Kheibar missiles, also known as Khorramshahr-4, as part of what it described as the 10th wave of retaliatory missile operations. The group characterised the strike as a “targeted and surprise attack” on a government compound in Israel. The Kheibar missile is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Iran, reportedly capable of carrying heavy warheads and designed to evade advanced air defence systems. Read Also: Iran Confirms Death of Supreme Leader Khamenei in US-Israel Strikes Saudi Arabia Appoints Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid as New Grand Mufti Kidnapped Nigerians Now Left to Die in Captivity as Poverty Deepens – Islamic Cleric Israeli authorities have not officially responded to the claims, and there has been no independent verification of the reported strike or the extent of any potential damage. The announcement marks a further escalation in tensions following recent joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which Tehran says killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. In response, Iran has launched a series of missile and drone attacks across the region. Regional and international observers warn that the intensifying exchange of strikes could widen the conflict further, raising concerns about broader instability in the Middle East. (Türkiye Times)

International, News

Iran Confirms Death of Supreme Leader Khamenei in US-Israel Strikes

Iranian state media have confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in coordinated airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel. The announcement, made on Sunday, follows earlier claims by both American and Israeli officials that the 86-year-old leader had been eliminated during the attacks. Authorities in Tehran have declared a 40-day national mourning period in honour of the longtime leader. Initial reports by Iranian outlets had suggested that Khamenei remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field,” but subsequent confirmation by state media marked a dramatic turn in the unfolding crisis. US President Donald Trump had earlier stated on his Truth Social platform that Khamenei was killed during the strikes, describing the operation as highly coordinated and intelligence-driven. Read Also: Iran Warns of Open-Ended Retaliation, Hits U.S. Linked Bases Across Region Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also indicated that there were “growing signs” of the Iranian leader’s death, while security sources cited by international media reported that his body had been located. Khamenei, who assumed leadership in 1989 following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, held ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military, and religious institutions, making him one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East for over three decades. Analysts say his death introduces significant uncertainty into an already volatile situation, with concerns mounting over potential escalation across the region. Reports indicate that Iran had contingency plans in place, which may involve the formation of a leadership council to manage state affairs. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to intensify. Iranian media report that recent strikes targeted multiple provinces, resulting in significant casualties, while retaliatory attacks by Iran have triggered air defence responses in several countries hosting US military assets, including Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. In a further escalation, Trump signalled that military operations against Iran would continue, warning of sustained strikes “throughout the week or as long as necessary.” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also confirmed ongoing retaliatory operations against US and Israeli positions, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Authorities say investigations and strategic responses are ongoing as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East. (Tehran Times)

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