Friday Sermon: Welcoming Ramadan; The Month Of Fasting, Prayer, Blessings, Forgiveness And Mercy By Imam Murtadha Gusau

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful All thanks and praise are due to Allah, from Whom we seek help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and the evil consequences of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides will never be misled and whoever strays from Him will never find a guide. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah. Likewise, I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the servant and the Messenger of Allah. Dear brothers…

Nigeria Customs seizes over 1,500 Arms, hands over to NCCSALW

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully handed over 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).   The arms, seized in 2018 from three containers at the Tin Can Island Port, were officially transferred to the NCCSALW on Thursday, 13 February 2025, at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos. In his speech,Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that the handover demonstrates the NCS’s unwavering commitment to securing the nation’s borders and ensuring public…

Military sustains onslaught ,neutralizes 248 Terrorists, recovers arms and logistics

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued their relentless offensive against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, neutralizing 248 insurgents and arrested several others in the past week.   The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this during a media briefing held today at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja. He stated that troops also rescued 137 kidnapped victims across different theatres of operation.   According to Major General Kangye, troops recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 176 AK-47 rifles, 48 pump-action guns, 2,032 rounds…

NYSC, SMEDAN sign MoU to boost Corps Members’ Entrepreneurship

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance job creation and entrepreneurship among corps members.   The agreement, signed at SMEDAN Headquarters in Abuja, aimed to provide corps members with access to funding and resources to develop their business ideas. Speaking at the event, NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, emphasized the importance of financial support in empowering corps members.   “NYSC mobilizes over 400,000 corps members annually and equips them…

NAPTIP seeks Defence Intelligence College’s support to combat Human Trafficking

In a move to enhance the capacity of its operatives, the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Management of the Defence Intelligence College (DIC), Karu, Abuja.   During the visit, the DG emphasized the need for a specialized training program for NAPTIP officers, citing the evolving nature and complexities of human trafficking in Nigeria. She acknowledged the existing partnership between the agency and the College and sought further collaboration in intelligence-driven…

NASS passes ₦54.9 Trillion budget, allocates ₦300 Billion for Health Sector amid U.S. Aid suspension

The National Assembly has approved Nigeria’s 2025 Appropriation Bill, raising the budget to ₦54.9 trillion, with ₦300 billion earmarked for health sector interventions to tackle tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and polio following the United States’ suspension of health aid to Nigeria.   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had initially presented a ₦49.7 trillion budget on December 18, 2024, under the theme “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Building Prosperity.” However, after extensive deliberations, lawmakers increased the figure by ₦5.2 trillion to accommodate critical national priorities.   The budget breakdown included ₦300 billion…

Senate Urges FG to Rehabilitate Roads, Include North East in Super Highway Projects

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Senate has called on the Federal Government to include the North East in its Super Highway projects, following concerns over the region’s exclusion from the N4.2 trillion road infrastructure initiative.   The motion, moved by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central), highlighted the disparity in road allocations, noting that while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and other major projects received significant funding, only N19 billion was allocated to the North East for two road rehabilitations:   Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road (Adamawa State)…

Top 10 Engineering Courses Students Should Consider for a Successful Career By Amaechi Okoro

Selecting the right engineering course can be a complex decision, given the wide range of fields available. Whether you’re drawn to electrical systems, software development, or mechanical design, engineering offers a variety of specialized paths that can lead to rewarding careers. Many engineering programs emphasize practical learning, equipping students with vital skills in areas such as automation, data analysis, and machine learning. Here, we highlight the top 10 engineering courses that can help students pave the way for a successful career. Why Are Engineering Courses Considered Difficult? Engineering is often…

Gov Bago appoints Prof Sulaiman Hadi as new Vice Chancellor,IBB University

In a move to enhance academic leadership and institutional growth, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has approved the appointment of Professor Sulaiman Mohammed Hadi as the new Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai.   Professor Hadi, who previously served in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was selected after a rigorous screening process conducted by the university’s Governing Council. His appointment takes effect from Monday, February 17, 2025, for a single term of five years.   The announcement was made in…

Senate commends FG on ₦4.2 Trillion Road Project, calls for inclusion of North-East

The Nigerian Senate has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for approving ₦4.2 trillion for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other major road projects across the country.   The motion, moved by Senator Mohammed Danjuma (Gombe Central), acknowledged the significance of this investment in addressing Nigeria’s deplorable road infrastructure, enhancing economic growth, and improving national security. However, the Senate expressed concerns over the limited allocation of projects to the North-East region.   According to reports from ThisDay (February 4, 2025) and Daily Trust (February 5, 2025), the…