The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across the country to look out for the new moon of Shawwal 1446AH on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

In a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Friday by the Waziri of Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs at the Sultanate Council, the sighting of the new moon will determine the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid el-Fitr.

According to the statement, “March 29 marks the 29th day of Ramadan 1446AH, making it the first possible day for moon sighting.

“The Sultan has urged anyone who sights the moon to report their observations through the designated phone numbers provided in the release.

The numbers listed for reporting moon sightings are: 08037157100, 08066303077, 08035965322, 08035945903 amd 07067146900.

Muslims are encouraged to participate in the moon sighting exercise as it plays a crucial role in determining the official date for Eid celebrations. If the new moon is confirmed, it will signal the beginning of Shawwal and mark the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.

The statement said the Sultanate Council would announce the final decision on Eid based on verified moon sightings.

Yoruba Fuji musician, Alhaji Taye Adebisi, popularly known as Taye Currency, has declared that his popular Fuji colleague, Wasiu Alabi aka Pasuma, is his boss, while referring to his counterpart, Saheed Osupa, as his colleague.

Taye Currency made this known in an interview last week Thursday with Akede Ariya, during which he explained his relationship and how he met Pasuma.

According to him, he had never learned the art of Fuji music from Pasuma, but his love for him was unmatched, stressing the protege’s humility as one of the things that struck him.

He noted that he wasn’t in any altercation with Pasuma, alluding that it was just a mere misunderstanding.

“I met Pasuma in 1993, and since then we have been together. I didn’t learn Fuji music from him, I just love him because he is a humble person. It is not that I’m disrespecting him or anything. I wasn’t his drummer or backup singer. He was in Lagos, and I was in Ibadan. So, the controversy between us was caused by fan reactions. We are not fighting. Those who are insulting us are berating and disrespecting us.

“Anybody who has known each other for 30 years, even as a boss and a worker, is liable to have misunderstandings. We are not the first to have a misunderstanding, but it is our fans who are prolonging it. Pasuma is not a troublesome person, nor am I. So I have asked people the questions repeatedly; how did I insult Pasuma, what did I insult Pasuma with?

“Obesere, who is now a leader for us in Fuji music, is my brother. Saheed Osupa, on the other hand, is my colleague; I know him just as a singer. But Pasuma is my boss because I admit it,” he added.

Recall that in October 2024, the Ibadan-born singer disapproved of fans referring to Pasuma as his ‘father’ in the music industry.

He clarified that Pasuma was more like an elder brother to him and emphasised that he can’t father him.

These remarks ignited a flurry of online discussions, with Pasuma’s fans criticising him for the comments.

However, in a new plot twist, when Taye Currency met Pasuma in Mecca on Wednesday, during the ongoing Umrah 2025, he said his words were misinterpreted and expressed regret for any offence caused by his remarks.

In the viral video, he apologised to Pasuma and anyone hurt by his statements regarding the 56-year-old artist.

He acknowledged the ‘Recognition’ hitmaker as his superior, emphasising that he never insulted him.

He affirmed respect for Pasuma and his commitment to him.

Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1tn economy by 2031 faces risks due to gaps in digital infrastructure, including broadband connectivity and data centres, telecom executives said on Thursday.

Shortly after assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the $1tn target, setting an eight-year timeline to achieve the goal by 2031.

Nigeria and other African nations, except South Africa, account for less than one per cent of global data centre capacity, with South Africa holding around 50 per cent of Africa’s total.

This shortfall, the industry leaders said, limits digital services and discourages foreign investment. However, they called for increased investment in broadband expansion, data centres, and cybersecurity to drive economic growth.

“The future of our digital economy depends on the seamless integration of connectivity, power, and data centers,” the Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centre, Dr Ayotunde Coker, said at the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum in Lagos.

The executive, who played a key role in Rack Centre before joining OADC, called for greater collaboration between private and public stakeholders.

Nigeria plans to deploy 90,000km of fibre optic cables nationwide, starting in late 2025.

The $2bn project, backed by the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank, will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership, with the government holding a 25-49 per cent stake in a Special Purpose Vehicle.

Coker emphasised the direct economic impact of broadband penetration, stating that a 10 per cent increase could contribute to 2.5 per cent GDP growth.

As of January 2025, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 45.61 per cent according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.

He pointed out that connectivity, data centres, and power must be aligned to ensure digital resilience.

The Chief Executive Officer of Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson, said strong asset protection policies were essential to attracting foreign investment.

Johannisson said each megawatt of data centre capacity required an investment of about €12-15m, with 70 megawatts in the pipeline.

He called for the decentralisation of data centres beyond Lagos to improve access and affordability, citing the need for edge infrastructure across the country.

“If inefficiencies drive up costs, digital services will remain out of reach for large segments of the population,” he said.

He said maintaining cost-effective infrastructure investments would be critical to achieving Nigeria’s target of 80 per cent broadband penetration by 2030.

“Ireland is a prime example of how a stable regulatory and power supply environment can attract foreign direct investment,” the Director of Legal (Global and Regional Business Affairs) at Equinix, Abayomi Adebanjo, noted, urging Nigerian policymakers to adopt similar strategies.

Adebanjo also identified major gaps in Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure framework, urging the government to take a more active role in enforcing protection programmes.

He cited persistent issues such as fibre cable theft and legal obstacles in prosecuting offenders as deterrents to investment.

The United States has paused contributions to the World Trade Organization, WTO, as President Donald Trump’s administration ramps up efforts to cut government spending.

The Trump administration is said to be retreating from global institutions it sees as at odds with his “America First” economic policies.

The administration plans to quit some, such as the World Health Organization, and has cut contributions to others as part of a broad review of federal spending.

It was gathered that the WTO has already been hobbled by a US move in 2019 during Trump’s first term to block new judge appointments to its top appeals court, which left its key dispute settlement system only partially functional.

Also, the US had accused the WTO Appellate Body of judicial overreach in trade disputes.

DAILY POST reports that the Geneva-based trade watchdog had an annual budget of 205 million Swiss francs ($232.06 million) in 2024.

According to public WTO documents, the United States was due to contribute about 11% of that based on a fees system that is proportionate to its share of global trade.

On March 4, a US delegate told WTO budget meeting that its payments to the 2024 and 2025 budgets were on hold pending a review of contributions to international organisations and that it would inform the WTO of the outcome at an unspecified date.

At the time of filing this report, The White House is yet to comment on the development.

According to a State Department spokesperson, Trump last month signed an executive order directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review within 180 days all international organizations the US is a member of to determine if they are contrary to US interests

The Kano State Police Command has returned the sum of N4,850,000 recovered ransom paid in a recent kidnapping incident to its rightful owner.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa said the victim, a resident of Zakirai Town in Gabasawa local government area, was abducted on March 8, 2025.

Kiyawa said the kidnappers demanded N15 million as ransom for the release of the victim.

However, through a technical-based operation and intelligence-driven investigation, officers of the Police Command apprehended five suspects and rescued the victim on March 17, 2025.

“The recovered funds were handed over to the owner through the Local Government Chairman of Gabasawa LGA, Hon. Pharm Sagir Usman Abubakar.

“The Chairman expressed his appreciation to the Kano Police for their swift response and professionalism in handling the case,” the statement said.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori reiterated the commitment of the Command to protecting lives and property.

He further urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information to help combat crime.

The House of Representatives has passed through second reading, a bill seeking to return the country to a parliamentary system of government and replace the present presidential system being practised.

The proposed legislation is titled; “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Office of the Prime Minister as Head of Government and the Office of President as Head of State and to Provide for a Framework for the Mode of Election to the Said Offices and for Related Matters (HB.1115).”

Sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and 59 others, the bill was amongst the 31 Constitution alterations pieces of legislations were read for the second time at the plenary on Thursday.

The proposed legislations seeks to replace the President with a Prime Minister to serve as the Head of Government and establish the office of the President as a ceremonial leader with the elective offices chosen from the elected members of the legislature.

It also intends to shift the process of electing Governors and Chairmen of Local Governments from general elections to voting within their respective legislative bodies, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and foster closer collaboration between the executive and legislative branches.

Another key bill which passed second reading is the one seeking to alter Sections 134 (1)(a), 2(a), (4)(a) and 179 (2)(a) and (3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution by changing the system of the simple majority of electing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State Governors where there are more than two candidates to ensure the winner scores more than half of the total votes cast.

Sponsored by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante(PDP, Rivers) the bill seeks to correct the lacunae in the present system of the election where a run-off election would be conducted to ensure that the winners in the Presidential and Governorship elections score more than half of the total votes cast.

This is to ensure: ”a more legitimate outcome of election; more legitimate outcome of election; more popular candidates emerges; the majority wish prevails, and Consensus building.

Relatedly, the bill for an act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 to review the requirements that qualifies a persons to be elected as President and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governors and Deputy Governors.

Sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere(PDP, Imo) the bills seeks to make Bachelor’s Degree mandatory qualification for the offices and barred those above 60 years from seeking election into these positions.

Equally passed is bill for an act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Set Time within which civil and criminal cases and matters are heard and determined at trial and appellate courts in order to eliminate unnecessary delay in justice administration and delivery.

Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers, the bill seeks to provide for the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) to set time within which the matters are heard and determined at trial and appellate courts in order to eliminate unnecessary delays in justice administration and delivery.

According to the bill’s draft, “In any civil or criminal matter except in election petition, a trial superior court of record shall deliver its judgement in writing within 270 days from the date of the filing of civil or criminal matter. In any civil or criminal matter except in election petition, a trial inferior court of record or tribunal shall deliver its judgement in writing within 210 days from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter.

Other bills which scaled second reading include those for: the creation of Wan state in North-central and Gobir state in Northwest; Bende North Local Government Area Out of the Present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, to Rename Bende Local Government Area as Bende South Local Government Area of Abia State, Ughievwen Local Government Area in Delta State, Additional Local Government Areas in Enugu State,

additional Local Government Area in Imo State to be known as Ideato West Local Government Area, Moriki Local Government Area from the present Zurmi Local Government, Zamfara State.

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, has reassured Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was doing all it could to improve the country and make life better for the citizens.

She spoke at the Iftar (breaking of fast) with former First Ladies of Nigeria, female National Assembly Members, wives of National Assembly members, and others, at the State House in Abuja, on Thursday.

Senator (Mrs) Tinubu, in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, admonished everyone to take one person at a time and lend a helping hand to such, as this will go a long way in ameliorating the hardship of others.

The First Lady, who noted that Ramadan and Lent season coincided this year, said it was something that God had ordained before time.

“It is the time of sober reflection for our Muslim brothers and sisters and even the Christian brothers and sisters, they are having the Lent. God had ordained it to be so even at this time in a nation,” she stated.

The First Lady urged the Muslim ummah to continue in the virtues, which they exhibited during the Ramadan, and they should always pray for God‘s mercy.

Earlier, the wife of the Vice President, in her welcome remarks, thanked the First Lady for the Iftar.

She urged everyone to remember President Bola Tinubu and indeed the nation in prayers at all times.

The vice chancellor of Azman University, Kano, Professor Fatima Mukhtar, gave the lecture on the spiritual significance and teachings of Ramadan.

Special prayers were also offered for the nation, the president and the entire citizens

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, has opposed the move to immortalise Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC).

Speaking on Thursday during a senate debate on a motion sponsored by Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia south, Oshiomhole argued that Nwosu did not deserve such recognition.

Nwosu, who chaired NEC from 1989 to 1993, died in October 2024 at the age of 83. He is set to be buried on Saturday in his home state, Anambra.

Oshiomhole accused Nwosu and the then military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, of deceiving Nigerians who turned out to vote in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, only for the process to be annulled.

“Professor Nwosu and President Babangida fooled the 18 million Nigerians who voted. If he was afraid of the gun because we were under a dictatorship, some people might say, ‘Well, there were Nigerians who protested under the gun without minding the consequences,’” Oshiomhole said.

“After the end of Babangida’s tenure, the death of Abiola, and the birth of the new democracy that produced President Obasanjo, I would have expected Nwosu to say — either on his birthday or on a special occasion — ‘I couldn’t declare these numbers then, but now, on my record, Abiola won this election. I just wasn’t able to announce it.’

“He died without confession; he cannot be rewarded.”

Oshiomhole also said some of the contents of the motion brought to the senate by Abaribe were “manipulative”.

The former governor of Edo state attributed the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election to Nwosu’s “failure” to officially declare the results, adding that the decision ultimately derailed the democratic process.

“We cannot distort history in this senate. If Professor Nwosu had the courage to announce the winner, and dare the consequences, it would have been different. When it matters most, his courage failed him,” Oshiomhole added.

The house of representatives is considering conferring citizenship rights on foreigners married to Nigerian women.

The bill, which is sponsored by Akin Alabi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Egbeda federal constituency of Oyo state, passed a second reading during plenary on Thursday.

The bill seeks to amend section 26 of the 1999 constitution, which addresses citizenship by registration.

Currently, section 26(1) states that a “person to whom the provisions of this section apply may be registered” as a citizen of Nigeria, if the president is satisfied that:

(a) they are of good character;

(b) they have demonstrated a clear intention to reside in Nigeria; and

(c) they have taken the oath of allegiance prescribed in the seventh schedule of the constitution.

Section 26 (2) (a) stipulates that the provisions of this section shall apply to any woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria.

Section 26(2)(b) extends eligibility to any person of full age and capacity born outside Nigeria, provided that at least one of their grandparents was a Nigerian citizen.

The proposed amendment seeks to replace the word “woman” in section 26(2)(a) with “person”, thereby making the provision gender-neutral.

SPECIFIC SEATS FOR WOMEN

A bill seeking to create “specific seats” for women in the national and state houses of assembly also passed second reading.

The bill is sponsored by Kafilat Ogbara, a lawmaker from Lagos state.

Similarly, a bill to ensure the inclusion of youths and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in political appointments scaled second reading.

Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Imo, is the bill’s sponsor

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Kano state is already secured for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Akpabio spoke on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to Basheer Lado, the special adviser to the president on senate matters.

He said with Lado, Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, and Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the APC, “Kano is firmly secured for the ruling party” ahead of the 2027 polls.

He said in the past eight months since Basheer Lado assumed office, there have been no leaks of presidential communications to the upper chamber.

The senate president described Lado’s performance as unprecedented, noting that he has significantly improved communication between the senate and Tinubu.

“Let me put on record that since Senator Lado’s assumption of office as special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on national assembly (senate matters), we have not had a single leakage of private communication between the presidency and the senate,” Akpabio said.

“We have not had a single incidence of leakage. Because in government, that’s what we call the right to know. The right to know.

“And then, of course, where government business is done, on pages of newspapers and social media through leakages of information, it negatively rubs off on national security.

“So, I want to thank you for upholding the tenets of what the government should be, what separation of powers is all about.

“Your performance in office generally within the last eight months is unprecedented by transforming the office itself and making the synergy between the executive and legislature more robust and rewarding for the good of all.

“You are, no doubt, a man of colour, a man of excellence, a man of style who stepped into an office and transformed it for better result delivery.

“Ahead of 2027, with the deputy president of the senate, the national chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and your strategic self, Kano is already in the kitty of APC.”

Lado, in his welcome speech, said that in Akpabio, Tinubu has found not only a dependable ally but a statesman who understands the delicate art of governance and the importance of cooperation over confrontation.

“Mr. Senate President, your presence here is not only symbolic of the harmony between the executive and the legislature; it is a testament to the power of unity, the strength of shared vision, and the boundless possibilities when leadership is anchored on service,” he said.

“Your Excellency, permit me to especially commend your steadfast and visible support for our president, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“In you, Mr. President has found not only a dependable ally but a statesman who understands the delicate art of governance and the importance of cooperation over confrontation.

“You have not merely walked alongside the president; you have championed his renewed hope agenda with conviction, defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.”