Abuja-based herbalist identified as Ismail Usman has sustained a severe injury while testing a self-made bulletproof charm.

Naija News learnt that the incident occurred on November 23 at the Kuchibuyi village in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In a statement on Saturday, the FCT police command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said Usman picked a locally fabricated gun after fortifying himself with the charm he had prepared.

Usman reportedly shot himself in the stomach, and the charm failed to protect him, leaving him severely injured.

Adeh said the police received a distress call from a resident at the incident, stressing that officers from the Byazhin Division arrived at the scene and rushed Usman to Kubwa General Hospital.

The police spokesperson further stated that due to the severity of his injuries, the herbalist was later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, where doctors are working tirelessly to save his life.

She said Usman would face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide, which violates Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.

The statement read, “A distress call from Shandam Michael reported a shocking event involving Ismail Usman, a local herbalist known for his unconventional methods. In a misguided attempt to test the effectiveness of a self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm, Usman shot himself in the stomach with a shotgun.

“Unfortunately, the charm failed to protect him, resulting in life-threatening injuries. Officers from the Byazhin Division responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to find Usman in critical condition. He was quickly transported to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment and later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further care.

“In the aftermath, police conducted a thorough search of Usman’s home, recovering the homemade gun and an array of charms used in his reckless experiment. 

“Investigations are ongoing, and Usman is expected to face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide under Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.

“Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, condemned the incident, highlighting the dangers associated with illegal firearms.”

Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the disbursement of a 13-month salary to Edo State employees.

Additionally, the Governor has instituted a policy that guarantees automatic employment for first-class graduates of Edo origin from any university, whether within Nigeria or abroad, in the state civil service.

This initiative aims to enhance the quality of human resources within the system and to motivate workers, encouraging them to give their utmost effort, says Dr Anthony Okungbowa, the Head of Service.

He further stated that the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is designed to attract high-quality personnel into the system, ensuring effective and efficient service delivery to foster growth and development.

“Mr Governor has approved the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) that brings together First Class graduates and high-grade degrees into the service with a view to developing and ensuring quality manpower in the system.

“Mr Governor has approved it. He approved the policy of bringing in First Class graduates into the Edo State Civil and Public Service be approved. He believes that the policy will help the state bring top-quality talents into the system.

“It is not just bringing them in but also retaining them because retaining them is one of the major challenges facing the programme.

“Mr. Governor is intentional about bringing them in and retaining these top-level talents in the service. The Governor is using this medium to urge all first-class graduates from Edo extraction across all universities in Nigeria and abroad to come over as they will have automatic employment. We are looking at the younger graduates from 2020, but Mr. Governor may extend that.

“We are happy about this and appreciate the Governor because through this, the service will have quality talents in the system.

“For everyone in that programme, they are moved round various Ministries, Departments and Agencies and plans are also on to move them to the private sector to gather more experiences after which they bring will such experiences to bear, to improve the system, to contribute to the development of the State.

“Sustainability depends on you and me since the political will is there and I am happy because it is the direction of government. We are partnering with Edo Innovate to ensure improvement in the programme,” a press release Date November 28, signed and made available to Naija News from the office of Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, reads.

With 30 months left in his tenure, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State remains firmly in office.

However, the political stage is already brimming with activity as ambitious contenders begin their campaigns for the 2027 gubernatorial race.

Both ruling and opposition parties are setting the groundwork, and key players are positioning themselves for the Alausa Round House.

APC’s Frontline Aspirants

In the All Progressives Congress (APC), heavyweights are lining up for a chance to lead Lagos. The list of rumored aspirants includes Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; and Senator Tokunbo Abiru.

The decision on the APC candidate is expected to be influenced by factors such as religion, zoning, indigeneship, and endorsements from influential stakeholders like the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and President Tinubu himself.

Seyi Tinubu, a rising political figure, has received endorsements from various groups, while Speaker Obasa has declared his capability to govern the state, citing his extensive legislative experience. Former Governor Ambode is also in the spotlight, with some party members advocating for his return to balance the 16-year religious leadership cycle between Christians and Muslims.

Opposition Gearing Up

On the other side, opposition parties are not left behind. Abdulaziz Olajide Adediran (Jandor) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) are reportedly preparing to renew their ambitions.

Both figures made notable impacts during the 2023 elections and are now working to realign with their party structures to increase their chances in 2027.

Jandor, who spearheads the Lagos4Lagos movement, continues to rally support among PDP founding members, while Rhodes-Vivour remains a popular figure among Lagos’ younger electorate, particularly in urban centers.

Religious Dynamics in Focus

Religion is poised to play a significant role in determining the next Lagos governor. Sanwo-Olu, a Christian, succeeded Akinwunmi Ambode, also a Christian, bringing the total duration of Christian leadership to 12 years by 2027. Some stakeholders argue that this is a time to maintain the balance by returning power to a Muslim candidate, while others insist on completing a 16-year Christian leadership cycle to match the tenure of Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, both Muslims.

Sanwo-Olu’s Journey and Power Dynamics

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s emergence in 2019 marked a turning point in Lagos politics. The incumbent, Akinwunmi Ambode, was ousted by the APC power bloc led by Bola Tinubu, paving the way for Sanwo-Olu’s candidacy as a consensus choice.

His second-term ambition faced initial challenges, with rumors suggesting other candidates such as Femi Gbajabiamila, now Chief of Staff to the President, and Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Lagos Head of Service, were being considered.

However, public endorsements by Gbajabiamila and Muri-Okunola, coupled with widespread support from party members, solidified Sanwo-Olu’s position, enabling him to secure re-election.

Some APC chieftains were of the opinion that Tinubu is a master planner and can spring surprises at any given time.

Lagos Deputy Governor, Babafemi Hamzat also came into the picture as having plans to succeed Sanwo-Olu but a source told Vanguard that the inner caucus has plans for him to relocate to Epe in order to make a case for the Lagos East Senatorial slot and complete what ought to be Akinwumi Ambode’s card.

Obasa’s Resilience and Ambition

Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the longest-serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is another key figure to watch. During the 2025 budget presentation, Obasa addressed speculation about his governorship ambitions. While emphasizing his commitment to strengthening the APC, he did not rule out the possibility of running.

“Becoming governor is secondary,” Obasa said. “However, I am not too young or inexperienced to lead. My focus remains on building our party and ensuring that our state’s governance continues to thrive.”

Obasa’s grassroots connections and influence within the Mandate Group, an influential faction in Lagos APC politics, make him a formidable contender.

Opposition Realignment

In the PDP, Jandor is strengthening his ties with party stalwarts and aligning his Lagos4Lagos movement with broader PDP interests. Similarly, Rhodes-Vivour, who gained significant traction in the 2023 elections, is leveraging his popularity to position himself as a strong contender.

The Road Ahead

As the race for the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial election heats up, all eyes are on the APC’s eventual candidate. The decision will likely come down to internal party dynamics, religious considerations, and endorsements from key figures, including President Tinubu. For the opposition, unity and strategic alliances will be crucial in challenging the APC’s dominance.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s university community have expressed divergent views on the federal government’s cancellation of foreign training for the country’s scholars.

While some applauded the measure, others described it as retrogressive and parochial.

At the opening of a three-day conference organised by the British Council in Abuja on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said university lecturers would henceforth be trained in Nigeria.

He said the federal government would be spending substantial money on building a simulation lab, as well as developing the universities to save costs.

Alausa said, “We have just decided to cancel foreign training for scholars. The amount of money we are spending to train one scholar abroad could use it to train 20 people here. We will be training everybody here.

“We will unleash capacity in our universities. We are going to be spending more money now on research, innovation, and also on welfare, both on our academics and non-academics.”

Two days later, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) also announced the suspension of the foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention, effective January 1, 2025.

It said suspension was in response to the excessive cost of training in foreign institutions, as well as the high rate of abscondment among foreign scholars.

In separate reactions to the decision, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), students, and other stakeholders urged the government to redirect the savings from the ban into upgrading local universities.

They also called for increased investment in the domestic higher education sector to enhance the quality of education and reduce reliance on studying abroad.

The coordinator of ASUU, Abuja Zone, Dr Salahu Mohammed Lawal, advocated for the reinvestment of saved funds into Nigerian education to improve infrastructure and access.

He said foreign training cuts could benefit local education if the funds are properly directed.

Lawal charged the government to channel the savings into upgrading university infrastructure and increasing access to higher education for more Nigerians.

He said, “The news came with mixed feelings. First, it is good for Nigerian education if the expected money can be plunged into the university system to upgrade facilities. The issue of world-class education and research opportunities is nothing more than the commitment of resources to the sector. Thus, the saved money can be used for that.

“Second, the saved money can be used for more candidates within Nigeria to access higher education and research opportunities.”

On her part, Prof Maryam Abdu of the Kaduna State University said the suspension was caused by the deteriorating exchange rate, which has made it uneconomical for the government to continue with foreign training.

“The rate of US$1 to N1,780 or thereabouts is extremely expensive. Revenues in Nigeria, especially foreign exchange, are not forthcoming nor encouraging enough to continue to finance such programmes.

“The biggest challenge is that Nigerian institutions don’t have the capacity and infrastructure to absorb all the students. There are some courses that are not offered in Nigerian universities, which would further compound the problem,” she asserted.

Prof Abdu, however, urged the government to reconsider the issue and make scholarships available for some courses.

Similarly, the president of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), Comrade Peter Oche Josiah, said the action could limit access to specialised programmes and global exposure, affecting students’ career prospects and aspirations.

To address this, he said the government should focus on improving local universities by increasing funding, building infrastructure, and fostering international partnerships.

“While local institutions face challenges, with the right investments, they could provide quality education and research opportunities.

“This policy could initially reduce Nigeria’s attractiveness to international students unless significant reforms are made to elevate local education standards. Ultimately, the success of this policy depends on the government’s commitment to transforming local universities into world-class institutions.”

He also proposed a range of solutions or alternatives to the government, including strengthening domestic educational institutions, collaboration with international institutions, scholarships and grants for online learning, support for private sector involvement, improvement of research and development (R&D) in Nigeria, public awareness campaigns, and fostering innovation in education delivery.

A lawyer and public affairs analyst, Barr Carl Umegboro, knocked the policy, saying it was weak and weird.

“It’s more or less throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Whilst I concede there has been gross abuse of the policy, however, it is not sufficient to vote against it in entirety.”

According to him, all that is needed is to fight the abuse only by tightening the policy with checks and balances particularly by tying their participation to visible tasks and projects that must be completed after the main study time abroad. Irrefutably, going out there affords the scholars opportunity to interact with the global audience and space, and by doing so, they are able to measure our growth levels so we are not left behind all the time.

“This seclusive thinking is what has kept Nigeria trailing on every side of development. We measure our currency against foreign currencies, yet we want to cocoon the intellectual property by subjecting it to local standards.

“In science for instance, there are some kinds of knowledge that could only be acquired properly through hands-on experience obtainable from specific locations. Not until you go there, you may never know more than what you knew.

“The experiences scholars get during those programmes like the practical hands-on experience that broaden their scope of knowledge are enormous and very important. And those added knowledge usually come through those foreign programmes. And again, travelling, they say, is the best form of learning. Suffice it to say that shutting the door entirely on account of abuses is unacceptable,” Umegboro stated.

Similarly, some parents and students have expressed reservation over the new policy of the government.

They contended that knowledge is not stagnant as training goes beyond acquiring knowledge without practical knowledge that may not be available locally.

A medical student at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Azeez Abidemi, said new medical grounds were being broken worldwide and wondered how their lecturers could benefit from such research if they are limited to Nigeria.

Also, a parent, Mr Olayiwola Atanda, said technology was advancing on a daily basis and the need to go outside the box for lecturers to acquire knowledge cannot be over-emphasised.

The speakers asked the government to rethink the measure especially when it was spending so much on overseas trips for officials on trivial issues.