Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has emphasised the importance of responding quickly to pressing issues affecting Nigeria.

Speaking at the Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto Remembrance Day event in Kaduna yesterday, he emphasised the importance of Nigerians reflecting on the country’s potential, describing it as a “Blessed but disorganised land.”

He revisited historical events, particularly the 1963 disagreement over the introduction of petroleum in Nigeria.

According to him, “The late Sardauna of Sokoto’s insistence on refining oil in Nigeria played a significant role in his persecution.

“He made bold efforts to ensure Nigeria’s economic independence, a vision that remains unfulfilled.”

Al-Mustapha lamented the state of the Northern region, describing it as being left in a state of neglect following the loss of its leaders.

He added, “To restore the Northern region’s honour, security, education and economy, we have to have respect for traditional leaders and revive the values, fearlessness, courage, authenticity, and teamwork of Sardaunan.”

Earlier, the National President of the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID), Malam Balarabe Rufai urged Northern leaders to embrace the visionary leadership of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, as a blueprint for sustainable development in the region.

Rufai highlighted the exemplary leadership of the Sardauna, whose legacy focused on education, agricultural growth, and infrastructure development.

One of the contestants to the throne of Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, has approached a court of law to challenge the appointment and presentation of the staff of office to Prince Akeem Owoade as the new and 46th Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Gbadegesin, who the majority of Oyo’s Kingmakers (Oyomesi) designated as the next Alaafin, is appealing that the court set aside the appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Oba Owoade carried out by the Oyo State governor.

In a pre-action notice, signed by his legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN, a copy of which was addressed to the governor, he insisted that the Governor Makinde’s actions run foul of the Oyo State Chiefs’ Law 2000.

“By announcing a different candidate, the Governor has usurped the powers of the Oyomesi, violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which makes the Oyomesi the sole authority for the selection of the Alaafin.

“The Governor’s alleged reliance on Ifa consultation contradicts the judgement of the Oyo State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifa consultation in the selection process unlawful, as It Is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, and the allegations of bribery by two Oyomesi members, raised over a year after the selection, lack credibility and were not formally communicated to the Governor or investigated,” the letter read.

The lawyer noted that Gbadegesin was seeking “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null and void” and a declaration that he “was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”

Nigerian music sensation, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly called Wizkid, has become Africa’s biggest earner on Spotify.

Music statistics monitoring platform Chart Masters recently revealed artists’ monthly earnings on Spotify around the world with Wizkid emerging as Africa’s biggest earner with $1 million.

While Canadian rapper Drake and American singer, Taylor Swift, are the world’s biggest earners on Spotify with $7,717,904 and $7,713,106, respectively, the list of Africa’s top 10 earners is dominated by Nigerians, except for South Africa’s Tyla.

Hereunder is the list of the top 10 African earners on Spotify:

1. Wizkid – $1 million

2. Burna Boy – $782,148

3. Tems – $660,210

4. Tyla – $607,804

5. Davido – $458,615

6. Asake – $451,553

7. Omah Lay – $421,123

8. Ayra Starr – $400,972

9. Rema – $367,973

Bandits have attacked the General Hospital in Kankara local government area of Katsina State, shooting a medical doctor and kidnapping an unknown number of hospital staff.

The attack occurred around 7:00pm on Tuesday night, during which Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire was shot.

According to a resident of the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the bandits invaded the hospital premises in a coordinated attack, creating panic among staff and patients and shot sporadically.

The resident confirmed that the injured doctor, who was shot in the leg, is currently alive and receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

Dr. Dandashire, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in Kaduna State, who garnered 13 awards including ‘overall best graduating student’ in the Class of 2019, was shot at the General Hospital while attending to patients who came to seek medical intervention.

Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that two people were injured, while three others were kidnapped during a bandit attack that occurred on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Kankara General Hospital in the state.

A statement issued by the police spokesman, DSP Sadiq Aliyu, said the attack occurred at approximately 8:20pm when armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles stormed the hospital, opening fire and causing panic among staff and patients.

The assailants targeted the hospital, shooting sporadically before security forces from the Kankara Divisional Police Headquarters arrived.

The ensuing gunfight between the assailants and police disrupted the attack and forcing the bandits to flee.

However, two individuals including 30-year-old Dr. Murtala Saleh who was shot in the right thigh, and Kamala Suleiman, 20, sustained a gunshot wound to his knee during the incident.

Both victims were promptly taken to a medical facility and are reported to be in stable condition.

However, amidst the chaos, the bandits abducted three people whose identities are being withheld by authorities for security reasons.

Commissioner of Police of the Command, CP Aliyu Musa, has condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless assault on healthcare workers and facilities.

CP Musa has ordered an intensified manhunt for the perpetrators and deployed additional police units to the area to enhance security and aid in the search and rescue efforts.

“Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and the arrest of the assailants,” said DSP Aliyu.

The police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity that could aid in apprehending the attackers.

Police said further updates on the investigation and rescue operations will be provided as developments occur.

Doctor gives ex-girlfriend two goats as compensation for dumping her

Bindura District Medical Officer Dr Tonderai Chiwawa has become the centre of social media discussions after reportedly offering two goats as compensation to his pregnant girlfriend, Karen Tandanguni, following their breakup.

 The controversy has escalated, with Karen, 25, dragging the married doctor to a traditional court over the matter.

Karen claims their relationship began in November 2022, during which Dr Chiwawa allegedly promised to marry her and even introduced her to some of his relatives. However, she revealed that some of his family members warned her about his history of three marriages and multiple children. After their breakup, Karen stated that the doctor offered her two goats as compensation, which she rejected, considering it an insult.
 
The situation has taken a more serious turn with Karen accusing Dr. Chiwawa of pressuring her to terminate the pregnancy and allegedly threatening her when she refused. "I also fear for my life because he said he is prepared to harm me if I keep the child," she stated.

Karen has since reported the matter to the Bindura Police Station, including a theft complaint after her phone, which contained incriminating messages, was stolen. The case is now set to be heard before Chief Masembura on January 19 for resolution.

Dr Chiwawa, however, has denied the allegations, claiming he only knows Karen from the neighbourhood and dismissing her accusations as an attempt to tarnish his image. "I know the girl from around, and I don't care whatever she says. You can write all the information she tells you. She just wants to tarnish my image," he stated.

Meta has announced plans to lay off approximately five percent of its workforce.

The move, outlined in a memo obtained by Bloomberg, is part of a broader strategy to raise performance standards as the company gears up for what Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Meta, described as an “intense year”.

In the memo, Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s dedication to developing transformative technologies and shared the company’s goal of building teams with the brightest talent.

He added that the company’s updated performance management approach will accelerate the process of addressing low performance.

“Meta is working on building some of the most important technologies of the world. AI, glasses as the next computing platform and the future of social media. This is going to be an intense year, and I want to make sure we have the best people on our teams,” the memo reads.

“We typically manage out people who aren’t meeting expectations over the course of a year, but now we’re going to do more extensive performance-based cuts during this cycle, with the intention of back filling these roles in 2025.”

Meta has more than 72,000 employees, according to its most recent quarterly report.

In a report by CNBC, an unnamed director at the company confirmed that the latest reduction expected to be completed by February 10, 2025, will affect about 3,600 employees.

The decision also comes amid significant operational shifts at Meta.

On January 7, Zuckerberg announced plans to replace third-party fact-checkers with a community notes system, similar to Elon Musk’s X platform, and to reinstate more political content on the platform.

The tech mogul had also revealed plans for artificial intelligence (AI) to take over the roles of mid-level software engineers at Meta.

Legendary Nigerian singer Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia has melted hearts on social media after going all out to celebrate his son, Nino Idibia, on his 19th birthday.

The proud father marked the milestone with a grand gesture by gifting Nino a brand-new car, a Mikano vehicle. The moment, which was captured in a viral video, has left fans buzzing with excitement.

The video, now trending online, shows Nino’s priceless reaction as he sees the luxurious car for the first time.

In a heartfelt moment, Nino, overwhelmed with joy, hugged his father tightly, expressing gratitude for the surprise.

In the clip, Nino is later seen test-driving the sleek ride, grinning from ear to ear as friends and family cheered him on.

The video has drawn an outpouring of reactions on social media. Fans showered Nino with congratulatory messages. Many praised 2Baba for his love and dedication to his children, calling him a role model for other fathers.

Watch the video below:

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says 90 percent of expatriates doing jobs meant for Nigerians lack proper work permits.

Tunji-Ojo said this on Wednesday when he appeared before the joint national assembly joint committees on interior to defend the budget of the interior ministry.

Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the senate committee on interior, had said the ministry is allowing a lot of expatriates to come into the country to do the jobs meant for Nigerians.

“No country in the world allows all manner of people to come under all kinds of guises and they are given visas and whatever it is to reside in the country,” Oshiomhole said.

“Visit the commercial centres, you will find expatriates selling tables, chairs, bread – but they are clearly jobs that Nigerians can do.”

In response, the minister said Nigeria needs to solve the problem of “migration management”, adding that there are issues he is not at liberty to discuss in public, but in a closed session.

“We try to solve compound problems by solving them in silos… 90 percent of the people that you spoke about do not have permits and that is the essence of the automation process that we are doing,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“When you go to any country in the world, effective border management is the basis of your home migration management.”

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserve dropped by $435.40 million in one week.

According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the FX reserve fell from $40.92 billion on January 6 to $40.48 billion on January 14.

The record showed that the country’s foreign reserves declined from $40.92 billion on January 6, to $40.91 billion on January 7, $40.85 billion on January 8, and $40.80 billion on January 9.

Further analysis showed that on January 10, the reserves fell further to $40.75 billion, with the downward trajectory extending to $40.56 billion on January 13, and $40.48 billion on January 14.

Within seven days, the reserves declined by $435.40 billion amid efforts by the CBN to increase liquidity in the FX market and stabilise the naira.

Speaking to Charles Abuede, research lead at Cowry Asset Management Limited, said the gradual depletion in Nigeria’s FX reserves could be a result of a halt in FX inflows into Nigeria.

“This could also be an effort of the CBN to defend the naira at the market in a bid to shore up its value,” Abuede said.

“The Nigerian government’s revenues continue to stay weak over the years while expenditure continues its rise, thus, keeping us in a negative position in our fiscal balance. 

“To bring about a rise in the reserves levels, Nigeria needs to improve and sustain crude oil production and sales for more earnings.

“Incentives to spur diaspora remittance inflows, coherent FX policy reforms aimed at creating balance in the FX market and to drive FDI inflows.”

The analyst also said CBN’s intensified efforts “could bring some level of calm on the naira and we will see upward movement in the reserves”.

On December 18, 2024, the CBN said it had granted eligible bureau de change (BDC) operators temporary access to the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) to purchase $25,000 weekly from December 19 to January 30.

The apex bank said BDCs will purchase foreign exchange (FX) from authorised dealers to meet retail market demand.