Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The spokesperson for the eight contending Kano Central Senatorial District aspirants, Usman Bala, has said that their decision to withdraw in favour of former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, was the result of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s intervention and the deep respect they have for him.

Usman Bala noted that all eight aspirants unanimously agreed to the governor’s peace initiative, describing it as a wise and timely intervention that helped unite all contending interests towards a common goal.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who successfully resolved the lingering dispute surrounding the Kano Central Senatorial ticket, said the development has paved the way for Shekarau to emerge as the consensus candidate.

The breakthrough followed a high-level reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Yusuf in Abuja, where all aspirants and major stakeholders agreed to close ranks in the interest of unity, progress, and the political future of Kano State.

Following the Governor’s intervention, eight aspirants voluntarily withdrew their ambitions and threw their weight behind Senator Shekarau as the consensus flagbearer for Kano Central under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kano Central, regarded as Nigeria’s largest senatorial district, comprises 15 local government areas with a population estimated at over 10 million people, making the consensus arrangement a major political milestone with far-reaching implications for the state and the nation’s democratic process.

Governor Yusuf commended the aspirants for placing the collective interest of the people above personal ambition. He described their decision as a bold demonstration of maturity, sacrifice, and commitment to strengthening democratic values.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue promoting dialogue, inclusion, and consensus-building as vital tools for political stability and sustainable development.

He expressed confidence that the new understanding reached by all parties would further consolidate unity and strengthen Kano’s political influence at the national level.

In his response, Shekarau lauded the governor’s efforts in facilitating lasting peace among the aspirants.

He also expressed profound appreciation to the contenders for agreeing to throw their support behind him and other APC candidates in the best interest of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

We stepped down for Shekarau after Gov Yusuf’s intervention – Kano Senate aspirants

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFund), Architect Sonny Echono, has disclosed that four of the six proposed multi-purpose zonal laboratories across Nigeria will be equipped and become operational before 2027.

Echono made this known in Abuja over the weekend while receiving the report of the Advisory Committee on the Equipping of TETFund Multipurpose Zonal Laboratories.

The committee is chaired by Chris Maiyaki, a former acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.

The committee was inaugurated on February 17, 2026, with the mandate to advise TETFund on the most effective equipment for the six central multi-purpose laboratories located across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

Speaking during the presentation, Echono stated that the establishment of the laboratories had been a long-standing national aspiration, dating back over a decade.

He explained that progress was delayed after the government at the time opted to establish new universities instead of the proposed regional research facilities.

According to him, recent developments in science, technology, and public health have reinforced the urgent need for world-class laboratories that can support Nigeria’s industrial transformation and research ecosystem.

He said the country was in dire need of these facilities as engines of growth to stimulate industrial transformation and research.

“The flagship of these efforts is these multi-purpose laboratories. They will wipe away our sense of shame and restore our national pride,” he added.

Echono explained that the projects were being implemented in phases due to funding constraints.
Kano is among the first batch of institutions and will be ready to receive equipment before August this year.

Three other laboratories are expected to reach completion stages by February next year, bringing the number of operational facilities to four before 2027.

He said TETFund decided to synchronise the procurement and installation of equipment with the completion of the buildings to avoid commissioning empty structures.

“We thought it wise rather than wait and commission empty buildings, it was good to synchronise also the equipment phase so we will start the equipment procurement and installation from Kano, which is ready to receive them,” he said.

Echono also revealed that members of the advisory committee would continue to participate in the implementation process by verifying that supplied equipment met approved specifications and quality standards.

He added that the Fund was prepared to send some committee members for pre-shipment inspection to ensure the right quality was delivered.

Earlier, Maiyaki said the committee reviewed key policy documents, including earlier reports on the proposed laboratories, and conducted verification visits to the six host institutions.

The institutions are Bayero University Kano, Yakubu Gowon University, University of Lagos, University of Maiduguri, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and University of Port Harcourt.

Maiyaki noted that construction levels differed significantly across the sites.

He explained that Bayero University Kano recorded the most progress at about 80 per cent completion, while the University of Maiduguri and University of Nigeria facilities remained at early construction stages.

He warned against installing sophisticated scientific equipment in incomplete structures, saying such assets could suffer irreversible damage.

“The committee believes strongly that the equipment procurement and installation must be synchronised with the readiness of the buildings,” he stated.

Maiyaki said the facilities would significantly improve research output, postgraduate studies, innovation, and technological development in the country.

He added that the committee had developed a comprehensive multidisciplinary equipment list covering physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, computing, information technology, and specialised laboratory systems.

Kano, Three Others To Get TETfund Mega Labs Before 2027 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Premier League has explained why Calum Wilson’s late goal for West Ham against Arsenal, was ruled out by VAR.

The Gunners were heading to a 1-0 win, thanks to Leandro Trossard’s late goal, when Wilson forced the ball home.

Although the goal was awarded on the pitch, the referee was advised to review it on the on-field screen.

The goal was eventually ruled out and Arsenal went five points clear of Manchester City with two games left.

A short statement from the Premier League match centre via X, read: “#WHUARS, external – 90+5’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to West Ham United. Referee announcement: “After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free kick.”

Premier League releases statement on West Ham’s cancelled goal against Arsenal

Two men were killed and four others injured after three gunmen opened fire on people socialising outside a tavern in Langlaagte, west of Johannesburg, early Sunday morning in South Africa.

South Africa’s Gauteng provincial police spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, said more than 40 people were gathered outside the tavern drinking when the armed suspects approached and opened fire without warning.

The attack occurred around 3 a.m. Two men died at the scene from gunshot wounds, while four others were taken to hospital for treatment. The suspects fled immediately after the shooting.

“The suspects are unknown at this stage, and the motive for the attack is yet to be determined,” Sibeko said.

Police are investigating two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder.

Authorities urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Crime Stop Line on 08600 10111 or submit information through the MySAPS App.

South Africa records one of the highest homicide rates globally, with more than 26,000 murders reported in 2024. Taverns have frequently been targeted in mass shootings across the country.

The incident adds to growing concerns over gun violence in parts of the country.

In a separate case, five people were shot in two incidents in the Elsies River area earlier in the week, including a 39-year-old woman who was killed after being caught in crossfire during a shootout involving two vehicles.

Gun Attack In South Africa Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is “not over” until Tehran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is removed and its nuclear enrichment sites are dismantled.

In an interview that aired Sunday on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Netanyahu told correspondent Major Garrett that highly enriched uranium needs to be taken out of Iran and the country’s enrichment facilities need to be dismantled.

“Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it,” Netanyahu said, referring to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as well as its proxy forces in other countries and its missile-making capacity. “But all that is still there, and there’s work to be done.”

International monitors estimate that Iran still has around 970 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium.

When asked how the uranium stockpile could be removed, Netanyahu said: “You go in, and you take it out.”

The Israeli leader said an agreement would be “the best way” to remove Iran’s highly-enriched uranium, but refused to specify what would happen if no agreement is reached with Iran regarding its nuclear material.

The U.S. is reportedly seeking a deal that would remove Iran’s highly enriched uranium and place a moratorium on all uranium enrichment for at least 12 years, but would eventually permit limited enrichment.

Iran has sent its response to the latest U.S. proposal for ending the war through a Pakistani mediator, according to Iranian state media. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that dialogue does not mean surrender and that Iran would “never bow” to pressure.

The U.S. and Israel launched a joint air campaign against Iran in late February 2026 after mediated talks collapsed.

Iran has fired missiles back at Israel and other Gulf countries while also restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Netanyahu: Iran War Not Over Until Enriched Uranium Removed is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

As part of efforts to curb insecurity and prevent the proliferation of illegal weapons across communities, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), North Central Zone, has cautioned members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) against confronting armed individuals or getting involved in community conflicts.

The Centre advised corps members to remain neutral and report security concerns through appropriate channels, including security agencies and NYSC Local Government Inspectors.

The warning was issued during a sensitisation and advocacy programme organised for 2,484 corps members of Batch ‘A’ Stream II at the Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State.

The exercise, led by the Zonal Assistant Director, Support Services, Lt. Col. O.K. Olagunju, focused on educating corps members from Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the dangers of the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs), as well as their role in promoting peace and national security.

Addressing the participants, Lt. Col. Olagunju explained that small arms are weapons operated by one person, such as pistols, rifles and AK-47s, while light weapons are handled by a small group and include machine guns and grenade launchers.

He noted that the widespread circulation of illegal weapons continues to fuel terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and communal clashes across the country.

According to him, factors responsible for the uncontrolled spread of SALWs include illegal cross-border trafficking, theft of weapons from security agencies, local fabrication, and ongoing conflicts within and outside Nigeria.

Lt. Col. Olagunju warned that the growing proliferation of illicit arms poses a serious threat to national unity, economic development and sustainable growth, particularly as young people are increasingly targeted for recruitment into violent groups.

He urged corps members to see themselves as ambassadors of peace in their host communities by promoting peaceful coexistence, engaging in public enlightenment and reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

He further disclosed that the Federal Government established the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in 2021 through a Presidential Order to strengthen arms control coordination nationwide, adding that the Centre was given legal backing in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, the Centre, which operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser and is headed by DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, is responsible for coordinating arms control policies, conducting public sensitisation campaigns and facilitating the recovery and destruction of illicit weapons.

The session featured an interactive question-and-answer segment where corps members sought clarification on the classification of SALWs and appropriate reporting procedures.

NCCSALW cautions NYSC members against confronting armed persons

Six senatorial aspirants from Kano State have reportedly withdrawn their ambitions in support of former governor and senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development was announced in Abuja by one of the aspirants and former Head of Service in Kano State, Usman Bala Muhammad, during a meeting with journalists at Aminu Kano House.

Muhammad said the decision followed consultations among political stakeholders and supporters across Kano Central Senatorial District, adding that the aspirants agreed to rally behind Shekarau because of his political experience, leadership credentials and longstanding influence in Kano politics.

According to him, the move was aimed at strengthening unity among supporters and increasing the chances of retaining the senatorial seat in the 2027 elections.

He described Shekarau as a seasoned politician whose experience in governance and legislative matters remained relevant to the development of Kano Central and the country at large.

Although the identities of the other aspirants who stepped down were not immediately disclosed, Muhammad said the decision reflected growing confidence in Shekarau’s leadership and political structure across the state.

Shekarau remains one of the most influential political figures in Kano and northern Nigeria, having built a strong grassroots network over several decades in public service and partisan politics.

A former teacher and civil servant, Shekarau rose to national prominence after serving as governor of Kano State between 2003 and 2011 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party.

His administration was widely associated with education reforms, expansion of infrastructure and the implementation of policies rooted in social welfare and Islamic principles.

Following his tenure as governor, Shekarau represented Kano Central in the Senate and also served as Minister of Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Over the years, he has remained a major force in Kano politics, maintaining relevance despite shifting alliances and political realignments within the state.

The former governor has also been known for his ability to command loyalty among political supporters across party lines, making him a recurring figure in discussions surrounding Kano’s political future.

The endorsement by the six aspirants is expected to further boost speculation about Shekarau’s possible return to the Senate in 2027, although he has yet to formally declare his intention to contest.

Political observers say the latest development may reshape early calculations within Kano Central, one of the most politically strategic senatorial districts in the country.

Six Kano Aspirants Step Down For Shekarau Ahead Of 2027 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, was at the weekend thrown into a state of mourning following the discovery of the lifeless body of a 100-level student of the institution.

The body of the deceased, identified as Favour Olaniyi, was found inside a bush along the North Gate of the institution.

The deceased, a male student of the institution’s Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, was found under circumstances that have fuelled speculation of suicide.

An empty bottle of a substance suspected to be a lethal herbicide was said to have been recovered at the scene following the discovery of his body.

Following the development, students and residents within the area were seen gathered in clusters, struggling to comprehend the tragic incident.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Corporate Communication and Protocol of FUTA, Adegbenro Adebanjo, who expressed the institution’s sadness over the loss of the student, disclosed that the parents of the deceased had been informed of the development.

Adebanjo, who stressed that the university is cooperating with police investigators, stated that officials from the Students Affairs Division are providing counselling support to fellow students who may have been impacted by the tragedy.

“The Students Affairs Division, FUTA, has always reiterated its readiness and willingness to provide support for students who may be battling any issues and will continue to do so.

“Students are encouraged to take advantage of the availability of such counselling and guidance when they are faced with any issues on and off campus.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that an investigation had commenced into the incident, stating that there were no visible marks of violence on the body of the deceased when detectives visited the scene.

He said, “The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and further examination, while investigations to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident have commenced.”

Tragedy as 23-year-old FUTA student allegedly commits suicide 

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has confirmed that Linda Ameh, the lawyer and National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member earlier declared missing, has been found in Abuja.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh.

According to the police, Ameh personally reported at the Maitama Police Station after she was found and is currently assisting investigators with information relating to the incident.

“Ms. Linda Ameh, the legal practitioner previously reported missing on the 6th of May 2026, has now been located. She is assisting the Police with valuable information to aid the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the alleged abduction.

Authorities, however, did not confirm whether any ransom was paid for her release, despite earlier reports that suspected kidnappers demanded N20 million.

Ameh, aged 25, was reportedly declared missing on Tuesday, May 6, after she failed to return home from work.

She was said to have completed her duties at Blades and Butchers Ltd in Maitama at about 5:40 p.m. before heading toward Life Camp, after which her phone lines became unreachable.

Family members reportedly made several unsuccessful attempts to contact her before later receiving messages from suspected abductors demanding N20 million ransom.

The development had triggered widespread concern among relatives, colleagues and members of the public.

Following the report, the FCT Police Command commenced investigations and launched efforts to trace her whereabouts and uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Ameh was said to be close to completing her mandatory NYSC programme and Community Development Service before the incident occurred.

Police authorities said investigations are still ongoing as security operatives intensify efforts to arrest those connected to the alleged abduction.

Missing lawyer, Linda Ameh found in Abuja

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has called on women across the country to rally support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PRP chieftain, Dr Maryam Ringim, who is also the National Women Leader of YMK Nigeria, made the call on Sunday during a mobilisation meeting with some party supporters in Dutse.

She stressed the importance of women’s participation in political activities and grassroots mobilisation.

She urged Nigerian women to actively register with the PRP and mobilise support for the party in their respective communities, saying women remain a major force in determining electoral success.

According to her, the party is committed to promoting inclusive governance and creating opportunities that would empower women and youths across the country.

The PRP chieftain also appealed to party supporters nationwide to intensify grassroots campaigns and membership drives ahead of the party primaries and the 2027 elections.

Dr Ringim expressed confidence that with massive support from women and youths, the party would emerge stronger and compete effectively against the ruling party in the next general elections.

PRP calls for women’s support ahead of 2027 elections