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I will be back in august – Ado Bayero’s
In what could be termed as his last official outing, the ousted Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, was in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Wednesday, while his fate was being decided by the Kano State House of Assembly.
Bayero in his royal splendor befitting of class arrived alongside his retinue of aides at the GRA Ijebu Ode residence of Awujale at about 11am.
He said the visit was to felicitate with the Awujale on his 90th birthday celebration and 64th year on the throne which he marked recently.
There was a brief meeting between Bayero and the 90-year-old monarch before newsmen were allowed to come in.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ganiyu Hamzat, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Chairman of Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, the Fuji Musician who is also the Olori Omoba of Ijebu, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal among others were in attendance at the meeting.
Bayero described Awujale as his father, being an associate of his biological father and late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
He also noted that the visit offered him an opportunity to tap from Awujale’s experience and words of wisdom, which he would cherish for a long time.
I grew up hearing my father, the Late Ado Bayero, always calling Kabiyesi Awujale my brother, so the brother of my father is my father. This is a royal father who has been on the throne for 64 years, so Awujale is an enigma, a royal father with difference and whose reign has no doubt been a blessing not only to Ijebu land but Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Bayero also noted that Kano and Ijebu “are like twins in terms of commercial activities.”
And wittily, he said “Kano is just a carbon copy, or rather I will say Ijebu is a carbon copy of Kano (laughs). I am sorry for being selfish, but the truth is we have a lot of things in common. Religion. Culture. Tradition and most importantly, like I said, the commercial activities.”
Concluding the interview with newsmen, Bayero said “I am here in May and I hope to be back in August by God’s grace.”
His convoy left Awujale’s residence about a few minutes to 2pm.
Barely 24 hours after the visit, Bayero is out of the throne as the Emir of Kano and in his stead, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, who was deposed by then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the appointment of Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano after signing the new emirate council law at Government House.
The governor signed the law at exactly 5:10pm alongside his deputy, the Speaker of the State Assembly and other principal officers in his administration.
The new law states that all offices created under the repealed law have been dissolved, and district heads appointed or elevated under the law are to revert to their former positions.
In a startling turn of events, a video has surfaced online showing a group of armed bandits conducting Eid prayers deep within the forests of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The footage, which has sparked widespread alarm, was shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his account on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
According to reports, the armed groups gathered in at least two distinct locations Maidaro, Sabon Birni, and East Kaduna, within the Dogon Dawa Forest.
The bandits armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In addition to carrying automatic rifles, the bandits were seen equipped with drones and mobile phones, suggesting an alarming level of coordination and access to technology.
Security analysts, including Makama, have expressed deep concern over the implications of this gathering. Tagging both the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in his post, Makama emphasised the urgent need for strategic countermeasures against these criminal elements.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.