Author: Gabby

In a Democracy Day address, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on Nigerians to avoid associating criminal acts with any faith or ethnic group. The council warns that such connections could worsen societal divisions and hamper the fight against insecurity.

The statement, delivered by Abbas Jimoh on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto and NSCIA President-General Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasized that criminality should not be painted with religious or ethnic brushes. It expressed deep concern over ongoing threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, which continue to cause loss of life and disrupt national progress.

“Criminality must never be given ethnic or religious labels. Such stories only deepen our divides and weaken joint efforts to tackle insecurity and build lasting peace,” the statement read.

The council also voiced worry over attempts to unfairly link Nigerian Muslims to violent crimes, calling such profiling false and unjust to the majority of peace-loving Muslims who contribute positively to society. It cited the case of student kidnappings in Oyo State, where initial efforts to blame Muslims and Sharia law have been disproven by recent developments.

Furthermore, the NSCIA noted that ethnic profiling is equally misleading, pointing out that suspects in the Oyo incident were not identified as Fulani, contrary to earlier claims. The council urged media houses, opinion leaders, and all stakeholders to maintain professionalism, accuracy, and fairness in reporting and public discourse. It also cautioned against statements that could stoke tensions among Nigeria’s varied communities and called for enhanced cooperation among government, security agencies, and citizens to address insecurity.

The Ogun State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has firmly refuted claims circulating about a planned protest in the state. During a Senate meeting on Wednesday, the association’s chairman, Comrade Olabode Faruq, also known as Success, labeled the rumors as baseless and emphasized that they did not originate from the student body.

Comrade Faruq highlighted the significant strides made by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration in ensuring security across Ogun State. He noted that while other states in the South-West grapple with rising insecurity, Ogun has emerged as a beacon of safety due to deliberate and proactive measures. These include the establishment of the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), sustained support for conventional security forces, deployment of surveillance technology, and collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth organizations.

“Governor Abiodun’s approach to security is not just reactive but anticipatory. His administration has built a robust security framework that prioritizes the safety of all residents, including students. The quick response to emergencies, enhanced border security given Ogun’s strategic location, and visible security presence in areas with high student populations are clear indicators of a government that understands the link between safety and development,” Faruq stated.

Beyond security, the NANS chairman also acknowledged other initiatives by the state government, such as the Student Cash Support program, infrastructural improvements in tertiary institutions, and regular engagement with student leaders. These actions, he said, demonstrate that the governor views students not only as future stakeholders but as current partners in governance.

“These gestures go beyond politics. They reflect a leader who knows that the stability of any state depends on the welfare and security of its students,” Faruq added.

Reaffirming the loyalty of the student community to the Abiodun-led administration, Faruq declared that NANS Ogun JCC stands firmly with the government. “We are not just supporters in words; we are ambassadors of peace, vanguards against cultism and criminality on campuses, and partners in nation-building. We distance ourselves from any rumor of protest and remain committed to collaborating with the government and security agencies to maintain the peace we enjoy,” he concluded.

The Nigerian naira continued its downward trend against the US dollar in the official foreign exchange market on Thursday, just before the Democracy Day public holiday. Data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria indicated that the local currency depreciated further to N1,363.83 per dollar, a decline from the previous day’s rate of N1,362.05 per dollar.

On a day-to-day basis, the naira lost N1.79 in value against the greenback. In contrast, the parallel market saw the naira hold steady at N1,395 per dollar for the fourth consecutive day, matching the rates observed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week.

This depreciation comes despite a continued increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which climbed to $50.43 billion as of June 10, 2026, up from $50.35 billion recorded the day before, according to central bank figures. Reports from Daily Post indicate that the naira has experienced a mix of gains and losses throughout the week under review.

It is worth noting that the Nigerian government declared Friday a public holiday to commemorate Democracy Day, effectively concluding local currency trading for the week.

The Nigerian government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has strongly condemned the ongoing hostility directed at its citizens residing in South Africa. Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ the Chairperson and CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed the government’s frustration with the repeated attacks.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that the federal government is at a breaking point, declaring that ‘enough is enough.’ She stressed that while the commission has been actively engaging in people-to-people diplomacy and has frequently visited South Africa to address the issue, the attacks have persisted. She clarified that none of the Nigerians who have been evacuated had committed any crimes in South Africa, underscoring that the violence is unwarranted and indiscriminate.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, if an individual commits an offense, that person should be held accountable individually, not the entire Nigerian community. She pointed out that while other nationalities also face similar challenges, the high number of Nigerians affected indicates a deeper problem. She accused the South African government of turning a blind eye to these incidents. Dabiri-Erewa concluded by stating that any decisions regarding bilateral relations will be communicated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the presidency.

During the 60th anniversary celebration of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) and the launch of its Kano State chapter, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, delivered a powerful message to professionals. He emphasized that financial success does not have to come at the expense of integrity.

Sanusi stated unequivocally that individuals can generate income without resorting to dishonest practices. He argued that it is possible to secure contracts, build infrastructure, and conduct business without engaging in bribery or illicit gains. According to him, ethical behavior should be the cornerstone of both public and private endeavors.

The monarch urged professionals to view public service as a duty rather than an avenue for personal enrichment. He highlighted that the decline in accountability and discipline has severely hampered Nigeria’s progress. Sanusi recalled a time when the civil service was more robust, largely because permanent secretaries ensured adherence to rules and maintained continuity.

Sanusi also stressed the importance of ethical revival in governance, noting that professionals have a crucial role in restoring standards. He asserted that anyone seeking wealth should venture into business rather than exploiting public office.

In a recent development, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to provide former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai with necessary medical care. The organization voiced its concerns through a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, which was shared with DAILY POST on Thursday evening.

According to reports, El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody for several days, and his health is reportedly deteriorating. MURIC emphasized that denying a detainee access to medical attention violates fundamental human rights as outlined in Nigeria’s constitution. Akintola specifically referenced Sections 34(1)(a)(b)(c) and 33(1), which guarantee respect for personal dignity and prohibit slavery or servitude.

The group insisted that the ICPC must recognize its obligation to uphold these rights and immediately facilitate medical care for the former governor. MURIC condemned any form of rights infringement while in custody, stating that such actions are unacceptable under any circumstances.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has made it clear that the 258 citizens who were evacuated from South Africa had not committed any wrongdoing. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, NIDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed regret that the only reason for their mistreatment was the colour of their skin, as they were black immigrants in a foreign country.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the successful evacuation operation, commending President Bola Tinubu for his role in bringing the Nigerians home. She stated, ‘I can tell you that every single one of the 258 returnees was innocent. The only crime they committed was being black migrants in South Africa.’ The Chairperson also noted that MTN provided a support package of 100,000 naira and 50,000 naira worth of airtime for each of the returnees.

As the focus shifts to reintegration, NIDCOM is calling on state governors to follow the example set by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who provided one million naira to each returnee from his state. Dabiri-Erewa stressed the importance of seamless collaboration among agencies and urged other states to assist in the reintegration process.

The Ebonyi State Government has strongly denied allegations that it allocated ₦16 billion for the operations of its Abuja Liaison Office in the 2026 budget, describing the reports as baseless and intentionally misleading.

In a statement issued by Leo Ekene-Oketa, Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, the government clarified that the claim made by Chika Nwoba is a malicious fabrication designed to deceive the public.

The official explained that the state owns a property in Abuja’s Central Business District, where a 12-storey building originally stood before it was demolished by the government in 2016. The ₦16 billion provision in the budget is intended solely for the development and redevelopment of this state-owned asset to benefit the people of Ebonyi, not for the day-to-day running of the liaison office.

Ekene-Oketa further noted that the actual recurrent expenditure for the Abuja Liaison Office remains consistent with previous years, with personnel and operational costs estimated at around ₦77 million. He reaffirmed Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to transparency, prudent financial management, and continued infrastructure development across the state.

The government urged the public to ignore what it termed as concocted narratives and to depend only on verified official communications regarding state finances and projects.