The Sokoto State Government has pledged to revive the State Bureau of Statistics to ensure the availability of accurate and comprehensive data for effective policymaking. Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Zayyana, made the commitment while opening a two-day orientation workshop for the bureau’s staff, organized by the ministry. He emphasized that no policy can succeed without reliable data and urged staff members to be proactive in fulfilling their responsibilities. “Their role is crucial in collecting, compiling, analyzing, and disseminating data on the state’s socio-economic landscape. Teamwork and commitment are essential to changing the narrative,” Zayyana stated. ALSO…
Author: TheStories
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) Prof. Saleh Usman, has bowed to pleas by pilgrims across the country, and announced an extension of the deadline for registration for the 2025 Hajj to February 10, 2025. The decision, according to a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, followed appeals on behalf of intending pilgrims who were unable to complete their registration before the earlier given January 31, 2025 deadline. While announcing the extension during a Zoom meeting between NAHCON and key Hajj stakeholders on Tuesday night, the chairman urged Executive Secretaries of…
The African Union (AU) and the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have formalized their long-standing partnership to promote Africa’s creative and cultural industries, particularly in music. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on January 29, 2025, reinforces their shared commitment to celebrating and elevating African musical talent on the global stage. Since AFRIMA’s inaugural awards ceremony in 2014, the collaboration has played a key role in advancing the Revised AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, supporting the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, and advocating for AU initiatives under Agenda 2063. Notable achievements include the 2020 Stronger Together online…
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has inaugurated the Chairmen, Commissioners, and members of the Sharia and Zakkat & Hubusi Commissions. This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday. Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Yusuf emphasized Kano’s influential status in the Islamic world, citing its large number of renowned scholars, Islamiyya schools, and Islamic study centers. He noted that the appointees were selected based on merit, competence, and trustworthiness, expressing confidence that they would execute their duties with dedication, enthusiasm, and integrity. The governor charged the Sharia Commission with the responsibility of fostering…
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has warmly received the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, along with a high-powered delegation of government officials and business leaders. This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday. The visit, which coincides with the ongoing Tunisia-Nigeria Multi-sectoral Economic Forum, aims to foster deeper collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, culture, and trade. Welcoming the delegation at Government House, Kano, Governor Yusuf reaffirmed Kano’s position as a leading commercial hub in sub-Saharan Africa. He emphasized the state’s commitment…
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has announced a strategic partnership with S&P Global Commodity Insights, a leading provider of energy and commodities intelligence. The collaboration aims to attract investment, technology, and expertise to Africa’s energy sector while advancing the continent’s goal of eradicating energy poverty by 2030. S&P Global Commodity Insights, known for its independent market data, analytics, and credit ratings, will work closely with the AEC to provide deep market intelligence and insights. The partnership is set to shape discussions around global energy supply chains, sustainability, and Africa’s role in the energy transition. Key energy developments in Africa As…
Senior military leaders from countries in the Global Coalition against ISIS came together in Bahrain for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)-led Combined Force Commanders’ Conference (CFC) on February 1-2. The conference provided an important opportunity for the Chiefs of Joint Operations (CJO) from 13 nations—including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, The Netherlands, and USCENTCOM—to discuss the ongoing global efforts to defeat ISIS and assess the group’s current threat level worldwide. The Coalition’s mission began in 2014, sparked by a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Wales, where 13 nations…
With preparations for the 2025 Hajj in full swing, at least 1,700 intending pilgrims from Sokoto State have made their initial deposits, according to the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Agency. The agency’s acting secretary, Ladan Ibrahim, shared this update during a media briefing on Monday, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges ahead. “We have already secured accommodation in both Mecca and Medina, finalized agreements with catering services, and arranged comfortable camp facilities for our pilgrims. So far, the state has remitted over ₦5 billion to NAHCON,” Ladan stated. ALSO READ Nigeria secures $1.1bn AfDB loan to provide eectricity for…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, February 3, 2025, arraigned the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, Abuja. Yusuf was arraigned on a five-count charge, including embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud amounting to N90,439,178.00. Count One:”That you, Prof. Usman Yusuf, sometime between 2016 and July 2017, whilst being the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and being a public officer in the services of…
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reiterated that obtaining a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) is necessary for students to access the Lagos State Government’s policy of free West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for SS3 students in state-funded secondary schools. This initiative, part of the Lagos State Government’s THEMES PLUS agenda, continues to support its free education policy from kindergarten through SS3. It is aligned with broader efforts to provide essential public services, including affordable housing, efficient transportation, free healthcare, youth and small business empowerment programs, enhanced security, and improved road infrastructure. Ayo Subair, Executive Chairman of LIRS,…