Adieu, Balarabe Nazeephy, Newsrooms Will Miss You, By Muhammad Bello

April 17, 2026

“Every soul shall taste death… but a great journalist’s story is never truly over as long as his colleagues remember the truth he told.”—- Anon
The world of Northern Nigerian journalism has lost one of its most spirited and fearless voices. Balarabe Nazeephy (April 16, 1960 – February 2026) was more than a reporter; he was a bridge between eras, a guardian of professional integrity, and a man whose life was anchored in both the grit of “Fleet Street” and the sacred verses of the Holy Quran.
Our journey began nearly 29 years ago. I was a young, green reporter at the Triumph Publishing Company, and Nazeephy was already a veteran fixture of the industry, serving as the Kano Correspondent for The Vanguard. Two years later, as I transitioned to The News/TEMPO and PM News, our bond tightened on the bustling pavement of Kano’s Galadima Road.
In those days, Galadima was our Fleet Street—a high-octane hub of news, deadline pressure, and camaraderie. Our offices were a mere stone’s throw apart. Nazeephy was a man of infectious energy, professional to the core, and possessed that rare, raw fearlessness that defines the best of our craft.
Beneath the dogged pursuit of a lead was a man of deep familial loyalty. I remember vividly how he would insist I look after his niece, Mrs. Maryam Hali, whenever she visited the office. He went as far as jokingly dragging me to his family home at Kwanar Jaba, emphatically declaring that I should become his in-law. He sought to cement a friendship into a brotherhood—a bond that remained a respectful, lifelong friendship with Maryam.
Indeed, it was through Maryam’s post that I finally confirmed the heavy news of his passing, after his successor at The Vanguard, Nathaniel Ikyur, sought clarification on the Kano Correspondents Reunion platform.
Nazeephy’s career was a testament to his versatility and dedication to the public record. He navigated the shifting tides of Nigerian media and governance through several key institutions:
• Radio Kano: Where he honed his early broadcast instincts.
• Concord Press: Serving during the golden era of MKO Abiola’s media empire.
• Vanguard News: Where he became a household name in the North West.
• Daily Times: Contributing to the “Old Lady of Kakawa Street.”
• The Senate, National Assembly: Where he transitioned into policy communications as a Special Assistant.
Despite these professional heights, he remained a man of the Word, having memorized the Holy Quran—a spiritual grounding that balanced his earthly pursuits. His education at the Exam Success Correspondence College, Lagos, laid the foundation for a man who never stopped seeking knowledge.
The circumstances of his departure are deeply poignant. I saw him last at an eatery in Wuse while he was still at the National Assembly, full of his usual vigor. However, many of us noticed his unusual silence on social media since last year. As Jacob Ajakaye noted, his absence is a “great loss to journalism practice in northern Nigeria.”
He was found dead in his Abuja home by his five young children, who noticed their father was no longer moving and alerted cousins nearby. While an aunt in Abuja ensured he received his final rites, a heavy question remains: Who will look after the five young children he left behind?
Balarabe Nazeephy was a man of the heartland, a vanguard of the truth, and a soul whose dagger was always sharpened for justice but sheathed in kindness for his friends.
May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanna Firdaus. May He grant his family, friends, and the journalism community the courage to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu, Nazeephy. The newsroom is quieter without you.
Bello wrote in from Abuja.

Tech Firm Launches Platform to Tackle Unemployment, Connect Nigerians with Verified Artisans

Editorial staff

April 16, 2026

In a move aimed at addressing unemployment and improving access to reliable services, a technology company, Zelink Technologies Nigeria, has launched Zelink360, a new digital platform designed to connect Nigerians with verified professionals and skilled artisans in their communities.

The platform is expected to help bridge a long-standing gap in Nigeria’s service sector by linking individuals who need services with professionals who possess the required skills but often struggle to reach potential customers.

Across the country, many Nigerians face the frustrating challenge of finding trustworthy artisans when something needs fixing. Whether it is electrical faults, plumbing issues, generator breakdowns, or the need for qualified home tutors, locating reliable professionals often requires numerous referrals, uncertain recommendations, and wasted time.

At the same time, thousands of skilled workers remain underutilised because they lack access to a structured marketplace where their services can easily be discovered.

Zelink360 seeks to solve both problems.

Developed by Zelink Technologies Nigeria, the platform allows service seekers to instantly connect with nearby verified professionals through a simple and convenient system powered by artificial intelligence. Instead of searching endlessly for contacts, users can simply send a message to the platform’s dedicated AI-powered WhatsApp number (08155693487) and get connected with professionals within their area.

The technology behind Zelink360 intelligently matches service requests with registered professionals, helping customers to quickly find reliable help, while providing artisans with direct access to job opportunities.

According to the developers, the initiative is also designed to support economic empowerment by giving skilled workers a digital platform to promote their services and expand their reach.

“Many talented artisans and professionals in Nigeria possess valuable skills but lack the visibility and digital tools needed to connect with customers consistently,” a spokesperson for Zelink Technologies Nigeria said. “Zelink360 is designed to give these professionals a trusted platform where they can register, get verified, and gain access to real service requests from people who need their expertise.”

The platform supports a wide range of everyday services including electricians, plumbers, AC technicians, home tutors, Islamic tutors, cleaning services, carpenters, appliance repair technicians, generator repair specialists, and CCTV installation experts.

To ensure trust and reliability, professionals who join the platform undergo a verification process before they can begin receiving service requests.

The pilot phase of Zelink360 is currently launching in Abuja, where the company has begun actively onboarding and registering artisans and professionals across different service categories.

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory will be the first to benefit from the platform as it begins connecting households and businesses with verified professionals within the city.

At the same time, artisans and service providers in Abuja are being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity by registering on the platform and becoming part of the growing network of verified professionals.

According to the company, the Abuja pilot will serve as the foundation for a broader rollout across other major Nigerian cities in the near future.

“We are starting with Abuja as our pilot city, where we are currently onboarding professionals and artisans,” the company explained. “Our goal is to expand to other cities across Nigeria in the near future, creating a nationwide network of trusted professionals that Nigerians can access easily.”

Industry observers believe that platforms like Zelink360 could play a meaningful role in modernizing Nigeria’s informal service sector while helping skilled workers access more consistent income opportunities.

As Nigeria continues to embrace digital solutions that improve everyday life, initiatives like Zelink360 demonstrate how technology can be used to simplify access to services while also creating new economic opportunities for hardworking professionals.

For Nigerians seeking reliable services, connecting with a verified professional is now as simple as sending a WhatsApp message to 08155693487.

Meanwhile, professionals and artisans in Abuja who wish to join the platform can register and begin the verification process by visiting www.zelink360.com.ng

Planned Youth Protest: Kogi Police Invite Organizers For Identification, Talks

Greenbarge Reporters

April 15, 2026

The Kogi State Police Command has invited for identification and talks, with the organizers of a planned Youth protest scheduled to take place in Lokoja, the state capital, on April 27.
The Command, which said it received credible intelligence regarding the planned protest, asked all individuals and groups intending to participate in the protest to report to the State Command Headquarters, Lokoja, “for proper identification and necessary engagement with the Police.”
A statement by the spokesperson of the Command, ASP Afusat Oyiza Salau, acknowledged the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression, but that such rights must be exercised within the confines of the law and in a manner that does not jeopardize public peace, safety and security.
It said that the meeting will unveil the identity of the “genuine organizers and participants” and prevent the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements or persons with ulterior motives.
The statement said that the meeting will also enable the Command to provide adequate security to ensure a peaceful and orderly exercise.
“The organizers are required to furnish the Command with details of their intended plans, including the proposed route, duration and nature of the protest. This will assist in deploying adequate security to protect lives, property, and the rights of all citizens.
“The Command wishes to reiterate that any protest that degenerates into violence, unlawful assembly, obstruction of public highways or any act capable of causing a breach of peace will not be tolerated and such actions will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
The Command advised all stakeholders to cooperate with the Police and maintain peace, even as it assured the general public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the State.
It called on the public to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police formation.

APC To Sink N250 Million In FCT Congresses, Yilwatda Announces; Appeals For Harmony

Greenbarge Reporters

April 15, 2026

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has announced that more than ₦250 million has been approved for the ward and state congresses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This was even as he called on party members to avoid divisions based on tribe, religion or ethnicity and to work together as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“There must be harmony in decision-making processes in the sharing of elective and appointive positions to ensure balance and to give everyone a sense of belonging in the APC.”
Profession Yilwatda spoke in Abuja today, April 15, while answering questions from journalists after meeting with party stakeholders. The meeting was held following disagreements linked to the ongoing APC congresses in the FCT.
On the seeming tension between long-time members of the party in the FCT and new members who joined from the PDP, the APC Chairman called on the founding members not to leave the party because of pressure from defectors.
He encouraged them to stay committed and protect the party.
He advised that all groups in the party should be included through a system that promotes unity, tolerance and cooperation, stressing that everyone must work together for the success of the party in the next elections.

If Nuclear Weapons Are Unacceptable, Standard Must Be Universal – Iran’s New Spiritual Leader

Greenbarge Reporters

April 15, 2026

Iran’s new spiritual leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has said that he has overturned the rules set by his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the issue of nuclear weapons, and that equipping Iran with nuclear weapons is a matter of life and not a matter for negotiation.
The global nuclear order is built on a contradiction so obvious it barely needs pointing out: a small group of states insists that nuclear weapons are essential for their security, while simultaneously declaring that the same weapons are intolerable for everyone else.
That isn’t a principle—it’s hierarchy.
Iran is treated as illegitimate for even approaching the threshold of nuclear capability, while other states operate under different rules entirely, shielded by alliances, political influence, or strategic silence. The result is not a universal standard of nonproliferation, but a selective one that reflects power more than morality.
Israel’s widely acknowledged but officially unconfirmed nuclear arsenal sits at the center of this contradiction: never formally admitted, never subjected to the same framework of accountability applied to others, yet accepted as part of the regional balance. That asymmetry defines the system more than any treaty does.
So the question is not just about Iran. It is about whether “rules” in the international system are actually rules at all—or simply tools applied unevenly depending on who is strong enough to avoid consequences.
If nuclear weapons are truly unacceptable, then the standard must be universal. If they are acceptable as instruments of deterrence for some, then the logic for denying them to others is political, not moral.
And until that contradiction is addressed, appeals to “nonproliferation” will continue to sound less like a principle—and more like enforcement of an unequal world order.

How Tinubu Is Transforming Kano Into Commercial Hub For Africa – APC Boss, Yilwatda

Greenbarge Reporters

April 14, 2026

The National Chairman of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is implementing a historic and deliberate economic masterplan to transform Kano State into the foremost regional hub for commerce, manufacturing, logistics and transnational trade in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Professor Yilwatda said that the Federal Government’s ongoing infrastructure and industrial investments across Kano and the wider Northern corridor are neither accidental nor isolated projects, but part of a coordinated strategy to restore Kano to its historic status as the economic heartbeat of Northern Nigeria and one of Africa’s most strategic inland commercial centres.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not merely developing Kano; he is redesigning the economic future of Northern Nigeria through Kano.
His administration understands clearly that Kano is the natural commercial nerve centre of the North and the gateway between Nigeria and the wider West African hinterland.”
In a statement signed by Abimbola Tooki, his special adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, the National Chairman said that President Tinubu’s strategic economic vision is to make Kano the largest business and industrial hub in Nigeria after Lagos, while establishing it as the principal gateway for trade into the Sahel and Francophone West Africa.
Professor Yilwatda highlighted several landmark infrastructure projects currently being executed by the Tinubu administration which are expected to transform Kano into a mega commercial city.
According to him, the Federal Government is fast-tracking the completion of the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge railway, a critical project that will connect Kano directly to Abuja and Southern Nigeria through modern rail logistics, drastically reducing the cost and time of moving goods and passengers. The line is expected to be operational this year.
The Kano–Maradi rail line will connect Kano to Niger Republic and the broader Sahel trade belt, opening vast export and import corridors into Francophone West Africa. This project will significantly expand Kano’s role as Nigeria’s principal inland export gateway. The Federal Government has targeted completion by 2026/2027.
The recently approved Kano Metropolitan Rail Service will modernise transportation within Kano metropolis, decongest urban movement, improve logistics efficiency and support Kano’s emergence as a modern mega-city.
The AKK Gas Pipeline will deliver industrial gas to Kano and the wider North, powering factories, industrial parks, fertiliser plants and gas-fired power generation, thereby reviving manufacturing and attracting new industries to Kano.
Strategic investments in power generation and transmission across the Northern industrial belt, including projects tied to the Kaduna–Kano axis, will improve electricity reliability and support industrialisation.
Ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of the key Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road corridor will improve connectivity between Kano and the rest of the federation, boosting trade efficiency, while Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway will create a new economic corridor linking Northern agricultural belts to Southern export markets and ports, unlocking business opportunities across the entire North-West.
Professor Yilwatda explained that President Tinubu’s heavy investment in Kano is driven by strategic national economic considerations:
1. Kano Is Northern Nigeria’s Largest Commercial Ecosystem
Kano hosts one of the biggest market and manufacturing clusters in Africa and remains the natural business capital of Northern Nigeria.
2. Kano Is Nigeria’s Gateway to the Sahel
Its geographical location makes it the ideal export and logistics hub for trade with Niger, Chad and wider Francophone West Africa.
3. Reviving Kano Means Reviving Northern Industry
Kano’s historical strength in textiles, leather, agro-processing and commerce makes it critical to the North’s industrial rebirth.
4. Kano Can Become Nigeria’s Second Mega Commercial City
President Tinubu’s administration seeks to reduce overdependence on Lagos by building Kano into a second dominant commercial powerhouse.
5. Northern Prosperity Is Critical to National Stability
Expanding commerce, industry and employment in Kano and the wider North is essential to reducing poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
Professor Yilwatda said no previous administration has assembled such a comprehensive and interconnected infrastructure strategy for Northern Nigeria.
“Who before now conceived this scale of integrated development for the North: rail lines, gas pipelines, metropolitan transit, industrial power, superhighways and regional trade corridors, all designed to work together?
This is vision. This is strategic leadership. This is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is delivering.”
The APC National Chairman criticised opposition parties for what he described as their obsession with insults, propaganda and power politics rather than national development.
“While President Tinubu is building the infrastructure backbone that will transform the North for generations, the opposition is busy chasing personal ambition and power for its own sake.
They offer no ideas, no blueprint, no alternative vision. Their only manifesto is to insult the APC and attack every development initiative because they lack the capacity to think beyond politics.”
Professor Yilwatda noted that President Tinubu’s infrastructure and industrial strategy will fundamentally alter the economic destiny of Northern Nigeria and reposition Kano as the undisputed economic capital of the North.
“History will remember President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the leader who restored Kano to greatness, industrialised the North, and built the infrastructure backbone for Nigeria’s next era of prosperity.”

President Trump Deletes His AI Generated Image Claiming To Be Jesus

Greenbarge Reporters

April 14, 2026

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has removed an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself from social media.
The image, originally shared on his Truth Social account portrayed Trump in flowing robes with a glowing hand placed on a seemingly ill individual, while other figures appeared to look on in reverence. An American flag was also visible in the background of the scene.
The post was deleted yesterday, April 13 following growing criticism, including strong reactions from Christian leaders who accused the President of crossing a line with religious symbolism.
Responding to questions about the image, Trump denied any intent to portray himself as Jesus Christ, saying: “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do Red Cross. It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
However, the explanation did little to calm concerns, as several religious commentators and conservative Christian voices within his political base condemned the post as disrespectful.
Among the critics was journalist Megan Basham, who described the image as “OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy” and called for an immediate apology. She asked President Trump to retract the post and seek forgiveness.
The controversy also drew a formal response from the Knights Templar, which publicly condemned the image and demanded an apology, arguing that the depiction disrespected core Christian beliefs.
This is not the first time Trump has faced scrutiny over religious-themed imagery. In previous instances, he has shared or been associated with posts placing him alongside biblical figures or in symbolic religious settings, often drawing mixed reactions from supporters and critics alike.
Some of his close allies have also previously used religious comparisons in describing his political role, further intensifying debates about the intersection of politics, personality, and religious symbolism in his public communications.
The latest incident has reignited discussion over the use of AI-generated imagery in political messaging and the boundaries of religious representation in modern digital campaigning.

I Am Jesus, President Trump Claims; Attacks Pope Leo

Greenbarge Reporters

April 13, 2026

Embattled President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has depicted himself in an AI generated image as “Jesus.”
This is even as he attacked Pope Leo, saying: “he likes crime, I guess.”
Responding to Pope Leo who spoke against the war between the US/Israel and Iran, President Trump said: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess.”
Trump went on to post an AI generated image, depicting himself in a Christ-like form, appearing to “heal” the sick, on his platform: Truth Social.
The post came amidst an escalating war of words with Pope Leo XIV, whom Trump described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a separate, lengthy message.
The exchange follows recent tensions between the two over immigration and the ongoing conflict in Iran, with the Pope urging restraint and peace in public remarks.
In his post, Trump accused the pontiff of aligning with the “Radical Left” and criticised his positions on nuclear policy and US interventions, including Venezuela. He also questioned the circumstances of the Pope’s elevation, claiming it was politically motivated and linked to his own presidency.

I Have No Intention To Punish Female Civil Servant Who Spoke On Employment Issue, Kogi Gov, Ododo

Greenbarge Reporters

April 11, 2026

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has made it clear that the state government has no intention to punish a female civil servant whose complain about persistent unemployment, especially among the youth in the Central Senatorial District went viral in social media.
The Governor said that he remain a servant-leader, entrusted with the mandate of the people through the ballot.
“My administration is firmly anchored on the principles of inclusivity, active listening, constructive engagement, and responsive governance.”
In a seven paragraph statement today, April 11, by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Governor Ododo said that the female civil servant is fully entitled to her personal opinion under the law.
“It is also important to emphasize that civil servants are guided by established channels for communication and redress. Nonetheless, this administration is committed to upholding freedom of expression and will neither suppress nor persecute any citizen for peacefully expressing his or her views.”
The governor expressed regret that certain individuals and groups have sought to sensationalize the issue in a manner capable of inflaming public sentiment, adding that the matter remains within the realm of constructive engagement and institutional resolution.
“His Excellency has, therefore, directed that the concerned civil servant be accorded full protection, while also mandating the Civil Service to strengthen internal feedback mechanisms to ensure that grievances are addressed promptly and effectively.
“The Government reiterates that it operates on the principles of equity, fairness, and merit. “Governor Ododo has sworn an oath to serve the entire state without bias or sectional preference. Employment into the civil service will continue to be guided strictly by competence, capacity, and the availability of resources, ensuring that all parts of the state are fairly represented.”
The Governor called on the people of Kogi State to remain calm and to disregard attempts to create unnecessary tension or misinformation around this issue. ” “The present administration remains unwavering in its commitment to transparency, public enlightenment and continuous engagement with citizens, particularly in clarifying government policies, programs, and decisions.
“The Kogi State Government assures all citizens that their voices matter and will always be treated with dignity and respect. Constructive dialogue, mutual understanding and adherence to due process will continue to guide our collective progress.”
The female civil servant who spoke in the viral audio has not been clearly identified in reliable public reports.
The name most people are seeing is Habibat Onumoko that has been tied to the reaction, controversy, not necessarily confirmed as the speaker herself.
The senior female civil servant is believed to work in the office of Kogi State Accountant-General.
The female civil servant’s voice recording circulated, complaining about unemployment and lack of opportunities in Kogi State, especially among the youth in the Central Senatorial District of the state
The issue escalated into a public controversy involving the office of the Accountant-General.ffice of the Accountant-General.

Despite Economic Hardships, Nigerians Are Still Better Off, President Tinubu Insists

Greenbarge Reporters

April 11, 2026

President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians to consider themselves better than people in some African countries despite the economic hardships that have been tormenting them.
He said: “Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel prices are biting hard. But look around. Let’s thank God that we are better off listening to what is happening in other African countries, what they are going through.”
President Tinubu made the remarks yesterday night, April 10, at a civic reception in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, after commissioning some projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
The President made it clear that he is aware of the ongoing economic challenges arising from the Middle East war, but that he will work with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Budget, and the Head of Service to propose measures to ease the hardship.
He said that he will continue to seek ways to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable.
“This is a government that cares. We will look at the numbers with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.”
President Tinubu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) across all levels is committed to improving citizens’ well-being.
“Regardless of their shenanigans, the All Progressive Congress (APC) believes that the people deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings. That signals the development of our country.
“We are all working hard. The projects that I commissioned today demonstrate and testify to an immutable truth: Development advances further, faster when the federal government and the state government work in partnership and towards a shared purpose.”
He commended Governor Douye Diri for embarking on impactful projects which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.
“Douye, you’ve done a great job. I have commissioned some projects, very transformative projects. The bridge, linking communities and the dual carriageways, create opportunities, jobs, and hope for our nation. Thank you for that commitment, and thank you for being a very progressive governor.”
The President recalled his pioneering efforts towards establishing the Independent Power Plant as governor of Lagos State, stressing that, despite the dire power challenges across the nation, his administration will ensure energy sufficiency for national development.
The President had earlier inaugurated several projects, including the 60-megawatt gas-fired Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area, the 630-metre Angiama – Oporoma Bridge, and the new Yenagoa City Road.

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