Rights Group Appeals To National Assembly To Reject Bill To Regulate Social Media

October 15, 2023

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has appealed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to reject the recently reintroduced social media regulation bill which if passed would unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.
SERAP asked them to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to drop any ongoing efforts to put pressure on Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies to unduly restrict these fundamental human rights.
SERAP said that the bill would criminalize the legitimate and lawful exercise of human rights.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), last week, reportedly said that one of Nigeria’s major problems now is social media, and described the social media as “a monster.”
In the letter dated 14 October 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group said: “the social media is neither Nigeria’s problem nor a monster. Any regulation of it would have arbitrary and excessive effects, and cause incalculable damage, both in material and human rights terms.
“Any move to regulate social media would be inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
According to SERAP, the proposed bill raises serious concerns about the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and would lead to digital siege.
The letter read in part: “Rather than rushing to pass the social media regulation bill, the National Assembly should encourage the Federal Government to maximize opportunities around social media access, and address the growing social and economic inequalities in the country.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken upon the receipt and/or publication of this letter. SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions against the National Assembly and the Federal Government if the social media regulation bill is ever passed into law.
“We urge you to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to publish the details of any ongoing discussion and engagement with Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies.
“The reintroduction of the social media regulation bill would lead to deterioration of the human rights situation in the country and carry major economic costs for all sectors, as well as exacerbate social and economic inequalities.
“It would effectively deepen digital divides in the country and seriously undermine the Tinubu administration’s expressed commitment to develop this sector.
“Under international law, all restrictions on the operation of social media companies and other intermediaries must comply with the requirements of legality, legitimacy and necessity.
“The regulation of social media may be incompatible with the services of major social media and private messaging intermediaries, negatively impacting the free flow of information and ideas, and affecting economic and social activities.
“The National Assembly should put pressure on the Federal Government to comply with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and the country’s international human rights obligations regarding the rights to freedom of expression, privacy and participation.
“Access to social media is widely recognized as an indispensable enabler of a broad range of human rights. It is central to freedom of expression and the realization of many other human rights including education, freedom of association and assembly, access to information, and participation.
“The Federal Government has the legal obligations to promote and facilitate the enjoyment of human rights, and to take all steps necessary to ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to social media. The authorities should refrain from unduly interfering with access to digital communications platforms.
“Under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, any restriction on freedom of expression constitutes a serious curtailment of human rights.
“The Nigerian Constitution and these human rights treaties protect everyone’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information of all kinds, regardless of frontiers. States have the obligation to respect and ensure the right to freedom of expression, without distinction of any kind.
“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties protect a broad range of expression, including political discourse, commentary on one’s own and public affairs, canvassing, discussion of human rights, journalism, and artistic expression.
“This includes information that may be regarded as offensive, false or untrue by some people but is considered legitimate political discourse by others. Restrictions on the right to freedom of expression are only permissible when they meet the requirements of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.
“The onus to show that restrictions comply with those requirements is on the State seeking to restrict rights. Social media regulation bills generally do not meet those requirements.
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called upon States not to engage in or condone any restriction of access to the Internet or other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.
“According to our information, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Balarabe Ilelah, recently stated that the social media regulation bill has been sent to the National Assembly. The bill is reportedly seeking to repeal and reenact the NBC Act, CAP L11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“According to the NBC, ‘We have already submitted a bill to amend the NBC act. One of our major problems now is social media. Unless there is a law that allows NBC to act on social media issues, the issue will continue to be a monster in our daily lives in this country.’”
“Similarly, Mrs. Francisca Aiyetan, Director, Broadcast Monitoring of the NBC, recently reportedly said that without regulation, young people could be misguided. According to the NBC, the Federal Government is currently engaging with Google or YouTube, TikTok, ‘so we know the faces behind these [social media] platforms.’”
“If the 2023 social media regulation bill which has reportedly passed the first reading before the National Assembly is the same as the 2019 bill, it would impose disproportionate penalties on Nigerians solely for exercising their human rights.”
“According to our information, the newly reintroduced social media regulation bill seems to be the replica of the version of the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019, with provisions empowering the authorities to unilaterally order the shutdown of the internet.”
“A similar bill to regulate social media was considered by the National Assembly in 2015 but failed to pass into law after public outcry.”

Tinubu’s Man Opens Fire On Atiku Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

A popular social media influencer, Abubakar Sidique Usman has opened fire on the former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on the issue of certificate forgery against President Bola Tinubu.
Usman, who is popularly called Abu Sidiq, wrote on his X (former Twitter) handle, recently: “Atiku Abubakar didn’t identify as Sidiq Abubakar, at least up till when he entered secondary school.
“This very much was corroborated by his then spokesperson, late Adenoyi Onukaba Ojo (sic) in his book, “The Atiku: The story of Atiku Abubakar.
“According to him, Atiku identified as Atiku Kojoli during his primary education at Jada Primary School and only substituted Kojoli with Abubakar to read ATIKU ABUBAKAR after gaining admission at Adamawa Provincial Secondary School in Yola.”
Usman asked: “At what point did the new name “Atiku Abubakar” change to “Sidiq Abubakar” which is the name written on the WAEC certificate presented to INEC and when did “Sidiq Abubakar” change back to Atiku Abubakar, which is his current and official name?
“Honest question: Who is the Sidiq Abubakar that owns the WAEC certificate presented to INEC? Is it the same Atiku Kojoli/Atiku Abubakar or someone else?
“I have read arguments that anybody who identifies as Abubakar can also identify as Sidiq. This can be very true, but if it’s not your official name, it is not your official name. My parents chose my official names as Abubakar Sidiq and that’s why I use both till date, not because I can be called any or both.
“Besides, I didn’t see anywhere Adinoyi Onukaba Ojo referred to Atiku as Sidiq in his book. He referred him as either Atiku Kojoli or Atiku Abubakar. If you have read the book and you saw where he was referred to as Sidiq, please tell me the page.”
Usman’s posers were among the series of attacks against the former Vice President in the apparent turning of tables over the allegation against President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku has championed this case against the President leading amazing revelations by Chicago State University.
Tinubu’s supporters said that CSU has confirmed that he attended the University.
However, Nigerian opposition, especially those sympathetic to Atiku’s efforts say that Tinubu forged the certificate he submitted. The BBC has however reported that there is no evidence that Tinubu forged his certificate.
This is coming even as Atiku dismisses forgery allegation against him with one of his spokesmen, Dele Momodu saying on Twitter: “The APC busybodies have been bombarding me with allegations of forgery against my Principal, ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (GCON), which I immediately forwarded to him and here is his copious response: ‘Yes I used Sadiq Abubakar to sit for my WAEC and after passing my exams I went to swear an affidavit to say I am the same person as ATIKU Abubakar. I went to ABU as Atiku Abubakar and passed my Exams as Atiku Abubakar. Interviewed as Atiku Abubakar by the Federal Civil Service Commission and hired into the Customs Service as Atiku Abubakar. So where is forgery there?’ – ATIKU ABUBAKAR
“CAN THE APC social media bullies forward the deluge of questions in circulation to their boss and get instant and direct response… I SALUTE ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe also defended his boss, saying: “In the last 24 hours or thereabouts, we have seen an avalanche of trolls on social media and some sections of the mainstream media that seek to query the educational credentials of Atiku Abubakar.
“We acknowledge these inquiries as being healthy because they seek to probe the truth.
“We also notice that a lot of those who engage on the issue are supporters and aides of President Bola Tinubu.
“Quite a number of their engagements suggest presenting a duality of allegations of forgery that put Atiku Abubakar at a parallel with the forgery committed by President Tinubu in his documentations to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“To start with, Atiku Abubakar wrote his WAEC examination in 1968 with the name Siddiq Abubakar.
“Every elementary student of Islamic civilization will not find it hard to decipher that both Siddiq and Atiku are names that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave to his bosom friend, Caliph Abubakar. Therefore, Siddiq and Atiku are names that have a historical link to one person in Islamic theology.
“Atiku Abubakar, knowing full well the importance of proper documentation, went ahead in 1973, more than 50 years ago to depose to an affidavit that he would wish to be known officially as Atiku Abubakar and still keeps the original copy of that affidavit up to this day.
“The meticulousness that has been displayed by Atiku in this instance shows an example of an upright man.
“However, while it has only taken Atiku less than 24 hours to come out with full disclosure on his public records, President Tinubu has lived behind the veil for more than half of a century.
“Since 1970 when President Tinubu came under public record to have falsified his academic credentials by claiming to have graduated from a school that was nonexistent, the narrative of his public profile continues to get dirty and messier by the turn of every decade.
“The latest in the rigmarole of President Tinubu’s life of forgeries and falsification of documents is the recent declaration by the Chicago State University that it is not the issuer of the certificate that Nigeria’s president presented to INEC in the run up to the 2023 presidential election – an act that constitutionally disqualifies the offender from the election.
“It is thus in this note that we call on President Tinubu to follow the example of Atiku Abubakar by coming before Nigerians and the world to explain how he got about his name, his educational background, the history of his early years, the true owner of the Southwest College transcript with which he got admission to the CSU, why he refused to go and retake his pre-qualifying examination for the admission and, more importantly, how he came about the discredited and forged certificate of the Chicago State University that he submitted to INEC.
“If President Tinubu refuses to take the lead set by Atiku, Nigerians and the world will forever judge him through a popular Yoruba proverb translation that says: “the upright walk on the straight path, only the crooked beat corners.”

Akpabio To Lawal: Nigeria Now Needs More Mothers Like Yours, In Condolence Message

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has condoled with his immediate predecessor, Senator Ahmed Lawal over the death of his mother, Hajiya Halima (Baba) Ibrahim.
In a condolence he personally signed, the Senate President confessed: “I dare say, Your Excellency, that Nigeria at this time, needs more mothers like yours.”
He said the deceased symbolised the kind of human who must look beyond effervescent grandeur that society offers towards lasting imprints that define lasting legacies.
“Your mother chose and encouraged you in the path of intellectual attainment and it proved to be a better choice for you, your family and Nigeria.
“I can only imagine her satisfaction as you progressed in life knowing that the sacrifices were worth it.

“My brother, I mourn with you and join all your well wishers to pray for the repose of her soul in Aljannah Firdaus.”
Senator Akpabio expressed gratitude for the sacrifices and maternal tenacity provided by Hajiya Halima, which helped Senator Lawal attained his laurels in academia and Nigeria’s political space.
“Hajiya Halima will be etched in our national memory not only for being a virtuous mother, but as a woman, who played her role in raising up a child who rose to the top of academia and our political orbit.
“I am particularly impressed by the maternal support she provided in guiding you through your years of primary and secondary education in Gashua, despite her own limited education. Such foresight and maternal instincts in craving the best for their children must be commended and should be a guiding spirit for our mothers everywhere.”

“Grit,” A Book By Obari Gomba, Wins $100,000 Nigeria Prize For Literature

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, (NLNG), has announced a playwright titled: “Grit,” and authored by Obari Gomba, as the winner of the $100,000 prize for the 2023 cycle on Drama.
Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Advisory Board, made the announcement at the Grand Award Night ceremony in Lagos, yesterday, October 13. The occasion was themed: “Redefinition.”

She also announced Eyoh Asuquo Etim’s entry: “Herstory versus ‘History’: A motherist rememory in Akachi Ezeigbo’s “The Last of the Strong Ones” and Chimamanda Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” as the 2023 winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which comes with $10,000 prize money.

The winning book beat two other books on the Shortlist of Three: “The Ojuelegba Crossroads” by Abideen Abolaji Ojomu and “Yamtarawala – The Warrior King” by Henry Akubuiro. The book competed against 143 plays submitted for the competition in 2023.
Professor Hippolite Amadi, the 2023 winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science, sponsored by NLNG, was also awarded the prize money of $100,000 for his ground-breaking work on respiratory technologies for keeping Nigerian new-born babies alive. He was announced the winner in September by the Advisory Board, led by Professor Barth Nnaji.
In his welcome address, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, said that the theme for the event: “Re-definition” emphasised the need for redefinition in a rapidly changing world, characterised by pandemics, geopolitical events, climate change, technological advancements, and more.
He said that redefinition involved looking at things in new ways, whether at a national, communal, or personal level, which often begins with re-evaluation, re-assessment and revision of established positions.
Dr. Mshelbila expressed excitement about Nigeria’s prospects in the energy transition journey, particularly with natural gas as an enabler, highlighting NLNG’s support for the Decade of Gas policy.
“In NLNG, we supported the declaration of the Decade of Gas, which the federal Government launched in 2021 to help Nigeria achieve industrialisation, economic prosperity, and tackle energy poverty by using gas as an enabler which aligns with NLNG’s vision to be a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria.
“I have expressed optimism in several fora that the Decade of Gas policy would enable the country to catch up with the industrialised countries of the world if successfully implemented as planned, while at the same time decarbonising our ecosystem.
“Our bid for redefinition is further contextualised through the sponsorship of the Nigeria Prizes: the Nigeria Prize for Science, Literature, and Literary Criticism.
“This year, the theme of the science prize is Innovation for Enhancement of Healthcare Therapy.
“We need our people to be in their best form—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to tap into the wealth attainable through Nigeria’s reasoned potential. Likewise, the genre for the 2023 NLNG Prize for Literature is drama. As is apparent, drama has an adept way of communicating themes and messages for our deeper reflection.”
Speaking on the theme of the event, the Special Guest of Honour, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, said that the theme transcends science and literature, and that it was time for Nigeria to redefine itself.
“We often lament our image, but what have we done to change it? When will we celebrate scientists like Professor Amadi?
“NLNG is shedding light on such individuals, and I hope more Nigerians will do the same. This is the essence of redefinition.
“We just listened to Professor Amadi. What I like about the speech is that in his work, he’s looking at the human being at the end of his work.
“I have always told people that one of the best ways to get value out of your life, out of your career and out of your position is to try from the beginning to figure out who is the human being at the end of your work.
“If you think of the human being at the end of your work, you will realise how important it is for you to stay alive so those human beings work.
“So the question is this: is it not time for our public office holders to redefine their roles and start thinking of the human being at the end of their actions?
“Is it not time to start asking that when you are made a public officer, after four years or after eight years, can you honestly look at yourself and say that you have positively impacted the lives of millions of Nigerians?
“You don’t know their faces or names, but you are thinking of the human being.
“Hippolite Amadi, the winner of the Nigeria Prizes for Science, does not know the names of the mothers of the babies he saved.
“He does not know. But he is telling you that he has an innovation that can reduce the mortality rate of newborns in Nigeria.
“He does not need to know the names of those people to know that his work has value to define himself.
“He has defined himself as somebody whose work is aimed at saving life.”
He said that NLNG has the potential to redefine the Nigerian economy by helping the country transition from oil to gas, which could cut energy costs by 50% to 60% in the country, significantly impacting inflation, people’s livelihoods, and the nation as a whole.
According to Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo, the winning book, Grit, is a dramatic journey into the destructive impact of soul-less politics of power and profit which brings out the beast in man.
She said that the play builds the motivations for the actions of every character in a lifelike manner “with apt characterisation and purposeful manipulation of plot and conflict. The play is filled with conflicts that create the mood of the inevitability of tragedy and the language is full of twists that entertain in the midst of pain.”

Nigeria’s Professor Abubakar Wins 2023 Roux Prize In UK, Goes Home With $100,000

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

A Nigerian-British global health leader, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar has emerged the winner of the 2023 Roux Prize, for his dedication to improving health outcomes over the last three decades.
The Professor, who is the the Dean of Faculty of Population Health Sciences at University College London, received the sum of $100,000 for the win. The award ceremony was held on October 12.
Now in its 10th year, the Roux Prize has been recognizing individuals all over the globe who have leveraged evidence-based health data to improve population health. The Roux Prize is awarded by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine.
According to Roux Prize, Professor Abubakar has been steadfast in his contributions to global health.
“His expertise and advocacy have directly affected policy implementation and the lives of millions of people.”

Dr. Chris Murray, Director of IHME, said that Professor Abubakar embodies exactly what the Roux Prize represents: innovation, ambition, collaboration.

“The world of public health is a stronger place because of his ongoing contributions and commitment to change.”
He said that Professor Abubakar’s greatest achievement is his recent work on The Lancet Nigeria Commission that directly led to Nigeria’s passing a new law mandating basic health insurance and the creation of a fund for vulnerable populations that covers 83 million underprivileged people.

Professor Abubakar also led an international multidisciplinary team in March 2022, and completed a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s health system supported by Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.
The research identified critical gaps and offered recommendations in key areas to improve health care staffing, information systems, and access to care for all Nigerians.
Professor Ibrahim Abubakar had said: “What drives me each day is the firm belief that the existence of health inequalities is not a given – it is within our reach to eliminate inequitable access to care if we work collectively to improve the lives and conditions of the most disadvantaged among us.”

Professor Abubakar’s determination in pushing for fairness comes from his father, who was born in Nigeria’s Bauchi State His father lived under British colonial occupation amidst debilitating poverty but was able to get an education and build a career as a civil servant. As a child, Professor Abubakar saw the social and economic disparities in his home country through his father’s work. As an adult, Professor Abubakar chose to study medicine in northern Nigeria to address the health inequities.
“My career veered to population health after witnessing the ravaging effect of HIV and other infections on my patients.
“As a young doctor, I distinctly remember patients arriving in my ward and dying of a preventable form of meningitis. Most of these patients were too poor and had been failed by society,” said Professor Abubakar.
“I believe my subsequent achievements and persistent commitment to medicine and public health had a lot to do with the contrast I have seen all my life: what is possible with levels of opportunity and wealth and the unfairness of outcomes.”
Prof. Abubakar has been instrumental in the development of health initiatives for tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19.
As the head of TB in Public Health England in 2015, he developed a research program that improved screenings. Prof. Abubakar also chaired committees, such as the WHO Strategic Advisory Group for TB, that led to better diagnoses and increased access to treatment, contributing to a 2% annual decline in new TB cases globally from 2015 to 2018.
In 2020, Professor Abubakar was appointed as Scientific and Technical Adviser to the Nigeria Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19. He organized a team that responded to daily requests for evidence, aided in developing the type and timing of national COVID-19 restrictions, and wrote over 40 policy papers that ultimately served as a national vaccination policy. He is also leading an international study on COVID-19 variants, which includes cohorts from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.
“I feel lucky that my career and role allow me to have the privileges of working in a top university in the UK and impacting health policy in my adopted country, while being able to contribute to the generation of evidence that influences global health and health policy in Africa and Nigeria specifically,” said Professor Abubakar.
As the Roux Prize winner, Professor Abubakar received a $100,000 award to reinforce his efforts to support health systems in Nigeria and Africa’s Sahel region, benefitting some of the world’s poorest countries, among other significant global health programs.

Late President Yaradu’a To Bag Posthumous Doctorate Degree Of Fed. University Dutsin-Ma

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua has been slated among others, to recieve Honorary Doctorate Degree of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) in Katsina State at its
7th and 8th combined convocation ceremony.
Others who will be awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree are the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk Umar: the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero and Former Governor of Katsina state, Barrister Shehu Shema for their selfless services to humanity and the country in general.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Armayau Hamisu Bichi, in an interview with newsmen, said that during the occasion, over 4,000 undergraduates and 350 Post graduate students will be awarded first Degrees, Masters Degrees and PhDs.
“This is a remarkable feat and happy moments for us at the university.”
He said that by next year February 2024, another special convocation ceremony will be held during which late President Umaru Musa Yaradua will be awarded a Posthumous Honorary Doctorate degree for his exemplary leadership qualities.
Others to be honoured alongside the late president are his predecessor, former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the wife of Senate President, Ekaette Unoma.
He assured the of the commitment of the university to towards advancing the frontiers of teaching, learning and research.

Abuja Administration Pulled Out Of Treasury Single Account

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) has been pulled out of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
The minister of the FCT, Nyeson Wike, who spoke to newsmen today, October 23, said that President Bola Tinubu has approved the move.
According to the minister, the pulling out of the ministry of FCT from the TSA would allow him to use the territory’s Internally Generated Revenue IGR for the development of the nation’s capital.
Wike said that said the President has also approved the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission.
He said that the new system would allow the progression of staff of the FCT Administration.
Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration introduced the TSA to address irregularities, ensure accountability, curb the incessant number of accounts and enable the tracking of all government revenues.
“When we came into government, we found out that some institutions had hundreds of accounts. How can the Accountant General trace them?
“So, we introduced the Treasury Single Account so that all revenues will be followed and directed to it. This is a very positive way of making sure that revenues can be traced to Treasury Single Account and therefore be accounted for,” Buhari had said while explaining the motive behind the policy.

Davido, Chioma Lost One, Get Two

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

Nigerian-American musical superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido and his wife, Chioma have been blessed wit h newborn twins.
Sources hinted that the twins were born at a hospital in the United States of America, USA.
At the hospital, Chioma was seen sitting on a wheelchair, holding the twins in both hands with Davido standing by her side.
The couple have been receving congratulatory messages from Nigerians who have taken to their respective X platform handles (Twitter) to celebrate the arrival of the twins.
The couple had lost their first son, who got drowned in the family swimming pool.

Onanuga Becomes Special Adviser On Information, Strategy, To President Tinubu

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

A thorough bred professional journalist, Bayo Onanuga, has been appointed a Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
A statement today, October 13, by Ajuri Ngelale said that President Bola Tinubu also appointed Ms. Delu Bulus Yakubu as
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The statement said that the new appointments are parts of efforts to prioritize effective and efficient working synergy between the Presidency and Federal Ministries.
It described those who have been appointed as professionals who have prior working experience within the architecture of the Federal Ministries they will be coordinating with.
The statement said that it would be in addition to duties that will be carried out at the President’s discretion.

Sardauna Dutse, Jigawa State, Maitama Yusuf Is Dead, Aged 76

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2023

The Sardauna Dutse in Jigawa State, Alhaji Bello Maitama Yusuf, is dead.
He died in the early hours of today, October 13, in Kano at the age of 76.
Maitama Yusuf was a Senator from 1999 to 2007 and Minister of Internal Affairs in1981 and Minister of Commerce in 1982 in the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
He was born in Gwaram, Jigawa State, in 1947,
A family friend of the deceased, Alhaji Hussaini Dalhatu, confirmed the passing of Yusuf in Kano on today morning and that the funeral prayer would take place after the Friday prayers at the Emir of Kano’s palace.

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