The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has expressed deep shock over the fire outbreak that ravaged Shagon Goro Market in Sokoto. The early morning inferno, which occurred on Sunday, destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira, leaving many traders counting their losses. In a statement issued on Monday, Senator Wamakko said he received the news with great sadness, describing the incident as a painful setback for hardworking traders whose livelihoods depend on the market. The former governor of Sokoto State called on the…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
WikkiTimes, a leading investigative and accountability journalism platform in Northern Nigeria, has announced the launch of the Anas Aremeyaw Anas AI Accountability Fellowship, a specialised program aimed at strengthening investigative reporting on extractive industries, environmental degradation and resource injustice in under-reported communities across the region. The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the organisation through its media development arm, the WikkiTimes Media Foundation, and signed by its Publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu. The fellowship comes amid the rapid expansion of mining and other extractive activities in Nigeria, particularly in Northern states, where communities are increasingly grappling with…
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of a seventh term in office following an election marked by reports of violence, arrests and an internet shutdown. The Electoral Commission said Museveni, 81, secured 71.65 per cent of the votes cast in Thursday’s poll, extending his rule of the East African nation to nearly 40 years. His main challenger, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, 43, polled 24.72 per cent. Wine rejected the outcome, describing the results as “fake,” and said he went into hiding after security forces allegedly raided his home on Friday night. In a post on X on…
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his position as the state’s chief executive, stressing that his administration remains firmly committed to peace, security, and the protection of lives and property. Fubara gave the assurance on Saturday while speaking as a special guest at the finals of the 2026 Port Harcourt Polo Tournament held in Port Harcourt, the state capital. He said maintaining public safety and stability would continue to guide his actions, adding that he would not support or encourage any activity capable of threatening peace in the state. ALSO READ Court blocks Fubara’s impeachment ALSO READ [JUST IN]…
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has expelled 60 students following findings that they engaged in various forms of examination misconduct. The decision was made by the university’s Senate during its 431st meeting held on January 7, 2026, and was subsequently published in the institution’s official bulletin on Friday. According to the Senate’s announcement, the expulsions were recommended by the relevant academic and disciplinary committees after investigations established that the affected students violated the university’s examination rules and regulations. The action was taken in accordance with provisions of the General Examinations and Academic Regulations (GEAR) and the General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies…
Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Abba and son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has explained the reasons behind his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that his decision was driven by conviction, ideology and leadership appeal—not family ties. Abba formally defected to the APC on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, where he was received by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside other senior APC leaders from the North-East. Party leaders described the move as a significant boost to the APC’s consolidation efforts ahead of…
Nigeria’s three tiers of government shared a total of ₦9.62 trillion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) over August–October 2025, but monthly allocations declined steadily, signalling renewed fiscal pressure. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows FAAC disbursements fell from ₦3.64 trillion (August revenue) to ₦3.05 trillion (September revenue), before dropping further to ₦2.93 trillion (October revenue). Who got what (Aug–Oct 2025) Federal Government: ₦2.28trn 36 States: ₦2.13trn 774 Local Governments: ₦1.56trn August revenue: ₦3.64trn strong start FAAC opened the period on a strong note, with the Federal Government receiving ₦810.05bn, states ₦709.83bn, and local governments ₦522.23bn.…
The Chief Executive Office, Julius Rone, Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore, has been named New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 in recognition of his trailblazing role in transforming Nigeria’s gas sector and the investor of the year award for Sun Newspaper. Rone, widely referred to as the “Gas king,” Rone has distinguished himself as a visionary entrepreneur whose leadership is driving one of the most ambitious energy projects in the country’s history. At the heart of this recognition is UTM Offshore’s pioneering Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project the first of its kind in Nigeria. The project is…
The Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (MBEP) hosted its 2025 Staff and Partners Award Night, marking the first such recognition ceremony in the ministry’s history. The event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and ministry staff to celebrate excellence, commitment and collaboration in driving the state’s planning, budgeting and economic coordination agenda. Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, said the award night was part of the ministry’s deliberate effort to entrench a culture of recognition, motivation and reward for hard work and dedication. Dr. Zayyana…
A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), retired Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya has filed a N1.5 billion defamation suit against retired Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, Arise Broadcasting Limited, and Sahara Reporters Media Group. Court documents show that the suit was instituted on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, following the expiration of a demand notice earlier served on the defendants. The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Yahaya’s spokesperson, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, a former Director of Army Public Relations. ALSO READ Ex-COAS Faruk Yahaya denies terror-financing link, threatens legal action ALSO…