By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed condolences over the death of former Minister of Budget and Finance, Sir Abubakar Alhaji, the Sardaunan Sokoto, describing him as a distinguished public servant and respected elder statesman. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said it received news of Alhaji’s death “with profound sadness.”

The forum described the late statesman, popularly known as “Triple A,” as a seasoned civil servant, former Federal Permanent Secretary, diplomat and Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. It also noted that he was honoured as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).

According to the ACF, Alhaji combined public service with scholarship and community engagement, serving at various times as Minister of Budget and Finance and later as Special Adviser on Economic and Budgetary Affairs to the Sokoto State Government. The forum said he was widely respected for his leadership, mentorship and commitment to national development, adding that his contributions to public administration would be remembered.

ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, OFR, on behalf of the forum’s National Executive Council and members, prayed for Allah to forgive the late statesman’s shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. The forum also extended its condolences to the Government and people of Sokoto State, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultanate Council, and the family of the late Sardaunan Sokoto.

By Jabiru Hassan

The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced a four-day retreat for its members and management staff in Kaduna as part of efforts to strengthen legislative capacity and promote inclusive governance.

According to a statement issued by the Speaker’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, the retreat, which began on Thursday, features sessions on legislative research, document management, the code of conduct for public officers, preparation of legacy reports, and executive-legislative relations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for supporting legislative capacity-building initiatives, saying the administration recognises the importance of a strong legislature in promoting good governance, accountability and sustainable development. Falgore reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the passage of legislation aimed at improving the welfare of Kano residents.

Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu also praised the governor for maintaining a cordial working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government. He assured residents that the Assembly would continue to deliver effective legislation and carry out its constitutional oversight responsibilities.

The retreat includes presentations by academics and governance experts, including Prof. Aminu Umar of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Dahiru Idris of Bayero University, Kano. Organised by the Kano State House of Assembly in collaboration with SAHL Human Resource, the programme is designed to enhance institutional memory, improve accountability, support leadership transition and strengthen legislative effectiveness.

By Anne Azuka

The Delta State Government has dismissed claims that the recent attack on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Simon “Temple” Mudi, was an act of political violence, insisting the incident stemmed from a personal disagreement. Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, made the clarification on Thursday while addressing journalists in Asaba.

Aniagwu said the incident should not be linked to the activities of any political party, adding that although those involved had attended the same gathering earlier, there was no evidence that the meeting caused the altercation. He urged journalists and the public to distinguish between the sequence of events and their actual cause, stressing that attendance at the same event does not necessarily make a later disagreement politically motivated.

According to the commissioner, Governor Oborevwori has directed security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice. “Those who were involved in that disturbance must face the full weight of the law, irrespective of who they are,” Aniagwu said. He maintained that Delta State remains peaceful and cautioned against describing every disagreement involving politicians as political violence.

Aniagwu also defended the Oborevwori administration’s performance, stating that prudent management of public resources has contributed to the state’s financial stability. He said critics had failed to challenge the government’s record on development and governance.