News
Prof. Ali Ahmad Scales PDP Governorship Screening, Eyes Kwara Governorship
Former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Prof. Ali Ahmad, has successfully passed the governorship screening exercise conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC), marking a significant step in his bid to govern Kwara State in the 2027 general elections.
The screening, held at the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, was conducted in line with the PDP’s internal guidelines and preparatory processes ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. Prof. Ahmad, who distinguished himself as a former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, sailed through the NWC screening process, further cementing his standing as one of the party’s most credible and experienced aspirants in the state.
His emergence from the exercise has been received with enthusiasm among party loyalists and supporters across Kwara State, who regard him as a tested hand in both governance and party administration. His passage through the rigorous process is widely seen within the party as a strong signal of his readiness for the task ahead.
Speaking on the development, Sa’ad Ayinde, Media Assistant to Prof. Ali Ahmad, described the successful screening as a further validation of Prof. Ahmad’s credentials. “His conduct throughout the process once again reflects his maturity, competence, and unwavering dedication to the unity, progress, and success of the PDP,” Ayinde said.
With a wealth of legislative and public service experience behind him, Prof. Ahmad is increasingly regarded as a formidable contender in the PDP’s plans to reclaim the Kwara State Government House. Political watchers in the state will be keenly observing how his campaign takes shape and whether the PDP can consolidate its structures around his candidacy to mount a credible challenge ahead of 2027.
Signed: Sa’ad Ayinde
Media Assistant to Prof. Ali Ahmad, Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command will hold a three-day Police–Youth Engagement Programme from Thursday, August 20, to Saturday, August 22, 2026, as part of activities to mark International Youth Day and strengthen community efforts to prevent crime and promote peace.
The programme, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” will bring together police officers, youths, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the initiative was in line with a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to deepen engagement between the police and young people.
According to the Command, activities will include a Walkathon/Peace Walk aimed at promoting unity, healthy living and responsible citizenship. A medical outreach will also provide basic healthcare services and health awareness to young people and community members.
The programme will conclude with a lecture and interactive session addressing crime prevention, cultism, drug abuse, political and digital thuggery, responsible social media use, youth participation in community policing and emerging security challenges.
The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, urged youths, community leaders and other stakeholders to participate actively in the programme. He called on participants to support efforts to promote peace, unity, responsible citizenship and a safer Kaduna State.
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has matriculated 900 postgraduate students for the 2025/2026 academic session, with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ggenga Solomon Ibileye, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to expanding postgraduate opportunities and strengthening its research culture. Ibileye made the commitment during the postgraduate matriculation ceremony held at the university’s permanent site in Lokoja.
The Vice-Chancellor said research remained central to the value of postgraduate education and stressed the university’s commitment to maintaining and improving its academic standards.
He said postgraduate students would undergo prescribed coursework and examinations, while their projects, theses and dissertations would be subjected to originality and similarity checks. According to him, students would also be required to defend research proposals, participate in internal seminars and submit their work to external examiners.
“These processes ensure that the certificate eventually conferred by the university is worth the years a candidate will spend earning it,” he said. Ibileye said the university currently offers postgraduate programmes at the Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy levels, covering both professional and academic disciplines.
He commended the Provost of the postgraduate college, Prof. Matthew Ola-Rotimi Ajayi, for his leadership and expressed confidence that the institution’s academic standards would continue to improve. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the new students and welcomed them to the postgraduate scholarly community of the university.
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, is participating in the 37th Annual General Assembly Conference of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU).
According to a statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, the conference began on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the University of Ilorin Auditorium.
The conference, themed “Building Resilient Universities for Nigeria,” brings together vice-chancellors and key stakeholders in the university system to discuss institutional challenges, policy innovation and strategies for strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
The statement said the conference was declared open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.Prof. Usman joined other university leaders and education stakeholders at the gathering, which provides a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and the exchange of ideas on strengthening university education in Nigeria.
Kaduna Police to Hold Three-Day Youth Engagement Programme on Crime and Drug Abuse
FUL Matriculates 900 Postgraduate Students, Reaffirms Commitment to Research
PAAU Vice-Chancellor Attends 37th CVCNU Annual General Assembly at Unilorin
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