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TRIBUTE: GOOD NIGHT SANI KASSIM MAIDAMMA

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TRIBUTE: GOOD NIGHT SANI KASSIM MAIDAMMA

TRIBUTE: GOOD NIGHT SANI KASSIM MAIDAMMA     

By: Balami Lazarus     

Growing up in Zaria as children and young men in our teens was interesting and full of fun that was some decades back then.     

Looking back recently I decided to do a long roll call of my close childhood friends and some peer groups. I found out that some of us are ‘missing’ on the list. And one such person was Sani Kassim Maidamma (SK). Aminu Suleman called and told me that Sani was no more.

I lacked what to say and sensed that he would end the call. We were living in the same neighbourhood where our parents were known to each other. Later, SK and I went to the primary school, All Saint Anglican Primary School Samaru- Zaria, one of the top rated primary schools now Saidu (LEA) Primary School.

SK and I were once in the same classroom, sitting on the same desk that was in class four (B) and we have always been together till we left in 1976 and our friendship continues to his last days on mother earth after a protracted illness.     

It is therefore necessary for me to write this piece as a remembrance of SK. He was one among our very good childhood friends for those of us that were close to Sani Kassim. SK, I do remember when you were the Secretary of Sabon Gari (Zaria) Local Government Council where you touched lives in terms of employment, contracts and charity.

I recalled your visit to our former primary school where you made promises in your capacity as Sole Administrator of Basawa Area Development Council and you fulfilled them.   

Also Read:  SWEET SUGAR, BITTER LIES

I thanked you for your kind gesture whenever I visited you in your office at the secretariat. It was always a plus to my pocket or my car tank. To tell you how good SK was, when I informed 

Audu Dachar of his death was downcasted and what came out of him. “Oh my God! Sani was a good guy.” Really being good is associated with late SK.

He was nice to anyone that came into contact with him. Your heart was a synecdoche of your whole when you were here with us.     

SK had a chrisma that attracted people to him. His house was a rallying point for some of us. It was my first point of call once I was in Zaria before reaching my parent’s house. This has no doubt has to do with your very large kind heart SK.

I also glee in my heart  when we close from school. I will follow you  home and Iya will make sure I eat something no matter how little it was before proceeding home with a warning as usually not to play around with dead tractors by the side of your house.   

 We share some things incommon with SK, he was stout, well- built, dark in complexion, fearless, down- to- earth and a lover of books. SK was a footballer, that is where we slightly parted ways in interest. I was more on the adventurous side of life as a boy- snakes hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, swimming ( bridge diving) and hiking. That was me as a boy.     

As a good footballer, SK played for the defunct Samaru United Football Club and A.B. U. Workers Football Club.     My good childhood friend and brother Sani Kassim Maidamma, your baritonic voice stands out and I always felt flattered when you addressed me as  Don Lazarus either directly or on the phone. I missed you .     

Before the black- out, SK was an Editor for Hotline NewsMagazine Kaduna, Teacher, Lecturer, politician and was a PhD student with Faculty of Administration, Department of Local Government Studies Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

He was once with Aminiya of Daily Trust Newspaper Abuja. SK died on the 30th May 2017 at the National Hospital. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. May Allah grant him Al Janna Firdaus. Ameen.

Balami, a Publisher/ Columnist.     08036779290

TRIBUTE: GOOD NIGHT SANI KASSIM MAIDAMMA

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NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls Bound for UK, Australia

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NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls Bound for UK, Australia

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in carton walls and destined for the United Kingdom and Australia, as the agency intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.

The seizures were made by NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos on Friday during the examination of export shipments. According to the agency, 170 grammes of cocaine carefully sealed in cellophane parcels were discovered hidden within the walls of a carton containing clothes bound for Australia.

In another shipment heading to the United Kingdom, the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said officers uncovered a cache of opioids, including 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection concealed in a carton.

The anti-narcotics agency also recorded major breakthroughs in Delta State, where operatives raided forests and cannabis farms in separate operations supported by military personnel.

At Ejeonu village in Ukwuani Local Government Area, NDLEA officers destroyed 27,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on 11 hectares of farmland and recovered an additional 22.9 kilogrammes of the substance. A suspect, 52-year-old Ifeanyichukwu Peter, was later arrested during a follow-up operation in Obiaruku.

Similarly, operatives raided Orogun village in Ughelli North Local Government Area, destroying another 37,500 kilogrammes of skunk grown on 15 hectares of farmland while recovering 55.4 kilogramsmes of the illicit drug. Thirty-year-old Godwin Vincent Osadera was arrested in connection with the operation.

The agency said the two operations resulted in the destruction of a total of 65,000 kilogrammes of skunk.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested 42-year-old Husaini Suleiman after recovering 361 kilogrammes of skunk during a raid at Dan Magaji area of Zaria town.

In a separate operation along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, officers intercepted 1,989 rounds of RLA 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside sacks of fresh cassava granules, popularly known as garri. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Abdullahi Hassan, was apprehended while transporting the ammunition. NDLEA said both the suspect and the recovered ammunition had been transferred to another security agency for further investigation.

In the Federal Capital Territory, operatives arrested a 29-year-old businessman, Ogadi Peter, alleged to specialize in producing drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social gatherings.

The suspect was arrested at his residence in the Life Camp area of Abuja following intelligence reports. Officers recovered 800 grammes of skunk and 2.7 kilogrammes of drug-infused cookies from the premises.

Elsewhere, NDLEA operatives in Ogun State recovered 181 kilogrammes of skunk from a suspect, Aliyu Sani, during a raid in the Ogere area.

In Taraba State, 27-year-old Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa was arrested along the Zaki-Biam road in Wukari Local Government Area with 105,850 pills of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

Two suspects, Adeleke Aliyah, 20, and Aloba Abdulazeez, 25, were also arrested in Saki town, Oyo State, in connection with the seizure of 99 litres of skuchies, a cocktail of illicit substances.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers destroyed 1,388.4175 kilogrammes of skunk on two farms during a raid on Ago forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

In Kano State, operatives recovered 1.2 kilogrammes of tramaking 225mg pills concealed in a 25-litre jerry can of palm oil at Kofar Ruwa motor park. Another suspect, Aminu Isa, was arrested with 30.5 kilogrammes of skunk at Sabuwar Sharada area of the state.

Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign continued across the country with awareness lectures delivered in schools in Oyo, Niger, Lagos, Katsina, Ekiti, and Kano states.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers of the agency’s commands in Delta, Kaduna, Oyo, Taraba, Kano, the FCT, and Edo states for the successful operations.

He assured that the agency remained committed to sustaining a balance between reducing drug supply and intensifying drug demand reduction campaigns nationwide.

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls Bound for UK, Australia

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PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education

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PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education

By: Michael Mike

The Presdent of the General Assembly of the Premiere Academy International Model United Nations (PAIMUN) 2026, H.E. Timilehin Adewuyi, has called on governments, international organisations and private institutions to intensify efforts toward bridging the digital divide and expanding access to technology-driven education across the world.p

Speaking during the second session of the PAIMUN General Assembly held at the United Nations House in Abuja, Adewuyi described digital transformation in education as a critical tool for achieving sustainable development and preparing future generations for global leadership.

Addressing delegates, diplomats and education stakeholders, the PAIMUN President said the world has entered an era where education can no longer remain dependent on traditional methods, stressing that technology has become central to building inclusive, innovative and sustainable societies.

“It is my profound privilege, as President of the General Assembly, to address this august gathering on the topic: ‘Digital Transformation of the Educational Sector as a Driver of Sustainable Development,’” he stated.

According to him, digital innovation has fundamentally changed the way knowledge is accessed, shared and applied globally, opening new opportunities for students to learn beyond geographical and economic limitations.

He noted that digital classrooms, virtual libraries, artificial intelligence and online learning platforms are equipping young people with critical 21st-century skills such as creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and digital literacy.

Adewuyi stressed that these skills are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and positioning young people to compete effectively in the global economy.

Despite the growing opportunities presented by technology, the PAIMUN President warned that millions of students, particularly in developing countries, still face severe barriers due to poor internet connectivity, lack of electricity and inadequate access to digital devices.

He said sustainable development would remain unattainable if educational opportunities continue to be unequal across regions and social groups.

“Governments, international organizations, and private institutions must work collectively to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no learner is left behind in this technological revolution,” he said.

Adewuyi further described digital education as more than an innovation, calling it a strategic investment in humanity’s future.

He urged delegates at the conference to remain committed to policies that promote responsible and inclusive technology adoption in education systems worldwide.

“By embracing technology responsibly and inclusively, we empower the next generation to drive economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability,” he added.

The PAIMUN conference, hosted by Premiere Academy, brought together student delegates simulating the United Nations General Assembly to debate global issues and propose solutions through diplomacy, dialogue and policy engagement.

The event focused extensively on how digital transformation can strengthen education systems, reduce inequalities and accelerate sustainable development across nations.

PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education

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Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno

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Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised two suspected terrorists during a night ambush operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity/Siege Operations, took place at about 11:05 p.m. on May 13, 2026, at Bazamri village, a location identified as a major crossing point for members of the ISWAP.

According to the sources, troops laying ambush at the location intercepted and engaged the terrorists in a firefight, resulting in the neutralisation of two insurgents.

Following the encounter, troops carried out exploitation of the area and recovered several items suspected to be logistics supplies for the terrorists.

Recovered items included 54 packs of 80-gram detergent, 32 packs of 500-gram salt and one carton of spaghetti.

Military authorities confirmed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation.

The ambush team was said to have subsequently changed position and continued surveillance and waiting operations in the area as part of sustained offensive actions against terrorist movements.

Security sources added that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory, while offensive operations across the theatre continued.

Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno

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