National News
Zulum’s spokesman bags istinction in MA, Media and Public Relations
By James Bwala
Spokesman to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Mallam Isa Gusau has bagged a distinction in Masters of Arts (MA) Degree in Media and Public Relations from University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Unlike Nigerian universities which only classify graduate degrees, UK universities classify Masters degrees starting with Pass classification for ‘C’ students, Merit for ‘B’ students, and Distinction for ‘A’ students.
Gusau had in 2020 requested one-year study leave which was graciously granted by Professor Zulum after which he moved to the UK in September 2020, from where he was overseeing the governor’s media activities by remotely working with his colleagues, coordinating his own office with daily inputs on publicity materials, working with and mentoring dozens of social-media associates and bloggers, and relating with more than a hundred journalists while also studying at the University of Leicester.
The University of Leicester has 100 years of history and it is one of the UK’s highly respected academic institutions where only extreme commitments result in students graduating with the highest grades after every module’s assessment undergoes simultaneous double markings by different lecturers whose different gradings must reasonably tally on each grade before marks are approved by academic boards.
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Gusau, was among the graduates at yesterday’s graduation ceremony held at the famous De Montfort Hall around the University of Leicester’s campus in Leicester city. The graduation was held in-person for the first time since the pandemic.
Gusau had previously obtained a Bachelors’ Degree with the highest classification of First-Class in Media, Public Relations and Advertising from Middlesex University in London. He holds another Masters’ Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Labour and Public Relations from the University of Maiduguri. He also holds ND and HND in Mass Communication from the Kaduna Polytechnic.
Gusau also holds certificates from campus-based courses on Leadership and persuasive communication at Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States; on Creative Writing at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education in Cambridge, UK; on Reputation Branding, Media Relations and Political Campaigns and Communication at Thompson Reuters in New York, United States. He had at different times, undertook intensive online certificated courses organised by Harvard University on Communication Strategies, and Crisis Communication.
Gusau had also attended dozens of other media relations, communication and journalism courses within and outside Nigeria.
Gusau is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, UK; the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; the Public Relations and Communications Association, PRCA, UK; the International Public Relations Association, UK and the African Public Relations Association.
Malam Gusau had attended several conferences, summits and bilateral meetings across 18 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa for purposes of government media relations, professional networking, trainings and journalistic reporting. He had at different times, visited 16 states across the United States for similar purposes.
During his one-year programme at the University of Leicester, Malam Isa Gusau’s secondary literature resources showed that in the course of writing academic essays and dissertation, he cited a combine number of 461 peer reviewed books and journals on wide range of subjects especially in relation to strategic communication (including risk and crisis communication), terrorists’ propaganda, ethical persuasion and propaganda, emotional intelligence, critical writing, print, broadcast and online journalism, political communication, development communication, media relations, branding and advertising, media audiences research, social science research methods, the new media, the social-media, PR in reconciliation and peace-building, lobbying and public affairs amongst other areas.
In his Master’s dissertation, Gusau investigated the identities of parliamentary lobbyists in Nigeria’s National Assembly and analysed the implications for PR and democratic governance. In the course of the research which scored an ‘A’ after different levels of assessment, Gusau discreetly interviewed senators and members of the House of Representatives from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, who served in the 8th National Assembly from 2015 to 2019 being the case study. Gusau also interviewed public relations practitioners in both government and private sectors, from the six geo-political zones before applying research methods to arrive at significant findings.
Tutors at the University of Leicester described the research as ground-breaking for PR academic research and for practitioners in Nigeria and by extension-Africa, given Nigeria’s leading role on the continent.
Except in the UK, United States and other developed countries, Nigerian universities do not offer Bachelors’ Degree programmes specializing in Public Relations unless for postgraduate programmes in less than five universities.
There is however ongoing plan by the National Universities Commission to unbundle Mass Communication as done in developed countries, which will expectedly create room for universities to offer Bachelors degree programmes in PR to enable students begin specialization at that level.
Gusau had practised as a journalist for years before moving into PR. At the Daily Trust, Isa Gusau was the first to win the Board Chairman’s star award and cash prize for integrity in the journalists’ category. He was also recipient of the Editor-in- Chief’s letter of commendation and cash reward for integrity. He had received series of commendations from the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for prudence, transparency, accountability and productive management of regional offices in the Niger Delta and the Northeast Nigeria. He also received performance-based incentives and accelerated promotions.
Gusau resigned from Daily Trust in March, 2012, the same week he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Editor, to venture into public relations activities following his appointment by Governor Kashim Shettima as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The officers, according to a viral post, allegedly extorted ₦5.2 million from a group of young men traveling from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State to Akure, Ondo State.
The Minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Babatunde Alao, noted that any officer found guilty will face the full weight of the law.
He said: “We will not tolerate any form of misconduct from our security agencies.
“We are building a paramilitary that is disciplined, professional and serve Nigeria and Nigerians with all sense of diginity and patriotism.
“On this case, we will see that justice is upheld and ensure that security personnel serve with forthrightness,” he said.
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
CAN holds peaceful protest in Plateau over killings of Christians
By: Zagazola Makama
The Plateau State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Jos to express concerns over the continued killing of Christians in the state.
The protest, led by the CAN State Chairman, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, commenced at about 9:43 a.m. from Favwei Junction and terminated at the New Government House, Little Rayfield.
Speaking at the Government House, Rev. Fr. Lubo and the President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) appealed to the Plateau State Government to urgently convey their message to President Bola Tinubu.
They said the protest was aimed at drawing national attention to the plight of Christian communities affected by the recent violence.
In his response, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang assured the protesters of the government’s commitment to securing the lives and property of all citizens in the state.
He noted that the Inspector General of Police had expressed readiness to deploy additional personnel to Plateau to strengthen security operations.
A formal letter of protest was presented to the governor for onward transmission to the President.
CAN holds peaceful protest in Plateau over killings of Christians
Jihadist Expansion Reshapes Border Areas of Niger, Nigeria and Benin – Report
By: Zagazola Makama
Violent campaigns by jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are reshaping security dynamics across the border areas of Niger, Nigeria, and Benin, according to a new security analysis.
The report indicates that the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) have significantly expanded their operations southward from traditional Sahel strongholds, transforming border regions such as Dosso in Niger, Alibori in Benin, and parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states in Nigeria into active conflict zones.
Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) confirms a sharp rise in politically motivated violence in the affected regions, with reported incidents and fatalities more than doubling since 2023.
The report underscores that both JNIM and ISSP are leveraging porous borders to consolidate their presence, establish proto-state structures, and complicate military containment efforts, all while exploiting local economies and illicit trade routes to fund their operations.
Emergence of a New Frontline
JNIM, formed in 2017 through the merger of four Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups, has adopted a strategy of building local alliances and embedding within communities. Its expansion into Benin, Ghana and Togo began from strongholds in eastern Burkina Faso and southwest Niger.
In contrast, ISSP, with roots in Mali’s Ménaka region and Niger’s Tahoua and Tillabéri regions, has intensified its activities in central Dosso, targeting infrastructure such as the Benin-Niger oil pipeline. The group also employs economic warfare tactics, including the collection of zakat (Islamic tax), control of supply corridors, and attacks on critical installations.
The report dismissed media claims about a new group called “Lakurawa” operating in the Niger-Nigeria border region, noting that fighters under this label are part of ISSP networks long established in Dosso, Sokoto, and Kebbi.
Tensions and Territorial Rivalries
JNIM and ISSP operations now overlap in Dosso, particularly in Gaya and Dioundiou communes, leading to competition and possible future confrontations. While both groups have so far coexisted in some areas, experts warn that their history of violent rivalry, especially in Mali’s Liptako-Gourma region, may soon spark conflict.
Recent incidents, such as the February 22 attack on villages near Koutoumbou in Dioundiou, attributed to ISSP, mark a shift toward mass atrocities against civilians, signaling a dangerous escalation.
The expansion of militant control is reshaping social structures and local economies. Both groups are embedding within communities, using religious outreach, propaganda, and coercion to recruit fighters, preach in mosques, and impose strict interpretations of Sharia law.
In parts of northern Benin and Niger, local economies are being co-opted to serve militant logistics, with communities coerced into supporting illicit fuel and goods trade.
This militant entrenchment is also driving the rise of local self-defense groups such as the Yansakai in Nigeria’s northwest and the Zankai in Niger’s Tillabéri region. While these groups aim to protect their communities, they also risk fuelling ethnic tensions and communal violence.
Regional Security Efforts
In response to the deteriorating security environment, the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced plans to form a joint force of 5,000 troops. The force is part of broader efforts by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to counter jihadist threats after their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
However, the report notes that lingering diplomatic tensions—particularly between Niger and Benin, and Niger and Nigeria—have hindered coordinated action along the tri-border region, enabling jihadist expansion.
It called for a renewed emphasis on regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and inclusive counterinsurgency strategies that address the socio-economic roots of extremism.
The findings add urgency to discussions about strengthening security collaboration among West African states, especially as jihadist movements continue to evolve and adapt to the region’s complex political and geographical landscape.
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