National News

Zulum’s spokesman bags istinction in MA, Media and Public Relations

Published

4 years ago

January 20, 2022

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.

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.

National News

India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja

Published

1 day ago

November 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) has organized a special short Movie Screening and Panel Discussion.

The event, which held at the Chancery premises, was inaugurated by High Commissioner Amb Abhishek Singh, and brought together a vibrant cross-section of participants from the diplomatic community, including Heads of Mission, members of the Nollywood fraternity, film professionals, cultural enthusiasts, influencers, and friends of India.

The evening featured the screening of two thought-provoking short films — the Indian short film “Good Morning”, and the Nigerian film “Not So Long a Letter”.

Following the screenings, a lively panel discussion was held on the theme: “Celebration of our rich cultural heritage and the need for collaboration.”

The panelists, including Swat Duniah-Adalumo – Moderator (Journalist), Dr. Ahmed Sarari (Filmmaker), Francis Duru (Actor/Filmmaker) and Stephnora Okere (Actress/filmmaker) exchanged insights on how cinema can deepen mutual understanding, promote cross-cultural narratives, and foster creative partnerships between the Indian and Nigerian film industries.

The initiative was part of the High Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen India-Nigeria cultural relations and promote Indian cinema through shared artistic expressions and storytelling traditions”

India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja

National News

Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative

By: Zagazola Makama

In continuation of non-kinetic peace engagements across the 1 Division area of operation, representatives of key security and peace institutions on Tuesday visited Kuyello and surrounding communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State to sustain dialogue with repentant bandits and community leaders.

The visit, conducted on Nov. 11, was jointly led by representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and some Islamic clerics from the Kaduna State Peace Committee, with participation from 1 Division Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to sources, the team arrived Kuyello at about 11:30 a.m., where a meeting was held with key community stakeholders and repentant bandit leaders.

The Chairman of the committee urged the repentant bandits to remain committed to the peace agreement and desist from attacks, kidnappings, and preventing locals from accessing markets and farmlands.

He reminded them that the peace initiative was built on mutual trust and community safety.

During the engagement, the team learned of an unresolved conflict between vigilantes from Kompany village in the Layin Dan Auta area and residents of Layin Dan Lasa village, reportedly under the control of bandit leader Kachalla Risku.

The feud was traced to an earlier incident at a mining site on Oct. 16, 2025, where a Fulani local was killed and his weapon seized, leading to retaliatory attacks and kidnappings.

The sources noted that Risku agreed to release all kidnapped persons and return a police rifle in his custody.

However, he demanded the return of four motorcycles allegedly seized by locals during the October incident.

Community leaders, including the Hakimi, testified that the bandits had largely kept to their commitments under the peace accord, attributing the recent tensions to the refusal of residents of Layin Dan Auta to comply with the peace deal.

The team further stopped at Rikau and Rima villages during its return to Kaduna to meet other bandit leaders, including Kabiru and Dandukununu, who also pledged to uphold the peace agreement. Palliatives were handed over to them as part of confidence-building measures.

The delegation described the visit as successful, noting that it was aimed at preventing a relapse into violence and consolidating gains from the ongoing dialogue process.

At the end of the engagement, several resolutions were reached, including a directive for the Birnin Gwari Local Government Council and the Emirate Council to facilitate peace talks between the warring communities.

It was also resolved that all kidnapped victims in the custody of Risku be released immediately, while the police rifle held by his group should be handed over to security agencies without delay.

The team returned safely to Kaduna at about 7:50 p.m. after a hitch-free mission.

Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative

National News

UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn

By: Michael Mike

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC) has heralded stakeholders to find way to assist victims of revenge porn.

The UNODC Nigeria Country Representative, Cheikh Touré while rallying stakeholders in the security sector to address the growing incidence of revenge pornography, at the opening of a three-day workshop on Cybercrime and Violence Against Women Through Information and Communication Technologies, (ICT), themed ‘Cyber-Interpersonal Violence: The Challenge of Responding to Revenge Porn,’ on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that cyber-violence of revenge porn is one of the most deeply personal forms of online harm that demands urgent attention to tackle because it tramples on human dignity and inflicts life-long emotional harm on victims.

Touré further said: “The non-consensual sharing of intimate images, commonly and painfully known as revenge porn is not just a technical issue, it’s not just a legal challenge, it is a profound violation of privacy, dignity, autonomy and security.

“It is a form of violence that leaves scars, not only on skins, but in lives and it is disproportionately affecting women though lets me be clear, it impacts men, young people and individuals from all walks of life. The trauma is universal, the devastation can be lifelong.”

The Country Representative stated that the United Nations Convention on Against Cybercrime, (UNCAC), also known as Hanoi Convention remains the key global legal instrument in combating all forms of cybercrimes as it has provisions that enable countries work together to fight the menace.

Touré, while urging participants to work together in understanding how to use the UNCAC to protect the public, said: “This workshop is not just about legal framework, this is about people, it’s about prevention, it’s about healing.

“It means closing jurisdictional gaps, so no perpetrator can hide behind borders and or technology. And overall, it means ensuring no survivor is left without justice, safety or support. And this is about building a Nigeria in a world where the digital space is not a battlefield for dignity, but a place where rights are protected.”

On her part, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Kristin Wæringsaasen, said her government is solidly behind the UNODC, and willing to offer support to ensure the fight against the cybercrime of revenge porn and other cyber-violence are brought to a halt.

She said Norway’s partnership reflects a growing international commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by technology-enabled violence.

Wæringsaasen said: “Digital technologies have transformed our societies in a profound way, they are open up new avenues for education, economic growth, civic engagement and global connectivity. But alongside these opportunities we are witnessing the emergence of new and deeply concerning forms of violence, particularly against women and girls.

“Cyber-related violence, including online harassment, exploitation and abuse, is not confined to virtual spaces, it has real world consequences, undermining safety, dignity and human rights. It’s enforcing existing inequalities and creates new barriers to participation, especially for women and girls.”

She however assured that Norway is proud to support UNODC, both globally and here in Nigeria through its development cooperation which aims to promote inclusive governance, human rights and the rule of law.

She said: “We believe that a strong and coordinated response to cyber-related violence is essential to achieving these goals. This workshop is an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen institutional capacity and build a mutual sector response that is both effective and sustainable.

“It is also a chance to centre the voices of survivors, civil society and youth, whose experience and insights must guide our effort.”

UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn