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Former Gov El-Rufai loses sister-in-law, Safiya
A member of the House of Representatives for Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, has announced the passing of his mother, Aunty Safiya Ali Rufai.
She died this Friday, following a brief illness.
In a heartfelt statement, Bello El-Rufai described his late mother as a “fierce, disciplined, devout, and compassionate woman” and “a mother to many.”
He added that she was an ardent disciplinarian whose presence will be sorely missed by family and friends alike.
Aunty Safiya was married to the late Air Vice Marshal Ali Rufai, elder brother of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and patriarch Baba Bashir El-Rufai.
She was also the mother of two daughters, Yaya Zainabu and Yaya Farida, who passed away years ago.
Hon. Bello El-Rufai called on the public to pray for her soul to be elevated to the highest level of paradise, saying: “Indeed, Allah knows best. Allah ya kara mana hakuri. Allah ya jikan Yaya Zainabu da Yaya Farida.”
The lawmaker concluded his message by urging prayers for all departed loved ones, highlighting the transient and unpredictable nature of life.
News
I can’t be responsible for naming terror financiers in Nigeria – Ex-COAS, Buratai
Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Friday said he can’t be responsible for the naming of those financing terror.
Buratai explained that the Federal government and some of its agencies know why the names of these terrors have not been released.
He disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to Buratai: “We over rely on the military and Army, everybody has its own responsibility, the government knows where the source came from; we have agencies that are responsible.
“You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the financiers of terror.
“It’s not just about mentioning names, those agencies know why the names are not released.
“Action should be taken, these individuals are still within society Today, and they are known.
“I take responsibility for certain things that are strictly the Nigerian Army’s responsibility.
“It’s government decision and not that of Army to rehabilitate repentant Boko Haram, the initial concept that we had was that we gave them a timeline to surrender in 2016 and if they surrender we gave them a free passage and hand them over to appropriate agencies to rehabilitate them.”
News
Outrage in South Africa as Unlawful ‘Igwe Ndigbo’ Coronation Challenges Local Chieftaincy
An uproar has erupted in South Africa’s Eastern Cape after reports that Nigerian national Solomon Ogbonna Eziko was crowned “Igwe Ndigbo,” leader of the Igbo community, during a weekend ceremony in the kuGompo area of East London. Traditional authorities condemned the coronation as illegal, warning that it could spark communal tensions and undermine established governance structures.
The Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders said the coronation violated South Africa’s legal framework for traditional leadership and directly challenged recognized customary institutions. The area in question falls under the jurisdiction of King Jonguxolo Vululwandle Sandile of the amaRharhabe Kingdom, a factor that heightens the sensitivity of the situation. The House demanded a public apology from those involved, the immediate disbandment of the unlawful kingship, and a full-scale investigation by law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability.
The leaders emphasized that no organization has the authority to create or recognize a kingship outside the provisions of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act. While reiterating their opposition to xen+phobia, they warned that such actions could unintentionally divide communities and weaken respect for the rule of law. They also called on the national government to examine potential legal and immigration implications to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The development has sparked broader debate across South Africa on diaspora leadership, cultural identity, and the limits of authority within multicultural societies. It mirrors a 2025 controversy in Ghana when Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu was installed as “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana,” triggering protests over sovereignty and the preservation of indigenous chieftaincy systems.
As tensions grow, South African authorities are expected to carefully balance respect for cultural expression with adherence to national legal and traditional frameworks to prevent conflict.
News
Nigerian govt begins review of mining laws, after 19 years
The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun the process of reviewing extant laws in the mining sector to regulate and tackle illegal mining in the country.
President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Ms. Rose Ndong, disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing ahead of the 262nd council meeting of the society in Uyo, themed: “Optimizing Efficiency, Sustainability and Resilience in Natural Resources Management and Infrastructure Development.”
She recalled that the existing mining laws were last reviewed in 2007, noting that the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders, including NMGS, have begun identifying some gaps in the current laws with the aim of addressing them. She added that the exercise would be concluded in no distant time.
Explaining the need to rejig the laws following emerging trends in the mining industry, the president urged state governments to comply with the law when reviewed, which, according to her, remains within the purview of the Federal Government for the benefit of all.
“The Ministry of Mines is already working with stakeholders towards reviewing the current law which came into place in 2007. So from 2007 to now, the government felt the need to review it. Not only the government, some bodies like us can spot some gaps.
“We cannot encourage state governments to issue mining licences to companies. For now, the Federal Government is vested with such power, but we are expecting that it would review those laws to tackle illegal mining across Nigeria,” she said.
Speaking on the conference tagged “Uyo 2026,” Ndong said it would address emerging realities in geosciences and the development of the mining sector of the economy.
“As a nation richly endowed with natural resources, Nigeria must adopt innovative, efficient, and sustainable approaches in managing these resources, while also building resilient infrastructure that can support long-term economic growth and environmental stability,” she said, urging Akwa Ibom to take advantage of the opportunities the conference would bring.
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