THE Nasarawa State Government has received a ₦9.75 billion refund from the Federal Government for the takeover of the former Lafia Cargo Airport. Governor Abdullahi Sule announced the payment at a special stakeholders’ meeting held at Government House in Lafia. He explained that his administration had pursued the reimbursement since the facility, renamed Usman Dan Fodio Airport in 2022, and was handed over to federal control.
Governor Sule used the occasion to thank key figures, including National Assembly members and traditional rulers, whose advocacy helped, secure the funds. He paid tribute to former Governor Umaru Tanko Al Makura for initiating the airport project, noting its role in enhancing the state’s investment appeal. “We completed the airport and invited the former president to commission it in 2022,” he recalled.
The governor said the refunded money would be redirected to complete the Kwandere Sabon Gida road, another project begun under Al Makura’s tenure. He emphasised that the state is committed to using the resources to improve critical infrastructure and support economic development.
In the same meeting, Governor Sule also declared the over ₦16 billion Lafia flyover and underpass officially completed. He described the project as a milestone for urban mobility in the state capital and thanked all who contributed to its realisation.
Kano Censorship Board Suspends 22 Hausa Film Series Over Regulatory Breaches
THE Kano State Censorship Board has suspended 22 popular Hausa film series for violating censorship regulations, ordering an immediate halt to their broadcast and online streaming. In a statement, the Board said the affected titles were produced and distributed without the mandatory pre-release approval process.
Executive Secretary, Abba El-Mustapha authorized the suspension following internal reviews and consultations with stakeholders. The Board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman, emphasized that the move targets producers who disregarded the rules requiring films to be submitted for vetting before production or distribution.
The suspended series include widely followed titles such as Dakin Amarya, Labarina, Gwarwashi, Dadin Kowa, Gidan Sarauta, and Manyan Mata, among others. Producers have been given until May 25 to submit their works for censorship or face legal consequences.
The Board urged support from television stations and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission to enforce compliance, describing the action as part of broader efforts to uphold moral and cultural standards in the Kannywood industry. The suspension has sparked debate on balancing creative freedom with regulatory oversight.
15 Killed In Benue As Armed Herdsmen Strike Agatu
AT least 15 people have been killed and several others injured in renewed attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. The coordinated assaults, which began on Saturday evening and continued into early Sunday, left farming settlements deserted, with residents mostly women and children fleeing for safety.
Local sources said the victims were ambushed while returning from Oweto market, with six people killed in Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo communities alone. Former Agatu LGA Vice Chairman, John Ikwulono, confirmed the death toll and described the attacks as unprovoked. Agatu LGA Chairman, Melvin James, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating it was the first major attack since he assumed office. Security forces have since been deployed to the area to prevent further violence.
In a related development, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in coordination with other security agencies, stormed and destroyed bandits’ camps linked to a notorious kingpin in Konyo Gbise, Akwaza, Katsina-Ala LGA. The May 18 raid, carried out by the 72 Special Forces Battalion, led to the seizure of a submachine gun, a locally fabricated rifle, ammunition, and other items including solar panels, POS machines, and suspected Indian hemp.
Commander of OPWS, Major-General Moses Gara, commended the troops and urged them to maintain pressure on criminal elements disrupting peace in the region. He also called on residents to support ongoing military operations by reporting suspicious activities. The simultaneous developments underscore Benue’s ongoing battle with violent crime, from herder invasions to armed banditry.
NEMA Convenes Stakeholders In Kaduna To Boost Flood Preparedness
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has held a consultative meeting in Kaduna to enhance flood preparedness and response strategies ahead of the 2025 rainy season. The one-day meeting, organized by NEMA’s Kaduna Operations Office, brought together key stakeholders to identify vulnerable communities, assign roles, and improve coordination for swift response to anticipated floods.
Speaking at the event, NEMA’s Head of Operations, Mallam Suleiman Muhammad emphasized NEMA’s responsibility in translating seasonal forecasts into actionable preparedness plans to minimize disaster impacts.
Chief Meteorologist at NiMet, Mr. Wakawa Daniel, warned of risks such as torrential rain, windstorms, and disease outbreaks due to poor drainage and sanitation. He called for improved weather-monitoring infrastructure and early warning systems to help communities better respond to environmental threats.
Also speaking, Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Ahmed Maiyaki, stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns in local languages and formats. He criticized poor human practices like dumping waste in waterways and building on floodplains as contributors to recurrent flooding. Stakeholders agreed that timely alerts, grassroots sensitization, and inter-agency cooperation are essential to mitigating the effects of the looming flood season.
