Media Smarts Nigeria

06/09/2025

OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NCC)

The Executive Vice Chairman,
Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC)
Plot 423 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, FCT 900271,
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Sir,

DIGITAL BLACKOUT IN ZAMFARA NORTH: AN APPEAL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION

On behalf of the people of Zamfara North Senatorial District, I write to passionately appeal for your urgent intervention regarding the complete cut-off of internet services in our zone by major service providers MTN, Airtel, and Glo for over three months without any official explanation to subscribers.

This disturbing situation has plunged *the zone* which made up of Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Zurmi local government areas with a combined population of over 1.78 million, into digital darkness.

Zamfara North is blessed with talented and innovative youths who thrive *on* digital businesses and modern entrepreneurship. It also hosts the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, several educational institutions, and strategic commercial hubs like Shinkafi and Kasuwar Daji international markets, attracting investors and traders from within and outside Nigeria. Cutting off internet services in such environment has paralyzed businesses, disrupted education, and forced many young people into joblessness and migration, thereby creating fertile ground for insecurity and social unrest.

Sir, history has shown that idle youths easily become vulnerable to criminal recruitment, radicalization, and other social vices when left without hope or meaningful engagement. By denying over 1.7 million people access to internet services, we risk compounding our already fragile socio-economic and security challenges in Zamfara State.

The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, from which your functions are derived, is clear in Chapter 2, Section 4 about the Commission’s role in ensuring:

1 “The development and monitoring of performance standards and indices relating to the quality of telephone and other communications services and facilities supplied to consumers in Nigeria, having regard to the best international performance indicators.”

2 “The making and enforcement of regulations necessary to give full force and effect to the Act.”

3 “The resolution of disputes between operators, subscribers, or any other person involved in the communications industry through mediation or arbitration.”

Unfortunately, the prolonged silence and inaction by telecom operators in Zamfara North constitute a breach of trust, a disregard for subscribers’ rights, and a violation of NCC’s service quality obligations. Subscribers deserve not only reliable services but also timely information on any deliberate service disruption as a mark of respect for their rights and dignity.

As a patriot and Publicity Secretary of the Kaura Namoda Focus Forum (KNFF), as well as in my capacity as a journalist and community leader, I humbly urge the NCC to:

1. Direct all telecom service providers to immediately restore internet services in Zamfara North.
2. Compel operators to compensate subscribers for the months of blackout.
3. Enforce strict compliance with the requirement to notify customers ahead of any service disruptions in the future.
4. Protect our teeming youths by ensuring uninterrupted access to digital opportunities that drive employment, education, and entrepreneurship.

Sir, Zamfara North is one of the fastest-growing regions in Nigeria, with a population projected at over 1.78 million (2025). Our communities cannot afford to be left behind in the digital economy while the rest of the country advance.

We count on your timely and decisive action to safeguard our future, restore trust, and uphold the NCC’s mandate as a true regulator for the people.

With highest regards,

Abdulrazak Bello Kaura
Development Journalist | Zonal Secretary, NUJ Zone A (Northwest)
National President, Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda Alumni Association
Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

02/09/2025

28/08/2025

Front pages of National Dailies for today
28/8/2025

27/08/2025

Front pages of National Dailies for today

22/08/2025

https://www.mediasmartsnews.com/apc-wins-kaura-namoda-south-byelection/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Kamilu Sa’idu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Kaura Namoda South state constituency byelection. The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’ad of the Federal University Gusau, announced that Sa’idu poll...

21/08/2025

APC wins Kaura Namoda South byelection

The result was declared by Prof Lawal Sa'ad of Federal University Gusau today at Kasuwa Daji after the re-run election

15/08/2025

Tension as Kaura Namoda South By-Election Holds Saturday

There is heavy presence of outlawed ‘Yansakai, vigilantes, and other local fighters in Kaura Namoda South ahead of the state constituency by-election scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025. Smarts News Nigeria reports that the area is tense as political parties allegedly mobilise men to rig the e...

07/08/2025

Press Release

NAHCON Holds Post-Hajj Strategic Meeting with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) today 7/8/2025 convened a strategic post-Hajj meeting with Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to review the 2025 Hajj operations and commence early preparations for 2026. The meeting took place in the Hajj House Headquarter.

In his opening remarks, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support to Nigerian pilgrims and the Commission. He highlighted the Federal Government’s intervention that enabled Hajj carriers to accept payments in Naira, shielding pilgrims from foreign exchange shocks.

Professor Usman also commended Federal Government for directing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend its earlier policy mandating credit card-only payments for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) to pilgrims. This could have disadvantaged many of them due to limited awareness and sensitization.

He encouraged participants to offer frank, constructive evaluations of the 2025 exercise, focusing on what worked, the challenges encountered, and areas for improvement.

The Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Information and Library Services ( PRSILS) Prof. Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal led discussions on the 2026 Hajj Calendar while Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi led discussions on operational matters.

Particularly, Prince Elegushi opened the floor for discussions on the possible rollover of contracts for the four airlines that operated during the 2025 Hajj, citing time constraints and bureaucratic hurdles juxtaposed with the Saudi calendar and its expectations from Hajj participating countries. This he said will give room for Nigeria to book airlift slots early.

The NAHCON Chairman after deliberations announced a tentative deposit of ₦8.5 million as the provisional fare for the 2026 Hajj as agreed collectively, pending final negotiations on all service contracts.

Prof Usman also announced that Nigeria has retained its 95,000-slot allocation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Similarly, allocation of slots to state welfare boards remains as it was last year.

In his submission, the Chairman of the Forum of States Executive Secretaries, Alhaji Idris Almakura Executive Secretary (ES) Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board, thanked NAHCON for organising the meeting. He urged the Commission to strengthen collaboration with state boards through improved communication and timely clarifications. He also called for expedited reconciliation of pending matters from the 2025 Hajj, to ensure a smooth transition into 2026 planning.

All executive members of the Forum of States’ were in attendance, including Deputy Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Faruku Yaro (ES, Kebbi State), Malam Abubakar Salihu who is the Secretary of the Forum and ES Adamawa State. The meeting concluded with members committing to offer feedback on unresolved issues after consultations with their respective states members.
Secretary to the Commission, Dr Mustapha Ali thanked all participants for the fruitful discussions and adjourned the meeting.

Fatima Sanda Usara,
Assistant Director, Information and Publication for
Chairman /CEO NAHCON
7/8/2025

02/08/2025

Commander 1 Brigade Nigerian Army Gusau Brig Gen TM Opurum ya share hawayen Dalibai 100 masu karatu a GSS Kaura Namoda jihar Zamfara ta hanyar tunka masu uniform.

Ya Dunka masu Uniform na Zamani Guda 100 da takalma 100 da Biro 100 da pencil 100 da littafai 300 don ya taimaki shaanin ilimin su don ceto Rayuwar su daga Duhun Jahilci.

Tabbas wannan abun a yaba ne.

25/07/2025

https://www.mediasmartsnews.com/breaking-emir-of-gusau-hrh-ibrahim-bello-died-at-71/

The 15th Emir of Gusau, Sarkin Katsina Dr Ibrahim Bello is dead. He died at a private hospital in Abuja during an illness. he became the 15th Emir of Gusau on the 16th March, 2015 as appointed by the then governor of Zamfara state Alhaji Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari following the death of his predicessor...

05/07/2025

NIGERIAN ARMY DAY CELEBRATION (NADCEL 2025)

ARMY @162

As part of activities marking the 162nd anniversary of the Nigerian Army, known as the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Gusau organized an educational engagement on public speaking for students of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Gusau.

Speaking during the event, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Gobir, said the program was designed to build patriotism, discipline, and a sense of responsibility among the younger generation. He noted that the initiative is one of several events organized to commemorate the founding of the Nigerian Army.

Other activities conducted so far by the brigade in celebration of NADCEL include special Friday prayers, an interdenominational church service, a medical outreach, and educational support to selected schools in Zamfara State.

At the FGGC Gusau event which had in attendance the students from Government Day secondary school January; Government Day secondary school Danturai; Federal Government Girls College; Government Science Secondary school Gusau; and Government Girls Day secondary school Gada Biyu, the students were taken through a series of sensitization lectures delivered by senior army officers. spoke on "The Need to Be Patriotic Citizens of Nigeria," urging the students to always prioritize the unity and progress of the country in their thoughts and actions.

The officers also addressed the theme "The Importance of Honesty and Integrity," emphasizing that living a life based on truth and strong moral principles builds trust and respect, both personally and professionally.

On a related note, they sensitised the students on "Avoiding Criminal Company and Criminality," cautioning students against negative peer influence, which he described as a major pathway into crime. He encouraged the students to choose their friends wisely and stay focused on their academic and life goals.

The fight against social vices continued with was presented on "Advocacy Against Cultism, Drug, and Substance Abuse," where the dangers of addiction and group violence were highlighted. Students were urged to stay drug-free and report any suspicious activities.

They also enlightened the students on "The Nigerian Army: A Symbol of Unity, Camaraderie, and Inclusiveness," illustrating how the Army draws strength from the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic groups, and serves as a model of national integration and teamwork.

In a lecture titled "Career Opportunities in the Nigerian Army," students were briefed on various pathways into the Army, including the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Short Service and Direct Regular Commission. And also spoke on "Civil-Military Relations and Development Projects Undertaken by the Army," where he listed some of the humanitarian and development initiatives carried out by the military in communities across the country.

The event ended with an interactive session where students asked questions based on the topics discussed and other matters related to the Army. The officers provided clear and timely responses, making the session both enlightening and engaging.

The program was aimed at deepening the relationship between the military and civilians while nurturing the students to become better citizens, good ambassadors, and future leaders.