Clerics Take Frontline Role as Gombe Hosts Workshop to Tackle Fake News Ahead of Elections

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Islamic clerics in Gombe State have been urged to take a leading role in combating misinformation and strengthening media literacy, as stakeholders convened for a two-day workshop aimed at promoting fact-checking and building resilient communities.

The workshop, organised by Alkalanci, brought religious leaders, journalists, and communication experts together to address the growing threat of false narratives, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.

Delivering his welcome address, Editor of Alkalanci Magazine, Alhasan Bala, described the gathering as both timely and crucial, warning that misinformation and disinformation are expected to intensify in the lead-up to elections. He noted that emerging technologies such as AI-generated content and deepfakes are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Bala stressed that the rapid spread of information through social media has created a situation where misleading content can reach thousands within minutes, posing serious risks to peace, unity, and public trust. According to him, the workshop was designed specifically for Islamic clerics due to their influence in shaping public opinion.

“Your sermons and teachings guide millions. With that influence comes the responsibility to ensure that the information you share is accurate, verified, and beneficial,” he said.

Bala further explained that Alkalanci has been at the forefront of promoting verification and media literacy in the Hausa language, adding that similar training has already been conducted in Kano and Sokoto, with ongoing engagements extending beyond Nigeria to the neighbouring Niger Republic.

He acknowledged that even respected leaders and preachers can unknowingly spread false information, describing it as a reflection of how deeply misinformation has penetrated society. He said the training would equip participants with practical tools to verify texts, images, and videos, while also encouraging a culture of critical thinking within their communities.

“Our goal is not just to teach tools, but to build a mindset where people pause, reflect, and verify before sharing information,” Bala added.

The event also received royal endorsement from the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, who was represented by Dan Amana Gombe, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar. In his remarks, the Emir appreciated the organisers for bringing such a timely and impactful initiative to Gombe State and commended their efforts to promote truth and responsible communication in society.

He urged the participating clerics to make practical use of the knowledge gained from the training in their mosques, schools, and wider communities, stressing that religious leaders have a crucial role to play in guiding the public away from falsehood and harmful narratives.

Speaking at the event, the president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya, emphasised the importance of the workshop, noting that misinformation has increasingly found its way into religious spaces.

He expressed concern that some clerics rely on unverified content sourced from social media during Friday sermons and daily prayers, a trend he said could mislead followers and deepen societal divisions.

Yahya called for greater collaboration between journalists and religious leaders to ensure accurate information dissemination, stressing that both groups share a responsibility to uphold truth and promote social cohesion.

Other dignitaries at the workshop included academics, media executives, and government officials, all of whom stressed the importance of proactive measures to counter fake news and foreign information manipulation.

Participants are expected to undergo intensive sessions on fact-checking techniques, media literacy, and strategies for identifying manipulated content, with the aim of empowering them to serve as ambassadors of truth within their communities.

The organisers expressed optimism that the initiative would expand to more states, creating a nationwide network of informed and vigilant community leaders capable of resisting misinformation and safeguarding public discourse.

Gombe Rises to No. 2 Nationwide in Fiscal Transparency Ranking

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State has achieved a significant breakthrough in public sector governance, ranking second across Nigeria in the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index released by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House Gombe, and made available to newsmen in Gombe on Sunday.

The ranking, published by the accountability-focused non-profit established in 2016, highlights Gombe as one of the country’s leading states in financial transparency and audit performance, scoring an impressive 68 per cent. The achievement marks a sharp leap from its previous 16th position, reflecting sustained improvements in fiscal oversight.

According to the report, the state recorded notable progress in strengthening the independence of its audit system. It noted that legal frameworks guiding public audits are now being effectively implemented, with the Office of the Auditor-General receiving funding directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This arrangement, the report explained, enhances financial autonomy and reduces executive interference in audit processes.

The assessment further showed that improvements in audit systems at both the state and local government levels contributed significantly to the overall score, accounting for 55 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

A review of Gombe’s performance over time indicates a steady upward trajectory since 2019, aligning with governance reforms introduced under the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. The reforms have focused on promoting transparency, prudent resource management, and a results-orientated public service.

Reacting to the latest ranking, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to deepening transparency and strengthening institutional frameworks to sustain the progress recorded.

“Over the years, Gombe State has continued to earn recognition in good governance, transparency, accountability and public sector reforms, reflecting our consistent commitment to institutional excellence,” the statement read.

It added that the new ranking further reinforces the state’s position as a model for fiscal discipline and accountable governance in Nigeria, with a continued focus on ensuring that public resources translate into tangible development outcomes for citizens.

TCN: The Vote of Confidence In Tinubu’s Abdulaziz Reappointment

By Caleb Johnson

Nigeria’s electricity sector is understandably in an upbeat mood following the reappointment of Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz as Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) by Bola Ahmed Tinubu for another five-year term.

The reappointment, coming to a sector as sensitive and strategic as electricity transmission, goes beyond just some routine gestures. The president has, with the decision passed, a clear vote of confidence on Abdul’aziz. Coming from a president known for placing a premium on performance and results, the gesture becomes even more significant. Yet, few observers of Nigeria’s power sector would argue that Abdulaziz does not deserve the recognition.

Since assuming leadership of TCN, Abdulaziz has approached the task with quiet determination. Right from the beginning, Abdul’aziz has rolled up his sleeves, placed his head firmly on the workbench, and set about delivering the mandate entrusted to him. And in truth, his assignment as the head of TCN, managing Nigeria’s national transmission grid is at once simple and complicated.

Simple, because the problem he was brought to address does not require complex theoretical benchmarks to measure success. Power transmission is measurable in real, practical terms: how much electricity the grid can evacuate, how stable the system is, and how efficiently energy moves from generation plants to distribution networks.

The complication, however, lies in the difficult operating environment. Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure has long suffered from underinvestment, aging equipment, and growing demand. Delivering meaningful results under such circumstances, therefore, requires not only technical expertise but also resilience, managerial discipline, and the ability to coordinate multiple moving parts across a vast national grid.

Yet, despite the precariousness of the task, it is noteworthy that under Abdulaziz, TCN has not only remained operationally stable but has also recorded measurable progress across several fronts.

One of the most celebrated achievements during his tenure is the expansion of Nigeria’s national electricity transmission capacity. Through deliberate upgrades and targeted infrastructure investments, the country’s transmission wheeling capacity has grown significantly. Today, the grid is capable of wheeling about 8,700 megawatts of electricity, a substantial improvement from previous years. Earlier grid simulations also confirmed the network’s ability to transmit over 6,000 megawatts reliably, marking an important step toward strengthening Nigeria’s energy backbone.

This expansion did not occur by chance. It was driven by concrete infrastructure improvements, including the installation of additional power transformers, the construction and upgrading of substations, and the reinforcement of key transmission lines across the country. Each of these interventions contributed incrementally to improving the grid’s capacity to evacuate power generated from plants.

Indeed, it was during Abdulaziz’s stewardship that Nigeria recorded a historic milestone in electricity transmission. In March 2025, the country achieved its highest ever power transmission on record. On that occasion, TCN successfully transmitted 5,801.84 megawatts of peak generation nationwide. The grid also delivered 128,370.75 megawatt-hours of daily energy, another record in the country’s electricity history.

These numbers may appear technical, but they tell the story of man whose determination has culminated in Nigeria’s transmission network gradually improving in its ability to move electricity efficiently from generators to distribution companies. For a country where the inability to evacuate generated power has often been cited as a major bottleneck, this progress is significant.

Another important aspect of Abdulaziz’s tenure has been the aggressive installation of new transformers and the reinforcement of transmission infrastructure nationwide. Between January 2024 and November 2025, a total of 82 power transformers were commissioned across various substations in the country. These installations added more than 8,500 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to the national grid’s capacity.

Transformer installations may not always attract headlines, but they are critical components of electricity infrastructure. By improving voltage stability and enhancing the grid’s ability to evacuate electricity from generating stations, these installations directly contribute to a more reliable power system.

Equally noteworthy is Abdulaziz’s progress in advancing major power infrastructure projects funded by international development partners. Under his leadership, transmission projects valued at over $1.16 billion have moved forward with support from institutions such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and Agence Française de Développement.

Among these initiatives is the Abuja Feeding Scheme, designed to strengthen electricity supply to Nigeria’s federal capital territory through additional substations and reinforced transmission lines. Other projects include the construction of new high-voltage transmission lines and substations aimed at improving the reach and resilience of the national grid.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Abdulaziz has also overseen important steps toward the modernisation and digitisation of TCN’s operational systems. Modern grid management increasingly depends on automation and digital monitoring, and TCN has taken strides in this direction.

Under his administration, several substations have been digitised and automated, improving operational efficiency and system responsiveness. The introduction of Generation Load Drop Sensitivity (GLDS) technology has also strengthened grid management by enabling faster responses to sudden fluctuations in electricity supply or demand. These innovations have reportedly contributed to a significant reduction in grid disturbances, estimated at about 76 percent over a five-year period.

Another area where Abdulaziz’s leadership has been evident is in strengthening grid stability through systematic maintenance and rehabilitation programmes. His administration launched initiatives such as the Nigeria Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP), which focuses on upgrading aging infrastructure and ensuring that existing facilities remain functional and efficient.

Through improved system planning and better grid visibility enabled by integrated technologies, TCN has been able to adopt a more proactive approach to maintenance and expansion. The result is a transmission network that is gradually becoming more resilient and better equipped to handle Nigeria’s growing electricity demand.

Abdulaziz’s influence has also extended beyond Nigeria’s borders. He has played a role in strengthening regional electricity cooperation within West Africa. As chairman of the executive board of the West African Power Pool, he has contributed to initiatives aimed at integrating electricity markets across the subregion.

Under his watch, the North Core Project has continued to advance, linking the transmission networks of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Burkina Faso. The project is designed to facilitate cross-border electricity trade and improve energy security across West Africa.

Taken together, these achievements reinforce the age-old belief that when the right individuals are placed in positions that align with their competence and experience, results tend to follow.

Leadership in public institutions often determines whether policies remain on paper or translate into real outcomes. In Abdulaziz’s case, the evidence suggests that the latter has been the case. His tenure has been marked more by measurable incremental improvements that collectively strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission capacity.

President Tinubu’s decision to retain him for another term therefore sends a clear message about the importance of continuity in critical sectors. In infrastructure development, consistency in leadership often allows long-term projects to mature and deliver their intended benefits.

While it is appropriate to commend the president for keeping faith with a performer, it is equally important to remember an old saying: the reward for good work is often more work. The expectations surrounding Abdulaziz’s second term will undoubtedly be higher.

Nigeria’s electricity challenges remain formidable. Demand continues to outpace supply, infrastructure gaps still exist, and the national grid must continue expanding to accommodate future generation capacity.

But with a foundation already laid during his first tenure, the coming years present an opportunity to consolidate gains and push the transmission network to even greater levels of efficiency and reliability.

For now, however, the reappointment stands as a recognition of work done and a call to even greater service in the years ahead.

Johnson writes from Abuja