*NATION MOURNS: 22 YEARS SINCE THE PASSING OF RENOWNED ISLAMIC SCHOLAR SHEIKH SIDI ATTAHIRU SOK

Today marks twenty-two years since the demise of one of Nigeria’s most revered Islamic scholars, Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Sokoto, whose legacy continues to inspire millions across the nation and beyond.

Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Sokoto passed away on Friday, April 16, 2004, corresponding to the 28th of Safar in the Islamic calendar. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, his son, Sheikh Aliyu Sidi Attahiru founder of the ASAttahir International Foundation, established in honour of his late father recalled the scholar’s life of piety, scholarship, and service.

Accompanying the tribute was a cherished photograph taken on Monday, December 2, 2002 (27th Ramadan 1423 AH), during the naming ceremony of Sheikh Aliyu’s son, Muhammad. The image captures a rare moment of familial joy and spiritual significance, reflecting the scholar’s deep commitment to faith, family, and community.

Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Sokoto was widely respected for his contributions to Islamic education, interfaith dialogue, and moral leadership. His teachings emphasised peace, unity, and the pursuit of knowledge, values that remain pillars for many Islamic institutions and followers today.

The Assattahir International Foundation, named in his memory, continues to propagate his vision through educational programs, humanitarian projects, and religious outreach, ensuring that his intellectual and spiritual legacy endures.

As the nation reflects on his passing, Muslim communities and leaders have called for prayers in his honour, with many echoing the plea: “May Allah have mercy on him, amen.”

Sheikh Aliyu Sidi Attahiru, in his online remembrance, urged the public to uphold the virtues his father championed compassion, integrity, and devotion as the most fitting tribute to a life well-lived.

Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Sokoto may have departed this world, but his influence remains a guiding light, reminding all of the enduring power of faith and scholarship.

Security, Economy in Focus as Buratai Chairs Aminu Kano Memorial Event

KANO, NIGERIA — Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), will chair the 24th Annual Symposium commemorating the 43rd memorial anniversary of Aminu Kano, with a strong focus on regional security and economic cooperation in West Africa.

The high-level event, scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Sa’adu Zungur Auditorium, Mambayya House in Kano, is expected to convene policymakers, academics, and security experts to examine the evolving role of Economic Community of West African States in maintaining peace and stability across the subregion.

With the theme “ECOWAS and Regional Peace in West Africa: The Security and Economic Implications for Nigeria,” the symposium comes at a critical time when West Africa continues to grapple with security threats, political transitions, and economic pressures.

Buratai, who also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, is expected to bring his extensive military and diplomatic experience to bear in steering discussions around collective security, cross-border threats, and the strategic importance of regional alliances. His leadership as Chairman of the Occasion underscores the significance attached to the symposium’s deliberations.

The event will be hosted by the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Haruna Musa, while the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, will serve as Chief Host.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, is billed as the Special Guest of Honour, adding further political weight to the gathering.

The symposium will also feature a keynote address by Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, a former Commissioner for Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission, who is expected to provide insights into the bloc’s internal mechanisms and policy direction.

Other notable discussants include former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, and Professor Samaila Suleiman of the Department of History, Bayero University, Kano.

Organised by Mambayya House, Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, the annual symposium remains a key intellectual platform dedicated to preserving the legacy of Aminu Kano while addressing contemporary governance and security challenges.

Analysts note that Buratai’s central role as Chairman is particularly significant given Nigeria’s frontline position in regional security dynamics. His presence is expected to shape robust conversations on how ECOWAS can better respond to insurgency, military coups, and transnational crime while strengthening economic integration among member states.

The symposium is slated to commence at 9:00 a.m., drawing participants from across government, academia, and civil society in what promises to be a timely and impactful engagement on West Africa’s future.

*BOI, GIZ seals strategic partnership to drive enterprise growth, boost climate resilience*

Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria’s foremost Development finance institution and a globally recognised organisation specialising in international development cooperation with countries, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), on Wednesday April 15, 2026, signs a Partnership Framework Agreement to drive sustainable innovation and economic development for large enterprise, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria.

The partnership is hinged on delivering coordinated interventions across key strategic pillars including access to finance, entrepreneurship development, capacity building, and market access; and integrates focused support for climate finance and renewable energy investments; and a robust alignment with global sustainability priorities that enables MSMEs to as engines of economic development.

With this landmark agreement, BOI and GIZ are positioned to mutually ensure that capacity building efforts for businesses focuses on strengthening the technical and institutional capabilities of BOI’s Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs), equipping them to deliver higher-impact advisory services to the Bank’s customers; as well as enshrine a structured vocational training provided under the ICSS (Inspire, Create, Start and Scale) entrepreneurship programme to enhance productivity, workforce quality and overall business competitiveness to MSMEs.

The central pillar of this year’s partnership framework is it women’s economic empowerment through targeted financing initiatives; agribusiness development and rural enterprise growth; and climate-focused investment imperative to scale its renewable energy and energy efficiency financing portfolio.

BOI will strategically deepen its efforts to secure endorsement with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with support from GIZ, a German-led development agency.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, MD/CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said “This partnership is about closing the gap between enterprise potential and enterprise reality. Too many Nigerian businesses, particularly MSMEs, have the ideas, the drive, and the market opportunity, but lack the financing, technical capacity, or market access needed to scale. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to constantly form new partnerships to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria. By combining our financing expertise with our partner’s international development experience, we are building a comprehensive framework that will directly translate into jobs, innovation, affordable, long-term financing and sustainable growth for MSMEs in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Country Director, GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Magnus Wagner, said, “This partnership demonstrates our joint commitments to strengthening Nigeria’s private sector and to advancing sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Through this partnership, we aim to support small and medium enterprises. We are trying more to look at SME, formalized business, which is the resilient backbone of Nigeria’s economy. So, we would like to work, we have decided in areas such as climate and sustainable finance, renewable energy and energy efficiency, entrepreneurship and innovation, women’s economic empowerment, agribusiness and rural transformation, and digital trade and market access. We look forward to a close and successful collaboration with the Bank of Industry, one that delivers tangible results for business, communities, and the country and the population as a whole”.