A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four members of a terrorist group linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, to death by hanging over their involvement in the deadly assault.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday after convicting Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al-Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after ruling that the prosecution failed to sufficiently establish his connection to the attack.

Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution proved its case against the four convicts beyond reasonable doubt, noting that evidence presented before the court established their membership and active participation in the terrorist group responsible for the attack.

According to findings presented in court, the convicts were members of a terrorist cell operating in Kogi State and participated in the assault on St. Francis Catholic Church during a Pentecost service.

The prosecution alleged that the attackers stormed the church premises, attacked worshippers and carried out the operation using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and AK-47 rifles, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

To establish its case, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and digital forensic evidence.

Among the exhibits admitted was a Technophone mobile device allegedly containing communications exchanged by the defendants before and after the attack.

One of the prosecution witnesses, a Catholic priest who survived the incident, narrated how multiple explosive devices were detonated inside the church during the attack, causing panic and heavy casualties among worshippers.

Justice Nwite ruled that the totality of the evidence sufficiently linked the four defendants to the terrorist attack and consequently convicted them on all counts.

He subsequently sentenced the four convicts to death by hanging, while acquitting the fifth defendant for lack of sufficient evidence.

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has outlined Nigeria’s digital infrastructure priorities during the closing keynote session at the Datacloud Global Congress 2026 held in Cannes, France.

Speaking during a panel session themed “The Role of Digital Infrastructure in National Economies,” Inuwa joined global industry leaders and policymakers to discuss how digital infrastructure is shaping economic growth, artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, digital sovereignty, and global competitiveness.

The session, moderated by IDCA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mehdi Paryavi, featured other participants including Oman’s Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, Ali Amur Al Shidhani, and IDCA Chief Development Officer, Buddy Rizer.

During his presentation, Inuwa described digital infrastructure as a major catalyst for innovation, economic growth, and national development, stressing that Nigeria is pursuing technology-driven reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to diversify the economy through digital transformation.

He highlighted the implementation of Nigeria’s National Cloud Policy, which aims to increase cloud adoption across public institutions while promoting local hosting of government data to strengthen digital sovereignty, improve service delivery, and support the domestic cloud ecosystem.

According to him, Nigeria has also established a Technical Working Group comprising ecosystem players, industry stakeholders, and hyperscalers to advance sovereign cloud adoption, develop technical standards, strengthen governance frameworks, and attract investment into trusted digital infrastructure.

The NITDA Director-General stressed the importance of expanding investments in broadband connectivity, cloud systems, data centres, and emerging technologies to unlock opportunities within the country’s digital economy and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.

He added that improving broadband penetration, scaling artificial intelligence initiatives, and implementing strategic digital policies remain essential to driving innovation, expanding digital services, and accelerating economic growth.

Promoting Nigeria as a preferred destination for digital investments, Inuwa pointed to the country’s youthful population, expanding pool of digital talent, vibrant innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurial culture, and ongoing reforms designed to create a more business-friendly environment.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and attracting investments that support cloud infrastructure, connectivity, artificial intelligence, data centres, and broader digital public infrastructure.

The Datacloud Global Congress brings together policymakers, investors, hyperscalers, cloud providers, data centre operators, and other industry stakeholders to discuss emerging trends and shape the future of global digital infrastructure development.

The United States Congress has called on the US Secretary of State to engage with the Nigerian government over issues surrounding the legal proceedings, conviction, and continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The directive followed the passage of Resolution H.Res. 1321 on May 22, 2026, which urged that concerns surrounding Kanu’s case be addressed in line with constitutional provisions and international legal standards.

Sponsored by Congressman John James, the resolution called on Nigerian authorities to ensure that all legal processes involving Kanu comply with Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being convicted on terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government. He is currently serving his sentence at Sokoto Prison.

However, members of his legal team have challenged the judgment, arguing that the conviction was based on repealed laws. An appeal has already been filed, although proceedings are yet to begin.

The US Congress also urged Nigerian authorities to consider recommendations previously issued by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Kanu’s detention and treatment.

Concerns were additionally raised over his detention in Sokoto Prison, with his lawyers arguing that the location could complicate preparations for his appeal because of its distance from Abuja, where future legal proceedings are expected to take place.

In the resolution, US lawmakers referenced concerns surrounding Kanu’s arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2021 and his subsequent transfer to Nigeria, noting that international observers had questioned whether the process complied with applicable legal and international standards.

The resolution further acknowledged Kanu’s role as a political figure advocating self-determination in southeastern Nigeria and referenced previous observations made by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding his detention.

The development comes amid ongoing debates over Kanu’s incarceration, pending legal appeals, separatist agitation, security concerns, and broader human rights discussions in Nigeria.

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has threatened to mobilise federal workers nationwide for an indefinite strike over unresolved wage-related issues and worsening insecurity across the country.

The threat was contained in a communiqué issued after an online meeting held on Sunday, where the forum criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), accusing both labour centres of failing to provide adequate leadership amid worsening economic hardship faced by workers.

The communiqué, signed by the forum’s National Coordinator, Mr. Emelieze, and Secretary, Mr. Ayo Ogundele, accused the Federal Government of neglecting workers’ welfare and failing to guarantee their safety.

According to the group, an online poll conducted among members showed overwhelming support for immediate industrial action to push for solutions to the country’s economic and security challenges.

The forum described the July 2024 minimum wage adjustment as inadequate, alleging that the increase only resulted in a flat addition of N40,000 across salary structures, which was also subjected to taxation, thereby reducing its impact on workers’ take-home pay.

The group also alleged that the 40 per cent peculiar allowance earlier announced by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, and expected to take effect from May 1, 2026, was later denied by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

“May 2026 salaries have been paid, but no wage award was implemented as promised by the Minister of Finance, while consequential adjustments remain unresolved,” the communiqué stated.

The forum further lamented the non-payment of promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements, alleging that workers have repeatedly lost benefits due to delayed implementation of agreements.

Among the unpaid entitlements highlighted by the group are two months’ wage award arrears dating back to July 2024 and outstanding Duty Tour Allowances.

FWF also rejected the proposed N100,000 minimum wage reportedly suggested by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, describing it as insufficient and incapable of addressing current economic realities.

The forum demanded the implementation of a living wage, payment of all outstanding arrears, and additional cost-of-living support for workers.

On insecurity, the group expressed concern over persistent attacks and kidnappings across parts of the country, saying many workers now live in fear.

It specifically condemned recent abductions involving schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, urging authorities to intensify efforts toward securing their release.

The forum also called on the leadership of the NLC and TUC to urgently engage the Federal Government on economic hardship and security concerns affecting workers nationwide.

Additionally, it urged the National Assembly to consider legislation supporting citizens’ rights to lawful self-defence and advocated for a sovereign national conference to address broader national challenges.

There are moments in the life of governments when recognition ceases to be a matter of public relations and becomes a matter of public record. Such moments emerge when independent institutions, professional bodies, media organizations, development platforms, and governance observers repeatedly arrive at similar conclusions about the performance of a particular administration. When commendations come from different sectors, different countries, different evaluation mechanisms, and different ideological environments, they begin to form a pattern that deserves serious attention.

This increasingly appears to be the situation surrounding the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as Kano State marks three years under his leadership. From major national platforms in Lagos and Abuja to continental governance forums in Casablanca and Marrakech, a growing number of recognitions, awards, and institutional endorsements have continued to place Kano within broader conversations about governance, development, public service delivery, and leadership performance. The significance of these recognitions lies not merely in the plaques, trophies, certificates, or ceremonial photographs that accompany them. Their deeper significance lies in what they collectively reveal about the changing perception of governance in Kano State.

Across democratic societies, awards alone do not automatically validate performance. Many disappear as quickly as they emerge. However, when recognitions originate from respected institutions operating in different sectors and repeatedly acknowledge similar areas of achievement, they become indicators of something more substantial. They suggest that certain governance outcomes are becoming visible beyond the immediate boundaries of local politics.

Over the past three years, Kano has increasingly attracted this kind of attention.

One of the most prominent examples came when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was named Leadership Newspaper's Governor of the Year for Education, a recognition that reflected widespread attention to the administration's extensive investments in educational development. Education has arguably become one of the defining pillars of the government's policy agenda. The declaration of a state of emergency in education, large scale school rehabilitation programmes, scholarship interventions, teacher recruitment initiatives, examination support schemes, and expanded access to educational opportunities collectively transformed education into one of the administration's most visible priorities.

The education sector was not the only area attracting attention. The administration also received recognition from Blueprint Newspaper, which honoured Governor Yusuf for his contributions to educational advancement and human capital development.

Beyond education, governance reforms and public service delivery also attracted national recognition. When Vanguard Newspaper honoured Governor Yusuf with its Governor of the Year Award for Good Governance, the recognition reflected broader assessments of leadership, administrative responsiveness, and public sector performance.

As recognition continued to grow nationally, Kano's governance story increasingly crossed international boundaries.

One of the most significant moments in this trajectory emerged when Governor Yusuf received continental recognition through the African Leadership Magazine's African Governor of the Year Award for Good Governance. Presented within a broader African governance framework, the award represented an acknowledgment that developments in Kano were attracting attention beyond Nigeria's borders.

Perhaps even more symbolic was the recognition received in Marrakech, Morocco, where Governor Yusuf was honoured with an African governance award that further elevated Kano's visibility within continental policy and leadership circles.

The administration's achievements in healthcare have also contributed to this narrative. Recognition from professional healthcare bodies and related institutions reflected efforts aimed at improving healthcare delivery and strengthening public health infrastructure.

Infrastructure development has similarly featured prominently within many assessments of the administration's record. Recognition from professional organizations such as the Nigerian Institute of Building reflected appreciation for ongoing investments in public infrastructure and urban development.

Another important aspect of Kano's growing recognition relates to institutional reform. Revenue generation improvements, administrative modernization, and efforts to strengthen governance systems have increasingly attracted attention from observers interested in the long term sustainability of development.

The growing number of awards and recognitions received by Kano therefore tells a broader story. It suggests that observers across different sectors are identifying similar patterns of governance performance. Education reforms, healthcare investments, infrastructure development, public service responsiveness, institutional strengthening, and human capital advancement repeatedly emerge as recurring themes within external assessments of the administration.

Perhaps the most important consequence of this growing recognition is the effect it has on public confidence. Citizens often view external endorsements differently from political claims. Governments naturally celebrate their achievements. Opposition groups naturally highlight shortcomings. Independent recognition introduces a third perspective.

Ultimately, the story behind the recognitions stretching from Lagos to Marrakech is not fundamentally about awards. Awards are merely symbols. The deeper story concerns governance itself. It concerns the ability of public institutions to respond to citizens' needs, invest in human development, strengthen infrastructure, improve service delivery, and restore confidence in the possibilities of government.

Three years ago, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf began with promises of development, reform, and people centred governance. Today, the growing list of recognitions from national and continental institutions suggests that those efforts are attracting attention far beyond Kano's borders. From Lagos to Marrakech, and across numerous platforms in between, a consistent message continues to emerge: when governance produces visible results, recognition inevitably follows

Munir Ibrahim writes from muneeribrahim2020@gmail.com