Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has officially announced the nomination of his deputy, His Excellency Murtala Sule Galadima Garo, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday.

Governor Yusuf made the announcement during a strategic meeting with Federal Political Appointees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

The Governor said that the decision followed Garo’s outstanding loyalty, commitment, and unwavering passion for the development of Kano State since assuming office as Deputy Governor.

He expressed satisfaction with the working relationship between them, noting that Garo had demonstrated competence, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility in the discharge of his duties.

“I have no regrets for choosing Garo as my Deputy in the last few months, and he has proven to be the right choice so far. I want to confirm to you that I have every confidence in him,” Governor Yusuf declared.

The Governor also passed a vote of confidence on the Deputy Governor, describing him as a dependable partner whose contributions have strengthened the administration’s drive to deliver meaningful development across Kano State.

Governor Yusuf urged party leaders, political appointees, and supporters to remain united and committed as the administration continues to consolidate on its achievements while preparing for the 2027 general elections.

The Federal Government has suspended the recently approved increase in registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), following widespread criticism from parents, students, education stakeholders, and civil society groups.

The suspension comes just days after the government approved a significant 82% hike, raising the uniform fee to ₦50,000 per candidate effective from the 2027 examination cycle. The decision to reverse the hike was announced on Monday amid mounting pressure over the potential impact on access to education for millions of Nigerian students, particularly from low-income families.

The fee increase, which was contained in a June 18, 2026 memo from the Federal Ministry of Education, had sparked immediate outrage. It raised WAEC fees from approximately ₦27,000–₦27,500 and NECO fees from ₦30,000 to the new flat rate of ₦50,000. Critics argued that the adjustment would place additional financial burdens on households already grappling with economic hardships and could lead to lower enrolment or increased examination malpractice.

Several groups, including education advocacy organisations, swiftly rejected the hike and called for its immediate reversal, highlighting concerns over state governments’ ability to continue subsidising exams and the ripple effects on secondary education completion rates.

A source at the Ministry of Education confirmed the suspension, stating that the government is committed to ensuring education remains accessible. “The welfare of Nigerian students and the need to address public concerns have been prioritised,” the source said.

Parents and guardians have welcomed the development. Many took to social media to express relief, with calls for a more sustainable funding model for examination bodies that does not rely heavily on direct fees from candidates.

WAEC and NECO officials are yet to issue official statements on the suspension, but stakeholders expect further consultations to find a balanced approach to addressing rising operational costs without compromising equity in education.

This marks a significant policy U-turn by the Federal Government in response to public sentiment. Further details on the next steps for examination fees are expected in the coming days.

•From left Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, Mr Isaac Alabura (father of the slain officer)

Mr Isaac Alabura, the father of Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, the 28-year-old Nigerian Army officer who died during an operation to rescue abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State, has described his late son as “the hope of the family and the community.”

The young officer was killed while leading troops during the rescue operation that secured the victims’ freedom on July 10, 2026.

Born on August 25, 1997, Lt. Isaac was buried with full military honours at the 23rd Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, Adamawa State, on July 10, 2026.

Alabura spoke to journalists at his residence in Bachure Quarters, Yola, on Sunday.

The retired Master Warrant Officer, said that the family remained devastated by the tragedy as they looked forward to seeing him rise through the military ranks before his life was cut short.

“It is natural to feel pain whenever you lose someone, even if it is an enemy. How much more brilliant, young officer whom our family and community looked up to? His life was cut short at a time we expected him to achieve greater things,” he said.

Alabura also expressed disappointment over how news of his son’s death reached the family, saying neither the military authorities nor the Oyo State Government had officially briefed them on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He, however, commended four serving and retired senior military officers who, according to him, ensured that his son’s body was released and brought to Yola for burial despite attempts by some persons to have him buried in Oyo State