By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah, on Friday, characterized the creation of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK) in Kaduna State as a divine tool for fostering growth and development within the region.

Kukah expressed this viewpoint in Abuja at the inauguration ceremony for the university’s Governing Council and Principal Officers.

The event was led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who appointed Kukah as the Chairman of the Governing Council.

He committed to making every effort to promote the advancement of the university.

In his remarks, Kukah stated: “The establishment of this university is a realisation of God’s intervention.

“Nigeria may have its own challenges and will continue to have them.

“But I can assure you, Mr Minister, that 60 per cent of the problems in Southern Kaduna have now been solved with the establishment of this university.

“We will not look back—because if God wanted us to, He would have given us an eye at the back of our heads.

“We hold no bitterness. Despite everything, we remain one of the most educated regions in Northern Nigeria.

“Today, Southern Kaduna has no fewer than 200 professors.

“The education we have received, which has brought us this far, is the same education that I personally benefited from, thanks to the missionaries.

“By locating this University of Applied Sciences here, you have given us the tools we need to move forward.”

At the inauguration, Alausa remarked that the founding of the university is a component of extensive educational reforms designed to enhance technical and vocational training.

He noted that the initiative aims to bolster STEM education, decrease the number of children not attending school, and encourage education for girls.

He elaborated that the university will provide advanced courses in applied sciences and mentioned intentions to establish a College of Medicine.

The minister underscored that the establishment of the university is a purposeful initiative to foster development in Southern Kaduna and to advance equity and justice throughout Nigeria.

“The Ministry of Education will provide maximum support. We are working tirelessly to ensure this institution starts on the right footing.

” We have already written to JAMB to include the university in its admission portal for student applications.

“The resource verification process is underway, and I recently discussed it with the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“NUC visitation to the university is scheduled for April 7. Once completed, we will finalise all necessary processes at the Federal Ministry of Education,” the Minister noted.

Alausa further indicated that the university would provide programs in applied sciences, chemistry, physics, environmental sciences, and medical sciences.

In response, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa assured that sufficient security measures would be implemented for the university.

He also expressed optimism that the institution would evolve into a centre of excellence that promotes unity among all Nigerians in the region.

It is important to note that President Bola Tinubu mandated the conversion of Nok University in Kachia into a Federal University following its acquisition by the Federal Government.

This directive from Tinubu came after a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja that finalized the forfeiture of the privately-owned Nok University to the Federal Government.

The private institution has been renamed FUAS, Kachia, in Kaduna State, fulfilling a commitment made by President Tinubu to the residents of Southern Kaduna.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had transferred the institution’s properties and assets to the federal government.

Recall that President Tinubu, on Monday, appointed Bishop Kukah as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of FUASK in Kaduna State.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigeria zoomed into their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win in Rwanda on Friday night.

Victor Osimhen continued his hot streak in front of goal with a brace in the first half.

The player who has shone this season for Galatasaray opened the scoring with a side-footed finish from Ademola Lookman’s free-kick.

Osimhen scored another goal after stealing the ball on the halfway line and dinking it over the goalkeeper.

The result takes Chelle’s men up to third place in the group, following South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho.

The encounter was the Super Eagles first game under new head coach, Eric Chelle.

Meanwhile, the three-time African champions will face Zimbabwe next on Tuesday.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Two Nigerian international scammers who created a ‘Fraud Bible’ to carry out large-scale scams targeting the U.S. government and its citizens have been arrested in the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation apprehended the duo for developing the ‘Fraud Bible’ as part of a scheme that defrauded $50 million from Americans through a nationwide COVID-19 benefits scam.

A four-count criminal indictment, unsealed on Thursday by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, charged Nosakhare Nobore and Solomon Aluko, both residents of New Jersey, with participating in a criminal network that fraudulently obtained checks and laundered the proceeds across multiple U.S. cities.

“We allege that the defendants stole tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief and other checks, and even used a ‘Fraud Bible’ containing instructions for committing fraud,” said Mr Podolsky. “This Office will not tolerate the exploitation of programs designed to support the public in times of crisis, and we and our law enforcement partners will hold those responsible to full account.”

The indictment reviewed by Peoples Gazette alleges that the duo, along with four others—Jorge Gonzalez, Leonard Ujkic, Nicholas Pappas, and Shan Anand—plotted to steal $80 million from the U.S. government, banks, and individuals through a scheme that spanned four years, from 2021 to 2025.

To facilitate their operation, the suspects created a Telegram group called “2021 Fraud Bible,” where they openly discussed their illicit activities and shared fraudulent methods for defrauding Americans, according to the indictment.

Officials stated that the defendants specialized in identity theft, using stolen personal information to open fraudulent bank accounts. One of the suspects, a bank teller at a major U.S. financial institution, allegedly helped tailor these accounts to support their scheme.

The bank teller provided the group with a means to deposit counterfeit or fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury checks. These checks were linked to false and illegitimate filings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in connection with the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and Qualified Sick Leave Wages (QSLW) credit.

“Many of the checks were funds provided by the government for COVID-19 relief that the defendants stole before depositing into bank accounts opened using sham businesses or stolen or fake identities,” U.S. officials stated.

Messrs. Nobore and Aluko, along with others, attempted to steal up to $80 million but ultimately managed to obtain $50 million over four years. After depositing the fraudulent checks, they either withdrew the funds in cash or transferred them to bank accounts under their control.

Each faces a potential prison sentence of 30 years for conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering, 10 years for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.