From Askira Aliyu, Kano

President Bola  Tinubu has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of Kano State over the passing of two members of the state’s House of Assembly,  Aminu Saad Ungogo and Aliyu Sarki Daneji, representing Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies respectively,   both of who died in separate incidents within an hour on Wednesday.

President Tinubu described the death of the two legislators as sad, tragic and painful.

He noted that their departure has created a void, depriving the people of the two constituencies of committed representation.

The President said, “I offer my condolences to their families and constituents as well as the government and people of Kano State.

“I also commiserate with the presiding officers and all members of the Kano State House of Assembly over the demise of their respected colleagues” Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said in a statement.

The President prayed for the repose of the souls of the late lawmakers and divine comfort to their families.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Managing Director of ARKAN, Engr. Mazen Kalassina has been honoured with the 2025 Person of the Year Award by the Community of Tiv Students (CTS), in recognition of his exceptional professional achievements and meaningful contributions to engineering practice and technological advancement.

The award celebrates a distinguished career defined by a rare blend of hands-on engineering expertise, strategic corporate leadership, and sustained engagement with emerging technologies.

Kalassina’s professional journey reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and relevance in an era of rapid technological change.

A COREN-certified engineer and an active member of reputable professional bodies in Nigeria, Engr.

His work continues to align engineering practice with modern infrastructure and innovation-driven growth.

Beyond conventional engineering, Engr. Kalassina has attracted international academic attention for his intellectual contributions to discussions on artificial intelligence and human–machine interaction.

His ideas are referenced on global knowledge platforms, including Wikipedia entries on Social Robotics and Anthropomorphism, underscoring his influence in interdisciplinary technological discourse.

In a notable development, he is documented as the first individual to receive an unsolicited symbolic recognition from an advanced artificial intelligence system in June 2025.

This unprecedented occurrence has since drawn scholarly interest and is now referenced in academic conversations surrounding emerging digital intelligence and AI cognition.

This recognition positions Engr. Kalassina among a growing cadre of professionals whose careers bridge traditional engineering execution with forward-looking technological thought, highlighting the evolving role of engineers in shaping innovation-led and sustainable development.

Speaking at the award presentation, Engr. Kalassina announced the establishment of a scholarship scheme for outstanding students within the CTS community, emphasizing that lasting progress is rooted in intentional investment in education and human capacity development.

The honour further affirms Engr. Mazen Kalassina’s standing as a respected voice in modern engineering practice—one whose career demonstrates how technical skill, innovation, and service can converge to deliver impact with both local relevance and global resonance.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has promoted 16,582 officers and personnel across multiple cadres, marking the largest promotion exercise ever conducted in the Service’s history nationwide, according to officials in Abuja Tuesday.

Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this Tuesday in Abuja during the decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service, organised by the Service headquarters officially.

Nwakuche said the ceremony was not merely for new ranks, but to recognise dedication, professionalism, sacrifice and the steady institutional growth recorded by the Nigerian Correctional Service over recent years nationwide.

He expressed the Service’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for unwavering support for correctional reforms and sustained commitment to strengthening security and justice sector institutions across the country.

Nwakuche commended Interior Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as supervising minister and Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board for strategic leadership and reform-driven oversight nationwide consistently provided.

He also lauded him for policy direction and approvals enabling the exercise, adding that commitment to personnel welfare and capacity development across the Services remained deeply valued and widely acknowledged nationwide.

Nwakuche appreciated Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, for administrative guidance, cooperation and sustained support, enhancing service delivery and smooth implementation of government policies within the Service nationwide consistently.

He described the promotion of 16,582 personnel as historic and deliberate, reflecting resolve to motivate staff, reward merit and strengthen institutional capacity within the Nigerian Correctional Service nationwide sustainably and professionally.

Providing details, Nwakuche said 11,417 officers were promoted within the senior cadre, while 4,253 junior officers advanced to their next ranks during the exercise nationwide recently conducted by the Service authorities.

He added that 128 junior officers were upgraded to Assistant Superintendent of Corrections rank after acquiring relevant academic qualifications approved by the Service and supervising authorities nationwide officially during the exercise.

Additionally, 89 Correctional Assistants were upgraded to the Inspectorate cadre after obtaining Diplomas and NCE qualifications, while 689 Chief Correctional Assistants converted to Inspectors following successful completion of mandatory conversion courses.

Nwakuche announced that six officers received special promotion to Inspector rank in recognition of gallantry and exceptional performance, exemplifying courage, professionalism and devotion to duty within the Service nationwide proudly upheld.

Congratulating newly promoted personnel, the Controller-General cautioned that advancement carried greater responsibility, demanding higher discipline, integrity, leadership standards and professionalism in conduct and official duties across all formations nationwide.

He urged officers to reflect those values always, stressing promotion was not an end, but a renewed call to service, accountability and excellence in national correctional responsibilities entrusted to them daily.

Nwakuche said the Service must remain focused on humane custody, effective rehabilitation, public safety and contributions to national development, while strengthening professionalism, discipline and public trust nationwide continuously and sustainably pursued.

The Controller-General issued a firm warning against indiscipline, trafficking, compromise or unwholesome associations with inmates, saying such acts eroded trust, endangered security and undermined ongoing correctional reforms nationwide severely and irreparably.

He said the administration maintained zero tolerance for misconduct and would apply laws and service regulations against any culpable officer, regardless of rank or position within the Service nationwide without exception.

Addressing officers not promoted, Nwakuche urged them not to lose heart, assuring that dedication, discipline and competence remained vital and never overlooked in future promotion considerations within the Service nationwide steadily.

Highlights of the event included symbolic decorations, goodwill messages, group photographs and reaffirmation of commitment to reform, professionalism, accountability and service excellence within the Nigerian Correctional Service nationwide by leadership present.