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Meet Nigerian Professor Who Drove Peugeot 504 From London To Kano In 24 days

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Professor Aminu Mohammed Dorayi is a renowned educationist and adventurer that drove from London to Kano with his car.

The elder statesman is a Record-breaker, who broke a world record by driving his Peugeot 504 over a distance of about 4,000miles, in 24 days.

Prof Dorayi is a distinguished Abusite (Ahmadu Bello University) and respected professor of Chemistry. He doubled as a former president of the ABU Students Union Government (SUG) for 1966/1967. Dorayi set up the Sharada Industrial Estate in Kano. He is also the first to organize trade fair in Nigeria.

He is called The Adventurous Chemist because of his passion for adventure. While in the UK, his journey was inspired by several adventure books he had read. For instance, he read about the Marcopolos, the Mungo Parks, these adventurous stories fascinated him.

Dorayi, therefore proceded to make a record-breaking trip by driving his Peugeot 504 over a distance of about 4,000miles in 24 days.

According to the elder statesman, “England is an Island. So when you reach Southampton you have to take a boat, you and your car, to Calais, France. I drove through Paris and so on through Madrid, Gibraltar. So when you reach Gibraltar, you reach the Mediterranean Sea, where you also take a ferry to Algeria.

“From there you enter the road all through, though there is no road, in the desert, you’re guided by your compass, your map.”

Speaking further on the trip, Prof disclosed that ”I became very keen during my PhD in the US. I had a Volkswagen which I bought for about 600 dollars at that time. I used it to drive across the desert over there.” He added that he is highly adventurous, that is why even his autobiography is titled, The Adventurous Chemist.

Dorayi disclosed that as he bought the Peugeot 504 for 1000 pounds and hit the road immediately.

He said, ”I was assisted by the British Automobile Association (AA). They gave me the guidelines, the map, the route. They told me what to do in crossing the desert, and what not to do. So, I was quite prepared.

Speaking of his preparedness, Doriya said, ”Since I went to secondary technical school, I was technically inclined and I could service my car. I came from a technical background. Going back to Zango in Kano and hanging out with friends, they taught me confidence. So this thing has been in me for years. I enjoyed reading about trans-Sahara.

In his encounter, Doriya noted that ”There was a place I passed in Algeria, and the day I arrived, it was raining heavily. Little children of 13 years and below were running helter-skelter and crying. When I asked the elders why they said those children had never seen rain before. No rain for 14 years, so they thought heaven was falling. They had to be counselled by their elders.”

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Bukola Saraki Celebrates Son Seni’s Grammy Win

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Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has congratulated his son, Seni, on his victory at the 67th Grammy Awards.

Seni earned his first Grammy for his contribution to the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which won Best Reggae Album.

In a post on X, Saraki expressed his joy at seeing his son’s passion recognised on a global stage, adding that he is “super proud” of him.

“Congratulations, Seni, on winning your first Grammy last night for your work on the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which took home the award for Best Reggae Album!” he wrote.

“Seeing you pour your heart into your passion and having it recognised on the global stage is an indescribable joy. Well done! We are super proud of you!

Reacting to the win, Seni expressed gratitude to all the artists and producers who contributed to the project’s success, including Nigeria’s Wizkid and Bloody Civilian.

appreciate all the amazing artistes, producers and engineers who were brave enough to take on this project because it is about Bob Marley’s legacy,” he said.

“I appreciate them for taking on the songs, reinterpreting them, and doing it their own way. Artists like Bloody Civilian, Wizkid, Daniel Caesar, and Jessie Reyez.”

Bob Marley: One Love is a biographical film depicting the life of the reggae icon, exploring how he overcame adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.

This is not Seni’s first major industry recognition. In 2023, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, a project he worked on as a music consultant, earned four Grammy nominations.

A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Seni is the CEO of The Native, a Lagos-based music magazine he co-founded with Teni ‘Teezee’ Zaccheaus in 2016. The publication celebrates music, style, and art while championing African sounds and culture.

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Controversy Erupts Over Sultan of Sokoto’s Comments on Yoruba Affairs

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A recent statement regarding the Sultan of Sokoto’s support for Sharia Law in Yoruba land has sparked outrage, with critics questioning his authority over the Oodua race.

Some Yoruba commentators have pointed to historical tensions between the north and the south, referencing Mufti Iwo’s accounts of how the then Sultan sent evil mujahideen warriors to Yoruba land to kill Yorùbá warriors defending their land against the intruders and how Oluwo aided these mujahideen to kill and destroy his own people.

Dissenters argue that the Sultan should focus on addressing terrorism in northern Nigeria rather than expressing concerns about the South. Additionally, strong opposition has emerged against any potential introduction of Sharia law in Yoruba states, with critics insisting that such legal frameworks will not be tolerated.

Critics have also questioned the effectiveness of Sharia law in the North, stating that it has only brought “sorrow, tears, and blood” paraphrasing Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. They argue that despite harsh punishments such as amputations, crime rates have not decreased. Furthermore, they highlight the social consequences of early child marriages, which contribute to maternal health crises, high divorce rates, and even instances of domestic violence, including husband killings. The Almajiri system, which has left many children in the North without proper education or care, is also cited as a pressing issue.

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Breaking: Former Minister of FCT, Lt General Jeremiah Useni is Dead.

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Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has announced the death of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni.

The elder statesman died on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the age of 82, following a protracted illness.

In a statement in Jos, Governor Mutfwang described his death as a tremendous loss not only to his immediate family but also to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Plateau State, and the entire nation.

The Governor highlighted General Useni’s exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to service, which left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s security and political landscape.

He noted that General Useni’s tireless efforts to promote peace and security, especially in Northern Nigeria and Plateau State, will forever be remembered.

Governor Mutfwang recounted the illustrious career of the late General, who served Nigeria with distinction in various capacities, including as Minister of Transport, Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army, and Minister of the FCT.

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