The United States government has announced plans to release a limited number of special passports that will carry the image of President Donald Trump. The initiative is intended to mark the country’s 250th Independence anniversary.

The State Department said the passports will be produced as a special edition and will only be available for a short period.

Officials noted that the move departs from established norms in democratic nations, where it is uncommon for a sitting president’s image to appear in official travel documents.

The department’s spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, said the release is scheduled to coincide with the July 4 celebrations.

Reports indicate that the passports will be obtainable at designated locations in Washington and will not attract any additional cost.

However, lawmakers from the Democratic Party have criticised the decision, accusing the government of misusing taxpayers’ money.

By Grey Akans 

In the lush, undulating hills and valleys of Southern Kaduna, a quiet crisis is unfolding. It is not the kind that makes headlines with sudden violence, but one that works its way silently through generations, eroding the very bedrock of our identity. Our languages, the ancient vessels of our wisdom, history, and worldview, are gradually going extinct.

Each of the dozens of languages spoken here—Gbagyi, Bajju, Atyap, Kataf, Jaba, Fantswam, and many more—is a unique universe. They are not mere collections of words but intricate systems of knowledge. Our languages carry the names of medicinal plants known only to our ancestors, the proverbs that distilled centuries of wisdom, and the folktales told under the moonlight that taught us morality and courage. They hold the specific terms for the textures of soil, the phases of the moon for farming, and the subtle behaviours of animals. When a language dies, it is not just words that are lost; it is an entire library of human experience and ecological understanding that burns down, leaving no ashes behind.

The forces behind this silent extinction are complex and powerful. The dominance of Hausa as the lingua franca of commerce, administration, and social interaction in Northern Nigeria is a primary factor. For our children to thrive in markets and schools outside our communities, fluency in Hausa becomes a necessity, often at the expense of their mother tongue. Adding to this is the overwhelming influence of English, the official language of education and modernity. From nursery school to university, success is measured in one’s command of English. Our native tongues are increasingly confined to the homesteads, and even there, their territory is shrinking.

Perhaps the most painful agent of this loss is our own shift in attitude. A dangerous narrative has taken root, subtly branding our languages as “local” or “vernacular”—synonyms for backwardness in the minds of many. Parents, with the best intentions for their children’s future, now speak to them only in Hausa or English, believing they are giving them a head start in life. Unwittingly, they are severing the deepest root connecting their children to their heritage. The younger generation, fluent in the languages of the wider world, now stumbles over the proverbs of their grandparents. The rich, melodic tones of our ancestors are becoming unfamiliar, replaced by the utilitarian cadence of global tongues.

The consequences are profound. When a people lose their language, they experience a form of cultural amnesia. The unique songs sung during harvest, the playful riddles that sharpened our wits—all these fade into silence. We risk becoming a people without a past, adrift in a homogenised global culture, our distinct identity diluted into a vague, generic label.

But the whisper is not yet silent. There is still time to act. The fight for linguistic survival must begin at home. We must consciously choose to speak our languages to our children, making them the language of love, play, and storytelling. Our community leaders and cultural associations must take the lead by documenting these languages, producing written literature, and organising festivals that celebrate them. We can lobby for the inclusion of our native tongues in the early school curriculum, not to replace English or Hausa, but to stand proudly beside them.

Our languages are more than just a means of communication; they are the soul of Southern Kaduna. They are the breath of our ancestors and the birthright of our children. To let them die is to surrender a part of ourselves we can never recover. We must listen to the fading whisper and raise our voices to sing our songs, tell our stories, and speak our names once more, loudly and proudly, before they are lost to the wind forever.

Grey Akans can be contacted via his Facebook account: Grey Akans.

By Maryam Ahmad

A former head of Israel’s intelligence agency has sharply condemned rising settler violence in the West Bank, saying it has left him “ashamed to be a Jew.”

Tamir Pardo, who led Mossad from 2011 to 2016, made the remarks in a recent interview, warning that attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities are eroding Israel’s moral standing and threatening its long-term security. His comments come amid an uptick in reported incidents involving arson, assaults, and property damage in the territory.

Human rights organisations have documented a rise in settler-related violence in recent months, often carried out with limited accountability. Israeli authorities say they are working to curb such incidents, but critics argue enforcement remains inconsistent.

Pardo’s intervention adds to a growing chorus of current and former security officials voicing concern over developments in the West Bank. He urged the government to uphold the rule of law and take decisive action against perpetrators, warning that failure to do so risks further escalation and international isolation.

It is no longer surprising, though still highly debatable, that any political outing by Dr Bala Maijama’a Wunti unsettles opponents and triggers a wave of commentary. Such reactions often generate more noise than substance, with some analysts offering arguments that appear less objective and more dismissive. At times, this tendency reflects a reluctance to confront observable realities or to revisit history in ways that enable a more informed understanding of current developments.

Wunti’s second major appearance since declaring his interest in the gubernatorial race has sparked fresh debate. Central to the discussion is his comparison of Qatar and Bauchi State, which he supports with logical reasoning and verifiable data. For me, this was not the first time I had heard him draw such parallels. I recall a previous engagement where he elaborated extensively on this comparison and shared some insights.

One striking point he raised is the contrast in population. As of January 2026, Qatar has an estimated population of about 3.3 million, while Bauchi State is home to over 8 million people, more than double Qatar’s population. Yet, despite its smaller population, Qatar boasts one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world, supporting a high standard of living, robust infrastructure, and extensive social services. In contrast, Bauchi and Nigeria more broadly continue to grapple with unemployment, inadequate electricity supply, limited access to clean water, and a struggling economy.

Land size presents another compelling contrast. Bauchi State spans approximately 45,837 square kilometres, making it more than four times larger than Qatar, which covers roughly 11,600 square kilometres. Despite its smaller size and limited arable land, Qatar has built a thriving economy. Bauchi, on the other hand, is richly endowed with vast agricultural land, offering significant potential to diversify and expand its economic base.

In terms of natural resources, Qatar produces approximately 2 million barrels of oil per day, forming the backbone of its economic strength. Bauchi State also holds promise in this regard, particularly with the Kolmani oil reserves, though these remain largely undeveloped. The contrast, therefore, is not one of absence but of utilisation. While Qatar has effectively harnessed its resources, Bauchi’s remain underexploited.

Dr Bala Wunti’s experience in the oil and gas sector adds weight to his argument. His perspective invites a reconsideration of what is possible, urging stakeholders to reflect more deeply on the state’s untapped potential.

With strategic planning and a commitment to good governance, transformative progress is achievable. Qatar’s success story is, at its core, a product of deliberate policy choices, effective leadership, and sustained investment. Bauchi State, with its abundant human and natural resources, possesses the foundational elements required for similar advancement.

Mallam Musbahu Magayaki writes from Sabon Fegi, Azare.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has expressed serious concern over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime. He stated that nearly six out of every 10 undergraduates are linked to such activities.

Olukoyede made this known during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, which took place in Kano. The event focused on the theme, “Unlocking the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence: University Governance, Internationalization and Rankings”.

He described the situation as “a sad development,” and explained that findings from the commission’s investigations and field operations point to widespread participation of students in internet fraud and similar offences.

“My research in the last one year has shown that about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime. It is a very disturbing situation,” he said.

The EFCC chairman revealed that many suspects arrested during recent operations were students. He added that some of them had gone as far as undermining academic standards by allegedly placing lecturers on their payroll.

He linked the development to deeper structural issues, including weak supervision and lapses within university administration.

Olukoyede also referred to a major crackdown in Lagos where 792 individuals connected to an international cybercrime network were apprehended. He noted that a considerable number of those arrested were students. According to him, the operation relied on artificial intelligence tools, which helped expose the scale and complexity of the criminal network.

He further warned about the rise of “Yahoo Plus,” a trend where internet fraud is combined with fetish practices.

The EFCC boss urged university authorities and governing councils to act quickly to address the problem. He advised them to strengthen internal systems and work closely with law enforcement agencies.

Olukoyede also called on pro-chancellors to adopt artificial intelligence-driven governance structures. He said such systems would improve transparency, detect fraud and promote financial accountability.

He pointed out that many tertiary institutions still depend on manual processes. He said this makes them open to abuses such as ghost workers, inflated contracts and mismanagement of funds.

“A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future professionals. The integrity of our universities is a matter of national security,” he said.

He recommended the use of artificial intelligence in areas such as fraud detection, payroll administration, procurement tracking and academic monitoring. He explained that these tools can identify suspicious transactions, flag unusual salary payments and strengthen auditing systems.

Olukoyede also noted that the EFCC has applied artificial intelligence in its own operations, including digital forensics and financial tracking.

He, however, emphasised that technology should support human supervision and must comply with existing laws, including those on data protection and procurement.

The EFCC chairman stressed the need for training in cybersecurity, machine learning and digital governance within universities. He also called for investment in digital infrastructure such as broadband and cloud systems to support the effective use of artificial intelligence.

He encouraged stronger cooperation between universities, regulatory authorities and anti-corruption agencies to tackle emerging threats.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Kenyan President William Ruto has clarified that his recent remarks suggesting Kenyans speak better English than Nigerians were made during a private conversation that was leaked and taken out of context.

The comments had sparked light-hearted banter on social media between Kenyans and Nigerians, drawing widespread reactions from both countries.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference 2026 in Nairobi, Ruto struck a conciliatory tone, emphasising that Nigerians speak “excellent” English, just as Kenyans do.

The event was attended by a Nigerian delegation, including the Minister of Solid Minerals, Henry Dele Alake.

Ruto’s remarks appeared aimed at easing tensions and reinforcing cordial ties between the two nations following the online exchanges triggered by the earlier statement.

By Daniel Nduka Okonkwo

Nigeria’s debt clock has surged to ₦159.28 trillion, a figure that translates to roughly ₦724,000 per citizen when spread across a population of more than 220 million. This arithmetic alone underscores the scale of the nation’s obligations. While official voices emphasise that the debt-to-GDP ratio remains within accepted thresholds, the underlying reality is sobering: the country’s current account is being financed through persistent domestic borrowing and mounting external debt. Each statistic is a reminder that today’s fiscal gaps are tomorrow’s responsibilities, with the burden of development increasingly shifted onto generations yet unborn.

Is there a way out for Nigerians? The path forward demands more than borrowed billions. It requires a fundamental reassessment of how resources are managed, how revenue is diversified, and how structural weaknesses are addressed. While the figures may suggest sustainability on paper, the lived reality reflects rising costs, shrinking opportunities, and a future increasingly tied to creditor obligations. Breaking this cycle will require bold reforms, transparent governance, and a commitment to building an economy driven by productivity rather than dependence on borrowing.

When distributed across the population, the debt translates to roughly ₦700,000 to ₦725,000 per citizen. This figure is only a statistical illustration and not a legal obligation on individuals. Public debt remains a sovereign responsibility shared by the Federal Government, state governments, and the Federal Capital Territory, and it is serviced through public revenue rather than direct payments by citizens.

As of late 2025, Nigeria’s total public debt stood at approximately ₦159.28 trillion, equivalent to about $103 billion to $111 billion depending on the exchange rate applied. This represents an increase from about ₦144.7 trillion in 2024, reflecting continued reliance on borrowing to finance fiscal deficits.

Nigeria’s debt stock consists of both domestic and external borrowing. Domestic debt is estimated at ₦84-₦85 trillion, while external debt stands at ₦74 trillion. Persistent budget deficits have driven the growth in total debt, increased domestic borrowing through treasury bills and government bonds, and led to exchange rate depreciation, raising the value of the naira against external obligations. By mid-2025, total debt had reached about ₦152.39 trillion before rising further to ₦159.28 trillion by year-end.

Debt servicing remains a more pressing concern than the size of the debt itself. In 2025, debt servicing costs rose to approximately ₦15.8 trillion, up from about ₦12.8 trillion in 2024. Higher interest rates on domestic debt instruments largely drove this increase. Servicing costs for domestic debt rose sharply due to increased yields on treasury bills and Federal Government bonds. At certain points in 2025, the debt service-to-revenue ratio exceeded 80 per cent, meaning that a substantial portion of government revenue was used to service existing debt.

Looking ahead, Nigeria’s 2026 fiscal outlook reflects continued pressure on public finances. The proposed budget projects total expenditure of about ₦58.5 trillion against expected revenue of approximately ₦33.2 trillion, leaving a fiscal deficit of about ₦25 trillion. This gap is expected to be financed largely through additional borrowing, which could push total public debt beyond ₦160 trillion.

Planned borrowing includes external loans estimated at $6 billion, along with an additional $516 million under consideration. However, claims suggesting approvals equivalent to ₦68 trillion appear inconsistent and are likely the result of conversion or reporting errors rather than actual borrowing approvals.

The comparison between Nigeria’s per capita debt of roughly ₦724,000 and the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 is largely symbolic but highlights deeper economic realities. It reflects low-income levels, rising cost of living, and mounting pressure on public finances. It does not imply that citizens are personally responsible for repaying the debt.

Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio, estimated at 35 per cent to 37 per cent, remains below the commonly referenced 60 per cent threshold. However, experts consistently stress that revenue constraints, rather than debt size alone, represent the country’s most significant fiscal risk.

Key concerns include the high share of revenue devoted to debt servicing, limited fiscal space for critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, and education, and potential inflationary risks if deficit financing continues to expand. Exchange rate volatility also affects the dollar value of external debt, adding further complexity to fiscal management.

Nigeria’s public debt, now approaching ₦160 trillion, is not excessive relative to GDP. However, the cost of servicing that debt and the country’s limited revenue base present a growing fiscal challenge. The per capita framing helps illustrate the scale of the burden, but the central issue remains how effectively borrowed funds translate into economic growth and improved living conditions.

As borrowing continues, the sustainability of Nigeria’s fiscal path will depend less on the amount owed and more on how effectively the economy generates the revenue required to support those obligations.

Daniel Nduka Okonkwo is a Nigerian investigative journalist, publisher of Profiles International Human Rights Advocate with Daniels Entertainment, a policy analyst, and human rights activist. He writes from Nigeria and can be reached at dan.okonkwo.73@gmail.com.

By Garba Sidi

Hadejia Local Government Area is the largest of Jigawa State’s 27 local governments, with over 200,000 residents. It is a historic, peaceful, religious town known for its legendary hospitality. When Boko Haram displaced Maiduguri residents, Hadejia welcomed and sheltered hundreds, showing unity and support across all levels.

Between March 8th and 13th, 2025, five lives were lost in Hadejia. A political fight led to a young man being stabbed with scissors. A game with sticks turned deadly when a youth was injured in the head. Two friends fought, and one killed the other. A mechanic was attacked and fatally wounded with a large knife at his home. Most heartbreakingly, a newlywed bride, just five months married, was found dead with her throat slit.

These are not statistics. These are our children, our neighbours, our brothers, and our sisters. And their blood calls out for answers.

As a Sport Officer with the Jigawa State Sports Council, I have spent my career witnessing the transformative power of athletics. I have seen the discipline it instils, the hope it generates, and the community it builds. And I am convinced that while we need police, while we need laws, and while we need parental responsibility, there is one vehicle that can carry Hadejia out of this darkness: sport.

Before we can prescribe a cure, we must first diagnose the disease. The insecurity engulfing Hadejia did not emerge from a vacuum. It has grown from specific, identifiable roots.

According to December 2025 reports, Jigawa State is the third poorest in Nigeria, with 80% of children out of school. In communities with large families, parents struggle to meet basic needs, leading to despair in youth without education or job prospects, fueling crime.

Drug abuse existed before the Boko Haram refugees’ arrival, with local youths accessing substances like Wiwi, Sholisho, and Tramadol. But refugees introduced large, powerful drug dealers who settled in town, worsening the situation. Young people gained easy access to new, varied drugs, increasing abuse, especially among females and under-18s, who had been less affected before. These new dealers made drugs more accessible and affordable, even to children.

The chemicals in these illicit substances are too strong for young minds. They cause users to fight one another in their hideouts and gatherings. A minor misunderstanding that would once have ended with words now ends with knives, scissors, or sticks drawn in anger. The connection is undeniable: drugs fuel violence, and violence fuels insecurity.

The pattern of crime in Hadejia has followed a predictable and terrifying trajectory. It began with shop-breaking, which gradually became more rampant. Then some youths started blocking small roads with sticks and cutlasses, robbing passengers of their money and phones. At first, these incidents were rare.

Now, these gangs have escalated further. They attack businesspeople inside their own shops, arriving two to a motorcycle, armed with guns. The progression from petty theft to armed robbery has happened right before our eyes, and fear has filled the hearts of all Hadejia people.

Some will ask how football or athletics can solve serious problems like drugs and armed robbery. As someone experienced in sports development, I’ve seen a well-organised sports program achieve much. Troubled youths become disciplined athletes, communities unite behind local teams, and hope replaces hopelessness when young people discover their talents and worth.

Let me explain precisely how sport can serve as the vehicle to carry Hadejia back to peace.

1. Sport Occupies Idle Hands and Minds.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that two blessings which many people take for granted are health and free time. An idle mind, unoccupied with productive pursuits, becomes a workshop for mischief. When young people have nothing to do from morning until night, when they have no place to gather except street corners, when their only entertainment comes from substances that destroy their minds, trouble becomes inevitable.

Sport provides an immediate and powerful alternative. A young person who reports for football training every evening has no time to sit around smoking weed. A teenager who is preparing for a weekend basketball tournament is focused on practice, not on planning robberies. A youth who is exhausted from athletic exertion sleeps soundly at night instead of roaming the streets looking for trouble.

I have seen this transformation with my own eyes. In communities where we have established regular sporting activities, crime rates drop. It is not complicated mathematics. It is simple: a busy youth is a peaceful youth.

2. Sport Teaches Discipline and Self-Control.

Drug abuse thrives in the absence of self-discipline. The ability to say no, to resist peer pressure, to choose long-term wellbeing over immediate gratification—these are skills that must be learned and practised.

Sport is one of the most effective teachers of discipline. Every athlete learns to follow rules, to respect coaches and officials, to control their emotions in the heat of competition, and to work hard even when no one is watching. These lessons transfer directly to life outside the field.

Consider the young men who killed their friends over minor arguments in March 2025. Would they have reacted differently if they had spent years learning emotional control through sport? If they had been taught that losing your temper leads to defeat, that self-control is strength, and that violence has no place in resolving disputes? I believe they would.

3. Sport Builds Community and Breaks Down Division.

One of the dangerous consequences of the drug trade in Hadejia has been the introduction of powerful dealers from outside. These individuals have no loyalty to our community, no investment in our peace, and no concern for our children beyond the profits they generate.

Sport creates the opposite dynamic. When you play on a team with someone, you develop bonds that transcend neighbourhood, ethnicity, or background. You learn to trust each other, to work together toward common goals, and to celebrate shared victories. These bonds strengthen the social fabric and make communities more resilient against those who would exploit division.

Imagine what would happen if we established a Hadejia Youth Football League with teams representing each quarter of the town. Young people from different backgrounds would come together regularly, not to fight but to compete by the rules and shake hands when the match ended. Suspicion would be replaced by familiarity. Hostility would be replaced by respect.

4. Sport Creates Positive Role Models and Mentors.

Every coach is a potential mentor. Every older athlete can set an example for younger ones. In a sporting environment, young people encounter adults who care about their development, who notice when they are struggling, and who can guide them away from dangerous choices.

Currently, who are the role models for many of Hadejia’s youth? In too many cases, they are the drug dealers with money and flashy lifestyles. They are the gang leaders who project power and fearlessness. Sport offers an alternative: coaches who demonstrate that hard work leads to achievement, athletes who show that discipline brings success, and community figures who prove that respect comes from contribution, not intimidation.

As a Sport Officer, I have seen coaches become fathers to boys who lack paternal guidance. I have seen athletic mentors intervene when they noticed a player showing signs of drug influence. These relationships save lives.

5. Sport Reveals Talent and Opens Pathways.

One of the most powerful weapons against hopelessness is discovering that you have value, that you are good at something, and that your life has potential. For many young people trapped in poverty and despair, sport provides this discovery.

Nigeria is filled with stories of footballers who rose from humble beginnings to achieve fame and fortune through their athletic talent. While not every young athlete will become a professional, many can earn scholarships, gain admission to higher institutions, or secure employment through sport. Even at the local level, talented players can earn income through semi-professional leagues, coaching opportunities, or equipment-related businesses.

When a young person believes their future holds possibilities, they are far less likely to risk that future on crime and drugs. Sport plants the seed of hope.

6. Sport Provides a Platform for Drug Education.

The fight against drug abuse cannot be won through arrests alone. We must also educate our youth about the dangers of these substances and equip them with the skills to resist temptation. And there is no better platform for this education than sport.

Young people trust their coaches. They listen to respected athletes. They absorb messages delivered during team meetings and training sessions. By integrating drug awareness programmes into sporting activities, we can reach the very population most at risk.

Imagine a football league where every team must complete a drug education workshop before being allowed to compete. Imagine tournaments sponsored by anti-drug campaigns, with messages printed on jerseys and banners at every match. Imagine former addicts speaking to young athletes about the destruction they witnessed. This is not fantasy. This is practical, achievable intervention.

I am not suggesting that sport alone will solve all of Hadejia’s problems. We still need effective policing, responsible parenting, economic opportunities, and strong leadership. But I am arguing that sport must be recognised as an essential component of any comprehensive strategy to restore peace.

Let me paint a picture of what Hadejia could become if we invested seriously in sport.

Picture this: Every quarter of Hadejia has a functioning football pitch where young people gather every evening for organised training. Coaches—some volunteers, some employed by the local government—provide supervision, instruction, and mentorship. Leagues operate year-round, with weekend matches drawing crowds of families and neighbours who celebrate their youth’s achievements.

Picture this: The Hadejia Township Stadium, which currently hosts only occasional events, becomes a hub of weekly activity. Basketball, volleyball, and athletics programmes complement football, ensuring that young people with different interests can find their place. Tournaments bring teams from across the local government together, fostering healthy competition and community pride.

Picture this: Every school in Hadejia has a functional sports programme. Physical education is taken seriously, not treated as an afterthought. Talented students are identified early and connected with clubs where they can develop. The 80% out-of-school rate remains a tragedy, but for those children who cannot attend school, community-based sport provides structure, supervision, and hope.

Picture this: The drug dealers who currently prey on our children find their customer base shrinking because young people are too busy, too healthy, and too hopeful to seek escape in substances. The gangs find it harder to recruit because belonging to a team provides the identity and camaraderie that gangs exploit. The armed robbers find fewer desperate youths willing to join their ranks.

This is not a dream. This is an achievable reality if we have the will to pursue it.

To the Executive Chairman of Hadejia Local Government, I say: invest in sport as seriously as you invest in security. Build pitches in every ward. Employ coaches for every quarter. Organise leagues that give young people something to look forward to each week. The budget required is small compared to the cost of insecurity.

To the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, I say: support local government initiatives with state resources. Make Hadejia a pilot project for using sport as a tool for peace. Deploy coaches and equipment from the State Sports Council. Create pathways for talented athletes to access higher-level competitions and opportunities. Show the nation that Jigawa is serious about innovative solutions to security challenges.

To the traditional rulers and community leaders of Hadejia, I say: use your influence to encourage youth participation in sport. Speak from your pulpits about the value of athletic discipline. Identify land that can be converted to playing fields. Support parents who allow their children to participate. Your blessing carries weight.

To the parents of Hadejia, I say: support your children’s involvement in sport. Attend their matches. Ask them about their training. Notice when coaches speak well of them. The same energy your child might otherwise devote to destructive activities can be channelled into athletic achievement.

To the youth of Hadejia, I say: choose the field over the street. Choose the ball over the drug. Choose the team over the gang. The path of sport is harder in some ways—it requires discipline, hard work, and patience—but it leads somewhere worthwhile. The path of drugs and crime leads only to prison or the grave.

The five lives lost between March 8th and March 13th, 2025, cannot be recovered. The newlywed bride, with her throat slit, will not return to her grieving husband. The mechanic killed in his own home will not repair another vehicle. The young men who killed their friends over arguments will carry that guilt forever.

But their deaths need not be the end of the story. They can be the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter in which Hadejia recognises the urgency of the crisis and takes bold action to address it.

I have spent my career believing in the power of sport. I have seen it transform individuals, unite communities, and create hope where none existed. I am convinced that sport can be the vehicle that carries Hadejia out of this season of insecurity and back to the peace for which this town has always been known.

The vehicle is ready. The road is before us. All we need are drivers willing to steer us toward safety.

Let us choose sport. Let us choose our children. Let us choose peace.

Garba Sidi is the Sport Officer 2, Jigawa State Sports Council, Hadejia, Jigawa State.

By Imam Malik ABDULLAHI Kaga

Your Excellency, Sir,

Permit me to respectfully introduce myself. My name is Imam Malik Abdullahi Kaga, a young advocate for youth inclusion in governance in Borno State. I hail from Wajiro village in Kaga Local Government Area and currently reside in Jere Local Government Area.

Your Excellency, I write this letter with two sincere intentions. First, to express my profound appreciation for the remarkable transformation that Borno State has experienced under your leadership. Second, to humbly advocate for the emergence of a worthy successor who will continue, and perhaps even surpass, the legacy you have built.

History often remembers leaders not only for what they achieved while in office, but also for the institutions, systems, and leaders they helped shape for the future. In this regard, your tenure stands out as one that will be remembered for courage, sacrifice, and a relentless commitment to rebuilding a state that once stood at the centre of one of the most difficult humanitarian and security crises in our nation’s history.

Since assuming office as Governor, Borno State has steadily moved along the path of recovery, stability, and development. Across critical sectors, specifically security stabilisation, education revival, healthcare expansion, infrastructure rebuilding, and human capital development, your administration has restored confidence and renewed hope among citizens.

Across the state, the impact of your leadership is visible. The name Zulum has come to represent resilience, discipline, and purposeful governance. In the eyes of many citizens (both indigenous and non), you have demonstrated that leadership is not merely about holding office, but about service, courage, and responsibility.

Indeed, like every human endeavour, governance inevitably carries moments that fall short of expectations. Yet the weight of your accomplishments far outweighs such moments. May Allah forgive your shortcomings and reward your sincerity and dedication in the service of the people of Borno State.

Your Excellency, Sir,

As elections gradually approach, conversations about the future leadership of Borno State will naturally intensify. This moment, however, not merely presents a political transition, but an important historical responsibility. 

The foundations your administration has laid must not only be preserved but strengthened. The Borno 25-Year Development Framework provides a clear vision for transformation and development; the leadership that succeeds you will be responsible for ensuring this vision continues to move forward with the same discipline and determination.

Over the years, Your Excellency, you have mentored and entrusted many young, capable individuals with leadership responsibilities across government parastatal and ministries. Many of them have grown under your guidance and have demonstrated commitment, discipline, and service in various capacities. This is one of the enduring strengths of your administration. You have not only governed but also cultivated leadership.

Among those who have served under your watch are individuals who have observed your work ethic, your decisiveness, and your relentless focus on results. Such individuals understand the philosophy that has driven your administration. 

Your Excellency, therefore, you are uniquely positioned to recognise who among those you have mentored possesses the character, vision, courage, and administrative capacity required to sustain the momentum of your achievements.

Your Excellency, sir, across the world today, younger leaders are increasingly demonstrating the capacity to drive reform, strengthen institutions, and accelerate economic development. When youthful energy is combined with discipline, experience, and mentorship, it often yields bold, transformative leadership.

Sir, closer to home, the youthful leadership within your administration stands as clear proof that young minds can bring innovation, energy, and integrity to governance. These qualities speak directly to the four enabling foundations of the Borno 25-Year Development Framework. 

One of the most defining qualities of your leadership has been decisiveness. At critical moments, your ability to make firm and timely decisions restored confidence in governance and accelerated progress across many sectors. This quality has become a hallmark of your administration.

As Borno looks toward the future, it is important that the leadership which follows continues to embody this same strength of character, clarity of purpose, and courage in decision-making. Such leadership will ensure continuity, preserve stability, and sustain the progress already achieved.

Your Excellency, sir, many citizens across the state quietly share a hope that the next phase of Borno’s leadership will not only preserve your legacy but also elevate it even further. In most conversations across the state, one often hears a phrase that captures this aspiration in simple language, the desire for what some describe as a “Zulum Pro Max.”

By this, people mean a leader who embodies the courage, discipline, integrity, and commitment to service that have defined your tenure, while also building upon the strong foundation you have established.

Your Excellency, the decision regarding the future leadership of Borno State carries immense significance. History will remember not only the progress achieved during your tenure but also the path charted for the years that follow.

May Allah continue to guide your wisdom, strengthen your resolve, and bless Borno State with lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.

In my next letter, I intend to respectfully share my thoughts on one of your mentees, whom many Bornoans believe reflects the qualities needed to advance this vision and carry Borno State to the next level of development.

Yours sincerely,
Imam Malik Abdullahi Kaga.

By Malam Aminu Wase 

As 2027 approaches in Nigeria, a troubling sentiment is spreading among many citizens. There is no point in voting. Frustration is understandable. Economic hardship is real. Insecurity is real. Public disappointment is real. But choosing silence at the ballot box is not a solution;  it is surrender.

Democracy does not collapse in a single dramatic moment. It weakens gradually as citizens withdraw, participation declines, and people convince themselves that their voices do not matter. The most dangerous political decision is not voting for the wrong candidate; it is refusing to vote at all.

If we are dissatisfied with leadership, the answer is not apathy. It is participation. If we desire better governance, accountability, and reform, we must use the one instrument that gives power to ordinary citizens, the ballot.

Complaints on social media do not change governments. Private anger does not change governments. Boycotts by the disillusioned do not change governments. Votes change governments.

When citizens stay home on election day, they do not protest the system; they strengthen the influence of those who show up. Every empty polling unit is not a statement of resistance; it is an opportunity handed to someone else to decide the future.

The power to shape 2027 does not lie solely with politicians. It lies with citizens who choose to participate. Leadership is not imposed in a democracy; it is permitted. And permission is granted through votes.

This is not about blind loyalty to any party or personality. It is about responsibility. It is about understanding that disengagement guarantees continuity of whatever we claim to oppose. If we want reform, we must vote for it. If we want accountability, we must demand it through participation.

Nigeria’s future will not be written by observers. It will be written by participants. In 2027, the real question will not only be who wins. The real question will be, did we show up?

Silence is not a strategy. Withdrawal is not resistance. Our vote is our voice, and 2027 is the time to use it.

Malam Aminu Wase writes from Kaduna. He can be reached at aminusaniusman3@gmail.com.