By Hadiza Abdulkadir 

A viral video showing Chinese passengers covering their noses around an African woman has triggered a heated debate online over racism, cultural differences and the use of perfume.

The woman, identified on X as Teebebe (@Acupoftii_), appeared to interpret the passengers’ reaction as racist. The video has since attracted widespread attention, with social media users offering competing explanations for the behaviour.

One of those responding was X user Zhao DaShuai, who argued that the incident may have had less to do with race and more to do with the strength of the woman’s perfume.

“It’s your perfume,” Zhao wrote.

He said many East Asians carry a variant of the ABCC11 gene linked to reduced production of certain compounds associated with underarm odour. According to Zhao, this may mean people in East Asia are less accustomed to strong fragrances.

The claim has prompted further debate, with some users questioning whether covering one’s nose should be interpreted as evidence of racial discrimination, while others argue that the gesture could have been a simple reaction to an unfamiliar smell.

Scientists have established a relationship between variations in the ABCC11 gene and differences in underarm odour, although the prevalence of the relevant variants varies considerably between populations.

The genetic explanation, however, does not establish why the passengers in the video covered their noses. Nor does the video, by itself, provide enough context to determine whether the behaviour was motivated by racism, discomfort with a strong fragrance, or another reason.

The incident has nevertheless revived an online conversation about race, personal fragrance and cultural differences in perceptions of smell, highlighting how an apparently ordinary gesture can carry very different meanings across cultural and racial contexts.

By Usman My. Shehu

“No Condition Is Permanent” is the title of a chapter in Martin Meredith’s The State of Africa. Meredith took the phrase from the words routinely painted on the bodies and flanks of vehicles across Africa. It is a familiar expression, much like seeing an African football fan wearing an oversized jersey bearing the name of a favourite footballer.

This is, in some ways, who we are and what we sometimes do: we turn even difficult circumstances into jokes, humour, slogans, or expressions of endurance. Sometimes, we laugh at dire situations not because they are funny, but because laughter is one of the ways we survive them.

Yet this piece is ultimately about hope, as the proverb suggests: no condition is permanent.

It is shocking to read and learn that, in Nigeria, it can be so difficult to find something to be optimistic about—something hopeful enough to cling to while trying to escape the cauldron of despair. At times, finding hope in my dear country feels like looking for a black cat in a dark room. But as long as we continue searching for that cat, there remains a possibility that we will eventually find it.

So we keep hope alive. Please do so, abeg.

Meredith’s book was written more than a decade ago, yet many of the problems he described remain painfully familiar, despite pockets of progress here and there. What we continue to hear are grand economic phrases and complicated macroeconomic arguments that can sometimes feel difficult to digest, especially on an empty stomach.

One paragraph in the book deserves particular mention:

«“…the economy was derelict; public services were chronically inefficient; schools and hospitals were decaying; higher education had virtually collapsed; roads were pitted with potholes; the telephone system hardly functioned. There were frequent power cuts; even shortages of domestic petroleum supplies…”»

Reading those words today is uncomfortable because, although Nigeria has undoubtedly changed in many respects, some of the underlying frustrations remain recognisable. We have made progress in certain areas, but progress has often been uneven, fragile, or insufficient to transform the everyday experience of ordinary people.

And then there are the tragedies that make the proverb “no condition is permanent” painfully difficult to apply.

How does “no condition is permanent” become a source of hope for the families of the young men who reportedly died a day after their detention in NSCDC custody? Reports alleged that a chemical substance was sprayed into the cell where they had been detained and that they subsequently suffocated.

Their families may continue to hope for answers, accountability, and justice. But for the deceased, there is no return to the life that was taken from them. Their condition is, tragically, permanent.

Still, their relatives must not be condemned to die a little every day with their grief. If justice is pursued thoroughly and transparently, perhaps the loss can at least become a catalyst for accountability and institutional reform. Their case, if the allegations are established through proper investigation, would be a salutary reminder of what happens when institutions fail in their most basic responsibility: protecting human life.

Unemployment and underemployment are almost as old as the rocks. Our leaders know these problems—perhaps better than they know the backs of their own hands.

Yet recruitment into public institutions continues to generate concerns about nepotism, ethnicity, regional balancing, and the inconsistent application of merit. The constitutional principle of federal character was designed, among other things, to promote a sense of inclusion and equitable representation, but its implementation remains contentious.

And then there is the familiar Nigerian reality: knowing someone can sometimes matter as much as—or even more than—what you know.

In both the public and private sectors, networks and connections can influence opportunities, though the problem is particularly frustrating when access to public employment is perceived to depend on patronage rather than transparent processes. In such an environment, a person can know all the books in the world and still find the door to employment firmly closed.

Insecurity has also become a recurring feature of our daily news. As I write this on September 29, 2026, Daily Trust carries the headline: “2 weeks after, abducted Zamfara imams yet to be released.”

That is only one report among many.

Nigerians have endured abductions, killings, displacement, and prolonged uncertainty, while armed groups continue to operate in parts of the country. Behind every statistic is a family waiting for a loved one to return, a community trying to rebuild, or a child whose understanding of normal life has been permanently altered.

The natural consequence of many of these problems is multidimensional poverty. For millions of Nigerians, the question is not an abstract debate about poverty rates or macroeconomic indicators. It is whether there is enough food on the table today. It is whether a farmer can reach the farm safely. It is whether a child can remain in school. It is whether a family can afford transport to another city, pay medical bills, or simply survive the month without borrowing.

Statistics from the World Bank, the IMF, the National Bureau of Statistics, and other institutions have their place. They help us understand the scale and direction of economic problems.

But statistics should not obscure lived experience.

A person who goes to bed hungry does not experience inflation as a percentage; they experience it as an empty plate. A parent who cannot afford school fees does not experience unemployment as a labour-market indicator; they experience it as a closed door for their child.

Our circumstances are sufficiently serious that the major sectors of national life deserve sustained, urgent attention. Education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, electricity, employment, and food security cannot be treated as peripheral matters. They are the foundation upon which a functioning society rests.

The government often tells Nigerians that reforms take time. That may be true: structural reforms rarely produce their full benefits overnight, and some necessary changes are inevitably painful before their effects become visible.

But there is another truth that cannot be ignored: a hungry person cannot eat promises of future prosperity.

Reforms must therefore be judged not only by their intentions but also by their implementation, their distributional effects, and the extent to which ordinary Nigerians can actually feel improvements in their lives. Patience becomes difficult to demand from people who are already struggling to survive.

Still, no condition is permanent.

That phrase should not become an excuse for complacency, nor should it be used to ask Nigerians to endure suffering indefinitely. It should instead be a reminder that circumstances can change—and that human beings have a responsibility to help change them.

Nigeria has endured worse moments and survived them. We have seen institutions improve, businesses emerge, communities organise, individuals overcome extraordinary circumstances, and citizens continue to create possibilities in places where the state has sometimes fallen short.

Hope, therefore, should not mean pretending that everything is fine.

Hope is the decision to believe that things can be better—and to participate in making them better.

Nigerians deserve better. We deserve better.

And perhaps the most important part of the proverb is not merely that no condition is permanent, but that the conditions we refuse to accept do not have to remain unchanged forever.

Usman M. Shehu writes from Kano and he can be reached via usmanmujtabashehu@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, has travelled to Israel as part of efforts to draw international attention to killings and insecurity affecting communities in Plateau and other parts of Nigeria.

Dachomo announced his arrival in Israel on Friday, October 2, through his Facebook account, describing the trip as his first international Christian advocacy tour.

The cleric said he plans to use the visit to raise concerns over attacks in Plateau and the wider Middle Belt while seeking an audience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He also said he intends to engage Christian leaders and prayer groups from different countries to mobilise greater international attention and prayers for Nigeria.

Dachomo has been vocal about attacks on communities in Plateau State and has described some of the violence as persecution and “genocide” against Christians.

In a message announcing his arrival, the cleric said he was in Israel to pray for Nigeria, its leaders and citizens.

“Today, I am in Israel praying for Nigeria, our leaders, and our people. I believe in miracles, and I believe God can change what looks impossible,” he said.

In an accompanying video, Dachomo said he also prayed for Israel, its people and its leadership, including Netanyahu, his cabinet and the Israel Defence Forces.

He said his prayers also covered President Bola Tinubu, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other African leaders.

The cleric stressed that his advocacy was not limited to Christian victims, saying Muslims and other Nigerians affected by insecurity also deserved attention.

“I am coming to stand for Nigeria and to pray for our nation: for Muslims being killed in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina; for Christians; for my Biafran brothers,” he said.

Dachomo also spoke about attacks in his community, alleging that armed men invaded his village and killed three people within his jurisdiction.

He expressed hope that he would be able to meet Netanyahu personally and present what he described as the suffering of Christian communities in Nigeria.

“By God’s grace, if we meet one-on-one in Israel, I will share with him the agony of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

The Israel trip follows Dachomo’s sustained advocacy over insecurity in Plateau State, particularly after attacks on communities in the state.

He had previously alleged that nine members of his extended family were killed during an attack in Riyom Local Government Area in July.

His latest initiative takes his advocacy beyond Nigeria, with the cleric seeking to engage international Christian groups and draw greater attention to security challenges affecting communities in Plateau and other parts of the country.

Nigeria has continued to face insecurity involving terrorism, banditry, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts and criminal activities across different regions.

Claims about the identities and motives of perpetrators, as well as the religious dimensions of individual attacks, require independent verification.

Dachomo’s Israel visit is therefore aimed at expanding his campaign for international attention to the security situation in Plateau and other affected communities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a man identified as Zayyanu Halilu for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl inside a vehicle at Airport Bridge Taxi Park in Abuja.

The girl was reportedly found to be about three months pregnant after the alleged abuse, while the suspect remains in police custody.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the police, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit were on routine patrol around the taxi park on October 2 when they noticed a navy blue Volkswagen with registration number KMC567LQ parked with its windows wound up.

The officers reportedly noticed that the vehicle was shaking and approached it to investigate. They then opened the vehicle and allegedly found Halilu sexually abusing the minor.

“However, the vehicle was shaking. The officers, suspecting foul play, approached the vehicle and opened it, only to see one Zayyanu Halilu raping a twelve (12) year old minor,” the statement said.

The suspect was immediately arrested, while the girl was rescued by the officers.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly taken advantage of the victim on several previous occasions at the same location.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had, on several occasions, lured and sexually abused the underaged victim in the said vehicle parked at the same location, with threats to ‘deal with her’ if she reveals the abuse to anyone.”

A medical examination subsequently revealed that the victim was approximately three months pregnant.

“The victim is currently receiving medical care and assessment, while the suspect remains in Police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the police said.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, urged parents and guardians to closely monitor the whereabouts and welfare of children under their care.

The command also advised residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or persons to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has begun technical and vocational skills training for 777 young Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory as part of a broader initiative targeting about 80,000 youths nationwide.

The programme is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education through the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills Project, with support from the World Bank.

Speaking at the flag-off of the third cohort in Abuja on Friday, the First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, said the initiative was designed to address the gap between Nigeria’s growing youth population and the skills required by employers.

Adesugba said, “Nigeria’s challenge is not a shortage of young people. It is a shortage of young people equipped with skills the market is willing to pay for. Our economy does not need more certificates. It needs more competencies.”

He said the programme was focused on practical learning to ensure participants could demonstrate their abilities beyond obtaining certificates.

“That is why this programme is deliberately practical. By the end of it, each trainee will hold not just a certificate, but a portfolio of real work,” he said.

Adesugba urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the programme covers their training fees, equipment, facilities and instruction.

The Deputy Director-General of ACCI and Head of the BEST Centre, Dr Tinuke Temitope, said the 777 trainees in Abuja formed part of the approximately 80,000 youths undergoing training across the country under the IDEAS Project.

She said the FCT beneficiaries were selected from seven accredited Training Service Providers and were undergoing training in areas such as digital and creative media, beauty and cosmetology, construction and building trades, agriculture and agribusiness.

Temitope disclosed that the BEST Centre was training 200 beneficiaries in digital media production after receiving more than 800 applications for the available slots.

She said the applicants were assessed based on their previous experience, qualifications and capacity, after which those who met the initial requirements participated in oral interviews.

According to her, the competency-based model was intended to equip participants with practical skills that could translate into employment and self-employment.

“All these 80,000 trainees, the model is that they can do something with their hands. They are not just carrying certificates up and down. They can actually use their hands to do these things,” she said.

Temitope added that ACCI would continue to support beneficiaries after the training through its platforms, including opportunities to join the chamber and develop their businesses.

The seven accredited Training Service Providers participating in the FCT cohort are the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, Onidiri Home of Beauty, Gemological Institute of Nigeria, iLearn Learning Spaces, Germnig Consultants Limited, Dari Investments Limited, and Binley and Bramble in partnership with School Hunters.

The organisers said the initiative was designed to increase access to quality technical and vocational education and training across the country.

Under the current cohort, beneficiaries are receiving competency-based training aligned with National Skills Qualification standards. They are also expected to undergo industry internships and receive support towards employment after completing their training.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has granted clemency to 27 inmates serving various sentences in correctional facilities across the state as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

The latest intervention brings the number of inmates who have benefited from clemency initiatives under Sani’s administration to more than 500 since he assumed office in 2023.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the statement, the intervention involved the release of eligible inmates as well as the payment of fines and compensation for victims. The Kaduna State Government has committed more than N300m to fines and compensation since 2023.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, said the latest exercise was part of the governor’s practice of extending clemency to deserving inmates during major national occasions.

Kanyip said similar exercises had been carried out during New Year, Democracy Day and previous Independence Day celebrations.

He explained that the prerogative of mercy was exercised through established legal processes, with consideration given to accountability, rehabilitation and the responsibilities attached to freedom.

“The beneficiaries are expected to return to society with a renewed sense of responsibility and appreciation of their obligations to others,” Kanyip said.

He said the government’s intervention also addressed financial barriers that could prevent eligible inmates from regaining their freedom.

According to him, the payment of fines and compensation added a restorative justice component to the clemency exercise by recognising the interests of victims while supporting the reintegration of deserving inmates.

“Public safety, human dignity, rehabilitation, and the possibility of redemption should form part of the administration of justice,” he added.

The state government said the clemency initiative would also give beneficiaries an opportunity to reconnect with their families and communities and rebuild their lives.

It reaffirmed its commitment to rehabilitation, reconciliation and the reintegration of deserving inmates while maintaining a justice system that protects society and recognises the interests of victims.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned Nigerians against a fraudulent website falsely claiming that nationwide online voter registration is currently ongoing.

INEC identified the website as pvc-inecnigeria-org.blogspot.com, which reportedly advertises a supposed registration window from September 28 to October 27, 2026.

In an advisory issued on Saturday, the commission urged Nigerians not to visit the platform, click its links or submit personal information through it.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to click on the link or submit any personal information on the website, as doing so may expose them to the risk of having their sensitive personal data harvested or misused,” the advisory read.

INEC clarified that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise had ended, and that claims of a new online registration exercise through the fraudulent website were false. The commission’s official voter registration portal also currently states that the CVR exercise has ended.

“The commission further wishes to clarify that the voter registration exercise closed on July 26, 2026. Any information suggesting that a new nationwide online voter registration exercise is currently ongoing through the above-mentioned website is false,” it stated.

The fake platform reportedly advertises what it describes as the “Final Phase of Nationwide Online Voter Card Registration” and offers services including updating voter details, transferring polling units and replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards.

It also falsely claims that voter registration and PVC delivery are free.

INEC urged Nigerians to verify electoral information through its official communication channels and avoid submitting personal details to unauthorised websites.

The commission’s official website provides access to voter services and other election-related information.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration contributed to the death of his mother, citing the rising cost of medicines.

Mr Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, made the allegation on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.

When reminded that his mother died at the age of 82, Mr Amaechi questioned why she could not have lived longer, arguing that her health deteriorated after the administration’s economic policies took effect.

“You want me to mention my friends who are 90 or 92 years old? Why do you think my mother couldn’t live up to 92? Tinubu was the reason. Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy,” he said.

“Suddenly, by the time Tinubu came, it was difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I know most of you won’t believe this.”

Mr Amaechi said the rising cost of medicines had affected many Nigerian families, leaving some unable to afford essential healthcare for their ageing parents.

He cited figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics, claiming Nigeria spent N200 billion on drug imports in the last quarter. He added that about 40 per cent of finished goods were imported, describing the situation as a sign of dependence on imported products.

Mr Amaechi has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, especially the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he has linked to the rising cost of living.

He also expressed confidence that an administration led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and himself would improve living conditions for Nigerians, saying citizens could begin to feel relief within a year.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

US President Donald Trump has promised to give $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

Trump said the proposed payment, which he called a “Trump Dividend,” could be funded partly by revenue from tariffs.

However, the plan has not been approved by Congress. The proposed payments could cost about $1.2 trillion, meaning significant legislative and financial challenges remain.

For now, the $5,000 payment is an election promise and is not a guaranteed government benefit.

By Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu

It is common knowledge that the world is experiencing numerous challenges. The Global Peace Index Report of 2025 says that the world has become less peaceful for the 13th time in the last 17 years: more conflicts, more militarisation, and fewer resources for peacebuilding. 

Similarly, the 2025 report by the Institute for Economic and Peace says global peace is at its lowest level and that there are now over 122 million people who have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts globally.

In Nigeria, insecurity and economic hardship dominate public discourse. Figures from the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2,235,954 others were kidnapped nationwide within a single year in 2024.

Analysts confirmed that the number of people killed in Nigeria in 2024 was higher than the death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza, where over 40,000 had died. The figure is far more than the killings from the long-running Russian war on Ukraine, where 57,500 had been massacred as of December 2024

According to the World Food Programme’s August 2026 Country Briefing, an estimated 36.2 million people in Nigeria are acutely food insecure, with 2.1 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. The 2022 NBS reports claimed that 133 million people living in Nigeria are multidimensionally poor. 

This situation calls for a national prayer to seek divine intervention to complement the efforts of Governments at the state and Federal levels, which have been launching noble initiatives, projects, and programmes to end lingering insecurity and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

The Glorious Qur’an made it abundantly clear that many afflictions and tribulations are caused by the wrongdoings committed by men, as a test that, peradventure, men may turn to God, who promised them succour afterwards. “Chaos appears in the land and the sea because of the evil deeds which people’s hands have earned, in order to make them taste the flavour of some of their misdeeds – in order that they may come back” (Qur’an 30:41).

Muslims believe that prayer has the spiritual power to overcome compounding and complex situations. “Your Lord has said, ‘Pray to Me, for I shall answer your prayers'” (Qur’an 40:60). For instance, with a “single prayer”, Prophet Moses (A.S.) got comfort, food, accommodation, a job and thereafter a family (Qur’an 28:24 – 27). 

Allah has always assured the believers that “when My servants ask you about Me, then surely I am near: I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he prays to Me. So, let them respond to My call, and believe and trust in Me, so that they may be guided.” (Qur’an 2:186). 

To strengthen believers in the efficacy of prayer, the glorious Qur’an is replete with stories of Prophets like Zakariya, Ayyub, Yunus (A.S.), among others, who prayed for certain issues and had their prayers answered (Q21:83-90).

As a demonstration of patriotism embodied in spirituality and faithfulness, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the President General and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, organised a national prayer for peace, unity and prosperity of our dear country, Nigeria.

The prayer session, preceded by the recitation of the entire Glorious Qur’an, was attended by Chief Imams of the Central Mosques from 36 states of the Federation, representatives of Islamic Organisations in Nigeria, and Muslim leaders from various spheres of life.

The event saw patriotic believers eschewing differences, stripping off their ranks and status, converging on one of the sacred places in the land in awe of God with reverence, praying to God, the Creator of all creation, to grant “our one request: help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed, and so with peace and plenty”

One of the Qur’an’s most powerful lessons is that faith is not passive. Islam does not teach believers to sit and wait without effort. Rather, it teaches Muslims to pray sincerely and act decisively. The central message is that as one raises hands in prayer, one is equally expected to roll up their sleeves and act.

Consider the example of Maryam (Mary) in Qur’an 19:25. In her moment of pain and distress, Allah tells her to shake the trunk of a palm tree. A weak woman, exhausted, shaking a strong tree—this action alone could not bring down dates. Yet Allah wanted to teach believers: make the effort, even when it seems small, and He will bring the result.

Likewise, when Musa (Moses) stood before the sea with danger behind him, Allah commanded him in Qur’an 26:63 to strike the sea with his staff. The sea did not part until Musa acted. Again, the lesson is clear: divine help comes alongside human effort.

Allah reminds us in Qur’an 13:11: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” 

This is a call to responsibility. If we seek relief from hardship, we must turn to Allah with du‘a, while also striving to improve our condition.

The story of Nuh (Noah) reinforces the principle of pairing prayer with concrete and decisive action. In Qur’an 11:37, Prophet Nuh (A.S.) was commanded to build an ark long before any visible sign of the flood.

Despite ridicule from his people, he continued his work. His survival, and that of the believers with him, came not merely from prayer, but from obedient and sustained effort.

The Qur’an reassures believers in Qur’an 94:5-6 that “with hardship comes ease.” However, that ease is often reached through a combination of spiritual devotion, patience, and purposeful action.

Equally compelling was the account of Ayyub (Job), a symbol of patience in suffering. After enduring prolonged illness, he turned to Allah in supplication. Yet his healing was linked to action: in Qur’an 38:42, he was told to strike the ground with his foot, whereupon a spring emerged. The narrative highlights that even divine healing may come through human participation.

Beyond individual stories, the Qur’an lays down general principles. In Qur’an 13:11, it states: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” This verse underscores personal and collective responsibility—change requires initiative.

Other prophetic examples expand this theme. Yusuf (Joseph) advised on long-term economic planning during a coming famine (Qur’an 12:47), while Dhul-Qarnayn organised the construction of a protective barrier with collective effort (Qur’an 18:95). Even military discipline is emphasised in the story of Talut (Saul), where restraint and obedience determine success (Qur’an 2:249). The command is to combine reliance with preparedness. Qur’an 8:60 teaches that even with trust in Allah, believers must prepare and act.

Yes, Muslims throughout the country responded positively to the call of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and offered the National prayer for our country. What is expected is that they would equally rally behind him to implement a carefully crafted action plan, guided by his sagacity and leadership acumen, in line with divine guidance and in conformity with extant laws of the land, for a peaceful and prosperous future that posterity would be proud of.

“Keep working: Allah will behold your works and so will His Messenger and the believers;” (Q9:105).

Dr Gwandu is the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.