Month: June 2022

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has announced that 256 new people have been diagnosed with the deadly Coronavirus in the country.

The NCDC disclosed 52 new cases of the virus on their verified Facebook page on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. This brought the total number of confirmed cases within one week to 256. 

The 52 new cases were reported in Lagos, Rivers, FCT and Delta State. While Lagos tops the chart of states with most cases, others like Imo and Kano featured prominently in the reported diagnosis.

According to the NCDC report, the 52 new patients made the total number of people confirmed to be affected with the virus to 256 404, while the total number of discharged patients was put at 250,137. The number of people who were confirmed to have died due to the virus was put at 3,144. This made the fatality rate about 3% of the total confirmed cases. 

However, many Nigerians do not believe in the existence of Coronavirus, and this poses a significant challenge to the administration of vaccines. Many others believe in its existence but are sceptical of the situation being used as a conduit pipe for government officials to divert public funds.

By Prof. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

The All Progressive Congress (APC) is undoubtedly a party that brings together some of the most outstanding politicians in Nigeria. However, what makes the APC most attractive is the fact that it is in power. It seized this power from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years and was also adjudged a failure by the majority of Nigerians. That is why many people do not see PDP as the solution despite all the shortcomings of the APC-led government and the economic and security challenges confronting Nigerians.

One manifestation of the interest Nigerians have in the APC is the occupation of social media discussions, radio and television programmes and interpersonal group discussions by the APC Presidential ticket. Last week, Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, a devout Muslim from Lagos, won the APC Presidential primary election with a landslide to qualify as the party flag bearer in the 2023 presidential election. As is the tradition, Alhaji Tinubu, a southerner, is expected to pick a Northerner as his running mate.

But there is also another tradition. Christian flagbearers usually pick Muslim running mates, and Muslim flagbearers choose Christian running mates. The examples are many. In fact, since Nigeria’s return to party politics, that has been the case. First it was Obasanjo/Atiku, then Yaradua/Jonathan followed by Jonathan/Sambo and now Buhari/Osinbajo. But in all these examples, the Muslims are Northerners, and the Christians are southerners. There is no problem since it can be said with a reasonable degree of accuracy that Christians are the majority in the South and a negligible minority in the North.

Now, should Asiwaju pick a Northern Nigerian Christian as his running mate? I listened to many arguments. The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, for example, said religion does not matter in the choice of a running mate. What matters, according to him, is competence. This argument is faulty because democracy is about the choice of the majority, a choice characteristically influenced by many factors, including ethnicity, religion, gratifications, etc., in our country. If it is just about merit, candidates would be selected based on their performance in a standard examination on governance organized by my colleagues in Political Sciences Department.

The position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is the most uncouth and uncivilized. CAN thinks they have a monopoly for violence and always use threats instead of valid logic. Suppose their position was backed by sound logic. In that case, all they have to do is present their arguments to Nigerians including Christians and non-Christians like every other individual and group does. The rest shall be for Nigerians to judge. Again, in politics, threat is the language of someone who has no one to influence, and it is obvious that peace-loving Nigerian Christians have lost faith in CAN and are no longer controlled by its rantings.

The fact is, any step taken by a political party preparing for an election is carefully handled to attract majority votes from the electorates. This includes the choice of its flagbearer and their running mate, its manifesto, which, unfortunately, most Nigerian voters do not read, its campaign strategy, etc.

Now, who are the majority voters in Northern Nigeria and what is their relationship with the minority? What would happen to the chances of APC if this majority realizes that the party is succumbing to threats like that of CAN to select its running mate? Is it by force to vote for the ruling party after all? Can’t they look and vote for an alternative?

Religion was not captured in the 2006 census. Still, we can have a good idea of the Muslim: Christian ratio in the North by considering the ratio of elected politicians in the North. Of the 19 elected governors in the North, 16 are Muslims representing 84.2 %, while three are Christians representing 15.8 % in the North and 8 % nationwide. Of the 58 senators from the North, nine are Christians representing 15.5 % in the North and 9 % in the entire country. In the North Central geopolitical zones, there are more Muslims than Christians. Four of the North Central elected governors are Muslims, with the other two being Christians.

These figures mean Northern Christians are a tiny minority compared to their Northern Muslim compatriots. Their number is even smaller when the country is considered as a whole and much smaller if we remember that most Christians in the North would not vote for APC regardless of its flagbearer or his running mate. You may wish to look at the voting pattern of Benue, Taraba and Southern Kaduna.

Over the years, activities of groups like CAN have set the Northern Christian minority against the Muslim majority. It is so bad that in any Northern Nigerian community where Christians are the majority, the story is about hate and violence against Muslims. The examples are many.

For example, as I am writing this piece, there is no single Muslim left in Tafawa Balewa, the hometown of the first Nigerian prime minister. The few Muslims who have not been killed have migrated to Bauchi and other places. Incidentally, that is the constituency of Yakubu Dogara, one of the Northern Christians being mentioned in the selection of a running mate for the APC flagbearer. In the event Dogara becomes the running mate of Asiwaju, the question every Northern Nigerian Muslim would ask is, is it compulsory for me to vote for my killer?

Other examples of Christian communities known for their violence against Muslims are Plateau State and Southern Kaduna. Over the last several decades, whole Muslim communities have been attacked and nearly wiped out in these places. Yet, when commissions of enquiry are set up, the grievances of the Northern Christians have always been that emirs dominate them, their great grandparents were enslaved, they are not given opportunities, etc.

Muslims have made many overtures in states where they have the majority in order to take Christians along and make them feel at home. An example of this is Kaduna state. It has always been ensured that the Deputy Governor of Kaduna is a Christian even though a Muslim-Muslim ticket can win with a landslide, as demonstrated in 2019. In their efforts to give Christians maximum opportunity, Muslim politicians were once suppressed to allow a Christian to become the governor. Where in the whole of the Christian world has this ever happened?

Moreover, chiefdoms were created for them by the Ahmed Makarfi administration to address Christians’ complaints of being traditionally ruled by emirs. After all these overtures, the same people killed over 1000 Muslims on one day in Zonkwa. Those who are saying that appointing a Christian as the running mate of Asiwaju would bring Christians and Muslims closer are probably not aware of this.

Compare the case of Kaduna with that of Plateau. Plateau has a population of Muslims equivalent to the population of Christians in Kaduna State. Yet, a Muslim has never been a Deputy Governor, much less a Governor. Attacks on Muslim communities in Plateau and Southern Kaduna only ceased because of the Fulani herders who, unlike the Hausa, would always take revenge when attacked. When the intolerant Christians realized it was a war they could not win, they had to declare peace.

That does not mean Muslim travellers are not intercepted in Plateau and massacred. We are very much aware of the murder of General Idris Alkali by Lafendeg non-Muslims. Yet, somehow, all the suspects arrested have been released due to the influence of the Governor, Simon Bako Lalong. We saw how he was running up and down between the state house and the Defence Headquarters to ensure that the culprits were not punished. Today, not even a fly of Plateau state has been convicted due to the murder of General Idris, a high-profile Muslim Army General.

Those pushing for Lalong to become Asiwaju’s running mate are probably ignorant of this. Suppose Lalong, who is only a Governor can successfully follow up to ensure that murderers of Muslims are not punished. What would happen if, tomorrow, he sits as the Acting President with full control of the country’s security apparatus and a similar thing happens?

Now take Babachir Lawal and the more charismatic Boss Mustapha. Both are from Adamawa State and were appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari only because he is Buhari, the darling of Northerners. The only question I have here is whether they have the political strength to defeat Atiku in their state. Certainly no. Outside Adamawa, other rules apply.

This write-up is not meant to malign any politician. On the contrary, all the Christian politicians I have mentioned above have APC dear to their hearts and wouldn’t like to see it lose at the polls. That is also the intention here.

Northern Nigerian Christians have not adequately prepared themselves for elections at the National level due to unnecessary inferiority complex and hate towards their Muslim neighbours. Of course, there are outstanding ones among them as no rule exists without exception. However, the collective behaviour of a community is used to assess people anywhere.

For now, Northern Christians may wish to set their house in order and plan for the future. Elections are not won by threats but by careful planning and building bridges.

Professor Abdussamad Jibia can be contacted via aujibia@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Reports reaching The Daily Reality have indicated an angry mob in Chinade town, Bauchi State’s Katagum Local Government Area, set fire to a suspected motorcycle thief.

According to a source in Chinade, the crime occurred on Sunday, and the suspect took the motorcycle from Hardawa Market in the state’s Misau LGA.

He said the suspect fled with the motorcycle but was apprehended and beaten to a pulp before being set ablaze in Chinade town.

Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police for the state police, confirmed the homicide in a statement and stated the investigation was still on.

“The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, Umar Mamman Sanda, has ordered a thorough investigation into the barbaric and dehumanising act of jungle justice meted out to the suspect by some irate youths in Chinade.

“While reacting to the ugly incident, the CP frowned on the action of the irate youths, who, instead of taking the suspect to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, mobbed him to death for allegedly stealing a motorcycle without any recourse to the law,” the statement of the police commissioner read.

Communities in Bauchi State State have for over a long time been badly affected by the activities of motorcycle thieves, who, in many cases, would gruesomely murder the owner of the bike before snatching it.

Considering what reports have indicated, the Bauchi metropolis could be the most affected place in the state with respect to such criminal acts.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Cyberbullying against women is one of the lingering issues women face across social media spaces over time.

The menacing issue, however, has now escalated to become a global problem affecting women emotionally and chasing them away from online spaces.

The Daily Reality interviewed some women about the hazard. They recounted that the kind of messages they received from men were disgusting. 

The women decried that most of these disgusting messages often demand nude pictures or videos and propose love, irrespective of one’s marital status. 

This issue is most common on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, among other social media platforms. 

Zahra Madaki, one of the women interviewed, complained that social media is never an exciting place for women to go as cyberbullying exacerbates daily.

She stated, “Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are very annoying nowadays. That’s why I decided to stop using them.

“Everyone is after love affairs. So, anyone will keep proposing for love as they see you online. It’s so annoying,” Madaki complained. 

On request for sex, pornography

According to Aisha Jibril, not her real name, women are victims of all naughty things on social media platforms today. 

She complained that some men request sex, and nude pictures or videos, as you begin to chat with them. The development, she said, distresses many women.

She stated, “there was a time someone on Facebook asked me if I ever watched pornography. I was shocked because, at that time, I didn’t know the meaning of the word. 

“I had to ask my elder sister what the meaning of the word was. Before I could respond to his earlier message, this man sent me a porn movie. 

“I shivered with fear that my phone nearly fell on the floor. I was terrified. I had never before that time had such an experience. I hardly slept that night,” Aisha said. 

Another source, Khadijat Muhammad Bah, also decried the menace, blaming men for being irresponsible in their relations with girls.

Bah said, “we ladies are seeing and reading all kinds of rubbish. Some men out there send nude pictures and always request nude photos.

“Some would insult and curse because you refuse to give them your contact. Some of them just want sex. 

“One day, I posted my picture on my story, and one guy said, ‘wow, those lips are for me’. And that was one reason that always stopped me from putting my picture on my story,” she lamented. 

According to a source who preferred not to be named, her sister once met someone on Facebook. Their relationship started as a friendship before the guy finally asked for sex, which later led to their breakup.

She said, “the guy kept pleading with her to come to his apartment. But she refused. We were surprised at how shameless this guy was.”

Someone keeps on disturbing me – Housewife

A housewife who spoke to The Daily Reality complained that someone kept disturbing her on social media.

The woman said she told the guy to stop chatting with her because she was married, but the guy turned a blind eye. 

She said, “This man started adding me to some irresponsible dating groups on WhatsApp. But, I thank God that through the help of my brother, we solved the issue and blocked the son of bitch afterwards.”

Another housewife complained that some men that chatted her up used to send her some porn photos, but she deleted them instantly.

She added, “these guys chat and comment on our posts anyhow. They tend to forget about our marital status. They forget that our spouses and relatives also see our online activity and would be sad to see such naughty and irresponsible comments under our posts. 

Cyberbullying: An unfortunate reality in dear need of mitigation

Dr Rukayya Aliyu, a senior lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, urged the technology firms that build these sites to act and make online spaces safe for women. 

Aliyu described the menace of cyberbullying as an “unfortunate incidence” in dire need of mitigation.

She stated, “Cyberbullying is an unfortunate incidence, but unfortunately, it is challenging to overcome because it happens on social media platforms, which are free and uncensored. 

“However, it can be managed to some extent with measures from the sites themselves, which can only be minimal.  The reality is regulation by the government might not be effective considering the lapses in regulating traditional media, to which the government has better control and access. 

Women ought to be responsible and mindful of their online activity 

Dr Rukayya also urged women to be mindful of what they post on social media platforms to avoid insults and indecent comments. 

She said, “on my take as a woman, it’s displeasing, but then fellow women should understand that most abuses come as reactions to our post and engagement with the platforms. Therefore, we should be responsible in our dealings and always be conscious that whatever goes on on any internet-connected platform is no longer personal. People have a right to their opinions. 

“If we don’t want to be abused or bullied, we ought to be responsible and mindful of our digital or cyber identities. However, we shouldn’t rule out that no matter how ‘decent’ or responsible our social engagements are, there are people who will still castigate, blackmail, abuse and bully us. 

“So before engaging, we ought to be conscious of the implications and be ready to surmount them through confidence and steadfastness in what we do,” Dr Rukayya added.

By Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi, PhD

Hello, my dear comrade friends! How are you and your families? I hope we are forging and managing well. I know we are well, but not very well. This is because I know that there are so many challenges in and out there. I know most of us are currently swimming and still smiling in heavy debts, ranging from debts of Maggi, Omo, Bread, Garri, etc. Even the ‘Yan garuwa (water vendors) owe many among us a considerable amount of money due to the brutal nature of our looters. This is not to talk about heavy loans accrued due to a lack of salaries for about four months.

The Maikantis (petty traders) selling raw rice, beans and other groceries no longer want to see us by their doors. Some of us have already forgotten toothpaste and have opted for chewing sticks now to remain clean. Our children have been sent out of school due to non-payment of school fees. Landlords have knocked and banged on the doors of many; we pacified them, and some of them reason with us.

Some of us now live without water and light due to heavy bills accrued. You keep counting the ordeals. I remember how during the whole of Ramadan, with the scorching sun and harsh temperature, lecturers languished with dry pockets and no salaries. Many lecturers didn’t have a chance to sew new Sallah (Eid) dresses for their kids, not even for themselves. Yet, another Sallah is approaching without any remorse or sense from this lousy government and its handlers.

Before I talk about my three solid pieces of advice to ASUU, let me digress and talk a little about and to those who don’t understand ASUU’s struggle. I don’t in any way exonerate ASUU of all blames and problems. No way! We have our defects. Only the Almighty Allah is perfect.

However, in ASUU’s struggle, ASUU is 80 per cent right. If you talk about the decay within the ranks of the university administration and duties, ASUU also fights that. And it is the sole responsibility of the government to put eyes on the universities and punish anyone found wanting and guilty of any offence. Sex for marks, not attending lectures on time, lack of coordination, dedication and supervision, extorting students, etc., to punish and stop all these and more lie in the hands of sensible governments. I know that it is said that these bad attitudes happen in Nigerian universities, but sometimes they are overblown out of proportion.

I have been in the university community for nearly 20 years, engaging with my teachers and, later, my students. Still, I don’t know a single lecturer in my university involved in such indecent acts and is also known without getting punished. In other words, universities don’t condone such wrongdoings. Also, this is not ASUU’s direct responsibility, but rather, it lies in the hands of the university management and the government.

Our government doesn’t punish anyone, which is why bad people do as they wish everywhere, in the military, the police, lawyers, carpenters, bandits and all. So lack of commitment and corruption in whichever cadre is not ASUU’s fault, but rather, the government. Our governments rarely punish, and when it does, it looks selective and sometimes biased.

The government is so powerful that, if it is sincere, ASUU or anyone cannot shut down a single university, just like that – not even to talk of all universities – for one week without the government taking drastic action and winning over anyone! But due to the government’s insincerity, this is ASUU. So here is the whole country’s population – the lecturers, their wives, children and friends, the students, their parents, children and families, Nigerians and all their well-wishers – all in trouble, but the government doesn’t care.

With all the troubles and disputes in their recent party primary elections, North/South and whatever, they managed, brainstormed, came together, and brought a solution in 2 days. But, of course, this is for their selfish agenda,  huh? So anyway, below are my three candid and sincere pieces of advice for ASUU and all.

First, ASUU members are suffering, but ASUU should NOT call off its strike until it reaches a coherent, logical conclusion. Yes! We are suffering, and we need the strike to the end. But we don’t want a situation where a strike can be called off today, and it comes back in 7 months to come, or even less. Let’s push things to the end. I will even advise the government to agree that no strike can be implemented in the next ten years if anything goes as practically implemented. I don’t support any agreement again.

I never heard of NNPC, CBN or the House of Representatives going on strike! This is because all their entitlements, salaries, allowances and more are paid on time. And they receive more than all Nigerian universities receive, with a quarter of what universities do. A kind of monkey dey work, but baboons chop the money. So they have money more than they need. So, ASUU should not call off the strike until everything is settled.

Second, ASUU should change its style concerning research works. Many civilians out there don’t know that apart from class teachings, university lecturers engage in what is called research. Hence, some people feel we are not entitled to our salaries during strikes. And in reality, the impact of our collective research output is very minimal. Some people don’t even know that we do research, and some of us don’t even do any research at all.

To sustain our research line, let us allow the research activities to continue at full capacity. Here I mean, students writing their research (Undergrads, Masters and PhDs) should be allowed to consult their lecturers online or via any other medium possible. Someone may ask about data and other internet facilities. My answer to such a ridiculous question is; how do you read this write-up? Don’t you have a WhatsApp, Facebook or go online? This is all to maintain and sustain our research inputs and keep going. We shouldn’t allow our brains to rust completely. This chance should be conditional, situational and only if a lecturer has a chance to.

Third and finally, ASUU should continue the strike until things are resolved.

Thank you

Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

By Muhammad Sabiu

National electricity grid collapse puts Nigeria in darkness Nigeria’s shaky national energy grid has crashed once more, leaving numerous towns in the dark, including the federal capital Abuja.

Late Sunday, power companies stated that the outage began shortly before 7 p.m.It’s the sixth reported collapse in 2022, while some speculate that the number could be higher.

The administration attributes the recurring breakdowns to inadequate management and a lack of gas supplies.

On Sunday, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc sent out a Facebook message to its clients informing them of the power outage.

The head of corporate communication, Friday Elijah, stated that “The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc wishes to inform the general public that the current outage being witnessed is a result of system collapse.

“We hope to restore supply as soon as supply is restored,” he added.

According to the US Magazine, Justin Bieber got real about his recent health issues, which have left half of his face paralyzed — and made him pause his tour. Bieber briefed his fans on the issue and informed them that they shouldn’t worry, he would be telling them more about the situation.

“I love you guys and keep me in your prayers,” the 28-year-old musician captioned an Instagram video on Friday, June 10, asking his fans to “please watch.”

The “Yummy” crooner, who has been battling Lyme disease for years, explained that he wanted to update his fans on “what’s been going on” with his body recently, pointing out that people can “probably see from [his] face” that something is not normal.

“I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. It is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis,” Bieber said, showing how one side of his face is stationary. “As you can see this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move.”

The Grammy winner addressed fans who may be “frustrated by my cancellations of my next shows,” telling them, “I’m just physically, not capable of doing them.”

Bieber continued: “This is pretty serious as you can see. I wish this wasn’t the case. But obviously, my body is telling me I need to slow down.”

The Canadian singer, who is currently on his Justice World Tour, noted that he will be using his time off to “rest and relax and get back to 100 per cent so I can do what I was born to do.” He added: “I gotta go get my rest on so that I can get my face back to where it’s supposed to be. I love you guys, thanks for being patient with me.”

The “Peaches” crooner insisted he’s “going to get better.” Meanwhile, Bieber has started to do facial exercises to help his recovery. “I trust God. I trust that this is all for a reason,” he concluded. “Not sure what that is right now, but in the meantime, I’m going [to] rest.”

Bieber’s health scare came three months after his wife, Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin), was sent to the hospital in March following a blood clot on her brain. The 25-year-old model was “pretty much back to normal” when she arrived at the emergency room, but at the time felt like she was having a mini-stroke, according to a YouTube video she shared in April.

Hailey was later diagnosed with a Grade 5 PFO — Patent Foramen Ovale, which is a flaplike opening in the heart per a Mayo Clinic definition. Doctors recommended closing the hole in surgery, and she agreed to the procedure.

“It went very smoothly and I’m recovering really well,” she explained in the April video. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with well wishes and concern, and for all the support and love.”

Source: www.usmagazine.com

By Muhammad Aminu

The Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has said that security agencies have foiled what could have been major attacks in Kano and Abuja last week.

Gen. Irabor also said citizens must trust and support the military and other security agencies for the war on insecurity to be more effective in the country.

The CDS disclosed this while speaking on a Channels Television special programme on Sunday for Democracy Day.

He regretted that violent incidents continued in Nigeria but argued that security agencies had averted several others.

“Security agencies had halted what could have been a major attack in Kano and Abuja,” he said.

“We recovered a large quantum of arms and ammunition and other materials which, of course, the criminals were intending to use in various parts of the country, including Abuja,” he added.

He said the security operatives across the country record many successes despite persistent criminal activities.

Gen. Irabor, therefore, called on Nigerians to trust and support the security operatives as all Nigerians are potential victims.

“I’m a victim as well as any Nigerian that is on the street. We are all victims together. There’s no one who is on the other side. We are in it together. We are on the frontlines. Trust is not something we need to beg for.

“I will seek and crave the indulgence of all Nigerians to say that there has to be trust. Trust must exist, and trust must be given in all respect so that together we will achieve the state of peace that we so desire,” he said.

However, he admitted that the desired state of security is yet to be achieved as many parts of the country are disturbed by violent crimes, including kidnapping and gunmen massacres.

It can be recalled that recently police in Kano intercepted a vehicle laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) on its way to the state via Jigawa State.

Similarly, the Department of State Security ( DSS) arrested a top commander of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) identified as Malam Abba in Kano.

Kano and Jigawa States are the only relatively secure states in Northwestern Nigeria where bandit-terrorists continue killing and abducting innocent citizens.

By Adamu Hussaini.

Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, I have followed the politics and its sentiment based on region and religion for about two decades. The organic way it has been going is that whenever a southerner/Christian emerges as the presidential candidate of a particular party, his running mate will automatically be a Muslim from the northern region and vice visa. This has been the practice starting from the days of President Olusegun Obasanjo, a southwestern Christian, to his successor, late Umaru Musa Yar’adua of blessed memory. Who came from a northwestern Muslim family to Dr Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw Christian from the south-south Niger Delta region, down to the current President, Muhammadu Buhari of the northern extraction.

 All their running mates are from other regions and religious divides. The only time in Nigerian Democratic history where a Muslim-Muslim ticket was formed was in late MKO Abiola’s June 12, 1993, with his running mate Babagana Kingibe.

If we can recall vividly, after the 2014 presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhamadu Buhari wanted to pick Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his running mate. But other powerful politicians, like the former senate president and a two-term Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, stood their ground and vehemently opposed it because of the fear of having a Muslim-Muslim ticket. We left it for history to judge whether they did it based on fairness or selfish political interest.

Suddenly, the political equations are trying to deviate from the known established political norms, which characterized the Nigerian politics of regional and religious sentiments; after the emergence of Senator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a Muslim as the APC presidential candidate and the party’s flag bearer for the 2023 general election. Tinubu was a former Southwestern Lagos State governor. Since Tinubu is a Muslim from the south, Nigerians expect him to pick a northern Christian as his running mate this time. This will be seen as fairness, equity, “JUSTICE,” and the possibility of carrying all the religious beliefs.

But considering a Christian running mate has its political consequences. Because many may argue that northern politics is based on religious sentiments, you may find that there are only three states, Taraba, Benue and Plateau state, out of the 19 northern states that have Christians as both the Governor and their deputy. So, why not the party pick a Muslim from the north as Senator Tinubu’s running mate? Since the primary reason(s) for forming a political party is to win elections.

Many believed that the opposition People Democratic Party, PDP jettisoned its zoning arrangement to field the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate to woo northern votes. Since the northwestern state of Kano has more votes than some five small states in the south, in this case, Tinubu’s running mate should be a Muslim from the northwest, where there are a lot of votes or the northeastern part of the country, where they have never produced a Nigerian president in the last 20 years for equity sake. In my little political observation. PDP gave Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the ticket because religious politics is more pronounced in Arewa than in the southern part of Nigeria.

Lastly, I think the earlier we start looking at who has competence, vision, enviable track record, and pedigree, among other virtues, the better for us as a people. And not electing or supporting candidates because of the region they came from, or their religious beliefs are better for the country. Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world. So anything happening there may affect other black races living on the African continent. as the saying goes, “a stitch in time saves nine.”

Hussaini wrote from Gombe state, Nigeria and can be reached through hadamugombe@gmail.com.

By Mai-Nasara Muawiya Uzairu

An unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying, or postponing of action despite knowing there might be an avalanche of negative consequences at the end of the tunnel, is referred to as procrastination. It has been a stumbling block for us all; it’s unto us. We live in it. It can only be reduced, not discarded in toto.

From cultural and social perspectives, people of both western and non-western extractions exhibit procrastination. Still, for different reasons, Westerners procrastinate mostly to avoid repeating the mundane activities they already performed and to avoid falling prey for the second time. And, the non-Westerners often procrastinate for fear of scarifying us with incompetency and demonstrating an inability to our peers.

It’s found everywhere, in all facets of life, not only in the academic milieu. Sex, age and background usually don’t matter—we all procrastinate; it only depends on what one does. However, the emergence of social media platforms contributes a lot to multiplying the problem.

Often, people say, ‘I want to do this and that, but seriously, there is no time’. ‘Or things like ‘I have an idea about this and that stuff, but I still don’t have time to own it up’. Well, part of this is called procrastination, while the huge part is called lack of time management. However, one cannot have good time management without having Self Discipline, which means the ability to do what is right at the right time without allowing anything to take away your mind from it.

The absence of self-disciple leads to nothing. Provided it’s null and void to be found, there will be no means to manage time. Naturally, some people force themselves to engage in trivialities, but they can’t force themselves to do the work that will benefit them now or in future. This is repulsively sickening and killing oneself against building a better tomorrow.

We are humans, and our body system is designed in a way that it always wants pleasure. It never wants to stand up and work. We all want to relax and enjoy, right? It’s not bad, but you that want to do something for yourself must be pretty different. Lack of self-discipline is not just dangerous but also a threat to attaining one’s goals. It makes us hold our phones and chat for 4 hours when we need just 10 minutes to work on fruitful ventures.

The reason behind the invention of smartphones is to get smarter—look at your circle. Do you get smartness in your smartphone? If yes, be consistent; otherwise, I challenge you to make adjustments. It makes one draw a blanket and sleep when one should give 10 minutes to something meaningful. Basically, it is the enemy of progress which makes it an enemy to time management.

Guess what? Let’s stop deceiving ourselves. There will never be free time for one to do what s/he wants to do. There will never be free time for us to read, work and think. All these are life aspirations that we must do while doing other things and continue running; otherwise, one will continue to live stagnantly and end desperately. A million people out there do what you are doing every day, or even better than you do; thus, one doesn’t have the luxury to wait for something called ‘TIME.’

Create Time

That is the shortest definition of time management. But if you don’t create time, nobody will be irked with you, and nobody will mock nor allege you but be rest assured, you are just likely to see some certain amazing things like:

1. Watching your mates achieve what they want to achieve alternately in a very short period. Hence, you will learn that the miniature period you didn’t do anything to show has been spoilt. That is when you hear people saying, ‘So you are done! So soon? And they start to wow you.

2. The regret comes when the little thing(s) taking your attention disappears.

3. It’s an injury that no one will heal for you. So you waste your time; it concerns no one.

4. You delay your journey. There is no shortcut in life; you either do it or stay in the queue.

By creating time for everything you want, preferably on a scale of preference, one gets rid of procrastination and poor time management.

Mai-Nasara Muawiya Uzairu can be reached via newmainasara016@gmail.com.