Month: August 2022

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Katsina State gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dikko Umar Radda, has nominated Honorable Faruk Lawal Joɓe as his running mate. 

This is, however, coming after the former running mate earlier nominated, Alhaji Yusuf Aliyu Musawa, voluntarily withdrew.

The Chairman of Gwagware Media Organization, Ahmed Abdulkadir, disclosed this in a statement signed Thursday, August 11th, 2022.

The statement read, “Alhaji Yusuf Aliyu Musawa withdrew from the race voluntarily after wide consultations with relevant stakeholders. 

“Faruk Lawal Joɓe is the current Commissioner, Budget Economic Planning in Katsina State. 

“You may recall that Faruk Lawal Joɓe, who hails from Ƙanƙara, in Funtua Senatorial District of Katsina State, also contested for Katsina State Governor but lost to Dr Dikko Umar Radda at the primary elections,” the statement added.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Users of WhatsApp, a famous messaging application, will start enjoying a feature that will allow them to exit from a group unnoticed.

This was announced by Mr Zuckerberg, the Chief Executive Officer of Meta (the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram), via his verified Facebook handle.

Another feature that will be available on the application is that users will enjoy disallowing their contacts from taking screenshots of their messages on view.

He said, “New privacy features coming to WhatsApp: exit group chats without notifying everyone, control who can see when you’re online, and prevent screenshots on view once messages.”

Assuring the company’s commitment to privacy, he said his company would keep building new ways to protect users’ messages and keep them as private and secure as one-on-one conversations.

By Muhammad Aminu 

In what appears like a movie, a sum of N31 million naira has been stolen inside the Katsina Government House.

The Director-General to Governor Aminu Masari on New Media, Alhaji Al-Amin Isah, confirmed the heist at the account section of the State Government House on Thursday.

Isah, who did not disclose the exact figure, said that some of the suspects were investigated.

“Yes, it’s true that some money was alleged to have been stolen, as you have asked. We have already reported the matter to the police for investigation. I can not tell you the exact figure now, but those in the best position will give you more updates, please,” he added.

However, sources in the Government House confirmed that the money stolen was in the sum of N31 million.

The Katsina Government House experienced money theft in 2020 when unknown persons allegedly broke into the office of the former Secretary to the Government of Katsina State (SGS), Mustapha Inuwa, and made away with N16 million.

A few weeks ago, the police in Katsina State confirmed that it was investigating the alleged stealing of N61 million from a cashier at the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Darma.

The financial officer reportedly said he was attacked by shooters while travelling with three bags filled with N61 million cash. He was said to have been shot in the arm before the money was stolen.

According to reports, the shooters trailed Darma from the bank, where they reportedly ambushed him.

By Alkasim Harisu Alkasim

Women now scout affluent people to marry. When married, they want to be idling their hours in luxury mise en scenes where life seems perfect. Alas! Life is not a *Kublai Khan’s Xanadu* . To them, enjoyment consists with virtue and success in life. They go to the whereabouts of people ladened with money. Some of them narrate to each other about stinking rich people the way a spy reports the whereabouts of criminals to the police. To such women, marriage has to be a paradise, not a hell. Yes, life should be handsome. That is why if what they expect doesn’t occur in the matrimonial houses, they begin a disturbance. They destroy the peace reigning in their homes until everything goes south. When you live down the expectations of such worldy-wise and financially-charged ladies, you risk wounding their feelings and bruising their ego. The only language they understand is money. They suck and squander money the way a guzzling car sips and swallows oil. When you offend them, you will know how spendthrift they are with their tongues. Their tongues are razor-sharp. Because they will call you names. Such girls do not know the current economics nor do they know the economics of building the architecture of a modern family. Getting spoused to them, means you stand the chance of ruining your life beyond correction. They exceed limit when engaging one in a verbal combat.

A little mention of bucks silences them and arrests their attention. They only feel relieved when discussions are made from dollar-and-cents’ perspectives. They don’t mind when you become financially threadbare. In such a situation, they can still rob you of the last dollar you are down to. To them, you don’t rank high and the poverty that bites you buys you a disadvantage with them. Their prostitute principles demonstrate their demonic intentions. When they cut marital ties with you, they keep to themselves and may begin prostituting for a living. Therefore, I advise you against marrying above your station.

After years of bachelordom, a person weds. As a novice, he, in the first place, fails to know the marriage industry inside out. Things unfold slowly and sometimes, he starts to gain the knowledge of things back to front. If not gifted with a virtuous wife, his life turns out to exemplify the idiom; getting out of the frying pan into the fire. That is why you have to learn to endure greater difficulties throughout your married life. These women manipulate you. They tell you what you should do. They manouver everything the way the politicians massage election data to gain a majority.

The above women exemplify women of violent fate, women of no excellent majesty who keep milking you of your funds. It is high time our societies began policing acts of irresponsibility and gross misconduct lest we fall apart as a people. Such women should not go scot-free. Look at how our communities are fast getting peopled by the ill-fated. People who don’t know what they were created for. I know a person who doesn’t people well. He is such a loner, yet, hardly will you hear people abusing him. He opens his heart and palm to all. Such women don’t want to bear you children the moment they understand wedding you is a difficulty. They now make sure the marriage proves childless. Nice! This will relieve you of the burden of feeling entitled to her or submitting to be handcuffed to her responsibilities as a spouse.

I don’t think if we can quickly get back to normality. I have my doubts to voice for saying so. First, things are not what they used to be. Secondly, we do not want to accept faults. There are people that fail to even acknowledge their doubts regarding the correctness or otherwise of many things. They see everything that benefits them as good even if it is morally unsound and vice versa. Frankly, everybody knows that our societies are not in excellent health. This is my opinion and how I see things but I am not selling you the idea of seeing things from my own perspective. Bluntly, you have to learn your worth. Don’t sell yourself short or stoop low to get yourself conquered by anybody, because you are far better than many people around you.

In the same vein, the moment a woman seems to have found her voice, she will become a vixen. She will never allow you to lord it over her. And if you allow her bad manners to recur time and again, she will start to see herself as a more suitable option to be the leader in your own home. She will compel you to do her wants even if it means getting you credit-drowned. And as debt overwhelms you, she will run away leaving you debt-ridden, grief-saddled and regret-laden. She has now succeeded at queening it over you.

Marrying such women forces you to feel as if you were not the one husbanding them. While wiving them, you get psychologically womaned. Your home will be womaned too because you have married a lady who can be described as a woman among women, a woman of the world or even a woman of the streets. You will have to pocket all the womansplaining of this world. If you try to womanhandle her, you will fail. But she instead, can easily manhandle you. Even getting her womannapped cannot compensate for your spendings on her and the undertreatment you suffer from her.

In conclusion, the marriage industry is quickly womaning itself from the perspectives of responsibility. Women are overtaking the mantle of leadership in homes. It also produces women that are captivatingly prowessed at deception and beautifully arresting. This is an industry that compels the male newlywedded to be under the gun. If the male spouse does his best to reform corrupt practices, his efforts always flop. Thus, their marrying you is not a true indication of their hearts but the epitome of their getting starved of money. Some information should not be exposed here. In short, this is what marks a low point in my love life. As it happens to be one of the bitterest experiences I have ever come across, I have begun to have a low opinion of women. Excuse my saying so.

By Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. 

August 12 of every year marks International Youth Day. This year 2022, is to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve sustainable development Goals, especially for youth, without leaving anyone behind. It’s expected that youth should champion participation in developmental programs across all facets of human development.

As Nigeria approaches the 2023 elections, it’s a clarion call to all our youth not to allow politicians to use their brains to promote violence. Instead, they should champion the cause for a better country that we will all be proud of. Get involved and define your priorities through meaningful debate. Bargain for better welfare, and promote peace, growth and stability.  

Nigeria’s youth make up a substantial portion of the population, and if they can fully realize their potential, Nigeria and the rest of the globe will thrive. Undoubtedly, the youth are behind in every aspect of human life. Therefore, they must have ‘a fair shake’ in the Nigerian context. They should take up the challenges and use their God-given talents to advance the nation.

Perhaps, you can ask yourself, why are the youth left behind, even though they are the majority? There is no enabling environment to showcase their potential, but should we continue like this? No, we have to wake up in the sense that we should pursue education. Indeed, with education, we can fight poverty, know our rights, stand firm and fight for the future of the living and the unborn generations.

Reports show that half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger, which is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030. However, this indicates that youth can take control of their future and provide solutions to the problems bedevilling society. For instance, Nigeria is battling insecurity from all corners of its existence. Boko Haram in the Northeast; banditry; kidnapping in the Northwest and some parts of the North Central; IPOB in the South-east; etc. Unfortunately, the youth are the ones who not only encourage but partake in a vicious cycle of violence.

Perhaps we need reorientation to be reasonable ambassadors of society. Let’s teach the habit of productivity through education and change the world to make it a better place to live. Research and development can make us innovative with new ideas and creative in health care reform, Engineering etc. 

Therefore, at this juncture, I make a humble appeal for our youth to rise and take their rightful position. I’m optimistic that when the youth unite and pursue positive goals, it’s achievable to change the narratives to develop the country.

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Galadima Mahmoud Street, Kasuwar-Kaji Azare, Bauchi State.

By Nusaiba Ibrahim Na’abba

The recent court ruling in Kano was a relieving moment for the parents of young Hanifa, who one Abdulmalik Tanko and his miserable conspirators brutally murdered. The general public also welcomed the verdict. It encourages all to be hopeful that, once again, our legal system can be reliable. The feeling that justice was served is just so extraordinary.

Although, to her parents, this moment will refresh their pain as they step into another chapter of their life. Yet, the relaxed atmosphere discharging fairness after moments of terror enveloped by uncertainty is ecstatic. I see people from neighbouring states expressing satisfaction and endorsing the court proceedings that led to the sentencing of Hanifa’s murderers, Abdulmalik Tanko and his accomplice, to death.

Many of us are neither conversant with the legal system nor its proc. Still, from the onset, we have roared the eye for an eye maxim as the only punishment to cushion the enormous pain inflicted on the deceased’s parents. The unimaginable trauma surely deserves strong retribution, and that is what it gets, finally. It is a scar that will never fade away from their hearts, one they will live with forever.

The cruelty in our world is truly unimaginable and beyond one’s comprehension. We are indeed living through the worst of times. For the seven years of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s reign, Kano State has witnessed the interplay between politics and the legal system through vehement exchanges within the sphere of the people, democracy and the economy. The government has allegedly consolidated all powers to pursue its interests at the expense of the people, thereby depriving them of their freedoms in many ways.

In politics particularly, the opposition has been at the receiving end as almost every court case favours the ruling party. And there are countless court cases on alleged confiscation of plots of land by the government. Evident cases of Muhyi Magaji’s arrest lately and the prompt dethroning of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II are few out of the multitude of examples depicting the potency of Ganduje’s government in view of power consolidation. Clearly, there is a demonstration of the dominion of government on the legal system, unlike what we witnessed in the past administrations.

Thuggery and phone snatching have earned top spots on the chart of major problems challenging security settings in the state leading to killings of innocent lives and loss of properties. Allegations have been piling up over the manipulation of security personnel’s surrendering to the interests of the government while offenders move freely without fear of being apprehended. Thus, Kano has become increasingly vulnerable to more violence than it used to.

On the arrest of Abdulmalik Tanko and his conspirators, he admitted how they connived to kidnap and murder Hanifa after demanding ransom. Then, Governor Ganduje assured the outrageous public that he would not waste a minute in endorsing the death penalty punishment for Abdulmalik and his partners should they be found guilty. His statement eased tensions and brought succour to her parents, who were certain that the act would not bring back their beloved child.

Surprisingly, however, the governor’s prerogative of mercy this year was a shocker to the people of Kano. Governor Ganduje released prisoners who had been found guilty of murder and were awaiting death penalties! It’s definitely a digression from what is expected of him as the court ruling of Abdulmalik Tanko has not been executed yet. How inconsiderate can the government be to release murderers back to communities that are overly plagued by violence and killings? By extension, they could be back to kill more people because certainly, their communities wouldn’t be willing to embrace them.

After all, what do you think would become of criminals as such who have committed the worst of crimes? Releasing to the larger community, people who have committed crimes and are charged with the highest level of a criminal offence are threatening the peace and security in the state. Most of them have even admitted to killing more than one person. Yet, they end up roaming the streets and continuing their day-to-day activities. Meanwhile, several people have been arraigned and even convicted on charges lesser than murder.

Women and men have severally been imprisoned because they unknowingly get linked to offences they know nothing about or simply because a plaintiff is more powerful than they are. Especially, women have fallen victims due to crashed business interactions – monetary cases are quite prevalent in courts these days. The revelations, in the parting words of CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, the outgoing Commissioner of police, leave me perplexed.

The Police Commissioner lamented why criminals are indiscriminately released on bail after they’ve been charged to court. For a person of his calibre to admit this tells one the uncertainty our future holds. He might not be too explicit about it, but he sure gave us a hint on what to expect if things keep going as they are. And these are not mere claims to be ignored.

Discussions and debates have always explicitly circled “murder for murder” against criminals found guilty of such an offence. Over the years, we’ve witnessed more murders within Kano and even on the outskirts. For some, though, psychological and mental ill health have been attributed to the accused. Others got released on bail based on the powers vested on judges with reasons within the scope of the law. Repeating that we are living in trying times can never be underscored.

It is time we seek to reinstate the ‘mantra’ of offering justice as it is to serve as deterrence. Our minds are so overwhelmed with killings and terror that we easily forget how hard violent activities hit us when they pass. Many victims are forced to leave judgments to the Lord of the worlds against their better choices – lest they are sure how impossible judgments can be in their favour.

The ongoing uncertainties make the fear of the upcoming general elections immeasurable. Unfortunately, we don’t have that might to counter much of what could be coming with it, as the 2019 general elections left us with huge losses of lives and properties. So while we prepare for that, we await Governor Ganduje, who is so submerged with politicking, to fulfil his promise.

Nusaiba Ibrahim Na’abba is a master’s student from the Department of Mass Communication, BUK. She is a freelance writer and researcher. She can be reached via nusaibaibrahim66@gmail.com.

By Prof. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

It is well known that members of the Academic Union of Universities (ASUU), the umbrella body of academic staff in Nigerian public universities, have been on strike for six months. Specifically, the strike began on February 14, 2022. Typical of the union of academics, it ensured that all means of avoiding the strike were exhausted before declaring the industrial action. Other university unions followed suit to avoid being left out in case ASUU emerged triumphant.

The issues are many, and not all of them have to do with money. And in fact, not all the funds mentioned in the dispute between ASUU and Federal Government will go to the pockets of ASUU members. No money goes to the union except the monthly dues it collects from members. It is not the duty of a trade union like ASUU to collect and disburse funds. That is the duty of university administrations.

Let me explain in plain language. But before I do, specific facts are vital.

Although the Federal Government has given licenses for the establishment of many private universities in Nigeria, only about six per cent of Nigerian university students are currently in private universities. More than 90 per cent of university students are in public universities owned by state and federal governments.

Another important note is that there are currently more supporting staff in public universities than operational (academic) staff. Consequently, there are three other unions in public universities apart from ASUU. People usually do not differentiate between ASUU and others, primarily due to Government propaganda. All of these unions are now on strike.

Nigerians may also wish to note that undergraduate students in federal universities do not pay a Kobo as tuition fees as long as they are Nigerians. The very little they pay as registration fees are for services like ID cards, games, hostel, etc.

The issues for which ASUU members are on strike are the same for which the immediate past government of President Jonathan Goodluck commended the union for being patriotic and selfless. One of them is the proliferation of public universities. Does it make sense that the same government that persistently complains of not having enough funds to run its existing universities is continuously establishing new universities in every nook and cranny of the country?

Revitalization of public universities for which an agreement was reached with Jonathan’s government to release N1.3trn in six instalments is what the FG has been using to misinform the public that ASUU is looking for too much money. Thus, any time the FG releases some paltry sum of N30bn, for example, it tells the world that it has given additional funds to ASUU. I think that is why some patriotic Nigerians once agreed to “donate the sum of N18b to ASUU” to call off its strike. This money does not go to ASUU. It is used to carry out projects by contractors appointed by FG or its appointee governing councils.

The only other thing that involves cash is the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. In case you do not understand this, it is about the condition of service (SALARY AND ALLOWANCES) of academic staff, which the government promised to review every four years. But unfortunately, the promise has not been fulfilled for 13 years.

In 2020 after an ASUU strike, the Federal Government set up a committee to renegotiate with ASUU and other unions. The committee finished its work and submitted its report in May 2021. Regrettably, the report was dumped and, despite ASUU’s constant reminders and follow-ups, was only dusted when ASUU began its strike in March this year. That is when this government realized that it could not pay what was recommended by the committee. The same government set up another committee on the report it is unwilling to disclose.

As a student or parent, you are aware of all of the above if you have been following the engagement of ASUU with the Federal Government. I am only reminding you if you have forgotten.

I am particularly shocked to hear the Minister of State Labour, Festus Keyamo, calling on parents to appeal to ASUU to end the strike. The reason is that they cannot afford N1.2tr ASUU is asking for. When did ASUU ask for this amount? Is it the revitalization fund Keyamo is talking about which ASUU never requested the FG to pay in bulk? If that is the case, why does it have to take FG six months of ASUU strike to state it? Or is it the result of renegotiation for which the FG never called ASUU and said what it could pay? It just doesn’t make any sense.

What about other issues like the UTAS for which the FG has been meeting with ASUU and claiming to have conducted tests with xy results? Is Keyamo also appealing to parents to beg ASUU on it?

And who are these parents? Please let all the government officials involved in this ASUU/FG negotiation mention the number of children they have in public universities and the programmes they are following. Of course, I know the children of Mr President study in the UK. I wrote to advise him against it when his family celebrated the graduation of one of his daughters in December 2019. Whether or not the advice of nonentities like me matters is a different issue. It is the ordinary us that cast the votes to elect him anyway.

Finally, let me remind Mr President that he has only less than a year to leave office. Unfortunately, nearly all his diehard supporters I know have been disappointed. This is mainly due to the people he entrusts with fundamental issues like Security and Education.

On the particular issue of ASUU and sister unions, Mr President seems to be overconfident in the Labour Minister, a southeast politician who was expecting you to anoint him to take over from you next year. When you refused to do it, one of them, who is also in your cabinet, stood before you in the last convention and accused you and your party of injustice. With that, can you rule out sabotage?

Mr President, please use the little time left to correct your mistakes and avoid making another regrettable blunder. Nigerians did not elect Ngige, Keyamo, Zainab or any of those. If not for you, these names would have long disappeared into obscurity. Please remember that most APC politicians who won the 2015 and 2019 elections, especially in the North, won because of you. So, the expectation is high, and the performance is dismal.

I hope Mr President reads this.

Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia wrote from Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via aujibia@gmail.com.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Looking at the reality and how uncertain the future of education is in this country, you, as a Nigerian, should get a solution for yourself. But unfortunately, even though education is a right, not a privilege, the biggest stakeholders (read: government) are not ready to facilitate smooth learning for the sons and daughters of the “common people.”

In Nigeria, public university teachers, otherwise known as ASUU members, have been on strike for over half a year, thanks to the government’s failure to listen to their demands. Don’t you think this could make some students forget the names of their respective departments after someday the industrial action is suspended?

In light of these, I honestly feel the urge to share the Indian Government online scholarship with every serious-minded Nigerian who studies—or wishes to study—at any of our strike-ravaged public universities here. The last date for the application for the scholarship is August 15.

Here are five quick reasons why you should apply for the scholarship as follows:

1. Unlike other scholarship schemes, this scholarship—which you can apply for via https://www.ilearn.gov.in/—is fully-funded. This means you do not have to pay even a dime as tuition or a part of it. In addition, you don’t have to know anyone to apply or get it.

2. You only need a good mobile device (preferably a computer) with a good Internet connection to study. This indicates that you do not have to undergo the stress of boarding a flight from Nigeria to India, although it would be a pleasure to go overseas for your study.

3. The word “strike” might not exist in the dictionary of Indian universities. Therefore, one will have hitch-free academic sessions and most likely graduate on time. Moreover, the duration of some bachelor’s degree programs, as indicated on the application portal, is three years.

4. If you are one of the successful applicants, you will get the opportunity to study at some of the best universities in India, like Lovely Professional University, the Indira Gandhi National Open University and so on. The certificates to be obtained will be widely recognised. So, don’t panic over the recognisability of your results after graduation.

5. Unlike here in Nigeria, where you cannot apply for two or more different courses in one university when registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), there are universities on the list of eligible institutions for the scholarship that okay an applicant to apply for more than one course. An example of such a university is the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Please hurry up and apply before the deadline, as this is an opportunity that should never escape your notice.

Muhammad Sabiu is a reporter for The Daily Reality and lives in Bauchi State. He can be reached via sabiucnd@gmail.com.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Federal High Court sitting at Abuja has declared illegal and null and void the unilateral amendment of Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The Vice President 1 of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq, who led the NBA legal team, disclosed this on Wednesday.

“NBA WON.
FHC/ABJ/CS/77/22: The Nigerian Bar Association Vs Attorney General of the Federation.

We got it right again.

The rule of law will always prevail over impunity. We are condemned to challenge that which we must challenge. Hala NBA.” Aikpokpo-Martins posted

In a detailed judgement, Justice Donatus Okorowo dismissed the preliminary objections filed by the AGF and granted judgement in favour of the NBA.

To the dismay of the NBA, Malami unilaterally amended the RPC in September 2020.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Reports reaching The Daily Reality indicate that unknown shooters have stormed the Kaduna community and abducted the daughter-in-law of the Chairman, Northern Elder’s Forum, Ango Abdullahi.

The bandits were said to have invaded the community, Yakawada village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna, on Tuesday night, where they abducted the woman and other residents. 

This is, however, coming barely a month after the abduction of one of the sons of the elder statesman, Ango Abdullahi, by the unknown shooters. 

The elder statesman confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday, adding that the victim was abducted alongside four of her children.

“My daughter-in-law, Ramatu Samaila, was among the abductees, including her four children. She is the wife of my son-in-law, who is the village head of Yakawada,” he said.

According to a source, the bandits also kidnapped some of the residents of the community. 

“They also went to the residence of the neighbour to the village head and kidnapped the household, Abubakar Mijinyawa, along with his two wives, namely Aisha and Hajara. And the two wives were both nursing mothers who were abducted with their little babies.”