Month: August 2024

By Abubakar Idris

As Nigeria celebrates International Youth Day 2024, the nation finds itself at a pivotal moment in its journey towards sustainable development. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” resonates deeply with Nigeria’s demographic reality. With over 60% of our population under 25, the country is uniquely positioned to harness its youth dividend in the digital age.

The Nigerian tech ecosystem is flourishing, driven by the ingenuity and determination of its young innovators. From fintech to health tech, agritech to civic tech, young Nigerians leverage digital tools to address pressing societal issues and contribute to sustainable development. Their efforts are transforming various sectors of the economy and positioning Nigeria as a hub for technological innovation in Africa.

In the fintech sector, companies like Flutterwave, co-founded by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, have revolutionised digital payment solutions across Africa, facilitating economic growth and financial inclusion. Similarly, PiggyVest, founded by Somto Ifezue, Odunayo Eweniyi, and Joshua Chibueze, is reshaping how young Nigerians save and invest, promoting financial literacy and security. Fara Ashiru Jituboh’s Okra is another standout, providing data infrastructure that enables secure and seamless financial transactions by connecting bank accounts to various financial services.

The health tech sector has also seen remarkable innovations. LifeBank, founded by Temie Giwa-Tubosun, is tackling the critical issue of blood shortages by connecting blood banks with hospitals and clinics. Tito Ovia’s Helium Health is streamlining hospital administration and patient care, improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery across the country. Meanwhile, Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson’s Healthtracka offers at-home lab testing services, providing Nigerians with accessible and affordable healthcare options.

In the agricultural sector, youth-led digital transformation is crucial to Nigeria’s economy and is making significant strides. Farmcrowdy, founded by Onyeka Akumah, is an innovative agritech platform that connects farmers with investors and markets, boosting productivity and livelihoods in rural areas.

As we celebrate these success stories, nurturing the next generation of innovators is crucial. Initiatives like Andela, founded by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, are pivotal in this regard. By providing world-class training to young developers, Andela is creating job opportunities and building a robust talent pipeline for Nigeria’s tech industry. Similarly, CodeLn and Devcenter equip young Nigerians with the skills to thrive in the digital economy.

The push for sustainable development through digital innovation must be inclusive. Women in Nigeria’s tech industry are breaking barriers and setting new standards for excellence and impact. Fara Ashiru Jituboh’s work with Okra makes financial data more accessible, directly addressing the challenges of financial inclusion that many Nigerian women face. Tito Ovia’s role at Helium Health is particularly significant in a sector where women often have limited access to healthcare. Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, through Healthtracka, addresses the often-overlooked need for accessible and affordable healthcare.

While these examples showcase the immense potential of Nigerian youth in the digital space, many challenges remain. Access to reliable internet, consistent electricity, and affordable devices are hurdles for aspiring innovators, especially in rural areas. However, these challenges also present opportunities for further innovation and problem-solving.

The Nigerian government has recognised the importance of digital innovation for sustainable development. The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) and the Nigeria Startup Act (2022) are significant steps towards creating an enabling environment for tech startups and young innovators. The Act includes provisions for a Startup Investment Seed Fund, tax incentives for startups and investors, capacity-building initiatives in higher education institutions, and streamlined regulatory processes for startups.

Practical initiatives like the NCC Technology Hub, launched by the Nigerian Communications Commission, are also crucial in nurturing digital innovation. This hub serves as an incubator for tech-driven ideas, providing a supportive environment for young Nigerians to turn their innovative concepts into reality.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that fully realising the potential of Nigerian youth in digital innovation will require continued effort and investment. Improved infrastructure, education reform to include digital skills and entrepreneurship training, increased funding for youth-led startups, mentorship programs, and supportive policies are all crucial elements in creating an environment where digital innovation can thrive.

On this International Youth Day, we celebrate the achievements of our youth and recognise their role as leaders in the global digital revolution. The journey “From Clicks to Progress” is well underway, with young Nigerians leveraging technology to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. Their creativity, resilience, and determination are the driving forces that will lead Nigeria toward a brighter, more sustainable future.

As we move forward, let us continue to empower and support our youth, ensuring that Nigeria keeps pace with global technological advancements and leads the way. The future of sustainable development in Nigeria is digital, and it is in the capable hands of our youth. Their innovative spirit promises progress and a transformation that will resonate for generations to come.

Abubakar Idris wrote via abkidris99@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Niger State Police Command has reported the discovery of a deceased infant, estimated to be a day old, on a farmland in Tayi village, Minna.

According to SP Waisu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer, the GRA Police Division received a report on August 9 about the lifeless baby found in the village.

Police personnel, accompanied by welfare officials from Chanchaga Local Government Area, responded to the scene.

The Daily Reality gathered that a medical examination confirmed that the baby was already deceased.

According to the police, an investigation is underway with community assistance to identify and apprehend those responsible.

A local resident, who preferred anonymity, suggested that the baby might have been abandoned by an unmarried woman.

The resident noted that the baby likely perished due to exposure, marking an unusual occurrence for the area.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Government has vowed to take action against contractors involved in constructing substandard school buildings nationwide.

Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, announced this during a training session for the commission’s Department of Physical Planning staff.

The training, in collaboration with the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and Tectonics Engineering Group, focused on improving project quality through on-the-spot assessments.

Dr. Bobboyi emphasized that the UBEC would no longer tolerate poor project execution, reiterating the importance of providing a safe and conducive learning environment for children.

To ensure this, the commission plans to deploy monitors to inspect construction sites regularly, equipped with tools to assess material quality and compliance with design specifications.

The UBEC is working closely with NBRRI, led by Professor Samson Duna, and the Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) to ensure that the quality of school infrastructure meets the required standards.

Professor Duna highlighted the proactive measures being taken to prevent building collapses, particularly in school environments.

He stressed that contractors must adhere to specified material standards and that UBEC inspectors would be equipped to verify compliance on-site.

The initiative aims to safeguard the well-being of students and enhance the durability of educational facilities across the country.

By Uzair Adam Four individuals lost their lives in a tragic boat accident at Dundaye community in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Alhaji Aliyu Kafindangi, the head of the Sokoto Field Operation Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

The mishap occurred on Sunday evening, involving 24 passengers.

A rescue team comprising NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross, Fire Services, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local divers managed to recover the dead bodies on Monday.Kafindangi stated that, “One body was recovered on Sunday, and three more were found yesterday, bringing the death toll to four.”

“Nineteen people were rescued, and one person is still missing. Search and rescue efforts continue,” he added.

The NEMA official expressed gratitude to the state and local governments and the community for their support in the ongoing rescue operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Security Council, led by Governor Uba Sani, has lifted the 6pm to 8am curfew in Kaduna and Zaria towns and their environs, effective immediately. 

According to Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, the council unanimously recommended the removal of the curfew after an extensive review of the security situation. 

“The removal of the curfew allows law-abiding citizens to move freely and engage in legitimate activities without restriction,” Aruwan said. 

However, the council warned that processions or gatherings must be verified with relevant agencies to maintain law and order, and security forces will continue to monitor potential threats to public peace. 

Governor Sani commended security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and stakeholders for their roles in containing recent unrest, saying, “I assure them of my commitment to inclusive engagement for peace, unity, and development in Kaduna State.” 

The curfew was initially imposed following a breach of law and order in the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests nationwide.

By Uzair Adam

The Buji Local Government Council of Jigawa has confirmed the death of a 30-year-old man and his two-year-old son in a building collapse in Madabe village.

The council’s Information Officer, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu, disclosed that the boy’s 25-year-old mother survived the incident and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The Daily Reality learned that the incident occurred on Sunday night during a heavy downpour. Badaruddeen Tijjani, the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in the state, confirmed the incident and mentioned that an investigation is underway.

The flood between Thursday and Sunday in some villages in the area displaced about 400 households and destroyed approximately 1,000 farms.

The State Management Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has distributed relief items to the displaced persons camped in a local school.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Police Command has apprehended 873 suspects implicated in armed robbery, kidnapping, and other offences in the wake of the recently concluded nationwide protests.

These individuals, arrested from various locations across the state, were presented to the media at the command’s headquarters in Kano on Monday. 

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salma Dogo, highlighted the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and safeguarding citizens’ rights to peaceful protest as key factors in these arrests.

Mr Dogo stated that 600 suspects were arrested during the protests for a range of offences in different parts of Kano State. 

Additionally, 150 individuals were detained for breaching the curfew, while six suspects were linked to orchestrating destruction and looting at the Kano State Printing Press.

Furthermore, the police arrested 76 individuals, including a foreign tailor, for displaying Russian flags and confiscated two AK-47 rifles along with other significant assets. 

Among those arrested were two suspected kidnappers, five suspected armed robbers, and eight suspected car thieves, with a Beretta pistol also being recovered.

The police commissioner also mentioned that the command successfully rescued 13 victims of human trafficking. 

He assured the public that the suspects would face legal proceedings once investigations are concluded.

Mr Dogo urged the public to assist by providing intelligence information to help apprehend criminals. 

He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to proactively collaborating with other security agencies to address security threats.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has initiated an investigation into a viral video showing a woman tearing up a Nigerian Standard Passport at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. 

According to NIS spokesperson Kenneth Udo, the individual involved has been identified and called in for further investigation. 

The video, widely shared on social media, shows a woman, identified as Mrs Igiebor, ripping her husband’s Nigerian passport shortly after their arrival at the Lagos Airport on Saturday, August 10, 2024. When confronted about her actions, Mrs. Igiebor responded, “Is it your passport?”

The NIS noted that the incident could be a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), which prohibits the willful destruction of Nigerian travel documents. 

The act specifies penalties for such offences, and if the allegations are proven, the individual’s actions will breach these provisions. 

The corresponding penalties are detailed under Section 10(h) of the same Act, which includes a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine.

Kenneth Udo emphasised the Service’s dedication to enforcing the Immigration Act to protect national security and uphold the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments.

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman-Dogo Garba, stated that no deaths occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano State, despite reports suggesting otherwise. 

At a press conference where suspects were paraded on Monday, Garba said, “Going by the records, so far, we are not aware of any casualties recorded.”

This claim contrasts with several media reports that assert at least five individuals were killed when hoodlums allegedly hijacked the protests.

Garba disclosed that the police arrested 873 suspects and successfully prosecuted 600 individuals for various offences, including “criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief, and arson.” 

Additionally, 150 people were arrested for violating the curfew imposed by the Kano State Government, and six suspects are under investigation for the destruction and looting of the Kano Printing Press.

The Commissioner of Police also revealed that 76 suspects, including a foreigner, were arrested for flying Russian flags and are being investigated for sedition at Force Headquarters in Abuja. 

Other arrests include 41 suspects linked to major crimes like “armed robbery, kidnapping, and car theft,” and the police successfully recovered “two AK-47 Exhibit Rifles and other substantial properties looted by the hoodlums at Audu Baku Secretariat NCC Office, High Court Complexes, Kano Printing Press (KPP), Super Markets.”

The command also rescued 13 trafficking victims and recovered various items, including “two AK-47 Rifles and one Beretta Pistol, 47 live ammunition, eight motor vehicles, and four sacks containing Exol Tablets.” 

Additional items recovered include “two Bajaj Boxer Motorcycles, 22 cows, 15 sheep, and four donkeys.”

He added that despite the challenges posed by the protests, Garba reiterated that the Kano State Police Command remains “committed to maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful protest.”

By Muhammed Bello Umar 

The ongoing protest saga in Nigeria has brought to light the issue of hunger, which is affecting many Nigerians. The protests, which began as a call to end bad governance, have snowballed into a wider outcry against government corruption, poor governance, and economic hardship.

Many Nigerians, especially those in lower-income brackets, have been struggling to make ends meet due to the economic impact of the pandemic (hunger virus) and decades of mismanagement by the government. With the protests shutting down major cities across the country, many businesses have been forced to close, leaving workers without income.

It is important to acknowledge that bigotry and discrimination can exist in any society, including Nigeria. The Nigerian government and its citizens have the responsibility to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equal rights for all individuals. 

The Nigerian Constitution provides for the protection of fundamental human rights, and it is essential that these rights are upheld and respected in all aspects of democratic practices.

A sharp rise in food prices has compounded the bigotry situation, as the cost of basic food items such as rice, beans, and cooking oil has skyrocketed. This has left many people unable to afford even the most basic necessities.

The government has responded by promising to address the concerns of the protesters and to implement reforms, but many Nigerians remain sceptical. In the meantime, this has made Nigerians keen on the government’s response to current happenings in society.

The hunger virus affecting Nigerians is a symptom of a much larger problem, and the country can only hope to overcome it through sustained efforts to address poverty and inequality.

There are roadblocks to a strong democracy in Nigeria at all levels of government. Conflict—triggered by political competition and communal, ethnic, religious or resource allocation rivalries—poses a major threat to democracy. Corruption pervades the daily lives of Nigerians.

Muhammed Bello Umar wrote via princemub28@gmail.com.