Admin

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing…. ” – Thomas Carlyle 

Around 7:00 am, I was awakened by a call from one of my friends, who wanted me to inquire on his behalf about admission into one of the colleges of Health Sciences I attended about a decade ago.

As our conversation progressed, he shared with me another contact he had made at another school, stating that, considering the security situation in that state, he could gain admission into the final year to take the final professional exams and be awarded a certified healthcare practitioner.

When I inquired further about how possible that was, considering his lack of knowledge in that field, I knew him to have studied another related healthcare course and was now looking to switch over. His answer was, “You know the ‘Nigeria factor.'”

I was taken aback, unprepared for this update. I was so naive, not expecting this level of decadence. How does it come about that a person could obtain a certificate in any health-related course without the required rigorous training and hands-on skills?

I thought this could happen somewhere, but not in my beloved profession. Our love for shortcuts is going to ruin us. This ‘Nigeria factor,’ if it continues, definitely would consume us. 

It wouldn’t come as a surprise when some of our elites do not believe in being treated at our local facilities. How certain are you that such a quack isn’t in the teaching hospitals or the National Hospital in Abuja?

The system that allows them to obtain a certificate without the required training is the same system that could lead to their employment ahead of more competent and well-grounded individuals.

Given the current state of affairs, I couldn’t entirely blame those who can afford the best private hospitals or overseas clinics. Eight years, and one man was incapable of rectifying this mess. It was a systematic and complex problem that required collective efforts.

President Muhammadu Buhari wasn’t present when the candidate paid the highest sum to the school director or head of department to get admission. Buhari or Tinubu wasn’t present when the National Board of Examinations failed to conduct the necessary checks before approving those candidates, or to verify whether they had attained the required training. 

President Goodluck Jonathan, or President Olusegun Obasanjo, wasn’t present when the agency responsible for recruitment employed such reckless individuals without conducting a thorough investigation into their accredited institution or level of expertise.

Our universities are well-regulated and produce individuals who are competent enough, but they primarily focus on producing senior nursing officers, medical doctors, senior pharmacists, and radiographers or medical laboratory scientists. What of those responsible for taking your blood sample or those who gave your child the vaccine doses?

I am not questioning the entire workforce. Indeed, there were many hard-working and competent personnel, but with the way things were moving, there was also a lot more quackery. If things like this can occur in the most regulated sector, such as healthcare, how confident are you in other professions? 

What guarantee do you have over the NAFDAC recommendation on specific products? How assured are we of the technicians managing our airline services and the local engineers constructing our bridges?

The system that you seem smart enough to outmanoeuvre, driving a car without the necessary papers and licenses, might be the very system that produces some of your teachers, your drivers, and your law enforcement, whom you entrust your very life to. This creates a form of distrust in Nigeria. 

I was interested in a documentary aired by the BBC about Heathrow Airport in the UK. Although it’s an international airport and one of the best globally, comparing the standardised system there could be absurd, but still, it’s obvious the British have a culture of meticulous attention to detail and ensuring everything is done correctly with due process.

 It’s not surprising that there are the fewest number of automobile accidents, maternal mortalities, electricity power grid collapses, and flood disasters.

In a system where everyone took responsibility as if the success or failure of a task depended on him/her, life could have been nicer. However, in our society, we enjoy the blame game too much. Every failure is attributed to the leaders at the top, sometimes ridiculously, upon a single soul, the president.

In the movie Titanic, it’s evident that the fateful accident of the mega ship was attributed to some technical errors made by the crew assistants, not just the captain alone.

 Imagine a minor negligence that led to such a catastrophe, and compare that to the thousands of such mistakes, even greater, that we commit daily in our various walks of life.

The deliberate 15 minutes you were late could have been the cause of someone’s death. The intentional habit of switching your phone off on duty could have been the source of losing someone’s life.

The lack of a proper checklist could have led to a conflagration, a dam break, a bridge collapse, or a building collapse.

Trying to do the right thing doesn’t cost more than doing otherwise. It only builds your character, gives satisfaction, and pays in the long run.

How sustainable was this, the  ‘Nigeria factor’?

Saifullahi Attahir wrote from Federal University Dutse. He can be reached via saifullahiattahir93@gmail.com.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana

I am writing this article not as a distant observer but as someone who walked through flooded streets, stood side by side with victims, and spent sleepless nights wondering how many more people would survive the next downpour. I have seen firsthand the destruction that floods bring to Borno State, and I feel morally obligated to appeal to both the federal and Borno State governments.

This isn’t just another seasonal disaster—it is a pattern that is worsening every year, and if nothing is done urgently, the consequences will be even more devastating. With recent flood warnings placing Maiduguri and Ngala on high alert, it is time to confront this problem with the seriousness it demands.

On the night of September 10th, 2024, the people of Maiduguri experienced a calamity that was both preventable and predictable. The Alau Dam collapsed, releasing a force of water that surged through communities, homes, and markets. Over 400,000 residents were displaced, and more than 150 lives were lost in a matter of hours.

The city turned into a watery grave, with roads cut off, houses submerged, and businesses completely destroyed. The damage wasn’t limited to infrastructure—it shattered lives, disrupted families, and exposed the deep infrastructural weaknesses we have long chosen to ignore.

Almost a year later, thousands of those affected are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Many families remain without shelter, forced to live in makeshift tents or overcrowded compounds. Traders who once ran thriving businesses in Monday Market, Gwange, Moduganari, and Customs areas are still unable to return to their stalls. 

Some have relocated entirely, while others now rely on daily handouts to survive. The truth is, for many of them, recovery has barely begun. What is even more painful is knowing that much of this suffering could have been avoided if the right steps had been taken early enough.

I was part of a team that responded immediately after the flood hit. Alongside Kyari Alto Mohammed and Mohammed Umar, we coordinated a massive grassroots relief effort that reached some of the hardest-hit areas in Maiduguri. With no institutional backing, we mobilized resources through social media, friends, and personal savings.

We cooked thousands of meals each day, provided water, distributed sanitary items, and gave cash support to vulnerable families, including women who had just given birth in the middle of flooded neighborhoods. We were physically present in communities like Gwange, Bulabulin, Abbagaram, Customs, Bayan Quarters, and 505 when few others dared to step out.

Our effort was not driven by any political ambition or media recognition, but by the sheer urgency of the situation. Still, we were humbled when our work received national attention. The Nigerian Defence Headquarters acknowledged our commitment. Daily Trust and Arewa Agenda ran stories documenting our activities. We were not the only ones helping, but we were among the few who stayed consistent long after the cameras left. That recognition only strengthened our resolve to keep going until real solutions are implemented.

The crisis wasn’t just about hunger or shelter. In one instance, we received a call that a woman in labor was stranded near the Customs area. With the help of team members, we transported her to a nearby clinic, and she delivered safely. This is just one of many stories that reveal how fragile life becomes during disasters, especially when there is no functional system to protect the most vulnerable. You cannot hear such stories and return to business as usual.

And yet, after all this pain, the structural root of the problem—Alau Dam—remains unrepaired, unexpanded, and not reconstructed. The dam was not just overwhelmed by water, it had been weakened over the years due to a lack of maintenance, and nothing meaningful has been done to strengthen or expand it since. If we are serious about preventing future disasters, Alau Dam must be reconstructed with modern engineering standards that can withstand extreme events. A city like Maiduguri cannot be left at the mercy of a dam that is both outdated and unreliable.

The rivers and drainage systems that cut through Maiduguri—especially those in Monday Market, Gwange, Moduganari, and the Custom area—have become bottlenecks. They are either blocked by debris or too narrow to carry runoff during the rainy season. When the water rises, these waterways overflow into neighborhoods, turning entire communities into flood zones. Dredging and expanding these channels is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Every rainy season without action only increases the cost of the next disaster.

Recent warnings by the National Flood Early Warning Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment indicate that Maiduguri and Ngala are likely to face flooding again this year. With Cameroon releasing water from the Lagdo Dam and rainfall levels projected to be high, the signs are clear. If we do nothing, we are walking into another tragedy with our eyes wide open. We must stop acting like this is a surprise. It is not. We know what will happen. The question is whether we care enough to act.

I believe this is the moment for not just boldness, but proactive leadership. The federal and state governments must go beyond relief donations. They must invest heavily in preventive infrastructure. Rebuilding Alau Dam is step one. Dredging and expanding the river systems within Maiduguri is step two. And step three should be the construction of new multipurpose dams on the outskirts of the city. These new dams will not only help with water management, but they can also be used for irrigation farming, thereby creating jobs for our teeming youth population.

Imagine a system where the floodwaters are not a threat but an opportunity—collected, stored, and channeled into large-scale farming projects. It is possible. With the right planning, we can turn our flood problem into a source of prosperity. But this requires vision and political will. It means prioritizing infrastructure over rhetoric, and people over politics. It means spending money on what matters, and doing it now—not after lives are lost.

As we advocate for these changes, we must also fix our early warning systems. The people of Borno deserve timely, reliable alerts that can help them prepare for emergencies. This includes real-time monitoring of rainfall levels, dam pressure, and river volumes. Alerts should be disseminated through radio, TV, community leaders, and even SMS. Preparedness should not be a privilege; it should be a right for every citizen.

We also need a comprehensive flood response plan that includes evacuation routes, designated shelters, emergency food reserves, and mobile clinics. What we had last year was an improvised reaction. We must transform that into a formal system that is tested and improved regularly. Communities must be trained on how to respond to flooding so that panic does not claim more lives than the water itself.

For those still displaced by last year’s flood, the government must provide real support. This means not just money, but long-term assistance to help them rebuild homes, restart businesses, and recover their dignity. A casual donation of rice and wrappers is not enough. These people need real pathways to recovery, or else they will remain in a cycle of suffering.

This appeal is not just coming from me alone, but from the thousands who survived, the families still grieving, the mothers still nursing babies under destroyed roofs, and the fathers who cannot provide because their means of livelihood was washed away. They may not have access to media or public platforms, but their voices matter. I am simply amplifying what they live every day.

I also call on humanitarian organizations, development partners, and civil society groups to push for structural interventions. The burden cannot rest on volunteers alone. We need coordinated support, technical expertise, and funding directed toward long-term flood prevention—not just short-term relief distribution.

Let us not pretend that this problem is unique to Borno. Other states across Nigeria are also at risk. But Borno remains among the most vulnerable due to its topography and its already fragile infrastructure. If we get it right here, we can create a model for flood resilience across the country.

To my fellow citizens, especially those in leadership, I ask: how many more people must die before we act? How many more homes must be destroyed before we acknowledge that climate change, poor planning, and neglect are a deadly combination? This is a moral question, not just a technical one.

As someone who has worked in the mud, cried with victims, and seen hope disappear under dirty water, I say this with a full heart: enough is enough. Let this year be different. Let this be the year we prepared, not the year we mourned again. Let us not wait until the next rainy season swallows another community before calling a press conference.

The cost of inaction is too high. The reward for preparation is immeasurable. Borno deserves more than sympathy—it deserves protection, planning, and progress. The time to act is not tomorrow. It is today. It is now.

I write this with the urgency of someone who has seen too much loss. I write it because I believe we can prevent the next disaster if we decide to. I write it because Borno’s future should not be shaped by floods, but by the collective courage to build something better. May our leaders rise to the occasion, and may we never have to write this story again.

Lawan Bukar Maigana is Daily Trust’s 2024 Hero and can be reached via email: Lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com.

By Anwar Usman

The Federal Government has declared Friday, 5th September, 2025, a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.

He urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate the Prophet’s virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance and compassion, emphasizing that these values are crucial to building a united and progressive nation.

The minister also called on Nigerians of all faiths to use the occasion to pray for the peace, security, and stability of the country while supporting government efforts toward national harmony and sustainable development.

The statement read in part “The celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teaching’s of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity”.

He further urged citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of all Nigerians, while wishing Muslims a joyous and peaceful Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, alongside his wife, Haj. Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi), yesterday hosted a farewell reception for 50 indigenous students awarded full scholarships to pursue various academic programmes in China.

The students, who are scheduled to depart Nigeria soon, visited the Governor to express their profound gratitude for the sponsorship opportunity and to seek his blessings before their journey.

Governor Mohammed warmly congratulated the scholars and charged them to be law-abiding ambassadors throughout their stay.

He urged them to remain focused on their primary academic objectives, reminding them that they represent not only their parents but also the entire Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.

In her remarks, the First Lady, Haj. Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed, assured the students that the Governor and the State Government are immensely proud to sponsor their education.

She encouraged them to be studious and dedicated, stating that their success would be a source of pride for the state and a justification of the government’s investment in their future.

The scholarship scheme is a key initiative of the Bauchi State Government aimed at building human capital by providing world-class education to its indigenes.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu announced on Tuesday that the Federal Government has already met its revenue target for the 2025 fiscal year, achieving the milestone in August of this year.

Speaking at a meeting with legacy members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President attributed this achievement to his administration’s economic reforms, which have focused on stimulating the non-oil sector.

“The economy is now stabilised. Nobody is trading pieces of paper for foreign exchange anymore. The economy is now predictable. You do not need to know the CBN Governor to obtain foreign exchange or import goods,” President Tinubu stated.

He assured Nigerians that his Renewed Hope Agenda remains focused on building critical infrastructure, improving healthcare, ensuring food sovereignty, and providing security.

To guarantee food sovereignty, the President revealed plans to establish agricultural mechanisation centres across all regions of the country to build capacity and expand cultivation.

“We are going to have trainees. That programme is our path to food sovereignty,” he said.Reflecting on the political merger that formed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu described it as “a sweet memory” and thanked the delegation for their support.

He also promised to sustain the legacies of former President Muhammadu Buhari, including immortalising him with a ‘Buhari House,’ and assured that more members of the old CPC would be brought into the government.

The leader of the delegation and former Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, assured the President of the group’s loyalty and commitment to the success of his administration and his ultimate victory in the 2027 elections.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was also present, thanked the President for his statesmanship and magnanimity.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA) has issued a sweeping set of regulations targeting costly practices and unruly behaviour in schools across the state.

In a public notice signed by its Director-General, Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria, the authority announced immediate bans on compulsory graduation fees for most classes, indecent “sign-out” celebrations by students, and the use of non-reusable textbooks, all in an effort to reduce the financial burden on parents and uphold educational standards.

The key directives from the KSSQAA are as follows:

1. Graduation Ceremonies Restricted Schools are now prohibited from organizing and charging for graduation ceremonies for any class except Basic 9(JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3 (SS 3). For these two allowed ceremonies, payment cannot be compulsory. If a school insists on a compulsory fee, it must seek approval from the KSSQAA at least four weeks in advance and provide evidence of consent from the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).

2. Ban on Unruly Sign-Outs The notice condemns the”growing trend of indecent, unruly, and unsafe conduct” by students celebrating the end of exams. This practice is now banned. Schools are instead directed to provide supervised alternative events like farewell assemblies, talent shows, or mentorship sessions to allow for safe and dignified celebrations.

3. Phasing Out Consumable Textbooks To combat waste and reduce costs,the KSSQAA has ordered publishers to stop producing textbooks with answer spaces written directly in them. From September 1, 2026, main textbooks must be reusable, with any exercises placed in separate, optional workbooks. Schools have been instructed to only procure reusable textbooks from that date.

4. Strict Controls on Fee Hikes The authority also reinforced that no school can increase its fees or upgrade its facilities without prior written approval.To get approval, schools must submit a formal application accompanied by PTA meeting minutes showing a quorum was present and agreement was reached, alongside enrolment data and current financial records.

The KSSQAA stated that these measures align with the global Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

“The KSSQAA remains committed to ensuring that quality education is accessible and affordable in Kaduna State,” the notice read, directing all schools to comply fully with the new guidelines.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A landmark judgment by the National Industrial Court in Abuja on Tuesday nullified a controversial military rule that compelled officers to serve for a minimum of 15 years before being allowed to resign.

The court declared the provision, contained in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS), as “oppressive” and a “gross violation” of fundamental rights protected by the 1999 Constitution.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim in a suit filed by Flight Lieutenant J. A. Akerele against the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Akerele had accused the force of “systematic persecution and victimisation” after he applied to resign.Commissioned as a pilot officer in 2013, Akerele stated that after submitting his resignation, the then-Chief of Air Staff not only rejected his letter but also declared him Absent Without Leave (AWOL) and issued a signal for his arrest.

In his affidavit, Akerele detailed a series of professional setbacks, including an abruptly terminated flight training in the U.S., prolonged stagnation in rank, and cancelled training opportunities, which he said caused him “severe emotional distress” and left him “traumatised.”

He argued that the 15-year service requirement violated his constitutional right to resign, as guaranteed by Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution.

In his judgment, Justice Subilim agreed, likening the rule to “modern-day slavery under the guise of national service.” The court struck down the compulsory service requirement and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the NAF from arresting or detaining Akerele.

The court also dismissed the NAF’s technical argument that Akerele had used the term “voluntary retirement” instead of “resignation,” ruling that the substance of his request was clear and valid.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has authorized a major security overhaul for Katsina State, promising a fierce military blitz involving drone technology and tactical troop redeployments to crush banditry.

The decisive move comes after a high-powered Katsina delegation, fearing the state was under siege, stormed the State House to demand urgent action.

The delegation, a who’s who of Katsina’s political, traditional, and religious leadership, was led by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.

It included the Emir of Daura, former Governor Aminu Masari, all three state senators, and two federal ministers.Confronted with the grave situation, President Tinubu issued immediate orders to security chiefs.

“I have directed all the security agencies to energize further… Additional deployment of air drones, and if they have to shift movement between Katsina and other boundary areas, they should do so,” the President declared.

He promised that ground forces would intensify operations to “smoke them out.”

The President also backed the growing call for sub-national policing, revealing plans are underway to establish state police as a critical part of a holistic security strategy.

Governor Radda expressed profound relief, thanking the President for his unwavering support and labeling him “a true son of Katsina.”

During the meeting, the Emir of Katsina’s representative, Senator Ibrahim Ida, disclosed the state’s massive financial commitment to the crisis, having already invested over N40 billion in security logistics.

He pleaded for federal reimbursement and the establishment of a permanent military presence in the vulnerable southern part of the state.

The meeting signifies a significant escalation in the federal government’s response to the security crisis plaguing the Northwest.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of failing to secure the North-Central region of Nigeria. 

Abubakar’s statement claims that the government has abandoned the area, resulting in a “monumental failure” in protecting its citizens.

Abubakar highlighted a dramatic rise in violence, citing Kwara State’s new status as a hotspot for kidnappings and bandit attacks. He also noted continued bloodshed in Niger, Plateau, and Benue states, where thousands have been killed in just two years.

The former Vice President went on to accuse the ruling APC of using thugs to disrupt opposition meetings, with security forces allegedly failing to act.

He warned that violence “is a vicious circle” that will harm those who use it, and called on the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral and fair, reminding them that taxpayers, not the APC, fund them.

By Abbas Datti

Our beloved Kano State has now become a nightmare of unprecedented violence, lawlessness and phone-snatching all courtesy of thugs’ criminal activities. Once-peaceful communities now live under the shadow of fear as ruthless and armed gangsters unleash a reign of terror daily. These assailants, wielding deadly local weapons, have maimed, killed, and left countless families in mourning.

The attacks often strike without notice. Some places have now become theatres of war in the dead of night, forcing residents, young and old, to flee into the darkness with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Homes must be locked in broad daylight for fear of being a victim of some happy, menacing marauders. 

The cruelty has engulfed so many metropolitan places of Kano State, with no concerted effort to stop the horrendous activities of those brutal thugs. We wonder when these horrible experiences will stop? Thugs have become a significant threat to the collective well-being of the people of Kano. 

In the chaos, the gang of thugs attack with no mercy. Men are butchered as they defend their families; they have no scruples to attack even women and children as they attempt to escape. Residents speak of the horror of seeing loved ones hacked with machetes, swords and other local dangerous weapons. They destroyed properties, smashed buildings and cars parked outside houses and buildings. 

As this wave of violence rages on, we call for urgent and decisive action from security agencies. Moreover, the Inspector General of Police is to dispatch a special intelligence unit to analyse the situation on the ground and subject it to a holistic review of the present strategy. 

The people of Kano demand not only the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators but also the establishment of permanent security posts in the most vulnerable areas. Although some security posts were built in some places for that purpose, they are yet to be fully operational, leaving residents with only the building structures. Without swift intervention, Kano risks slipping further into lawlessness, and the fragile threads of peace may be torn beyond repair.

This is not merely an attack on individuals; it is an assault on our shared humanity and our future. We ask for definite action before the fires of thugs consume us all. We ask for an end to this bloodbath that has been threatening the peace and stability of Kano and its people. 

Abbas Datti writes from Kano via comradeabbasdatti@gmail.com.