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By Haroon Aremu 

In a period marked by ongoing high-profile corruption cases by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian authorities urgently need to address the potential dangers of protests and the pressing demand for justice. 

Specifically, some high-profile corruption cases under anti-graft agencies warrant thorough examination to understand the depth of the issue and the necessary steps required for resolution and swift justice dispensation.

Bodies like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme preach the promotion of national security, awareness and consciousness; thus, I cannot but wonder how these situations affect Nigeria as a nation and proffer feasible solutions.

Communication and information management delivery is important as we have some high-profile cases in the country, and Nigerians eagerly await their conclusion. The EFCC charged with this responsibility should ensure a quick but thorough investigation to reduce corruption in our society, thereby bridging the gap of mistrust between the agency and the populace.

It can be recalled that the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been accused of corruption and money laundering involving billions of dollars. The EFCC has seized properties and assets worth millions linked to her. She is facing charges in Nigeria and is under investigation by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

 Former governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose is charged with receiving N1.3 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for his election campaign. The EFCC arraigned him, and his trial is ongoing. Also, the former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) chairman, Babatunde Fowler, is under investigation for alleged financial mismanagement and fraud. 

Similarly, Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, stands accused of an N80.2 billion fraud. The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has kept the case in Abuja, declining Bello’s request to transfer the trial to Kogi State.

The long list also included former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, who is being charged with financial mismanagement and corruption while leading the apex bank. 

 EFCC’s investigation into Betta Edu, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is ongoing, with specific details yet to be fully available. Also, Sadiya Umar Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, is accused of embezzling funds meant for social welfare programs. It is gratifying that the court has asked her to account for over N790bn she embezzled while in office.

Amid these significant corruption cases, there are speculations that some individuals facing probes by the EFCC might be sponsors of planned protests against the anti-corruption agency. This has raised concerns about the motivations behind these demonstrations and their potential impact on national stability.

While peaceful protests are a democratic right, they can spiral into violence, property damage, and disruption of public order. The EndSARS protests serve as a stark reminder of where lives were lost, properties destroyed, and chaos ensued. Protests pose risks to participants and bystanders and can escalate into broader conflicts with law enforcement or opposing groups.

As a concerned citizen, I always preach sustainability in national security and justice enforcement, given the complexities surrounding these high-profile cases and the associated risks of protests.

Efforts to address these issues involved community engagement programs to address grievances before they escalate into protests. This fosters trust and opens channels for dialogue. Strengthen intelligence networks to anticipate and prevent potential violence. This involves monitoring social media and other communication channels for signs of unrest.

There is also a need to provide specialised training for law enforcement officers on de-escalation techniques to handle protests more peacefully and effectively while ensuring transparent and accountable governance to build public trust. This includes clear communication about the progress of high-profile cases and actions taken.

Similarly, fostering continuous dialogue between government officials and civil society to find mutually agreeable solutions to contentious issues is another alternative approach. The EFCC should collaborate closely with police and military personnel, especially during arrests, because the police have higher immunity for legal arrests of public figures, which can help manage high-tension situations more effectively. 

Finally, Navigating the dual challenges of addressing high-profile corruption cases and managing potential protests requires a multi-faceted approach. Swift and fair dispensation of justice, combined with proactive and strategic security measures, will strengthen national security and uphold the rule of law in Nigeria. 

The ongoing cases involving figures like Diezani Alison-Madueke, Ayodele Fayose, Babatunde Fowler, Yahaya Bello, Godwin Emefiele, Betta Edu, and Sadiya Umar Faruq, among others, must be handled with care. Nigerians expect a swift investigation and dispensation of fair judgment to restore faith in our anti-graft agencies and judicial system, which will ultimately deter future corruption.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a corp member with PRNigeria Center Abuja and wrote in via exponentumera@gmail.com.

 By Anas Abbas 

The Jigawa State Government has collaborated with the Alfurqan Qur’anic Foundation, a Saudi Arabian-based Islamic organisation, to improve the Tsangaya Qur’anic education system. 

A delegation from the Foundation, led by Chairman Sheikh Abdalla Ibn Nasir Al-Utaibiy, met with Governor Mallam Umar Namadi at the Government House in Dutse on Friday to establish a collaborative relationship. 

The partnership aims to modernise the teaching of the Qur’an by employing new techniques to facilitate quick comprehension and memorization, particularly for the deaf and young children. 

Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude for the visit and the relationship being established, noting the significance of the Holy Qur’an.

The method will aid the deaf and young children in Jigawa State’s people. The state government has committed to prioritising Qur’anic education, with plans to integrate Islamic and Western education, as well as provide training in crafts and skills. 

Notable achievements include the establishment of three mega-Tsangaya schools, one in each senatorial district, and the creation of a special agency, the Tsangaya Board, to regulate and upgrade traditional Qur’anic education methods. 

This partnership is expected to transform and modernise the approach to Qur’anic education in Jigawa State.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Amidst growing concerns over economic hardship, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges. 

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Olawande acknowledged the difficulties faced by Nigerians while expressing confidence in the President’s ability to implement effective solutions.

The Minister highlighted several key achievements, including a 130% increase in the minimum wage and the passage of legislation reducing the review period for minimum wage from five to three years. 

He urged citizens to adopt a pragmatic approach and capitalize on government initiatives, cautioning against the misuse of social media to destabilize the nation.

Olawande appealed to Nigerians to collaborate with the government in addressing the country’s challenges, emphasizing President Tinubu’s dedication to the nation’s well-being. 

He stressed the importance of unity and collective effort in overcoming adversity and building a prosperous Nigeria.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a group supportive of the government, launched an initiative titled “The Jagaban Will Fix It Nigeria” project.

This project aims to engage citizens through town hall meetings and capacity-building programs, promoting constructive dialogue and solutions. 

The group warned against the potential risks of protests and encouraged citizens to explore alternative avenues for driving positive change.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Reports reaching the Daily Reality have shown that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and representative of Anambra South, has passed away in London, United Kingdom.

Sources close to the matter revealed that Senator Ubah’s demise occurred just 48 hours after his arrival in the city, at a local hotel. 

The news of his passing was confirmed through a group chat of senators, who have since begun paying tributes to their late colleague.

This devastating incident comes on the heels of a significant donation made by his campaign council to the APC in Anambra State, totaling N71 million, with Senator Ubah personally contributing N50 million. 

The donation was part of his commitment to bolstering the party’s presence and effectiveness in the region.

As the news of his passing continues to unfold, the Senate has yet to issue an official statement.

Further details surrounding the circumstances of Senator Ubah’s death are still emerging.

 By Uzair Adam Imam  

Two persons, David Iluebe and Chike E. Eke, were apprehended by security personnel at Bayero University, Kano, for masquerading as lecturers and peddling textbooks to unsuspecting first-year students.  

The impostors, hailing from Edo and Delta States, respectively, brazenly entered a lecture hall in the Faculty of Engineering and introduced themselves to the department’s lecturers. 

According to a statement released by Bala Abdullahi, Secretary of the Information and Publication unit of the Acting Registrar, the duo presented four textbooks on various subjects, coercing students into purchasing them as a prerequisite for their Continuous Assessment, threatening failure if they didn’t comply.  

The students, intimidated by the impostors, bought multiple copies to meet the supposed requirement. 

However, their scheme was foiled when security operatives stormed the hall following a tip-off, arresting the pair on July 25, 2024, for suspected criminal trespass, impersonation, and cheating. 

During the initial investigation, the suspects claimed authorship of the textbooks and confessed to the allegations, citing unemployment as their motivation.  

They revealed this was their second visit to the state, having previously targeted Kano State Polytechnic earlier in the year.

The seized textbooks were of poor quality and believed to be pirated. This incident highlights a disturbing trend of charlatans infiltrating tertiary institutions, exploiting unsuspecting students.  

The university management has warned students to be vigilant and has intensified surveillance to prevent similar incidents. The suspects will be handed over to the police for further action.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced plans to hire new staff.

A statement by NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the development on Friday.

The recruitment will be for various positions across various departments within the energy company.

Interested applicants have been directed to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions.

“NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments.

“We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” the statement read.

However, due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.

The company has assured that its technical team is working to resolve the issue.

Despite the technical challenge, the application process deadline remains August 20, 2024.

By Isah Kamisu Madachi

The ubiquitous use of social media and other online platforms, marking the advent of the digital era facilitated by technological advancements, has revolutionised the Nigerian economy and labour market. The longstanding tradition of obtaining certificates and waiting for office work is declining, leading to a paradigm shift in the Nigerian certificate-based economy from valuing certificates to emphasising skills, akin to the trend in developed countries. It is silently moving from your paper to what you can offer. 

While I was not born in the 1970s and 80s, I believe it was difficult, if not impossible, to find someone with a certificate from a Nigerian institution engaged in skilled trades such as carpentry, tiling, wiring, and plumbing. During that period, when a certificate was earned, the expectation was to be employed by the government or a private organisation. However, the contemporary scenario is different, as it is common to find individuals with higher degree qualifications still actively engaged in such work. The emphasis on the value of practical skills is evident almost everywhere, including social media, classrooms, public lectures and capacity-building seminars.

Drawing from my sociology background, I am engaged in various activities such as YouTubing, blogging, essay writing, and video editing. A friend of mine, a law graduate, works with a radio station because of his oratory prowess. My mentor, who graduated years before I joined the university, now works with a leading newspaper in Nigeria because of his ability to write well. It is a common misconception among Nigerians to equate education or skill with certificates.

As a student, I have witnessed how things have changed. An internationally respected lecturer from my department who also worked in the same profession in the United States of America for many years remarked that nobody had ever inquired to see his certificate for the time he spent there. He only lists his certifications and compliments them with the knowledge and skills attached.

This shift from certificate-based to skill-based education is affecting the Nigerian education system because, despite the evolving changes in this endeavour, it seems to have found it difficult to adapt to the new reality. In schools, the focus is still highly on the certificates and theoretical aspects of the courses offered instead of skills. This continues to create discrepancies between what the job market needs and what schools produce.

Seeing overwhelming numbers of unemployed Nigerian graduates roaming the streets led frustrated Nigerian youth to conclude that school is a scam, chanting the famous “school na scam” phrase. This conclusion descended on even those who have yet to experience the reality of life after graduation. Gradually, it has become popular to the extent that overwhelming youth in Nigeria today choose to behave as if they just come to school to acquire the certificate but to learn nothing, despite the seemingly irrelevance of the certificate in the job market. 

To adapt to the changing global trend, Nigeria requires education reform to address the production of half-baked graduates, which is a consequence of the unfavourable learning conditions created by underfunding education. Many experts have raised alarms about the outdated nature of the Nigerian education curriculum, pointing out its mismatch with the needs of the Nigerian labour market. Effective reforms are necessary to address these issues.

Isah Kamisu Madachi, a fresh sociology graduate, writes from Katagum L.G.A, Bauchi State, and can be reached via isahkamisumadachi@gmail.com.

By Anas Abbas  

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a warning against planned protests in various parts of Nigeria, citing a sinister plot by unknown elements to infiltrate the demonstrations and cause chaos and extreme violence. 

According to the DSS, the planned protests are politically motivated and aimed at smearing the federal and sub-national governments, making them unpopular, and pitting them against the masses.

The ultimate goal, the service claims, is to achieve a regime change, particularly at the federal level. 

The DSS says it has identified the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the plot and is working to dissuade the planners from carrying out their objectives.

The Service has applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement, and multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to resolve the situation peacefully. 

The DSS warns protest groups to eschew violence, anarchy, and destruction of property, urging them to engage with authorities peacefully.   

The Service also calls on various groups, including leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, civil society organisations, NGOs, and politicians, to shun any invitation to participate in orchestrated violence.

However, parents, guardians, and heads of institutions are advised to caution their children, wards, and students against participating in the planned protests.  

The DSS assures the public that it will work with other security agencies to maintain peace and apply legitimate methods to achieve this goal.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana

When asked about the Boko Haram bloodbath in Maiduguri between 2012 and 2014, my mind reflects on the gory scenes of manslaughter, unrest, indescribable fear, hopelessness, mourning, massive burials, decaying bodies on the streets, roadblocks, military presence, economic downturns, and many other paroxysms of agony that still traumatize me from time to time, especially when I remember the productive people and opportunities I have lost.

This is to remind our fellow youths what life would be like if the enemies within and outside succeeded in mobilizing innocent young people to collapse Nigeria under the guise of protesting against government policies they perceive as unfriendly to their well-being. If people eat once daily now and move freely in some areas within the country, chances are that some would spend days and nights hungry and unable to move freely even within their vicinities if the protest held as planned. I would never wish this for my enemies, let alone my loved ones.

In a viral video, the acclaimed leader and organizer of the planned nationwide August protest, Comr. Murtala Garba said that he had withdrawn from the planned protest after realizing that some unpatriotic power mongers and anti-peace agents were financing it at the expense of peace and unity of the nation.

He said, “Everybody knows that we are pro-North and are always ready to stand for the region’s interest. We started planning for the protest during the Ramadan period when we went to the market to shop and realized that the price of a bag of sugar had unbelievably increased. That was when we realized that the removal of subsidy by this government would predictably lead to a high cost of living, so we started criticizing it on various social media platforms across Africa. We started getting support from Nigerian diasporans, largely from America, China, and other Arab countries.”

The activist confessed that a high-profile individual from the southern part of Nigeria had invited him and fifty-two individuals to Port Harcourt for a meeting on the planned nationwide August protest.

“We spent a day in Port Harcourt and then moved to Delta State, where we spent six days. We planned for the peaceful protest to take place across the 36 states of the federation, but they started telling us that they only wanted us to do it in selected states of the North comprising Kaduna, Abuja, and Jos because they trusted us. They went on to tell us that they wanted us to block roads, adding that they would link us up. That got me thinking about those youths who are better than us in the country, yet we don’t know them.

“Honestly, they gave us money, and we collected it, returned to our region, and some of our elders started talking to us about it and succeeded in convincing us to suspend the protest, not because we are happy with the government’s policies but because of its foreseen consequences considering the forces behind it.”

Mr. Garba did not list the names of the people who invited him to Port Harcourt, perhaps out of fear of the unknown. However, he concluded by asking the government to heed the calls to reconsider the fuel subsidy removal, mentioning that some powerful Nigerians are planning to topple the government.

“They revealed the total number of police and other security forces in the Villa and promised to provide adequate manpower to support them and overwhelm the security forces. The protest is shaky and cruel to the nation. Therefore, I distance myself from it.”

Those of us from Maiduguri will never want to experience the taste of war. Some people wish for Nigeria to go to war, forgetting that no West African country can accept us as refugees if we break due to our overwhelming population that surpasses half of the entire population of West Africa.

Politics aside, I am disappointed that a former Minister called Barr. Solomon Dalung is shamelessly offering to lead the protest despite coming from a fragile state where ethno-religious crises claim lives from time to time, depriving the state of peace and unity. I am sure his declaration is insincere, exploiting the present economic hardship for political relevance in the sight of the masses.

Coming to the North, those Kano TikTok influencers are ignorant of the protest they were calling for because they seem to be unaware that Kano remains the only state in the North where people enjoy relative peace despite the power tussle going on between Emir Sanusi (enthroned) and Emir Bayero (dethroned). Businesses are going about smoothly, and farmers access their farmlands fearlessly, unlike Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Borno, where farmers write their wills every day before going to their farms.

Recently, a few energetic guys came to me saying people like me should lead the protest, given our influence on young people in our various states. I allowed them to land, and I asked if they knew who planned the protest, why the protest, and what it aimed to achieve. They couldn’t answer me, looking sorry and confused. Unfortunately, a lot of young people are like that. They don’t even know what they are protesting against and are used and dumped by enemies within.

Some readers may ask about the solution to the economic hardship facing Nigerians since we unapologetically condemn the planned protest and urge like-minded individuals to shun it.

In my opinion, the solution is near, as our Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries will soon start operations. This will reduce the cost of production and transportation, thereby lowering commodity prices by default. The inflation is caused mainly by transportation, which costs marketers twice the purchasing amount.

Therefore, I kindly call on the government to expedite the realization of the refinery projects and commence operations as soon as possible. This is the only realistic and achievable approach to ameliorating living standards in the country.

Lawan Bukar Maigana wrote via lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has allayed fears of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms, saying his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution.

The President, who received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, said his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in getting support from Nigerians.

“I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God.

“One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption.

“What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what it takes to be a good citizen and what it takes to be a responsible citizen,’’ the President stated.President Tinubu said protests, fuelled by anger and hate, could degenerate into violence and set the country backwards.

“We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards, again, so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable.

“The student loans will pay for school fees. There will be monetary support for the education of our children. The consumer credit will support citizens to buy cars and houses, and they can repay gradually.

“We have increased the minimum wage by more than 100 percent,’’ the President said.

President Tinubu said the sponsors of protests place their selfish ambitions above the national interest.

“The sponsors of protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports.

“They are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually.

“We do not want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful. We should be careful with premature politics; politics of hate, and anger.

“The internet has made it possible to hold meetings in artificial settings. They hold meetings and sponsor anger,’’ the President told the religious leaders.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Bala Lau, assured the President of support with prayers and more sensitization.

“Peace is paramount for us in the country. The first thing Abraham asked God for was peace and guidance,’’ Sheikh Lau noted.