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By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The delicate truce between Israel and Hamas faced a pivotal moment on Thursday as both parties agreed to extend the ceasefire just moments before its scheduled expiration at 0500 GMT.

The Israeli military declared an “operational pause” without specifying the duration, citing ongoing mediator efforts and the complex hostage release process. 

Hamas echoed the extension for a seventh day, leaving the specifics shrouded in uncertainty.

Qatar, spearheading the truce negotiations, confirmed the extension until Friday, a decision met with anticipation amid calls for a lengthened pause to facilitate additional hostage releases and increased humanitarian aid to the ravaged Gaza Strip.

The timing coincided with the arrival of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for crucial talks on Wednesday night. 

The truce, initiated on October 7, brought a temporary cessation to hostilities that erupted when Hamas militants crossed into Israel, resulting in a toll of 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 240 individuals, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel’s subsequent air and ground campaign in Gaza reportedly claimed nearly 15,000 lives, predominantly civilians, and left large parts of the northern region in ruins, as reported by Hamas officials. 

Crucially, the truce agreement permits extensions contingent on Hamas releasing ten hostages daily. A source close to the group expressed a willingness to extend the pause by four days.

However, with a mere hour remaining before the truce’s expiration, Hamas disclosed that its offer to release seven hostages and hand over the bodies of three individuals killed in Israeli bombardment had been rebuffed. 

Both sides had previously declared their readiness to resume hostilities, with Hamas’s armed wing instructing fighters to “maintain high military readiness” in anticipation of combat resumption if the truce elapsed.

IDF spokesman Doron Spielman issued a warning of a swift return to operational mode, vowing to continue targeting Gaza if the truce lapsed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu arrived at the National Assembly complex at 11:04 a.m. on Wednesday to present the highly anticipated 2024 budget.

The president’s entrance was surrounded by heightened security measures, reflecting the gravity of the occasion. 

This move follows the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the 2024 Appropriation Bill on Monday, amounting to a staggering N27.5 trillion.

As the nation eagerly awaits the details of the budget, the president’s presence at the National Assembly signals a crucial step in the fiscal planning for the upcoming year.

By Ubaydullah Abdulmalik

When an average youth from a developing country is fooled into believing that schooling is a scam because degrees do not guarantee employment, there is little that can be done to help such a person. There is hardly a day that I scroll through social media pages without stumbling over multiple posts that discredit the relevance of schooling and tertiary education. This argument continues to generate debates on whether it is worth it to go to school and acquire degrees, in a society where degree holders and degreeless people “hustle” equally for survival.

So is schooling a scam? Well, I will start with a quote from Michelle Obama, she said and I quote; “The ability to read, write and analyze; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in the door and take your seat at the table – all of that start with education.” – Michelle Obama

It is gradually becoming a prevalent notion within our society that degrees and advanced formal education have limited relevance in the 21st century, and this is only because they don’t guarantee jobs to those who pursue or acquire them. No one says a college degree is the only path to success in life, but honestly, how could schooling be considered a waste of time?

Primarily, based on the misconception that people go to school and graduate to get employed, this reprehensible fallacy is gaining more ground in the midst of our youths and students. Phrases like “school na scam,” “who degree epp,” and “this useless course” among others, are trademarks of this idea. it is an undeniable fact that unemployment is at an all-time high state and that in today’s society, degrees and other qualifications may not guarantee employment, let alone job security for individuals, but this does not render degrees useless or schooling a waste of time. Because many do not understand the real essence of education, they stand to benefit the least from it – a lot go through schools only to leave a little different than they arrived.

Time has changed and even though college degrees largely guaranteed an employment in the past, that doesn’t hold anymore today. With the rapid rise of technological innovations, artificial intelligence and automation, concerns about unemployment continue to grow globally.

In my own opinion, this only reflects the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of societies and human interactions. The nature and standard of education in the past befitted the market requirements, socio-economic realities and technological advancement of those people, then.

Education has constantly evolved with societies and human behavior, and as such, we must continuously align the standards of our educational system with the dynamic needs and challenges of the present era. But this is difficult to fathom for some people. Instead of asking why a degree or some other form of formal education may not easily guarantee or get one a job in today’s society, a lot are trying to dismiss the relevance of tertiary education as a whole. This is completely wrong.

This is one out of many disheartening posts and conversations that happen daily on social media. The gullible among youths and students are glaringly made to believe this, because of obvious reasons, that education no longer holds much relevance in today’s society. And it is a very big fat lie! I don’t subscribe to the conspiracy theories questioning the motives behind our contemporary educational system. I do believe, however, that certain errors need to be corrected in our educational system, especially our mindset, regarding the purpose of education.

There’s this general misconception or conditioning that we all grow up with; since childhood, we are made to believe that we go through school and obtain education (the 6-3-3-4 system) to ultimately seek a job, a notion that is wrong in its entirety. When people grow up to learn the hard truths, some misunderstand it all and they begin to question the relevance of education.

A change in mindset and orientation would solve it all. The upcoming generation must come to understand that the end goal of education is not solely employment. Of course employment is a major factor after acquiring education; and gainful employment is expected of anyone with “sound education”, however, employment is never the primary purpose of education.

Education is meant to train individuals and to equip them with the requisite skills needed to thrive in any environment and live a meaningful life. Education is meant to broaden horizons, sparking innovations and producing problem-solvers that would champion the emancipation and advancement of societies. 

As Kofi Annan puts it: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” Education has always been and will always remain the golden key to success. It depends however on one’s perception of what education is. 

Most often, we only think of the superficial value of things and never care to reflect deeply on the real essence of education. 1000 years ago, no one went to school to get degrees and universities as we know them today, did not exist. Even so, the people of those ages had their forms of education and learning systems, be they formal or informal. Similarly, universities as we know them today, may not exist in the next two or three centuries, but the essence of education will persist in accordance with the context of that era. This is because education is boundless and timeless.

Ubaydullah Abdulmalik is an undergraduate student from Bayero University, Kano. He is a passionate advocate for quality education and digital literacy in today’s society. He can be reached via; ubaydulmalik530@gmail.com

By Prof. Abdelghaffar Amoka

A part of the activities of the university professors is serving as external examiners to universities other than theirs. The appointment of external examiners is a worldwide practice for quality control. Professors can be external examiners for undergraduate or postgraduate programs. While the external examiner for a postgraduate program can be for a day if it involves just a student, appointment as an external examiner for an undergraduate program lasts for a whole academic year.

The external examiner is required to moderate the question papers and marking schemes of all the final-year examinations for the first and second semesters of the program. The Examinations Officer will travel to the university of the External Examiner with the question papers and marking schemes for the Examiner to moderate for each semester. I travelled to Kano for that exercise as an Examination Officer between 2006 and 2008. At the end of the academic year, the External Examiner is required to travel to the university to examine the students’ final-year project and also to moderate the answer booklets and results.

I was recently appointed as an External Examiner for the physics department of a Federal University about 210 km from my university. I moderated the question papers and marking schemes for both semesters. At the end of the session in October 2023, I was invited to the external examination of the students’ projects. While planning to go there, I inquired about the number of students to be examined, and I was told they were a bit above eighty (80). I was like, wow! The funny thing is that you do this job, especially as a first-timer, without knowing how much you will be paid for it.

I was wondering how I will examine 80 students in two days. The university is about 210 km from Zaria, and I need to analyse the economics of the trip. If I am to drive my car, I will spend about N40,000 on fuel for the round trip. But my instinct was telling me that using my car would cost more than I would be paid. So, I joined a public transport, and it cost me about N4,500 to get to the University.

Four passengers, including myself, were squeezed like sardines in a pack in the vehicle’s passenger seat.

I got there, examined the 80 students, and moderated the answer booklets of their final-year students for two full days. I examined 40 students each day. I was exhausted and needed enough space to relax, returning to Zaria. So, I paid for two seats, which cost me about N9,000. This made us three on the passenger seat to Zaria.

Just a few days ago, I received an alert of the payment for the one-year job. I got an alert of N138,920 six weeks after the job. My breakdown shows that I was paid N80,000 honorarium for the one-year job as an External Examiner for the university, N50,000 for accommodation for two nights to examine 80 students (25,000 per night), and N8,920 for transportation from Zaria to the university and back to Zaria (223km x 2 x 20 naira per kilometre). Payment for two nights implies that it was assumed that the job was done in one day. Yes, the university management assumed that I examined 80 students in one day.

At the end of the day, and even without using my car, I spent more on transportation than I was paid. For the moderation and examination of the students for an academic session, I was paid N1,000 per student for the exam moderation, reading of the project work, and oral examination of the students.

However, there was a circular in 2022 that reviewed duty tour allowance (DTA) and transport allowance per kilometre for public service. According to the circular, a Professor is meant to get N37,500 per night as DTA and N75 per kilometre for mileage. While it is in operation at every other MDA, under the current fuel subsidy removal regime, university professors are expected to travel at N20 per kilometre and can’t lodge in a hotel that costs more than N25,000 per night.

While the political class has subjected academics to abject poverty, the managements of our universities are still expecting us to travel with N20 per kilometre, lodge in a hotel that is not more than N25,000 per night, and then do oral examinations for 80 students in one day. They possibly felt that we could manage it. After all, we are already used to poverty. It’s sad that the political class does not regard us. We have lost respect in society and don’t seem to have regard for ourselves within the university system.

At least this university paid even though what was paid was ridiculous. I also got a nice reception from the department. For over a year, the other university has yet to pay the N50,000 for the professorial assessment of their staff and refund the N2,500 postage charges to send the assessment report. That is Nigerian academia.

Dear public university managers, why do we find it challenging to spend money on academic activities, the main activities of the universities? Does it still cost you 20 naira per kilometre to travel to Abuja for an official engagement on behalf of the university? The excuse is always that the university has no money. Then, why do we pretend that all is well when it is not? Why do we window-dress our programs for accreditation when we can’t adequately fund the programs? Why should we be expected to drain our blood to keep public universities open?

External moderation and examination are requirements for the award of degrees, and they should be properly funded. Otherwise, It should be suspended till there are enough funds to execute that component. If we want to make progress, we must stop the window-dressing approach and tell ourselves the truth.

Dear senior colleagues, I greatly respect your sacrifices and the risk of travelling between states these years on our bad roads for external examinations at this ridiculous honorarium and allowances. I don’t want to blame you for the sustenance of this slavery. But this treatment continued because you accepted it and MILT for these years. Even as teachers, we need a proper reward here on earth as we all strive for heavenly rewards.

Our old senior colleagues are already used to it. But to the new professors who will be taking up external assessment responsibilities, before going out for any external assignment, the supposed community service, to other universities, you need to be sure that the transport allowance will take you to the place to do the job and that the night allowance can afford decent accommodation.

Don’t be enslaved by the words “community service”. There is no free meal anywhere in the world. Somebody must pay for anything called a free meal.

Abdelghaffar Amoka Abdelmalik, PhD, wrote from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He can be reached via aaabdelmalik@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

South Korean striker Hwang Ui-jo, currently playing for Norwich City, has been suspended from the national team just seven weeks before the much-anticipated Asian Cup.

The suspension comes in light of an ongoing police investigation into allegations that Hwang illegally filmed a sexual encounter with his ex-girlfriend without her consent. 

Despite the suspension from international duty, Hwang, on loan from Nottingham Forest, continues to be eligible to play for Norwich City.

The 31-year-old forward, who scored in a recent match against Watford, denies the allegations against him. 

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced the decision on Tuesday, underscoring the necessity of awaiting a definitive conclusion to the police investigation before considering Hwang for the national team.

Lee Youn-nam, the head of the KFA’s ethics committee, noted the expectation for national players to uphold a high standard of morality and responsibility. 

Hwang Ui-jo, with 19 goals in 62 appearances for South Korea, leaves a notable gap in the national team’s lineup ahead of the Asian Cup.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann expressed his understanding of the situation, pledging to respect the decision of the KFA.

Klinsmann had previously included Hwang in recent World Cup qualifying matches, defending his choice amid the ongoing police probe. 

The Asian Cup, set to commence in Qatar on January 12, poses additional challenges for South Korea as they open their campaign against Bahrain three days later.

The suspension adds an unexpected layer of controversy to the team’s preparations, raising questions about the potential impact on their performance in the upcoming tournament.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has delivered a decisive blow to the political landscape of Bauchi State by nullifying the election of Jamilu Barade, the Deputy Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. 

This development, which transpired less than four days after the court sacked the Speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, has sent ripples through the state’s political corridors. 

The three-man panel of the appellate court, in a judgment issued late Monday, set aside the ruling of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which had earlier upheld Barade’s election as the duly elected member representing Bauchi Central State constituency. 

The tribunal had dismissed the petition filed by the APC candidate, citing lack of merit. 

Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, the APC candidate took the case to the Court of Appeal, which ruled in his favor, ordering a rerun in several polling units where allegations of overvoting had been raised. 

The court found substance in the claims that there was overvoting in nine polling units, leading to the nullification of Barade’s victory. 

In its far-reaching decision, the Court of Appeal mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to retrieve the Certificate of Return previously issued to the Deputy Speaker. 

By Muntaka Abdul-Hadi Dabo

Monday, 21st November 1960 will forever remain a memorable day for Nigeria and the rest of the world. For it was on that day an iconic figure was born. The day is also a birthday for some prominent and famous people like Brain Ritchie and Brian McNamara in the United States,  and in this special month of November, people of the US went to the polls to elect their 46th president.

Malam, as he is fondly called by many is celebrating his 63rd birthday today. A man of impeccable character who exemplifies iconic leadership traits in all his public and private life is a globally recognized brand. He was, and still is a blessing and inspiration to millions of people near and far. He has successfully built an incorruptible record of service that still remains unbeatable by any public officer in the past and present Nigeria. Needless to add that he was the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Since leaving the service of the EFCC, his unstained reputation continues to ring loud bells in almost every household across Nigeria and beyond,  because of his outstanding performance in every office he occupied, particularly in the last two decades. He rose to global prominence when he was appointed to head the anti-graft Agency by the then President Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo between the period of 2003-2008. His doggedness, foresightedness and fearlessness made him confronted corruption head-on, and this exemplary style of leadership catapulted EFCC as the most performing agency at then. Presently, the EFCC has lost its past glory. The excellent, selfless and competent services that were rendered and the subsequent achievements recorded by Mallam still remains undefeated to this day.

Recalled that it was during his tenure that most corrupt politicians and public office holders were brought to book for various but grave corruption charges labelled against them. The brave and fearless Malam touched those who thought they were untouchable, and they all ended up in prison. It’s interesting to note that contrary to what some misguided people say about him – that he was being used by Obasanjo to witch-hunt the latter’s political opponents, most of the people that were arrested by the EFCC under Ribadu were all convicted and sent to jail by a competent court of law. Under the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu, EFCC issued thousands of indictments and achieved about 270 convictions. One notable case was that of his boss, the then Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed and made to return £150 million under a plea bargain. Bode George, DSP Alamieyeseigha were not all spared by the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC.

It is a common knowledge to any discerning mind that one of the arrested politicians James Ibori offered $15 million bribe and a mansion abroad to the EFCC boss so that his case could be closed, but as expected of the no-nonsense and honest police officer, Ribadu turned down the offer by not accepting the illegal money that can turn his fortune to a billionaire! He deposited the money in the central bank of Nigeria to serve as evidence against Ibori of Delta State who then fled the country in 2010 but was apprehended in Dubai and eventually extradited to the UK. Ibori was found guilty by the UK court on money laundering where he served only a 4-year prison term out of the initial 13-year sentence handed to him.

It saddens me whenever I read negative comments about Nuhu Ribadu, even though I don’t expect him to be liked by everyone, but it’s quite unfortunate when people who made a lot of sacrifices and served their fatherland diligently are not much celebrated in their homeland. Could it be a deliberate attempt to let the labour of our present heroes go in vain? While in the service of Nigeria police force and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu diligently served his motherland and recorded quite a number of tremendous achievements that no one has so far recorded such in the history of EFCC. The most notable amongst his achievements are the delisting of Nigeria from the FATF’s list of Non-cooperative countries and territories, admission into the prestigious Egmont group and the withdrawal of US Treasury advisory on Nigeria by the FINCEN, these, together with many unmentioned achievements, were critical to the perception of Nigeria globally.

Nuhu Ribadu, a trained lawyer and fearless crime fighter, is a proud recipient of several awards as a police officer, prosecutor and chairman of EFCC. He received the IGP special awards in 1997, 1998 and 2000. In 2008, he received the World Bank’s Jit Gill memorial award for outstanding public service for having led a courageous anti-corruption drive in Nigeria as head of EFCC. In 2008, Ribadu completed the senior Executive course of the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies where he was conferred with the Membership of the National Institute, MNI.

In June 2010, Babcock University Ogun State awarded him a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) in recognition of his resolute change as well as his fierce stance against corruption in the face of sponsored disgrace and death threats. This has resulted into positive changes and global acclaim hitherto considered impossible. Since 2014, notable newspapers and magazines have repeatedly voted Dr Nuhu Ribadu as man of the year, in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a committed crusader against corruption and other related crimes.

No matter how Malam is perceived, one thing is certain, and that’s his outstanding achievements which can’t be questioned or taken away from him. The diligent and excellent services he rendered to his fatherland were not only recognized in Nigeria, but internationally. His outstanding performance later earned him a work with the United Nation as the UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan by the UN Department for International Development. The Adamawa-born politician, TED fellow and a Senior Fellow in St. Anthony’s College of University of Oxford, London has since written his name in Gold, especially when he conceded defeat in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in his state, losing to the candidate of APC. Sincerely speaking, Ribadu was the best governor Adamawa couldn’t have because of his party affiliation then (PDP), not because he lacks the basic qualities to govern the good people of Adamawa State. But as a true believer, Malam accepted the outcome of the elections in good faith and congratulated the then Governor Jibrila Bindow, knowing fully that power belongs to Allah alone, and He gives it to whosoever He wishes and at any time. This is something very rare to get from our politicians, but Ribadu stands out to be entirely different among today’s politicians.

In 2018, Malam was alongside eight individuals and organizations from Asia, America, Africa, Oceania, and Europe for their decisive role in curtailing the menace of corruption and corrupt practices. He together with former vice President of World Bank, Leonard Frank McCarthy, became the joint winners in the category of Anti corruption lifetime achievements

Indeed, Malam Nuhu Ribadu has received the ‘Game Changer’ award by ThisDay newspaper 2015 for initiating a series of no-nonsense measures as chairman of the EFCC and for giving individuals with questionable character a big chase. He is still the best in every capacity he occupied. His white garment of integrity still remained unblemished even after coming into contact with people of questionable characters.

Since 2010, Ribadu has been involved in active politics, and as one of the founding members of the APC, he played a key role that ensured the re-election of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 general elections and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. The retired Assistant inspector general of police has done a lot for Nigeria and the international community, and we can’t deny the fact that his quest to serve humanity has contributed immensely to the growth of our democracy to its present state.

Ribadu, the greatest anti-corruption Czar of Africa has indeed shone among stars, led among leaders and shown what it takes to be a great agent of change. At the moment, he is the most adorable and celebrated politician in Nigeria and is gaining aggressive popularity both home and abroad on daily basis. It’s my candid opinion that it will take a decade or more before any politician can compete with Malam in terms of popularity, acceptance and public goodwill.

The year 2012 saw Nuhu Ribadu accepted to head an inquest into government’s revenue from the oil sector under the administration of one of the most patient and tolerable President Nigeria ever had Dr Goodluck Jonathan, an assignment he handled with his characteristic passion and dexterity, turning in a report that has since become reference point on reforming the Nigeria’s oil industry.

He (Ribadu) is today, the current National Security Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a position he assumed in June this year and he’s doing an amazing job.

On the occasion of his 63rd birthday today being 21/11/2023, I join well-meaning Nigerians and the international community in wishing this exemplary leader all the good things that life can offer. May Allah (SWT) continue to shower him with more blessings, grace, good health, wisdom and knowledge to contribute more to the development of Adamawa State in particular, Nigeria, and the world at large. In sha Allah.

NB: This article was written in November 2022 to celebrate the 62nd Birthday of the greatest anti-corruption Czar Africa has ever witnessed Mallam (Dr) Nuhu Ribadu and edited for the same purpose in November 2023 to celebrate his 63rd Birthday.

Muntaka Abdul-Hadi Dabo is a Research Scholar, African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He can be reached via; ace21160006@noun.edu.ng, muntaka.dabo@gmail.com, +2348036397682

By Abdulgaffar Tukur Kalgo

As an aspiring young politician in Nigeria, there are several key lessons you can learn from Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s exemplary leadership and political career.

As a leader, you most likely admire the political and leadership influence of Kwankwaso. His rise through the ranks of Kano politics demonstrates how one can gain political influence through vision, hard work, and perseverance.

Kwankwaso began his political career with his election as a Nigerian House of Representatives member at just 26 years old. His rise from humble beginnings to governor of Kano State and Nigeria’s presidential candidate is a valuable lesson for young leaders to learn to build a meaningful political career.

Kwankwaso focused on grassroots development and empowering youth and women, which gained him a reputation as someone who could get things done.

Though his presidential bids were unsuccessful, Kwankwaso’s accomplishments showcase how vision, courage, relationships, and mentorship can shape a leader. He illustrated that a leader can emerge from anywhere through hard work and perseverance. For aspiring leaders, Kwankwaso exemplifies the dedication and skills needed to lead in Nigeria’s complex political landscape. By learning from his experiences, young leaders can work to shape a brighter future for their region.

Key Leadership Qualities of Kwankwaso:

You must cultivate certain vital qualities to become an influential leader like Kwankwaso.

Vision and Purpose

Effective leaders have a clear vision and a sense of purpose that motivates and inspires followers. During his governorship, Kwankwaso envisioned a Kano State that invested in education and infrastructure and worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality. Young leaders should develop their vision for positive change and pursue it with passion and perseverance.

Integrity and Ethics

Leaders build trust through integrity, honesty and ethical behaviour. Kwankwaso was praised for his incorruptibility. Aspiring leaders must demonstrate strong moral principles and lead by example.

Confidence and Decisiveness

While seeking input from others, leaders must ultimately be confident and decisive in their judgment. Kwankwaso pursued his agenda boldly and took action when needed based on the information available. Young leaders should trust their abilities while also accepting responsibility for their decisions.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is essential for motivating and guiding followers. Kwankwaso connected with his people and groups through charismatic and persuasive rhetoric.

To build a meaningful career, you must develop a vision for progress, take risks, make alliances, and empower others.

I think that’s Kwankwaso’s Political Philosophy.

Abdulgaffar Tukur Kalgo wrote via abdulgaffarkalgo@gmail.com.

By Manasseh Mercy

Social media integrates digital media platforms, including combinations of electronic text, graphics, moving pictures and sounds in a structured computerized environment that allows users to interact with the data for appropriate purposes or otherwise. The digital environment can include the Internet, telecommunications and interactive digital television. The Web is now part of the overall business of communication, sales and services. It changes business practices across the globe.

Its technical limitations affect the amount of material and the speed of access. The network depends mainly on the connections of the telephone line, so the more they are good on a territory, the more the service will be reliable. As a result, messages can reach audiences and target groups in real-time and generate changes and trends.

Nowadays, younger generations grow up having good contact with different social networks, easily acquire digital culture and live in a digital world where only adults are naturalized citizens. Trends can bring awareness to other organizations and not just for selling products. 

In 2014, the ice bucket challenge was a popular trend that spread across Instagram’s platform. The trend was created to help bring awareness and donations to Lou Gehrig’s Disease, also known as ALS, which stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Pete Frates, a former baseball player for Boston College, helped promote the nonprofit organization ALS Association because of his diagnosis of the disease. Both celebrities and regular social media account holders made videos of pouring ice water on themselves while tagging at least three friends to post themselves participating.

This trend was an example of one of the many situations that brought light to very serious topics. The millions of people posting about the ice bucket challenge resulted in the organization raising millions of money. That year, an estimated $115 million was raised for the cause in just a few months. The Ice Bucket Challenge was created to raise money for research purposes in hopes of finding a cure for ALS disease.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is just one of the many trends that took over social media platforms. Many nonprofit organizations have been going viral over the years, bringing awareness to millions of people. Situations like these can come out of pure luck to get everyone on the Internet to discuss a topic. Getting people to talk about specific issues brings attention to a cause that can get people to donate money. It’s not only companies and organizations that get attention online but also individuals as well.

TikTok is a social media platform for creating, sharing and discovering short videos. Young people use the App to express themselves through singing, dancing, comedy and lip-syncing. It allows users to create videos and share them across a community. It is one of the most popular social media platforms in the 21st century. 

In Today’s generation, popular trends on social media have a significant influence on younger generations. Trends can consist of different things such as makeup, clothes, music, toys, and interests. TikTok trends are viral short videos that use popular features, songs, sound effects and hashtags. 

Some current TikTok Trends (November 2023) include Bird’s-eye View — November 17, 2023. In this trend, you grab your friends or coworkers, tape your phone to the ceiling, and record yourselves dancing and being silly. Another was (Added November 20, 2023) Smug Corgi/Confused Dog Meme Trend. Example: Posting a video with the CapCut template from the example with a funny text overlay describing a situation where you (the corgi) would be smugly doing something while the other person (represented by the other dog) is super baffled, often about spend a lot of money on something like Christmas decorations.

What are the potential risks? Users may be exposed to foul language and sexual content. Users can comment on other videos, which leaves the potential for online bullying or negative comments. The App promotes positive comments and encourages users to ‘say something nice’. However, if you encounter an inappropriate comment, you can report it as abuse. 

Stalking, identity theft, personal attacks and misuse of information are some of the threats social media users face. Most of the time, the users themselves are to blame as they share content that should not be in the eye of the public. 

These dangerous trends are not only harmful to the individuals who participate in them, but they also hurt society as a whole. When young people engage in these trends, they send their peers messages that it is acceptable to engage in risky and inappropriate behaviours. This can lead to a culture of recklessness and disregard for personal safety and etiquette.

It is essential for parents and educators to be aware of these dangerous trends and to talk to young people about the potential consequences of participating in them. It is also essential for social media platforms like TikTok to take responsibility for the content shared on their platform and to take steps to remove the dangerous content.

In conclusion, TikTok trends influence the social behaviour of Nigerian youths in one way or another. Nigerian youths engage in time-consuming and energy-draining trends, and sometimes, they cost money because they want to be famous and act like their peers. The Nigerian government should closely monitor and adequately regulate TikTok trends so as not to destroy Nigerian youths’ moral and social behaviour.

Mercy Manasseh is a student of Mass Communication from the University of Maiduguri and can be reached via mercymanasseh951@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Sheikh Bala Lau, the national leader of Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah wa Ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), has expressed commendation for Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his dedication to the social welfare of the citizens. 

The commendation came during the closing ceremony of the annual Quranic recitation competition held in Kaduna on Sunday. 

Sheikh Bala Lau, appreciating the governor for his monetary donations and other gifts awarded to winners across various competition categories, stated that Governor Sani has showcased a sincere commitment to enhancing citizens’ lives through numerous initiatives. 

A statement released by his spokesman, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, highlighted the governor’s gesture of providing Hajj seats to the best two overall candidates from the male and female categories for the 2024 exercise. 

Encouraging Muslims to integrate Quranic teachings into their daily lives, Sheikh Bala Lau noted the transformative power of the Quran in all aspects of life.

He urged the faithful to embrace its wisdom and guidance beyond challenging circumstances. 

Addressing concerns raised by clerics about the inadequate handling of pilgrims’ welfare in previous Hajj seasons, Governor Uba Sani took decisive action by announcing the formation of a committee. 

The committee’s purpose is to ensure a seamless and improved pilgrimage experience for the future, addressing the welfare issues raised by the clerics. 

Governor Uba Sani’s proactive measures and commitment to citizens’ well-being have received praise not only from the religious community but also from those anticipating positive changes in the management of future Hajj exercises.