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By Ahmad Abdulhadi

Math phobia, as from the name, means fear of mathematics or a mixed feeling of tension and apprehension towards mathematics. When dealing with mathematics, many students feel like they are in the middle of a battle with little or no chance of surviving. Thus, such feeling interferes with the atmosphere of their emotional and intellectual status, hindering them from understanding the concept.

I will begin this article with a true story that happened to me when I was in secondary school. I told myself that mathematics is a gift, but I was left to believe that I lacked that gift. Hence I would not even practice what I was taught in mathematics class, even though I don’t know how to simplify simple fraction addition.

The real journey began when I secured admission to a university to study in the Faculty of Sciences. Among the prerequisite courses I had to take, mathematics was among, and in the university, the fear of carry-over will hunt someone to his sleep. So, naturally, the student will try every possible means to see that he is free from such prison; that was what I did.

When I absolutely realized that I had to pass those elementary mathematics and other elementary courses that require the application of mathematics, like Chemistry and Physics, I decided to face my fears. I firstly installed in my mind that mathematics was no gift. Then, I started practising every topic taught in mathematics class, solving numerous examples, and going to tutorials and group discussions. In less than three months, I realized mathematics was not a gift. All it needs is the morale to learn and the time to practice where you have missed.

After I paid the price of time sacrifice, I began to enjoy mathematics more than any course. Moreover, understanding mathematics helped me significantly pass other elementary courses like Physical Chemistry and Mechanics with A grades, including mathematics which was almost every 100-level student’s headache.

In short, I face my fears, and I surely did see wonders in less than three months, and so does everyone that thinks mathematics is a gift to certain people. If only you can face that fear hidden inside of you and pay the little price you have to pay, I’m more than sure that you, too, will see wonders    

Ahmad Abdulhadi wrote via bnabdulhadee@gmail.com.

By Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani

Every 26th day of June is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as identified by the United Nations. This year is not unprecedented due to the menace that keeps rising, which sadly causes untold hardship to our communities and the world in general.

The date is to commemorate Lin Zexu’s dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, ending on June 25, 1839, just before the First Opium War in China. The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7th December 1987. The global observance of the day aims to raise awareness of the major dilemma that illicit drugs represent to society. Indeed, the aim is an expression of the United Nations’ determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Justice and health are two sides of the same coin when it comes to addressing drug problems. The pertinent question is: what have we done in our immediate communities to address this situation that is posing a danger to our survival as a society and a nation? Are we to maintain silence while the future of our children and that of unborn children is on the brink? No! Most of the crimes committed were done after the criminals took drugs and illicit trafficking caused, according to sociological trumpets.

In Nigeria, the Boko Haram in the Northeast, ungodly bandits and kidnapping in the North West, and the IPOB terrorists in the southeast have something in common, which is criminality, havoc and destruction. However, the acts were mostly committed after taking unprescribed drugs, which are injurious to the health and well-being of the people.

Perhaps, those taking illicit drugs don’t know the dangers and injuries they create for their lives and, at the same time, for society. It’s the drug that impels them to commit crimes against humanity, which, of course, triggers instability in the world. However, there has never been a better time to convert this serious threat into a human cooperative existence than now. But, to achieve this, we must destabilise the sources of illicit drugs.

For one thing, you can’t discourage and combat illegal drugs and trafficking without addressing irresponsible parenting; how could God bless you with juveniles and then neglect their proper upbringing? In our society, you see someone with ten youngsters or more without taking care of their full responsibility. We must take the bold step and tell ourselves the truth. Never produce what you can’t take care of. Their moral upbringing is a primary responsibility of every parent. The association of pair groups in such a way trains your wards to be good ambassadors to society. for them to be productive citizens of the country and the world. 

The Nigerian drug law enforcement agencies must take their obligations with all seriousness. Indeed, perpetrators must be punished according to the law of the land. This is the only way that will serve as a deterrent to all with similar horrible intentions, and of course, at the same time, our justice system must be overhauled.

It’s clear in the northern part of the country, some hawkers go round selling illicit drugs, expired and villagers are taken with their hard-earned resources without doctors’ prescriptions, which post hazards to the health care system. This and similar illegal actions should be properly checked. Indeed, health is wealth. We should all play our part in spreading awareness to make our environment clean and live in a prosperous world.

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani wrote from Galadima Mahmoud Street, kasuwar Kaji Azare, Bauchi State.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Contrary to rumours claiming that the exam had been postponed to a later date, the National Examination Council has declared that the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination would begin on Monday, June 27, 2022, for school-based applicants.

Azeez Sani, the council’s head of information and public relations, revealed this information in a statement to journalists in Minna on Saturday.

Sani urged interested parties to reject rumours that the examination would be delayed.

“State Ministries of Education, Principals, Commandants and all stakeholders are enjoined to disregard any speculation on the alleged postponement of the examination,” Sani said, adding that “the Council has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a seamless conduct of the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, said his choice of Atiku as a running mate during the 1999 general election was a mistake. 

Obasanjo disclosed this on Saturday, June 25, while addressing students in Abeokuta at a leadership and entrepreneurship mentoring session. 

The former president admitted to having made many mistakes in his life. He also disclosed that one of such mistakes was his choice of running mate in the 1999 presidential election.

“I don’t say I don’t make mistakes – I made many of them,” Obasanjo said.

“But one thing that has happened to me is that God has never disappointed me. And that is very important.

“For instance, one of the mistakes I made was picking a number two when I was going to become President.

“But because it is a genuine mistake, God saved me out of it.”

The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, contested alongside Obasanjo in the said election.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Tension rocks the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party’s presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, allegedly obtained no primary and secondary school certificates. 

However, Tinubu insisted that he had two degrees from two American universities. Yet, he stated that the certificates were stolen by unknown soldiers during the military junta of the 1990s.

The Daily Reality gathered that the information was in an affidavit submitted by Tinubu to the INEC office as part of his eligibility filings for the 2023 presidential elections.

The documents released Friday by the electoral body showed that Tinubu completely left the columns for his primary and secondary schools unmarked.

Additionally, the latest claims by Tinubu in his submission to INEC reportedly contradicted the previous submissions of 1999 and 2003 when contested as a governorship candidate in Lagos state.

It was gathered that Tinubu allegedly claimed in 1999 and 2003 that he attended primary and secondary schools.

He indicated that he attended St. Paul Children’s Home School, Ibadan, between 1958 and 1964 and secondary school at the Government College, Ibadan, between 1965 and 1968.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The United States Supreme Court in a draft opinion voted against the nearly five decades-old precedents in the landmark abortion case of Roe V Wade on Friday. The court held that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion.

The judgement overturned the decision in Roe V Wade. The majority of the justices of the court are of the opinion that the decision in the old case of Roe V Wade was reached in error and the American constitution did not expressly contemplate such rights.

“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in an initial draft majority opinion.

The opinion of the US Supreme Court has elicited condemnation from leaders around the globe.

President Joe Biden has described it as “a tragic error” and urged states to enact laws to allow the procedure.

Former President Barack Obama described the judgement as an attack on the freedom of Americans

“Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.

Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you’re looking for ways to respond, Planned Parenthood, The United State of Women, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight, ” Obama posted on his Facebook page.

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on Friday joined other leaders in condemning the judgement. He described it as horrific.

“The news coming out of the United States is horrific. My heart goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion. I can’t imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now,” Trudeau tweeted.

Trudeau further explains that the decision of what a woman does with her body is solely hers, and not for the government or anyone.

“No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body. I want women in Canada to know that we will always stand up for your right to choose,” He explains.

The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said the judgement is a big step backwards.

“I think it’s a big step backwards. I’ve always believed in a woman’s right to choose and I stick to that view, and that’s why the UK has the laws that it does.”

French President, Emmanuel Macron also pledged solitary with American women after the Supreme Court Overturned Roe V Wade.

“Abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected. I express my solidarity with the women whose freedoms are today challenged by the Supreme Court of the United States of America,” Macron said.

By Muhammad Aminu

Experts have advised women and young girls, particularly in northern Nigeria to make judicious use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to better their lots and change society for the better.

The experts gave the advice at a roundtable discussion on the Challenges of Seeding and Nurturing Creativity and Innovation Among Young Women Organised by the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano.

Aliyu Aliyu, an Independent Consultant, decried that socioeconomic and cultural barriers as well as inadequate role models to emulate are stifling women and young girls from actualising their full potentials in Nigeria.

Aliyu contended that women and girls are creative and problem solvers and that all they need are inspiration and mentorship to leverage digital technology to unleash their potential for their success and societal development.

“Young women need to use their time in a way that will better their lives, use social media in an effective and rewarding way, set their priorities and know how to achieve them, he added.

According to Dr Sana Muaz of the Department of Software Engineering, Bayero University, Kano, there are challenges for young women but with passion and zeal to excel, they can create a niche for themselves in society.

She advised girls to always understand a business idea well before venturing into it so that they can not just start a business but can build a sustainable brand in business against all odds.

She called on the participants to always remember their important position as women that other girls would look up to as role models.

In her contribution, Malama Aisha Bako, Chief Executive Officer, Onyx Investment Advisory Limited, challenged the participants to penetrate the ICT sector to make their contribution to society instead of wasting their resources on fruitless activities on social media.

“Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are paying huge amounts of money to those that know how to use them well,” she added.

The Chairman of the discussion, Prof. Asabe Mohammed while commended CITAD for the Initiative called on the participants to make the best use of the “unique opportunity” to improve their lives and society.

Earlier, CITAD’s head of Digital Creativity and Innovation for Girls (DICIG), Kamaluddeen Umar, said the programme is aimed at empowering girls to have access to digital skills in order to address the gender digital divide in Northern Nigeria.

He said: “The aim is to provide digital skills training for 200 girls (100 per year), to produce 80 digital entrepreneurs (40 per year) and create 160 new digital jobs for girls (80 per year).

“Selected participants were: girls between the ages of 18-30 who have a minimum secondary school education and are from Bauchi, Gombe and Kano States in addition to having an interest in building and running their business.”

According to Umar, the participants will undergo five phases of training basic, advanced, business ideation, business development support services market transition which some participants will be selected on the merit of their performance and business idea for awards.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Police Constable, Nura Mande, has been honoured by Katsina State Police Command for finding and returning the missing 800 dollars to its owner in the state.

The Daily Reality learnt that the money belongs to a female intending pilgrim, Hajiya Hadiza Usman.

Mande was reportedly presented with a letter of commendation and N30,000 by the Commissioner of Police, Idris Dabban.

SP Gambo Isah, the Command’s Spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement, stating that the constable was on official duty at the state Pilgrims Welfare Board Hajj camp when he found the money.

He added that “while discharging his duty at the Hajj camp, PC Mande found the 800 dollars on the ground and returned it to the board’s Director of Administration, Alhaji Sada Salisu-Rumah.

“PC Mande disclosed that it was his fear of God that made him to return the money to the board’s official so that it could be returned to the owner.

“Salisu-Rumah commended the police constable for his good behaviour and honesty,” he added.

Isah added in the statement that the Police Commissioner was very excited over the display of honesty by Maude.

He, however, called on other police personnel in the command to emulate him.

By Salisu Yusuf

One of the problems encountered in learning English phonetics and phonology by the second language learners in Nigeria is the assumption that the English phonemic orthography is having the same trends as those of our first language. For example, the Hausa letter /c/ as in caca, ciki and abinci is always predictably realised as /c/. It can’t be realised as any other sound in any other environment. In contrast, English letters are unpredictable in their phonetic realisation. For instance, the sound /y/ can be realised in ‘lure’ as in ‘failure’ /’feilja/ or something like /felya/ not /felwa/ as we pronounce. The /y/ can also be realised in /year/, etc. 

 While the phonemic orthographies of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba are uni dimensional, that each written symbol or letter has a predictable sound, the English phonemic orthography is complex and unpredictable. For example, the symbol /ch/ can be realised as /sh/ sound in ‘charade’ /ʃəˈrɑːd/ or /sharad/, the /teous/ in ‘righteous’ /’raetʃas/ or something like /raicas/ not the /raitiyos/ we say.

 What I am trying to say, is that the English spelling of words can’t be a reliable guide to pronunciation. For example, there are 26 English alphabets and 20 vowels but there are 44 conventional English sounds! Moreover, there are English sounds that aren’t found in African languages. For example, the /ʒ/ sound in ‘division’ or /ə/ in ‘police,’ etc.

 Some English letters are not pronounced at all in their phonetic realisation. For example, the /t/ in ‘ ballet’ /’baelei/ or /balei/, the /au/ in ‘restaurant’ /’resrɒnt/ or /restront/ not /restaurant/ as we say, the /w/ in ‘sword’ is deleted /sod/, the /b/ in ‘plumber’ /ˈplʌmə/ or /plama/, the /t/ is deleted in pronouncing ‘sachet’ /ˈsaʃeɪ/ or /sashe/ not /sacet/, the /o/ in ‘leopard’ /ˈlepəd/ /lepad/is silent, the /b/ in bomb /bom/ is also silent, so is /s/ in ‘debris’ /’debri:/ or /debrii/, etc.

Some letters are substituted with other sounds that are different from the actual letters. For example, ‘memoir’ /ˈmemwɑ/ is closer to /memwa/, the ‘chure’ in brochure /ˈbrəʊʃə/ is /sh/ sound pronounce closer to /brausha/, the /toise/ in tortoise /ˈtɔːtəs/is /ta/ sound, pronounce as /totas/ not /totuwas/ as we say. The word ‘poignant’ /ˈpɔɪnjənt/ is pronounce as /poyinyant/, vehicle /vi:ikl/ is more closer to /viyikl/ not /vehikl/ we say. Chasis /ˈʃasi/ is /shasi/ not the /chasis/ we say. 

 Some vowels are changed during phonetic pronunciation differently from the written ones. Example, honey /ˈhʌni/ is /hani/ not /honi/, onion /ˈʌnjən/ or /anyan/ rather than the /oniyon/ we pronounce. Matrix /ˈmeɪtrɪks/ is /meitriks/ , village /’vilidz/ or /vilij/ not /vilej/. Stipend /ˈstaɪpend/, quay is pronounced as /ki/, chaos /ˈkeɪɒs/ or /keyos/, fuel /fjuː(ə)l/ is pronounced as closely as /fyuuwal/, verbatim /vəːˈbeɪtɪm/ or /vabeitim/ not /vaba../ we say. Albeit /ɔːlˈbiːɪt/ is pronounced as /olbiit/, receipt is /’risit/ not /resipt/, and liason /li’eizan/ or /liyezn/.

 We pronounce certain combinations through generalisation of certain features of similar combinations from other environments. For example, the following words are pronounced from similar sounds say in example the word ‘ tuition’. So unlike in ‘ tuition’ almost all those English words with /ui/ combination are pronounced with a long /u:/: juice /dzu:s/ or /juus/, suitable /’su:tabl/, or /suutabl/, suicide /’su:said/ or /suusaid/, suit /su:t/( but ‘ suite’ is /swi:t/ or /swiit/) or /suut/, fruit /fru:t/ is /fruut/, etc.

 In words with similar syllables, a preceding sound is used to randomly pronounce wrongly the immediate syllable. For example, gigantic /dzae’gaentik/ or /jaigantik/ is usually pronounced wrongly as /dzaidzantik/, etc.

These are some of the features that influence Nigerian phonetics. A companionship with an English dictionary, listening to stations like the BBC World Service, etc. can give us some hints on English phonetics and phonology.

Salisu Yusuf wrote from Katsina via salisuyusuf111@gmail.com.

By Adamu Abubakar Kumo

Mentorship has been the way through which a more experienced, more skilled and usually more elderly person passes his experience, expertise, knowledge etc. to the younger ones. From education to politics, business to occupation, mentorship is instrumental to the continuance of the flow of wisdom from one generation to another.

The history of Nigeria’s founding fathers is undoubtedly that of heroes and legends who wrote their names in gold in the books of history. But, looking at today’s Nigeria, one would be right to say that the wisdom of those great men has not been successfully passed down to today’s generation.

Among the six geo-political regions of the country, South-West has distinguished itself. The region seems to uphold the principles of mentorship. From Sir Herbert Macaulay, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Samuel Akintola, Aare M.K.O. Abiola and now Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Yoruba leaders have been producing leaders who subsequently would take over from them. They deliberately ‘build’ people; they sow the seeds and look after them until they grow into large formidable and strong iroko trees that can hardly be trampled or tempered with by just lilliputians if I were to borrow Shattima’s word.

The successful emergence of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a testimony of the presence of mentors and the continuance of political mentorship in Yoruba land.

Asiwaju, for the past two decades, has been working, influencing the appointment of some of his mentees in strategic government positions, politically supporting his allies and subordinates to attain power and building political bridges and structures across the country. The man waited patiently until when it is time, the time for the Jagaban to reap the fruits of his labour, the time when Amaechi has support from within; the time when Lawan seems to have the blessings of some party juggernauts, the time when some northerners feel that only a Northerner can defeat the opposition’s candidate. At this precious time, Bola Ahmed ‘summoned’ his mentees across the length and breadth of the country and alas, they answered! They come in their thousands with all the vigour and support the Jagaban needs.

Despite the eloquence of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the grammar of Ayade, the bluntness of Yahaya Bello, the doggedness of Rotimi Amaechi and the ‘appeal for sympathy’ of the aspirants from the South East, Bola emerged victorious, defeating them hands down.

This ‘political war’ fought and won by the  Southwesterner may compel one to ask, where are the Asiwajus of other regions? Can somebody from North-East, North-West or North-Central brag about having the capacity to do something similar to what this septuagenarian did?

The likes of Sirs Sardauna and Balewa don’t exist anymore in the North. Moreover, nobody is following the footsteps of Hassan Usman Katsina, Sir Kasim Ibrahim, Malam Aminu Kano and many other patriots – the mentorship thread is broken. Though North has been boasting of having great and influential leaders, the problem remains that none is willing to ‘nurture’ his successor.

While Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was busy contesting to become the president right from 2007, Kwankwaso was busy fighting Ganduje and so on. On his part, Bola Tinubu was busy, making sure his candidates become governors in Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, etc. He was influencing ministerial nominations, making sure he appointed Vice President. He was equally working to bring Dimeji Bankole, Ahmed Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila etc. In other words, Tinubu was busy ‘building’ people. Because he believes even if some choose to betray him, many others will not.

The lesson Asiwaju taught most of our leaders, especially from the North, is that, if you have a plan of twenty years, start mentoring people who will help you achieve it right from today. More importantly, look beyond your family and kinsmen when choosing your proteges.

Another point of note is that you will mentor a person who may rise to a position that you have never attained. This is normal. Don’t get upset when the person tried to rub shoulders with you. Instead, be focused, determined and strategic in your dealings.

Dear Northern leaders, make sure you mentor another person who may likely take over from you. Succession is natural, if you did not breed anybody, someone may grow on his own and come to fight and overtake you one day. Mentor your proteges today to have loyal mentees that will always be proud of you tomorrow.

Adamu Abubakar Kumo wrote via akumo89@gmail.com.