Opinion

By Aminat Adebesin

Getting into college after high school has been the main focus of students for decades to the extent that we mostly forget about life during college/university days and what might come after getting a degree. Universities offer everyone different opportunities like networking, housing, relationship, partying, etc. It all depends on the aspect you tend to grab. 

Before graduating, build enough networks to last you a lifetime, even to the coming generations, if possible. As they say, the university is the best stage for you to lay the foundation of “who you want to be” and “people you want to be with”.

Make use of the resources around you and better use them. No one cares whether you have anything to give, so tap into the resources in the school to build yourself up. Building yourself up should be your primary focus, which involves updating your CV with meaningful resources as much as possible. 

Getting a side hustle will ease life in school better than relying entirely on your sponsors, as there are some impromptu needs that you would love to take care of without disturbing them. No one can relate to the spending that comes with schooling unless you experience it yourself.

Attending university is about making memories and having the most beautiful experience possible. Building memories and networks have good and bad days, so make enough to last since they are all we have to show we have passed through a stage with some people.

Never let anything stop you from enjoying your school days. Learn and have fun sensibly.

Aminat Adebesin is a student of the Mass Communication dept, Bayero University, Kano.

By Ibraheem A. Waziri

1. As against the postulations of some, who think Nigeria to be a fantastic, British-contrived social experiment. Many believe it to be purely a product of inevitable historical processes that ordinary mortals should only play along with. So, it is said that statesmen and cultural priests cum social philosophers must – by the spirit of the time, fair universal human values and exigencies of frequent unassailable moments – always create and promote a narrative of a reasonable sociocultural balance for the country to continue to thrive.

2. In this, since religion is adjudged, by scholars of identity in history, to be the strongest factor in social mobilisation. It is safe to assume that the crème de la crème of the Nigerian military, who ruled the nation between 1983-1998, although mostly Northerners and Muslims, had good intentions; to have worked hard to ensure the provision of religious balance, between mainly Muslims and Christians, in the general administration of the national and sub-national units of the country.

The Justification

3. A casual review of both the 1st and 2nd Republic is enough to show tendencies to Muslims’ domination of the Nigerian political space. Also, since Islam is consistently found to be deeply expressive in the discourses and practices of its adherents daily, especially in Northern Nigeria, non-Muslims may not help but feel threatened – even if only imagined, not real – with marginalisation when individual Muslims are in power. This, regardless of whether their predilections do not suggest inclinations to any assumed extremist tendencies. Because often politics and politicians ride on only prevailing narratives and popular sentiments as major currencies during elections and subsequently in forming finer details of general governance policy direction!

4. This may have been why people like the late Capt. Ben Gbulie would maintain this in his book, Nigeria’s Five Majors, and much later when he responded to questions by late Barrister Yahaya Mahmood SAN during a session at the Oputa Panel. That one of their reasons for staging the January 1966 coup d’état that killed mostly Northerners Muslims in power was intel, they got and rigorously verified to confirm, by some standard, that the then Nigerian government, led by mainly Northern People’s Congress (NPC), was clandestinely planning a Jihad with the hope of Islamising the country.

5. The measures of balancing taken by the military may not be favourably viewed by modern reviewers, depending on the angle of vision one takes. But it is unmistakably clear that had the prevailing rhetoric of the Nigerian Muslim communities of the late 80s and 90s – that were even celebrating as heroes on various pulpits, figures and ideals of contemporary Islamist movements in Egypt, Iran, Algeria, Afghanistan and Sudan – met with a popular narrative of Muslim majority populated Nigerian state, the results would have been better imagined now. 

6. Thus, during both the two aborted electioneering processes of 1992 and 1993, to usher in a democratic government, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), the Head of the Nigerian state, deliberately tried to ensure political parties presented bi-religious tickets for elections into offices of governors, everywhere there is a significant population of people of differing faith, and ultimately that of the Presidency.

7. Many scholars and pundits alike have concluded that it was the failure of the southern Muslim, Moshood Abioĺa, Social Democratic Party’s candidate, who is said to have won the election, to respect IBB’s wish to select Paschal Bapyau, a northern Christian, as Vice Presidential candidate that led to the annulment of June 12 1993 elections! The Quest for such religious balance was that important to IBB, as we can conveniently presume it to be part of his insight and blessed wisdom clinging to higher moral flanks, advancing the standard of a fair, indivisible Nigerian nation.

8. Fast forward to the events preparatory to ushering in the fourth republic in 1999. It was the same cream of former Northern Nigerian top military generals who insisted on a power shift to the South, particularly to a Christian president, who would, in turn, have a Muslim running mate from the North. Thus, Northerners or Muslims from the South were cajoled to stand down their ambitions in the name of peaceful, regional and religious balance!

To Every Action…

9. Yet, as the timeless law of physics stipulates, there is an equal and opposite reaction to every action taken. So also the decision to premise all the sociocultural discourses on Nigeria on the narrative of religious balancing. Religion as a determinant of who gets what, in the string of the political equation, and ultimately down the line on the food chain of the country’s rentier economy, also became the cheap tool providing the impetus for persistent conflicts and unending violence, particularly in some subnational units in Northern Nigeria.

10. In Kaduna, my state, there has been a wave of religiously motivated crises, coupled with agitation for territorialism and territorial expansion, more resource allocation and political representation, since 1987. After the ushering in of the fourth republic in 1999, it continued assuming an alarming direction, characterising every aspect of the policy discussion in the state. Every single appointment, political or otherwise, must factor in religion. Yet the wave of the crisis did not show any sign of going away. It kept consuming many lives and properties, casting a blight on every possible future of progress and development. Refugee camps became a distinct feature of satellite towns in the state.

11. Government, civil society and faith-based organisations became very busy and active daily on the issues of conflict resolution and rehabilitation and resettling of refugees more than any other thing. From 2013 to 2014, Reverend Joseph Hayeb, the present Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria’s Chairman and a Muslim cleric, Shaykh Haliru Maraya, served as Special Advisers to the then Kaduna State governor, Mal. Mukhtar Yero on Christianity and Islam, respectively. They partnered with an international peace promotion non-governmental organisation, Global Peace Foundation, in a state-wide campaign for peace and conflict resolution in the state. Malam Samuel Aruwan, who was to become the first Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna 2019 – 2023, and I joined them on the invitation. We wrote essays and appeared with them at conferences, engaging in the discourses of why Muslims and Christians must find ways to live in peace!

2015!

12. the deployment of superior vigilance technology, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, in the conduct of the 2015 elections exposed the fallacy of the premise ascribed to the religious balancing narrative that has lasted for 30 years in Kaduna. Instead of the entrenched assumption that the religious demographic spread in the state is almost 50-50 between Christians and Muslims, it was realised that it was at most 30 – 70 in favour of Muslims!

13. This, unfailingly, was to give room to so much reflection, on the utility of the religious balancing narrative, in providing the needed peace and stability for the general administration of the state. In that, a fair and dispassionate assessment could be said that over the years, it has proven to be a burden to the state and is threatening the overall peace and stability of the Nigerian Nation! Even if it has once been useful in keeping peace and maintaining justice, providing stability and strengthening the foundation of the Nigerian Nation.

14. More so, the assumed justifiable reasons that made the northern military elite deploy it then can be said to be no longer there now. As Samuel Huntington projected in his 1993 seminal work, The Clash of Civilisations and the Remaking of World Order, the appeal of the universal call to Jihad among Muslims would lose its popularity in about 25-30 years. That Muslims world over would gradually appreciate and align with the values of democracy and its prescriptions in the rule of law and freedom of expression.

15. Global war on terror and the experience of the Muslims here, home to Boko Haram, has helped make Huntington’s prophecy real. It significantly changed the perspectives and disposition of the Muslim elites in the country. Many scholars and clerics have stopped identifying with Jihadi rhetoric and, in many cases, withdrawn or dissociated themselves from the earlier ones they once made. There has been a wide-ranging consensus among a larger section of them to work with the present multi-religious composition of Nigeria and support its established institutions!

16. Also, the era now is not a military era, where the earlier conceived balancing narrative can be sustained by fiat nationally and sub-nationally. Democracy is here, and its promises, based on the premise of popular participation and will, are bound to force the hands of society in a particular direction.

17 In 2019, the Pew Research Centre, an independent American think tank that specialises in social sciences, demographic research and analysis, published that, in 2015, Muslims in Nigeria constituted 50% of the population as against Christians who are less. And by 2050, Muslims will constitute about 60% of the people, while Christians will be less than 40%. 

18. When I wrote about this on the 11th of July 2022, in a message wishing fellow Muslims well during Sallah celebrations, I also called them out to reflect on what Nigeria they would want. Many experienced pundits and senior citizens in my list submitted that the 60% per cent figure is most likely the population of Nigerian Muslims now. We are only hindered from knowing that for a fact because the past Nigerian military leaders had struck out religion as a variable in all official national headcounts. They believe that by 2015, Nigeria’s Muslim population will likely be 70 – 75%. 

19. All these should point to the reality of the futility of struggle, for a just social order, in Nigeria while clinging to the religious balancing narrative. 

The El-Rufai Example of 2019!

20. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai was elected into the leadership of Kaduna State on top of events significant to unravelling the wave of fallacies that made operational in the state, the religious balancing narrative. He was equally confronted with the reality of the non-viability or even risks associated with any attempt to perpetuate it.

21. In 2019, he won the election after confronting the operational, religious balancing narrative and crushing it. Amid cheers by the Muslim community, who are excitedly displaying an air of triumphalism, some of us must have assumed that the winner takes all maxim will be deployed. Yet Malam Nasiru went ahead in his acceptance speech on the 11th March 2019 to state: _“Let us all see and value each other as human beings descended from Adam and Eve. Let us end the misuse, abuse and manipulation of religion for personal gains. Religion should be a private matter. Our identities should not become barriers to common humanity. Our doors are open to a new chapter of concord.”

22. Subsequently, appointments and responsibilities were allocated based on merit, trust, commitment, party loyalty, and clearly outlined cause. Thus, many so-called sensitive positions, like the Accountant General, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, and many others, go to non-Muslims!

23. In this, as an independent observer not speaking for Mal. Nasiru, I will say that one can see that if the Muslim-Muslim ticket has any purpose, it is only for burying the religious balancing narrative, which has proven to be cancer, in the body of our journey of development, into a just and prosperous society. It is also to serve as a teachable moment, to Muslim leaders, politicians, and the teaming youthful population, on operationalising the new narrative of the Muslim majority Kaduna and Nigeria, which is soon to be the new order of the day.

The Controversial Speech of 28th May 2023!

24. Nigeria’s 2023 elections, which saw the much-maligned success of a Muslim-Muslim ticket at the national level, had reasons to give Nigerian Muslims a feeling of triumphalism again. It has confirmed their numerical superiority and harbours the tendency of permanently killing the religious balancing narrative in our national politics. It also came with the risk of making some elements among Muslim politicians, clerics, and scholars alike start using it, in future, in a manner that would be inimical to the interest of their fellow Muslims, non-Muslims and the idea of the Nigerian nation.

25. The farewell dinner, Imams, clerics and Islamic scholars organised for Mal. Nasiru Elrufai, the 28th of May, 2019, in my opinion, was the best place for him to kick start the conversation about what the victory of the Muslim‐Muslim ticket should mean to the Muslims and the country in general. Both mark the end of the religious balancing narrative, religious politics and what future clear Muslim dominance or leadership should mean. 

26. From the clips of the recordings circulating in social media and the translation of the entire speech by various news outlets. It is clear that though Elrufai spoke appealing to his audience’s sentiments and good feelings, he was also unequivocal that the Muslim leadership across history and his, in Kaduna, did not and shall not try to discriminate against non-Muslims. This is a call and a subtle cautionary appeal to those who may think otherwise to reflect and reconsider as an exemplary guide in future.

The Ways Forward

27. Nigeria has moved into a new era in its history and evolution. Not that it has only seen the futility and, ultimately, the end of the religious balancing narrative; it has also come to the era where the influence and wisdom of its retired military generals in its democracy is about to cease altogether. All hands must be on deck to help chart a new cause and craft a fresh narrative for its sustenance and maintenance on a just and equitable pedigree.

 28. The country’s new reality of a sociocultural composition needs the attention of scholars, pundits and policymakers to ensure that the nation moves with reasonable speed on the lane of development. And this is what that speech by El-Rufai on that day should be seen to have helped to transit the national conversation quickly!

Ibraheem A. Waziri wrote from Zaria, Kaduna State. He can be reached via iawaziri@gmail.com.

To wash, or not to wash: that is the question

‘Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous’ servitude,

or to take a stand against a sea of troubles, mediocrity and ‘by opposing, end them?’

Since washing the husband’s clothes has found its way to the topmost topic worthy of discussion amidst many other issues ravaging our dear region, let’s talk about it then. We are unserious, first of all, I must admit. After wasting time and energy on such trivial topics, I wonder how we still expect an actual transformation to occur. How is that possible?

By the way, washing the husband’s clothes is not a crime; it fetches rewards from Allah and love from (some) husbands. If you want to be a diligent wife and conquer his heart by washing his clothes, please do, as there’s no user guide to a successful marriage. Just do what works for you. But remember, no good husband will wish slavery and suffering upon his wife. If he/she has the means to make life easier for you and they are not doing that, then dear, you are probably with the wrong partner.

Who are you married to? A lover or a husband?

Yes, because it’s about time we differentiate between the two. But I was married to both in one person, so to say that I washed his clothes out of love shouldn’t be surprising. We were newly married then. I was young (and not naive, thanks), energetic, and most of all, wanted to prove the ‘I am a good wife’ point. We both were pursuing our masters in India, so whenever he had classes and I didn’t, I would wash and iron his clothes before he returned. I love to see him appreciate me. That ‘Allah ya yi miki albarka‘ meant a lot to me, and I would do anything to get those blessings.

So while I was washing, he would try to dissuade me. Other times he would join when he was around, and because I wouldn’t stop, he searched, found and patronised dry cleaners in the neighbourhood until we got our washing machine. So, whether or not to do these little things is absolutely perspectival. I washed not just his clothes but those soiled with poop and vomit (when he was sick). It doesn’t make me feel lesser, and I would do that again if necessary because if I don’t, who will? I did it diligently, with enthusiasm and so much pride.

Moreover, that made us happier; it fetched me lots of love and admiration and earned me a good repute. As such, he washed mine and the kids’ too. We were abroad without any other relative, so whenever I put to bed, he’d be fully in charge of the laundry – and other domestic chores. What is love and compassion in marriage for?

I have seen similar arguments about cooking as well. So if you say women shouldn’t care for or serve their husbands in these little ways, how else should they do it if he is not rich enough to afford such services? Just how?

I am not saying being a slave is the only way to a man’s heart; instead, I want to rebuke the adamant claims that rule out the possibility of making these little gestures. If care is not taken, someday, women will argue about whether to have intercourse with their husbands. Hello!

It saddens me every time I see women following a so-called ideology trashing the institution of marriage – in the guise of ‘woke-ness’, for we may escape the traps of their unwavering criticisms, but what about our kids? The louder their voices, the more sceptical the next generation would be about marriage. Many youths are now feeling pessimistic about the whole idea of marriage – thanks to influencers and bloggers. Remember, if we continue to applaud life without marriage, we will watch our societies relapse into lethargic savagery.

I am not saying being a slave is the only thing about marriage; no, there’s a lot more. But please, let’s engage in marital discourses more positively and always keep in mind that the younger generation is watching. Marry, wash or cook if you want to, and if you don’t want to, just shut up! We shouldn’t be accomplices to the tacit agenda infesting our region.

Please do not misconstrue my opinion. Being servitude isn’t the key to every man’s heart. It depends on the man and the circumstances. Also, washing his clothes (among other courtesies) wouldn’t keep him, if you like wash his clothes and all of his village people’s, he will replace you in a snap if he wants to. No amount of endurance, sacrifice, compassion and diligence would guarantee that you have won him, my dear; only a man that wants to be kept can be kept.

So, as you put all your efforts into building your home, do everything for Allah’s sake to earn His pleasure only because man is naturally dynamic. Wash if you want to, I reiterate, but remember, it’s not your religious duty as a wife. However, you may do it for the fun of it. Be a bloody Samaritan. It’s fun! What is love without compassion and foolishness? Although my ‘breakfast’ was just recently served, I choose to say objectively: Marriage is sacred and an achievement, take it or leave it!

Yours humbly,

Dr Sadiya Abubakar

By Abdullahi Khairalla

Given the recent tsunamic and fundamental economic and educational reforms in the country, people have started raising historical and comparative questions of whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds dearly the sacred political and economic principles and ideals of a centenary Yoruba saint Obafemi Awolowo known as ‘Awoism’.

Since the 1960s, Yoruba politics has been dominated by a political orientation known as ‘Awoism’. The phrase refers to the political philosophy of the late Yoruba political leader Awolowo, who espoused policies he called “democratic socialism”. Its primary tenets were welfarerism, free social services and job creation. Awolowo loomed large over Yoruba politics for over forty years. He was an intensely intellectual figure with great energy.

Awolowo had a ground-breaking term of office as the premier of Nigeria’s Yoruba-dominated Western region between 1955 and 1959. During this time, he introduced free education and health care in his region with other social welfarist policies.

Awolowo’s political ideology did not die with him. He was a great and transformational leader who was loved, revered and cherished like the rock of Gibraltar by the Yorubas and all who benefitted from his pioneering social welfare programmes. They refer to themselves as ‘Omo Awolowo’ (Awolowo’s children) or Awoists (disciples of Awolowo and his principles). Awolowo’s ideas remain so deeply ingrained in the political psyche of the Yoruba that being an Awoist is regarded by many Yorubas as the only legitimate apprenticeship before becoming a Yoruba politician on the national stage.

President Tinubu has very few in common with Awolowo. Tinubu, just like MKO Abiola, is not like Awolowo. Awolowo was trim, dapper and austere. In contrast, Tinubu is well known for his staggering wealth and flamboyance, which made him appear larger than life. Awolowo was a socialist: Tinubu is an ultra-capitalist billionaire who sits atop— bringing in completely capitalist-oriented policies in the education sector, oil and gas industry, health, electricity and many others, which makes him look like the opposite figure of Awolowo in Yoruba land.

Of course, Awolowo’s death politically orphaned the Yoruba. He had served or played a dual role as the Yoruba leader and also their political representative on the national scale. After his death, Yoruba politics were dominated by one trend. First, there was the search for another iconic and radical socialist to inherit Awolowo’s dual role. 

Many thought Tinubu would apply some Awoist policies on Nigerians now that he became the Nigerian president, but the recent developments and realities seem to belie this hope. 

Abdullahi Khairalla writes from the Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri.

By Salihi Adamu Takai 

Creativity pays with much income, so don’t be misled as you’re acquiring knowledge in any field of study, whether scientific or artistic. Refrain from relying on the Government to enumerate your study; the onus is on you to use your knowledge to help your humble self and the Government.

Be curious about Creativity, and don’t think that you will have a certificate in some field of study so that Government will give you what you may rely on to quench your hunger. As you study at the University, college or secondary school, think of your future and learn to get money from the little you grasp in your study.

People should have learned that already as they started feeling discouraged by Government policy; success in life is attached to curiosity, innovation, creativity and courage. If people had been curious about innovation, they would have become creative and courageous about their interests.

Let’s look at the sources of development of the developed countries, such as China, America, England and others. We will say that they all developed because of curiosity in innovation. In China, we can see an infant exhibiting a sense of invention, producing phones and what have you; he doesn’t rely on the Government to give him jobs; the Government receives from his creativity.

In Nigeria, conversely, even a professor still relies on Government to boost his salary. That is a typical example of backwardness in Africa. Our Government also doesn’t encourage the youths to be curious about Creativity only bars them with a lack of encouragement. 

Therefore, as the youth who starts thinking of this idea, I engage myself in creativity. I did, and I got the value of it; I became curious about it; and will keep evolving curious about it forever. I exhibited my input on Earth, and it was accepted. Alhamdulillah!

Salihi Adamu Takai wrote from Kano via salihiadamu5555@gmail.com.

 By Zayyad I. Muhammad

On October 17, 2022, at Arewa House, Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented to the north his blueprint for the region. He said he would fight bandits and terrorists with the technology the Buhari administration began to use in 2022. Tinubu pledged to turn the North’s fertile land into grain fields- the North would become the agriculture hub. The dairy economy and agro-allied industries would be promoted as he accelerates the Mambila Project and rejuvenates existing power stations. He vowed to exploit the gold in Zamfara and iron ore in Kogi State. Tinubu also promised to bring millions of North’s out-of-school children back to school through incentives. He further pledged to create a special commission for Almajiri education, including employing Almajiri teachers.

So far, President Tinubu has appointed eight (8) Special Advisers (SAs), appointments seen by many political pundits as the direction of his administration’s policies and programs. Of the portfolios of the eight SAs, agriculture gets none.  Has Tinubu forgotten agriculture, or has he major policies and programs planned for the sector?

The North needs a unique recovery program in the agriculture sector- the mainstay of the region’s economy is now devastated by banditry, insecurity, floods, and corruption. Some of the previous administrations’ beautifully designed programs for agriculture have been abused.  Many ‘real’ farmers have tearfully complained that the custodians of the programs and projects have hijacked the benefits.

The Anchor Borrowers Programme, Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), Youth Farm Lab, Paddy Aggregation Scheme, Agricultural Trust Fund, Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI), Food Security Council, etc., including other CBN interventions programs, are good. However, the implementation and targeting were not 100 per cent successful. For example, under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), fertiliser blenders benefit from government resources and smile to the banks, while the farmers for whom the scheme was primarily designed to buy fertilisers through their noses.   Instead of the 5,000 Naira per bag, as envisaged by the programme, a bag of fertiliser now costs between 20,000 to 25,000 Naira.

Despite the shortcomings of some of the programs,  Nigerian agricultural production has improved. For instance,  rice milling created many productive jobs.  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) supported about 4.57 million smallholder farmers who cultivated over 6.02 million hectares of 21 agro-commodities nationwide. The programme has helped to improve the national average yield per hectare of these commodities, with productivity per hectare almost doubling within eight years of the programme’s implementation.

Also, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) statistics indicated that some of these programmes contributed significantly to the increased national output of commodities, with maize and rice peaking at 12.2 and 9.0 million metric tons in 2021 and 2022.

However, one of the fundamental bottlenecks that these projects and programs faced was their managers. For instance, the last two Ministers of Agriculture were somehow ‘disconnected’ from agriculture. Moreover, some programs and project managers are not agro-enthusiasts or farmer-friendly.

With workable and real farmer-friendly agricultural policies, programmes, and projects, President Tinubu will have a golden opportunity to directly ‘talk’ to millions of northerners. What should Tinubu do?- First, his Minister of Agriculture should be an agricultural enthusiast and an agile practising farmer who understands the entire agricultural value chain, politics, and markets.  A personality who understands the needs and global trends in agriculture and has a connection with real farmers and private initiatives. Tinubu’s agriculture minister should see agriculture from the prisms of entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and national GDP growth. Tinubu should also appoint a  Special Adviser on agriculture and an agricultural advisory team, which should be populated by competent real farmers. The Forum for Agricultural Commodities Association Chairman, Sadiq Darewa, once said: The Tinubu administration should sustain and improve upon programs and projects that have clear benefits for Nigerians. At the same time, those that have wasted Nigerians’ time should be rejected.

Tinubu may wish to sustain but redesign all the current agricultural policies, programs, and projects.  He needs to remove the apparent opacity which characterises most of the programs.

Tinubu should bring real farmer associations and groups on board to assist the government in redesigning the programs. They have a good grasp of what went wrong with the schemes, programmes, and projects and how to rejuvenate them for millions of real farmers in the country.

The redesigned and improved programmes should incorporate livestock production and the establishment of more herbicide and pesticide factories. Nigeria has no business spending billions of naira on importing water mixed with some chemicals; it should work on reducing the cost of seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs, including labour and transportation costs.

 Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja and can be contacted via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Maryam Shehu

I write with a heavy heart and bleeding eyes to the extent that my sights are closed, and I can’t catch a glimpse of the words that percolate through my pen.

Zaria is known as the heartbeat of its state, moving from its social amenities and the acuity of its residents and advocates. It won the best award for breeding leaders and world scientists with excellent records of surveillance and stateliness.

Its leaders have incentives for every eclipse and malady, but I am yet to have a vision of the sad situation of its library. Does that spell another prestige or a paralyzing facet of its artistry and reading culture? Only God knows how much a lack of a library plays in the eruption of the educational sector and traditions.

 ‘Mostly students within Zaria from the 1980s used the Public Library, but now it remains only the building’; this was what I saw as a description of a group named ZARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS on Facebook… A very disheartening description, indeed! Does that mean education ended in Zaria after those days, or is it only for those in the 1980s? Oops, I can’t uphold the irritation!

Everyone that often visits the place is a bystander to how barren and malodorous the place is, the books are outdated, and the shelves are scanty and scattered to the magnitude that one can not confidently point to a visitor or a person who has been reading about or watching notable libraries.

I write for the government or any other personnel responsible for the library to reminisce, if forgotten, about the virtues and diamonds behind refurbishing the library and its roles in developing a state/LG with few ravines of mine. These are:

First, it supports the educational sector: Education is the bedrock of every progressive state. It soothes every rough wall for governance. Whenever/ wherever a state owns a gear of education and capitalize its residents with the necessities, that administration is said to have grappled with every hole of unemployment, insurgency, and other suppressed deed that might lead to the tumult of any governance. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation. As said by Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”.

Second, it preserves the cultural heritage of the society: A rich cultural heritage defends how the residents maintain its distinctiveness and sets it as a mirror to look at by young ones. We have different skin colours, languages, and marks, and our clans mingle with others (good/bad), but the pictures we sow in their hearts and books are those that could reflect and defend their susceptibilities. The library is the only place where those scrapbooks and photographs could be carefully salvaged.

Third is the provision of useful textual materials: The availability of a standard and substantial library provides advantageous scripts and materials for self-development and implementation of a basic constitution… It helps especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Fourth, it also provides an avenue for recreation and relaxation. Libraries are one of the most significant factors that lead to the development of arts and crafts; they create seats for all crawling and professional clubs and carve stages. It composes words for artists and other microphones partners.

Furthermore, it also provides and enhances reading culture. As the slogan says, ‘Readers are leaders’; likewise, writers and other mellow people, we succeed by reading from the served letters of our antecedents. And many people strive to be voracious readers but the lack of money to buy books drag their necks back and turn their faces from the papers by furnishing the library; that surely could be a buzzer to the sleeping readers.

With the above few ravines of mine, I hope the government and other related personnel are persuaded and forecast how much renovation of the public library could make their governance suitable and memorable and how lack of it will keep draining the administration. We hope you listen to our dried throats and reconstruct our shattered floors.

Maryam Shehu wrote from Zaria via maryamshehu6354@gmail.com.

By Ibrahim Suleiman Ibrahim

On 9th July 2006, legendary footballer, Zinedine Zidane, was sent off the pitch in the 110th minute of a fierce World Cup final match in Berlin, Germany, after he infamously headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi.

Zizou, as he’s fondly called, was very phenomenal during his time and is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was renowned for his unique playmaking and elegance. His exploits at the 1998 world cup and other competitive tournaments a few years after cannot be overemphasized. It’s just sad he ended his football career in such an infamous way.

During the world cup final match, France was on the advantaged side, with a higher tendency to win the game. Zidane, who was the French captain, had earlier netted a penalty against legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in an audacious ‘panenka’ style to give France the lead. The Italian team later equalized through a header from Materazzi during a corner kick.

Thereafter, there was a fierce battle, and both teams were on the offensive until the match went to extra time. All eyes were on Zidane to see the French team regain the lead, but Zidane couldn’t control his temper against provocative Materazzi during the 110th minute of the game, hence the costly mistake of headbutting Materazzi.

He was sent off by the referee after some reviews, and the game did not remain the same after that. Italy went on to win the game with 5-3 on penalties after the end of the extra time.

Although Materazzi was reported to have trash-talked Zidane’s family during a supposed harmless encounter, which was what triggered the physical assault from Zidane, such a reaction, if necessary, was ill-timed, owing to the importance of the game to his football career.

That violent reaction not only cost him the opportunity to win what would have been his second world cup trophy but was also popularly believed to have thwarted his chances of winning what would have been his second Balon D’or award in 2006.

Some emotional speculators, however, hailed Zidane for standing up for his family, but many others, like myself, saw it as a costly overreaction from his side. 

And that was the last time we would ever see Zidane play football.

Meanwhile, Zidane didn’t let that unforgettable event weigh him down, as he went ahead to become one of the most successful managers in history. He won 3 consecutive champions league titles in his first stint as Read Madrid’s Manager.

Nonetheless, despite the huge successes both as a player and as a manager, you can’t mention Zidane’s name today without picturing the infamous moment at the 2006 World Cup final. That is how injurious reactions triggered by uncontrolled anger can be.

___________

Morals: “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured”. –Mark Twain

By Ummusalma Farouq Sambo

Hormonal imbalance is a nightmare for many women. Being unspoken by society and an enigma to most women is why I am writing this piece.

Many marriages/relationships are affected by the concurrent hormonal imbalance in women. The lack of knowledge from men on the topic leads to lots of misunderstanding about us women. I believe we can solve this problem by teaching women what is wrong with their bodies and enlightening men about how some women are created.

Let’s start by knowing what hormones are in a simple human context.

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by various glands in the body. They are released into the bloodstream and travel to different body parts to regulate and control multiple functions. They are crucial in coordinating processes like growth, metabolism, reproduction, and mood. They act as signals, transmitting information between different organs and tissues to help maintain balance and harmony within the body.

However, maintaining hormonal balance is no easy feat. Our bodies are like a complex ecosystem, and even the slightest disruption can throw these delicate hormones into disarray. Stress, poor lifestyle choices, and certain medical conditions can all wreak havoc on this delicate equilibrium, leading to hormonal imbalances and a host of unwelcome symptoms.

Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalance

Living with hormonal imbalance is like navigating a maze of unexpected twists and turns. As a woman, I know firsthand the impact it can have on our lives. Let’s look at the signs that can help us unravel the mystery of hormonal imbalance.

1. Rollercoaster of Emotions: Imagine waking up overwhelmed by sadness, only to burst into tears moments later. Hormonal imbalance can unleash a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you feeling irritable, anxious, or inexplicably down. These emotional ups and downs can disrupt your relationships, work, and well-being.
2. Mysterious Weight Fluctuations: Have you ever diligently followed a healthy diet yet struggled to lose weight? Hormonal imbalance may be at play. It can wreak havoc on our metabolism, leading to unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, no matter how hard we try.
3. Battle of the Breakouts: Acne isn’t just a teenage problem. Hormonal imbalances can trigger frustrating breakouts, even in our adult years. Those pesky pimples that seem to appear out of nowhere? They could be a red flag indicating that our hormones are out of whack.
4. Energy Dips and Fatigue: Feeling like you’re constantly running on empty? Hormonal imbalance can drain your energy levels, leaving you feeling fatigued and exhausted. Staying focused and productive becomes a daily struggle; even the simplest tasks can feel like climbing Mount Everest.
5. Menstrual Mayhem: Our monthly cycle can offer valuable insights into our hormonal health. Irregular periods missed periods, frequent periods, stopped periods, heavy flows, or excruciating cramps might indicate that our hormones are imbalanced. These disruptions bring physical discomfort and disrupt our plans and routines.
6. Sleepless Nights: Tossing and turning, unable to find that elusive state of blissful slumber? Hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc on our sleep patterns, leaving us staring at the ceiling in frustration. It becomes a vicious cycle where lack of sleep further exacerbates hormonal imbalances.
7. Vaginal dryness and itching
8. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
9. Puffy face
10. Decreased or increased heart rate
11. Weakened muscles
12. Pain in the muscles, tenderness, and stiffness
13. Pain and swelling in the joints
14. Depression
15. Infertility
16. Anxiety or irritability
17. Purple stretch marks

Causes and Contributing Factors of hormonal imbalance

Throughout different stages of life, hormonal changes play a significant role in our bodies. Puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause are all periods when our hormones fluctuate, potentially leading to imbalances. These natural transitions can sometimes throw our delicate hormonal equilibrium off track, causing different symptoms.

But it’s not just natural life events that affect our hormones. Our environment and lifestyle choices also play a vital role. The relentless stress of modern life, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all contribute to hormonal imbalances. Stress, in particular, can disrupt the delicate dance of hormones in our bodies, throwing them out of whack and causing confusion on our physical and emotional well-being.

In addition to external factors, underlying medical conditions can disrupt hormonal balance. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, and insulin resistance can all contribute to imbalances. These conditions require careful attention and management to restore hormonal harmony.

Other factors that can cause hormonal imbalances are

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Primary ovarian insufficiency
• Hypogonadism
• Cushing syndrome
• Benign or cancerous tumours
• Eating disorders
• Stress
• Hormone therapy
• Thyroiditis
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Medications
• Cancer treatments 

Seeking Balance and Restoration

I’ve discovered that a holistic approach is vital when restoring hormonal balance. It’s not just about popping a pill or relying solely on medical interventions; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that supports my overall well-being. Let me share with you some strategies I’ve found helpful on my journey:

1. Nourishing my body with a balanced diet: I’ve come to appreciate the power of food in nurturing my hormones. Incorporating whole foods, like colourful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, has made a remarkable difference. I’ve also minimised processed foods and refined sugars, which can disrupt hormonal harmony.
2. Moving my body regularly: Exercise has become my secret weapon in regulating hormones and reducing stress. Whether it’s a walk, a yoga session, or a gym, finding activities I enjoy has made incorporating movement into my daily routine easier.
3. Prioritizing quality sleep: I used to underestimate the importance of sleep, but now I recognise its profound impact on my hormonal health. Creating a calming bedtime routine, minimising exposure to screens before bed and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment help me achieve more restful nights and wake up refreshed.
4. Managing stress effectively: Stress can cause unwanted problems with our hormones, so finding healthy coping mechanisms has been crucial. I’ve explored various stress management techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, writing, and spending time in nature. These practices have helped me find balance and reduce the adverse effects of stress on my hormonal well-being.
5. Embracing self-care rituals: Taking time for myself has become a non-negotiable part of my routine. Whether indulging in a relaxing bath, enjoying a good book, practising mindfulness, or engaging in creative hobbies, these self-care routines have provided a much-needed sanctuary in my busy life and supported my hormonal balance.

While lifestyle changes have been impactful, it’s essential to acknowledge that sometimes medical interventions are necessary. Consultation with healthcare professionals, such as doctors or endocrinologists, can provide further guidance and options tailored to your specific hormonal needs.

Remember, seeking balance and restoration is a personal journey, and what works for me may be different for you. The key is to listen to your body, be patient with yourself, and make gradual changes that align with your goals and values. Embrace your power in taking control of your hormonal health and nurturing your overall well-being.

Empowering Women and Promoting Awareness

We have to prioritise our health as women. We must prioritise our health and well-being, including taking care of our hormonal health. I can’t stress enough how important it is to listen to our bodies and pay attention to any changes or symptoms we may be experiencing. Whether it’s irregular periods, mood swings, or unexplained weight gain, these signs could be indicators of hormonal imbalance. By proactively seeking help when needed, we empower ourselves to regain control over our bodies and overall health.

Knowledge is power when it comes to hormonal imbalance. Knowledge truly is power. Educating ourselves about the intricacies of our hormones, the factors that can disrupt their balance, and the potential impact on our well-being allows us to make informed decisions. We can debunk myths, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for our health by staying informed. Let’s empower ourselves with knowledge and spread awareness among our friends, family, and communities so that no woman feels alone in her journey to understand and manage hormonal imbalance.

You are not alone. Dealing with hormonal imbalance can sometimes feel overwhelming, but remember. You are not alone. Building a support network can be incredibly empowering. Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or even online communities where you can connect with other women going through similar experiences. Sharing your challenges, seeking advice, and supporting others can create a strong sense of solidarity and help you navigate this journey confidently. Together, we can uplift and inspire one another to embrace self-care and take control of our hormonal health.

For our men, patience and understanding of how a woman’s body is created will help you to understand us much better. On days that we don’t feel like talking or laughing, we understand we are fighting an unknown battle and that only your love will help suppress our pains.

Ummusalma Farouq Sambo wrote from Kano. She can be contacted via salmerhsambo@gmail.com.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

In 2016, Femi Gbajabiamila, the immediate former Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, took a bold step by introducing a bill to address the financial challenges faced by students in higher education institutions nationwide. The proposed legislation, known as the Student Loan Act, sought to provide students with access to loans from the federal government to alleviate the burden of educational expenses. After its initial introduction, the bill was later reintroduced in 2019. However, when it resurfaced in 2022, it sparked a heated debate within the National Assembly, with members expressing divergent views.

The revival of the Act triggered intense discussions and disagreements among the members of the National Assembly. On one side, some legislators strongly supported the motion, citing the potential benefits of student loans for expanding access to education and reducing financial barriers. Proponents of the bill argued that it would provide equal opportunities for students from various socio-economic backgrounds, enabling them to pursue higher education without financial constraints.

Lo and behold! On June 12, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Student Loan Bill into law, demonstrating his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s educational sector.

Although concerns have been raised regarding the extent of student access to these loans, considering the persistently high rate of unemployment afflicting the country, One of the key considerations surrounding the implementation of the Student Loan Act is the number of students who will benefit from the financial assistance, as it remains unclear how many students will qualify for and receive loans.

However, some suggested that providing massive job opportunities for graduates would be a more practical approach than granting them loans. This sentiment is echoed by those who believe most graduates possess the skills but lack the capital to enhance their businesses. For instance, providing them N500,000 to start a business could be a viable alternative.

Whoa! The current provision stating that loan repayment begins two years after the completion of participation in the NYSC programme is being questioned. The government should reassess this strategy with graduates struggling to secure employment for up to eight years or longer. Given the prevailing circumstances, it is doubtful that the debt collectors will be able to repay their loans within such a short timeframe.

I was also taken aback when I discovered a particular element of the loan procedure: defaulters risk being fined N500,000 or even being incarcerated for up to two years. This revelation left me astounded and raised an essential question in my mind. Is it, not a grave injustice to punish our helpless teeming youths who are already battling to secure jobs with imprisonment simply because they cannot repay their loans?

The fundamental component of the loan process that exceedingly caught my attention is the requirement for students to provide at least two guarantors who must meet specific criteria, such as being a civil servant of at least level 12, a lawyer with at least ten years of post-call experience, a judicial officer, or a justice of the peace. This provision raises concerns, particularly for individuals residing in rural areas or those without any relatives in government positions who could serve as guarantors.

Since the loan programme intends to support the financially disadvantaged, the requirement of guarantors with specific professional backgrounds seems to create a barrier for those who lack connections with people in high positions in the government. 

Another facet of the Act that appears contradictory is the provision that a student’s family must have an income of less than N500,000 to qualify for the loan. This condition seems to limit the accessibility of the loan to only a select few people, raising questions about the effectiveness and inclusivity of the loan act.

Setting an income threshold may have been intended to target students with financial constraints, ensuring that those with the greatest financial need receive the necessary support. But the specific income limit of N500,000 may inadvertently exclude many students who could benefit from the loan.

Considering the drawbacks of the Loan Act, it becomes evident that the federal government should augment its efforts to fund tertiary institutions across the country. By so doing, education can become more affordable and accessible to a broader range of students.

Likewise, the recent increase in school fees at several institutions, including UNIMAID and BUK in the northern part of the country, highlights the pressing need for government intervention. While providing student loans is one possible solution, addressing the underlying issue of inadequate budgets for public universities is essential. By allocating sufficient funds to 109 public universities—50 federal and 59 state institutions—education can become more affordable for students.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommended that developing nations give up to 15–20 per cent of their annual budget to public education. Nigeria’s allocation to the Education sector has not been meeting the UNESCO standard.

Dataphyte, a media research and data analytics organisation aiming to deploy data tools and technology for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, stated that the education budget analysis between 2016 and 2022 shows that the education sector has not received the recommended 15%.

This has indicated that the government at all levels should prioritise funding for education as a necessary step before implementing student loans. By addressing infrastructure deficiencies, making education affordable for underprivileged students, and providing needed resources, the government can create an environment where all students have equal opportunities to succeed. Investing in education will yield long-term benefits for people and society, fostering development and ensuring a brighter future for future generations.

Kasim Isa Muhammad is an investigative journalist who contributes as a full-time journalist at both Kanempress and The Citizen Reports newspapers.