International

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting after a government meeting, the news agency TASR reported on Wednesday.

TASR cited parliament’s vice-chairman Ľuboš Blaha as saying Fico was shot and injured.

A Reuters witness said he heard several shots and that he saw a man being detained by police.

The Reuters witness said he saw security officials pushing someone into a car and driving away.

The government office could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: Reuters.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Vietnamese authorities have apprehended 20 individuals accused of orchestrating a widespread scheme to steal and commandeer tens of thousands of Facebook accounts, both domestically and internationally, reports state media. 

The operation yielded a staggering profit of nearly $4 million.

The group stands accused of creating and disseminating malware to seize control of over 25,000 high-value business accounts, as detailed by VNExpress. 

Cybersecurity police conducted raids across key locations, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nam Dinh province, throughout April, resulting in the arrests.

The alleged mastermind, 31-year-old Dang Dinh Son, purportedly procured a malware source worth $1,200 to pilfer Facebook user credentials. 

According to state media, Son, who hails from Nam Dinh province, reportedly utilized this malicious software to hijack two popular Facebook fan pages associated with photo editing platforms: “Art Bay AI” and “Evoto Studio.”

Their modus operandi involved enticing Facebook users to download an application embedded with malware, subsequently compromising their devices. 

The stolen data was then funnelled to a server controlled by Son, who distributed it to five Telegram groups, facilitating the hijacking of user accounts by his accomplices.

The cybercrime syndicate profited by selling high-value Facebook accounts, while lower-value accounts were exploited for advertising purposes on e-commerce platforms, generating significant revenue. 

It’s reported that the accused collectively amassed $3.8 million from their illicit activities.

According to Statista, Vietnam ranked seventh globally in terms of Facebook users as of April, boasting a user base of 75.3 million.

By Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

I have recently seen the proliferation of the use of some letters which are clearly not part of the mainstream Hausa writing system. These letters are now getting ground and are even trying to push away the real and bonafide owners of the place. These are no other than the new Ƙ and Ƴ and some of their other dependants.

You see, in the field of Hausa orthography, we are already battling with various challenges that defy simple logic and reasoning and lack uniformity amongst the Hausa scholars. However, I find this recent one very shocking and disturbing. This is simply because, when you have a controversy about how to write a Hausa word, that may not be a big problem as perhaps each variant of the spellings may have some scholars backing it, and they may have a cogent and academic reason for that. But for these new entrants – Ƙ, Ƴ, ƴ – I don’t know who backs them. I don’t know who sent them. I don’t know who among the scholars promotes and propagates them. I feel like they are sent by some hidden forces of technology.

I can guess from where these recalcitrant intruders are coming. They are from our (newly) electronic gadgets and some Hausa keyboard applications, which are just sent into the market without any regard to the experts and knowledgeable professors in the field. Someone who has a company of smartphones will just employ those who think they know Hausa or, those who speak Hausa, or those who don’t even care about Hausa to do the Hausa technical dealings for him. This is where the problem probably came from. If you check our smartphones and some computer symbols, you find these deviant Ƙ and ƴ hanging around without any reason and without knowing who brought them. They are just like gatecrashers who are trying to feast more than the invited VIPs.

The affected legitimate Hausa consonants, which are the victims of this I-don’t-care mischief, are primarily the К and ‘Y. These are the correct ways in which these two are written: /К/- /ƙ/ and /’Y/- /’y/ respectively, and not as /Ƙ/ and /ƴ/. The main point of contention is the hook and where the hook should be. For the sake of knowledge, these are the only primary hooked and twin letters we have in Hausa, both small and capital, respectively /ɓ/,/ɗ/, /ƙ/,/’y/ and their capital Ɓ, Ɗ, К, ‘Y. The hooks you see on them have their specific and fixed position. It is not hooked anyhow and anywhere.

Phonologically speaking, /К/ is the capital letter of that Hausa voiceless velar ejective sound, while the /ƙ/ is the small letter. Equally, /’Y/ is that Hausa palatalized-glottal stop sound, and /’y/ is the small letter, but we don’t know of the newly emerged – /Ƙ/, /Ƴ/ and /ƴ/, from where are they and how are they phonologically represented? All we know is, that they are the illegitimate trying to push away the legitimate sons of the Hausa alphabet. And they are gradually gaining ground and getting momentum even among those who ought to have cared a lot and dismissed them for long.

Hausa orthography is one of the essential forms of knowledge, yet many people don’t bother to learn. Many writers don’t know how to write Hausa correctly or even know they don’t (know that). So sad! But very few are trying to learn. Good!

Generally, in the Hausa language, the hooked letters suffer a lot of trouble and total neglect by those who don’t care. But we are there for them as we surely care. I recently bought a smartphone and decided to return it when I realized it doesn’t contain Hausa in its language entry setting. I took it to someone who did something to it and the Hausa is back. Later, I formatted the phone and lost the Hausa again. I feel like throwing the phone away because I always feel embarrassed when I have to type something or respond to someone while the hooks are not properly represented. This is something serious to us that many others see as nothing.

I don’t have any problem with them if they are accepted, authorized, and certified by respected members and our professors in the field, but I have problems when they keep popping up and occupying the legal orthographical space of others.

Whatever someone says about them, one thing is certain: They are not in the books or from the books. Who can clarify this for us? Please help and save me or save them. If we accept them, fine; they are welcome. If not, please jail them. They are real intruders and disrupters of peaceful and correct writing.

Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi is a Hausa Language lecturer with the Department of Nigerian Languages at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He can be reached via muhammadunfagge@gmail.com.

By Haitham Al Ghais 

The energy transition as a concept is itself in need of a transition. 

We must move beyond the blinkered view that this is about substituting energy sources, that hydrocarbons should be consigned to the past and that recent real concerns expressed by energy consumers around the world on current transition strategies are temporary blips.

In recent years, there has been much discussion among policymakers of the International Energy Agency’s prescriptive “Net Zero by 2050” scenario. Many ambitious proposals for net-zero policies have leveraged this scenario, but there is evidence that some of these policies are now being pulled back and reconsidered.

There is a refocusing on the daily energy realities lived by billions of people. Yes, we all want energy with lower emissions—that is a given. But we also want to ensure reliable and affordable energy, enable economic growth, and enhance energy accessibility.

Ongoing Re-Evaluations

There are a number of reasons for these ongoing re-evaluations.

Firstly, technologies like solar, wind and electric vehicles (EVs) are not replacing hydrocarbons at any real scale. While these alternatives will play a role moving forward, the share of hydrocarbons in today’s global energy mix is over 80%, similar to the level 30 years ago. Wind and solar combined make up under 4% of the world’s energy, and global EV penetration is between 2%-3%. This is despite the fact that $9.5 trillion has been invested in “transitioning” over the past two decades.

The course of history has shown that energy transitions take centuries to evolve and have been about energy additions, not energy subtractions. Previous transitions were technology-driven, with policy following suit. This current transition has, to date, been policy-driven, with the hope that technology will catch up.

Cost and Competitiveness Challenges

Secondly, the costs and competitiveness of many of these alternatives remain a challenge. Renewable costs have been reduced, but when considering intermittency issues, the levelized cost of “total” electricity from solar is more than seven times higher, and from wind 15 times higher when compared with conventional power plants. Additionally, reports of the profitability struggles of many renewable developers are a testament to their economic challenges.

For EVs, the volume-weighted average retail price of EVs in the United States and Europe is higher than gasoline and diesel models, and EVs are heavily subsidized. Such subsidization cannot go on forever. Many automakers are also scaling back or delaying their EV plans, and some have declared bankruptcy. Clearly, the hype around EVs is wearing off, as consumers are showing a preference for continuing to have a choice of vehicles and as the huge challenges around electricity grids, battery manufacturing capacity and critical minerals increase.

For critical minerals in particular, imbalances between processing capacity and reserve concentration present significant challenges, such as supply chain bottlenecks, price gyrations, and geopolitical tensions. Moreover, mining is an energy-intensive activity that runs today on hydrocarbons. In fact, studies show that final energy consumption in mining activities could increase more than fivefold by midcentury.

Developing Country Needs

Thirdly, billions of people are playing energy catchup. Oil consumption in developing countries currently ranges from less than one to just below two barrels per person per year, compared with nine in the EU and 22 in the US. These countries will require more energy, not less, in the future. They cannot wait on costly alternatives when reliable, secure and affordable hydrocarbon options are already available at scale, ones that continue to provide prosperity to the developed world.

Fourthly, renewables and EVs do not own clean energy technologies or efficiency improvements solely. The oil industry is also advancing efficiencies and investing in technologies to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage, direct air capture, carbon dioxide removal, and clean hydrogen, alongside investing in renewables.

Rethinking Perceived Wisdom

It may make for some awkward conversations, but the perceived wisdom on the energy transition needs a serious rethink.

We need to move away from categorizing energy sources as good or bad.

We need to reflect the realities on the ground and park the misguided narrative of there being no need for new oil and natural gas fields. With oil and gas demand continuing to rise to historically high levels, it is not a prudent or stable way forward for global energy security.

We need to invest in all energies and technologies and recognize the needs of people around the world, delivering on both our energy security and climate objectives. All the dots require connecting, not just a few. Our energy and climate ambitions necessitate realistic policies that ensure that emissions are reduced while populations have access to affordable energy products and services they require to live a comfortable life.

Haitham Al Ghais is the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

By Prof. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

Last night (Friday, 19/04/24), I sat to watch the national news, which I rarely do these days. Of course, I sometimes sit and watch. 

The first item I saw was a report of more killings in Plateau state. Plateau state is one of the two states in Northern Nigeria with a majority Christian population. That didn’t mean anything before. Jos, the state’s capital, had made a name for being a peaceful town you would visit and enjoy. The atmosphere was lovely; the city was peaceful, with lots of tourist attractions in its surroundings.

This made Jos a suitable candidate for situating the premier elitist National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, an institute attended only by a select few among the policymakers of Nigeria. That is not all. 

Different generations of politicians have selected the same Jos to host their party conventions, which can only take place in a peaceful atmosphere. As far back as December 1952, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) held its convention in Jos. Forty-one years later, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) also had its historic convention in Jos. This convention resulted in the election of Chief MKO Abiola as its flag-bearer. No wonder the motto of Plateau state has been “Home of Peace and Tourism”.

All that was before the arrival of Zionists in the 1990s. The Zionists, who do not believe in Jesus as a messenger, a son of God or even a man of God, had convinced some ignorant Nigerian Christians that they were their brothers. Nigerian Christians thus mounted very high pressure on General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s administration to bring back the Zionists who were expelled from Nigeria in 1973. Of course, even before 1973, Nigerians never wanted them. Their presence was imposed on us by the British.

Some of the slogans used by the Christian clergy included, “It is antichristian to antagonise Israel”, “Israelis are our brothers”, and “Nigeria stands to benefit from diplomatic relations with Israel”. Babangida yielded and restored diplomatic relations with Israel in September 1992. That single act was the greatest mistake any Nigerian leader would make since gaining the flag independence from the British. 

As soon as they settled down, the Israelis began implementing their scheme. They started issuing visas to Nigerian Christians to go on annual “pilgrimages” like Muslims. However, unlike Muslims who go to Saudi Arabia to worship, the Christian pilgrimage was purely a tourist visit with no defined acts of worship.

If it were just about tourism, the problem would have been less. In fact, there wouldn’t have been any problem at all. However, since the Christian pilgrimage started, peace has eluded Northern Nigeria. The city of Jos, which attracted Nigerians and their guests, has since become a ghost of itself. Nobody wants to visit Jos anymore. Youth corps posted to Jos desperately seek relocation. Travellers from Abuja to Bauchi and back now go through Kano to avoid being intercepted and murdered in Jos. 

The Zionist connection was exposed on the floor of the House of Representatives by the immediate past Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Ahmad Wase. In a widely circulated video, Alhaji Wase told the house how 300 people were sponsored for illegal military training in Israel. In addition, he said four containers of arms were brought into Plateau State from Israel. Alhaji Wase told the house he was ready to prove it with the necessary documents, including a committee report. Typical of Nigeria, no one bothered to follow it up. 

Alhaji Wase was only speaking about Plateau State. Who knows how much military training the Zionists gave militant groups like Boko Haram, bandits, ESN and the like operating in various parts of the country? And who knows how many more containers of firearms were brought in from Israel for their trainees?

As if that is not enough, after committing all these atrocities, the shameless murderers that the Zionists are told the United Nations, “Over the past decade, 50,000 Christians in Nigeria have been butchered and hacked to death”. This statement made by the Zionists ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, in January this year was broadcast by major media houses, with some of Nigeria’s ignorant Christians hailing it.

We expect the Federal Government to call the Israeli ambassador to show evidence of 50,000 Nigerian Christians murdered by Muslims. Of course, we expect details since the enemies of Nigeria seem to have more information than our Federal Government. I would like to hope that the Zionists would also be made to account for all the atrocities they have been committing in the form of training of criminals and supply of logistics to same.

If the Federal Government allows the Zionists to continue with their business as usual, the rest of us would have no option but to believe that the war against insurgency is only a deceptive camouflage to divert the attention of Nigerians from their actual problem that the Zionists are. Billions of Naira of taxpayers’ money are being budgeted every year to fight insecurity when the actual enemy is left untouched.

There is no need to continue to maintain a worthless diplomatic relationship that has only helped to sow the seed of discord among Nigerians. This relationship keeps claiming more lives and property of Nigerians. With the genocide in the Middle East, Nigerian Christians have since found another location for their annual pilgrimage. So, no Nigerian needs Israel for anything anymore.

Mr. President, our diplomatic relations with Israel should not only be ended but investigated. 

Israelis must leave Nigeria now!

Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia wrote from Kano via aujibia@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has advocated for leaving the decision on abortion rights to individual US states, a move that deviates from his previous wavering on the highly controversial issue.

In a video shared on his Truth Social network, Trump expressed his stance, stating, “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both.”

He stated that whatever decision states make regarding abortion rights “must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state.”

This declaration comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Trump’s position on abortion, exacerbated by conflicting reports.

In February, The New York Times published an article suggesting Trump favored a 16-week national abortion ban but refrained from publicly addressing it to avoid alienating socially conservative supporters.

The backdrop against which Trump’s statement emerges is the landmark 2022 US Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, the case that had established the federal right to abortion.

The ruling effectively transferred the authority over abortion laws to individual states, resulting in a patchwork of regulations across the country.

While some states have implemented near-total bans on abortion, others, like Maryland, have reinforced abortion rights through legislation.

Many conservatives have been advocating for a national ban to supersede state laws favoring abortion rights.

However, public opinion leans towards supporting abortion rights, with extensive polling indicating that a majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal in most cases.

Approximately half of the states have enacted measures to safeguard access to abortion services.

Trump’s presidential rival, incumbent President Joe Biden, has consistently supported abortion access despite being a devout Catholic.

Democrats have framed Trump as the driving force behind attacks on reproductive rights and have vowed to restore Roe v Wade if given the opportunity.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v Wade, abortion rights advocates have achieved success in seven consecutive referendum victories.

Conversely, Republicans have struggled to establish a clear stance on the issue and faced repercussions in the 2022 midterm elections, losing crucial battlegrounds to candidates supporting abortion rights.

In his video address, Trump reiterated his support for exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk.

He also emphasized his backing for in vitro fertilization (IVF) access for couples undergoing fertility treatments.

Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court’s decision effectively grants states the ultimate authority on matters of personhood, potentially impacting various aspects of reproductive health, including IVF procedures.

Trump’s latest stance adds another layer to the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Rwanda paused on Sunday to honor the memory of genocide victims, marking three decades since a brutal campaign orchestrated by Hutu extremists tore through the nation, leaving deep wounds as communities turned against each other in one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

The relentless violence, spanning 100 days until the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) rebel militia seized control of Kigali in July 1994, resulted in the deaths of 800,000 individuals, primarily Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.

Despite the immense tragedy, Rwanda has made strides toward stability under the firm leadership of President Paul Kagame, who helmed the RPF.

Nevertheless, the legacy of the atrocities persists, casting a shadow over Africa’s Great Lakes region.Following tradition, ceremonies held on April 7—the day when Hutu militias unleashed terror in 1994—commenced with Kagame lighting a remembrance flame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a solemn site believed to hold the remains of over 250,000 victims.

Accompanied by somber melodies played by an army band, Kagame laid wreaths at the mass graves, joined by foreign dignitaries, including several African heads of state and former US President Bill Clinton, who had acknowledged the genocide as a grave failure during his tenure.

The failure of the international community to intervene remains a point of regret, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to express remorse for France’s and its allies’ inaction, acknowledging they could have halted the bloodshed but lacked the resolve to do so.

Kagame is scheduled to deliver an address at a 10,000-seat arena in the capital, where Rwandans will later gather for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those lost to the slaughter.

The commemoration marks the beginning of a week-long period of national mourning, during which Rwanda will come to a standstill, with flags flown at half-mast. Public music, sports events, and non-remembrance-related television broadcasts are suspended.The United Nations and the African Union will also hold remembrance ceremonies to honor the victims.

Reflecting on the events, Karel Kovanda, a former Czech diplomat and the first UN ambassador to publicly denounce the 1994 massacres as genocide, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the genocide is never forgotten, asserting that the page cannot be turned on such atrocities.

The genocide, triggered by the assassination of Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, led to widespread atrocities fueled by virulent anti-Tutsi propaganda disseminated through various media outlets.

Countless individuals were brutally murdered, and tens of thousands of women were subjected to sexual violence.Rwanda has taken steps to address the legacy of the genocide, including establishing community tribunals for victims to confront their perpetrators. However, challenges persist, with hundreds of genocide suspects still at large, some reportedly seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

Despite the passage of time, Rwanda continues to grapple with the wounds inflicted by the genocide, endeavoring to ensure that the horrors of the past are never forgotten while striving to build a future rooted in peace and reconciliation.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

American actor and wrestler Dwayne Johnson, widely known as The Rock, has declared his decision not to endorse President Joe Biden for a second term in the upcoming presidential election rematch with former President Donald Trump. 

Johnson had previously thrown his support behind Biden in the 2022 presidential election, lauding him for his qualities of compassion, heart, drive, and soul.  

However, in a recent interview with Fox News, Johnson indicated a change in stance, stating, “Am I going to do that again this year? That answer’s no. I realise now going into this election, I will not do that.” 

Back in September 2020, The Rock endorsed Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, praising their experience and leadership qualities. 

However, when asked about a potential repeat of his endorsement, Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of America, saying, “Am I happy with the state of America right now? Well, that answer’s no. Do I believe we’re gonna get better? I believe in that – I’m an optimistic guy. And I believe we can do better.” 

While stating his goal of uniting the country, Johnson asserted that he would keep his political views private, stating, “It is between me and the ballot box.”  

He expressed trust in the American people’s decision, asserting that whoever they vote for will be his president, whom he will support wholeheartedly.

By Ahmed Abdulƙadir

Recently, I came across an announcement by Deutsche Welle (DW) Hausa Radio that it will cease transmitting its Hausa Programs on the Shortwave (SW) frequency channel. Instead, it will continue broadcasting through its partners on FM Radio throughout West Africa and through its various platforms on social media.

This decision brought to mind the gradual but noticeable paradigm shift by traditional media toward the use of social media in its operations.

Social media has significantly impacted the practice of traditional media in several ways. One major change is the shift in content distribution. Traditional media outlets, such as DW, are adapting to this shift by utilizing social media platforms to reach a broader audience. For instance, DW’s decision demonstrates the recognition of the growing influence of social media in reaching its target audience.

Social media also allows for more interactive and immediate engagement with the audience. Traditional media used to have limited interaction with its audience, with communication limited to letters or phone calls. However, social media platforms provide a platform for direct engagement, enabling real-time feedback, comments, and discussions. This creates a more dynamic and engaging relationship between media outlets and their audience.

Additionally, social media has given rise to citizen journalism, in which individuals can share news and information in real time. This has challenged the monopoly of traditional media in reporting news events. With the widespread use of smartphones and social media platforms, anyone can become a content creator and share their perspectives, breaking news, and images. This has forced traditional media outlets to compete with citizen journalists and adapt their reporting practices.

Furthermore, social media has transformed the way news is consumed. With the rise of social media algorithms, individuals have more control over the content they consume. They can choose to follow specific news sources, topics, or individuals, creating personalized newsfeeds. This has led to a fragmentation of news consumption, where individuals are exposed to diverse perspectives and sources of information, rather than relying solely on traditional media outlets.

Aside from DW, there are several examples of traditional media outlets that have made similar shifts toward utilizing social media platforms. One prominent example is the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The BBC has recognized the importance of social media in reaching and engaging with its audience. It has established a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, where it shares news updates, videos, and engages with its viewers through comments and discussions. The BBC has also developed specific social media strategies to cater to different demographics and regions, ensuring a wider reach and engagement.

Another example is The New York Times (NYT), one of the leading newspapers in the United States. The NYT has embraced social media as a key component of its digital strategy. It actively shares its news articles, videos, and multimedia content on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The NYT has also invested in creating engaging content specifically for social media, such as short videos, infographics, and interactive stories, to cater to the preferences of its social media audience.

Furthermore, Al Jazeera, a global news network based in Qatar, has also recognized the impact of social media on journalism. It has established a strong presence on social media platforms and actively engages with its audience through live streams, interactive discussions, and user-generated content. Al Jazeera also utilizes social media platforms for real-time reporting, breaking news updates, and citizen journalism contributions.

These examples highlight how traditional media outlets such as the BBC, The New York Times, and Al Jazeera have embraced social media as an integral component of their media strategies. They have adapted their content distribution, engagement, and reporting practices to harness the power of social media and reach a broader audience.

But not only is the traditional media making a paradigm shift and embracing the social media in its modus operandi but the profound change is gradually catching up at the individual and personal levels. Starting with my self observation, I’ve come to realize that I’m more inclined towards getting my news content through the social media rather than the usual traditional media.

A further observation reveals that even media owners, especially heads of government in Nigeria, are rapidly losing interest in the coverage of their activities from traditional media in favor of social media. This has resulted in the neglect of their traditional media organizations in favor of a more robust interest in social media.

In summary, social media has changed the practice of traditional media by altering content distribution, enabling direct audience engagement, empowering citizen journalism, and transforming news consumption patterns. Traditional media outlets like DW are adapting to these changes by utilizing social media platforms to reach a wider audience and engage with their viewers and listeners in a more interactive manner.

The rise of social media and its impact on traditional media cannot be denied. It has brought about significant changes in content distribution, audience engagement, and news consumption patterns. Traditional media outlets like DW, BBC, The New York Times, and Al Jazeera have recognized the importance of social media and have adapted their strategies to include these platforms.

However, it is important to note that social media is not completely replacing traditional media. Instead, it is transforming the landscape and forcing traditional media to evolve and adopt new methods of reaching and engaging with their audience. Traditional media still holds a certain level of credibility and trustworthiness that social media platforms may lack. It continues to play a vital role in providing in-depth analysis, investigative journalism, and reliable news sources.

Moreover, while social media allows for immediate and interactive engagement, it also comes with challenges such as the spread of misinformation and the lack of editorial oversight. Traditional media outlets have the responsibility of fact-checking and providing accurate information to counteract these challenges.

In conclusion, social media is undoubtedly reshaping the practice of traditional media, but it is not replacing it entirely. The two can coexist and complement each other in providing diverse perspectives, real-time updates, and engaging content to the audience. It is up to traditional media outlets to adapt and leverage the power of social media to stay relevant in the ever-changing media landscape.

Ahmed Abdulkadir wrote from Katsina via ahmadakadir@yahoo.com.

By Tijani Abiola

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It shares boundaries with six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d’Ivoire to the southwest. As of the last knowledge update in January 2022, the total population of Burkina Faso was 21 million people. The country’s official language is French, which is spoken alongside different indigenous languages.

Economically, Burkina Faso is mainly an agricultural country, though there is also a very strong presence of gold mining. However, this country is troubled by poverty, drought, and political instability.

Mali, on the other hand, also in West Africa, shares borders with Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast to the south, Guinea to the southwest and Senegal and Mauritania to the west, with a population of about 20 million people. The official language is French, and Bambara is also widely spoken.

Political instability, ethnic tension, and conflicts with extremist groups positioned mostly in the northern parts of the country have also challenged Mali in the years past. It lies in the region bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, and Algeria to the northwest. It has a population of about 24 million people. 

The official language is French, and many indigenous languages are spoken. Niger is largely an agrarian society, with subsistence farming forming a very critical part of the economy. Uranium mining is also a very important industry. The country faces challenges such as poverty, desertification, and food insecurity.

All three have diverse cultures and histories, and all have unique challenges. The Sahel region, including the northern parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has seen a particular outbreak of security issues, including conflicts with jihadist groups and ethnic tensions.

Meanwhile, in the years 2020, 2021 and 2023 in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, respectively, there were successful military coups which still reign to date.  The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) turned an eye to their decision and style of new leadership of the bloc’s member-states. Efforts towards national reconciliation have been in vain. 

The Economic Community of West African States is a regional political and economic union comprising fifteen countries located in West Africa, of which the above-mentioned Countries are members.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic have all in recent times expressed intention to part ways with ECOWAS bloc bodies. That decision has been a climax and a very big bottleneck for ECOWAS, as the trio of these countries are some of the most resourceful countries which shoulder a huge part of the yearly ECOWAS budget and yet one of the poorest countries on the African continent. After their decision to leave the West African regional bloc of ECOWAS, what effect will this have on ECOWAS?

This country represents almost 20% of the ECOWAS population – that is 66 million out of 420 million people. As mentioned above, cotton, gold, and uranium ore are precious resources for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, respectively.

Is ECOWAS blind to these facts?

I will say no, but will they have intensified negotiations before now? Yes. Their belief may be that they will soon get tired and comply or call for help after being deprived of some amenities benefited from nearby ECOWAS countries. Yet, they still remain adamant about their decision. For such countries to make such decisions looks like a threat to other ECOWAS countries.

ECOWAS should know this is no joke. The pumping question is: what if they excel in their decisions and their leaders are able to change their countries and become the best in years to come? What will happen to other ECOWAS countries whose corruption still influences their development?

Is dumping ECOWAS best for Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic?

This decision will not only restrict their access to large international markets for foreign exchange and development provided by ECOWAS but also international partnerships that help in country development. Also, the free visa for all ECOWAS states is another big opportunity they might be deprived of from ECOWAS countries.

Though their decision has not been formally in writing to ECOWAS, they may be nursing second thoughts in the decision or calling for attention to negotiation stylishly. The poking questions are;

Is this the best idea for these three countries?

Will they stand without ECOWAS?

Won’t they be a threat to other ECOWAS countries if their decision is granted?

Does ECOWAS need to let them be?

Africa is a blessed continent with all its natural resources, but a continent with the highest rate of poverty and a corrupt leadership style needs to be resolved.

Tijani Abiola wrote via abiolatijani001@gmail.com.