International

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

A high-level delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria met with counterparts from the Benin Republic on May 21, 2024, to discuss the reopening of the Segbana-Tsamiya border post in Kebbi State.

The meeting aimed to fast-track the operationalisation of the border post, which is expected to enhance regional integration and boost economic activities. 

The Nigerian delegation included the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, and other dignitaries.

The Benin Republic delegation was led by the Director General of the Benin Customs Administration, Adidjatou Hassan. During the meeting, the delegations discussed comprehensive issues surrounding the border post’s opening, including logistics, security measures, and economic impact.

Feasibility studies were presented, outlining expected benefits such as increased trade and potential challenges that might arise.

The deliberation also included setting timelines and identifying necessary infrastructure to ensure a smooth operation. 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, indicated the importance of engagement between the two countries to enhance the economy.

“To ensure closer working and economic relations between Nigeria and the Benin Republic, we have been working with our colleagues from the Beninese Customs Administration to ensure that we bring the economy together through easy border crossing with goods,” he said. 

The Director General of the Benin Customs Administration, Adidjatou Hassan, appreciated the move to reopen the border, which will strengthen trade activities and bilateral ties between the two nations.

“This development is expected to increase economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. We are committed to sustaining our seamless collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service while enhancing security at our borders and trade activities,” she said. 

The meeting concluded with a summary of the key points discussed and a formal statement of commitment from both sides.

An agreement was reached to schedule a follow-up meeting in June 2024 to monitor progress and address any outstanding issues.

A bi-national committee meeting was also agreed upon, with a defined commitment for subcommittees to submit their reports within two weeks to streamline seamless efforts towards border reopening.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets on Tuesday to bid a final farewell to President Ebrahim Raisi and seven members of his entourage who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash.

The mournful procession began at a central square in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the destination Raisi was headed to when the helicopter went down on Sunday.

With somber faces and waving Iranian flags, the crowd paid their respects to the late president and his companions, carrying portraits of Raisi as they marched through the streets.

The funeral procession was a poignant display of national grief and solidarity, as Iranians came together to honor the memory of their leader and the lives lost in the devastating crash.

By Imam-Malik Abdullahi Kaga (ACIHRM, CPM, PGD-HRM)

Today, Monday, May 20, 2024, marks International Human Resource Day, a celebration of the vital role HR professionals play in shaping the future of work. As a Certified Personnel Manager, I write to celebrate this special day in line with the theme: Shaping the New Future.

International HR Day was founded by the European Association for People Management (EAPM) and was first observed in 2019. Its aim is to recognise the momentous contributions of HR professionals globally. Prior to this day, the then-Jamaican Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, proposed the celebration in 2013 but was not successful in bringing the day to life. In 2018, the Jamaican government declared the day.

Since then, it has become an avenue for HR practitioners to come together, share best practices, and discuss the latest trends and challenges by organising webinars, workshops, et al in the industry.

This year’s HR Day is tagged with the theme: Shaping the New Future, and sub-themes of Championing Ethical Tech and AI Integration, Excellence in People Management, Continuous Investment in Skills and Education, Redefining the Future Workplace.

Championing Ethical Tech and AI Integration

The integration of technology and AI has revolutionised the way our department works. However, it also raises important ethical considerations. Despite the increasing reliance on technology and AIs, it’s very important that HR professionals champion ethical practices to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and for the betterment of organisations, companies, and society at large.

This includes implementing AI systems that are transparent, unbiased, and protect employee data privacy.

Excellence in People Management

MSF has this adage: “MSF is People.” HR professionals play a crucial role in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent. At the heart of any successful organisation is its people. This requires a deep understanding of the changing needs and expectations of employees.

By nurturing a culture of excellence in people management, HR can improve employee engagement and create a positive work environment. This involves adopting a holistic approach to talent management, spotting the diverse needs of global labourers, and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Continuous Investment in Skills and Education

The stride of technological change demands that employees continually update their skills to remain relevant. HR invest in education and training programs that arm workers with the skills needed to succeed in their roles. 

This includes providing access to online learning platforms, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. For example, organisations like the MSF have a department called learning and development, where the staff’s KSA are developed. MSF also has a platform called Tembo for its staff to learn and develop. By prioritising continuous learning, HR can future-proof the workforce, initiate innovation, and stay ahead of the competitive world.

As we celebrate International HR Day, we urge all departments in every organisation, whether humanitarian, government, or profit-based, to adapt the culture of continuous learning for professional growth and excellent work outcomes.

Happy International HR Day to the “retention strategists”

Imam-Malik Abdullahi Kaga is a member of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management and a Certified Personnel Manager. He writes from Maiduguri and can be reached via imammalikabdullahikaga@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A US teenager died of cardiac arrest after participating in a social media challenge daring people to eat a single extremely hot tortilla chip, an autopsy revealed Thursday.

Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old from Massachusetts, died in September after participating in the so-called “One Chip Challenge.” The challenge involved a single chip produced by Paqui dusted with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.

The dare has evolved over the years, with different peppers used each time.

The local chief medical examiner determined that Harris died of cardiac arrest after ingesting food with a large amount of a chilli pepper extract called capsaicin, according to the autopsy report seen by AFP. 

The autopsy also concluded that the teen had an enlarged heart, which could have contributed to his death.

Days after his death, Paqui removed the product—packaged in a coffin-shaped box with a red skull and marked ‘extreme heat’—from store shelves.

In California, three youths were hospitalized after taking part in the dare, and seven got sick in Minnesota for the same reason, according to media reports.

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.