International

By Aminu Mohammed

I recently came across an interview on Instablog9ja on Instagram, where an elderly man advised youths to think critically before moving to the United Kingdom for better opportunities. The interview sparked a lot of reactions from listeners, particularly from the youths who were unhappy with the man’s attempt to discourage them from seeking a better life abroad.

I was both amused and taken aback by the disparaging comments under the post. Unsurprisingly, many Nigerians, particularly the youths, are disenchanted with the country’s security challenges and economic situation, especially the lack of jobs and inflation, and are desperately looking for a means to travel abroad for a better life.

I have read several stories online of people who resigned from their jobs and sold their properties, such as houses, lands, and businesses, to raise significant funds to pay for tuition fees in the United Kingdom, which can range from £10,000 to £20,000, depending on the course of study.

I have received several emails from people asking for advice on applying for scholarships or postgraduate programs in Germany. Similarly, I have received messages from people seeking my opinion on whether to sell their property to pay for tuition for a master’s program in the UK and Germany or travel to another country to seek work.

First and foremost, I would never discourage anyone from exploring the world to pursue his or her aspirations. I believe that life without adventure is not worth living. I have gained many tangible benefits from moving to Germany for my studies. In the last few years, I have acquired valuable skills, visited great cities and met incredible individuals from different countries worldwide.

However, it is important that I share the reality of living abroad with those who are planning to embark on such an adventure. This will enable them to prepare adequately before leaving their home country.

Conduct Sufficient Research and Planning

Before making any relocation moves, it is important to conduct adequate research and preparation. You should start by evaluating your qualifications, skills, and ability to adapt. Remember that immigration laws are becoming stricter in European countries like the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Germany. If you decide to migrate and explore other places, ensure you have a job with visa sponsorship, a scholarship, or the financial capability to support yourself while studying. Additionally, research the prospective countries you want to relocate to and check the ease of settling down after your studies.

It is also a good idea to consult reliable friends from the countries you intend to relocate to for genuine advice. Don’t be swayed by social media trends like the “Japa hype”. Peer pressure is a significant challenge in our society, and herd mentality often impedes personal growth.

Keep the Second Option in Mind

Defining your goals, intentions, and plans is important before jumping into something trending. Many people make the mistake of not having a concrete plan and end up stranded and depressed when things don’t work out as expected. If you plan to travel abroad, it is not advisable to do so on a visitor visa to find a job. This puts you at a great risk of getting stuck and deported for overstaying.

If you are currently employed in Nigeria and plan to study abroad, taking a study leave from your company is best. Similarly, if you have a successful business, do not dispose of it before travelling abroad. Instead, entrust it to someone you trust to manage it in your absence.

While many Nigerians have successfully moved abroad and achieved career and financial success, many are stranded and unable to return home. Some even suffer from depression and mental illness due to the challenges they are facing there.

Moving to a new country comes with challenges, so careful consideration is necessary before making any decisions. Best of luck as you embark on your personal pursuit and growth journey.

Aminu Mohammed wrote this article from Ingolstadt, Germany. He can be reached at gravity23n@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, declared that US and British interests are now “legitimate targets” following a series of overnight strikes on strategic places in Houthi-held areas. 

The rebels’ Supreme Political Council issued a statement warning of retaliation, asserting that the armed forces would ensure the aggressors face consequences for their actions. 

In response to the attacks, the council stated, “The joy of the aggressors will not be long, and our hand will be the upper hand, God willing.  

“All American-British interests have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni armed forces.” 

The overnight strikes, reported to have killed five people according to the rebels, came after weeks of Houthi attacks on Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea, in protest against Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The German government strongly dismissed accusations of Israel committing “genocide” in Gaza during a statement on Friday at the UN’s top court. 

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit stated that Israel was “defending itself” in response to “inhuman” attacks by Hamas on October 7. 

Hebestreit highlighted Germany’s commitment to the UN Genocide Convention, showing its significance in preventing another Holocaust. 

He firmly rejected any “political instrumentalization” of the Convention and acknowledged varying international opinions on Israel’s military operation in Gaza. 

The statement clarified Germany’s position, decisively rejecting the accusation of genocide against Israel brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

Hebestreit announced Germany’s intention to intervene as a third party under an article allowing states to seek clarification on the use of a multilateral convention. 

South Africa initiated an emergency case at the ICJ, alleging Israel’s breach of the UN Genocide Convention and urging an immediate halt to the Gaza campaign.

Israel and the United States have dismissed the case, promising a robust defence. 

While Germany maintains its historical responsibility for the Holocaust and supports the state of Israel, recent criticism has emerged regarding the Israeli campaign’s impact on civilians. 

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed the need for “less intensive” combat and increased aid flows.

By Ismail Obansa Nimah

Yesterday again saw another targeted Israeli assassination of a high-profile leader of the Palestinian resistance axis, Hamas deputy leader Saleh Al Arouri. The assassination by Israel took place in the heart of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, at about 5:45 pm Local time. It comes roughly 24 hours before the 4th anniversary of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, former Commander of Iran’s elite Quds brigades of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard corps.

On the 3rd of January, 2020, turmoil was yet again unleashed in the Middle East when the United States of America (USA), in collaboration with her Israeli ally, assassinated Major-General Qassem Soleimani, a man who doubled as the commander of the Iranian Elite Revolutionary Quds Force and the second most potent/influential man in Iran after Ayatollah Al-Khamenei (Iran’s supreme leader).

Citing the preservation of the interest and national security of America, the United States launched a drone strike at a convoy conveying Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, killing them both and eight others near Baghdad airport in Iraq.

The conflict between the US and Iran dates as far back as the 1970s, and as almost always, the killing of Soleimani immediately rattled up tensions, bringing the US and Iran to the brink of war. According to some Iranian sources, General Soleimani was on an important mission to deliver a message to the Iraqi prime minister about its gulf neighbours and reconciliatory steps taken between Iran and its neighbours, especially its regional rival Saudi Arabia, suggesting that Riyadh may have leaked intelligence to Washington.

The killing of Soleimani was met with shock, worldwide condemnation and fierce declarations of avenge from Iranian officials and Iranians, generally with the supreme leader, President and military commanders/leaders pledging a harsh retaliation. Following the killing, massive protests and mourning broke out in the cities of Iran and Iraq, with hundreds of thousands of Iranians pouring out into the streets, mourning and chanting their desires for revenge.

On January 5th, 2020, the remains of General Soleimani and the other Iranians killed alongside him were flown into Iran amidst a sea of millions of mourners. The funeral and national procession of the Iranian legend was planned for the 7th of January, at his home town in ‘Kerman’, but an ensuing stampede due to massive crowds led to the death of at least 56 people and injuring 213 people, resulting in the immediate postponement of the burial.

In the early hours of the 5th day after Soleimani’s assassination, on the 8th of January 2020, Iran retaliated and launched over a dozen ballistic missiles on two US bases in Iraq. The attack by Iran injured over 100 US soldiers, with most of them reportedly suffering traumatic brain injuries, and also resulted in the destruction of important US assets in the bases. Tensions immediately skyrocketed following the Iranian counterattack, with oil prices rising to levels not seen in 3 months and countries including the US ordering their citizens to evacuate and leave Iraq and its environments, as well as airliners being told to avoid the airspace over Iran and Iraq.

As the world woke up to the news of an Iranian response, so did the news of the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752, killing all 176 on board. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps placed its defences on high alert following the counterattack, allowing its surface-to-air missile defence system to mistakenly shoot down the Kyiv-bound airliner shortly after take-off from Tehran. Following damages to the US bases and injuries to personnel, President Trump and the Pentagon ordered the immediate deployment of more US military assets to the Gulf region. Consequently, an airstrike on Iran that would be called off at the last minute by President Trump was ordered.

 Iraq, caught in a conflict between the world’s superpower and a Middle Eastern regional power, became destabilised. With the outright violations of its national sovereignty by a supposed ally, protest broke out with both ordinary Iraqis and the Iraqi parliament calling for the expulsion of American troops and other foreign forces from its soil. For a lot of them (Iraqis), the horrors and consequences of decades of war can still very much be remembered and felt, and they, by all means, want to be left out of another regional conflict.

Four years on, tensions remain at a ceiling level between Iran and the US/its Middle Eastern allies, particularly Israel. Israel’s brutal genocidal war on Gaza has killed more than 22,000 Palestinians, as well as more Israeli-targeted killings of Iranian officials. It’s regional allies with American support, including Mohsen Fakhrizadeh; it is yet to be fully known how close an all-out war is between Iran and American-backed forces within the region, particularly Israel.  Although so many structures have been re-named after Soleimani, the void created in the hearts of Iranians, the Palestinian resistance axis and the Islamic Republic of Iran by his death will take a long time to heal and will require more than an anniversary celebration for the already sanction crippled nation.

Ismail Obansa Nimah wrote via nimah013@gmail.com.

By Dr Kabiru Danladi Lawanti

The whole Cotonou degree is criminal and all those involved need to be fished out and punished. Some people might see us as harsh or maybe insensitive for saying this. 

There are things we cannot say in public, but one needs not to be prophet of doom to predict that Nigeria cannot withstand this onslaught and will eventually crash. 

Our desperate quest for certification through whatever means led us to this situation. Parents are desperate to have their kids in the university, some even underage (we saw 15, 16 and 17 year olds being pushed to universities), whose mental capacity is too elementary to grasp or cope with challenges of university education.

The crises in higher education and the adoption of neo-liberal policies that have no place in a developing country like ours also contributed to this confusion. Consequences of commodification of knowledge is enormous in a country with no strong institutions to checkmate excesses and greed of capitalists. The results is the proliferation of degree mills all over.

Adoption of neo-liberal policies means cutting funding for public services like education, health and sanitation. Nigerian public universities suffer from these policies. Funding was cut, citing many reasons. The results is restrictions in admissions. When you have many applying to enter university and the slots are few, universities have to admit based on quota. Therefore, few can be admitted.

Parents, in their desperate efforts to get their children into universities, started sending their kids to some African countries for bachelor’s degrees – Uganda, Benin Togo, Ghana, Sudan, Niger Republic, etc. 

Another reason is the dichotomy between degree and HND. Many people affected by stagnation in their places of work because of HND opted for a way to have a degree that can help them get promoted. Many went for the Cotonou degree. Since it is acceptable by MDAs or they made it acceptable, most of them started trooping to these mushroom universities to obtain these degrees to get promoted.

Then we have people who can’t cope with rigorous nature of our public university system. I know a lot who not only failed exams, but are withdrawn from diploma programmes, but appear after 6 months with a degree from these degre milling centres. Others could not pass UTME therefore unqualified to enter public universities. Cotonou degree provide an alternative.

The last, in my opinion, are those running from ASUU strike. Many parents justify purchasing the Cotonou degree because of the unending industrial disputes in the public universities.

I don’t want to talk about the “motor park gang” led by former minister of education Adamu Adamu and his National Universities Commission (NUC) executive secretary, who bastardised the university system for only God knows why. They have killed what remained of our public university system.

Lastly, some of our private universities are not any different from the “Cotonou universities”.

President Bola Tinubu needs to do a lot more to rescue the situation. I like how the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, handles the situation. But sincerely, the students of these dubious universities, their agents, officials from Federal Ministry of Education, NUC and the other places need to be rounded up, arrested and punished according to our laws.

Kabiru Danladi Lawanti, PhD, wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, ABU Zaria, via kblondon2003@yahoo.com.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

Following the report of how the Daily Nigerian journalist obtained a university degree from Cotonou in six weeks and participated in the NYSC scheme, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Education, had on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Togo and Benin Republic universities.

In a statement on its website, the National University Commission labelled the blacklisted foreign universities as ‘degree mills.’

The statement reads in part, “The under-listed “degree mills” have not been licensed by the Federal Government and have therefore been closed down for violating the Education (National Minimum Standards, etc.) Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

The affected institutions include five universities from the United States, three from the Republic of Benin, six from the United Kingdom, and three from Ghana.

Below is the list of the 18 foreign universities the Federal Government banned from operating within its borders.

1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

4. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

5. Tiu International University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

6. Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

7. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

8. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

9. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.

11. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.

13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

14. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.

18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has commended the Federal Government (FG) for suspending the accreditation of degrees obtained from the Republic of Benin and Togo. 

The ban on accreditation followed the discovery of irregular and fraudulent practices in the admission and course programs of some universities in the two countries.

MURIC’s commendation came through a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 3rd January 2024. 

He said:

“A laudable move was made yesterday by the Federal Government (FG) when it suspended the accreditation of degrees from the Republic of Benin and Togo for their irregularities and fraudulent practices” (FG Suspends Accreditation Of Degree Certificates From Benin Republic, Togo – Channels TV).

“It will be recalled that Umar Audu, an investigative journalist of Daily Nigeria newspaper, reported recently that he bagged a degree within six weeks of being admitted into one of such universities and also served as a corper in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the certificate obtained. The undercover journalist received both the transcript and certificate of the Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT), Cotonou, Benin Republic, after six weeks only.

 It was this story that prompted FG to ban the accreditation of certificates obtained from universities in those countries (https://dailynigerian.com/undercover-how-daily-nigerian/). 

“MURIC lauds FG for banning those fraudulent certificates. The holders of such fake credentials pose a grave danger to the lives of Nigerians and the quality of public service, too. 

“We charge the ministries of education at both federal and state levels to be wary of holders of such certificates. Those found to have been employed with them should be shown the way out. Furthermore, the security agencies should fish out those behind the fraudulent admissions within Nigeria. Those are agents of the fake tertiary institutions in faraway Benin and Togo. They should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“We demand an investigation into circumstances surrounding the clearance letter issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, which confirmed that the university (ESGT) is on the ministry’s list of accredited institutions. It was this letter which enabled NYSC to accept 51 fake graduates to serve in the scheme.  On its own part, NYSC authorities must take necessary action on the 51 fake corpers from ESGT who are serving illegally. They must be flushed out. 

“We also advise gullible but innocent Nigerians who have obtained the certificates to quickly set the machinery in motion to correct the anomaly. They should upgrade themselves by seeking authentic university admission either within or outside the country.

“Education may be the key to technological breakthrough and the concomitant industrial progress, but half-baked education and fake certificates are deadly dynamites in the system which is capable of destroying everything that may have been achieved.

“Before we draw the curtain, we find the undercover journalist equally worthy of encomiums. He went underground to unearth this educational fraud. He put his life on the line for the sake of his country. Umar Audu is worthy of emulation by his colleagues in the Fourth Estate of the Realm.”

By Aminu Mohammed

This article was inspired by a recent post by Dr Muhsin Ibrahim on Facebook regarding money belonging to someone named “Hassan Idris” sent through his PayPal account. Muhsin made the post asking the person to identify himself by sending him a message. However, soon after, he was inundated with messages from people seeking help in various forms. Some even asked him for money, assuming he had won a lottery or had ample cash stocked somewhere.

This issue not only worried me but also made me sad about the attitude of our youths. So that you know, I also live in Germany. I am yet to fathom the reason for the sudden influx of requests based on a Facebook post. Is it desperation, greed, ignorance, or the belief that money grows on trees in Europe?

I have thought about this issue and wondered why this behaviour occurred. Is it that the economic situation in the country has impoverished a large segment of society, making people desperate and in dire need of free money? What could be the reason behind this attitude?

I want to make it clear that I am aware of the difficult economic situation in Nigeria due to inflation and other factors. I also understand that there are genuine people who are in dire need of help and who reach out to Muhsin for support. However, I want people to know that just because Muhsin lives and works in Germany, it does not mean he is rich.

The Untold Story About Europe

Europe is often seen as a paradise with streets paved with gold and abundant wealth. However, the reality is different. Life in Europe is not as easy as it seems. Homelessness and begging are common in countries such as France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In London alone, at least 167,000 people are homeless due to the high cost of living. Comparably, a great number of immigrants, among them Africans, are stuck in Europe and unable to return home because they are afraid of what is ahead.

 Although the standard of living is high in Germany and the government provides stipends for jobless citizens, there are still poor people, beggars and homeless people in the country. In my former city, Kiel, I have seen people sleeping in public buildings and bank corridors, even during the harsh winter months. I recently saw a naked woman amongst the homeless folks at the Hamburg Central Station, probably suffering from mental illness. It was heartbreaking.

Despite these challenges, there are still opportunities for people with relevant skills to excel and succeed in Europe. Even without a university education, one can live a good life in Germany by being disciplined and hardworking.

Rising Living Expenses

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has brought about significant economic changes in Europe, particularly in Germany. As a result of Germany’s reliance on Russia for affordable energy, particularly gas, to power its numerous industries, the country has been severely impacted. Germany had to look for alternative gas sources, mainly from Norway and the Middle East. This has led to an increment in energy costs and subsequently affected the cost of living and production.

The high cost of living has affected many families, with numerous individuals struggling to pay their bills monthly. The rat race has worsened, and many people live paycheck to paycheck. Groceries and the prices of other goods have doubled or, in some cases, even more. This is in addition to an increase in rent, energy, water bills, etc.

2024 Goals

It is an incredible experience to step out of your comfort zone and explore new places in life. However, before travelling to any country, please conduct thorough research and set reasonable expectations. Life is not always easy, but you can succeed with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.

Set your goals for this year, and take concrete steps to achieve them. Additionally, aim to acquire new digital skills to increase your earning potential. I wish you the best as you enter the New Year with renewed energy and determination.

Aminu Mohammed wrote this article from Ingolstadt, Germany. He can be reached at gravity23n@gmail.com.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In its effort to curb the high rate of Japa, the United Kingdom’s Home Office has officially rolled out its rigorous policy restricting Nigerian students and other international counterparts from bringing dependents into the country via the study visa route.

This significant development, designed to tighten immigration controls, was announced on the Home Office’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), this Monday. 

According to the updated regulations, only postgraduate research students and those with government-sponsored scholarships will be exempt from the prohibition on bringing family members.

This follows the implementation of a law in May 2023 that specifically targets the entry of dependents for Nigerian and other international students, reflecting the broader government objective of reducing immigration, which currently stands at approximately one million. 

The Home Office reaffirmed its dedication to a substantial reduction in migration, declaring, “We are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration. From today, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK. Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt.” 

In addition to the ban on bringing dependents, the new regulations include the removal of the permission for international students to switch from the student route to work routes before completing their studies, aiming to curtail any misuse of the visa system. 

The UK government also announced a comprehensive review of the maintenance requirement for students and their dependents, coupled with a crackdown on “unscrupulous” education agents involved in improper applications that exploit immigration pathways rather than genuine educational pursuits. 

A statement on the official site of the UK’s Home Office outlined the government’s objective to significantly reduce net migration by restricting the ability of international students to bring family members, with exceptions only for postgraduate research routes.

The move also seeks to prevent individuals from exploiting student visas as a backdoor route to work in the UK.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A United Nations report, disclosed on December 21, sheds light on an escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, revealing that over 576,600 Palestinians stand on the precipice of “a serious famine.”

This distressing revelation affects a staggering one in four individuals in the besieged territory, underscoring the gravity of the situation. 

The report issues a stark warning, indicating that without swift action to address the ongoing conflict and improve access to aid, Gaza could confront a severe famine within the next six months.

This imminent threat has sparked global concern, particularly as vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly, face heightened health risks due to escalating hunger. 

Complicating matters further, Israel’s sustained attacks on Gaza since October 7 have had devastating consequences.

Shockingly, over 20,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, with more than 52,000 individuals left wounded.

The persistent violence has not only claimed numerous lives but has also exacerbated already precarious living conditions, pushing the population to the brink of famine. 

As the international community grapples with the urgency of the situation, the World Health Organisation predicts a surge in health problems in the region.

The intersection of conflict, restricted aid access, and the looming famine poses a severe threat to the well-being of Gaza’s inhabitants, necessitating immediate attention and intervention to avert an impending humanitarian catastrophe.