International

By Aisar Fagge

Speaking during the 3rd International Conference organized by the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) with the theme “The Role of Moral Etiquettes of Islamic Civilisation in the Development of Human Communities: Assessment of Past and Present,” Dr Usman Muhammad Bugaje lamented why economic metrics always dominate the discussions on development. He cheerfully also complained, “This conference should have come earlier than now but it is never late.”

As the keynote speaker, Dr Bugaje mentioned three main focal points of the conference:

“First, the theme introduces a missing direction in the contemporary discussion of development. When you listen to the discussion on developments, it is usually the material aspect of development that occupies the space. Even the metrics for measuring development tends to focus on the material. They have not yet measured the Islamic definition of human development. This is the gap conferences like this should help to bridge.

“Secondly, this theme will raise consciousness and provoke a debate on the quality of morality. Everybody talks about morality. But what is the quality of that morality? There are a lot of debates and contentions on these issues.

“Thirdly, this theme underscores the significance of moral standard on human development. I hope the centre and director will try and find research grants locally for the students to study how moral consciousness has affected human development in Nigeria,” the speaker listed.

It is always difficult for Dr Bugaje to talk without critiquing the state of the nation and bad governance. Talking about morality and development in Nigeria, the speaker lamented how immoral politicians ruined Nigeria since 1999.

“What happened in the last 25 years in Nigeria concerning human development is a wreckage. Poverty has tripled, insecurity has escalated, infrastructures have broken down and decay, marriages and social norms have broken down, the fabric of the society is no longer what is used to be.

“Today, in our educational system, the moral consciousness is completely missing or absence. In those days, you got your degree in character and learning, but today, no character no leaning. In governance, this government has gotten more money than any government since the beginning of Nigeria, but what the Sardunas were able to achieve with very little money we now cannot do with 1000 x times the same amount of that money! So what has happened? All these are moral questions that raise consciousness,” he grieved.

The conference that was held at the Centre for Excellence, Bayero University, Kano from 3rd to 5th February, 2025 was honoured by distinguished politicians, esteemed academics, business people and many participants from different academic disciplines.

The Director of the centre, Associate Professor, Taufiq Abubakar Hussaini thanked the sponsors of the event especially Alhaji Aminu Dantata, A.Y Maikifi, Alhaji A.A Rano, Alhaji Hamza Abdullahi Umar Daura, A.Y.M Shafa and others.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has strongly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip.

A statement from Abbas’s office, released on Wednesday, reiterated the Palestinian leadership’s firm opposition to any efforts to seize Gaza and force Palestinians out of their homeland.

“President Mahmud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership expressed their strong rejection of calls to seize the Gaza Strip and displace Palestinians outside their homeland,” the statement read.

It added that “legitimate Palestinian rights are not negotiable.”

In a broadcast on Palestinian public television, Abbas’s spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, underlined that the Gaza Strip “is an integral part of the State of Palestine.”

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which Abbas leads, also condemned Trump’s plan to resettle Gazans in Egypt or Jordan.

Hussein al-Sheikh, the PLO’s secretary-general, rejected “all calls for the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland.”

By Muhsin Ibrahim

In a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial plan for the United States to assume control over the Gaza Strip.

The proposal includes relocating Gaza’s roughly two million Palestinian residents to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan to transform the territory into a thriving economic hub, potentially named the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Trump emphasised the economic potential of the initiative, arguing that U.S. oversight would bring stability and prosperity to the region. He also suggested the possible deployment of American forces to maintain order during the transition.

The plan has been widely condemned. Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, have rejected it, warning of its implications for international law and regional security. 

Human rights organisations have also strongly criticised the initiative, calling it a form of ethnic cleansing that could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was present at the press conference, expressed support for the plan, saying it aligns with Israel’s security interests. However, international opposition and legal challenges may hinder the proposal’s feasibility.

As the debate over Trump’s plan intensifies, world leaders and analysts continue to scrutinise its potential consequences for regional stability and the rights of the Palestinian people.

By Maryam Ahmad

Senegalese-born TikTok star Khaby Lame, the most-followed personality on the platform, recently met with Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Dakar. The visit focused on youth empowerment and using social media for positive change.

Lame, who was born in Senegal before relocating to Italy, expressed his commitment to giving back to his homeland. He underscored the importance of education and digital literacy, highlighting how platforms like TikTok can inspire and educate young people.

President Faye praised Lame for his global influence, noting that his journey from humble beginnings to international fame inspires African youth. The president encouraged young people to leverage digital opportunities for self-development and economic growth.

Beyond meeting with the president, Lame partnered with UNICEF during his stay in Senegal. Over four days, he engaged with children in health, education, and climate change awareness programs. His visit aimed to draw attention to the challenges faced by African youth and promote initiatives that support their growth.

Lame’s visit underscores the power of social media influencers to drive change. His collaboration with government and international organisations highlights the role digital platforms play in shaping the future of young Africans.

Many Nigerian youth are also turning to social media for career opportunities, so Lame’s story motivates content creators and entrepreneurs across the continent. His rise to fame proves that talent, creativity, and persistence can open global doors, regardless of one’s background.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A US-based Nigerian cardiologist, Dr. Ikenna Erinne, has reportedly died by suicide after being ordered to pay $15,000 monthly in child support. 

According to The Punch, the 36-year-old took his life on January 26, 2025, following a legal battle with his ex-wife that also led to the loss of his medical license.

Dr. Erinne is survived by his children, Ugonna and Munachi, as well as his parents and siblings. A memorial is scheduled for February 3 in Elkridge, Maryland. 

Dr. Erinne’s passing has ignited conversations on social media about how family court decisions affect mental health, particularly in Western nations.

By Maryam Ahmad

The Italian government has blocked the Chinese AI app DeepSeek due to concerns about data privacy. Garante, the country’s data protection authority, stated that the app failed to provide sufficient details on how it collects and stores user data, raising security risks.

As a result, DeepSeek has been removed from app stores in Italy but remains available in other countries. This move highlights growing global concerns about AI applications and data protection.

With AI adoption increasing in Nigeria, this development raises questions about how such apps handle user data and the need for stronger regulations to protect personal information.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee known for organizing Quran-burning demonstrations in Sweden, was shot and killed on Wednesday night in Södertälje, near Stockholm.

According to Swedish authorities, police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building, where they found Momika with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting as investigations continue.

Momika gained international notoriety in 2023 for desecrating copies of the Quran, sparking widespread protests and condemnation from Muslim-majority countries. He moved to Sweden in 2018 and had been granted a three-year residence permit.

At the time of his death, he was facing trial for incitement to hatred, with a verdict scheduled for Thursday morning. The court has since postponed the ruling.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that the country’s security service is involved in the investigation, citing possible foreign links to the killing.

Authorities are yet to disclose a motive, but the killing has raised concerns over tensions surrounding Momika’s controversial actions.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana

I have always maintained the opinion that aid is a mechanism used by the so-called powerful nations to underdevelop weaker countries—though not deliberately, especially in African countries where insecurity is caused by terrorism or ethnic cleansing, which is a crime against humanity or genocide.

In Africa, particularly Nigeria, our major problem is poverty—a singular issue that has metamorphosed into intractable insecurities, including but not limited to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, among others. Many people might argue that Boko Haram and the Biafra movements are ideological in nature, but the truth is that those ideological elements have long since faded, leaving the agitations as an economic venture for certain nefarious countries and individuals to exploit.

They recruit jobless, uneducated, desperate, and misguided young people into their criminal community to kill not just their enemies but anyone who upholds peace and stability. I was born and raised in Maiduguri, and I’ve never left the ‘Home of Peace’ even for a day because of the insurgency—not even when it was at its peak. Therefore, I am qualified to say a few things regarding the phenomenon. We’ve witnessed how young people were recruited into the deadly and infamous sect known as Boko Haram.

Some were paid 50k weekly, some received 150k to 300k monthly, depending on the nature of the work assigned to them, and some of the payments were in hard currencies. The same thing happens in the North Western region of Nigeria, where banditry and kidnapping thrive in the open — dozens of lives are lost, and women and children are left in depression, poverty, and psychological trauma. 

This has attracted many INGOs and subsequently led to the formation of local NGOs in the country, whose assistance is largely unsustainable and dependent. They provide cash and food items, with only a few engaging in ‘goat and sheep empowerment’, similar to the initiative recently unveiled by the Kano State Government. That initiative, too, is ineffective, as more than two-thirds of the beneficiaries, if not all, sell these items at the distribution venue. This arises because it is aid, not a partnership for economic growth.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, shares my opinion. His remarks reflect a deep understanding of global economic dynamics and the need for sustainable development in Africa. Leaders like him talk about Nigeria’s untapped potential as a partner for global powers and investors. 

Instead of perpetuating the cycle of aid dependency, he spoke about the urgent need for the world to recognize Nigeria’s potential as a hub for industrialization, which would provide opportunities for millions of youth and contribute to global economic growth.

Africa, and particularly Nigeria, has long received foreign aid, often with good intentions but yielding unsustainable results. Aid might address immediate crises, but it does not tackle the root causes of poverty or unemployment. Instead, it fosters dependency, undermines local capacity, and creates temporary solutions. As Sen. Shettima’s example illustrates, Nigeria does not need fish handed to it; it needs to be taught how to fish through strategic partnerships that prioritize industrialization, skill development, and innovation.

By working together to build industries, Nigeria can unleash the potential of its vast, youthful population and ensure long-term, self-sustaining growth.

World powers and private investors must recognise Nigeria for what it truly is: a land of opportunity. With a population of over 250 million, Nigeria represents one of the largest consumer markets globally, along with an abundance of natural resources and human capital. Establishing industries in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and renewable energy would not only tackle the country’s unemployment crisis but also offer global investors access to untapped, profitable markets.

Partnerships that create factories, manufacturing plants, and tech hubs will empower Nigeria’s youth, reduce migration pressures, and ultimately benefit the global economy. The need for industrialisation cannot be overstated. Nigeria’s youths, brimming with talent and ambition, are eager to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development. 

However, without opportunities, many remained unemployed, looking forward to migration in search of greener pastures. The international community can help transform Nigeria into a global production hub by establishing industries and leveraging its demographic dividend to drive innovation and development. This is the position of Sen. Shettima, who advocates for economic empowerment rather than reliance on foreign assistance.

Furthermore, industrialisation offers a win-win scenario for both Nigeria and the world. While Nigeria gains employment opportunities, technological transfer, and a diversified economy, global powers and businesses secure access to a vibrant and emerging market. Beyond economic benefits, these partnerships strengthen political stability, reduce security threats, and position Nigeria as a strong ally on the global stage. 

Sen. Shettima’s representation at the World Economic Forum emphasised this potential as he spoke about Nigeria’s challenges and its vast opportunities for collaboration and growth.

The message is that Africa, particularly Nigeria, does not require handouts. It needs partnerships that promote self-reliance, innovation, and sustainability. The world must transition from giving aid to creating opportunities. Let industries rise, let innovation flourish, and let Nigeria demonstrate to the world that, with the right tools and partnerships, it can be a formidable force. 

Lawan Bukar Maigana, Daily Trust’s 2024 Unsung Hero, writes from Maiduguri, Borno State, and can be reached via email: LawanBukarMaigana@gmail.com.

By Maryam Ahmad

According to Bild, the German city of Duisburg is taking an innovative approach to encourage voter participation in the upcoming federal elections by offering free beer to those who cast their votes.

Mayor Sören Link explained the initiative, saying, “We want to do something about the low voter turnout and strengthen democracy.”

In the 2021 federal elections, Duisburg recorded a voter turnout of 68.1%, significantly below the national average of 76.6%. The city hopes the promise of a cold drink will motivate more residents to vote.

Non-alcoholic beer and other beverages will also be available for those who don’t drink alcohol.

By Maryam Ahmad

The Trump administration has reportedly issued a directive restricting the display of flags on government buildings, embassies, and military bases worldwide. According to a report by the Washington Free Beacon, which obtained a copy of the document, the new policy permits only the U.S. flag and select military symbols to be flown.

Although the directive does not explicitly mention specific flags, media outlets have interpreted the move as a ban on displaying symbols such as LGBT and Black Lives Matter (BLM) flags, which were frequently flown alongside the U.S. flag during the Biden administration.

This policy aligns with Trump’s broader cultural stance, including a previous decree recognising only two genders—male and female—in official U.S. government documents and policies.

The decision has sparked debate. Supporters praise the emphasis on national and military symbols, while critics view it as a step back in terms of inclusivity and representation.