Lifestyle

By Abdullahi D. Hassan

Nigeria is described as the most populous black nation in the world, with over 200 million inhabitants, Africa’s biggest economy, and endowed with variant mineral deposits to improve the living standards of its citizens. Yet, the country is bedevilled by gross corruption. Poor governance, ethnic tension, and abject poverty threaten integrity and sovereignty.

Even though, in the past, Nigeria witnessed serial military rulers, The nation transitioned to democracy in 1999. Since then, Nigeria’s leadership has emerged; leaders have been elected from different platforms and regions. Thus, the problems lingered; most elections were marred by irregularities, political interference, and power tussles from one inch to the next.

The political parties adopt the concept of rotating power between the north and south to accommodate the plural ethno-religious groups in the country. After the two tenures of Muhammadu Buhari. Bola Tinubu was nominated by the All Progressive Congress (APC). Amidst serials of allegations labelled against him by the opposition to hinder his andidacy, The bulk of Nigerians were enthusiastic about the level of experiences and transformation built in Lagos from 1999 to 2032.

On May 29, a new Nigeria’s president, Bola, was sworn in. In his inauguration speech, he made a striking remark on Nigeria, mentioning, ‘Subsidy has gone, the controversial fuel subsidy scheme. Four decades of financial assistance were institutionalised in the 1970s by the government to minimise the excessive cost of fuel (Premium Motor Spirit) to consumers and affordability to average citizens. Within a week’s time, the prices of basic household items, transport fares, and electricity began to rise at a high pace. Thus, fuel subsidy is the direct government intervention for the common man that benefits directly, without an odd process. Subsequently, the price increment affects the pharmaceutical industry acutely.

In recent months, patients from economically deprived backgrounds with terminal illnesses and diseases have been on recommended drugs and life-support medications. They are exposed to the brunt of fuel subsidy removal principles. Patients with asthma, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and sickle cell diseases find it hard to afford medications at exorbitant prices. Due to financial hardship, inflation, and 1000 per cent hikes in drug prices.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British pharmaceutical and biotechnological company, withdraws from Nigeria. After 51 years of operation, The pharmaceutical firm is known for producing effective drugs, anti-biotics, anti-asthma, anti-malaria, allergy relief, painkillers, pain cream, and nasal decongestion. According to the report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria faced a setback in sales of N7.75 billion ($9.83 million) from N14.8 billion last year. GlaxoSmithKline’s existence leads to a drug hike, patients being unable to have medication and an increase in fake drugs. Similarly, GSK faces challenges from the high cost of importation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), a lack of steady power supply, and the depreciation of the naira against the US dollar.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the value of pharmaceutical products imported into Nigeria rose by 68 per cent to N81.8 billion ($99.1 million) between July and September 2023. The reports revealed that most of the drugs were imported from China, India, the United States, France, and Germany.

From the price survey across the country, the drugs were selling: asthma inhalers from N4,000 ($4.86) to N12,000 ($14.57), hypertension drugs from N10,000 ($12.14) to N20,000 ($24.28), augmentin tablets from N6, 000 ($7.28) to N24, 000 ($29.14), and Glucophage from N3, 800 ($4.61) to N6, 200 ($7.53). The prices vary between cities and regions.

David Uja, 63, a retired army officer frail from prostate cancer, undergoes chemotherapy for two sessions. Each cost him $100. She said, “For almost two months. All the prescribed drugs I used have already expired. The little pension received from the government is not enough to buy medicines at a high price. The economy is bad for us; people battle deadly sickness.”

“After I complained to my doctor, who relocated to the UK, Thanks to him, he sent me an Orgovyx tablet via courier, an expensive drug over $400, said Mr David.

Dataphyte reports that in 2021, only three per cent of the Nigerian population will have health insurance. Despite the guidelines of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), it is mandatory for Nigeria to benefit from the insurance. Public servants have smooth access to it. An employer will contribute 10% of the monthly basic salary, while the employee contributes 5%. The insurance covers the contributor, spouse, and four biological children less than 18 years old. The current monthly minimum wage is $44.45. Technical non-government workers are denied access to health facilities and medication.

In October, the Central Bank of Nigeria lifted the ban on 43 items after 8 years to allow access to foreign exchange and import-listed goods in the country. Never, pharmaceuticals and medical essentials are excluded from the list.

Interestingly, oil is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. Even so, the country has remained poor, with its citizens living below the poverty line of $1 per day. Nigeria has been nearly six months without a fuel subsidy. The majority of Nigerians are unable to afford standard health service delivery. These led to fast and quick deaths among the vulnerable. Others reside in rural areas that lack the means to buy drugs at a high rate. Alternative to traditional medicines.

Therefore, deciding on traditional medicine, given its low cost of purchase, Such medicine lacks a scientific approach, and most traditional doctors determine the nature of an ailment by mere observation. Outwardly of any examination and sometimes depend on spiritual healings in order to detect the course of sickness. These have made life more difficult in a nation with a life expectancy of 53.87 years.

Abdullahi D. Hassan is a freelance journalist and writer from Abuja, Nigeria. His journalistic and literary pieces were published in Daily Trust, The Guardian, Triumph, Politics Today, The Daily Reality, and Kalahari Review.     

By Nusaiba Ibrahim Na’abba

We continue to lose a part of us – our brothers, sisters, friends and colleagues – to drug abuse. It keeps getting scarier, forcing all of us to have bleak thoughts about the future. For us to win this war against drug abuse, we need to do the following and, perhaps, more.

Communality: Our common fight against the pervasiveness of these substances was long lost here. Achieving common goals is now a bizarre thing of the past. When problems happen at family or community levels, we begin playing blame games. And to those who think their wards are ‘righteous’, they’ve done an impeccable parenting job. They describe people who are facing the heartbreak of child-related drug abuse as being incapable, too strict or too loving to their kids to let that happen. They then hop on the trend of gentle parenting as the key to having upright children. But reality shows that some parents who battle these problems possess proper parenting skills.

Now, in the case of the neighbourhood or larger community engagements, menial signs of danger are being neglected. Often, these drug dealings and businesses flourish where there is community negligence. The drug lords are purposeful enough to select urban areas where families live low-key lives. There, they conduct their sales without much or any attention from the communities, using selected morning hours for their exchanges. Quickly, a business of millions will happen in front of your house, and you will forever not know.

We must work together to be more vigilant. I am confident that the power of our communal efforts supersedes a few bad eggs that vow to torment the lives of our beloved youths with harmful substances. This battle is beyond a one-man thing. I’m also not generalising the drug dealings to happen in all urban areas in Kano, but there are several allegations about that.

Sustainable Income Options: About four years ago, the BBC Africa Eye gave staggering statistics of codeine consumption in Kano and Jigawa States in their investigative report titled Sweet Sweet Codeine. Well, the situation has only gotten worse with shisha parlours and other unthinkable substances aimed at destroying us in total. The mere imagination of how much is invested in this business is inconceivable. Unlike food, illicit substance addiction does not embrace sorry as an answer. Even in the eyes of the storm, addicts must get their day’s share. And this is why its market keeps expanding and thriving. Before you start arguing, they never fail in their businesses because they always have a market.

Unless a robust, sustainable income generation mechanism is found and proliferated in the minds of young adults into this business, we will continue to lose hope. It is extremely difficult to convince a young adult who has discovered the ropes of this illegal business to start a legal business with a low income. Their state of growth is one, and the reality you cannot overlook is difficult. Adding to the complexity of the already bad situation, you would find it difficult to neglect how politicians spend money lavishly, which is widely spread on social media.

This is one of the most difficult tools that must be deployed in this fight.

Women Groups: I’m 100% supporting creating women groups who can keenly monitor community levels. Women possess an indispensable role in upbringing, and they receive the largest share of agony when they lose their child to drug abuse. When they are part of decision-making, they can contribute immensely to the patterns they notice in their wards, and finally, they own the collective action.

Nonetheless, they must be trained rigorously on the processes they can use to fact-check drug abuse in their kids. It has been an issue that women do not understand the change in eating, sleeping, or engagement habits of their kids, which is drug-related. With the training, the problem can be tackled early before it escalates.

I can vividly recall when a mature lady entered our house some years ago. She came in with deep red eyes, along with a young girl who was 7 to 8 years old. It was in the evening, around 5 p.m., when we were seated in our compound, chatting. The woman, whose age I cannot ascertain, said she needed help with some money to buy foodstuff. By Allah, her appearance and language did not show she needed help. In fact, she appeared to be more of a well-to-do individual. But you could tell she was desperate for something, and the little girl kept giving her looks of disbelief with every sentence she made.

My mother said she had no money to help her. After a moment, she gathered momentum and said goodbye, leaving with the kid. It was only months after the encounter that my mother explained that she was sure that the woman was high on a substance and that she desperately needed money to keep going.

This world is a scary place.

Language and Codes: People who are associated with illicit substance abuse or business create codes for interaction so that they cannot be easily identified. It is usually only the people in their circle who can understand them.

There must be a way of breaking down their language and codes to identify them quickly. It creates a massive gap in understanding the context of discussions; hence, meeting points and business dealings can be set up effortlessly without anybody noticing. In community kiosks where these exchanges happen, they are facilitated by a unique language and code.

We need to break that language barrier to dissect the problem better so we can address it appropriately.

Nusaiba Ibrahim Na’abba wrote from Kano. She can be reached via nusaibaibrahim66@gmail.com.

By Munirah Ibrahim Yusuf

Growing up as a teenager, one of the most challenging questions you could ask me was the almighty… “What do you want to be in the future”? I dabbled from one self-proclaimed pretty “Science course” to another for years…

All I knew was that it had to be a course in the Science field. First, it was ophthalmology, then pharmacy, and even estate management. Who am I kidding? It was a crisis.

It felt worse when I got to SS1 and saw the other options I could have had in different fields, like art and commercials. I was good in their subjects too.

I couldn’t quite understand why I chose to go to the Science Field. I couldn’t find why I decided to go there, so I held on to the fact that Allah was in control and had led me to pick it with good faith.

Years later, one morning….it hit me like a revelation. I suddenly knew why I never went to art or commercial class. It was because “THEY WERE NEVER AN OPTION”.

A certain teacher we looked up to had categorically told us things that created the impression. For example, whoever was blessed with anything close to an IQ had nothing to do with anything other than in the science field. And, like, that’s where the money is….And, like, that’s where great people and great professions belong….blah blah blah. 

Who wouldn’t want to be Great, tho? I subconsciously ruled out other fields. I still remember when we were asked to pick classes after JSS3. I knew I wanted to choose “Science” but didn’t want anything too deep in science (medical science) because of all the blood and flesh business. 

I had settled to write down courses I thought wouldn’t have too much messy work (blood, wounds), and Opthalmology was what I went with (LOL again, who am I kidding?)

Secretly, many people still regret the paths they chose in their education. Family, friends or society influenced some of us,and now we have discovered what we want for ourselves.

Let’s think about it; I don’t know about you, but in my area, kids around ages 12-14 are already in JSS 3, where they get to choose fields. Is a child that young capable of knowing what’s best for them? It’s screaming NO. The schools differ, ranging from private or government-owned, but most I’ve seen make them choose a field after JSS3.

I heard about a principal who would make the JSS3 finalists come to school during the long break after their Junior NECO exams. He would then teach them art, sciences, technical and commercial subjects and finish with some exams.

This system gave the students a little insight into what they would be dealing with when they got to Senior class and helped them make better choices regarding the subjects they found more intriguing and good Counselling. Great, don’t you think? May Allah bless his soul. Either way, no one seems to do that anymore, and we have to move on.

As a teacher or an educator whom kids look up to and adhere to with all beliefs, you should be careful with the kind of information you give kids.

Courses might be ranked, but the individual is responsible for how much utility they can produce using it. Every course is important. If not, it would not be a cause to study. (P.S.: We will talk about the effect of our country on education some other day).

As a parent or caregiver, it is important to practice mindful parenting and carry out routine checks with your kids to understand their choices and lifestyle and make sure they choose the best for themselves.

Many of us had that ‘follow follow’ stage that comes with growing up. And then you snap! And you reach the point where you have to take a step back, assess the situation and realise that this is not who you want to be.

Then, we live our lives trying to find ourselves with ever-changing wants and needs. Many of us are past that now, but you might know a kid or two going through these struggles. It is easy to recognise these stages when they talk and be on the lookout for help.

Let us give them better than we had.

Munirah Ibrahim Yusuf can be reached via ibrahimnurah99@gmail.com. 

By Mohammed Usman

Every society comprises class and caste, dividing its members into the same or similar status, profession, occupation, etc. This division makes the society function and able to move forward. It is the factor that enables each member to, directly and indirectly, benefit from another to sustain a living. 

We can say that these societal classes and castes are God Made since they have existed since time immemorial. More so, they exist even in the heavenly kingdom of God, the Almighty, for not all the angels of God are of the same status andrank. But each one of them remains an Angel of God, anyway! And being one angel of a status lower than the other doesn’t make him less than an angel. The difference in status resulted from the different purposes for which each one was created to serve. 

Similarly, mankind is made into different statuses, occupations and professions. We are all cut out for various reasons, so we can never be the same or go the same path in life’s journey. We are being driven, all of us, by the force of destiny that is beyond our control. It is in the hand of God, our dear creator. He is the one who penned down what and who each of us will be after being born and given a lease of life.

This, therefore, is worthwhile for us to fathom the metaphysical differences we have in perception of life phenomenon, passions, and craves_which are the fundamentals of our existence and our purpose for living, or one of the essential purposes for which we are created, and of course, the reason why we belong to a different caste. 

Having this at the back of our minds and having understood it fully, we shall never assume that belonging to an assumably superior societal class or caste makes us superior to another in entirety. It is foolish to think this way. As I said above, we all need each other. And we benefit from each other to sustain living. That makes us less than superior than we think we are! 

For more emphasis, belonging to that societal class or caste is, or the other, not a consequence of our own doings or mental engineering. It is something within the orbit of our destiny made and controlled by God, the owner of insurmountable power. 

So the earlier we come to this wisdom, the better and more balanced society we shall make for ourselves, and as a result, we make the world a better place for mankind to live to the fullest. 

May Allah grant us understanding. Aameaan! 

Mohammed Usman (Noble-pen) wrote via mohammedusman5706@gmail.com.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana

After watching a Hausa video from Kano State a few days ago on different social media platforms, I was deeply saddened to witness a young man confessing to security officials how he fatally stabbed and murdered his father. Saying he committed the act “out of love for him” forced tears out of my eyes.

The most heartbreaking part was when he acknowledged his father’s care, provision, education, and immense love towards him, expressing that he killed him to ensure his father’s peaceful rest in heaven.

When asked about his name by the interrogator, he confidently said, ” My name is Abu Kasim Bin Ya’u Bin Ibrahim Bin Abubakar.” Surprisingly, he doesn’t even know the crime he committed before his arrest by the staff of the Nigerian Civil Security and Defense Corps (NSCDC).

While reminding him that he killed his father, he unapologetically explained that whoever is killed goes to heaven—paradise—without any questions from angels. ”I killed him, and whoever kills someone will go to hellfire. I am a certified member of Hellfire, but my father is a dweller of paradise, and I don’t care about the situation I will find myself in. That is not my problem.”

When asked why he didn’t kill himself,  he replied, saying he loves his father more than himself. ”He paid my school fees, and I became a wayward person and killed him, qualifying me to be judged accordingly. We must tell the truth no matter what. I am in the know that I killed him, and I will not lie to you, Officer.”

These were the words of the young man from Nigeria who killed his hard-working and promising father after getting high on hard drugs, exposing the level of crime that a drug addict can commit if he or she is high.

Similarly, I overheard a story of a young man, 21, who forcefully slept with his 17-year-old sister after being high at night, leading to her pregnancy. He said he thought he was at a hotel where he spent the night.

Another case of drug addiction that got me thinking some months ago was a case of a man who threatened to kill his father if he cautioned him about his lifestyle.

Yesterday, I read a report by TheCable that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has raised concerns over the abuse of psychoactive substances among Borno’s young people, outlining fermented human urine, lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, and mentholated spirits mixed with soft drinks as the most abused substances in the state, which resulted in prostitution, extortion, and other social ill-practices.

This was contained in a statement by Iliyasu Mani, the Commander of the Narcotics of the NDLEA, Maiduguri, Borno State.

He explained that some youths are inhaling toilet fumes and gutter dirt to get high and commit different kinds of crimes to the detriment of the state, aside from the ongoing insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and businesses, leaving people poor and helpless.

Mani went on to say, “Let me categorically state here that these new psychoactive substances that are commonly abused today include cannabis sativa, skunk, cough syrup with codeine, ice, tramadol, rRohypnol diazepam, pentazocine, rubber solution, and glue,” concluding that some use 10-year-old human urine to get high.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a household survey conducted in 2018 and reviewed in 2021, the level of substance abuse in Nigeria is at 14.3 percent which was three times higher than the 5.6 percent global average. This alone calls for action to come up with realistic and achievable ways of tackling drug addiction in the country.

Recently, one of my relatives escaped death after a botched attack by terror drug addicts at his residence in Gwange Sabon Layi in Maiduguri. They went to his house at night, attacked him with knives, and snatched his cell phones, one among the many crimes they commit daily.

This is the situation of many young people today in the North. Their addiction to hard drug consumption has already taken a frightening dimension. That is why the government must do something to arrest the dangerous situation. 

Lawan Bukar Maigana writes from Borno State and can be reached via email lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com

By Salihi Adamu Takai

The case of culpable homicide has become a daily report case in Kano State. The crime is a rampant nuisance that disturbs the whole country today. This is horrible in a state like Kano, which is the most populous state in Nigeria.

The rampancy of the crime is not only confusing but also the human, physical, and emotional proximity of the parties that are involved in the commission of the crime. The case of the rampancy of the commission of the crime is abnormal considering how it has been in records in police stations and contained in many cases of laws.

Most of the reported culpable homicides in Kano show the relationship and social proximity of the parties involved in it. The accused persons of the reported cases had proximity to the dead persons. This started – (as I have noticed it) – from the Hanifa’s case. Hanifa was kidnapped and killed by her teacher. There was a human proximity between the dead person and the accused person.

The Chinese man who killed his girlfriend had human proximity to the dead person engaged in courtship, and he eventually killed her. The recent case of Hafsa is also a case that confuses lots of people in Kano. The accused person had proximity to the dead person, and she killed him. Yesterday, it was reported that a person raped and killed his sister in Kano.

Therefore, this rampant nuisance in the report of the cases of culpable homicide in Kano is not a mere thing of crime inconsistent with the Penal Code; it’s beyond human perspectives and avoidable. What a relationship that puts people into a dilemma! Son kills his mother, and mother kills her son!!

It’s a collective responsibility of the Kano State community to engage in the proper investigation of the causes of these crimes. Islamic scholars shall always deliver sermons to admonish people on such offences, and the life of the Prophet (SAW) shall be part of the sermon so Muslims can always remain in touch with it.

By Umar Sani Adamu

Poverty has far-reaching consequences on various aspects of society, including health, education, and social structure. Understanding these repercussions is crucial for addressing the root causes and developing effective strategies to alleviate poverty and its associated issues.

1. Health

Poverty significantly impacts health outcomes. Limited access to nutritious food, clean water, and adequate healthcare services contributes to a higher prevalence of malnutrition, infectious diseases, and chronic conditions among the impoverished. Lack of resources often results in substandard living conditions, exposing individuals to environmental hazards. Additionally, stressors associated with financial insecurity can lead to mental health issues, further exacerbating the overall health burden.

2. Education

Poverty creates barriers to educational attainment. Families struggling with economic hardships may prioritise immediate needs over investing in education. Children from impoverished backgrounds often face challenges such as inadequate access to quality schools, resources, and educational support. Limited access to books, technology, and extracurricular activities hinders their development. As a result, the cycle of poverty continues, as these individuals may find it challenging to break free from their circumstances through education.

3. Social Structure

The social fabric of a community is intricately linked to economic well-being. Poverty can contribute to the fragmentation of social ties as individuals grapple with the stress and uncertainty of their circumstances. Communities with high poverty rates may experience increased social inequality and a lack of social cohesion. This can manifest as reduced community engagement, weakened support networks, and a diminished sense of belonging.

4. Crime

Poverty is often identified as a significant factor contributing to crime. Several mechanisms explain this relationship. Firstly, individuals in poverty may resort to criminal activities as a means of economic survival. Limited opportunities for legitimate employment can lead some to engage in illegal activities to meet basic needs. Additionally, impoverished communities may experience higher rates of substance abuse, which can further contribute to criminal behaviour.

Furthermore, the lack of access to quality education and limited social support in impoverished areas can result in a higher prevalence of delinquency. The frustration and hopelessness stemming from persistent poverty may lead individuals, particularly young people, towards criminal behaviour as an alternative to breaking free from their challenging circumstances.

Addressing the Link Between Poverty and Crime

A multi-faceted approach is necessary to mitigate poverty’s impact on crime. Policies to reduce poverty through economic empowerment, education, and healthcare access are crucial. Investments in education, vocational training, and job creation can provide individuals with opportunities to escape the cycle of poverty and reduce the likelihood of resorting to criminal activities.

Social support programs that strengthen community bonds, mental health services, and addiction rehabilitation can address some of the root causes of criminal behaviour associated with poverty. Additionally, targeted efforts to improve law enforcement-community relations and reduce systemic inequalities can contribute to crime prevention.

In conclusion, poverty has profound consequences on health, education, and social structure, with a direct link to increased crime rates. Breaking this cycle requires comprehensive strategies that address the systemic issues contributing to poverty and simultaneously provide individuals and communities with the tools and resources needed for positive transformation.

Umar Sani Adamu (Kawun Baba) wrote via umarhashidu1994@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Dr. Tosan Erhabor, the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), disclosed that a staggering 10,697 medical laboratory scientists have left the country, with 4,504 departing in 2023 alone. 

The brain drain, attributed to various factors, has prompted the Federal Ministry of Health to devise a policy aimed at regulating the migration of Nigerian health workers. 

Dr. Tosan Erhabor expressed his concern about the exodus of medical laboratory scientists during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).  

He highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive policy to address the root causes of migration and establish regulatory measures. 

“The total number of medical laboratory scientists that have migrated is 10,697,” Dr. Erhabor stated.  

He further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health is actively working on a policy framework that would govern the migration of health professionals and potentially curb the alarming trend. 

To alleviate some of the challenges faced by health professionals, Dr. Erhabor shared that the government has initiated a review of the hazard allowance for health workers.  

Additionally, considerations are being made to review the minimum wage and other allowances specific to health professionals. Dr. Erhabor underscored the importance of creating a safe and conducive work environment as a crucial factor in stemming the tide of brain drain within the medical laboratory science field. 

The reasons behind the migration, as outlined by Dr. Erhabor, are multifaceted. He cited poor remuneration, uncertainties in career progression within teaching hospitals, the pursuit of education abroad, the desire to acquire new skills, and enhanced professional status as contributing factors. 

Moreover, the security situation in the country, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of modern equipment have prompted many professionals to seek opportunities abroad. 

The rising cost of living emerged as a critical factor, with Dr. Erhabor noting that it has become practically impossible for the average medical laboratory scientist to provide basic care and quality education for their children. 

The preferred destinations for these migrating scientists are reportedly the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, reflecting the global appeal of these nations for professionals seeking opportunities and a conducive working environment. 

As the healthcare sector grapples with this significant challenge, the MLSCN and relevant authorities are urgently working towards implementing effective policies to retain and incentivize medical laboratory scientists within Nigeria. 

The alarming departure of over 10,000 medical laboratory scientists from Nigeria in 2023 has prompted the MLSCN to call for swift policy interventions.  

With a multitude of factors contributing to the brain drain, the urgency to address remuneration, career uncertainties, and infrastructural challenges is crucial to retaining and attracting skilled health professionals within the country.

By Bello Hussein Adoto 

Have you ever heard: “No one remembers who came in second”? The quote is often credited to the legendary golfer Walter Hagen; others credit it to Enzo Ferrari. Whatever the source, the quote is popular. I have read it in more places than I can remember. Self-help gurus make it a part of their gung-ho anthems to nudge you into giving your best shot, doing better than average, and becoming great, not just good. 

You have to be the first person in your class. The best player in your team. The gold medallist in your sport. The brightest star on the planet. This is not minding the fact that Walter Hagen himself is third, not first or even second, in the list of golfers with the highest professional majors. 

The problem with “no one remembers who came in second” is that it feeds a utopic mindset in people who see things in binaries. To these people, you either win or you lose. There’s no halfway or middle ground. There’s nothing like you tried. There’s nothing you can do better. Your efforts are nought if you come second. No one will remember you. You go just dey explain, explain; no evidence.

So, what do we do? Some of us try to clinch the first place at all costs. We put in the work, burn the night candles, and sacrifice sleep and transient comfort for the great good.  Others lie, cheat, and scheme their way to the top. They don’t mind breaking the rules, engaging in unethical behaviour, or even hurting others to win. The goal is to win first; the how can come later, if it comes at all. 

Then, the rest of us aren’t so sure of our capacities to win, so we don’t compete. Or we compete only when we have higher chances of winning than losing. According to Carol Dweck, this category is for those who have a “fixed mindset”, the view that if you don’t already have the capacity to do something, you can’t do it at all.

Mindset aside, we are not the only ones who want to be remembered for coming first. Other people are trying to win, too—tens, hundreds, and thousands of others burning the night candle, scheming their ways, or hurting others, looking to win. We may win, and we may not.

I am not trying to romanticise mediocrity. There should be good, better, best to set the standards for excellence. There should be standards to measure and reward performance. We need the binaries of success and failure to draw the lines between the champ and the trash.

Nevertheless, that line should be thick and wide enough to accommodate the spectrum of outcomes between incompetence and excellence. Anyone who puts their hats into the ring and achieves the thresholds of excellence should be celebrated if not remembered for their efforts. Efforts should not only matter when they produce a first. 

However, in a world of “no one remembers who came in second” cheerleaders, effort is not enough. Stepping up to represent your school or class in a quiz or debate is not enough if you don’t win. Surviving medical school feels less of a win if you are not the Best Graduating Student in something. It goes on and on.

Then, you look at the lives of those keeping the scores of winners and losers, the ones who remember those who came first but don’t remember those who came in second, and wonder what their places in history are.

Who remembers these people? Who remembers the commentators at the 1996 Olympics? Who remembers the journalists who celebrated Nigeria and Africa? Who remembers the fans and snobs that choose who deserves the cheers or the jeers? Do you? I suppose some do, but they are a minority. 

If we all don’t remember the commentators, the fans, and the snobs, at least some will remember the players. At least, we remember Brazil. At least, we remember Holland at the 2010 World Cup, Argentina in 2014, Croatia in 2018, and France in 2022. We remember Sneijder. We remember Messi, Modric, and Mbappe. We remember those who strode into the pitch to gun for the gold, even if they didn’t get it. 

If we don’t remember them, at least these people remember themselves. Some self-help gurus would say, “The only person who remembers who comes in second is the person who came in second.” And I agree. How you see yourself is what matters more. Your win is yours as much as your losses. You’re your greatest fan and snob, not those watching the scoreboard.

At its core, the competition is not out there where there is gold, silver, or bronze. There’s no first prize or second place. There’s you, you, you. You—the one in this wild and endless competition—are to decide what to compete for, whether to put your best foot forward, be sure you’ve done your best, and hope the best comes out of it. The validation is yours to give first before the world resonates it. Whatever you get or don’t get from that will be on you, not the fans or snobs.

The greater competition is in beating your good self to become better, polishing your metal, and turning it into gold. That competition is within, and that’s where the win or loss should start from.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking it doesn’t matter if you are remembered. It does. Recognition matters. Excellence matters. You can’t afford to be complacent or mediocre. So, start polishing. Build diligently. Show up good, prepared. Pursue excellence. When the chips are down and “no one remembers who came in second,” you will remember yourself. What would you want to remember yourself for?

By Aliyu Nuhu

I saw a post by a friend advising people not to check their symptoms on internet and should go to hospitals for all their complaints. He was partially correct, but wrong in underestimating the power and importance of internet-based knowledge.

Medicine recognizes home treatment for non emergency medical conditions. But there is a caveat that you should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse.

Always remember that doctors themselves know a lot about their speciality, but they also know little in a vast ocean of knowledge in other fields of medicine. You can know better than them if you choose to read.

My son was given about fifteen medications to take after heart surgery. But because I have knowledge of the disease and drug options,I was able to engage the doctor and at the end the drugs were reduced to four. Take note that I did not reduce the medication on my own. I only used my knowledge of pharmacy to engage the doctor and get him to reduce them himself. Some of the drugs were to be taken for few weeks and to be discontinued. Some were doing the same job and one of them has to go. Some were to alleviate symptoms, and if the child didn’t have the symptoms what was the need for them? Some were for pains from surgery and if the wound was healed there was no need for them. I once educated a doctor for asking a child to take calcium for bone strength, but he obviously didn’t know that the body would need vitamin D to successfully process calcium. Medicine is so vast that doctors must also read the internet to keep abreast.

There are treat-at-home symptoms you can learn from internet. I successfully treated myself for common illnesses through internet and over the counter medications. Why should I for instance go to hospital to treat nail fungus? You are your own best doctor. Arm yourself with knowledge before approaching your doctor.

There are symptoms that you know you need professional help. You know the red flags for potentially life threatening symptoms. When you can’t breathe you don’t need anyone to tell you to rush to get medical help at the hospital. When you have severe headache and other symptoms you never had before you should know that you need an immediate medical emergency.

I know when to see a doctor. The important thing for you is to also know when to see your own doctor. Even when meeting with my doctor, my vast knowledge of medicine prepares me for drug options and procedural choices. Internet makes you even choose the right doctor. If you have blood in your urine check for the possible causes. The regular GP may not detect if your condition is postate cancer. Oncologist knows what other tests to do and confirm if you have the condition. If you have shortness of breath, painful arm, etc, the cardiologist is the person that will know that you need angiogram to know if there is blockage in the circulatory system.

We have good doctors no doubt but always know that we have imposters, some that did not even read medicine in the university. Our hospitals are populated with half-baked professionals that only knowledge could save you from their deadly mistakes.

A whole teaching hospital treated a relative of mine for cerebral malaria when she actually had tuberculosis of the spine. My son was diagnosed with truncus ateriosis when in actual fact he had tetralogy of fallot. Without internet I would have been lost. However, a careful check gave me better understanding of the symptoms and led me to the right laboratory that identified the right disease. Internet led me to the right doctors abroad.

It will be suicidal just to rely on doctors without having elementary knowledge of your symptoms and treatment options. Drugs have side effects and also, interaction issues with other drugs or foods. If you don’t read you won’t know. Your doctor is human and has many patients and will not have time to educate you. Educate yourself. Knowledge is not only power, but in medicine it can be a life-saver.

Aliyu Nuhu writes from Abuja, Nigeria.