Lifestyle

By Abdelghaffar Amoka

I have read comments from some ladies on social media that they can’t marry a man who earns less than a certain value, for example, N300k. I have no issue with setting such a minimum. I am of the school of thought that a man should be able and ready to take care of a woman before making that marriage decision. It is okay to set a minimum amount that the man must bring to the table. But that means you must have also set a minimum you are bringing to the table. So, what are you bringing to the table?

Don’t tell me about your body because we all have a body we are bringing to the table. Of course, your fine face and body shape may be the first point of attraction to a man. He will be wow! See beautiful face! See fine shape! Lower your gaze, bro. But that is just a motivation. A man needs more than a pleasing face in a woman/wife to keep him going. In the words of Jim Ryun, “Motivation gets you started, but habit keeps you going”. There must be something to keep you going, or else it crashes. 

In 2012, shortly after returning from the UK, I got into a talk with a lady I really liked. She told me she, too,really liked me, but her feelings for me were not enough to survive a lifetime relationship. I was happy with her honest submission. That was the most honest response I have got from a lady. So, both parties must bring something that will keep a lifetime relationship. That thing is most likely beyond your pretty face and his 300k. 

There are different kinds of wives. The normal wife and the Trophy wife. Do you want to be a Trophy wife? Your body is all that is needed to be. You can be brainless; it doesn’t matter; your value is in your physical appearance. You are just a status symbol who has to ensure a flawless look to enhance the social status of your husband. He sure knows you need that money to spend on your looks to stay attractive to him and the clients you are to impress. He will make provision for that. They (Trophy wives) seem to serve the same purpose as models. 

For the normal wife, your value is not your physical appearance but your personality. The same personality that made you feel he would be a great husband and father to your kids. Husband and wife are full-fledged partners in making their home happy and prosperous. They are supposed to be loyal and faithful to one another and genuinely interested in each other’s welfare and the welfare of their children. A woman is expected to exercise a humanising influence over her husband and to soften the sternness inherent in his nature.

While a fine face could be the motivation for a lifetime relationship, we are expected to bring our heads to the table. We should be able to share ideas. He should be somebody to look up to and be able to be your guide. He should also be able to tell you the ideas in his head for your input and criticism. You should be his second opinion. You should be able to help him grow his ideas.

A man is enjoined to also educate and develop the women in his care so that they cultivate the qualities in which they, by their very nature, excel. You should be willing for that development. You should be able to transform your ideas into a product, even from your kitchen, to support yourself. He will want to come home and be told: “Sweetheart, I have done so and so to transform the 100k you gave me the other time to 120k and have got so, and so plans to re-invest it for more gain”. He will be like, Yeah! That is my wife.

He may not need the money as he is responsible for taking care of you. But you should be able to support yourself in some things. You can also voluntarily support him without asking. Marriage is about growing a family. It’s not just about bringing a minimum of N300k to the table. The N300k may still not be enough if she doesn’t have what it takes to manage it. It is having what it takes to help him manage and maximise his resources for the family. 

You are not a commodity. You are priceless. Stop objectifying yourself. Your worth and potential are in your head. It does not lie on that flaunted sexualised fatty part of the body. Your value is unquantifiable. Stop putting a price tag on yourself. Not even the pleasure derived from talking with each other can be priced. No amount of money can buy that. Take a lesson from those humble, beautiful women and wives who are professionals and entrepreneurs. There are a number of them that I admire every day.

To brothers, if you are looking for a Trophy wife, ensure you have the cash to maintain the trophy. Her flawless look must be kept intact against all odds. 

Dear friends, be yourself and listen to yourself. Relationships are not destined to be or not to be. They work because the people involved find something interesting about themselves and are willing to make sacrifices to make it work. I hope to write about my mother someday. Don’t live by social media. Don’t get carried away by social media euphoria. Don’t let some frustrated individuals on the net confuse you. The value of family is priceless. Let’s bring our heads to the table to build that small empire for a beautiful family. 

Abdelghaffar Amoka Abdelmalik, PhD, wrote from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He can be reached via aaabdelmalik@gmail.com.

By: Hassan Idris

Christmas is an annual festival that’s primarily celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s duly observed on the 25th of every December as a religious and cultural celebration among millions of people around the world. Notwithstanding, Christmas, of course, is a Christian holiday that’s celebrated by many around the globe as a religious holiday with religious rituals, values and relationships. This schema for understanding what grips society together also applies to Christmas as a secular holiday. Christmas is a beloved holiday and for good reasons. It’s a time for parties, delicious seasonal beverages, feasting, gifts, and for many, a time of homecoming, but underneath the surface of festivity, there’s quite a bit going on, sociologically.

Sociologically, Christmas holds the social value of rituals as Classical Sociologist Emile Durkheim tends to shed more light on this. Durkheim, a functional Sociologist, developed a still widely used theory for explaining what holds society and social groups together through his study of religion.

Durkheim identified core aspects of religious structure and participation that sociologists today apply to society in general, including the role of rituals in bringing people together around shared practices and values; and ways that participation in rituals reaffirms shared values, and thus reaffirms and strengthens the social bonds between people (which he called social solidarity); and the experience of “collective effervescence,” in which people tend to share in feelings of excitement and are unified in the experience of participating in rituals together. As a result of these things, people feel connected to others, a sense of belonging, and the social order as it exists makes sense to them. They feel stable, comfortable, and secure.

Furthermore, the secular rituals of Christmas are very pertinent in the sociological discussion of social solidarity. Christmas, of course, is a Christian holiday, celebrated by many as a religious holiday with religious rituals, values, and relationships. The rituals involved in Christmas are decorating, often together with loved ones; using seasonal and holiday-themed items; cooking meals and baking sweets; throwing and attending parties; exchanging gifts; wrapping and opening those gifts; bringing children to visit Santa Claus; watching for Santa on Christmas eve; leaving milk and cookies for him; singing Christmas carols; hanging stockings; watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music; performing in Christmas pageants; and attending church services.

However, what Christmas does is bring us together with the people we hold dear and give us an opportunity to reaffirm our shared values. When we participate in rituals together, we call to the surface of interactions the values that underlie them. In this case, we can identify the values that underlie these rituals as the importance of family and friendship, togetherness, kindness, and generosity. These are the values that uphold the most beloved Christmas movies and songs, too. By coming together around these values through participation in Christmas rituals, we reaffirm and strengthen our social ties with those involved.

Also, Christmas performs a deeply important social function for us. It makes us feel like we are part of a collective whole, whether that be with kin or chosen family. And, as social beings, this is one of our fundamental human needs. Doing this is what makes it such a special time of year, and why, for some, if we don’t achieve this at Christmastime, it can be a real downer. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hunt for gifts, the desire for new goods, and the promise of letting loose and partying during this time of the year.

Furthermore, in 1925, Anthropologist Marcel Mauss theorized that gift-giving is actually all about the giver: Mauss identified three obligations associated with gift exchange: giving, which he equates with the first step in building a social relationship; receiving, which signifies acceptance of the social relationship; and reciprocating, which demonstrates the recipient’s integrity. If gifts are refused or unreciprocated, relationships can be threatened. Decoration and gift giving are some of the prerequisites of Christmas and strengthen relationship bounds and solidarity amongst people all over the world.

Coming down to the Christmas celebration in Nigeria, it is pertinent to know that Nigeria is a rich country, given its endowed natural resources. Nigeria is a large nation populated by different multi-ethnic and cultural groups. It has an estimated population of over 200 hundred thousand people. It’s now generally estimated that there are some 400 ethnic groups of varying sizes that are found in Nigeria. However, there are definitely nothing less than 400 languages in this diverse country which makes people wonder how the British were able to determine that a united country was possible in such a diversity. And in this kind of complex diversity Nigerians celebrate Christmas happily and peacefully.

Christmas in Nigeria is a family event, a time when lots of family members come together to celebrate and have fun. Most families, that live in cities, travel to the villages where their grandparents and older relatives live. The end of the year is usually a great time for most Nigerians, and this is not just because it signals a time of relief for most people aching for a vacation or rest from all the hard work and back-breaking activities of the previous months; it is also because December time is Christmas time!

Christmas Day in Nigeria is a public holiday that is marked by the emptying of towns and cities with excitement in the air. People travel to their respective states of origin to celebrate with their loved ones, it is often a time for family reunion, a time to re-strategize and focus, it is a time to seek the face of God and make new year resolutions and also bless those who are less fortunate, and other general acts of random kindness.

As the towns and cities empty, people jam the West African markets to buy and transport live chickens, goats and cows that will be needed for the Christmas meals. On Christmas Eve, many families will throw Christmas parties that will last all night long, traditional meals are prepared and served according to the traditions of each region. Instead of having sweets and cakes, Nigerians as a whole tend to prepare various dishes.

In the South, a dish called Jollof rice or fried rice is served with stews of various meats along with fried plantains; in the North, rice and stew, as well as Tuwon Shinkafa, a rice pudding, served with various meat stews, are preferred. An alternative in both regions (but more favoured in the South) is a pepper soup with fish, goat meat or beef. Served with these foods are an array of mainly alcoholic drinks such as the traditional palm wine or various local and imported beers and wines; children and women may be served locally-made soft-drink equivalents instead.

Many different languages are spoken in Nigeria, and with different ways of wishing one another a happy Christmas. In Hausa Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘barka dà Kirsìmatì’; in Yoruba it’s ‘E ku odun, e ku iye’dun’; in Fulani it’s ‘Jabbama be salla Kirismati’; in Igbo (Ibo) ‘E keresimesi Oma’; in Ibibio ‘Idara ukapade isua’ and in Edo it’s ‘Iselogbe’.

However, on Christmas morning, Christians go to church to give thanks to God. Homes, restaurants, workplaces and streets are often decorated. Most homes will have an artificial Christmas tree. Children love to play with firecrackers at Christmas. The church choir may visit the church congregation in their homes to sing Christmas carols to them. Christmas cards are sent to friends and family members. Presents are exchanged amongst family members, and some families may take their children dressed in new outfits to see Santa Claus, usually referred to as ” FATHER CHRISTMAS in Nigeria.

In the villages, people would be greeted by the numerous masquerade groups formulated by the younger people who gently display their dance moves in exchange for foreign currencies. These dance groups make the Christmas experience soothing and comforting. The young girls also have their dance groups, though without a masquerade but with palm fronds tied to their left feet as a sign of bravery in some cultures. These young girls also make money by displaying their well-thought-out dance steps.

Christmas in Nigeria consumes money and the flow of gifts. It’s a time for celebration and reconnection, the experience is always an unforgettable one. Visitors are welcomed, and there is no house that is left without the aroma of chickened stew, especially in places where the celebration is ongoing. Nigerians are kinder to each other during the holidays.

Families and organizations take time out during the holidays to share good cheers and give out gifts to each other and the less privileged. Some people also organize causes and donation points for others. The most lit parties happen at Christmas time. From carols to street carnivals to concerts, people are bound to have the utmost time of their lives during the holidays.

In conclusion, the sociology of Christmas is wonderful and unique as it is important to remember that Christmas will be most enjoyable when it is designed to foster togetherness and also share and reaffirm the positive values that bind Christians together.

Hassan Idris can be reached via idrishassan035@gmail.com.

By Alhaji Musa Muhammad 

The more you have been infected with kidney failure, the more you will come to the mind of the people: “You are finished”. Others take you as a corpse just walking before its last breath.

Hadejia, the area with a number of such cases, is still facing the problem without knowing its root causes. However, there was a time when one of the presenters (name withheld), during a campaign awareness, warned vegetable/fish farmers to avoid using pesticides and herbicides on direct fruits, for example, eggplants.

He said there was a time when he saw a  farmer spraying his eggplant farm and asked him why he was pouring it. The farmer replied yes, I’m spreading it for every fruit to rip simultaneously. The Dr said are you not afraid the chemical will affect the consumers? The farmer replied, ‘I’m not the one who consumed it”.

Efforts have been made by some politicians, especially former senator Ibrahim Hassan, to take urgent action to tackle the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, there is no remarkable feedback about the different gatherings held on the kidney problem in the area.

Community-based organisations have done a lot in organising sensitisation meetings in collaboration with health practitioners, but the community members are still witnessing the increase in the problem.

One thing to be done regarding the kidney problem is the need for the government to take urgent action and mobilise the environment on the causes of the disease.

I must commend the effort and struggle of Dr Isah Billami during his tenure as chairman of Hadejia Ina Mafita to organise a town meeting to learn the solution to the problem. However, there was no positive feedback on the issue.

Our politicians range from the council chairman, members representing Hadejia at the state House of Assembly, senators representing Jigawa Northeast and the Governor at large; your response is highly needed now.

Allah ya kawo mana dauki , Ameem .

Alhaji Musa Muhammad wrote from Hadejia, Jigawa State.

By Suleiman Ahmed

1. When things are going well for you, remain humble. It’s not just about your hard work, intelligence, skills, or talents; factors like luck, good timing, opportunities, and privileges also play a role.

2. Conversely, when things are going bad for you, forgive yourself and avoid falling into despair. Some aspects are beyond your control. As long as you did what you had to, forgive yourself, learn from the outcome, correct your mistakes, and keep moving forward. 

3. You’re not as good as you think you are when you’re winning, and you’re not as bad as you think you are when things are going poorly. Take it easy.

4. Bad things will happen. It doesn’t matter if you’re a good person or not; bad things can happen to anyone. There are too many variables beyond your control. This is why it’s crucial to prepare for challenging days when things are going well. 

The Igala people have a wise saying: “In times of abundance, prepare for hardship.” Life isn’t all about feasting; there will be moments of famine. What you do during times of plenty determines how you cope during times of scarcity. A great year doesn’t guarantee the next one will be the same. Life is unpredictable. Another crisis might happen, or unexpected challenges may arise. 

Many things are beyond your control, so staying prepared is the best way to handle surprises. In essence, the Igala wisdom encourages prudence during prosperous times. It teaches us to resist the temptation to indulge in extravagant spending during good times and, finally, to adopt a sustainable life, diligently saving for unforeseen emergencies. 

A lack of preparation for the bad times exposes one to relying on charity from others for financial assistance when hard times eventually arrive. While this may not be wrong in and of itself, relying on people’s benevolence during emergencies is not only risky but also unfair to both yourself and the people you seek help from, especially if feelings of betrayal arise when they can’t rescue you. Numerous relationships have been strained due to one party’s inability to offer financial support during times of distress. It’s crucial to recognise that we don’t always know the challenges others are silently facing. Therefore, feeling offended or betrayed when they are unable to help is rather unkind. 

In summary, stay humble and frugal during good times, forgive yourself and remain patient during bad times, and stay prepared for the unexpected. While the future is unpredictable, being prepared helps you handle surprises better.

The path is long. 

The burden is heavy. 

May your arm be strong. 

May your sword be sharp.

Suleiman Ahmed is the author of TROUBLE IN VALHALLA. He is also a software engineer. He is available on X/Twitter via @sule365.

By Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim

Communication is vital to human interaction, influencing relationships, emotions, and outcomes. In all languages, the impact of communication skills is profound, especially in expressions of greetings, well-wishing, congratulations, condolences, and the like. While these expressions are often used to convey positive intentions and goodwill, how they are communicated can significantly affect the recipient’s feelings and perceptions.

In Hausa culture, for example, greetings are essential to daily interactions, reflecting respect, courtesy, and social harmony. Appropriations of greetings demonstrate politeness and establish a positive tone for communication. However, the impact of greetings goes beyond mere words; it encompasses the tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. A warm and sincere greeting can make the recipient feel valued and respected, while a cold or indifferent greeting may convey disinterest or disrespect, leading to negative feelings.

Well-wishing is another crucial aspect of communication in our daily encounters, especially in the context of prayers for someone’s well-being or success. This is something that seems cordial yet can be volatile. Whether it is praying for someone to have a child, to get rid of poverty, or to find a job, how these wishes are expressed matters significantly. The spot where such utterances are made can make or mar the situation.

For example, when offering prayers for someone to have a child, it is quite unnecessary to say it to their face. It is often like reminding them and telling those around them how childless they are! Then, is it really necessary? Prayers can be both general or precise, thanks to the fact that Allah is always aware of our inner intentions. Thus, such prayers can be positively concealed in a more general term. “May Allah offer your wishes”, “May Allah reward you with Jannah/bless your family”, etc., cannot harm, I guess.

A similar reproach is often experienced when offering consolations. The manner, tone and words used can reflect civility and ensure privacy yet remain empathetic, hopeful, and positive. A well-expressed prayer can uplift the recipient’s spirits and strengthen their resolve. In contrast, a poorly articulated wish may appear insincere or lacking in empathy, potentially causing emotional distress. Consider a situation where an ill person (who needs support and encouragement) is constantly being told how he is wasting weight! Is that consoling or condemning? Instead of extending the tender support required, we often extend emotional pain and wash away the little drops of hope in the patient.

Similarly, congratulations are often extended to celebrate achievements or milestones in a person’s life. Whether congratulating someone on a promotion, a wedding, or any other accomplishment, the manner of expression can enhance or diminish the recipient’s joy. A heartfelt congratulatory message conveys genuine happiness and support, whereas a superficial or casual expression may undermine the significance of the achievement, leading to feelings of disappointment or devaluation.

In conclusion, the impact of communication skills is profound, especially in expressions of greetings, well-wishing, congratulations, condolences, and their likes. How these expressions are communicated can significantly affect the recipient’s feelings and perceptions, shaping the quality of interpersonal relationships. Without diplomacy and sensitivity in communication, even well-intentioned expressions can have unintended negative consequences. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate effective communication skills to convey goodwill and ensure that our words and actions do not inadvertently cause harm. Without diplomacy, we may do more harm than good despite our noble intentions.

Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim wrote from Katsina via matazu247@gmail.com.

By Ladi Ibrahim

Early marriage, also known as child marriage, remains a persistent issue in Nigeria, where cultural traditions, poverty, and limited access to education contribute to this harmful practice. Despite significant progress made in addressing child marriage globally, Nigeria still grapples with high rates of early marriage, adversely affecting the lives of countless young girls. This article aims to illuminate the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this deeply rooted societal problem.

Several factors contribute to the prevalence of early marriage in Nigeria. Cultural norms and traditions play a pivotal role, with many communities believing that marrying off their daughters at a young age protects their honour and ensures their future safety. Poverty is another critical factor, as families with limited resources may see marrying their daughters off early as an economic relief or an attempt to secure a better life for them.

Furthermore, lack of access to quality education, especially for girls, perpetuates the cycle of early marriage. Limited educational opportunities deprive young girls of the chance to develop essential skills, pursue independent livelihoods, and gain awareness about their rights. Additionally, prevailing gender inequalities and discrimination further exacerbate the problem, limiting gender equality and social progress.

Early marriage has detrimental effects on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of young girls. Firstly, it exposes them to serious health risks, as their bodies are often not fully developed to bear children, resulting in complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Early marriage also robs girls of their right to education, denying them the chance to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Moreover, young brides often face economic hardships, lacking the necessary skills or education to secure stable employment. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty, subsequently affecting future generations. Early marriage is also linked to a higher incidence of domestic violence, mental health issues, and limited decision-making power for girls and women within their households.

Addressing the issue of early marriage in Nigeria requires a holistic approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including the government, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and communities. 

 Enhancing access to quality education, particularly for girls, is pivotal to breaking the cycle of early marriage. This can be achieved by providing scholarships, building schools closer to rural communities, and promoting educational campaigns focused on child rights and gender equality.

Strengthening existing laws that criminalise child marriage is essential, accompanied by strict enforcement mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable. Providing young girls with vocational training and economic opportunities can dismantle the economic rationale behind early marriage. Such initiatives can help them gain financial independence and empower them to make informed choices.

 Collaborating with religious and community leaders to change social norms and customs that perpetuate early marriage is crucial. Obtaining their support and involvement is vital for building awareness and changing mindsets.

Expanding healthcare facilities and services in rural areas, specifically aimed at addressing the unique needs of young brides, can contribute to reducing the health risks associated with early pregnancy and childbirth.

Early marriage continues to be a significant challenge in Nigeria, depriving countless young girls of their rights and potential. By addressing the root causes of this practice through education, legal reforms, economic empowerment, community engagement, and access to healthcare, Nigeria can pave the way for a brighter future for its girls. Efforts to end early marriage require synergy, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to ensuring that every child in Nigeria has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and determine their destiny.

Ladi Ibrahim wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

A call has gone to the Federal Government for a reform of Nigerian marriage laws that will allow married women to bear their fathers’ names. Making the call was an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). 

A statement signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 18^th December 2023, described the current practice whereby married women are forced to bear their husbands’ surnames as gender discriminatory, archaic and oppressive. 

MURIC condemned the current practice for depriving women of their Allah-given fundamental human right to personal and parental identity in marriage. The group advocated the adoption of the women-friendly Islamic practice, which allows married women to bear their fathers’ surnames after marriage. 

The full statement reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to the plight of married Muslim women who are being disallowed by employers from bearing their fathers’ names. This amounts to forceful enslavement, denial of Allah-given fundamental human right to parental identity and wrongful dismissal of loco parentis.

“We condemn the current practice for three major reasons, namely, for generating confusion in the society, for creating a monumental identity crisis among married women and for depriving women of their Allah-given fundamental human right to personal as well as parental identity in marriage.

“Instead of this, we advocate the adoption of the women-friendly Islamic practice which allows married women to bear their fathers’ surnames after marriage. 

“No woman dropped suddenly from the sky, and even if some appear out of nowhere, they must have been born, bred, nurtured, buttered and marmaladed by certain parents before they grew up and matured into womanhood. Their education was also sponsored by their parents at a time when the future husband probably knew nothing about them and spent no kobo on their upbringing and their education.

“It therefore beats logic, fairness and natural justice that a husband appears out of nowhere to commandeer a woman’s parental identity simply by marrying her. Such identity robbery also has its advantages. 

“For instance, women who are educated are forced to advertise change of names to their husbands’ surnames after marriage in order to retain the validity of their documents and properties. It often becomes very difficult and sometimes impossible for married women to be located or to retain old friends due to such a change of name. 

“Those who want to be sincere among married women today will confirm the stress they have gone through from this experience. Islam sets women free from such stress by permitting married women to retain their original family names.

“Contrary to the general claim that Islam discriminates against women, Islamic liberation theology actually teaches respect for the dignity of women in all circumstances. One of such circumstances is the period when women are in wedlock. Whereas Western civilisation robs married women of their original family identity by insisting that they should bear their husbands’ surnames, the Shari’ah allows women to bear their own fathers’ names even after marriage. 

“We therefore invite the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to set the machinery in motion towards allowing married women to bear their fathers’ names. In particular, we charge both houses in the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives, to introduce the necessary bills that will set Nigerian women free from undue masculine domination.

“This advocacy is not for Muslim women alone. We are certain that Muslim women are not the only ones who feel the pinch. MURIC would love to see every married woman who desires to be identified by her father’s name enabled to do so. Our lawmakers should frame the clauses in such a way that all women can enjoy the freedom to choose between bearing their fathers’ names or their husbands’. It is time to set Nigerian women free. They are the mothers of our society.

“We contend that the whole gamut of women’s liberation struggle boils down to a sham and a mirage until this goal is achieved. A married woman is not a slave. She is not just a dot in social statistics. She has a soul, and that soul yearns for love. She covets to love and be loved, not only by her husband but also by her family and vice versa. Nigeria must not fail her. Parental identity is sacrosanct. Husbands can never replace fathers in matters of parental identity, and that is what the current system compels women to go through. Enough is enough.”

By Lawal Dahiru Mamman

It is not uncommon to see destitute in motor parks, religious centres, T-junctions and other places that pull crowds clutching a doctor’s prescription, soliciting public support to purchase drugs.

Others plead not to be offered money but instead be accompanied by any good samaritan to the nearest pharmaceutical outlet to purchase the medication on their behalf. This is to free them from the accusation of preying on public emotion to beg for money without any justifiable reason.

These are indications that a number of Nigerians cannot afford drugs to treat themselves owing to the fact that healthcare is predominantly financed by households, without government support. According to pundits, this, among other factors, has been instrumental in pushing many citizens into poverty.

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, “Up to 90 per cent of all households incurring impoverishing out-of-pocket health spending are already at or below the poverty line – underscoring the need to exempt poor people from out-of-pocket health spending, backing such measures with health financing policies that enable good intentions to be realised in practice.

“Besides the prioritising of services for poor and vulnerable populations, supported through targeted public spending and policies that protect individuals from financial hardship, it will also be crucial to improve the collection, timeliness and disaggregation of data on access, service coverage, out-of-pocket health spending and total expenditure.

“Only when countries have an accurate picture of the way that their health system is performing can they effectively target action to improve the way it meets the needs of all people.”

WHO revealed during the 6th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) last year in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, that “With healthcare out-of-pocket expenditure at 70.5 per cent of the Current Health Expenditure (CHE) in 2019, general government health expenditure as a percentage of the GDP was 0.6 per cent while government expenditure per capita was $14.6 compared with WHO’s $86 benchmark for universal health coverage (UHC).”

Nigeria currently bears the highest burden of tuberculosis and paediatric HIV while accounting for 50 per cent of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in Africa, contributing 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 24 per cent of global deaths with Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) accounting for 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria with premature mortality from the four main NCDs (Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancers, Malnutrition) accounting for 22 per cent of all deaths.

On account of the high disease burden, high out-of-pocket health expenditure and low enrollment into the NHIS, now National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has unveiled operational guidelines for the NHIA to ensure financial access to quality healthcare in line with Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs), consequently putting the country on track of attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Ministry said, “High out-of-pocket payment for health care services is not good enough, and it is not sustainable. Only 9 per cent of Nigerians have insurance coverage, and 90 per cent don’t.

“Ill health is pushing many Nigerians into poverty. We must, therefore, change the trajectory of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

“Many people have wondered why the President added social welfare to the Ministry of Health. The answer is health insurance. Health insurance is the key to the Renewed Hope Agenda, and it is the reason the President added social welfare to the Ministry. This is because the President is aware that we need social protection for our people.”

The guideline, which harmonised crucial provisions of the old operational guidelines with the new Act, provided a legal basis for mandatory participation by all Nigerians, the Vulnerable Group Fund (VGF) for citizens who are able to service their insurance after keying-in and empowered the NHIA to promote, regulate and integrate health insurance schemes in the country among other provisions of the Act so as to contribute to poverty reduction as well as socioeconomic development.

The review expanded the operational guidelines from four to five. The first section, Governance and Stewardship, provides, which was not part of the previous guideline, a broad overview of the roles and responsibilities of the NHIA and stakeholders within the insurance ecosystem.

The second section, schemes and programs, identified contributory, non-contributory and supplementary/complementary schemes to ensure the capturing of public and private sector employees, a vulnerable group including those not captured in the National Social Register (NSR) by pooling resources from government, private sector, philanthropist and even international organisations.

Standards and accreditation, which is the third section, will focus on bringing health workers, health facilities and equipment, and patients under one roof for the meticulous running of the NHIA.

The fourth section of the operational guidelines, data management, allows the NHIA to provide and maintain information for the integration of data health schemes in Nigeria. Such data will allow collaboration data sharing between facilities, medical audits, and research and aid seamless decision-making for the authority.

Offences, penalties and legal proceedings, which is the last of the guidelines, ensures stakeholders’ compliance with the provision of the NHIA and provide a legal instrument for the investigation of grievances and disputes between stakeholder in accordance with protocols of the NHIA.

Implementation of this effort by the Health Ministry will make Nigerians worry less about the financial consequences of seeking medical care, providing avenues for early detection and treatment of diseases, which in turn will guarantee a healthy citizenry and increase population health outcomes for national growth and sustainable development.

Lawal Dahiru Mamman writes from Abuja and can be reached via dahirulawal90@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Adamu

THE rot in federal and state institutions is taking a toll on the hostels and most especially in the national ivory towers.

Besides being overcrowded, many of the hostels lack basic amenities. Investigation in some public high
institution across the country revealed that many of the hostels were filthy as the taps in the toilets and
bathrooms were dry. Most of the taps are only there as decorations, and some of them have never worked for once. They never dropped a single drop of water since their installation.

As an undergraduate, back then, taking one’s bath in the bathroom or even easing oneself in the toilet
was usually a hurdle because of the sanitary conditions of the facilities. Even though there were porters
who came daily (apart from Sundays) to clean, the high number of persons using the facilities coupled
with the water situation was a major challenge. Also, some of the few staff, who sometimes do their best, leave the place at the hands of the killer viruses and bacteria around.

“Due to the limited number of students which the available hostel spaces could cater for, we found ourselves in a situation where a room that is originally meant for four students was being shared by eight students – that is to say, each of the legal and bonafide occupants had a “squatter”. This is in addition to students living off campus who also had to share the same facilities as there were none (toilets) around the lecture theatres – a number that is far beyond the projection at the inception – effectively making it almost impossible for the toilets to be neat.” in many tertiary institutions across the country. The nasty situation in hostels in many tertiary institutions leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

A student in IMO state University said the situation has worsened to the extent that some students take
their bath outside the bathrooms due to long queues and the ugly scene inside.

Another factor which leads to this unhygienic and ugly conditions of the toilet facilities in our public high institutions is the crude and improper usage by the students. Most of the students in Nigeria campuses throw away their internal dirt and defecate like uncivilized people.

For the girls’ hostel, it is also another nightmare. Most girls defecate and urinate in plastic or rubber containers, then empty it into the toilet to avoid contracting infections. Even at that, the toilets are not a place to even visit for any reason, unless when it is the last and only option.

It is more comfortable for me to defecate inside the bush along the post-graduate school to avoid
contracting any disease or foul smell of the school’s toilets.”, one postgraduate student said. Despite fee increasing and enormous internally generated revenues (IGR), including subventions from the
federal and state government amounting to billions of Naira, sanitary conditions of toilets across hostels
in Nigeria universities is appalling. May be this is why almost all our toilets across the country look so bad and unkempt. This is place where knowledge and morals are expected to be, but even the basics of a healthy and decent life are completely absent. No wonder!

Abdullahi Adamu can be reached via; nasabooyoyo@gmail.com

By Usman Muhammad Salihu

In our busy lives, we often overlook a fundamental truth: sharing what little we have can bring blessings to others and ourselves. It doesn’t require grand gestures or lavish gifts; sometimes, small acts of sharing can profoundly impact lives and illuminate the world.

Sharing fosters connections between people, whether it’s with a friend, a family member, or even a stranger. These bonds can be significant, reminding us of our shared humanity. Sharing brings joy, whether you’re offering your time, food, or old clothes. Giving, even in modest amounts, can bring immense happiness and contentment. Knowing you’ve made someone else’s day better is a joy.

What might seem insignificant to you could mean the world to someone in need. Your extra meal or a warm blanket could mean the difference between hunger and comfort for someone less fortunate. Sharing eases the burden of those in hardship and can inspire others to do the same, creating a cycle of kindness that brightens the world one act at a time. Moreover, it cultivates gratitude for the small blessings in your life, fostering a more positive outlook.

Across various cultures and beliefs, there’s a common understanding that what you give is what you receive or even more than that (givers never lack). The universe has a way of rewarding those who share, although not always in the same form. Sharing also minimises waste, putting resources to good use and contributing to a more efficient use of our planet’s resources.

Your act of sharing has a ripple effect, touching the lives of many. These blessings extend far beyond you, positively impacting the world. It’s not about the quantity you give but the quality of your heart when you give. A warm smile, a meal, or a helping hand – each act of sharing can change lives and enhance the world, one kindness at a time. Therefore, never underestimate the profound impact of sharing. It’s only in giving we receive the true blessings of life.

Usman Muhammad Salihu writes from Jos, Nigeria and can be reached via muhammadu5363@gmail.com.