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By MA Iliasu

Anytime I’m reading Nassim Nicolas Taleb’s book, Antifragile, one of the books in the celebrated Incerto series, nobody comes to mind more than Dr. Yusuf Ƙofar Mata. Maybe there are better descriptions, but the dynamism of Dr. Ƙofar Mata fits the boxes of intelligent antifragility. If you bear with me, I may tell you why.

Taleb was once asked: “Would you rather be an intelligent fragile or a dumb antifragile?”, to which question he answered: “I’d rather be a dumb antifragile”. That encounter was what rattled my interest in the Incerto series. And I figured, why choose between the two when you can do better, by becoming an intelligent antifragile.

An intelligent fragile, according to Taleb, is an individual with all the mental and cognitive sharpness in the world, who sadly gets shaken by the slightest disruption of adversity. For example, a chess champion that church drums could cause to lose his mind, a professor of software engineering whom Twitter trolls can make cry, or an investment guru who gets chased away by the business cycle. An intelligent fragile is a smart who can’t withstand any kind of physical or mental pressure, big or small, who therefore finds it challenging to survive outside of his ideal environment. He gets bullied physically, mentally and emotionally. He’s a prey. During a hunt, he gets hunted. He won’t survive the survival of the fittest. To Taleb, that’s how many talented individuals become underachievers.

A dumb antifragile meanwhile, is a mentally slow individual who doesn’t get moved by adversity. He doesn’t understand puzzles, he can’t solve maths, he can’t make analogies, he can’t put things into context, and a lot of the bare minimum escape his attention; the kind of people that can vote a political party because of its colours or symbols. However, that person is well-drilled in the unfriendliness of human society. He’s physically robust, mentally firm, and emotionally stone-cold. Trolls shy away from him because they can’t affect his condition in any way. If it comes to it, he will bully rather than get bullied, and he’s a predator rather than a prey. During a hunt, he’s the hunter, not the hunted; in the language of Breaking Bad, he’s not in danger, he’s the danger. The floor of such a person in any environment is good for survival. He’ll survive an intelligent setting because he’s strong for labour and ripe for any mechanical task. And he’d excel in non-intelligent settings because he has what most intelligent people lack; thriving in adversity. Taleb believes that’s how a lot of slow individuals come to acquire generational wealth!

Amidst these boring explanations, Dr. Ƙofar Mata falls into the category of Intelligent Fragile. This is a soon-to-be professor of economics who is among the rarest that can humanize economic theory and contextualize it to the level even a street beggar would understand. His mathematical profundity dribbles through models like prime Lionel Messi on a touchline. His statistical acumen collects data with intuition, processes it like a child’s play and interprets it in the same way he eats dinner; with so much ease. I haven’t met five people with a sharper mind. Strategy exists in his random whims. It’s like he was born to solve problems.

The antifragility of Dr. Yusuf Ƙofar Mata is even more amazing. Kano State is tested with the peculiarity of youth who may need more guidance than normal. And so untypical of an active member of the intelligentsia, Dr. Ƙofar Mata was a commander of a local vigilante. Thugs ran away when they saw him because they knew with persuasion or force that day was their last outside the watch of the law. He exudes security, safety and assurance. His aura gives no space for the infiltration of stupidity and idiocy. His charisma is robust. His temperament is firm, just like the tune of his voice and the quality of his oratory. He’s persuasive where it’s due, and blunt if that’s what will solve the problem. No individual with a sound mind or functioning eyes will mess with that!

Those separable combinations of gifts are hardly found together. And in my opinion, that’s what makes Dr. Ƙofar Mata one of the most important people in modern Kano society. He carries effortlessly the wisdom of the past, the energy of the present, and the vision of the future, and deductively or inductively analyses and draws inferences from the same scope and with a single swing of the mind. He’s a politician, a statesman, an administrator, a strategist, a problem solver, a teacher, an economist, a mathematician, a statistician, a comrade and a philosopher. He likes intelligent people like himself, but doers even more. And he tries to push everyone he encounters to become the best version of themselves, and as competent and useful as possible. He despises useless people and cherishes those who are immersed in their pursuit of useful achievements.

During one of our discussions, the work of the ministry he’s presiding over as a commissioner was mentioned. And it reminded me of our earlier discussions before he was appointed when someone wondered which ministry would best fit his abilities. And I said, assign Dr. Ƙofar Mata as a commissioner of common sense and Kano society will never lack critical thinking again. I don’t think there’s any endeavour which Dr. Ƙofar Mata can’t improve, an activity he can’t manage or an individual he can’t interact with. He has a decentralized view of solutions found usually in classical Austrians, with stubbornness of the Germans and the esteem of Victorian Britons.

The peerless achievements of the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education so far are both a reflection of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment towards higher education and the breathtaking genius of the revolutionary mind he trusted the ministry with. It will go down as one of the best decisions Kano State has made in the 21st century, and I’m not exaggerating. As his student, mentee and keen observer of his philosophy, it’s critical that I let you know. May Allâh guide him. Amin.

M.A Iliasu is a budding writer from Kano, an economist and currently a corp-member serving in Taraba State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In the Utako District of Abuja, a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Hilux Van was involved in a collision with a car on Tuesday as officials pursued an erring driver.

The car, driven by Bashir Bashir, was carrying his pregnant wife, Olabisi, to her office at the time of the incident.

Bashir recounted, “We were coming from Lugbe to work when the road safety officials attempted to stop a vehicle ahead of us.

“The driver didn’t comply, prompting the officials to chase after it. Unfortunately, our car was caught in between the FRSC van and the fleeing vehicle, resulting in a collision from behind.

“My pregnant wife, seven months along, was in the car and has been taken to the hospital,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A 35-year-old man, James Emmanuel, has been remanded in prison by a magistrates’ court in Akure, Ondo State, for allegedly raping his co-worker, 55-year-old Deborah Abiodun, to death.

The incident took place on a poultry farm in the Oke-Odu area of Akure around 11pm on January, 2024.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Anwana Josephine, the defendant allegedly raped Ms. Abiodun to death and then struck her with a stone on the forehead before dumping her corpse inside a waste pit.

Magistrate F.A. Aduroja adjourned the case to March 27th after ordering the remand of the accused.

By Salihi Adamu Takai

It has been almost a month that – the discussion on the issue of the discovered “existing law”, Marriage Practice Control (CAP 26) in Kano State has become the topic of the discussion on the media. The existing law that regulated the marriage practices among the respective Kano State community on how to get married in harmony, has been discovered by the notorious lawyer in Kano, Barrister Abba Hikima. The existing law, in section 5, has listed some practices that are not allowed in the marriage – and doing so – shall put the offender into a danger of imprisonment – or its likes as it’s mentioned in section 8 of the Act.

Notwithstanding of the fact that, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, unequivocally, recognises the existing law in section 315, the Marriage Practice Control (CAP 26) 1988 in Kano is not effective. The law is, as it’s recognised by the Constitution, valid – but it seems useless or not in existence. The essence of any law is to control the existence of the people. It gives the right of doing something and at the same time stops people from doing something.

As I heard about “the existing law” in question, I got confused pondering on it that how could this be possible? – it seems like it’s not for Kano – or it’s just in my dreams! The law is in contrary with the people of Kano State.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives room for the State House of Assembly to make law in accordance with the culture and customs of the people living in any state. Therefore, the then government of Kano State, in 1988, made that law (Marriage Practice Control) to control the marriage practices in those days. Unfortunately, the law they made for the marriage practices, is still not in conformity with the people in the State. The people of Kano are very serious about their culture and religion. They don’t leave their culture for anything other than religion. I believe that – the law that can be so effective to them – can be that one in conformity with their cultural norms and values. You can’t control something practicable and recognisable in one’s culture and make it effective to him/her easily.

In conclusion, I am with the opinion that – the issues of marriage practices can only be controlled when they’re not in conformity with the religion, but when they remain discretionary on the people practicing them can still remain classical. Marriage is being practiced in accordance with culture and religion – or culture of the people. This is the reason why the existing law of the Marriage Practice Control (Supra) is not effective. It’s beyond the perspective of the people living in its jurisdiction.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Plateau State witnessed a night of terror as Kwahaslalek village in Mangu Local Government Area fell prey to a savage attack by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday.

Shockingly, over 30 lives were claimed, with the majority being women and children who had sought refuge in the house of a community leader following earlier unrest. 

Mark Haruna, a local community leader, revealed the details, noting the calculated nature of the assault during a distraction in Mangu town.

He somberly stated, “For the second time, my village Kwahaslalek came under attack… They came at about 12:30 am and killed over 25 people, mostly women and children.” 

Joseph Gwankat, Chairman of the Mwaghavul Development Association, condemned the heartless act, narrating the ordeal of villagers who, in a bid for safety, had gathered in one location only to face brutality.

Gwankat expressed disbelief at the absence of security, saying, “How can people who are in their villages be targets of constant attacks and killings without anything being done to stop the perpetrators?” 

In response to the escalating crisis, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a 24-hour curfew on Mangu LGA on Tuesday.

This decision comes in the wake of heightened insecurity, including the Christmas Eve attacks that left over 150 dead in various local government areas. 

The state police command, through spokesman Alabo Alfred, claimed to be unaware of the incident, promising an investigation.

As Plateau State grapples with the aftermath of these brutal attacks, the community remains on edge, haunted by the recurrent violence that continues to plague its villages.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Taraba Command apprehended two suspects at the Jalingo Main Motor Park attempting to traffic 16 children to Benin in Edo.  

The suspects, identified as Daniel Madin and Federation Markus, were apprehended on Thursday. 

The children, aged between 10 and 16, included five girls and 11 boys, originating from the Zing and Bali Local Government areas of Taraba. 

Adamu Salihu, the State NSCDC Commandant, disclosed that preliminary investigations unveiled the suspects as part of a larger syndicate specialising in trafficking underage children, promising them a brighter future in Edo. 

However, these children often end up in dehumanizing jobs, and the earnings from such work are seized by their handlers. 

Salihu expressed concern about the alarming rate at which parents relinquish their responsibility for raising their children, handing them over to strangers for a meagre sum. 

He condemned the acts of forcing children into labour, prostitution, baby factories, organ harvesting, and money rituals. 

The commandant stated the urgency of halting this trend and called on relevant stakeholders in the state to take decisive measures against the rising scourge of human trafficking.  

The suspects and the 16 children have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for further investigation and prosecution.

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 Mansur Hassan, PhD.

The executive governor of Kano state, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, made a triumphant return to Kano in grand style after the Supreme Court affirmed his position as the duly elected governor.

The air in Kano was filled with excitement as millions of residents gathered yesterday to welcome their leader to the commercial city centre.

His Excellency embarked on the journey from Kaduna at 9 am, and despite the approximately 13-hour journey, he arrived at Filin Mahaha Kofar Na’isa in Kano state by 10 pm. The extensive duration was attributed to the massive crowds that lined the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of their beloved governor.

The overwhelming love demonstrated by the people of Kano towards Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf serves as a powerful testament to the justice upheld by the Supreme Court. This judicial affirmation not only solidifies democracy but also underscores the importance of respecting the choices made by the masses.

Notably, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu hailed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as a hero, acknowledging his steadfastness and reaction during the previous judgements of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal. The governor’s resilience in the face of challenges has earned him widespread admiration.

As Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf begins his tenure, we express our heartfelt wishes for a successful term and the continued implementation of pro-masses policies that uplift the welfare of the people of Kano state.

In extending our wishes, we also hope for good health and wisdom for Senator Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the grand commander of the Kwankwasiyya movement. May his guidance contribute to the betterment of the state and the nation as a whole.

Dr. Mansur Hassan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Last week marked a historic moment in Kaduna as Athletic Football Academy emerged triumphant in the Under-13 Bundesliga Cup, defeating Kuso Boys in a thrilling final match at the Secret Heart Stadium in Kaduna Police Barracks.
 
The intense competition, which kicked off in August 2023, witnessed the participation of 24 youth teams, captivating the attention of football enthusiasts across Kaduna.
 
Athletic Football Academy’s stellar performance in the final secured them a resounding 3-0 victory, clinching their first Under-13 Youth Cup.
 
The final match saw the presence of former Nigerian Premier League players and those who had showcased their talents abroad.
 
Bakin, among the esteemed guests, presented the awards. Yassir Awwal, a standout player from Athletic, claimed the spotlight by not only leading his team to victory but also securing the coveted title of top scorer with an impressive tally of seven goals.
 
Awwal’s remarkable talents earned him the Golden Ball and a pair of prestigious football shoes.
 
While Athletic Football Academy celebrated their grand triumph with the sizable cup, Kuso Boys Football Academy received a small trophy for their commendable efforts in the competition.
 
The Bundesliga’s influence is evidently growing in Kaduna and Northern Nigeria, as the tournament successfully garnered attention from football fans and inspired the youth.
 
Also, former players, industry professionals, and DW Hausa station representative Mohammed Mohammed, who doubles as the Bundesliga ambassador, expressed delight at the competition’s impact.
 
Mohammed, who dedicated five years to organising the tournament, noted the importance of nurturing young talents. He noted that this was not the first Bundesliga Cup in Kaduna but the first exclusively for youngsters aged 13 and under.
 
The aim is to boost children’s confidence and foster interest in the German Bundesliga, a sentiment echoed by Mohammed.
 
Expressing satisfaction with the young players’ performances, Mohammed highlighted the need for continued support from the Bundesliga, DFL, and the German football organization.
 
He believes that such backing will elevate the competition’s standards, enhance the Bundesliga’s reputation in Kaduna, and extend its influence to major cities like Kano and throughout Northern Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a recent development, the police have apprehended three suspected members of a gunrunning syndicate believed to be connected to the December 24 attack on Plateau communities.

The announcement was made by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, during a media briefing in Abuja.

Following an order from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, strategic measures were put in place to bring the attackers to justice.

The arrested suspects were found with significant weaponry, including an ash-coloured Golf car, an AK-47 rifle, an AK-49 rifle, 1,000 rounds of live ammunition, and five magazines.

Efforts are underway to capture additional individuals involved in the attacks, and the public will be kept informed as events unfold.

In a related incident, police operatives on December 13, 2023, arrested nine suspects over the attack and murder of three Fulanis in the Gaube area of Kuje Area Council in the FCT.

The suspects, identified as six members of the hunters and forest guard in Kuje, confessed to the crime. The victims, three Fulanis in transit from Keffi, Nassarawa State, to Niger/Kwara states, were attacked and killed.

The suspects abandoned the bodies in Kabi forest, taking their Bajaj motorcycle to an unknown location in Takuba village, Kuje.

The recovered corpses were examined and confirmed dead by a medical practitioner before being released to their families for burial.

The deceased Bajaj motorcycle was also recovered, with investigations still ongoing. Additionally, police operatives arrested a suspected armed robbery and kidnap kingpin in Nasarawa State, found in possession of an AK-49 rifle and ammunition.

The suspect admitted to using the rifle and ammunition for criminal activities. During the investigation, the suspect revealed that another accomplice, currently at large, possesses an AK-47 rifle used by the gang to terrorize Nasarawa State.

Intensive efforts, including technical intelligence, are being employed to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover the firearm.