National

By Usman Muhammad Salihu 

In Nigeria, amalgamating diverse cultures, religions, ethnicities, and political ideologies presents opportunities and challenges. To navigate this intricate tapestry effectively, embracing diversity is paramount. Rather than viewing differences as divisive, Nigerians should celebrate the richness they bring to the nation’s identity.

Ultimately, the path to unity in Nigeria lies in embracing diversity while recognizing the common bonds that unite its people. Nigerians can forge a stronger, more resilient nation by celebrating their shared heritage and respecting their differences. Through dialogue, education, inclusivity, and a rejection of extremism, they can build a future where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength.

Open and respectful dialogue is the cornerstone of understanding and reconciliation. By engaging in conversations that promote empathy and mutual respect, Nigerians can bridge divides across religious, ethnic, regional, and political lines. Platforms for formal and informal dialogue offer opportunities for meaningful exchanges that foster unity amidst diversity.

Education is a powerful tool for dispelling stereotypes and fostering appreciation for diversity. By promoting educational initiatives highlighting Nigeria’s multifaceted heritage, individuals can better understand their fellow citizens’ perspectives and experiences. 

Nigerians should advocate for policies and practices that promote equal opportunities and representation across all sectors. By championing inclusivity, they can dismantle barriers and create pathways for collaboration and unity.

Nigerians must collectively reject extremism in all its forms and embrace moderation, tolerance, and compromise. They can build a more cohesive and harmonious society by fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding.

 Navigating Nigeria’s diverse landscape requires a commitment to dialogue, understanding, and inclusivity. By embracing diversity, fostering dialogue, promoting education, advocating for inclusivity, rejecting extremism, engaging in active citizenship, and cultivating unity in diversity, Nigerians can overcome their differences and build a more cohesive and resilient society.

Usman Muhammad Salihu writes and can be reached via muhammadu5363@gmail.com.

By Idris Ishaq Danwanka

Esteemed compatriots and guardians of our collective Northern ethos, in the wake of recent fiscal disclosures, a disconcerting schism has been unveiled that warrants our immediate attention and stringent critique. Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, erstwhile Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, has valiantly illuminated a disquieting anomaly within the fiscal year 2024 budget proceedings.

With the budget initially proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amounting to 24 trillion Naira, the subsequent and inexplicable inflation to 27 trillion Naira post-senate approval instigates profound perturbation and necessitates scrupulous examination.

The crux of the matter lies not solely within the numerical discrepancies but more so in the disheartening dearth of collective fortitude amongst our Northern sentinels. Senator Ningi’s resignation from the venerable chairmanship of our forum, following his laudable challenge to the opaque augmentation of the said budget, is a testament to a troubling lack of solidarity and a deviation from the path of unwavering patriotism that our region is historically known to uphold.

It is incumbent upon us, as the custodians of Arewa’s legacy, to transcend the paralyzing grip of fear that threatens our tenure within the senate.

The specter of suspension or dismissal should not deter us from our sacrosanct duty to the masses. We must rally behind the banner of transparency, accountability, and unwavering integrity that Senator Ningi has hoisted, even in the face of potential political ostracism.

The significance of unity cannot be overstated in our quest for regional and national development. A fragmented front is a disservice to the populace we have sworn to serve. It is only through a cohesive and unyielding stance that we can effectively steward the resources of our polity and engender a milieu where probity is not just expected but demanded.

Let us not shy away from our responsibility to interrogate and impugn any act that undermines the fiscal sanctity of our nation. To falter in this regard is to capitulate to the whims of those who may not prioritize the collective good over individual aggrandizement. The import of our togetherness is the bulwark against the forces of division and the cornerstone of our advocacy for the masses.

In conclusion, it is our imperative to eschew the parochial fears that stifle our voice and to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who dare to speak truth to power. The Arewa spirit is one of resilience, unity, and an unyielding commitment to the greater good. May we find the moral fortitude to embody these virtues and to restore the faith of our people in our esteemed institution.

Let us not delay in reclaiming our esteemed position as paragons of rectitude and as the vanguards of the people’s will. The time for action is now; the call for unity and patriotism, ever resonant.

Yours in service to our region and our nation;

Sen. Idris Ishaq Danwanka,
B.A. English Language and Literature, Federal University Dutse.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

President Bola Tinubu has taken a significant step towards enhancing regional relations by ordering the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger.

Additionally, President Tinubu has instructed the lifting of various sanctions imposed on Niger, further strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations. 

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘Nigeria opens land and air borders with Republic of Niger, lifts other sanctions,’ President Tinubu’s directive shows his government’s commitment to the course. 

Consequently, the President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately: “Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic. 

“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as a freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to the Niger Republic. 

“Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks. 

“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD. 

“Travel bans on government officials and their family members,” the statement read.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider reopening the country’s borders for the importation of foodstuff in order to address the current food crisis.

Governor Yusuf stressed that the closure of the borders has had a significant impact on the people of Kano State, leading to increased food prices and suffering.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf called for the reopening of the country’s borders to address the current food crisis.

The statement was released following a meeting between the governor and the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the Government House in Kano.

Governor Yusuf noted the critical condition of hunger and starvation in the country, which has been exacerbated by the sharp increase in commodity prices.

The statement read in part; “We wish appreciate the President’s intervention on the ongoing national food initiative which he considers Kano as the host for the initiative to be launched believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented”

Governor Yusuf stressed the urgent need for intervention, including the reopening of the borders to allow for the importation of commodities.

In his meeting with the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Governor Yusuf highlighted the hardships faced by the people, particularly during Ramadan.

He stressed that the opening of the borders would be a crucial step in alleviating the distress of the people.

In addition to advocating for the reopening of the borders, Governor Yusuf commended the Customs Service’s initiative to distribute food items to the people of Kano, who have been facing hardship and hunger.

He urged the Customs Service to ensure that the food reaches those who are most affected. The governor also pledged his support to the Customs Service in its efforts to benefit the people of Kano and Nigeria as a whole.

In his response, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of building strong ties between the Nigerian Customs Service and the Kano community.

He emphasized the Service’s commitment to collaboration and constructive dialogue, and pledged to implement policies that would improve business processes and strengthen engagement with all stakeholders.

In addition to his interaction with stakeholders, the Controller General Adeniyi revealed that the Customs Service had made extensive plans to address the challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano. This includes the distribution of food items to the people of Kano.

By Umar Namadi

International Press Centre (IPC) held a two-day capacity-building workshop on combatting information disorder in democratic governance reporting using fact-checking and FOI tools. 

The workshop is being held as part of the activities under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN II) project. IPC is the lead implementing partner. 

The two-day workshop held at Bafra International Hotel in Kaduna had in attendance 40 participants across nine (9) states of Northern Nigeria (Abuja, Kaduna, Kastina, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Jos, Benue) who are new/mid-level journalists, community journalists, freelance journalists, etc. 

Participants were introduced to the rudiments of fact-checking using a tool and how to hold government and public institutions accountable for their activities using the FOIA (2011). 

As the program manager, Mrs Stella Nwofia, stated in her welcome address at the Sardauna Hall in the hotel, “The training program seeks to address a critical aspect highlighted in the EU-EOM final report on the 2023 general elections, which underlines that online social platforms played a significant role in both campaigning and public oversight of the electoral process. 

However, there were instances where these platforms were misused, either for campaigning lacking transparency or for creating misleading impressions of widespread support. 

Despite repeated warnings from government officials about the dangers of misinformation, various entities, including individuals associated with major political parties, disseminated false information online. 

Additionally, the report notes that major parties utilised paid advertising on online platforms. However, the full extent of this practice remained obscured due to a lack of transparency within these platforms.” 

She added that “The training program, which commenced in Ondo State as the initial phase and was followed by Port-Harcourt, is designed as a three-part series. Its primary goal is to provide journalists nationwide with essential tools, skills, and knowledge. The program aims to empower journalists to adeptly navigate the challenges of the digital era while maintaining standards of responsibility and ethical behaviour.

“Our goal is to empower journalists to uphold truth, advocate for integrity, and safeguard democracy by promoting a culture of critical thinking, fact verification, and media literacy.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

On orders from President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will return seized food items to their rightful owners, on the condition that the items must be sold in Nigerian markets.

NCS Comptroller Adewale Adeniyi made this announcement yesterday in Katsina during meetings with residents of border communities at the Kongolam and Mai’Adua border posts.

The Customs chief mentioned that President Tinubu had made a decision to use his authority, not based on legal guidelines, “but rather reflecting the deep sense of generosity he holds toward Nigeria.”

Adeniyi said: “In doing so, he has directed that those food items that were going out of the country that have been seized in various border areas should be returned to the owners on the condition that those goods would be sold in the Nigerian markets.

“So, we will be monitoring you to know if there is a violation of this. Those food items will be returned, and it is a directive that we will pass them back into the Nigerian markets,” Adeniyi said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Northern senators have raised alarm over alleged budget padding amounting to N4 trillion, orchestrated by Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Akpabio, and his associates.

The senators, expressing concern over what they deem self-enrichment projects, called for transparency and accountability in budgetary processes. 

Under the leadership of Chairman Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi), members of the 58-member Forum convened a meeting with Mr. Akpabio at his Guest House in the Maitama District of Abuja on Thursday to address the issue. 

In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Senator Ningi highlighted the discovery of two separate federal budgets being implemented.

He revealed, “For the last three months, we have employed private financial auditors to extensively examine the 2024 budget. We have uncovered significant unauthorized changes and additions in the budget that would have a widespread negative impact on the nation as a whole.” 

Senator Ningi stated the need for accountability, stating, “We are supposed to meet with the senate president and show him the irregularities we saw in the budget and let him know our concerns. We will not agree and support spending money on what we are not aware of.” 

Citing discrepancies in budget figures, he questioned, “We had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for?” 

The senator pledged to seek clarification from President Bola Tinubu, stating, “We are going to meet with the president and show him, we will ask him if he is aware of all these things that are happening. We will show him and ask him if he is aware of it, and what he intends to do to those who partake in the whole manipulations and inclusions.” 

As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians await responses from relevant authorities and demand transparency in budget implementation to uphold the integrity of governance processes.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Bandits have reportedly abducted 15 tsangaya students in a fresh attack Saturday at Gada local government area of Sokoto state.

The Daily Reality learned that several other students are currently missing.

The students were said to have been abducted from their school around 1:am on Saturday.

The attack was coming after President Bola Tinubu on Thursday vowed to crush insecurity in the northern part of the country.

The President was said to have directed the security agents to fish out the perpetrators of these abductions.

The proprietor of the school, Liman Abubakar, told journalists that 15 students were unaccounted for so far after the early morning attack.

Abubakar narrated how the bandits invaded the town around 1 am, shot one person and abducted a woman.

“As they were leaving the town, they sighted our students rushing into their rooms and they kidnapped many of them.

“We have so far counted 15 who are missing and we are still searching for more,” he said

He added that this was not the first time the village was attacked by bandits.

Speaking with the journalists, the member, representing Gada-East Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Kabiru Dauda while has confirming the attack.

He stated that he received a call from the village around 2 am that it was invaded by bandits.

“I reached out to the local government authorities and security agencies and I am sure they are doing something about it,” he said.

However, the Sokoto State Police Command has denied awareness of the attack.

By Abdurrazak Muktar Makarfi

Have you ever stopped to think about the language you speak and how awesome it is? Well, I’m here to tell you about the Hausa language, and let me tell you, it’s pretty amazing! As someone who speaks Hausa, I’m bursting with pride to share why this language is so special.

Let’s take a little trip back in time to the historical kingdoms of the Hausaland, nestled in what is now called Nigeria and some other neighboring countries. That’s where the Hausa language started to take shape, blending influences from trade, migration, and cultural exchanges over the centuries.

Now, here’s the cool part – Hausa isn’t just a local language. Nope, it’s a global superstar, ranking as the 11th most spoken language in the world! Can you believe it? From Africa and beyond, millions of people speak Hausa, making it a real powerhouse in the linguistic world.

But Hausa isn’t just about saying words; it’s a whole vibe, a cultural identity that connects people across borders. It’s like a treasure chest of traditions, stories and values passed down through generations. The Hausa language is the heartbeat of West Africa, pumping life into its rich cultural tapestry.

Okay, let’s talk on business and politics. Hausa isn’t just chilling in the background; it’s making things to happen. As a lingua franca in West Africa, it’s a language of trade, commerce, and diplomacy, bringing people together and driving progress in the region.

Now, let’s zoom in to education. Imagine learning in a language that’s close to your heart, that speaks to your soul. That’s what Hausa language education does for millions of kids, giving them a solid foundation in learning while celebrating their roots.

Sure, Hausa language faces challenges like any other, but it’s also full of opportunities. We’re talking about initiatives that promote awareness, document our language’s rich history, and bring Hausa into the digital age.

So there you have it – the awesomeness of Hausa language in a nutshell! It’s more than just words; it’s a celebration of culture, a bridge between people, and a source of pride for millions. As a proud Hausa speaker, I’m shouting it from the rooftops – Hausa language rocks!

From the pen of Abdurrazak Muktar Makarfi, a proud Hausa speaker

By Nuraddeen Danjuma Maiwada

Mr. President sir, I hope this finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to bring to your attention the special relationship that exists between the people of Northern Nigeria and the Republics of Niger, Mali and Burkina faso, our beloved neighbors.

In Northern Nigeria, especially in towns and cities close to Niger Republic’s borders, Nigeriens are not just our neighbors, but also our relatives. The bond we share transcends borders, as we are interconnected through history, language, and culture. It is impossible to deny the fact that our roots run deep in both lands.

Our kingdoms, trade, religion, culture were the same untill colonialism and much beyond. The Frontline regions of Niger Republic namely Dosso, Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder and Diffa share common ancestry and culture with Nigeria’s Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno States. Emir of Maradi is still called Sarkin Katsinan Maraɗi

Despite the existence of artificial boundaries that separate us on maps, we are essentially the same people. Our shared histories and intertwined cultures make it evident that Niger, Mali and Burkina faso Republics hold a special place in our hearts. This kinship between our nations is based on a strong foundation of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

In light of this, I implore you, dear President Tinubu, to adopt a peaceful approach instead of confrontation when it comes to dealing with neighbors. This approach recognizes the deep ties we share and seeks to strengthen the bonds between our nations rather than tear them apart.

By choosing dialogue and peaceful negotiations, we can establish a prosperous future for both our nations. Joint efforts in areas such as trade, education, healthcare, and security will not only benefit us but also foster a stronger sense of unity and collaboration among our people.

It is essential to remember that our shared interests and aspirations far outweigh any differences that may arise. By fostering peaceful relations, we can unlock tremendous potential for development, progress, and stability in the region.

As leaders, it is our duty to foster an environment that encourages harmony and collaboration. Let us set an example for the rest of the world by showcasing how two nations, intertwined by history and shared values, can resolve any differences through peaceful means.

I remain hopeful that under your leadership, our nations will continue to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation. Together, we can build a future where all countries in ECOWAS and Nigeria thrive side by side, united in peace and prosperity.

Nuraddeen Danjuma Maiwada
Bayero University Kano
25.02.2024