News

By Uzair Adam Imam

Jobseekers in Nigeria have narrated harrowing tales of how job offer sale decimates their chances of securing jobs in a country where the national economy has remained increasingly stagnant.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, unemployment in Nigeria has surged to the second-highest on the global list, jumping to 33.3%.

Graduates, who took to social media to condemn the menace, decried how bribery, corruption and politics militate against the growth of institutions in the country.

They argued that buying and selling of job offers are affecting almost all the institutions in the country, as it will be at the expanse of merit and skills

Fraud in employment is believed to be the reason the standard of education in the country continues to witness a fatal decline, and unemployment rises at child’s Christmas wishes.

Graduates narrate harrowing experiences

Every year Nigerian institutions produce thousands of graduates who come out to compete for the few available job opportunities.

A graduate, Usman Bello Balarabe, said that he was once asked to pay N1.2 million for a lecturing job offer.

Immediately he returned to Nigeria from India after bagging his Master’s degree. He was greeted with an outrageous N1.2 million job offer to teach at a Federal University in northern Nigeria.

Balarabe, who was initially over-excited, said his hope was dashed upon learning that it was a give-and-take offer, as he had to break the bank if he indeed wanted to land the job. 

He said, “I was all smiling when I was told, until when I heard him saying that I have to pay N1.2 million to get that offer. The amount shocked me to the marrow”.

Auwal Mukhtar Usman, a university lecturer, said recently someone shopped her job offer for N3.5 million.

He said, “A lady recently confided in me that she bought her offer for about N3.5 million to teach in one federal government agency. It’s equally disheartening how these politicians connive with the university administrators by allocating slots for them. In the end, it is the University that suffers.”

A.S Mohammed also shared his experience, saying that a lecturing offer was advertised to him for N1.5 million in June last year.

He added, “I was asked to bring a potential buyer for a lecturing job offer at the Federal University, Dutsen-Ma, for N1.5 million; no discount whatsoever.

“And it didn’t matter what course the buyer studied or what class of degree he graduated with. That incident stroke me dumb with surprises and left me paralyzed. It took me almost a month to recover from that shock.”

Pay, get promoted

From job offer sale things are worsening to ‘promotion’ for sale, as workers at various institutions in the country pay to get promoted. 

Sa’idu Mustapha Buhari argued that it is not only job offer that is sold, but also promotions are purchased.

He said, “It is not only job offers that are sold.  Promotion, advancement, transfer, release for training, among others, have their prices in some sectors.

“Though fixing Nigeria must be a collective effort, people as individuals must change.

“The bitter part of the story is that: everyone works for himself, not for the people. The sense of nationalism is totally absent among us. That’s why I support the mantra: CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME…If any Nigerian applies this, Nigeria will be fixed,” he added.

Also commenting, a media consultant, Yahya Abdurrahman, stated that the fraud is not only rocking not only the education sector.

He said, “The deeper you dig, the more worrisome information you would come across. Unfortunately, the rot is also prevalent in the Nigerian Police, Customs Service and other Security affiliated Agencies.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has stormed Kano State roads to protest against the ongoing nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The association that has frowned upon the incessant strike in the country is protesting to tell the world the situation they are facing in the country regarding their education.

The students who converged on the Kofar Nassarawa bridge in Kano City decried over delays in academics.

Singing solidarity songs against ASUU’s action with their hands clinking placards, the students said the menacing issue of the strike should by now be put to an end.

They also called on the federal government to intervene and call off the strike.

Recall that the Vice President of the Union, Comrade Yazid Tanko Muhammad, disclosed their intention to protest on Monday.

Comrade Yazid added, “So, it is a protest which, if we start, will not stop until the issues are resolved, and the lecturers resume work.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has called on his Katsina counterpart, Alh. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, this afternoon for a closed-door meeting.

Reports disclosed that the meeting, which started at 12:30 pm at the palace of the Katsina Emir, lasted for more than one and half hours.

Although the details of the meeting were not made public at the time of filing this report, there were speculations that it was about the resignation of Wazirin Katsina,  Prof. Sani Abubakar Lugga.

Recall that Prof Lugga signed his resignation after responding to the query by the Katsina State Emirate Council over statements he made about the menacing security challenge in the North.

Lugga, in a statement to the Katsina State Emirate Council, argued that he did not speak on the matter on behalf of the emirate council but as a citizen of the country.

By Uzair Adam Imam

With the 2023 general election approaching, the Kano South Concern Citizens Forum (KSCCF) has called on Alhassan Rurum to succeed Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the state.

A communiqué issued to journalists on Sunday by the forum immediately after its sitting in Kano disclosed the endorsement.

The chairpersons of the forum, Sen Masud Eljibrin Doguwa, former Senator Kano South and Alhaji Musa Salihu, said Kano South deserves a fair share of the exalted political post.

They also stated that the Kano South has a vital role to play in building Kano State, saying the zone is ready to give its best for the purpose.

Rurum is a former speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly during Ganduje’s first tenure and is currently a member representing Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure Federal constituency and the Chairman House Committee on pension.

The forum had also endorsed Hon. Kawu Sumaila for Senator Kano South and Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa to be re-elected as the Member Tudun Wada/Doguwa so that he will have a chance to become the Speaker of the house.

Also lamenting, the from stated that Kano South has not had a chance to produce a governor for the state since 1992, saying, “Kano South has largest local government councils among others in Kano with 16.”

Alh. Musa Salihu said, “Kano north and Kano Central produced governors. In 2023 the governorship position should be zoned to Kano South for it to have a fair share of the exalted political post.

“We, therefore, endorse Alhassan Rurum for governor in 2023 to succeed Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

“And since we are basing our argument on competency, Hon. Kawu Sumaila should be elected Senator Kano South and Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa be re-elected as the Member Tudunwada Doguwa so that he will have a chance to become the Speaker of the house,” he added.

However, the sitting that hosted many important personalities said the forum would soon convene a meeting with the endorsees to tell them their position.

By Muhammad Sabiu

As Russian troops entered Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, street violence erupted.

According to Synehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, residents of the eastern city should stay in shelters and avoid travelling as Russian vehicles invaded Kharkiv on Sunday.

He was quoted as saying, “The Russian enemy’s vehicles advanced into the city of Kharkiv. Including the central part of the city. Warning! Do not leave your shelters!” Governor Synyehubov said in a Facebook post Sunday.

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are eliminating the enemy. Civilians are asked not to go out in the streets.”

For the previous three days, Ukrainian forces have been able to keep Russian troops out of the city, but Synehubov claims that this has suddenly changed, with the battle taking place in the city’s core.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Materialism is not limited to friendship or brotherhood; marriages and relationships also suffer greatly.

Friendship and brotherhood are gradually losing their true meaning, if not buried at all, because of this sudden shift of behaviour to materialism, The Daily Reality gathered. 

The menace led and is still leading to the breakdown of many relationships, including marriages, thereby manifesting itself into a serious problem in society – such as the increase in the number of widows and heartbreaking individuals.

The Daily Reality speaks with some people on this issue.

People like Aisha Mujitaba believe that guys pretend to be rich in life in order to woo girls.

“Nowadays, both loves and marriages are based on materialism; that is how equivocation and deception have chipped in in the process of getting married.

“Guys pretend to be wealthy in order to win girls’ hearts. Consequently, when they are joined in matrimony, the true nature of what the person is will be revealed. This leads to the breakdown of relationships,” Aisha said.

Parents were also accused of encouraging this lingering issue in society, according to Suwaiba Umar. 

She said, “Today, parents encourage their children to marry rich people. Marriages nowadays are not for the sake of Allah, the almighty. That is why guys make-believe a big life.”

Frowning at this behavioural change, Juwairiyya Aminu compared marriages in the past and marriages today.

She said, “Marriage in those days was entirely different from the marriage in these days, including the process, lefe (trousseau), ceremonies and whatnot.”

Both girls and their parents find it very exciting to have rich as their husbands or sons-in-law, making it difficult for the poor to get married.

“A poor man finds it very difficult to be loved, much less being married. But when a rich person proposes, without hesitation or any proper investigation on his religion, habit or maturity, he will be accepted,” Sa’adatu Shu’aibu.

Buhari Ahmad posited that guys fear being rejected by the girls, let alone the parents. For this, he said, “Guys make a pretence of big life out of fear of being rejected by girls and their parents.

“That is why guys now rent clothes, hats, shoes, bikes or even cars when visiting their suitors.” 

Materialism: What Brings About It?

Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi is a lecturer at the Department of Nigerian Languages, Bayero University, Kano. He told this reporter in an interview that many reasons made our society materialistic.

“There are so many reasons which contribute to the moral decadence we are witnessing today in the Hausa society. I can summarily list them as follows:

“1. Deficiency in terms of Islamic education and pursuing more in terms of Western educational life and style.

2. Negative modernity

3. Access to the new media and multi-media stuff which led to increasing in absorbing haram items.

4. Lack of proper orientation, etc.”

The solution to materialistic life

“Having sound Islamic education and fear of Allah, pursuing what is halal in any form of education and social life; and abiding strictly to Islamic teachings are the solution,” Sulaiman added.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Roman Abramovic, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, had relinquished control of the club. Skynews reported this development on Saturday, February 26.

“During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future , while also playing a positive role in our communities. I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to this values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC ” He said.

“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff and fans” He added

Abramovic decision is coming amidst the Russian-Ukraine crises and the call for the UK government to take over Chelsea Football Club and other Russian establishments in the country.

Ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s purse was stolen while she was shopping in a supermarket in Berlin on 24 Feb.

According to reports, the wallet contained an ID card, EC card, driver’s license and cash.

Berlin police said that the theft took place in a delicatessen supermarket in Charlottenburg’s Morsestrasse.

Merkel is said to have filed a criminal complaint with a police section on Friedrichstrasse.

© Berliner Zeitung

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, February 25, signed the Electoral Amendment Bill into law.

The President signed the Bill at the Presidential Villa on Friday in the presence of the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and others.

In the president’s address, he said, in line with traditions, he received input from different ministries and relevant departments and agencies of government after thorough reviews of the bill and the implications it will have on democratic processes in Nigeria.

He said, “It is gratifying to note that the current Bill comes with great deal of improvement from the previous Electoral Bill 2021. There are salient and praiseworthy provisions that could positively revolutionize election in Nigeria through the introduction of new technological innovations. These innovations would guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and do so effectively”

Many political commentators have argued that the new law will define the incoming general election in diverse ways.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has decried over the menace of insurgency rocking the North-Western part of the country while lamenting that the bandits use better weapons than the Nigerian security forces.

The governor who described bandits as “massive monsters” stated this while reacting to some questions on banditry and kidnapping in the North- West. El-Rufai spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the weekly briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Media.

He reiterated that insurgency in the North-West is far more severe than the Boko Haram crisis, going by the growing number of people killed and kidnapped every day.

“I am persuaded that the insurgency in the North West is far more serious than Boko Haram, both in terms of the numbers of the people affected. I have shown you the numbers in Kaduna. I can assure you that the numbers on Zamfara and Katsina are up to three times. The numbers in Sokoto, Niger, and Kebbi are also very alarming.

“We are talking of tens of thousands of people getting killed, getting kidnapped. It is far more serious than Boko Haram. The only thing is that these guys don’t occupy territory. They are in the forest and ungoverned spaces.

“So, they do not attract the kind of single-minded attention that Boko Haram does. And because Boko Haram’s ideology is religious, intentionally religious, it elicits more passion, but really, this is a far more serious problem.

“Because, this is a situation largely in which people of about the same ethnicity, same religion are killing each other, stealing each other’s property, creating an industry out of criminality. It’s very serious, and it requires single-minded attention,” said El-Rufai.