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By Maji Bappa Maina


Government policies become meaningful when the institutions responsible for implementing them have the people, skills and resources required to deliver results.

Roads, hospitals and schools may attract public attention, but their planning, financing, supervision and maintenance depend heavily on the quality of the civil service. For this reason, the welfare and professional development of public servants deserve attention alongside the physical projects through which governments pursue development.

In Yobe State, several initiatives introduced during Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration provide an opportunity to examine this relationship.

They include salary adjustments, implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, recruitment, professional training and programmes to prepare retiring workers for life after government service.

The latest development came on 17 October 2026, when the state government announced a new monthly salary structure for the Head of Service, Permanent Secretaries, the Auditor-General for the State, the Auditor-General for Local Government and the Accountant-General.

Considered alongside earlier initiatives, the announcement raises an important question: how can improved staff welfare and stronger professional capacity translate into more effective public service?

Beyond the Latest Salary Approval

Under the newly announced structure, the Head of Service will receive ₦1,430,830.75 monthly, while Permanent Secretaries will receive ₦1,203,851.55.

The Auditor-General for the State, Auditor-General for Local Government and Accountant-General will each receive ₦1,114,666.36 monthly.

The figures were disclosed by the Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa Shehu, who called on beneficiaries and other civil servants to demonstrate greater dedication and improve service delivery.

The approval concerns specified senior offices and should not be confused with a general salary increase for every civil servant.

The announcement does not provide the previous salaries, so the percentage increase cannot be calculated from the available information.

Nevertheless, the decision highlights the importance of remuneration in public administration.

Senior officials influence policy implementation, financial management, personnel administration and institutional oversight.

Their conditions of service matter, but so does the quality of their work.

The value of a salary structure should therefore be considered alongside the professional standards, accountability and administrative performance expected from those receiving the remuneration.

A Wider Approach to Remuneration

The latest approval follows other salary-related measures reported during Buni’s administration.

In November 2024, the governor approved a ₦70,000 minimum wage for state civil servants, effective from December that year.

The decision followed recommendations from a state committee established to examine the new minimum wage.

Arrangements involving local government employees were also considered.

In July 2025, reports stated that the government approved the implementation of CONUASS and CONTISS II salary structures for academic and non-academic staff of Yobe State University.

These are separate remuneration arrangements for tertiary education personnel.

Further measures reported in October 2026 covered professional groups, including law officers and judicial personnel.

Adjustments affecting certain health professionals and academic allowances were also announced.

In addition, the government approved employment for 294 medical students on Grade Level 07/2 and 801 allied health science students on Grade Level 05/2, according to published reports.

These initiatives concern different categories of employees and should not be treated as one salary structure.

Collectively, however, they provide a basis for examining how the government approaches remuneration across different parts of the public sector.

Appropriate pay can support morale and help government attract and retain qualified personnel.

Its effectiveness also depends on fair personnel practices, suitable working conditions and opportunities for professional advancement.

Training: Turning Employment into Professional Capacity

Recruitment brings people into government, but employment alone does not prepare workers for every responsibility they will encounter.

New employees need to understand administrative procedures, professional standards and the practical demands of serving within public institutions.

In September 2024, the state organised an orientation programme for 4,000 newly employed civil servants drawn from Yobe’s 178 political wards.

The programme covered communication, teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making, preparing participants for responsibilities across ministries, departments and agencies.

This initiative highlights the connection between recruitment and institutional capacity.

New personnel can help address staffing gaps, but their long-term contribution depends partly on how effectively they are trained, supervised and developed.

In October 2025, another report stated that 149 civil servants travelled to the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Lagos, for capacity-building courses.

Participants included 48 directors undertaking Advanced Human Resource Management and 69 Ministry of Finance personnel attending Financial Resource Management. Other officials were scheduled for Effective Communication training.

These subjects have practical implications for public administration.

Human resource management affects personnel deployment and supervision, while financial management supports responsible budgeting and expenditure.

Effective communication improves coordination and helps institutions explain decisions clearly.

However, the value of training should ultimately be assessed through its application.

Programmes become meaningful when participants use their knowledge to improve decisions, strengthen procedures and deliver services more effectively.

This requires government institutions to identify their actual training needs, evaluate outcomes and provide opportunities for employees to apply the skills they acquire.

Preparing the Civil Service for the Future

An effective civil service must also prepare for the departure of experienced personnel and ensure that essential knowledge is transferred to succeeding officers.

In October 2024, reports described a government-supported retreat and validation workshop intended to develop a training guide and succession plan for Yobe’s civil service.

The initiative sought to identify capable officers and prepare them for higher responsibilities, while addressing concerns about the absence of formal guidance for these processes.

Succession planning matters because institutions cannot depend entirely on the experience of individuals who may eventually retire or move elsewhere.

Administrative knowledge, established procedures and professional experience must be transferred systematically.

A properly implemented succession plan can help identify training needs, prepare officers for leadership positions and preserve institutional memory.

Its effectiveness, however, depends on fair selection procedures, consistent implementation and regular review.

The broader question is whether such initiatives continue to shape actual personnel development and administrative practice across government institutions.

Retirement Is Part of Workers’ Welfare

Government’s responsibilities towards its workforce extend beyond salaries, promotion and professional development. Retirement preparation is another important dimension.

In October 2026, reports described a five-day programme designed to help retiring civil servants prepare for life after government service.

Its themes included financial independence, retirement planning, entrepreneurship, agriculture and agribusiness.

Retirement can bring significant changes to household finances, particularly when a regular salary ends.

Practical preparation can help workers assess their financial circumstances, consider sustainable business opportunities and plan for their future.

Such programmes can complement formal retirement benefits, although they cannot replace the timely payment of pensions and gratuities.

The wider lesson is that staff welfare should be considered throughout an employee’s career, from recruitment and training to remuneration, retirement preparation and the payment of entitlements.

From Welfare to Public Value

The initiatives discussed here address different but related aspects of civil service development.

Salary adjustments concern remuneration; recruitment expands the workforce; training strengthens professional capacity; and succession planning supports institutional continuity.

Yet an approval or announcement does not, by itself, establish how much an initiative has improved public service delivery.

Recruitment can be assessed against staffing needs and the distribution of personnel.

Training programmes can be evaluated through workplace performance and the application of new skills.

Salary policies can be examined in relation to affordability, fairness and the ability to retain qualified employees.

Succession planning can be assessed through institutional continuity and the preparation of capable officers for greater responsibilities.

Attention must also remain on the conditions in which civil servants work.

Appropriate remuneration is important, but so are adequate operational resources, clear procedures, fair personnel management and credible accountability mechanisms.

Government and its workforce have complementary responsibilities.

Government must provide suitable working conditions and clear expectations, while public officials must uphold professional standards and discharge their duties in the public interest.

Improved welfare should therefore be accompanied by a public service culture that values competence, integrity and measurable results.

The Next Stage of Reform

Governor Buni’s administration has announced measures relating to remuneration, recruitment, training and retirement preparation.

Together, these initiatives provide a basis for examining the development of Yobe’s civil service.

The next step is to ensure consistent implementation, evaluate outcomes and communicate clearly about the reach and effectiveness of these programmes.

The welfare of civil servants matters because government depends on their work.

Their professional development matters because policies require capable people to implement them.

Accountability matters because public institutions must use resources responsibly and serve citizens effectively.

A stronger civil service is not defined by salary figures or the number of employees sent for training alone.

It is reflected in the quality of administration, the responsible management of public resources, the continuity of institutions and the services people receive.

For Yobe State, the lasting significance of these initiatives will depend on how successfully improved welfare and professional development translate into those outcomes.

Maji Bappa Maina, Voice of Development | Leadership and public Insight.

By Uzair Adam

Ko Da Naka, in collaboration with Afaq Educational Foundation, has called on Nigerians to reject President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if his administration fails to address economic hardship and insecurity in the country.

The groups made the call in a communiqué issued after a national conference on “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections,” held in Kano on Sunday.

The Daily Reality reports that Ko Da Naka is a civic organisation committed to promoting good governance and community development, while Afaq Educational Foundation focuses on education and community development initiatives.

The conference, attended by about 1,000 participants, deliberated on the economy, insecurity, migration of skilled professionals, the role of religious scholars in promoting truth and justice, and the 2027 general elections.

On the economy, the participants expressed dissatisfaction with the policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate system, increases in electricity tariffs and tax reforms.

According to the communiqué, the policies had increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians at a time when rising living costs and unemployment were already threatening citizens’ well-being.

“The government has continued to insist on pursuing these policies, which are increasing hardship among the people,” the communiqué stated.

The groups criticised the administration for prioritising revenue growth rather than reviewing policies they said were worsening the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

The participants consequently resolved that it would be inappropriate to re-elect the Tinubu administration in 2027 if it failed to change what they described as harmful economic policies.

On security, the groups expressed concern over continued killings and kidnappings by bandits, as well as other acts of terrorism across the country.

The communiqué particularly called for urgent action to address insecurity in the North-West and other affected parts of Nigeria.

It warned that failure to improve the security situation should compel President Tinubu to reconsider seeking another term in office.

“Alternatively, the President should refrain from contesting the 2027 election,” the communiqué stated.

It added that if he chose to contest despite the security challenges, Nigerians should reject his candidacy and give an opportunity to those capable of providing better leadership.

The groups also condemned the continued migration of Nigerian doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals to foreign countries.

They attributed the trend to unemployment, inadequate facilities, poor working conditions and the difficult economic situation in the country.

The communiqué urged the government to improve salaries and working conditions while providing opportunities for professional development.

It also called for programmes that would encourage skilled Nigerians abroad to return home, warning that failure to address the situation should result in a change of government at the next election.

“If the government fails to do this, it should be replaced at the next election,” the participants resolved.

On the role of religious scholars, the groups urged clerics not to become political stooges or support injustice for personal benefit.

Instead, they said religious scholars should speak truth to power and defend justice irrespective of political party, ethnicity or religion.

“Religious scholars should praise what is good and criticise what is wrong, regardless of political party, tribe or religion,” the communiqué stated.

It further urged religious leaders to educate Nigerians on the importance of choosing competent leaders as the 2027 general elections approach.

The participants said Nigeria’s future was more important than any political party, ethnic group or region, urging citizens to use their votes to seek leadership capable of bringing relief from hardship, prosperity, security, employment, justice and development.

The groups advised Nigerians to assess all candidates carefully, taking into consideration their experience, integrity, competence and policies rather than voting based solely on religion, ethnicity, region or political affiliation.

The communiqué also urged Nigerians to continue praying for divine guidance in choosing leaders.

It prayed that Almighty Allah would guide the country’s leaders and provide Nigerians with good leadership in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

The Daily Reality reports that economic hardship, insecurity and the migration of skilled professionals remain major issues in Nigeria, with the concerns expected to feature prominently in political debates ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least three people have died while several others sustained injuries after a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night after a large crowd gathered at the Government House. The injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Minna for treatment.

Reports indicated that the gathering was initially linked to efforts by government officials to engage youths who were planning a protest over the recent deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the state.

Two of the victims were identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat, who were internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Hurairat’s husband, Abubakar, was reportedly killed by bandits in 2023 along the Allawa–Pandogari Road. Following repeated attacks that forced residents to abandon the community, Hurairat relocated to Minna as an IDP.

Sources said Dije, who was living with her husband in Gurmana, had travelled to visit her daughter when they heard reports that money would be distributed at the Government House. They subsequently joined the crowd.

Mallam Musa Allawa, an IDP, told journalists that the mother and daughter were scheduled to be buried on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, some government appointees had posted on social media that youths gathered at the Government House to express solidarity with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

However, a government source said the crowd later increased after reports spread that the governor would distribute N10,000 to people who gathered at the venue.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the state government would issue an official statement on the incident.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also said he would verify the incident and provide further details.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three more Nigerians have died in separate incidents in South Africa amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.

The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg disclosed the deaths in a statement issued on Monday by the Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche.

According to the statement, the three Nigerians died between September 18 and 21 in incidents reported in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.

The first victim, identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu, allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape what the consulate described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in the Central Business District of Bloemfontein.

The second incident occurred on September 20 at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, where Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde worked as a security guard.

The consulate said Olatunde was killed after he attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the premises with a cup belonging to the facility.

“This resulted in an altercation and the South African pulled out his firearm and shot OLATUNDE in his lower body part, leading to a serious injury and profuse loss of blood,” the statement reads.

“Upon noticing the grievous harm done, the shooter immediately fled the scene.”

Okey-Uche said the unidentified shooter also allegedly threatened to kill witnesses who tried to identify him to the police.

Olatunde was taken to hospital after the shooting but died the following morning.

The third case involved Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 after an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

According to the consulate, Nnaemeka was allegedly arrested and tortured by members of the team before attempting to escape by jumping over a fence.

He reportedly collapsed from exhaustion and injuries sustained during the incident and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Khumalo, who is seeking the position of mayor of Ekurhuleni, had previously faced allegations following the death of another Nigerian, Emeza Uzor, after an incident involving members of his team in February.

Consulate Raises Safety Concerns

The Nigerian consul-general described the reports as deeply troubling and said they had raised concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

“The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa,” the consul-general added.

The latest deaths come after two Nigerians were reportedly killed earlier in September during attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

Two other Nigerians were also reported killed two months earlier amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.

Okey-Uche called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths and establish the circumstances surrounding each incident.

She also urged Nigerians living in the country to avoid violence and remain security conscious.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are moving towards concluding a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAA) aimed at strengthening cooperation on trade, compliance and information sharing.

The proposed agreement, which has been under negotiation for about six months, is expected to establish a formal framework for the exchange of customs information and intelligence between both countries.

It is also expected to strengthen compliance measures and support the facilitation of legitimate trade between Nigeria and the UK.

The development followed a two-day high-level meeting between officials of the NCS and HMRC at the Customs headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, from September 25 to 26, 2026.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the meeting, Assistant Comptroller-General Nafi’u Isyaku, who oversees the Strategic, Research and Policy Department, said the physical engagement was organised to resolve outstanding issues before the agreement is signed.

Isyaku said negotiations had been conducted virtually for six months but both administrations considered a physical meeting necessary to move the process towards completion.

He said the agreement was expected to be signed in the first week of December during the World Customs Organisation Policy Commission meeting, subject to the completion of the remaining processes.

Senior Policy Adviser at HMRC, Syed Moinuddin, said the meeting provided an opportunity for both customs administrations to address areas of mutual interest and develop a framework for stronger cooperation within the international customs community.

Louisa Bentley, Head of Bilateral Relations and Agreements at HMRC, also described the negotiations as successful and said the two sides were close to finalising the agreement.

According to Bentley, the proposed pact would enhance compliance and information sharing while creating better conditions for trade facilitation and greater participation by Nigeria and the UK in global trade opportunities.

The HMRC delegation also inspected key facilities at the NCS headquarters, including the Trade Modernisation Project Limited office, the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report office and the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network station.

Bentley commended the NCS for its ongoing reforms, particularly its deployment of technology and investment in personnel development.

She said the initiatives demonstrated progress towards more modern and efficient customs operations.

The engagement concluded with a tour of other departments and operational units, which gave the British delegation an opportunity to observe ongoing reforms and technological innovations within the Nigeria Customs Service.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening poverty and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Atiku said he would continue to challenge the policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that they had reduced Nigerians’ purchasing power.

The former vice-president made the remarks in a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, amid an ongoing political dispute over criticism of the President.

Atiku said: “A President who can inflict this much pain on Nigerians should be able to survive hearing his own name.

“If Tinubu feels disrespected by being called his own name, he should imagine how Nigerians feel after being stripped of their purchasing power, crushed by inflation and instructed to endure hardship while those in power live extravagantly at public expense.

“Respect for the presidency cannot be demanded through intimidation. It must be earned through competent leadership, compassion and results.

“And he certainly does not have to wait for the campaign trail before demanding relief for millions of Nigerians whom Tinubu’s policies have pushed into poverty.

“Opposition is not seasonal. Accountability does not observe an electoral timetable.

“If Tinubu’s government can impose hardship every day, Atiku has the right to challenge it every day.

“Only people insulated from hardship by public funds could describe the daily misery of millions as “transient discomfort.”

“For the hungry child, this is not discomfort. For the bankrupt trader, this is not reform. For the unemployed graduate, this is not a foundation. It is failure.

“Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy without a coherent plan to protect Nigerians from the consequences.”

The former vice-president’s comments come amid continuing political exchanges between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures over the impact of the government’s economic reforms.

Atiku is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election on the ADC platform, while the Tinubu administration has maintained that its economic reforms are intended to address structural problems and place the economy on a stronger footing.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with shortlisted applicants undergoing documentation, physical fitness checks and medical examinations in Abuja.

The two-week screening began on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Training and Doctrine Command, Gwagwalada, and is scheduled to end on September 19.

The exercise covers candidates shortlisted for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

To ensure an orderly process and avoid overcrowding at the screening venue, applicants are being attended to in batches based on the alphabetical order of their states of origin.

Speaking to the candidates, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the recruitment process would assess applicants beyond their physical fitness.

“On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, I congratulate you on reaching this stage,” Onyeka said. “I urge you to remain orderly and strictly adhere to the guidelines. Beyond physical requirements, your attitude, discipline, and conduct are critical factors in deciding who ultimately joins the Service.”

Onyeka added that the NCS was collaborating with the Customs Police and other relevant units to protect the credibility of the recruitment exercise.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, also said improvements in administration and cooperation among relevant agencies had helped to make the screening process more efficient.

“Everything happening here reflects the policy vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which emphasised continuous operational improvement, collaboration, and innovation,” Gaura stated. “The process has been seamless, hitch-free, and conducted without any casualties.”

Screening for candidates in the Assistant Superintendent of Customs cadre is expected to end on Thursday, September 10, while the assessment of applicants for the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres will continue until September 19, 2026.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said his proposed fuel subsidy policy will focus on supporting crude supplied to Nigerian refineries rather than subsidising imported petrol if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said the policy is designed to lower the cost of petrol through cheaper crude feedstock for domestic refineries.

He made the clarification in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Friday.

The statement followed criticism of Atiku’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy, particularly concerns over whether such a policy could compel private refineries to sell petrol below their production costs.

Atiku said recent comments from Dangote Refinery about government-imposed petrol prices had been misrepresented by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“Dangote raised a legitimate business concern. The presidency turned it into a campaign of fear,” the statement reads.

“A refinery that has invested billions of dollars cannot be commanded to sell indefinitely below cost and absorb the losses.

“That would be reckless, economically destructive and unfair to any private investor. But that is precisely why our proposal is different.”

‘We’ll Subsidise Production, Not Imports’

According to Atiku, his proposed model would redirect fuel subsidy towards crude supplied to local refineries instead of imported petrol.

“We are restoring subsidy through a production subsidy model, not an import subsidy model,” he said.

“The difference is simple enough for every Nigerian to understand. Import subsidy spends public money supporting petrol refined abroad and brought into Nigeria.

“Production subsidy supports crude refined here in Nigeria so that Nigerian refineries can produce fuel more cheaply and Nigerians can pay less.”

The former vice-president compared the proposed approach to government support for farmers, where assistance is provided to reduce the cost of producing food rather than subsidising imported food.

“That is exactly what we are proposing for fuel. We are restoring subsidy but moving it from importation to production. The subsidy follows the barrel refined in Nigeria,” he said.

He said qualifying domestic refineries would receive support through a transparent and capped system subject to independent verification. The arrangement, he added, would reduce the cost of crude used by the refineries.

“If the crude entering a refinery becomes cheaper, the cost of producing petrol should also come down,” he said.

“That reduction should then reach the average Nigerian while preserving legitimate refining costs and a reasonable commercial margin.”

Atiku also rejected the suggestion that his proposal would require private refineries to sell their products at a loss.

“The Tinubu Presidency knows this. If it pretends otherwise, then it is not confused. It is deliberately misleading Nigerians,” Atiku.

‘No Subsidy For Foreign Refineries’

Atiku said his proposed intervention would be restricted to crude refined within Nigeria, with local refineries, workers, businesses and consumers expected to benefit from the policy.

“Under our plan, support will be tied strictly to crude refined in Nigeria. Nigerian refineries will benefit. Nigerian workers will benefit. Nigerian businesses will benefit. Nigerian consumers will benefit,” he said.

“If you do not refine in Nigeria, you do not qualify. This is not a subsidy for foreign refineries. It is not a subsidy for importers. It is not a subsidy for middlemen. It is a subsidy for Nigerian production.”

The ADC candidate further said his administration would not dictate an arbitrary petrol pump price to domestic refineries.

“If government wants to provide additional relief beyond what lower crude-input costs can sustainably deliver, then government must pay for that relief openly,” he said.

“It must be budgeted. It must be capped. It must be audited. Nigerians must know exactly what is being spent and what they are receiving in return.”

Atiku said the government should not set a politically attractive petrol price while leaving private refiners to absorb the resulting losses.

“You cannot announce a politically convenient petrol price and quietly dump the cost on the refinery,” he said.

“That is not policy. That is confiscation by another name.”

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has commenced a four-day training for key stakeholders on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, management and resolution.

The training, organised in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja, is aimed at strengthening stakeholders’ capacity to prevent conflicts, manage grievances and promote sustainable peace, particularly between farmers and pastoralists.

The Daily Reality reports that the training, which began on Monday, September 7, brought together farmers, pastoralist leaders, security personnel, traditional and religious leaders, government officials, women and youth representatives, among other stakeholders.

The programme focuses on the third component of L-PRES, which deals with crisis prevention and conflict mitigation, with particular attention to conflicts and grievances that could arise from interventions targeting farmers and pastoralists.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, who was represented by the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Sule Saleh, said the training was important because development interventions could sometimes create disagreements among beneficiaries and communities if not properly managed.

Saleh explained that L-PRES provides various forms of support to farmers and pastoralists, including interventions involving grazing areas, water and infrastructure, which could sometimes lead to disagreements between the two groups.

He said the third component was therefore designed to prevent or minimise such conflicts and grievances, particularly those arising from interactions between farmers and pastoralists.

According to him, farming and livestock rearing had traditionally coexisted, but the movement of pastoralists in search of grazing land and water could bring them into cultivated farmlands and trigger disputes.

“The programme looks at the reasons why pastoralists move from one location to another. Is it because of inadequate grazing land, lack of water or market-related issues?” he said.

Saleh said identifying the underlying causes of pastoral movement would enable stakeholders to develop appropriate solutions and reduce situations that could escalate into conflicts.

Also speaking, Paul Andrew Gwaza, an official of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, said the institute was collaborating with L-PRES to implement the conflict prevention and mitigation component of the project in 20 states, including Kano.

Gwaza said the training was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to facilitate dialogue, mediation and conflict resolution within their communities.

He stressed that the objectives of L-PRES could not be fully achieved in an environment where conflicts and crises continued to disrupt relationships between farmers and pastoralists.

“The essence is that you cannot achieve component one and component two when there are conflicts and crises, especially between farmers and herders, which is affecting livestock productivity,” he said.

He said the participants were also being trained on stakeholder mapping, conflict-sensitive investment, gender and social inclusion to ensure that development interventions promoted unity rather than create divisions within communities.

Gwaza explained that conflict-sensitive investment was particularly important because development projects must be implemented in ways that do not create new grievances or deepen existing divisions among communities.

He added that the programme also sought to ensure that minority groups were not marginalised in the implementation of L-PRES interventions.

On the collaboration between L-PRES and IPCR, Gwaza said the partnership was intended to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and ensure their sustainability beyond the lifespan of the project.

He said the institute was also working with relevant peacebuilding agencies at the state level, where available, to build local capacity and ensure continuity after L-PRES exits.

According to him, the direct beneficiaries of the training include pastoralist and farmer leaders, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, women and youth leaders and civil servants.

He said the participants would subsequently take the knowledge and skills acquired to their respective communities, making the wider population of Kano State the ultimate beneficiaries.

The training, which is being held under the L-PRES conflict prevention and mitigation component, is expected to strengthen stakeholders’ ability to identify potential sources of conflict, promote dialogue and contribute to peaceful coexistence between farmers, pastoralists and other communities across Kano State.

By Paul Liam

The true character of a person, they say, manifests in how they treat others, especially those at the margins of society or occupying the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. Such treatment, when genuine, is not a performative exhibition of humility or kindness, but an empathetic demonstration of measuredness and good-naturedness that emanates from a place of deep consciousness, even in the most daunting and provocative times.

Not many people in privileged circumstances remember their humanity, yet there are exceptional individuals whose lives embody this rare virtue of genuine empathy. Chidinma Chidoka, Executive Director of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and wife of Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre and former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, epitomises the humanity and dignity in leadership that Nigeria is in dire need of today.

Madam Chidoka is proof that you don’t need to know someone for a lifetime before they make an impact on your life. In person, I have only met her once, yet she is perpetually present in my consciousness even when she is not physically present. It didn’t take months or years for me to connect with her humanity; it happened in a single experience.

In the heat of planning a high-level convening, when it looked like everything was falling apart, she came in calmly and warmly and shepherded the team to excellence. She didn’t shout or call anyone out. She simply took charge and led from the heart, and everyone else followed. It turned out to be one of the most successful events, as the programme lead later confided.

Sometimes, all a team needs is a leader who listens with empathy.

I remember that encounter on the eve of the event, at the NOI Polls office in Mabushi. She sat down with grace when Sarah and I walked into the hall. She was holding a pen and notepad, taking stock of what had been done and what was left to be done. In the heat of the conversation, she gently said, “Everyone, calm down. Take a deep breath and relax,” when she sensed tension in the air.

What is telling about Madam Chidoka is not simply that she is humble and kind; it is her ability to serve as an icebreaker even in the most difficult situations, with a calmness that frightens fear itself. Even when she is visibly upset over certain lapses, she handles it with grace, never allowing her anger to dehumanise her staff or subordinates.

This is not to say that Madam Chidoka romanticises failure. It is to say that a genuine leader can discipline and show frustration while still preserving the dignity of everyone involved, not a common practice in the Nigerian workforce, where ordinary unit heads become lords unto themselves, bullying and abusing their subordinates, and where managers sometimes take joy in dehumanising colleagues to prove a needless point about authority.

Madam Chidoka’s life is a lesson in leadership. Even though she is usually away, many wish she were more involved and present, because with her, correction does not mean devaluing the person — it means helping them see the consequences of their actions in a way that makes them reflect on their errors. That is the power of leadership: being fully present even when absent.

If Nigerian leaders took a cue from Madam Chidoka and applied the same tact, wisdom and empathy in the administration of Nigeria, Nigerians would experience what it truly means to have a leader who listens, cares, and corrects with love. Showing empathy does not mean weakness; it means understanding that humans are capable of errors that can be corrected with dignity and respect.

This is why I admire Madam Chidoka. Her decency and grace overflow and are unmistakable. Everyone wants to be listened to; everyone wants to be counted and seen. Madam Chidoka creates an atmosphere where this happens with respect and dignity.

As Madam Chidoka turns 50 this year, I cannot help but reflect on her impact on me, despite having known her for less than a year. Her humanity gives me hope that Nigeria can still be a better place someday. If people like her held power, society would be a better place.

What is a leader without empathy?

So, Madam Chidoka, I am truly honoured to have met you and to watch you lead from the heart, with grace, without noise or airs. Thank you for listening, and for being the difference in the room.

I wish you many more beautiful years, filled with God’s abundant blessings.

Happy 50th birthday, Madam Chidinma Chidoka.

Paul Liam is the Media and Communications Officer of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership.