By Nura Jibo

For so long, I abandoned writing on Nigeria and its leadership situation because doing so wastes time, energy, and resources. I avoided discussing its precarious situation because I am still very sceptical and, most of the time, extremely despondent about its progress and development.

But whenever one realizes that certain classes of people in the country, most especially the current Nigerian politicians, are clueless and ignorant about the dynamics of global change in various countries of the world, one has no choice but to waste another day clearing the bushfires or/and the politicians’ colonial hot air historical jargon.

Most of my friends have known my candid view(s) for so long about why Nigeria, and by extension, Africa, is generally not developed and almost 98% of the countries on the continent, including mine, cannot grow!

The stupefaction of colonization historical facts by the Nigerian “political class” and even its military apparatus is entirely unwholesome, very untrue, and most of the time very dangerous to our national savvy! I don’t want to call the current political crooks in Nigeria “leaders” because most of them are perturbed and pathological liars! Indeed, the legendary Bob Robert Nesta Marley had squarely defined the world’s political ruling classes, especially the political presidents and their ruling maladroitness, in one of the songs that he dubbed “Real Situation.” Marley and his honourable Wailers explained succinctly through music the political mentality of the local and international politicians.

Hear the legendary Marley and the Wailers:

I quoted this legendary musical maestro of all time to make a case in point over Nigeria’s political class’s incomprehensible incompetence and distorted Western colonization historical accounts. They fabricated and are still fabricating lots of lies by blaming the Western world for the country’s political and military underdevelopment. They always point accusing fingers at the colonial masters, and, very recently, they are “perfecting” their scheme by throwing their “leadership” lacklustre truncheon at foreign countries’ influence!

You may accuse Bob Marley by calling him names for being an Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp) chain smoker. However, one thing you can never take away from him is his mastery of the English language through music. He concluded that global politicians, especially the Nigerian brand (emphasis mine), are generally “devils and corrupt.” May Allah give Marley relief for advocating the nicest words via philosophical lyrics!

According to Bob, ninety per cent of what politicians say is untrue. Therefore, one should think twice before taking them seriously.

The real Nigeria’s situation 15 to 20 years after independence

Both the Nigerian military “elites” and the political class are too economical with the truth nowadays. They shamelessly accuse Western countries such as America, Britain, and France of intervening or meddling in their leadership affairs! They blame these countries for Nigeria’s lack of economic development and prosperity because they think everybody will believe what they say. 

With due respect, I beg all Nigerians, whether army or civilian, to sincerely disagree on the veracity of Nigerian politicians and even its military leaders’ blame for Western influence, interference, or blame game. Why does the Nigerian political class, including its military, resort to this unfounded ideology to ruin our people, make them highly impoverished and pauperized, and, in the end, make the entire citizenry appear inferior to the political class subjugation and their cantankerous posture? One hasn’t the vaguest idea!

Twenty years after the country’s independence, Nigeria’s situation was by far the best in Africa and, by extension, more than certain countries in Europe and the Americas (both North and South).

Many foreign nations were present in Nigeria, doing business with grandeur, style, and passion for their businesses in Nigeria. Canada and its companies were here in Nigeria in the 1980s, with their businesses thriving remarkably. Italy and Italians came to Nigeria and did serious business with FIAT Coy. They competed very seriously with Steyr Motor Company in Bauchi State, Nigeria. 

Britain, our colonizer, and its companies were here in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s, flourishing their grand businesses in Nigeria. Indeed, Italy and its companies were here in Kano, Nigeria, in the 1970s and 1980s, doing their business generally in the country. France and its companies were here in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s, doing their business diligently with respect for the Nigerian people.

Let’s start with Canada! The Canadians were interested in investing in Nigeria. They came with their renowned company, Steyr, founded by its farmer, Mr. Leopold Heide. They sought a partnership with the Nigerian government. Canada convinced Nigeria of the reputation of the Steyr motor company, which was performing remarkably in Steinbach. It entered into a partnership business with Nigeria and established an assembly plant in Bauchi State. It supported the Nigerian government to employ hardworking Nigerians. 

Canada trained and taught Nigerians how to assemble Steyr tractors, trucks, and buses in Bauchi. Within a year, Nigerians could produce 5,000 tractors, 2,000 trucks, and 2,000 buses inside the Steyr quarters, located just a little bit on the outskirts of Bauchi State. This Canadian company was performing remarkably. At that time, Nigeria was not purchasing trucks or tractors from China or anywhere else. 

Then Nigeria produces its farming tractors and trucks! It did not matter to look anywhere else the way its current president is busy wasting his time globetrotting to Qatar and France to beg their leaders to come and invest in an atmosphere that is no longer passionate!

Steyr tractors and buses were all over Nigeria until the company met its Waterloo in the hands of Nigeria’s military government. The military privatized it and sold it to individuals. The remnant of the company is now grappling with the issues of its old workers who spent well over six years without salaries as of 2002. The rest is history! But I shall come back to this point and advise on how it could be revived and salvaged for the Nigerian farmers. So that they no longer look up to China to have agricultural success.

Fabrica Italian Automobili Torino, popularly called FIAT Company, was here in Kano State, Nigeria! They came from Turin, Italy, and established FIAT IVECO, which Giovanni Agnelli originally founded. Indeed, the actual English translation of FIAT is not roughly far-fetched from the Italian Automobiles Factory, Turin (FIAT). 

Then, Kano produced amazing tractors for farmers who farmed large hectares of land and produced groundnut pyramids that were second to none globally! Kano, Nigeria, was a hub and a beehive of groundnut activities worldwide. Kano imported groundnuts to most parts of Europe and other African developing nations. 

Courtesy of Torino Italiano! Where our politicians got the notion to accuse the white people of killing Nigeria, and Nigerians are just trying to tell half-truths or untruths about the reality of Nigeria’s situation.

11. The British and their companies were visibly doing great business to elevate Nigeria to the loftiest heights. And I will tell you how! I will explain in clear terms to the corrupt Nigeria’s political class that the majority of them are either not educated, half-educated, or even ignorant about what colonialism and colonial or external inference stand for, especially in this modern world.

The British came from Nottingham, England, and established their Raleigh Bicycle Company in various places in Nigeria, including Kano State. My dad bought a Raleigh for my elder brother around 1982–1983! I cannot remember the year, but I was busy stealing a show of Brother Abubakar’s mastery. Anytime he was cycling on his brand-new Raleigh, it was amazing! One day, he gave me an idea of how to ride a bicycle! 

In 1984, our dad was posted to the local government of Hadejia in old Kano State. We were housed at Site Quarters along Birniwa Road! Our staff quarters were a few kilometres from a village called Gandun Sarki in Hadejia local government. Our daddy’s neighbour and a father to our two friends, Sani Bello and Abubakar Bello, bought them a Raleigh Chopper! I still remember Sani giving me a ride on his beautiful Raleigh Chopper. And lest you forget, Raleigh was initially founded by Sir Frank Bowden. 

Frank discovered himself and his high penchant for cycling on Raleigh after experiencing its health benefits firsthand after he had a spell of bad health. But unlike Frank’s, Sani Bello’s Raleigh Chopper and Abubakar’s Raleigh Bicycles sincerely made our days feel like we were on top of the world! We were, of course, busy cycling and dreaming of growing up in Britain so that we could have our Raleighs! 

Contrary to our terrible political leaders, who are bereft of ideas and don’t know what to do to salvage the city’s public transportation systems, they refuse to revive the Raleigh Companies or to go and beg Nottingham to come back to Kano and construct a new brand of Raleigh Company and Bicycle Roads’ network to alleviate mass transit in petrol cars and buses.

The French Michelin Company and its people were in Lagos and Port Harcourt! The Michelin Group of Companies, headquartered in Clermont Ferrand, France, felt very comfortable leaving their comfort zones to come and invest in Michelin tyres in Nigeria! Then, the Michelin Group provides excellent-quality tyres to Nigerian motorists and over 170 countries at a very cheap and affordable price! 

Today, these political crooks in governance are trying to fix Nigerian roads in a very crooked way, using trillions of naira that ordinarily were supposed to have been utilized in other areas to build a world-class transportation system in Nigeria. The French also had their Peugeot assembly plant in Kaduna State, Nigeria. 

Every government senior staff member in either local, state, or federal civil service was officially provided with a brand new Peugeot car and a driver! Then, Nigeria was doing excellently in terms of staff welfare and human capital development. One hasn’t the slightest idea how our modern-day and broad daylight political thieves got the notion of always pointing accusing fingers at the Western world over the current national predicament.

To be continued!

Nura Jibo, MRICS, wrote in from Marriot Marquis. Contact Nura at jibonura@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In a move that contradicts previous government denials, President Bola Tinubu has approved a plan to redirect dividends owed to the federation to cover the cost of petrol subsidies.

This is contained in a report released by BusinessDay. 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited will utilise the 2023 final dividends to offset subsidy expenses, with the president also suspending 2024 interim dividends to bolster the company’s finances.

The NNPC had warned that subsidy payments have severely impacted its ability to contribute taxes and royalties to the federation account. 

Internal forecasts indicate that petrol subsidy expenses from August 2023 to December 2024 will total N6.884 trillion, resulting in a shortfall of N3.987 trillion in taxes and royalties owed to the federation account.

The exact dividend amount affected by this decision remains undisclosed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Thousands of students at Sokoto University are expressing concerns over the deplorable state of key lecture halls, just a week before exams are set to begin.

Images and footage obtained by SaharaReporters reveal a major facility, built by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to seat 1,000 students, in a state of disarray. 

The building’s roof has collapsed, and ceiling panels are missing, leaving students vulnerable to extreme weather and safety hazards.

Despite the university’s claims that alternative facilities are available, students are worried about the impact on their learning. 

However, the university’s spokesperson, Shehu, downplayed the concerns, saying, “The claim that some students were receiving lectures inside the halls is not true. It is the work of some mischief makers.”

He noted that the management is working to repair the damaged halls and that available halls will be used for exams. 

Shehu added, “Many of the buildings are affected by rainstorms and the management has repaired some. This particular TETFUND hall; we are making efforts to repair it. We have enough classes and lecture halls that will allow us to take our exams from next week.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajiboye Omodewu, has died. Omodewu, who hailed from Otu in Itesiwaju local government, passed away about a year after undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment. 

The late APC chairman, who held dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States, was a former Commissioner under the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He had recently completed his law degree and law school. 

APC Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, confirmed the death of the party’s chairman.

Omodewu’s demise has left a void in the state’s political landscape, as the party will now begin the run to get another chairman.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Muhammad, co-led a 5km walk on Saturday, August 17, 2024, to strengthen collaboration and promote work-life balance between the two agencies. 

The walk, tagged “Work-Life Balance,” started at the FRSC Headquarters and traversed Herbert Macaulay Way to the Wuse Market traffic light, before returning to the FRSC Headquarters via Maputo Street. 

CGC Adeniyi expressed determination to enhance inter-agency collaboration, particularly in curbing smuggled vehicles on Nigerian roads.

He stated the importance of fostering a spirit of friendship and brotherhood among security agencies. 

Corps Marshal Muhammad believed that organizing social activities and exercises between sister security agencies could be key to building a prosperous nation.

He expressed appreciation for CGC Adeniyi’s attendance and noted that the NCS has been a solid partner to the FRSC on several occasions. 

Both leaders agreed to continue the monthly exercise to improve health and well-being, and to explore ways to work together to achieve their mandates.

By Uzair Adam

A tragic incident has occurred in Karkari village, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, where a widow and her five children lost their lives after consuming a local Hausa delicacy known as Danwake.

The Kano Police Command confirmed the heartbreaking event, stating that the victims were rushed to Gwarzo General Hospital but were declared dead upon arrival.

According to the Police spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna, investigations have begun to determine the exact cause of the deaths.

The Daily Reality gathered that preliminary reports suggest that the widow, Alhakatu Abdulkarim, may have used expired cassava flour in preparing the meal, leading to the unfortunate outcome.

The deceased children have been identified as Bashir, Firdausi, Hafsat, Usman, and Jamilu.

The community and the authorities are now awaiting a detailed medical report from the hospital to confirm the cause of death and prevent future occurrences.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad 

Petrol and electricity are the oxygen of any nation. Once these two crucial resources are restricted, the country struggles to breathe. Many Nigerians were surprised to learn that Nigeria’s petroleum importation from Malta surged significantly to $2.8 billion in 2023, up from zero importation between 2017 and 2022. 

On the other hand, the majority of Nigerians were unhappy with the news that the $19 billion Dangote Refinery is struggling due to a poor supply of crude oil and other hindrances from government agencies that are supposed to support such a national asset.

For most Nigerians, Dangote Refinery represents hope and the expectation of lower petroleum prices. Regardless of people’s opinions about Dangote, he has accomplished what Nigeria has failed to achieve in decades. In fact, in the last ten years, only six countries in the world have managed to build new massive petroleum refineries, including the Dangote Refinery. 

Other countries that have built refineries include China, which has added multiple new refineries like the 400,000 barrels per day (b/d) Yulong Petrochemical Plant and the 300,000 b/d Shenghong Refinery; Kuwait’s Al-Zour refinery with a capacity of 615,000 b/d, which started operations in 2021; Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery with a capacity of 400,000 b/d, also operational since 2021; and Oman’s Duqm Refinery, with a capacity of 230,000 b/d, which commenced operations in 2022. Additionally, India has expanded its refining capacity with new units at the Ratnagiri refinery.

Nigeria’s importation of petroleum products was initially intended as a temporary solution to the insufficient supply from its four state-owned refineries. However, due to inefficiency and corruption, this temporary measure has become a permanent solution.

In Nigeria, the prices of refined petroleum products are heavily influenced by import-related factors. There are over ten components contributing to the landing cost of petrol, including freight, port charges, the NMDPRA 1% levy, storage costs, marine insurance, fendering, the NMDPRA COQ and NOA, Q&Q analysis, letter of credit fees, and interest. Additionally, the high exchange rate further inflates the price of imported petrol. To eliminate these extra costs, local refining is the only viable solution. Nigeria’s only option for now is the Dangote refinery.

Many Nigerians, ordinary citizens, and bureaucrats view the $19 billion Dangote refinery as an asset and a blessing. It has the potential to liberate Nigeria from decades of dependence on petrol importation, which is one of the major causes of pressure on the Naira and the scarcity of the dollar. The refinery will position Nigeria on the map of nations exporting crude and refined petroleum products and fertiliser. 

Dangote Fertiliser is one of the largest fertiliser plants in the world, with an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes of urea. Nigeria’s yearly urea fertiliser needs are only 1.5 million metric tonnes. 

Dangote has already demonstrated his capability in the cement industry. With Dangote Cement, Nigeria is a net exporter. Nigeria boasts one of the largest cement industries in Africa, with a combined production capacity of over 58.9 million metric tonnes per year among major producers. It leads the cement industry in West Africa, hosting at least 12 registered companies. Dangote Cement is the largest producer in Nigeria and West Africa, contributing over 35.25 million metric tonnes per year (Mt/yr) to the region’s cement capacity. Due to Dangote’s significant cement production capacity, Nigeria satisfies not only its domestic cement needs but also exports to neighbouring countries, enhancing regional trade and economic integration.

Let the Dangote refinery be! It will transform the Nigerian oil and gas industry into a net exporter of refined petroleum products.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has closed its Brazilian office due to a dispute with Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes over censorship.

According to X, Judge de Moraes threatened to arrest its legal representative in Brazil unless the company complied with his directives to censor certain content. 

Despite the office closure, X confirmed that its platform remains accessible to users in Brazil.

The dispute began when Judge de Moraes ordered X to block accounts accused of spreading misinformation, primarily supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. 

X owner Elon Musk criticised the judge, leading to daily fines of $19,774 and potential legal consequences for X’s Brazilian representatives.

Musk is now under investigation for alleged obstruction of justice and other charges. 

X stated, “As a result, to protect the safety of our staff, we have made the decision to close our operation in Brazil, effective immediately.

The responsibility lies solely with Alexandre de Moraes. His actions are incompatible with democratic government.” 

Musk posted on X, “There was no question that Moraes needs to leave. If we had agreed to (Mr. Moraes) @alexandre’s (illegal) secret censorship and private information handover demands, there was no way we could explain our actions without being ashamed.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has ordered an immediate investigation into a contentious medical drug supply contract involving all 44 local government areas.

The governor vowed to take action against those responsible, warning that “anybody found to be behind it will have himself to blame”. 

Governor Yusuf denied any knowledge of the contract, which was recently awarded for the supply of drugs to the local councils, and directed the State Anti-Corruption Commission to leave no stone unturned in their investigation. 

In a statement released to the press, the Governor’s office assured the public that the outcome of the investigation would be made public, and that anyone found to be involved in any wrongdoing would face the full force of the law. 

The governor appealed for patience from the people of Kano State, promising that justice would be served once the investigation was complete. 

Recall that the controversy was triggered by a video made by a popular Northern skit maker, popularly known as Dan Bello, who alleged that the government was enmeshed in the said contract of accumulating N10m from the 44 local government councils in the state.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Ismail Sahabi, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education in Zaria, Kaduna State, has been released after being held captive for 31 days.

Sahabi was abducted by suspected terrorists on July 18th, along with his brother, Sidi Aliyu Sahabi, and several others, at Kasuwar Magani in Chikun Local Government Area.

The abduction resulted in the tragic death of Mohammed Bashir (Govinda), Chairman of the Tudun Wada, Zaria Butchers Association.

According to Malam Musa Sahabi, a brother to two of the victims, the attack was carried out by an informant.

The victims were finally released on Friday and are currently receiving medical attention to assess their health condition.

While a family source confirmed their release, it remains unclear whether a ransom was paid to secure their freedom.