To wash, or not to wash: that is the question

‘Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous’ servitude,

or to take a stand against a sea of troubles, mediocrity and ‘by opposing, end them?’

Since washing the husband’s clothes has found its way to the topmost topic worthy of discussion amidst many other issues ravaging our dear region, let’s talk about it then. We are unserious, first of all, I must admit. After wasting time and energy on such trivial topics, I wonder how we still expect an actual transformation to occur. How is that possible?

By the way, washing the husband’s clothes is not a crime; it fetches rewards from Allah and love from (some) husbands. If you want to be a diligent wife and conquer his heart by washing his clothes, please do, as there’s no user guide to a successful marriage. Just do what works for you. But remember, no good husband will wish slavery and suffering upon his wife. If he/she has the means to make life easier for you and they are not doing that, then dear, you are probably with the wrong partner.

Who are you married to? A lover or a husband?

Yes, because it’s about time we differentiate between the two. But I was married to both in one person, so to say that I washed his clothes out of love shouldn’t be surprising. We were newly married then. I was young (and not naive, thanks), energetic, and most of all, wanted to prove the ‘I am a good wife’ point. We both were pursuing our masters in India, so whenever he had classes and I didn’t, I would wash and iron his clothes before he returned. I love to see him appreciate me. That ‘Allah ya yi miki albarka‘ meant a lot to me, and I would do anything to get those blessings.

So while I was washing, he would try to dissuade me. Other times he would join when he was around, and because I wouldn’t stop, he searched, found and patronised dry cleaners in the neighbourhood until we got our washing machine. So, whether or not to do these little things is absolutely perspectival. I washed not just his clothes but those soiled with poop and vomit (when he was sick). It doesn’t make me feel lesser, and I would do that again if necessary because if I don’t, who will? I did it diligently, with enthusiasm and so much pride.

Moreover, that made us happier; it fetched me lots of love and admiration and earned me a good repute. As such, he washed mine and the kids’ too. We were abroad without any other relative, so whenever I put to bed, he’d be fully in charge of the laundry – and other domestic chores. What is love and compassion in marriage for?

I have seen similar arguments about cooking as well. So if you say women shouldn’t care for or serve their husbands in these little ways, how else should they do it if he is not rich enough to afford such services? Just how?

I am not saying being a slave is the only way to a man’s heart; instead, I want to rebuke the adamant claims that rule out the possibility of making these little gestures. If care is not taken, someday, women will argue about whether to have intercourse with their husbands. Hello!

It saddens me every time I see women following a so-called ideology trashing the institution of marriage – in the guise of ‘woke-ness’, for we may escape the traps of their unwavering criticisms, but what about our kids? The louder their voices, the more sceptical the next generation would be about marriage. Many youths are now feeling pessimistic about the whole idea of marriage – thanks to influencers and bloggers. Remember, if we continue to applaud life without marriage, we will watch our societies relapse into lethargic savagery.

I am not saying being a slave is the only thing about marriage; no, there’s a lot more. But please, let’s engage in marital discourses more positively and always keep in mind that the younger generation is watching. Marry, wash or cook if you want to, and if you don’t want to, just shut up! We shouldn’t be accomplices to the tacit agenda infesting our region.

Please do not misconstrue my opinion. Being servitude isn’t the key to every man’s heart. It depends on the man and the circumstances. Also, washing his clothes (among other courtesies) wouldn’t keep him, if you like wash his clothes and all of his village people’s, he will replace you in a snap if he wants to. No amount of endurance, sacrifice, compassion and diligence would guarantee that you have won him, my dear; only a man that wants to be kept can be kept.

So, as you put all your efforts into building your home, do everything for Allah’s sake to earn His pleasure only because man is naturally dynamic. Wash if you want to, I reiterate, but remember, it’s not your religious duty as a wife. However, you may do it for the fun of it. Be a bloody Samaritan. It’s fun! What is love without compassion and foolishness? Although my ‘breakfast’ was just recently served, I choose to say objectively: Marriage is sacred and an achievement, take it or leave it!

Yours humbly,

Dr Sadiya Abubakar

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

The Kano State chapter of the human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has sent a congratulatory message to Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu on his reappointment as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Jigawa State.

Dr Aliyu was among the 16 Commissioners sworn in by the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, on Wednesday, 12th July 2023.

In a statement released on Friday, 14th July 2023, the Chairman, Kano State chapter of the rights advocacy group, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, said:

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejoices with family, friends and associates of Musa Adamu Aliyu, PhD, on his reappointment as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Jigawa State.

“This, in fact, is a recognition of excellence, professionalism, dedication, hard work and selfless service exhibited by Dr Aliyu during the tenure of the immediate past administration of Jigawa State.

“As a consummate professional in the legal profession, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu had initiated several revolutionary reforms of Jigawa State justice system, jurisprudence and advocacy.

“We observed with awe and admiration how the young and energetic Musa overhauled the Jigawa State judicial system by instilling professionalism, hard work and meritocracy. 

“In his remarkable display of hard work and competence, Dr Musa had brought about far-reaching changes by discouraging redundancy and promoting excellence and prudence in the justice sector service delivery.

“He, similarly, modernised the system by digitalising resource materials and introducing Information Technology (IT) tools for efficient and effective service delivery. This was unprecedented.

“Your being reappointed”, MURIC observed, “is a testimony of the role you played in advancing positive changes in the development of Nigerian law, jurisprudence and advocacy by your physical appearances in courts, a new innovation to the Jigawa State office of the Attorney General. 

“We, therefore, urge you to remain focused, undaunted, resolute and exemplary in your matchless passion to reform the Jigawa State Justice system.

“Your vision to inculcate professionalism, honesty, and hard work is one of the Nigerian positive vibes that all hope is not lost with young professionals like you bringing about the desired change. 

“We, sincerely, pray for your success while congratulating His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, on being circumspect, in his choice in you, signifying the desire for continuity.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Operation Hadarin Daji troops on Friday freed nine abducted victims in Zamfara State’s Bukuyyum Local Government Area.

It was learned that the military responded to a distress call on armed bandits in Mailere village in the Bukuyyum region while conducting normal patrols and protecting farmers in their farmlands.

According to a senior military source who asked to remain anonymous and spoke to journalists, the forces deployed quickly to the location of the event and made contact with the armed bandits at the community’s gate.

However, the troops’ superior firepower forced the armed bandits to retreat and leave the nine kidnapped people when they engaged them in combat.

The Daily Reality understands that the freed victims were afterwards reunited with their families.

Zamfara State has been on the list of Nigerian provinces terrorised by the activities of armed bandits who attack, abduct, and abduct travellers and residents of communities in the state.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has confirmed the commencement of investigations into the shooting of two brothers by some local vigilante group in Bobota/Dabi Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Sunday.

The two brothers were identified as Abdulmalik Abubakar, 27, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 22.

It was gathered that Abdullahi sustained gunshot wounds to the lap and buttocks while Abubakar was hit in the leg.

The Daily Reality reports that the victims were rushed to the hospital, where surgery was performed on one of them.

Speaking with the journalists, their sister, Jemilah, said two of the victim’s toes were amputated following the injury sustained from the gunshot.

Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, confirmed in a statement that the investigation into the matter had commenced.

According to the statement, one of the suspects arrested on the day of the shooting was still in police custody despite moves by the local vigilantes to release him.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Senator Lawal Adamu Usman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, has bitterly denied the allegation swirling around that he forged certificates and threatened to take legal action.

Senator Usman was said to have presented a fraudulent academic certificate as part of the documents presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 election.

Reports have it that a former student of the Department Public Administration of Ameer Shehu Idris College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, had claimed that the serving senator used her result to gain admission into a university.

But in his reaction, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, in a letter through his solicitors Messrs E. N. Ogbu & Associates, stated that the story published on 12th July 2023 with the caption: “Kaduna Senator used my result for varsity admission, witness tells tribunals” is libelous and defamatory, and therefore threatened legal action.

The letter further reads: “However, the procedure to obtain these facts were thrown to the wind with respect to the reportage in itself as same, according to our Client, were a calculated effort to wickedly dent an image and status earned over the years by dint of hard work.

“Our Client has suffered emotional and psychological trauma over the “fake news” printed to dent his hard-earned reputation in the eyes of the public over information that is not only false but inexistent.”

“The Nigerian Government has times without numbers strictly warned the generality of the public against spreading what is now known to be “fake news.”

By Abdullahi Khairalla

Given the recent tsunamic and fundamental economic and educational reforms in the country, people have started raising historical and comparative questions of whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds dearly the sacred political and economic principles and ideals of a centenary Yoruba saint Obafemi Awolowo known as ‘Awoism’.

Since the 1960s, Yoruba politics has been dominated by a political orientation known as ‘Awoism’. The phrase refers to the political philosophy of the late Yoruba political leader Awolowo, who espoused policies he called “democratic socialism”. Its primary tenets were welfarerism, free social services and job creation. Awolowo loomed large over Yoruba politics for over forty years. He was an intensely intellectual figure with great energy.

Awolowo had a ground-breaking term of office as the premier of Nigeria’s Yoruba-dominated Western region between 1955 and 1959. During this time, he introduced free education and health care in his region with other social welfarist policies.

Awolowo’s political ideology did not die with him. He was a great and transformational leader who was loved, revered and cherished like the rock of Gibraltar by the Yorubas and all who benefitted from his pioneering social welfare programmes. They refer to themselves as ‘Omo Awolowo’ (Awolowo’s children) or Awoists (disciples of Awolowo and his principles). Awolowo’s ideas remain so deeply ingrained in the political psyche of the Yoruba that being an Awoist is regarded by many Yorubas as the only legitimate apprenticeship before becoming a Yoruba politician on the national stage.

President Tinubu has very few in common with Awolowo. Tinubu, just like MKO Abiola, is not like Awolowo. Awolowo was trim, dapper and austere. In contrast, Tinubu is well known for his staggering wealth and flamboyance, which made him appear larger than life. Awolowo was a socialist: Tinubu is an ultra-capitalist billionaire who sits atop— bringing in completely capitalist-oriented policies in the education sector, oil and gas industry, health, electricity and many others, which makes him look like the opposite figure of Awolowo in Yoruba land.

Of course, Awolowo’s death politically orphaned the Yoruba. He had served or played a dual role as the Yoruba leader and also their political representative on the national scale. After his death, Yoruba politics were dominated by one trend. First, there was the search for another iconic and radical socialist to inherit Awolowo’s dual role. 

Many thought Tinubu would apply some Awoist policies on Nigerians now that he became the Nigerian president, but the recent developments and realities seem to belie this hope. 

Abdullahi Khairalla writes from the Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Department of State Services (DSS) Thursday said that it has charged the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the court.

This was coming as a response to the order by a Federal High Court sitting at Maitama in Abuja which it ordered that Emefiele should either be released or charged to court.

Recall that in a judgement delivered by Justice Hamza Mu’azu, the court held that Emefiele’s continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental right.

Responding, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said, “Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court in compliance with the Order.

“The public may recall that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a Court Order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation.

“Though he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June, 2023, on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.

“The Service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law,” he added.

By Muhammadu Sabiu
 
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ilorin have apprehended 13 Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
 
The EFCC revealed this via a statement on its social media handles on Friday evening.
 
According to the anti-graft body, “the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.”
 
This paper understands that the suspects, who include a female and 12 males, were detained on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Government Reserved Area, G.R.A. Ilorin, after obtaining reliable information about their unlawful activities, which included illegal mining and failure to pay royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.
 
The EFFC’s statement further reads, “Prior to their arrest, discrete investigations on the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.”

By Salihi Adamu Takai 

Creativity pays with much income, so don’t be misled as you’re acquiring knowledge in any field of study, whether scientific or artistic. Refrain from relying on the Government to enumerate your study; the onus is on you to use your knowledge to help your humble self and the Government.

Be curious about Creativity, and don’t think that you will have a certificate in some field of study so that Government will give you what you may rely on to quench your hunger. As you study at the University, college or secondary school, think of your future and learn to get money from the little you grasp in your study.

People should have learned that already as they started feeling discouraged by Government policy; success in life is attached to curiosity, innovation, creativity and courage. If people had been curious about innovation, they would have become creative and courageous about their interests.

Let’s look at the sources of development of the developed countries, such as China, America, England and others. We will say that they all developed because of curiosity in innovation. In China, we can see an infant exhibiting a sense of invention, producing phones and what have you; he doesn’t rely on the Government to give him jobs; the Government receives from his creativity.

In Nigeria, conversely, even a professor still relies on Government to boost his salary. That is a typical example of backwardness in Africa. Our Government also doesn’t encourage the youths to be curious about Creativity only bars them with a lack of encouragement. 

Therefore, as the youth who starts thinking of this idea, I engage myself in creativity. I did, and I got the value of it; I became curious about it; and will keep evolving curious about it forever. I exhibited my input on Earth, and it was accepted. Alhamdulillah!

Salihi Adamu Takai wrote from Kano via salihiadamu5555@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

In a letter addressed to the House of Representatives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that 12 million families will receive N8,000 for a duration of six months. This is aimed at easing the difficulties experienced by Nigerians due to the removal of subsidies.

The President announced an initiative that aims to assist impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians in managing the expenses associated with meeting their fundamental necessities.