By Mujahid Ibrahim

As I sat in the conference hall at the Kano Social Influencer’s Summit (KANSIS) of 2021 and 2022, organised by the Centre of Information Technology and Development (CITAD), I couldn’t help but wonder about the immense power of social media. The conference brought together a diverse group of social media influencers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts who shared their experiences and perspectives on how social media can be leveraged to drive social and economic growth.

However, amidst all the exciting stories and success tales shared at the conference, one thing was clear: the effects of mismanaging social media can be disastrous. From cyberbullying to misinformation and hate speech, social media has the potential to be a double-edged sword. While it can be used to amplify positive messages and drive change, it can also be a breeding ground for negative and destructive forces.

One instance of the adverse effects of social media mismanagement is the infamous #EndSARS protest in Nigeria, which was initially launched on social media platforms. The protest started as a peaceful campaign to end police brutality but eventually turned violent due to the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media. The consequences were dire, with many lives lost and properties destroyed.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Social media platforms provide endless opportunities for individuals and businesses to connect, engage, and grow their brands. From advertising to influencer marketing, social media has become indispensable for businesses looking to reach new audiences and drive revenue.

Numerous success stories exist of individuals and businesses leveraging social media to achieve their goals. For instance, the fashion brand Fashion Nova has grown from a small online store to a multi-million-dollar brand by utilising social media platforms to drive brand awareness and engagement. Similarly, entrepreneurs like Jeffree Star and Kylie Jenner have built successful cosmetic brands by leveraging their massive social media followings.

Other examples of social media success stories include:

Salt Bae: The Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe went viral on social media after a video of him sprinkling salt on a steak went viral. Since then, he has built a global empire of restaurants and has over 20 million followers on Instagram.

Wendy’s, the fast-food chain, has become famous on social media for its witty and engaging responses to customers. Wendy’s Twitter account has amassed over 3 million followers and has been hailed as a masterclass in social media marketing.

Glossier, the skincare and beauty brand, has built a cult following on Instagram, with over 2 million followers. Glossier has used social media to build a strong community of loyal customers who engage with the brand and share their experiences online.

GoPro, the action camera company, has used social media to create a platform for user-generated content. By encouraging users to share their GoPro footage on social media, the company has created a vast library of high-quality content that promotes the brand and inspires others to purchase their products.

Old Spice, the men’s grooming brand, revitalised its image through viral videos that parodied traditional male grooming advertisements. The videos were hugely popular on social media and helped to reposition the brand as edgy and irreverent.

These success stories, however, demonstrate the power of social media in building brand awareness, engaging customers, and driving revenue. By leveraging the unique features of each social media platform, businesses can create targeted and effective marketing campaigns that resonate with their target audience. Social media also provides opportunities for individuals to build personal brands, connect with like-minded people, and share their passions with the world.

To sum it up, social media has the potential to be a powerful force for good or bad, depending on how it’s managed. By understanding the power of social media and leveraging its unique features, individuals and businesses can drive social and economic growth. However, it’s important to use social media responsibly and to be mindful of the potential adverse effects of mismanaging it.

As social media continues to evolve and shape our world, we must use it to build a better, more connected, and more inclusive society. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, an influencer, or just a casual user, remember to use social media to spread positive messages, connect with others, and make a meaningful impact.

Mujahid Ibrahim, Program Officer, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), can be contacted via littlemujahid4@gmail.com.

By Ibrahim Uba Yusuf

The Centre for Media, Policy and Accountability (CMPA) has continued its advocacy to seek collaboration with sister agencies on the successful implementation of the Nigeria Anti-Corruption Performance Public Reporting (NAPPR) project. 

The Executive Director of the Centre and project lead, Dr Suleiman Amu Suleiman, who led the project team to Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch, explained that the project has four components: research, advocacy, training and developing a harmonised template for anti-corruption reporting.

He lamented the differences in the pattern of reporting corruption by Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) as a result of the different indicators used and hope that the project will fill this gap by developing a harmonized template that the ACAs will use in reporting corruption in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Deputy Project Manager, Naziru Mikailu, said at the onset of the project, ‘the Centre faced difficulties in convincing the ACAs to key into this project’. 

‘We hope that the Centre will help us in the implementation of this project and development of the template in view of your field experiences’, Naziru noted.

The Executive Director Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch, Mallam Umar, described the NAPPR project as brilliant which will give civil society organizations, the media and members of the public an opportunity to check those who check others. 

‘We will support CMPA Implement this project’, Umar assures.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Centre Abdulrahman A. Mustapha expressed the hope that the template, when developed, will give the required result of unifying various variables of measuring corruption which will facilitate development.

‘The centre is ready to provide CMPA with all the technical support needed to ensure that the template is accepted by the ACAs in Nigeria’, he added. 

By Lawi Auwal Yusuf

Thinking of Nigeria’s future has left me swinging between apprehension at the prospect of some future doom and anxiety. However, I can see how the country can secure an imperium position in the comity of global superpowers considering its unique and extraordinary endowments that are rare for a country to possess. An idyllic realm where all Nigerians, regardless of their social background, have a smooth path to realise their dream world.

It is widely believed that the benefits of long-term planning last longer. And only beautiful destinations attract arduous treks of long distances full of hurdles and cruxes. But on the other hand, successful journeys are well-planned and adequately prepared for over a long period. Traditionally, farmers reap what they sow. Therefore, only those that planted beneficial seeds laugh at the harvesting period’s end.

It’s against this backdrop and considering other factors that drive national building in Africa, especially in Nigeria, always fail to see the lights of their desired destinations. As a result, Nigeria’s manifest destiny to inspire the global black race and lead Africa has remained in the doldrums despite its enormous human and material resources that could be judiciously utilised to translate such famed potentials into concrete aggregates for sustainable development.

Positive imaginations, futuristic political articulation and prescient abilities are imminent qualities and cardinal leadership principles. But, historically, the consistent absence of committed, transparent and future-oriented leadership has been a significant hindrance and unequivocal bane to Nigeria’s development.

Practical politicians are those whose political philosophy includes making the world a better place to live for their people and posterity. This is a core and thematic value of the politics of leaders who dedicate their lives canvassing for their country’s better future. This makes me recollect William Jennings Bryan’s food for thought that says, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

So, I ask you: have you ever bothered to ask yourself these questions, where is Nigeria heading to? What are we planning for the future? I asked again, have you ever thought of such critical questions? We must be curious enough about the country’s fate in the forthcoming decades, whether we are still alive or utterly forgotten. What would be the nation’s state then?

But the bigger question remains, do the country’s movers and shakers give a damn about its predestination and are busy strategising revolutionary, historical and ambitious deft policies geared towards defining Nigeria’s moment and securing the future? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not in the affirmative.

In Nigeria’s contemporary context, where the gamut of formal and other traditional institutions has failed to generate vital mechanisms for efficient service delivery to Nigerians and the coming generations, coinciding with emerging trends of pervasive poverty and inequality amid burning acrimonious civic bond, political hooliganism and hollowed nationalism are particularly not a good look for the future.

I beg your pardon. I’m not a prophet of doom. But one is compelled to admit that the situation is entirely hopeless. From a cursory observation of the national scheme of things, there are explicit tales of troubles ahead. I don’t see fortune looming on the horizon from where I’m standing. And by all estimates, I don’t see a bright future for a nation whose kleptocracy deteriorated into kleptomania.

For all I know, there is no bright outlook for a country whose politicians are preoccupied with self-centred political hustles and busy making contacts to negotiate themselves for a place on the table of political spoils carrying along the baggage of selfish and vested interests, to wit, protection and advancement of these interests have become the defining nature of public office holding. On the contrary, I see a foggy future for a society whose bigwigs throw constitutional order and due process overboard under the suzerainty of selfish and vested interests, lest they consistently fall short of their public commitments.

In reality, we must come to terms with the fact that the destiny of a country can’t be secured while its bosses are absentminded about their public obligations and constantly engaged in party meetings, extravagant banquets and jetting over the country on chartered and private planes attending series of lavish occasions at its expense and detriment. A nation whose ‘spark plugs’ can’t put the nation’s interest above theirs, while its most favourable policies go awry when such interests are compromised.

Of course, this version of Nigeria we see today isn’t what its progenitors worked tirelessly for. This is reminiscent of the generational disconnection spawned by the egregiously rapacious leadership of their predecessors. However, people dogmatically believe history has an uncanny knack for repeating itself. I hope this unfortunate odyssey will not be repeated in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

So, now that we are here, I pray for a benevolent mother for all generations. A saviour to save us all.

Lawi Auwal Yusuf wrote from Kano via laymaikanawa@gmail.com.

By Ishaka Mohammed

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has announced an online test for recruitment to its superintendent cadre, including professional and general duties. 

According to the statement by the agency’s director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the recruitment test will be held between May 8 and 10, 2023 (Monday and Wednesday).

The statement further urges those with successful applications for the superintendent cadre to start checking their email inbox and spam folder from Wednesday, May 3, for notification and further instructions.

The agency has also scheduled a Twitter space for Friday, May 5, between 3 and 5 p.m. to guide applicants on the online test. The session will also be “streamed live on our Facebook, YouTube and Instagram accounts”, part of the statement reads.

Applicants can also make enquiries by visiting www.ndlea.gov.ng or the following social media handles: @NDLEA01 on Facebook and @ndlea_nigeria on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Recall that the recruitment applications were submitted between March 12 and April 17, 2023.

By Mansur Hassan, PhD

The Kano State government, under the administration of HE Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje spent eight years without offering employment opportunities to the state’s youth, only to make such opportunities available after losing the 2023 election. The added insult to injury is that these opportunities are being sold for exorbitant prices, ranging from N50,000 to N100,000.

This kind of behavior is not only unethical but also unacceptable in a society that aspires to be just and fair. Employment opportunities should be based on merit and offered to those who are most qualified for the job, not to those who can afford to pay for them.

The fact that such opportunities are being sold at all is evidence of a corrupt and dysfunctional system that is failing to serve the interests of the people.

It is particularly troubling that this situation has arisen in Kano State which happens to be a home to a large population of young people who are in dire need of meaningful employment. Youth unemployment has been a major challenge in Nigeria, and Kano State is no exception.

It is estimated that over 50% of the state’s youth are unemployed or underemployed, a situation that is fueling poverty, social unrest, and other negative outcomes.

The failure of governments at all levels to address this issue during their eight-year tenure of the current dispensation is a clear indication of the lack of concern from the outgoing administration of APC for the well-being of the state’s youth.

Instead of investing in job creation and skills development programs, they chose to focus on other priorities, leaving the youth to languish in poverty and hopelessness. This is a failure of leadership, and it should not be tolerated.

It is also alarming that the situation is unlikely to change, as the person who is widely believed to be responsible for this state of affairs, Governor Ganduje, is not expected to change his ways.

The fact that he is accused of being behind the sale of employment opportunities further underscores his lack of concern for the welfare of the people. It is clear that he has lost touch with the realities on the ground and is more interested in consolidating his power than in serving the interests of the people.

In conclusion, the situation in Kano State is a sad reminder of the many challenges that Nigeria is facing as a country. Youth unemployment is a major issue, and it requires urgent and sustained action by the government and other stakeholders.

The sale of employment opportunities is a symptom of a deeper malaise that is undermining the country’s development and progress. It is time for all Nigerians to demand better from their leaders and to work towards building a more just and equitable society.

Mansur Hassan, PhD is a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University
He can be reached via mhassan@yumsuk.edu.ng

By Rabiu Shamma

English is the official language of Nigeria, and it’s often considered a measure of intelligence. However, it’s important to provide some context for this claim. Many Nigerians learn English as a second language, and it’s often used in formal education and business settings. Therefore, having a sound command of English can be an essential asset for success in these fields.

While it’s true that speaking good English does not necessarily make one intelligent, the ability to communicate effectively in the language is often associated with intelligence. In addition, studies have shown that individuals who speak multiple languages tend to have higher cognitive abilities than those who speak only one language.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that individuals with a poor command of English are often perceived as less intelligent. This may be partly because English proficiency is often associated with higher education and social status. Therefore, those who struggle with English may be perceived as lacking in these areas.

However, it’s important to note that English proficiency is not the only measure of intelligence. Many other factors contribute to one’s intelligence, including problem-solving skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Therefore, it’s important not to rely solely on English proficiency as a measure of intelligence.

While English proficiency is essential for success in Nigeria, it’s important to recognise that it’s not the only measure of intelligence, as I have come to understand in my many years of learning and teaching English. Individuals who struggle with English may still be intelligent in other areas, and it’s important not to make assumptions based solely on language proficiency.

Rabii Shamma wrote from Kano.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana

The war is still raging. The fight in Sudan between two factional military groups, which started on April 15 — about two weeks ago, has left hundreds of people dead. Thousands have also fled for their safety.

A large number of foreigners in Sudan, especially diplomats and students, have been evacuated by their governments. But some are still stranded in the Sahara desert and in schools, among which are Nigerians.

Heartbreakingly, videos and audio of young Nigerians have emerged online, showing how helpless they have been since the war in Sudan broke out. Some of them claimed that they didn’t eat for days and that life had been hell for them since the start of the war, and the power struggle is still unfolding, leaving millions of people in fear.

No responsible country will leave its citizens at the mercy of rival factions whose attacks on each other can claim lives and properties. Therefore, it is baseless for anyone to compare the Ukrainian war and Sudan’s because the Ukrainian airport was not targeted by Russian soldiers, which is why countries were able to pick up their people safely and peacefully, but that of Sudan was and still is.

If Nigeria had insisted on evacuating Nigerians on the very day the Turkish plane was attacked, many lives would have been lost because the Nigerian plane, too, would have been attacked, but the almighty saved Nigerians. The government got some privileged information about the massive plan to attack evacuation planes, which was hitherto unavailable.

Hence, the Nigerian embassy wrote to the students urging them to be patient and pack their belongings so they could be transported to Egypt by road, where they could be brought home safely without any fear of attacks or victimization by anyone. This has saved the lives of my fellow citizens.

In appreciation, one of the ladies who was seen crying profusely, calling on the Nigerian government to come to their aid, has again made another video saying over 20 luxurious cars have successfully evacuated Nigerian students who were helpless and stranded in Khartoum, the Capital of Sudan.

She added that the government has again sent its representatives to Egypt to work on releasing students who were unable to cross the border due to some issues related to diplomacy. They, too, have been successfully cleared, and they are in Egypt.

It is important for Nigeria’s incoming government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima to, as leaders of the giant of Africa, intervene. They should quickly come to the aid of distressed Nigerians still residing in Sudan. Their prevailing agony can only be imagined. Delay is dangerous, as it is often said in our local parlance.

Lawan Bukar Maigana writes from Maiduguri and can be reached via email: lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com.

By Salim Marafa

It extremely itches my heart, mercilessly punish my soul and sometimes make me even feel like crying, whenever I hear a story of people that are running away from their problems rather than facing and solving them.

On this earth, the category of people I hate to the core, are those people who excel in nagging about their problems without making even a slightest effort to solve them. After them, then come those that are running away from their lives’ challenges and pretending all is well while is not, may be just to have a temporal peace of mind. Why the running? Why the pretention? Such kind of questions always wander in my head whenever I come across the story of such people.

Life on this earth, is naturally full of ups and downs. Therefore, people should know this and be courageous, bold enough and fearless to face those challenges. Running away from a life problem is never an option. We should understand that, like mathematical equations, problems are meant to be faced, confronted, balanced and solved.

Like human beings, problems have legs, hands and can move. Therefore, whenever one runs away from his share of life predicament, those problems will be running after him to wherever he goes. May be, up to his final home: grave. So, it will be much better, if we learn to dealt with our problems instead of running away from them.

And people, should understand that, God does not create problems and throw them into the life of his creatures just to punish them. No, its not like that. Creatures are beloved and dear to their God, and He is Loving, Caring and Merciful as His names signify. Therefore, definitely God creates problems for purposes; to test our faith, creativity, wisdom, sense of judgment and to make us learn from our previous mistakes. And most of the problems we encounter are just the consequences of our actions and inactions.

For instance, running away from problems is among the reasons Nigeria is at its current situation. For, it is in Nigeria one can find uncountable group of people who complain about the problems bedeviling them and the country, but they are not ready to make even a little effort to solve those problems they always talk about. And complain does not solve a problem, action does.

Nigeria, as a giant of Africa, has all it takes to be a great and developed nation. But the habit of “running away from problems”, “pretending all is well while is not” and ” excelling in complain than swinging into action” that beclouded the mind of its citizens are the obstacles that stand on her way and made the country “progressively stagnant”. It is high time Nigerians shun away from these negative habits.

Nigeria, is naturally enriched with human resources that can drive the country to the hill of success and development; ranging from, creative people, outstanding academia, technological gurus that have invented amazing things, successful entrepreneurs whose names echo through every mountain within the international business arena and what have you! Yet, the country is here languishing in the valley of problems such as bad governance, insecurity, high cost of living, not phone snatching which lead to killing of innocent citizens e.t.c., why?

The answer is that simple, Nigerians are good at complaining about problems than swinging into action. And not every Nigerian is ready to give all he has for his country to breathe a fresh air of development and freedom. Hence, the big dream of our people now is, let me gather a lot of money through whichever means and fly away abroad and enjoy my life. But I am not saying that all Nigerians abroad, run away beacause of the problems associated with the country.

There are few patriotic Nigerians that are abroad but their heart is here with us in Nigeria. They have unshakable love for the country and dream that one day everything will be alright. We have seen their patriotism through their social media; Facebook Posts, tweets and articles they write, it is all about Nigeria. May Allah bless them in abundance.

But to some, Nigeria is their main problem. So, once they get visa, that’s all. You will never hear from them again. They have forgotten their origin, pride and identity.

Running away from problems is never a good option. Nigeria is the only home we have, the nest where our biological eggs are hatched. So, If we see a good country in our dream that resembles a paradise, I think it is Nigeria that we should build to be that country of our dream. Not to run away to somewhere that will never become a home to us. Wise people say “if your home is broken, the responsibility of mending and fixing it is on your shoulder not on stranger’s shoulder”.

We should not cause our problems ourselves and expect someone to come and solve it for us. Our problems are created by us and therefore, we must solve them all by ourselves.

Nigeria is our home where we find shelter, an oasis where we find solace and we have nowhere like it. It is our pride, origin and identity, if we run away from it due to the heavy problems on her shoulders, who do we expect to come and solve those problems? Problems are meant to be solved not to be run away from.

May Allah bless Nigeria.

Salim Marafa writes from Bauchi, Nigeria.

By Muhammadu Sabiu
 
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly suspended Lionel Messi with immediate effect following his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia this week.
 
According to veteran football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the suspension begins now and will take effect for the next two weeks.
 
This means that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will not play for the French side if things go as planned.
 
“Leo Messi’s side now still waiting on the official communication from PSG in order to clarify the situation,” Fabrizio Romano wrote on his official Facebook page.

By Dr Shamsuddeen Sani

When I first read about this book in the Guardian International sometime last year, I knew it had to be good. But even more so when I read somewhere about the author narrating a story of a Nigerian lady that bought 1200 copies of the book to distribute back here in Nigeria. In this seminal work, Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War, Howard French provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of African history and its impact on the world. French’s ground-breaking analysis challenges the dominant Eurocentric narrative of history, highlighting the agency and contributions of Africans to global events.

Subdivided mainly into five parts, the book covers a broad expanse of African history, from the early encounters between Europeans and Africans to the struggles for independence in the mid-twentieth century. Through a meticulous examination of historical events and phenomena, French emphasises the complex and interconnected nature of global history, illustrating how the experiences of Africans were intertwined with those of Europeans, Americans, and Asians.

One of the most striking highlights of the book is French’s deep commitment to challenging conventional narratives of African history. Through a nuanced analysis of primary sources and historical evidence, French emphasises the agency and contributions of Africans in shaping their destinies. He highlights how Africans responded to the challenges of imperialism, colonialism, and globalisation, from the rise of Pan-Africanism to the emergence of new cultural and intellectual movements.

Another key feature of the book is French’s emphasis on the dynamic and diverse nature of African history. Rather than presenting a monolithic view of African societies and cultures, French highlights the rich and complex tapestry of human experience on the continent. He explores the diverse political, social, and economic structures that emerged in different regions of Africa and how Africans adapted to changing circumstances over time.

Overall, this book is a tour de force of African history that challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to rethink their understanding of the world. French’s masterful analysis and deep commitment to historical accuracy and nuance make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Africa and its impact on the global stage.