By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A Helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Police Force has crashed in Bauchi Airport. The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) made this known on Thursday, January 27.

According to AIB, no loss of life was recorded due to the crash, but there were injuries sustained.

Part of the statement reads, “On 26th January 2022, Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria was notified by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) about an accident involving a Bell 429 helicopter with Registration Marks 5N-MDA owned and operated by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)”
The AIB further disclosed that the NPF helicopter departed Abuja at 16.54 UTC for Bauchi with six persons onboard maintaining 5,500ft.

AIB also urge individuals for assistance, “The Investigating agency, AIB-N needs and hereby solicits for your assistance. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clips, evidence, or information any member of the public may have of the accident that can assist us with this investigation.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The cousin of the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, was reported to have been abducted by unknown gunmen at his residence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The cousin, identified as Jephthah Robert, was abducted on Monday, 24, January 2022.

The Daily Reality has learnt that the abductors have yet to contact the family long since his abduction

SP Asinim Butswat, the police spokesman in Bayelsa State, confirmed the development while addressing the journalist.

He added that this has resulted in intensifying efforts to save the victim and arrest the culprits.

Reports from the state have shown that the rate of kidnappings in Bayelsa State has increased recently.

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., often shortened to Hikvision, is a Chinese state-owned manufacturer and supplier of video surveillance equipment for civilian and military purposes, headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The Chinese government owns its controlling shares. 

As part of the company’s mission to expand operations in northern Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Hikvision trained and rigorously assessed the theoretical and practical capabilities of 14 apprentices at the Engausa Global Tech Hub in Kano, Nigeria.

Impressed by the individual performance of the apprentice after the certification exams, the company has agreed to register Engausa Global Tech Hub as a Hikvision Training Academy, the very first training ever in northern Nigeria. 

We are joining the general public to congratulate these 14 Engausa apprentices that bagged Hikvision International Certification on CCTV tagged Hikvision Certificate Security Associate (HCSA-CCTV).

Recall that the founder/CEO of Engausa Global Tech Hub, Engr Mustapha Habu Ringim, has bagged a similar certification from Hikvision two years ago. And this makes a total number of 15 certified professionals in HCSA-CCTV. 

By Usama Abdullahi

It’s challenging that we are found wanting in our own culture. We don’t promote it simply because we don’t want to be looked down upon or mocked about it. Western culture has now substituted ours. We assimilate and worship anything western. Ironically, the West doesn’t force their culture on us; we rather westernise ourselves. 

Sometime in 2013, my uncle bought us pizzas. I used to see pizza as the best dish ever, but I was nauseous when I took my first bit. Being in the company of my cousins, I had to conceal my bitter feelings and fake some smiles to fit in. I was pretty low that day. 

For me, pizza is supremely overrated and not as delicious as I thought; it’s aromatic, though. Mind you, I’m not condemning the Italian dish in its entirety. But why do I bring this to light? I felt like sharing my experience, and I want my people to understand that not everything foreign is delectable.

As people with beautiful cultures, we have crazy good dishes that can excite and quench so many aliens’ appetites. Yet, we don’t promote that. We fault it instead. I have watched several western TV shows where the westerners expressed their liking for African culture, particularly their foods.

Arguably, most Nigerians tend to shun and dislike their culture because, to them, it’s worthless. The preference for western dishes leads to the decay of our cultural dishes. Sadly enough, most of the dishes are given western names, which has become difficult to catch on to. Those names don’t correspond and are mostly corrupt versions of the western ones.

Some of us, the so-called civilised ones, erroneously claim that most of our foods are detrimental to one’s health. Though I’m not medical personnel, the little I know tells me that foods like Tuwo provide the body with energy. Awara/Kosai, the most-avoided dishes by the corps d’elite, help build and repair tissues because they are “proteinaceous”. My claims are open to criticism because they are perhaps not well-grounded.

There are others too, which I guess could be harmless and good for consumption if thoroughly examined. It’s time we stopped self-hating or ridiculing ourselves merely because we want to look or sound different, say like the western. Until we promote our culture, our culture will go extinct someday.

Usama Abdullahi wrote from Abuja, Nigeria. Can be reached at usamagayyi@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Three hundred eighty-seven (387) people were murdered in the communal clashes in Kauru and Zangon Kataf, according to Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

On Wednesday, he stated this at Agwatyap’s palace in Atak Njei, Zangon Kataf.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, who represented El-Rufa’i at a meeting with traditional, religious and community leaders at the palace of Agwatyap, urged the communities in Kauru and Zangon Kataf to stick to the law and avoid generalizations that exacerbate the security situation in the areas.

He further called on the communities in Kauru and Zangon Kataf to keep recourse to the law.

During an emergency meeting with traditional rulers, Aruwan, who was escorted to the conference by security chiefs, also stated that the counter-killings were unacceptable.

By Yahuza Abdulkadir

Many a time, I listen to people expressing their feelings and emotions, telling their beautiful and ugly stories, talking about the experiences they encountered through their journeys.

But then, there’s this story I wanted to write, but I couldn’t. Whenever I tried to, fear overwhelmed me. So, I overcame my fears and summoned the courage to write this story today.

In April 2021, while travelling to Funtua in Katsina State, I had a dreadful experience that left a big scar on my heart.

On that day, I reached Kano at around 6:30 PM and boarded the ‘Adaidata Sahu’ tricycle to Rijiyar Zaki Park because I was told that it’s only there I could get a car that would take me to Funtua by that time.

We started the journey to Funtua at around 9:00 PM. It was late and a lovely friend who happened to know how the road used to be at night advised me to stay till morning. But I couldn’t heed her advice because I wanted to reach Funtua that night and complete my assignment the following day.

I started regretting why I embarked on the journey when our car spoiled at Malumfashi. The driver tried to get the car back to work for almost an hour but no progress. Finally, he decided to walk a few metres away to get a mechanic. And we were lucky that he came back with one. After several trials, the car engine started, and it got back to work.

I can still echo the voices of the two women seated at the back, pouring blessings upon the mechanic who helped fix the car’s problem. He really tried, but God’s miracle has taken place, I believe.

As we continued the journey – chatting and listening to other passengers telling their stories, I fixed my eyes on the road, and many thoughts knocked me on the head. When I noticed no car coming from the other side of the road, fear robbed my mind. My heart kept beating. I wanted to tell the driver that I was uncomfortable with this journey, but silence kissed my lips. I kept mute for some minutes. But deep inside of me, I wasn’t feeling okay.

A few kilometres to Bakori, we spotted torchlights reflecting from a close distance. And I heard the driver saying, “Inna-lillahi Waa Inna Ilaihir-rajiun,” meaning: “From Allah we are, and unto him is our return.” He tried turning the car to escape the trap in our front, but the sound of gunshots flying in the air made him stop the car.

I couldn’t remember what happened, but I saw people with guns and torchlights telling us to get out of the car. We went out, and I was terrified. Some voices began to whisper into my ears, “Had I known, I could have stayed in Kano till the following day like my friend said, but my stubbornness got me into this, it’s not my fault; this is my fate.”

That night we were robbed. “The Children of the Night” collected all our money and that of the driver. Then, they took away our cell phones and walked into the bush, shooting in the air.

When they left, I got into the car, shivering. Then, I realized that my smartphone was inside my small travelling bag, which I kept close to where I sat. I put the phone into the bag earlier because its battery was flat. So, I was lucky that my smartphone was still with me, though they took my small phone I used for calls. I know that we were lucky enough to be alive that night.

We stayed there till dawn because our car couldn’t get back to work again. We were thinking of what to do next when a car carrying bags of maize showed up. We waved hands for the driver to stop. And he did. He got out of the car and headed to where we stood. We told him about the incident, and he showed his concern, sympathizing with us. He told our driver that he was rushing to get to his destination. Then I saw him removing some money from his pocket and offering it to our driver. The driver thanked him and asked us to do the same. This man is very kind. Humanity lies in his heart, I whispered.

We kept waiting there till an empty commercial bus came. Then, after discussing with its driver, he asked us to get in. And we headed to Funtua. Our driver left his car with the intention to get a mechanic at Funtua who could repair it.

When we reached Funtua, I wished the other passengers well and prayed for their safety everywhere they would be. Then, I took my travelling bag and walked to my destination.

Although I have been travelling along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway, I have never felt shocked and frightened like this before.

This was the most dreadful experience of my life. It’s a memory I can never forget.

Yahuza Abdulkadir wrote via yahuzaabdulkadir50@gmail.com.

By Maryam Muhammad Lawan

“Baby sis! I’m craving for something spicy,” I said in a cosseted voice. 

“Don’t worry, please. Your lazy sis will take care of you today. Guess what! No, I’m not even telling you anymore. Just wait for it,” sis said. 

I jabbed at her amusingly while saying, “Go and prepare whatsoever it’s please”.

“So, you’re poking fun at me. I’ll surprise you today”, My sister said while cackling.

“Yeah, don’t surprise me with rubbish, please, “I teased while she guffawed and moved on. “What a sis? Bless her ya Allah, “I said silently.  

I was left alone in the room when I logged into my Facebook account and started scrolling. Why do I see Haneefah’s pictures on almost every post? Did those other sets of humans release her? So I decided to read, to discover what it is. 

SubhanAllah! AstagfiruLah! I read as many updates as possible, for I couldn’t believe what I read from the first update. But eventually, I realized even the first update was as right as a trivet. 

“Don’t tell me you couldn’t wait for me to finish. I want to cook delicious food, so be more patient, please,” My sister said as she heard my footsteps towards the kitchen. I stood there, and she quickly looked at me. “Okay. Cry, cry, baby, what’s wrong again? Let me turn off this cooker before this mood of yours spoil my hot spicy meal,” sis said aggressively.

I couldn’t spell out even a word, maybe because I was emotional. So all I could do was to extend the phone to her. 

She used her hands and closed her mouth. Tears had no option rather than to roll out of her eyes.

“Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji’uun! AstagfirulLah wa atubu ilaik! Ya Allah, have mercy on us. The girl I so much like? Though I don’t know her, the girl I always pray for Allah to protect her wherever she’s, and from the evil of those men?” she said with a sorrowful voice. She continued reciting, “HasbunalLahu wa ni’imal wakeel”.

“Her school teacher did this, then, if learning places are not safe, where on earth then? What a wicked world, Ya Rahman, have mercy on us. Ya Razzaq, grant her parents the fortitude to bear this loss,” My sister prayed

I replied, “Ameen ya Rabb,” while giving her a shoulder to cry on.

Maryam Muhammad Lawal wrote from Kaduna via mmafamam@gmail.com.

By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi. 

As intelligent, hardworking and technologically advanced as we brag about being, it is ironic that at the end of the day, we fail to show up for patriotism and country — and choose to dwell on the divides that do not crystallise into the positive building blocks of our national development. Instead, we tow the lines that harp on our differences and rhetorics based on political party apathy.

We often embrace the gulfs of ethno-religious segmentations of our society and deliberately fail to show up for our country. We are absent when it comes to celebrating the country’s achievements and progress. We instead converge to mock her, even when she has birthed something fruitful and prosperous. However, anytime we find ourselves stuck or in need of a dear country, our voices are gravelly with echoes of her name and her might.

When D’Tigers made waves whacking USA’s Dream Team, it was called Igbo or IPOB teams. When it wobbled, it was Nigerian again. When the Super Eagles didn’t score, the striker is labelled gateman because he is of a particular demographic. Still, when he does, the Super Eagles are flying again and are the only team in AFCON 2021 to make the group stages on a stainless slate. 

The CBN and RIFAN (Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria) unveiled the pyramids in Abuja as seeds of the long and aggressive Anchor Borrowers Programme. Many rose to blindly and sheepishly discredit the programme. An old image from a certain state, which showed the assembling of rafters, as if constructing a roof, with rice bags placed as tiles, to simulate a huge pyramid, was shared to disillusion gullible ones, that the CBN/ RIFAN event was dubious and unreal. Some said the bags were filled with sand, while some dissected the event as a waste of resources and energy. Some didn’t want to credit the administration due to party affiliations, and others didn’t want to have any of it because of their own biases. Most couldn’t put Nigeria first and all other differences aside and be happy that the motherland has achieved this milestone, despite the overwhelming and depressing global environment for business and governance. 

In our importation bills, it is more than evident that the importation for food, especially rice, has stepped down many notches. This is because government intervention in rice importation has also dropped astronomically. One million bags which is just a percentage of what RIFAN has produced, were unveiled at the event, being an aggregation of the 2020 dry season and the 2021 wet season. They are the commitment from farmers in the repayment of their loans from the Anchor-borrowers programme.

No fewer than 230 small, medium and large scale rice mills have emerged all over the country from 2015 to 2021. A Kano-based lady has a 160 ton per day capacity rice mill, while another, one of the biggest, has a 32 metric tonnes per hour capacity built-in Lagos. From averaging less than 3 million metric tonnes per year, in 2015, an outstanding 7 to 9 million metric tonnes per annum was achieved in 2021. The rice revolution is unbelievable but far away from being a hoax. 

Ado Hassan, the Secretary of the Kano chapter of RIFAN, had said that their move was towards engendering the twin benefits of food security and economic diversification. Agriculture contributed over 21% of our GDP. This is incontrovertible evidence that a lot has actually been achieved in this sector. Nigeria has become the largest rice grower in Africa, and neighbouring countries are coming in to educate themselves on how Nigeria is dominating Africa, as the giant of any continent should rightly do. 

Nigeria is gradually achieving food security, which we should be proud of and glad to attain. Unfortunately, the vociferousness of global inflation is biting the most developed countries too, and not just developing nations like dear country. A Briton was lamenting that the cost of parking, which was just £.10 a few months ago, had risen to £.50! Perhaps if Nigeria were not hindered by insecurity and a pandemic for the last three years, we could have been celebrating a lot of such pyramids across the country.

The Nigerian military does a show of force, so does the NAF with jets in formations over our skies. Lecturers have conferences, and the NBA has annual conferences as well. Every sector of our economy has players coming together under one roof to showcase their achievements and discuss prospects. So why can’t our dear farmers, under the auspices of RIFAN, do their own show of rice? Isn’t it an important part of accountability?

We pray that their efforts will directly affect the market price of rice in the coming weeks, as the mills get busy husking the rice that was showcased. We also pray that unscrupulous marketers will not deny the everyday person the fruit of this labour. Those ones are a whole chapter of those unpatriotic ones we so have to live with. 

Tahir is Talban Bauchi.

By Ibrahim Tukur

For many years, persons with disability have been encountering various forms of discrimination from the government of all levels in Nigeria. From the onset of Nigeria’s democracy, nay, independence, there had been the executions of different, life-changing, life-saving and life-enhancing projects. However, if meticulously observed, one can see that only a very few numbers of persons with disability have benefited from it. Finally, in its bid to battle against abject poverty, and thanks to the establishment of the National Disability Commission, the current administration began to make a difference.

Persons with disability, for many years, have been using various mediums to battle against the discrimination thrown at them by the government. They clamour for their right, but their efforts yield only a slight result. Although the current administration enacted a law prohibiting discrimination against persons with disability, it has yet to be implemented in its entirety.

Disability-based discrimination is a huge problem that seems to have abounded every nook and cranny of our country. Fighting such entails a decisive element in the vicinity where the discriminations exist.

Persons with disability in Nigeria receive little concern or attention from the government regarding employment, health, education, empowerment etc. This happens as a result of the fact that persons with disability do not have a voice that will fight for them.

To eradicate this irrational discrimination, persons with disability should participate in politics. They can then play roles or be advocates of good leadership to help their kind and the general public.

Ibrahim Tukur wrote via inventorngw@gmail.com.

The killings of two officers in Taura Local Government Area and the abduction of Haruna Maifata, the state’s contractor’s son-in-law, have been confirmed by Jigawa State police.

The incident happened at Kwalam, part of the Taura LGA, where the contractor lives.

Ma’aru Abubakar, the contractor’s son-in-law, was kidnapped.

While confirming the event to reporters, Lawan Adam, a police spokesperson in Jigawa, said the police were stepping up their efforts to apprehend the bandits. According to him, Anas Usaini, a superintendent of police, and Sunusi Alhassan, an inspector, were killed.

According to him, the cops were shot and killed beside an improvised patrol car set on fire by the attackers.

Residents stated that the gunmen broke inside their target’s home after striking a security formation and then proceeded unhindered into the town.

Residents said the latest incident happened less than three months after a businessman, Kabiru Taura, was kidnapped and released after allegedly paying a ransom of over N20 million.

Jigawa is a comparatively tranquil state in Nigeria’s troublesome northwestern area, but locals have urged for increased security to guarantee that the situation there does not worsen.

Compared to neighbouring Northwestern states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi, where thousands of people were slain or kidnapped last year, the state has seen far fewer armed attacks.