Nigeria

By Nura Jibo

In March 2020, Thwaites, the world’s biggest and riskiest glacier (moving ice) in Antarctica—bigger than Borno, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Gombe combined—broke away due to climate change warming the water beneath it.

The impact of the meltdown of this moving ice, which raised the sea level by 0.05% in March 2020, caused a catastrophic flood disaster globally that brutally affected towns and villages such as Magarya, Hadejia, Ringim, Dabi, Auyo, Kafin Hausa, Miga, etc.

The Thwaites (moving ice) is already on the verge of total collapse because its outflow speed has doubled in the past 30 years. Every year, it loses 50 billion tons of its body mass into the oceans and eventually inside the rivers and dams (NERC, 2021).

Within ten years (2009 to 2019), the Thwaites’ melting accelerated, making it change direction at a speed greater than 10 kilometres per annum. Its tongue, or rather ice tip, had already lost its integrity via melting, which made it weaker due to the effect of climate change.

In 5-10 years, the rapid melting of the Thwaites would swamp vast areas of troughs and low-lying coastal and drylands around the world, including Borno, Jigawa, Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Benue, within a few decades (Jibo et al., 2020; Fred, 2024).

On December 13, 2021, and February 15, 2023, a group of American Geophysical Union and British scientists met at a global conference to discuss this catastrophic climate change disaster in Antarctica that affected the world’s oceans, rivers, and seas very terribly. They concluded that the Thwaites would most likely collapse within the next five years. Their reason is that this glacier “sheds billions of tons of ice into the ocean, contributing about 4% to the annual sea level rise.”.

Indeed, the total collapse of the Thwaites in the next five to ten years is a recipe for a global, unprecedented disaster that could wipe away several cities, towns, and villages, including the Vanuatu Islands and Pacific and African dryland states such as Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Benue, to mention a few.

If the Thwaites collapse and melt completely, the sea level will rise by two feet. This would wipe out several regions and damage several countries worldwide.

Certain islands across the globe, such as the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and the Maldives, would be completely wiped off of the map (Henry, 2023). 

Nonetheless, this isn’t the only thing that would happen if Thwaites collapsed. Changes in ice-shelf flooding would increase an unprecedented flow rate of 120 kilometres of underwater mountains.

As of today, climatologists and meteorologists have envisaged that the melting of this glacier would also likely destabilise the structure of the entire earth’s crust, not only its surrounding glaciers and ice shelves but also causing the global sea level to rise by an additional ten feet. 

Indeed, scientists at the AGU, Yale School of the Environment, and NERC that are conducting a study on Thwaites said that the glacier “is hanging on by its fingernails” and humanity needs to prepare themselves for the coming years (Henry et al., 2023). 

Therefore, as humanity commiserates with the entire people of Maiduguri over the early warning signs of the Thwaites along Nigeria’s drylands, it is very likely that it has already passed a point of no return unless there is drastic intervention. As Fred (2024) asserted elsewhere, “It is too late to prevent its collapse, but others say we could have 200 years. But it certainly could be beyond its tipping point, and we have to be prepared.”

The Thwaites climate change paradox:

It is a scientific fact that a polluted cloud doesn’t rain itself. It tends to grow bigger, and in the end, it bounces sunlight out to space. The effects of fossil fuels and terrible human activities in industries have caused global air pollution and depleted the ozone layer very badly. This singular man-made negative contribution to the planet has caused mankind to make a huge mistake in driving home environmental pax Africana and global environmental regeneration (Jibo, 2024).

Indeed, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, and Benue will struggle to cope with the torrential rainfall runoff that will engulf the entire River Gongola through the River Benue via Opalo and Imburu, passing through Kiri, Mada, and up to Jigawa along the Bare and Sabara tributaries.

A map obtained from the Google Earth platform has shown some “promise” over this interesting water body mass run-off.

The other three paradoxical impressions given by the Thwaites are as follows:

The shattering of the ice.

Ocean melting.

Losing grip on seamount.

According to Pettit et al. (2021), there are already signs of fractures propagating along weak zones of the Thwaites. This is aggravated by the melting down of the seabed due to warming, and the entire ice could be gone by 2030 or even before that time.

Nura Jibo MRICS has been a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Designated Contact Point (UN-DCP) on Climate Change for 14 years.

By Uzair Adam

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed reports that it has reinstated the previously suspended cybersecurity levy on banks.

The levy, which mandated Nigerian banks to collect and remit a 0.5 percent charge to the National Security Adviser’s office, was suspended earlier this year following a directive from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Despite the suspension, rumors surfaced suggesting that the CBN had reintroduced the levy. In response, the apex bank clarified the situation in its recent Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines for the 2024-2025 fiscal years.

The circular, published on September 17, emphasized that the cybersecurity levy, suspended in May 2024, remains inactive.

The CBN also addressed other misrepresentations of its policy document, noting that some media reports incorrectly linked past policy positions to current circumstances.

The bank reiterated that the guidelines should be seen as a compilation of previous policies up to December 31, 2023, and not as new directives.

The CBN reassured the public that it would continue to offer clear policy guidance for the benefit of Nigeria’s economy and urged media outlets to verify information before publication.

By Uzair Adam

Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first Non-Interest Bank, has been recognized as the 2024 Global Most Promising Islamic Bank by the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA).

During the Global Islamic Finance Summit and awards ceremony held in the Republic of Maldives, Jaiz Bank outshined two other nominees in the same category to win the prestigious award.

Professor Humayon Dar, Chairman of GIFA, stated that Jaiz Bank was chosen after a thorough evaluation based on multiple criteria set by the GIFA Awards Committee.

The bank was recognized for its exceptional growth potential, innovation, and financial performance, which helped reinforce its leadership in the industry.

Haruna Musa, Managing Director/CEO of Jaiz Bank, expressed his appreciation upon receiving the award.

He noted that the recognition in accordance with the bank’s strategic vision to become one of Africa’s top non-interest financial institutions in the next five years.

He also revealed that Jaiz Bank had previously won GIFA’s Most Improved Islamic Bank Award in 2020 and 2021.

The Global Islamic Finance Awards, known for celebrating excellence and innovation in the Islamic finance sector worldwide, remains one of the most prestigious honors in the industry.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin, PhD

Nigerians appeared to have tried several options without a glimmer, so the option to try the youth is now gathering momentum. This call comes at the heels of the ten days of the recent controversial protest. Two other options were weighed during this protest: military takeover and alliance with Russia.

 Nigeria’s (or even African) history didn’t support the clamour for a military takeover. In the 64 years since Nigerian independence, military rule (according to my arithmetic) lasted 31 years, but at best, the military—once seeming the panacea—didn’t proffer any solution.

In another desperation to find the nexus, some protesters fly Russian flags. One interpretation of this antics is that they want Nigeria to cut any ties with the U.S. and most of Europe by proposing a shift of alliance to Russia. According to this argument, Western economic policies haven’t benefited Nigeria, so perhaps a different geopolitical alignment will.

However, aligning with Russia, an equally extreme approach, is not guaranteed to yield better outcomes. Has this group of protesters heard about the Scandinavian Economic Model? This model seeks to strike a balance between the capitalist extremes of the U.S. and the state-centred economies of Russia, offering a suitable middle ground for us. Instead of Russian flags, these protestants might have flown those of Sweden, Finland, or Denmark.

The search for a better headway began in 2015 when Nigerians, for the first time, voted for a leader based on integrity and record antecedent, putting aside money, politics, and tribal loyalties to some extent. However, by the end of President Buhari’s first term, the public began to have second thoughts. After his two terms, something unthinkable happened: many staunch supporters turned critics, and now, a year into Tinubu’s presidency, the failure of seasonal veterans is sealed, hence fueling the growing clamour for young leaders.

This urge for youth takeover is a more realistic option. The youths have become tired of being used and “dumped.” given that most of those who vote are youths, they now want to take a leading role by floating a political party exclusive to the youth.

The youth proponents argue that the youth have energy, time, and health. To boot, youth leadership is characterized by pressing the button; their hands are always close to the button, just waiting for a slight opportunity to press it.

This argument came to the forefront during f-PMB leadership, when he appeared to be going too slow, hence nicknamed Baba go slow; one of my friends opined that Nigeria then was in dear need of young leaders’ vitality, speed, and urge to get us out of the mud. According to my friends, a young leader would have made several decisions faster in tune with the situation and public yearning.

However, there is a crack in the foundation; one problem with youth is unity and cooperation; we always find that we want to help fellow youths whenever the need arises. Several youths aspire to different positions in this country, but the first people to boycott them are fellow youths; it will be their fellow youths who begin to mock them. This is a similar dilemma the women face. Women worldwide decry exclusion, but when a fellow woman tries to compete with men, it would be the fellow women that bring them down. This internal counterproductivity must be addressed for the current movement to get hold.

In addition, those who side with veterans criticize youth leadership with haste, which often leads to regret; this category argues that sound decision-making comes from experience—something older leaders have in abundance. They believe leadership is a process, not an event, and that wisdom is forged through trial and error.

 By and large, if the current movement sees the light of day, to slow down the haste and reduce mistakes, please let the old guards deputize the new crops.

By Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu presided over a significant Council of State meeting. Former Presidents, Vice Presidents, a former Chief Justice of the Federation, and several key ministers were in attendance. The highlight of the meeting was the President’s stance that Nigeria’s democracy must not be undermined. “Any change of government must be through the ballot box, not through violence, insurrection, or any other unconstitutional means,” he asserted. This is a position I, along with all patriots, fully support.

However, while the President’s commitment to democracy is commendable, his economic policies must reflect the urgency and needs of the people. The excuse of “fixing the economy” cannot be used to justify slow progress. Nigerians expect the leadership to hit the ground running from day one. The Council of State must convey the truth to the President: the nation is in a precarious state, and decisive, people-centred action is required.

Today, wealth in Nigeria is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a select few. At the same time, the majority struggle without access to necessities like quality education, healthcare, housing, and employment. It’s not that Nigerians envy the success of the rich; instead, they want access to the essentials for a decent life.

Unfortunately, greedy leaders deliberately subject many ordinary citizens to hardship. Endemic corruption has become the norm, and the promise of equal opportunities seems like a distant dream despite the blessings of natural resources across the six geopolitical zones.

Poverty remains a pervasive issue. Nigeria is rich with potential—oil and gas in the South, commerce in the Southeast, and fertile land in the North. There is no excuse for hunger or deprivation. The government should prioritize modern farming systems, where a single machine can achieve in an hour what once took a thousand hands.

State governors must fully support federal initiatives, but these efforts must go beyond the token gestures like distributing rice, which too often ends up siphoned off by officials or recycled into the market. Nigerians are not beggars; we have the talent and drive to achieve greatness, but we need an enabling environment, affordable fertilizers, and access to reliable electricity.

The time for excuses is over. The government must adjust to the realities on the ground. Removing fuel subsidies and floating the naira has brought unbearable hardship to ordinary people. These policies need to be revisited. We elected this government to make Nigeria work for everyone, not just the privileged few. A stitch in time saves nine: adjust the policies before it’s too late.

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani wrote from Galadima Mahmoud Street, Kasuwar Kaji Azare, Bauchi State.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has appointed Ado Inuwa as the new Controller of the Kano State Command.

Prior to his new role, Inuwa served as the Controller of Corrections in Jigawa State, according to a statement released on Wednesday by SC Musbahu Lawan Kofar Nasarawa.

During the handover ceremony, Inuwa urged officers and personnel of the command to extend their full cooperation in achieving the objectives of both the command and the service.

He succeeds CC Sulaiman Muhammad Inuwa, who retired after 35 years of dedicated service.

Inuwa expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received and encouraged staff to work collectively in supporting both inmates and those on non-custodial sentences.

He also called on other security agencies in the state to collaborate in strengthening Kano’s security.

By Uzair Adam

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the Bill for the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

The announcement was made during a workshop on gender mainstreaming in efforts to prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across Nigeria and the West African sub-region, held on Tuesday in Abuj.

Represented by Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ribadu emphasized that the president’s assent marks a key step in curbing the spread of illegal arms in the country.

The legislative backing, he explained, will empower the centre to take more coordinated and impactful actions.

Ribadu also highlighted the significance of incorporating gender perspectives in efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, stressing that women and children are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts.

He referenced international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates for protecting women from conflict-related harm while promoting their involvement in peacebuilding and security measures.

The National Coordinator of NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Johnson Kokumo, outlined recent achievements of the centre. Among them, the retrieval of a large cache of illegal arms from the Nigeria Customs Service on July 1, and the arrest of 10 individuals involved in illegal arms smuggling.

The suspects are currently being prosecuted under various national laws.Kokumo also reported that the centre has recovered over 3,000 decommissioned or obsolete small arms and nearly 27,000 rounds of ammunition from government agencies.

These will be permanently destroyed later this quarter as part of an arms destruction exercise. He underscored the importance of addressing illegal arms flow both nationally and internationally, noting that it contributes to violence and insecurity globally.

He further emphasized the necessity of adopting a gender-sensitive approach in controlling small arms and light weapons, calling it both a moral and strategic imperative given the severe impact of armed conflict on vulnerable populations.

The workshop marks a significant step in ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into arms control strategies at both national and regional levels.

By Uzair Adam  

President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that the Federal Government would set up a disaster relief fund to provide assistance to Nigerian citizens affected by floods and other natural disasters. 

The President made this declaration during his visit to Borno State, where he sympathised with the government and people affected by flooding in various areas due to the overflow of Alau Dam.  

He noted the urgency of the fund, citing the unpredictability of climate change and the increasing vulnerability of many regions across the country. 

President Tinubu noted that the Federal Government would collaborate with the private sector to establish the relief fund.  

He was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who expressed the National Assembly’s willingness to work with the Executive in establishing the fund. 

During his visit, Tinubu also stopped by the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanem, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri, and toured the flood-affected areas. 

“After visiting the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I’ve been reflecting on how to address disasters like this and the broader effects of climate change. 

“There must be a disaster relief fund. I plan to involve the private sector in helping to rebuild the affected areas. If we allocate a small percentage of FAAC to the disaster relief fund, it will strengthen our sense of unity and responsibility,” Tinubu said.  

Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the governors who provided support to Borno State, including Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo. 

He also praised the efforts of various ministries, agencies, security forces, particularly the military, and international organizations working on evacuating victims and offering relief in the state.

By Nasidi Ibrahim Saal

The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) Kano chapter conducted its Annual General Meeting and elected new executives, as enshrined by its laws. 

The chairman is expected to have two years in office, while the other exco members have one year, with the exclusion of Office 1 as a permanent seat constitutionally reserved for the outgoing chairman.

The chairman of the Election, Engr Balarabe Inuwa Abdullahi, while addressing the media at the venue (Ministry of Works Kano state), stated that the election was conducted successfully.

The newly elected offices are chairman, vice chairman, secretary, assistant secretary, and financial secretary are:

Engr. Usman Hamza Ibrahim

Engr. Asma’u Ja’afar Baba

Engr. Mudashir Sunmonu

Engr. Auwal Rabiu

Engr. Ramadan Nura Abdullahi,

Engr Muhammad Mukhtar Sakurai and Engr Dr Umma Abdullahi occupied the treasurer and technical secretary positions, respectively.

The outgoing chairman, Engr Lawan Usman Isah, thanks the electoral committee and the outgoing exco for their diligent work discharging their duties.

The occasion was graced with the esteemed presence of dignitaries, including the Representative of the National Chairman of NIMechE, Engr George,Engr Prof.A A Adamu, and Engr Dr.Aminu Sabo.

 By Kasim Isa Muhammad

As I walked into the Potiskum Specialist Hospital in the Potiskum local government area of Yobe State on September 14th, 2024, I was filled with a sense of hope and urgency.

My niece, suffering from sickle cell disease, was in dire need of medical attention. Her condition was worsening by the day, and I knew that timely intervention was crucial. 

But what I witnessed that day was a distressing scene. The waiting area was packed with people, all waiting to see a doctor.

The air was thick with anxiety and frustration, and I could sense the desperation in the eyes of those around me.

The wait was agonisingly long. We spent three consecutive hours waiting for a doctor to arrive, watching as the minutes ticked by at a glacial pace. 

My niece was profusely crying due to the excruciating pain she was enduring, and I felt helpless as I tried to comfort her.

When the doctor finally arrived, the sense of relief was palpable. But as I looked around, I realised that the workload was simply too much for him to handle alone.

The hospital was understaffed, and it showed. Potiskum, as the most populous local government area of Yobe State, deserves better. Its hospital should be equipped to handle the needs of its people, but the lack of enough hospital personnel is a major hindrance. 

As I left the hospital that day, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of frustration and helplessness. But I knew I had to speak out, for the sake of my niece and the countless others who deserve better.

The lack of sufficient health personnel at the hospital has far-reaching consequences. It not only affects the patients but also the doctors and nurses who are overworked and undervalued. 

Governor Mai Mala Buni, we urge you to take immediate action and employ the numerous jobless health workers in our state to cater to the growing population of Potiskum.

It is unacceptable that our hospitals continue to struggle with inadequate staffing despite the abundance of qualified and eager healthcare professionals seeking employment. 

The current staffing crisis is not only detrimental to the well-being of patients but also puts an unbearable burden on the existing healthcare workers.

They are overworked, undervalued, and at risk of burnout, which ultimately affects the quality of care they can provide. By hiring more health workers, Governor Buni, you will not only be addressing the critical staffing shortage but also injecting life into the local economy. 

These new employees will contribute to the state’s economic growth, support their families, and stimulate community development.

Furthermore, employing local health workers will ensure cultural sensitivity and a deeper understanding of the community’s specific needs. They will be better equipped to address the unique health challenges facing Potiskum’s population. 

We implore you, Governor Buni, to seize this opportunity to transform the healthcare landscape of Potiskum. Provide the necessary resources, and watch as our healthcare system flourishes, benefiting generations to come. 

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Potiskum, Yobe State and can be reached via Kasimimuhd1999@gmail.com.