Northern Nigeria

By Zainab Abubakar Abba

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been grappling with insecurity for decades. The country’s protracted conflicts, terrorist attacks, and banditry have led to widespread displacement, forcing millions to flee their homes in search of safety.

The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has ravaged the northeastern region, particularly the Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. The terrorist group’s relentless attacks on civilians, schools, and religious institutions have resulted in unprecedented displacement. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 2.5 million people have been internally displaced in Nigeria, with the majority being women and children.

In addition to Boko Haram, banditry and kidnappings have become rampant in various parts of the country. The northwestern states of Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina have borne the brunt of these attacks, with thousands forced to flee their homes. The Nigerian government’s inability to curb these security threats has exacerbated the displacement crisis.

The consequences of displacement are far-reaching. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) face immense challenges, including loss of livelihoods, inadequate shelter, food insecurity, psychological trauma, and lack of access to education. Many IDPs have abandoned their farms, businesses, and livelihoods, leading to economic instability. Overcrowded and unsanitary IDP camps have become breeding grounds for diseases.

The Nigerian government has established the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) to coordinate relief efforts. However, critics argue that the government’s response has been inadequate, citing insufficient funding, ineffective security measures, and a lack of durable solutions.

The international community has provided significant humanitarian aid, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of displacement. The United Nations, European Union, and other organisations have provided emergency assistance, supported peace-building initiatives, and advocated for policy change.

Nigeria’s insecurity has resulted in one of the largest displacement crises in Africa. The government, international community, and humanitarian organisations must work together to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity, provide durable solutions, and ensure accountability. The situation demands collective action to stem the tide of displacement and ensure the safety and dignity of Nigeria’s citizens.

Zainab Abubakar Abba wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.

By Abbas Aliyu Libata 

Every individual possesses a unique talent, a natural gift that often takes time to uncover. For some, it is an early realisation, while for others, like myself, it takes a period of self-reflection and careful observation. 

My journey of discovering my unique talent has been a process of exploration filled with curiosity, self-doubt, and clarity. In the world of tailoring and fashion design, I found my calling, a profession that brings me joy andfuels my creativity.

I remember watching people around me, often amazed by how effortlessly they executed imaginative and creative tasks. Their work, whether art, music, or other forms of expression, seemed to flow naturally as if it were second nature to them. I couldn’t help but wonder: What was my talent? Was I overlooking something? This uncertainty drove me to study myself and observe how I interacted with different activities, hoping to pinpoint what made me feel most alive.

The journey was challenging. I explored various activities, searching for one that resonated with me. Gradually, I realised my attraction to tailoring and fashion design through my appreciation of fabrics and patterns and my vision of new designs. It took time to recognise this as my true talent.

The turning point came when I decided to immerse myself in design fully. While tailoring was my primary profession, designing offered something more—a unique joy. I felt an overwhelming sense of fulfilment whenever I created new designs, sketched ideas, or experimented with fabrics. The joy I experienced wasn’t just about the monetary rewards that came with the profession but also about the creative satisfaction that designing brought. I had found my talent.

According to career coach Laura Garnett, talent discovery often involves a combination of self-awareness and persistence. She explains, “Your talent lies at the intersection of what you enjoy doing and what you do well. Often, it takes time and patience to uncover it because you need to experiment with different activities to see what resonates.” My experience perfectly reflects this. The more I designed, the more I realised that this was something I was good at, bringing me immense happiness.

Research from psychologists like Dr Angela Duckworth suggests that perseverance and passion, what she calls “grit”, are vital to uncovering and developing talent. I can relate to this concept because I had to persist in my search for my unique talent, even when I doubted myself.

Looking back, I see how important it was for me to go through self-discovery. Finding my talent in tailoring and fashion design has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has given me a sense of purpose and fulfilment that I might not have found had I not taken the time to explore, reflect, and experiment. Now, every design I create reflects my joy and passion for my profession, a profession that has allowed me to express my unique talent in ways I never imagined.

I came across a friend who disclosed that he believes unique talent exists in people but has yet to discover his. 

Through this journey, I have realised that discovering one’s unique talent requires patience, observation, and a willingness to embrace the things that bring us joy, even if they aren’t immediately apparent. It was fashion design, a craft that connects my passion and creativity to something I can share with the world.

Self-observation and reflection are among the most important steps in uncovering your talent. Take time to observe how you react to different activities. Notice what excites you, where you lose track of time, or what makes you feel fulfilled. Keeping a journal to record these moments can help reveal patterns and reveal your natural abilities.

Experimenting with different fields is another critical part of the process. Your talent might be in an area you haven’t yet explored. Trying out new hobbies, engaging in unfamiliar projects, or learning a new skill can help you discover interests and strengths you didn’t know you had. Don’t limit yourself to what seems comfortable or traditional; sometimes, talent lies in unexpected places.

Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of seeking feedback from others. Often, those around you can provide insight into your strengths and talents that you might overlook. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for their perspectives on what you do well, where you shine, or what they think makes you unique. Their observations can offer valuable clues in your self-discovery journey.

It’s also important to follow your passion rather than just chasing money. While financial rewards are essential, true talent often lies in what brings you personal satisfaction. You may not immediately see financial gain from pursuing your passion, but the joy it brings is a crucial indicator of where your unique abilities might be found.

Be prepared to exercise patience and persistence in the process of talent discovery. It is not always an immediate realisation and can take time, especially if you are exploring new fields or refining your skills. Even when you feel stuck, continue pursuing different avenues and allow yourself the time to grow and evolve.

Learning from others is also a valuable strategy. Studying experts in areas that interest you, attending workshops, or reading books by individuals who have mastered their craft can offer insights into how to cultivate your talent. Their experiences and advice can serve as a guide for your journey.

Lastly, once you have an idea of your talent, align it with a career path. When your professional life reflects your passion, you are more likely to feel fulfilled and motivated. Combining your talent with a career can lead to personal and professional success, allowing you to channel your unique abilities into something that brings value to yourself and others.

Abbas Aliyu Libata wrote from the Mass Communication Department at Bayero University, Kano, via elabbas434@gmail.com.

By Rabi Ummi Umar,

Nature bestows unique characteristics upon creatures of all species. One distinctive feature for humans, particularly women, is menstruation, otherwise known as periods. This menstrual cycle often comes with an enormous amount of pain and discomfort. 

Hence, I get aggravated when people, particularly men, downplay or dismiss the pain associated with periods. It has become all too common nowadays, and I often wonder, “What is their thought process behind such disregard?” This disregard is part of what we have come to know as period stigma—the social, cultural, and emotional shame or embarrassment associated with menstruation.

Women typically experience menstruation for two to seven days a month. Still, they also face a range of challenges, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), sadness, menstrual pain, depression, and post-menstrual depression. For these reasons, we deserve sympathy and support.

Menstrual cramps are painful sensations that affect many individuals before and during their menstrual period. The pain typically targets the lower abdomen and lower back. Women often experience additional symptoms, such as loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, and more. Depending on the individual, menstrual cramps may last for at least three days or even longer.

Reports have shown that approximately 5% to 15% of individuals experience period pain so severe that it impacts their daily activities. According to Cleveland Clinic, the figure could be higher due to underreported or unreported cases.

There are instances where I have witnessed men being insensitive towards the pain women experience during their periods. Sometimes, if the situation warrants it, I share my opinion; otherwise, my best option is to watch helplessly or move on.

Women are paradoxically both fragile and incredibly strong creatures, enduring immense physical and emotional challenges every month. This never-ending cycle, which results in the loss of an appreciable amount of blood, makes it particularly hurtful when someone dismisses or undermines the experiences we go through.

A genuine suggestion is that when it is that time of the month for your partner, sister, mother, or loved one, show your support with a thoughtful gesture. Be present for them, even if you cannot fully comprehend their experience. Make them feel seen and cared for. Do your research, take the necessary steps, and understand what works best for them. It makes a bigger difference than you might think.

Recently, there was a heated discussion on X (formerly Twitter) regarding PCOS—polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries—that left me stunned. Although I cannot recall the exact comment, it disregarded the severity of the condition and painted women as unhealthy, much like what happens with periods.

One piece of advice from that social media conversation resonated with me: “Review your partner’s Twitter to gain insight into their thoughts before committing to a relationship.” I cannot stress enough how important this advice is. It underscores the need to have people in our lives who will be there for us, especially in matters such as menstruation and PCOS, which are dictated by nature.

Imagine being with someone who does not understand or invalidates your experiences. I urge women to prioritise getting to know their partners well, particularly their emotional intelligence, before committing to a relationship.

Men should also show support during menstruation. Instead of making insensitive comments, they can educate themselves.

Learn about menstrual health and its effects to be a thoughtful brother, husband, father, or friend. Offer emotional support and empathy, help with household chores and errands if needed, and encourage open conversations to end the stigma associated with periods.

By doing so and being more considerate, men can create a more comfortable and supportive environment for women. The world can be kinder to women—we deserve it!

Rabi Ummi Umar is an intern at PRNigeria and a student at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin. She can be reached via rabiumar058@gmail.com.

By Faruk Ak Waziri

I have always enjoyed learning new words, a hobby I developed while reading short stories and classic novels in junior secondary school. To better understand unfamiliar words, I began enriching my vocabulary, leading to a close friendship with the Oxford Dictionary.

Years of checking the dictionary have, apart from broadening the scope of my vocabulary, expedited my conversance with the basis behind the idea of a single word having several usages—a part of English language learning that wasn’t taught to me on a deep scope at school probably because it is deemed ‘advanced’ and therefore only sparsely incorporated into the Nigerian English curriculum for secondary school level. 

But my romantic attachment to the Oxford dictionary at that stage proved vital by equipping me with the knowledge I could have ended up missing, like the majority of my colleagues, because I had discovered therein that explanations regarding why a single word may have different meanings are attributed mainly to how people who lived within a particular period used it in context. This means a word may no longer have the meaning it used to entail a century ago. I found this idea of words evolving to adopt new meanings based on the context to which people living in a certain period apply them. 

My curiosity to learn more about this fascinating word metamorphosis led me to an English term called Etymology. Etymology is the history and study that trace the origin and development of a linguistic form, such as a word, to its earliest recorded usage in the language where it first appeared. Stumbling upon this term felt like putting the final jig in a puzzle. 

I finally learned that a word or term only translates to the meaning people consistently ascribe to it. And if, over time,such a term starts to be forced into use to convey a sense different from its original definition, the prevalent acceptance of this newfound usage gradually integrates into another connotation of the term, often suppressing the predominant standard meaning. 

When this happens, the new meaning of a word is said to have been absorbed into mainstream usage. Sometimes, this shift in meaning results from deliberate distortion by a select group of people. For example, the Hausa word “Aboki”, which traditionally means “friend” in English, has been twisted to carry a derogatory implication in southern parts of this country. 

This change often results from a willingness to accept one’s uninformed intuition about a word rather than its actual meaning. However, in most cases, distortion and bastardisation stem from a lack of understanding of the original meaning. This last point, which is the main purpose of this post, highlights the ongoing misrepresentation of the terms “alpha” and “alpha man” within the Arewa Facebook community as a case study. 

But before that, let’s briefly stroll through the history of what was once the world’s predominant usage. 

Originating from animal social dynamics, ‘Alpha’ is a word associated with the leader in a group of wolves known collectively as a pack. In a pack, the alpha is the fiercest, strongest, and most dominant male wolf. Embodying attributes such as bravery and those described by the aforementioned adjectives makes the alpha the standout leader of the pack. Metaphorically, “alpha” describes a male human possessing characteristics similar to the leader of a pack of wolves. He is referred to as an alpha male when a person excels above his peers, is assertive, and is hardly sentimental.

The term “alpha man” was continuously used to reference positive qualities in a man, such as leadership, charisma, ambition, confidence, decisiveness, and composure, up until the late 20th century, when it started to witness a semantic shift. The once positive connotations of the term began to be twisted to mirror the traits of toxic masculinity. This distortion continued through media portrayals, books, and online platforms, changing the concept into the laughing stock of what it once meant. Over two years, this distorted usage of the term graced the northern Nigeria online media space, especially the Arewa Facebook community, where it has since become a common address among male users who pridefully identify with the tag. 

The average Arewa Facebook alpha man propagates and would even argue that “alphanci”,; the ideal behaviour of an alpha man is a function of how stiff and emotionally closed off he tends to be mainly in his relationship with a loving partner—a wife or girlfriend. An alpha man shouldn’t chase a girl he likes and must never be explicit about his affections. However, as they believe, that must never be the case with the partner—she has to make it obvious her obsession with him, how much she loves and cares for him, because as enshrined in the alpanchi handbook, “man is always the prize”, and so the lady must contend with the burden of making the relationship work by constantly striving to maker her alpha man happy, lest she ends up losing him—her ‘very precious prize’. 

Today, especially within the Arewa Facebook community, the term “Alpha man” is no longer a tag for the confident, ambitious man—it is now a shorthand for someone overly aggressive, controlling, and egotistical. Instead of focusing on qualities like leadership, empathy, and care, the word is now a function of how domineering a man is to his spouse or girlfriend, a measure of how he treats her with dismissive nonchalance. 

In TV shows like The Originals and The Vampire Diaries, we’ve seen how Klaus Mikaelson, a hybrid possessing both the fiery vampire side and the ruthless werewolf gene, makes sacrifices for love. Despite being an alpha, Klaus listens to Camille and follows her guidance. For Caroline, he shows mercy on multiple occasions—something he rarely does.

In Twilight, Jacob Black did everything he could to win Isabella’s heart, embracing his role as an alpha. But now, the so-called “Arewa Facebook alpha man” does everything to the contrary. He treats his partner with disdain, wrapping toxic masculinity in the guise of being an alpha. The concept that was once premised on strength, leadership, and care now twists to an exaggerated caricature of masculinity, where aggression and control are celebrated. 

What is called “alphanci” has become more like masked misogyny. Alphopi or Alphawa, while hiding under the guise of a serious, no-nonsense persona, their actions towards women and even their stance within their circles only reveal a subtler form of suppressed misogyny. 

To the average Arewa Facebook alpha, you’re either an alpha or a simp—that’s the extent of their black-and-white thinking. They push for “alphanci” in a cult-like manner, and disagreeing with them means risking ridicule and condemnation from their ingroup. This behaviour has further mainstreamed the distortion of what was once a positive term. Now, when you hear “alpha,” it’s hard not to associate it with their toxic behaviour, even though most of them don’t even grasp the word’s true meaning. This is the effect of a concept that’s been relentlessly bastardised. Of Arewa Facebook community alpha men and the culture of mainstreamed bastardisation. 

And can be reached via farukakwaziri019@gmail.com or as Faruk Ak Waziri on Facebook.

By Anwar Usman

A meeting between the Northern Governors Forum and Northern Traditional Rulers Council is currently underway in Kaduna. The two groups hope to tackle the region’s pressing security and developmental challenges.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, was in attendance at the meeting, which took place at the state government House.

While welcoming his colleagues, Muhammadu Yahaya, Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, called for collective action to tackle the challenges bedevilling the region.

The region is battling insecurity, economic hardship, environmental degradation, and youth restiveness.

Yahaya reiterated the need for collective action. He said, “Our collective resolve is being tested by the ongoing challenges that we face. However, our unity and commitment to the prosperity of the people remain our greatest source of strength that will enable us to overcome those challenges.”

The governor also acknowledged these challenges. He said, “Terrorism, banditry, kidnap-for-ransom, farmer-herder clashes, drug abuse, the menace of Almajiri and out-of-school children, poverty, and unemployment. We must continue to work with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support and relief to those affected.”

The governors proposed various ways to tackle these challenges, including “sustaining gains against criminals, studying and implementing the Coalition of Northern Group’s Security Committee report, and engaging with security agencies and civil society groups.

“Investing in education, skills development, and job creation; supporting small and medium enterprises; attracting investment to northern states; providing support to farmers, ensuring rural security, and promoting agro-allied industries.

“Partnering with the Federal Government and stakeholders to build irrigation infrastructure and promote sustainable practices.”

In his remarks earlier, Kaduna Governor and chief host, Senator Uba Sani, welcomed his colleagues and traditional rulers in the region and the Chief of Defence, General Christopher Musa, emphasising unity and collective action against regional challenges.

Sani also acknowledged the northern Governors’ commitment to peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity, urging, “We must work together to realize our vision of a secure, peaceful, and prosperous North.”

The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to combat insecurity, citing the establishment of a Joint Military Command and Operation Fansan Yamma as clear demonstrations of the Federal Government’s commitment.

Ismail Hashim Abubakar

In a previous article published by The Daily Reality on October 06 (Why All Patriotic Must Support The Youth Movement), I stress the significance of supporting the emerging youth movement as a necessary political option left for Nigerians. I strongly recommend that Nigerian citizens should, in their entirety, support and align themselves with the struggle. This is becoming necessary as the masses are increasingly getting disappointed with the present administration’s policies headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but also sceptical of the democratic culture practised in Nigeria since the return of civilian politics in 1999.

In the present essay, I specifically address the youth movement’s founders and offer some points I hope they may consider valuable and worthy of reflection.

I begin by calling on the movement to intensify its efforts to sell out this ideology through massive advocacy, comprehensive sensitization, and awareness campaigns that go beyond social media and cyberspace and extend to what will be akin to door-to-door community tours embarked upon by field staff of polio immunization and vaccination programs.

Interestingly, the founders of this struggle have made it clear right from the onset that once one is a Nigerian and is mainly concerned with the plight of his fellow compatriots, they are automatically a member of the movement, and it is left for him to see in what ways or capacities could they contribute in the struggle. This means that with the exception of some politicians, especially the ruling class at various state and national levels and possibly their blind cronies and biased allies from all sectors and constituencies, all Nigerians are now or should be, by default, adherents and promoters of this movement.

Moreover, in the process of mass mobilization, it seems that people are to be made fully aware that this movement is purely a self-rescuing mission and a liberation effort. It is not a venture that one can invest financially in the typical fashion of Nigerian politics, aiming to reap personal benefits after an election victory. It is neither a soft machine nor a cheap ride on whose back one can mount and easily grab power. It promotes selfishness and displays arrogant romance with authority and privileges invested in public office holders. It is instead a clarion call for those who are willing to put a stop to a dangerous political trend which, if allowed to go unmitigated, will deprive the posterity – the future citizens of this nation – of the residual right to live, breathe and move about freely in their land.

It remains a question, I am sure, with youth leaders to deliberate on whether the struggle will adopt one of the existing political parties or push to create a new, special party, with mainstream party structures from grassroots to higher levels, which will identify with the cause of youth as movers and engines that steer and spearhead the liberation struggle. One of the possible effective platforms to gauge the movement’s strength may be adopting an existing party or forming a new party that will field candidates to contest in the 2027 general elections.

However, I also have a firmer belief that this movement should not just be well-conceived and rapidly embraced by the masses but only have a brief influence that will wane and fizzle out quickly. This is very possible when things are hastily done, especially if the ideology of the struggle is not yet fully understood and inculcated in the minds of the majority of Nigerians. I am sure the brains behind this nascent movement are aware of the inevitable possibility of corrupt politicians hijacking the likely fruit-yielding struggle or covertly infiltrating it to impede and sabotage its progress. I am also conscious that pioneers of this struggle are erecting insurmountable forts that will resist all forms of internal and external intimidations and temptations.

Meanwhile, I strongly recommend that while the leadership of this struggle continues to enlighten Nigerians and encourage them to embrace its ideologies and identify with and support its cause, the forthcoming 2027 elections may be utilized as an experimental ground to test the public understanding and acceptance of its mission, but which should be done on a purely nonpartisan basis. By this, I mean that the movement shall publicize its aims, objectives, principles, and priorities and open its doors to every politician willing to contest for an elective post.

The politician must be ready to comply with all the movement’s missions and can ultimately work towards ensuring that it realizes its vision of creating an egalitarian society in which a poor man will have a say in how he is governed and his social, educational, and economic rights, which guarantee his healthy and meaningful survival, are protected.

Any politician who is set to promote these values and can sincerely commit himself to these ideals and sacrifice the last drop of blood in him is eligible and can present himself to the movement for support. A contract agreement of a promissory note shall be written and documented by the movement on behalf of Nigeria’s populace, which employs such politicians through an electoral process. The agreement must explicitly state that if the politician breaches any terms after being elected, he may be liable for prosecution, besides public wrath that drastically affects his future political ambitions.

The movement has to work assiduously to screen willing contestants without any prejudice to the party on whose platforms they contest. After that, it will make the public fully aware of the agreement it entered with contestants and the detailed clauses and terms contained in the contract, including penalties in case elected officials fail to uphold and keep their campaign promises. 

In this way, the movement will be able to, through the successful candidates whose election it actively supports, infiltrate state and national assemblies, thereby producing determinate, resolute, patriotic, populist and incorruptible legislators who have no business in their legislative chambers than to uphold the rule of law and ensure that executive councils implement policies and execute programs and projects that positively serve Nigerians. This means that a massive reform and nonviolent political revolution can be prosecuted mildly as the youth movement succeeds in hijacking and dominating the second arm of government, thus reviving the constitutional roles and responsibilities legislative assemblies are expected to discharge rather than becoming appendages of the executives. If this mission triumphs, it will expose the opportunist camp among politicians who will hopefully be rendered a minority and target of the electoral wrath of Nigerian citizens.

If the mission of the youth movement is fully understood and wholly embraced by the majority of Nigerians, particularly if it becomes the only most guaranteed and safest winning platform during elections but also an unprecedented movement that liberates ordinary Nigerians, its ideals and objectives will permeate the ranks of the executive and be easily upheld by various types of people in every sector including royal and traditional societies, technocrats, civil servants, members of the academia, legal industry, private and group entities.

Ironically, this may be the trial stage in the display of commitment and maintenance of integrity and principles needed. Scaling through this situation will be a grand marker of a democratic triumph that will go down in history as one of the greatest and most progressively fruitful political revolutions to have been demonstrated by the “Giant of Africa” throughout the region’s postcolonial period. 

A sizable number of Nigerians among ordinary citizens, religious scholars, politicians, academics and intellectuals, journalists, community leaders, public office holders, businessmen, retired military officers, human rights activists, private organizations and all kinds of people within the civil society who are equally worried over Nigeria’s situation and are especially concerned with the plight of the masses and will be much willing to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to promote the cause of this struggle. I do not doubt that the founders of this movement are aware of them, and I am optimistic that the youth movement will carry them along without regard for their age or social status.

Ismail writes from the Advancing Education and Research Center (Rabat) and is reachable via ismailiiit18@gmail.com.

By Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin 

Boat accidents in Nigeria are tragically frequent, especially in regions with limited transportation options. In states like Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa, where rural communities depend on boats for daily travel, the risks are high. Overloading, poor safety measures, and weak enforcement of regulations are the leading causes, leaving many families devastated.

On one fateful day, farmers, eager to beat an approaching storm, crowded into a boat to head home. Among them were women and children, holding on to hope as the sky darkened. But their fears came true. Halfway through the journey, strong winds capsized the overloaded boat, and chaos broke out. Screams echoed as men, women, and children fought to stay afloat. Twenty people went missing, lost to the river’s depths.

In a desperate attempt, a mother tried to save her infant by holding the child above water. She drowned, but a diver managed to rescue the baby—a small miracle amidst the tragedy. Others were less fortunate. Adamu Mai-nama lost his wife, two children, sister, and in-laws. “They’re all gone,” he mourned, his voice heavy with grief.

This heartbreaking scene repeats itself across Nigeria every year. Boats, essential for transport in areas with limited roads, become death traps due to overloading, faulty maintenance, and weak safety enforcement. According to data provided by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), between January 2018 and October 2023, Nigeria recorded 1,204 deaths from boat accidents, averaging about 17 fatalities per month. These incidents occurred in 25 states, with Niger State having the highest number of deaths at 275.

Overloading remains a critical issue as boat operators prioritise profit over safety. Many vessels are dangerously overcrowded, and passengers, lacking alternatives, are forced to risk their lives. In countries like Bangladesh, strict enforcement of passenger limits has reduced boat accidents. Nigeria could benefit from similar regulations, cracking down on operators who ignore safety rules.

Compounding the problem is the poor condition of many boats. They are often old, poorly maintained, and lack essential safety equipment like life jackets. Passengers board these vessels with little choice but to rely on luck. Rising water levels and stronger storms, driven by climate change, further heighten the danger. 

According to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria, over the past decade, Nigeria has seen approximately 3,130 boat accidents, leading to over 3,133 deaths. Regular inspections and better boat maintenance are urgently needed.

The dangers of drowning also extend beyond boat accidents. The World Health Organization reported that drowning deaths in Nigeria reached 6,584 in 2020, accounting for 0.44% of total deaths, with a drowning mortality rate of 2.17 per 100,000 people. This staggering number highlights the broader issue of water safety and the need for comprehensive measures to protect lives.

When accidents happen, the country’s rescue efforts are often too slow to be effective—poor funding and inadequate equipment delay response times, costing lives. Investing in better rescue units, equipment, and training responders is essential. However, prevention through stronger safety measures is the most effective solution.

Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Many passengers don’t realise the dangers of overcrowded boats or the importance of life jackets. Localised safety education, led by community leaders, can make a significant difference.

Countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh have shown that strict regulations and public education can reduce boat mishaps. Nigeria can make its waterways safer by modernising boats, enforcing safety standards, and raising awareness. Unfortunately, the lack of enforcement in remote areas undermines these efforts. While states like Lagos have made progress, others, such as Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa, need to implement stronger oversight and inspections.

The tragedies we see on Nigeria’s waterways are preventable. They result from neglect of safety regulations, boat maintenance, and human life care. We must act now to prevent more families from suffering: enforce safety rules, improve boat conditions, strengthen rescue operations, and educate the public.

The mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways don’t have to keep happening—they can be stopped. Every life lost shows the price we pay for ignoring safety. We know what needs to be done, but we keep doing nothing. How many more children need to lose their parents? How many more families must suffer before we take action?

The next boat accident could happen anytime. Will we wait for more lives to be lost, or will we make the changes needed to save them? The choice is ours, and lives depend on it.

Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin writes from Bayero University, Kano, via ibrahimaliyu5023@gmail.com.

By Usman Abdullahi Koli, ANIPR 

In recent days, a deeply troubling trend has emerged across Northern Nigeria, posing significant threats to the region’s cultural and religious values. The widespread sharing of explicit videos on social media, particularly involving young women and even some public figures, has become a glaring concern. 

Platforms like TikTok and others, once heralded for fostering connection and creativity, have instead become vehicles for spreading inappropriate content, undermining our society’s foundation of moral values. This surge in immoral behaviour, coupled with the increasing acceptance of homosexuality, has shaken the Hausa community and the wider Northern Nigerian populace, challenging the region’s long-held traditions and values.

The cultural landscape of Northern Nigeria, built upon the principles of modesty, family honour, and religious piety, is now facing an unprecedented moral challenge. The platforms meant to uplift and connect opened doors for behaviours that deeply conflict with societal norms. The impact is felt by the individuals whose private lives are exposed, and their families suffer great shame, dishonour, and social rejection. In our conservative culture, where family honour holds immense weight, such incidents leave scars that can last generations.

The trauma experienced by the victims of these scandals is profound. These young individuals—many of whom are our sisters, nieces, and neighbours—face a harrowing journey of social alienation, emotional distress, and, at times, extreme psychological harm. Many become pariahs in their communities, carrying the burden of shame for something often beyond their control. The emotional fallout extends far beyond the individual, reaching into the lives of their families, who must endure the humiliation and stigma of public disgrace. In many cases, these families are ostracised, their reputations tarnished, and the emotional pain magnified by societal rejection.

Celebrities, who once stood as role models in the region, are now increasingly caught in public scandals. Pursuing fame and social media attention has driven many into compromising situations where private missteps become public spectacles. However, this issue is not limited to public figures. Individuals, particularly the youth, fall victim to the same trend every day. With explicit content becoming a misguided path to popularity, the consequences for these young men and women are devastating. They are lured by social media’s fleeting attention and false validation, only to face lifelong consequences.

This cultural shift highlights the urgent need for action. The Northern region has always prided itself on its deep-rooted values, with religious and community leaders playing a pivotal role in upholding societal norms. It is now more crucial than ever for these leaders to address the current moral decay head-on. Sermons in mosques, community dialogues, and family interventions must be leveraged to instil the principles of modesty, self-discipline, and respect for personal and communal dignity. Our traditional and religious leaders must take charge of restoring our moral compass.

In addition, government action is essential. The laws concerning cybercrimes must be revisited and strengthened to address this modern menace. In collaboration with cybersecurity experts, law enforcement must actively track down perpetrators and hold them accountable for their actions.

The North has a rich history of valuing human dignity, and it cannot afford to watch idly as the viral spread of immoral content erodes this dignity. Efforts should be made to regulate social media platforms with stricter controls to prevent the proliferation of explicit content. The government must work alongside tech experts and media platforms to introduce more stringent oversight mechanisms.

Furthermore, education is key in combating this growing trend. Our youth, the future of Northern Nigeria, must be educated about the consequences of their online actions. Digital literacy programs, responsible internet use workshops and safety awareness campaigns must be rolled out to ensure that young people understand the permanence of their actions in the digital world. They must be taught to value their privacy, dignity, and the cultural norms passed down through generations.

At the heart of this crisis is a deeper cultural challenge. As we embrace modernity and technology, we must not lose sight of the cultural and religious values that define us. The youth must be reminded of their responsibilities to themselves, their families, their communities, and their faith. The glorification of immoral behaviour on social media, driven by the pursuit of viral fame, is a dangerous trend that must be reversed.

The current situation is a collective societal issue that requires a united front. Everyone, from religious leaders to parents and government officials to the tech community, has a role to play in addressing this growing menace. Preserving our moral and cultural fabric depends on our ability to act swiftly and decisively. We must safeguard our values and protect our youth from the dangers of a world that increasingly disregards modesty, respect, and human dignity.

The Northern Nigerian community cannot afford to sit idly by as its values are eroded. The trauma inflicted on the victims of these scandals is real, but with decisive action, future incidents can be prevented. It is up to all of us to reclaim our moral values, protect our cultural heritage, and ensure that the youth are guided toward a future grounded in respect, honour, and integrity.

Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Habibu Bawa 

Banditry is fast becoming a household name in Nigeria. The  Northwest and parts of north-central Nigeria have been the worst hit since 2012.

Fast forward, bandits have attacked numerous communities across Nigeria, destroying a lot of homes, farms, and markets, killing and kidnapping in schools and highways, which made life unbearable for rural and semi-urban communities. 

According to Ibrahim Dosara, former Commissioner of Information in Zamfara State, between 2011 and 2019, bandits killed at least 2,619 people, kidnapped 1,190, and maimed and displaced hundreds of thousands in Zamfara State alone.

Many describe these attacks as an escalation of farmer-herder conflicts, ethno-religious crises, or a result of population pressure and climate change, which made former President Muhammadu Buhari propose 10,000 hectares per state for rural grazing areas, although unsuccessful, and President Tinubu’s Ministry for Livestock Development.

While past and current governments have made efforts to address banditry, little has been done to support the victims or tackle the root causes of the issue. For successful disease control, the pathogens, vectors, and symptoms have to be addressed while measures are taken to boost the immune system.

For example, the government often mobilises troops, which is usually announced and broadcasted after media reports of bandit attacks. Meanwhile, victims are left to languish in IDP camps. This situation is akin to guarding stables after the horses have escaped.

After each attack, the once agrarian victims battle scanty food, inadequate water supply, and diseases, while some state governments grant amnesty to bandits, leaving victims with only empty promises to rebuild their lives.

Nigeria has helped several other African countries in peacebuilding and peacekeeping, which proves Nigeria’s ability to curtail whatever crisis may arise internally. Thus, banditry is not beyond its control, but success requires sincerity of purpose and decisive actions.

First, the government should use every available means to block arms and ransoms from bandits, as ransom fuels banditry while firearms drive it. A 2019 research by Beacon Consults found over 6 million firearms in circulation in Nigeria, with only one-tenth in the hands of federal security agents. Communities should be educated on the effects of ransom, and severe punishments should be imposed on those who pay ransom.

Secondly, victims should be allowed to exercise their natural right to self-defence, and any funds earmarked for negotiating with bandits should be redirected toward rebuilding the lives and communities of the victims.

Lastly, the government should identify and eliminate bandit sponsors, sympathisers, negotiators, informants, trainers, and advisers. This will hinder the bandits’ ability to recruit, escape, re-strategize, or ethnicise their atrocities.

To end banditry, bandits must be treated as terrorists. Banditry is the greatest threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty today. The military should be well-equipped and deployed to take decisive action. A repentant bandit is one who has joined his ancestors.

Habibu Bawa is a fellow of the PR Nigeria Young Communication Fellowship.

Dear Nigerians,  

1. May God have mercy on you! Your country’s name evokes the abundance of the River Niger, symbolising the endless resources and talents you possess. This nation is blessed with natural wealth and human potential that garners admiration and envy worldwide. 

2. Yet, tears fall when we consider the mismanagement, waste, and looting of this vibrant nation. It’s disheartening to see Nigerian youths unaware of the treasures surrounding them. Who will inherit this great wealth? Where are the competent young leaders to take over when the current generation finally acknowledges its fatigue?

3.  An effective national curriculum should focus on the aspirations and values of the youth. Nigerian youths should be more than seekers of white-collar jobs; they should harness the nation’s real wealth. Ignorance of one’s resources is a grave form of slavery. The curriculum must evolve to cultivate dignity and progress, preparing future nation-builders.

4. Imagine if Nigerians refrained from destructive desires, top to bottom. These desires only ruin their possessors and the entire nation, destabilising not just Nigeria but the region. What would be lost if corruption ceased? Crimes harm the country and ultimately lead to personal ruin.

5. Despite challenges, Nigeria still holds immense potential if its people unite in nation-building. Respect and kindness across ethnic lines won’t harm anyone. Being good neighbours to one another will ensure that no one suffers amid abundance.

6. It’s not easy to forget historical hurts, but healing is necessary to dream big. I dream of a Nigeria that sheds its negative image and becomes a beacon of resilience, talent, and beauty. We can achieve this dream with patience, optimism, and the will to be good.

7. Let the brave ones from every region come forward. Whether in rags or adorned in gold, it’s the mind that matters. Your willingness to embrace reform reflects the people’s hope. Learn about your nation, not just from social media but from its history and potential.

8. There is hope for Nigeria. Nations with more severe problems have risen. Remember, you hold the most powerful office: the Office of the Citizen. Decorate it with action, not despair. If Nigeria isn’t working, it’s because we aren’t working.

9. Weak minds say, “There is no hope.” Strong minds respond, “We have work to do.” Nigeria is the office of every Nigerian. If progress is absent, it’s because we aren’t active. Be inspired and make progress in Nigeria, which is your first concern.

10. Nigeria has served as a beacon of hope for other nations and has the potential to do so again. I have witnessed the kindness, wisdom, and vision of many Nigerians. Goodness is locked within the nation—are you the one to awaken it?

11. If you are, be patient. Don’t let anger or frustration lead to violence. Dedicate yourself to the dream of reform, and one day, you will wipe away the tears of your people.

12. Praise God for making you a Nigerian. Reform begins with you. Even if you only change one person, the impact will be immeasurable. Don’t give up if you find people obsessed with crime and corruption.

13. Your good deeds, endurance, and sacrifices inspire those around you. Continue to educate, alleviate pain, and instil hope. The people are not as bad as they seem; many are ignorant or traumatised.

14. Mass education, not violence or migration, is the answer. Enlightenment will help people learn from the tragedies of war-torn regions.

15.No matter how far you run, home will always call you back. The time to act is now!

Amara Sesay wrote via amarasesay.amir@gmail.com.