Clash of the desperate

Also published in Daily Trust 

Though even before the military overthrow of Shehu Shagari-led civilian administration on the eve of 1984, the culture of ideologically driven politics had already begun to diminish, yet the hasty formation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 by politicians with conflicting ideological persuasions signalled its complete demise and indeed ushered in the era of ideology-free politics. Similarly, though to a relatively lesser extent, the opposition parties were equally formed that way.

Diehard right-wing conservatives, left-wing liberals and even radical academics who had constituted the dynamics behind the pulsating and indeed promising political atmosphere in the country particularly between 1979 and 1983 simply abandoned their ideologies to form some sham political parties under the pretext of making “necessary compromise” to end the prolonged military dictatorship in the country.

Divorce deterrent in Kano

Also published in Daily Trust

Commander-General, Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa

In its effort to curb the embarrassingly high divorce rate in Kano, the state Hisbah Board has stipulated that, henceforth for anybody to qualify for its government-sponsored mass wedding scheme, he must agree to pay fifty thousand naira to his wife should he decide to divorce her.

It is however obvious that, given the sheer amount of physical suffering and stress suffered by divorced women and their children in the society, this amount is simply too little to alleviate their suffering let alone enable them pick up the fragments of their shattered lives.  It is also too little to deter anyone deciding to divorce his wife. Besides, even if it eventually applies to all married men in the state, it is not likely to curb the high divorce rate anyway, because, for the average notoriously marriage-abusing Bakano, divorce is not a big deal in the first place.

A "right" to beg

Also published in Daily Trust 

Street beggars staging a protest in Kano

As an utterly embarrassing social phenomenon that constitutes a choking public nuisance, street begging has for long been targeted for eradication by successive federal and state governments in the country. However, due to policy inconsistency, lack of effective implementation mechanism and some socio-cultural challenges, they have not been able to eradicate it.

It is noteworthy that, begging is basically haram i.e. forbidden under Islamic laws, hence the proceeds made from it are illicit. Yet, it is allowed under some specific and urgent circumstances, and for specific categories of people, as explained in the relevant verses of the noble Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah.

Justice for Nazeef

Also published in Daily Trust

Ever since the arrest of Dr Muhammad Nazeef Yunus of Kogi State University a couple of weeks ago by the State Security Service (SSS) operatives, over alleged link to the Boko Haram terror gang, many Muslim scholars and a couple of Islamic organizations, including Jama’atu Nasrul-Islam (JNI) have rightly dismissed the charge against him, affirmed his innocence and called for his immediate release.

The purported evidence given by the SSS for his arrest was utterly ridiculous, to say the least. According to the SSS he was implicated by some suspected members of the terror group, who allegedly claimed that they were his disciples.

Africa as steppingstone

Also published in Daily Trust



Vice President Muhammad Namadi Sambo and the Kuwaiti officials

Leaders and representatives of Arab and African countries recently held a two-day summit in the oil-rich Kuwait. It was the third of its kind since 1977 when it was first held in Cairo, Egypt. The second summit was held in 2010 in Libya. Like the previous summits, the recently concluded summit was, according its organizers, intended to discuss partnership between African countries and their Arab counterparts for economic development.

By the way, though the majority of Arabs are geographically Africans, they hardly identify themselves as Africans. Instead, when they refer to Africa they don’t necessarily mean the whole of Africa as a continent; instead they mostly mean the non-Arab African countries.

Deprived of pride

Also published in Daily Trust

While watching the last two matches of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi stadiums respectively, in the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup, I observed that the enthusiastic exuberance that defined Nigerian fans’ passionate cheering of the Eaglets before, during and after the matches was quite disproportionate compared to the significance of the achievement, even though the Eaglets were indeed recording an achievement worth celebrating anyway.

Besides, I also observed that almost all the national achievements that have generated similar widespread excitement and celebration across Nigeria have always been in sports, particularly football. Though I recognize the importance of sports in our national development, and indeed recognize the value of whatever success Nigeria has achieved in various international championships, I felt quite disappointed for our collective inability as a nation to make any profound and remarkable achievement of global significance, in more important aspects of life e.g. scientific research & development, economic development, manufacturing, etc.

The electricity jinx

Also published in Daily Trust

While growing up in my native Kano, I used to hear people lamenting the poor quality of public services and the dwindling quality of life in general. They would nostalgically recall how they were better off previously. I obviously believed them and indeed wished I was born much earlier. After all, just like other kids, I would often shout “NEPA!” to celebrate and cheer the defunct National Electric Power Authority, NEPA for being kind enough to restore electricity after long hours of power outage.

Though the situation was obviously frustrating, I had to live with it and suffer the associated disappointment resulting from my inability to, for example, watch the weekly Indian movies every Saturday on the NTA or iron my clothes, when I began to grow old enough to take care of appearance.

A costly step

Also published in Daily Trust

Since time immemorial, man has always emigrated from one place to another for various reasons. Also though the introduction of immigration regulatory systems following the emergence of modern sovereign political entities (e.g. countries) has regulated human migration, which also restricts the flow of particularly prospective illegal migrants across international borders, the trend continues anyway.

By the way, many countries have succeeded in building successful, stable and prosperous countries, whereas the persistent leadership failure in many other countries has rendered a significant number, if not the majority, of their citizens hopeless hence desperate to flee, given the opportunity. While the later have effectively shattered the hopes of their citizens, the former have succeeded in dramatically and substantially turning their people’s lives around.

Saving MAKIA

Also published in Daily Trust

As the oldest airport in Nigeria, MAKIA began operations in 1936

In its Monday, 21 October 2013 issue, Daily Trust reported what could be regarded as yet another instance of the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah’s apparent resolve to finish off the already struggling Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, by blocking some international airlines from extending their operations to the airport, which, by the way, is the oldest airport in Nigeria.

This came amid public anger against the controversial Minister for embezzling more than a quarter billion naira to purchase two BMW armoured cars for her use. It also came against the background of public lamentation over the underfunded hence inefficient air safety measures and equipment used by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian, FAAN and the airline companies, which reportedly cut corners in order to save the cost of providing proper maintenance to their fleets thereby putting the lives of their passengers and that of others at risk.

The Hajj and its critics

Also published in Daily Trust  

Having almost completed this year’s Hajj rituals, the several tens of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah have presumably begun to look forward to returning back home. This is even though, due to the ongoing massive expansion and upgrading projects on the holy sites, and the resultant reduction in the number of allocated slots to all countries including Nigeria, those lucky enough to make it from Nigeria constitute, as they have often done, the largest chunk of Black Muslim pilgrims anyway.

After all, this is not surprising considering the fact that, Nigeria has the largest Black Muslim population in the world. Yet, the average Nigerian Muslims’ passion for Hajj grows all the time, and the number of people who, even though can’t afford it but are prepared to make any sacrifice in order to make it is equally growing.

Strange bedfellows

Also published in Daily Trust

The issue of self-determination on regional or ethno-religious grounds, which is raised every now and then by some individuals under different self-serving pretexts is particularly responsible for the apparent lack of a sense of belonging among Nigerians. This has consequently and effectively relegated Nigerians from proud partners in nation-building to mere strange bedfellows who, at best, barely and reluctantly tolerate one another.

It is indeed unfortunate that Nigerians hardly take advantage of their longstanding socio-cultural, ethnic, religious, economic and political bonds, which bind them together and indeed provide them with veritable advantages to achieve sustainable prosperity and compete in any field of human endeavour.

A questionable relapse

Also published in Daily Trust 

After what seemed to be a short-lived jubilation following the reported military success against Boko Haram militants in north eastern Nigeria, there has been a gradual but persistent relapse into the pre-state of emergency time in the region over the past few weeks, which indicates the failure of the military to maintain the momentum and follow through with the operation.

It is quite unfortunate that, over the past weeks the security situation has been mysteriously relapsing at an alarming rate. Though bomb attacks have virtually disappeared, there has been a dramatic escalation of attacks on civilians, which result in huge losses of life. After suffering setbacks, Boko Haram militants are now back where they storm mosques, schools, markets, villages to kill people and unleash terror and sorrow. As they also intercept vehicles on highways and other roads to brutally torture and slaughter people.

Politics and the killings in Benesheik

Also published in today's Daily Trust

Notwithstanding whether the continued virtual total blockade of communication network in Borno state has actually undermined the abilities of Boko Haram militants or not, it has, almost completely, cut off many good social commentators from that particular part of the country, especially who were active on the social media.

I therefore host one of such good commentators, Abdulhamid Al-Gazali, a brilliant young man from Maiduguri to share his thoughts about the recent massacre in Benesheik. Enjoy,

Dishonourable honour

Also published in Daily Trust

The use of vulgar language and fists to settle political differences by the politicians at all levels of government in Nigeria does not only warn of serious repercussions on the already fragile peace in the country, but it also erodes the already meagre amount of public respect the politicians enjoy.  

Though it, albeit rarely, happens in some other developing democracies, it is particularly becoming phenomenal in Nigeria, where no meeting, conference or gathering no matter who are in attendance, is considered too important to be turned into a wrestling ring where the wrestlers are ironically “honourable” lawmakers and “distinguished” legislators, who trade unprintable abuses and go berserk exchanging blows, breaking the furniture, smashing the equipment to eventually and shamelessly emerge with swollen faces, tattered and blood-stained clothes.

Gullible partisanship

Also published in Daily Trust

The level of political sophistication of a country is primarily determined by the level of political awareness of its people, which is reflected by their voting attitude and the extent of their commitment to partisanship. In advanced and other established democracies, the average voters are basically inspired by the proven moral integrity and leadership qualities of the candidates, as well as their precisely prepared and realistically implementable manifestos.

In such countries the issue of party affiliation of a candidate is secondary and hardly, if at all, plays any significant role in determining his suitability or otherwise in the eyes of the voters. This objective voting attitude inspires voters to vote for the best candidates notwithstanding their political party affiliations.

Deadly dilemma in Syria

Also published in Daily Trust

It is obvious that, the major regional and international political actors in the lingering civil war in Syria face a self-inflicted hence unjustifiable dilemma for their reluctance to live up to their moral, legal and political obligations in order to stop the bloodshed.

While the United States and its western allies, for instance, oppose Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, their dilemmatic concern revolves around the issue of which group replaces it, for it is clear that, they will never allow those bearded and Allahu Akbar-chanting fighters, who constitute the vast majority of the Syrian rebels to replace the regime. Whereas, the largely nonreligious rebels in Libya, for instance, had got a tremendous military assistance from the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO before they overthrew the regime and killed Mu’amar Gadhafi in 2011.

Tackling corruption through Hisbah

Also published in Daily Trust

It is high time Nigerian intellectuals began to think outside the box to develop alternative yet viable and implementable ideas to tackle the endemic corruption bedevilling the country. This is quite imperative considering the fact that the current system, which is ostensibly designed to ensure transparency, is grossly abused by most of the very people entrusted with the mandate to run it. It is indeed a desperate situation that requires unconventional measures to handle.

Also even if the introduction of such urgently needed alternative measures requires some legal bases at state level or even constitutional amendments at the federal level, anti-corruption campaigners and other activists should embark on a systematic campaign to raise public awareness about the necessity of such measures, and mobilize popular support massive enough to successfully push for the introduction of the necessary statutory provisions and implementation mechanisms for such measures at national, state and local government levels.

Malam Jatau’s lamentation

Also published in DailyTrust

I am an ardent follower of topical issues in both print and electronic media, even though I am admittedly constrained by my inability to understand English language, which many people virtually equate to illiteracy. Besides, I can read and write in my native language, Hausa, read Arabic text, though I barely understand the meaning, and of course I know the basics of my religion, Islam. Unfortunately, however, all these hardly, if at all, improve my “illiterate” status or, at best, “semi illiterate” status in the eyes of such people.

By the way, before you wonder how I manage to write in English anyway, let me add that I might have been miraculously and spontaneously inspired at this particular moment, perhaps the same inspiration I had got last year in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal crisis when I wrote a letter to President Jonathan entitled “Malam Jatau’s Letter to Mr. President” {Daily Trust, Friday, 13 January 2012}

International Al- Quds Day

Also published in Daily Trust

Though it was the British occupation of the Palestinian territories in 1920 that paved the way for the establishment of the Zionist State of Israel in1948 following decades of intrigue and terror attacks against the Palestinians, the Zionists’ subsequent annexation of the remaining part of Al-Quds city, where Islam’s third holiest site (Al-Aqsa mosque) is located, was particularly devastating.

Al-Quds occupation followed the Arab-Israel war in 1967 when Israel defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria and Jordan, seized the Golan Heights from Syria, captured West Bank and the remaining part of Al-Quds city from Jordan, occupied Gaza strip and took Sinai Peninsula from Egypt.

The "Civilian JTF" Phenomenon

Also published in Daily Trust

I must admit that even during the worst period of Boko Haram terror attacks in northern Nigeria, when virtually everybody was in constant fear for his life to the extent where legislators reportedly dodged deliberating on the issue, judges cleverly shied away from handling cases involving suspected Boko Haram insurgents and people never dared to discuss them in their hangouts, I never knew that the insurgents had actually captured some Nigerian territories; large territories for that matter.

Marriage age debate: A free-for-all

Also published in Daily Trust

The war of words that erupted among Nigerians over marriageable age is hardly understandable because the vast majority of the “warring parties” don’t seem to fully understand the bone of contention between them in the first place. And even though some few commentators have observed how the issue was right from the beginning misrepresented hence widely misunderstood, arguments and counter arguments of various quality levels continue to flow in the social media, blogs, websites and even newspapers.

Al-Mustapha: A twist of fate

Also published in Daily Trust

Though the aftermath of the sudden death of former Head of state, General Sani Abacha in 1998 was defined by a dramatic twist of fate that affected so many people in various ways and degrees, perhaps the case of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and that of former Chief Security Officer to Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha were particularly interesting in this regard.

Critical listening to preaching

Also published in Daily Trust

As usual towards the beginning and during the month of Ramadan, there have been calls on Muslim clerics to employ wisdom in delivering their Ramadan preaching, which further emphasize the need for government to, preferably in coordination with the Office of the Sultan, regulate preaching in the country as obtained elsewhere. This is in order to among other things address the unnecessary confusion that fuels disunity among Nigerian Muslim community, and indeed tackle the security implication of unregulated preaching, which is largely responsible for the current security crises particularly in the north.

Ramadan resolutions

Also published in Daily Trust

Towards the end of each year, many people conceive certain personal ambitions, which they intend to pursue and hope to achieve during the New Year. While some people intend to get rid of certain habits, which they believe to be hindering their efforts to achieve their goals, some others adopt some new habits or approach, which they believe would improve their chances of achieving their goals. In any case, these ambitions are commonly referred to as New Year’s resolutions, which some people write down while others simply keep them in their minds.

Analysing the analyst

Also published in Daily Trust 

Though events take place and developments unfold in all aspects of human endeavour, people differ in their abilities to analyse each particular event or development hence the disparity in the logical validity of their interpretations and conclusions. After all, not many people are gifted with the amount of talent required to properly analyse things, come up with reasonable conclusions and offer creative solution proposals hence the need for thinkers and brilliant analysts to shape and sharpen people’s reasoning skills and inspire them to imbibe the attitude of critical thinking.

A Golden Jubilee par excellence

Also published in Daily Trust 

Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano

The highly respected emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ado Bayero had reason to celebrate his Golden Jubilee, because, among other things, he alone has so far reigned for almost a quarter of the total two hundred and eight years of the reign of Fulani aristocratic ruling dynasty in Kano, which began in 1805. By the way, I recollect when, though as a young teenager then, Ado Bayero celebrated his Silver Jubilee twenty five years ago. The famous Silver Jubilee square in Kano metropolis with its magnificent steel structure, had, until recently when it had to be demolished for the ongoing flyover construction and road expansion project, stood superbly to keep the memory of that glamorous celebration alive.

Politicking at the expense of governing

Also published in Daily Trust 

The current premature escalation in intra and inter-party political struggle among our politicians, and the disproportionate momentum defining the wave of the associated political hullaballoo represents the desperation of the incumbents to consolidate their gains, and also that of the opposition to regain their lost ground and “adjust” the political equation that dramatically changed to the advantage of some and disadvantage of some others, in the wake of the death of President Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua in 2010.

Iranian Agenda in Nigeria

Though the recent discovery of weapons in a private residence in Kano was quite shocking, it wasn’t absolutely surprising in view of Nigeria’s worsening vulnerability to security breach, which attracts some contending international intelligence agencies to settle scores on its soil away from their own territories. However whether the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah Shi'a militia maintains an active terror cell in Nigeria (as asserted by Nigerian authorities) or not, it’s quite obvious that, Iranian subversive activities in Nigeria are on the increase, after all just recently an Iranian national was convicted for arms smuggling into the country.

Nigeria and conspiracy theories

Also published in Daily Trust 

Away from any academic complexity, conspiracy theory simply refers to a supposition that some powerful but largely faceless individuals, business entities or countries covertly plot to influence happenings, and secretly dictate the course of events to economically exploit, politically subjugate and cultural brainwash others. Incidentally, since time immemorial, civilizations, empires and countries have struggled to militarily conquest or tactfully subdue each other, in their struggle for territorial expansion, influence and supremacy.

Nigeria’s war on terror

Also published in Daily Trust

Though all over the world politicians engage in political opposition and struggle against each other, the extent of political sophistication of a particularly country is determined by the amount of the sense of responsibility that defines its politicians’ conduct. In functioning democracies, where transparency and accountability characterize governance, politicians never and in fact don’t have to be desperate in their struggle against each other, because they realize that what actually matters and indeed determines the political success of a politician, is the amount of his concrete achievements and/or real potential to deliver.

Kano: Tackling the chaos

Also published in Daily Trust 

With its ever-growing population, massive landmass, businesses attractiveness and centuries- old reputation as a major commercial hub in Africa, Kano is by now supposed to have developed into a modern mega city with modern and functioning infrastructure. Unfortunately however, the systematic neglect it has suffered at the hands of successive administrations over the last few decades has not only held it back but actually eroded a great deal of its fortunes and business competitiveness. Besides, the current security crisis in the region and the country at large has taken its toll on its socio-economic vibrancy.

{Video} Mallam Usman (Mai Zuhudu)

For more than forty years Mallam Usman (Mai Zuhudu) has been roaming the areas of Kofar Nassarawa and the neighboring neighborhoods in Kano city, where he "preaches" and "warns" against western education (Boko) and also all other sources of Islamic knowledge for that matter, with the exception of the Qur'an. He regards all Boko and Islamiyya schools as part of a grand conspiracy designed by the enemies of Islamic religion to misguide Muslims and undermine their religiosity.

Though it is obvious that Mai Zuhudu represents Boko Haram and maitatsine ideologies combined, he doesn't believe in violence, instead he simply delivers his message peacefully, even though he hasn't got any followers at all. He tolerates different views, while people not only tolerate him but actually give him sadaka.    

I ran into him during my recent visit to Kano, where I videotaped him delivering his sermon. Enjoy,