Iran: A threatened theocracy

...also published in Daily Trust

Though the wave of protests that has recently hit Iran isn’t the first of its kind, the protesters’ demands this time around are unprecedented. Prompted by a sudden increase in fuel prices, the protesters have demanded not only far-reaching economic reforms to arrest the persistent economic deterioration in the country, but also the abolishment of the entire Welayatul-faqeeh theocratic dictatorship that has ruled the country since the Khomeini-led revolution in 1979.

A room like no other

…also published in Daily Trust  

On Monday the 12^th of the month of Rabi’ul-Awwal one thousand four hundred and thirty years ago; and at around mid-morning, the Last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) departed this life at the age of 63 after he had delivered the Message and accomplished his mission on earth.

By the way, though his death was indeed on that day and date, Islam never sanctioned any commemorative event for it, as also none of his Sahaba including members of his revered Household ever commemorated it either. Therefore, inasmuch as commemorating his death is an unfounded act of worship i.e. bid’ah even though its day, date, month and year are known for sure, celebrating his birthday i.e. the so-called Maulud on the 12^th of Rabi’ul-Awwal or any other date for that matter is particularly unfounded, because  apart from the absence of any Qur’anic or Sunnatic reference to it, there is absolutely no single categorically reliable historical source about the exact month and date (not day) of his birth, in the first place. Equally, none of his Sahaba including members of his honourable Household ever celebrated it either.

Child abduction: The enabling circumstances

…also published in Daily Trust

The case of the nine children abducted in Kano; trafficked and sold off in Onitsha where they were converted to Christianity; renamed and had their ethnocultural identity and looks changed is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Though given the prevailing security situation in Nigeria, no one is invulnerable to abduction except, of course, a few thousand among the elite who enjoy virtually invincible state-provided security protection, yet the vulnerability of children in many states in the northern part of the country is particularly alarming. 

Nigerian economy: Between economists and “laymen”

…also published in Daily Trust

Over the decades, successive Nigerian governments have always resorted to the introduction or enforcement of one set of revenue generation boosting measures, or another, to prevent further deterioration of the country’s ever-deteriorating economy. However, the poor have always ended up worse off.  

With the controversy triggered by the federal government’s current drive to boost revenue generation in the country, there are all sorts of analyses and solution proposals to the country’s persistent revenue deficit and the associated economic crisis, which further highlight the subtle but unmistakable mutually dismissive attitudes between Nigerian elite economists and experienced economic observers who aren’t formally trained economists.

Humour amid hardship

…also published in Daily Trust

Amid the ongoing free-for-all debate over the viability or otherwise of the Buhari administration’s economic recovery policies, and the worsening economic hardship in the country, Nigerians continue to prove their characteristic resilience not only by coping with the situation but also by comforting themselves with self-comforting humorous remarks on various aspects of the situation.

As the hardship worsens, they get more creative in depicting the situation in various funny ways that at least give them momentary fun amid overwhelming frustration. After all, fun inspires and sustains hope, which is the driving force behind any individual or collective undertaking to tackle any situation no matter hard or gloomy to bring about a positive change.