In hos voice, "Owo ti wọ Igbo"



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She's got some good points up there.

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Oh really? Did you read my signature?

Niger Coup And The Need For Nigeria's Laxity


Yusuf Babatunde Yusuf, Canada


On July 26, Niger witnessed the fifth successful coup out of nine attempted coups in West Africa since 2020, joining other West African countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea which are currently under the military Junta.

Delivering a speech in Accra in July 2009, ex-USA President Barrack Obama said, "Africa no longer needs strongmen—it needs strong institutions." But it continues to send worries down the spine, how Africa still witnesses military takeovers while other continents continue to develop democratically.

Since 2010, the black continent has witnessed over 40 coups and attempted coups, with around half of those occurring in West Africa and the Sahel. Worthy to add is the fact that most of these coups occurred in former French colonies, as did six of the seven coups since 2019.

Many African coups and attempted coups have been caused by internal and external factors. The former are challenges of bad governance, corruption, hunger, underdevelopment, and undue longevity on presidential seats, while the latter are basically global dynamics and foreign interference.

While the internal factors seemed to have triggered frustration among Africans and the militia men, the external factors seemed to have received less attention. Russia, for instance, had a fingerprint in the 2021 and 2020 coups in Mali, and likewise in the coup in Burkina Faso. Mahamat Derby of Chad was also reported to have received an endorsement from Paris. While Assimi Goita, who spearheaded the two coups in Mali, has been said to have received military training and aid from the US. A French company, Orano, currently controls uranium-producing companies in Niger, and 50% of the total uranium produced in the country ends up in France, hence providing one third of the source of France's nuclear reactors. France's colonial and post-colonial influence in some of the African countries where coups have been successful was said to have been weakened with the support of the Wagner Group in Russia. Thus, indirectly, the foreign superpowers fight proxy wars on African lands.

Interestingly, the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed economic, social, and regional sanctions against Niger, but these sanctions have only appeared to be futile threats, especially when other African countries under military rule have pledged support for Niger. Presumably, the ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, has threatened military action against Niger if the coup lasts beyond seven days. And this is what triggered this essayist to pick up a pen and write, especially considering what the aftermath of this action could be.

Over the years, President Tinubu has been known as a strategic leader who pays attention to details, and this time, he's also expected to pay attention to the reaction of Nigeriens who have stormed the streets of Niger, jubilating the military takeover. Even two days ago, Burkinabes were seen in mammoth numbers, giving a rosy welcome to their military ruler, Ibrahim Traore, after his welcome from Russia, where he had a diplomatic meeting with Vladimir Putin. Nigeriens are glaringly happy with the military takeover; hence, President Tinubu and ECOWAS should maintain laxity and not take paracetamol for Nigeriens' headache. President Tinubu should not cry more than the bereaved and leave Nigeriens to fight against their military takeover the same way Nigerians did during our military eras by making a reverberating voice against it and forming civil society groups.

ECOWAS and President Tinubu should bear in mind that there are always two sides to every coin, and while the military era does not necessarily mean bad government, democratic government does not necessarily mean development and stability either. Libya had its most developed era under Muammar Gaddafi, and if they were to choose between having Gadaffi again or corrupt democratic leaders, they wouldn't think twice about having the former. Obviously, Nigeriens are so happy with the latest coup that yesterday, they even held rallies against Tinubu, desecrating his poster and warning him not to interfere in their country's affairs. Who knows if they're in for a better ride under their new military ruler?

Moving forward, while Nigeria is currently the head of ECOWAS and offsets 60% of the ECOWAS budget, it's quite against logic that we waste scarce funds on military wars when many pressing issues in the country are in dire need of financial attention. As of March 31st, 2023, the country is currently steeped in foreign debts of ₦49.85 trillion ($108.30 billion) according to the Debt Management Office; 133 million Nigerians, which account for 60% of the total population, are in multidimensional poverty; and the country is currently plagued with an all-time-high inflation rate of 22.8% according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). These heartbreaking facts are poignant to the fact that now is not the time to waste Nigerian resources on needless fights.

President Tinubu should also realize that although Nigeria's military force has more strength than Niger's, Nigeria would not only be fighting Niger but also Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso, who have all pledged allegiance and support to Niger; likewise, foreign military units like the Wagner Group of Russia are also strongly behind Niger. A fight with Niger and all these countries will, without doubt, plunge Nigeria into serious infrastructural, economic, and humanitarian crises.

To add is the fact that although the Niger coup poses regional threats against Nigeria, Nigerians who live in bordering Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara will easily get hit should President Tinubu continue with the military interventions. Niger and Nigeria have shared mutual bilateral relations over the years, Niger also currently hosts thousands of Nigeria's refugees and some of our diasporans, a sour relationship between us should hence be tactically avoided.

To surmise, instead of AU, ECOWAS, and President Tinubu fighting Niger or any other (West) African countries headed by coup plotters, they should rather attack the causes of these coups. Institutional coups have been going on for decades in Africa, and the two regional blocs have been silent on them. Many African Leaders have dubiously extended their stay in office, yet they've not been summoned or attacked by ECOWAS or the AU. Cameroonian President Paul Biya was "fraudulently re-elected" in 2018 for a seventh term and has been in office for over 38 years. Congo President, Denis Sassou Nguesso, was also re-elected recently and has spent over 35 years in office. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly "rigged" many elections and has held power since 1986. Thus, like Liberia President George Weah said, "We cannot condemn military coups when we do not condemn those who carry out institutional coups.". ECOWAS and AU should rather fix their double standards and not keep quiet against institutional coups because many of the decades-serving presidents are among them.

Enclosing this, ECOWAS and the AU should not only threaten coup plotters when other member nations are ruled by democratic presidents who do not respect court orders and the rule of law. Many of these countries, like Nigeria, have even stormed court sessions with police and DSS and disrupted court's sessions. Many of these countries have repeatedly infringed on human rights. And more saddening, many of these member nations are led are very corrupt leaders who have retrogressed their countries and caused their citizens great harm. Until AU and ECOWAS addressed these boiling concerns, their threats against coup plotters would continue to be futile - and God forbid - many coups would follow the current ones.



Yusuf Babatunde Yusuf is the CEO of Canada-based Mapleby Autos. Facebook: Yusuf Babatunde Yusuf

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Peter OBI: A Bullet Well-Dodged

Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan


Like a thief in the night, he appeared; moving about in black attire like a bereaved person whose loved one has just answered the heavenly call. Behind his comely exterior is a bigoted soul. A stoker of flame whose aim is setting Nigeria afire on the woof of tribal and religious differences. He would pretend to love Nigeria publicly at interviews where he slurs words, gives false information and statistics; but behind the scenes is a soul who jumped into the fray of the presidential election just to put Nigeria on her knees.

Successfully, he rode on the frustration-triggered and semi-emotional sentiments of gullible Nigerians who had seen him as a messiah - a messiah who lied that he used only one wristwatch and pair of shoes - a tactic used by you-know-who current leader who drove Nigeria amok. It was the eye-opening point for many of us to wake up to the gimmick of this Anambra man, for we had witnessed something similar and knew where it had landed us. This is another gun powder we shouldn't sit on, hence we took a turn.

A unifier he should be, who would unite a sundered country across tribes and religions, but Peter Obi turned out to be the behemoth of dicey religious bigotry. He would move from one church to the other, turning pulpits into campaign premises, while telling the Christains to "wake up and take back your country." Really? Has the country ever been taken from Christians? Is the Muslim-Muslim ticket the pretext on which the country would be taken from Christians? Are there not countless numbers of Christain-Christain tickets in the past and currently at state levels? The whole of the South East, South South, and South West are currently led by Christians; have the Muslims gathered and cried foul that the Muslims should take back their country? Even in the Muslim-dominated North, are there not Christian governors in Plateau, Benue, and Taraba? Are the Muslims unwise for their tolerance?

But when author Angelica Hope, in her evergreen book, Landscape of a Heart, listed nine prevailing signs of social climbers, the fourth, "gloves of bigotry" is secretly worn on the fingers of Peter Obi. He only takes them off when he's headed for public occasions and wears them when he's alone or amid his cronies in the church. His latest "Yes Daddy" leaked video with Bishop David Oyedepo where he described the 2023 election as "religious war" again had put a stamp of affirmation on the bigotry of a man who pretends to be a saint but is rather a modern seth.

The heart-wrenching audio - which authenticity has been confirmed by Kenneth Okonkwo, the spokesperson of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council and many fact-checking media houses with the aid of AI tools - is indeed a reason to be grateful for the loss of Peter Obi - a disgrace to the word TOLERANCE.

Tolerant Yorubas did not take the just-concluded election as a "tribal war" when they supported Peter Obi to victory in Lagos and gave him mammoth votes across other states. Northerners did not take it as "religious war" when they handed him victory in Nassarawa, Plateau, and oiled him with millions of votes across other Northern states. The excuses he would tell Northerners in 2027 should be a project he'd start thinking about, because, peradventure he has 200K votes in the North in the next election, that would mean the Ndi Igbos' population over there.

Sadly, religious bigotry has marked the end of the political career of a man who tickle Muslims in their front but taunt them behind - an hypocrite who the Czech writer, Milan Kundera, described as one "with one real face and several false ones". Like the day, it's now glaring that Peter Obi's political dream is insincere and perilous. Nigeria indeed dodged a big bullet that could have ripped her apart. May Peter Obi and his ilk never happen to Nigeria.

Hashim Yussuf tweets via: @LegalBard

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Obagreatdatoye:
A long read. I'm not sure seyi would return as gov.

Your opinion. You're entitled to one.

We'll have him re-elected.

Naira20:
Oga, try to shorten your stories. People don't have time to read a whole novel.

Three lines will suffice.

Election is tomorrow.

It's a sensitive topic and deserves to be detailed

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝘆𝗼 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘆, 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝘆𝗶 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲

𝘏𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘠𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘧 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘰, 𝘐𝘣𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘯


Amazing God. Unrivaled greatness is His, alone. Many a man, in history has tried to equate Him, but would end up getting sheathed in garment of disgrace. Look at the Egyptian Pharaoh, whose giant exterior and power fooled him to thinking he is God, his lifeless body remains a lesson to power-drunken men till end time. Look at Babel's Namrud, who even built a very high tower where he challenged God to a duel; only a tiny creature of God (insect) visited him and hung him by the nostrils on a journey of no return. Even the Uruk's Nebuchadnezzar II who extolled himself to the position of God, until he was driven insane, taken away, and humbled before men. The end of these men is what this writer does not wish for himself or the one reading this.
 
Beyond profanity, God shared a vital attribute of His with some of His creatures: His MAGICAL wand. His unmatched miracles that leave jaws-dropped and mouths-agaped. His mighty doings that pump hands in the air in hail of Dansaki re Ọlọhun (praise be yours, oh God). Islamic teachings taught me that these magical attributes are also bestowed on some of his special creatures, and not on random individuals. The Rosūl, messengers of God, were bestowed with Mu'jīzah (miraculous doings ascribed to prophets alone). The non-prophets, but who are very dear to God, had their own share of God's miraculous attributes: the Karamah, which Yoruba would nativise as "Karamon". So, when it's said to a Yoruba child, "Karamoh rẹ pọ" , originally, Yoruba people had only meant that the child has done an extraordinary thing, or did a little/insignificant thing in a very extraordinary way.
 
If Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has his name on the list of people who are very dear to God, is what no man can utter. For with only God, is the autonomy to say, "this creature is mine, he's very dear to me, reserved for him is a special place in my heaven/paradise" But a thought crept in me recently, and it's best expressed in texts. While many men are naturally revered and divinely blessed by God to perform miracles, some build themselves up to the taste of miraculous doings. The many miracles of Seyi Makinde across sectors in Oyo State have made my pen puke in my past writings. But now, the need to lay bare, what darkness signifies in the 'Islamophobic allegations' against Seyi, propelled this piece.
 
While it has become pertinent for me to bring to light the fact that, I'm neither of the APC or PDP, and have not and will not take a dime from any politician. The necessity of this clarification, is only to negate the suspicion that could arise as me being a fooled Muslim who would sell his religion cheap for crumbs from politicians. Unapologetically, I've always maintained my stance as a Muslim without fear or favour, but like author C. JoyBell C would posit, "silence in the face of injustice, is injustice in action".
 
That any Muslim would campaign against a hardworking governor, Seyi Makinde, on the basis of personal grudges or him being a Christian, at least, could be welcomed at a glance. Laying false accusations against him as a governor who jeopardizes the rights of Muslims or inflicts Muslims with injustice, betrays my conscience. Especially, when the man in question is one who has been hosting Ramadan lectures, Maulud Nabiyy, and sending Muslims to Hajj, even prior his ascension to the governorship seat. Politicians and their antics, right? Well, you could be right. It could be a game from a man who needs votes from both Muslims and Christians. But he did these things? Didn't he?
 
In 2019, Seyi ascended the throne as the 28th executive governor of Oyo state, with a Muslim deputy, Rauf Olaniyan. And after almost three years of their togetherness, the latter was impeached for reasons unknown to the public. While some alleged the impeachment was religiously-driven, others said it was based on political disagreements. The one which seems most correct to me is the latter, as Rauf Olaniyan would later defect to the APC and even head the Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council. Thence, Bayo Lawal was appointed a new deputy, and again, a fraction of the Muslim community said Bayo is a fake Muslim. Unknown Muslim, some called him. But Chairman of Oyo Muslim community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, would later attest to Bayo Lawal's authenticity as a Muslim, at the 2022 Hijrah Day Celebration, held at Liberty Stadium Ibadan. Another false accusation, defeated.
 
Seyi Makinde's alleged injustice against the Muslims in the selection of his appointees was a foiled gear which head was untruthfully drawn. And an honest and logical view would only portray things otherwise. Of Seyi's 22 cabinet members, Muslims and Christians share 11 seats equally. Even, the heads of statutory boards are mostly Muslims; like the Civil Service Commission headed by Alhaji Aderibigbe, OYSIEC headed by Barr Ishaq Olagunju among others. Only the Judiciary Service Commission by the CJ and Audit Commission were headed by Christians. Do I also add that of Seyi's personal assistants, 5 are Muslims, while 1 is a Christian? Of GSM's current 9 special advisers, 5 are Muslims and 4 are Christians. Commendably, out of 17 commissioners in the state, 10 are Muslims while 7 are Christians. While Seyi Makinde's made his Chief of Staff a Christian, his Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola is a Muslim. These are verifiable facts, please. As I would not sell my religion cheap for applause from anyone or crumbs from any politician.
 
While I will also not fail to add the fact that, of the current 33 LG chairmen in the state, 23 are Muslims, with some of them even having the chairman, deputy and even secretaries as Muslims. Is this, another Islamophobia agenda from Seyi? But they also accused him of demolishing the Adogba Mosque, as though necessity did not warrant the prophet demolishing "Masjidu Dirōr" during his reign. But look, they wouldn't add that he pleaded, lobbied, and even performed Jumat Prayer with Adogba Muslims just to be on the same page with them about the proposed demolition for an infrastructural project. In spite of the mosque's demolition, he built a far better mosque with gigantic features and additional buildings that weren't part of the previous one. Seyi was wrong to have had his name written on the Islamic Center part of the mosque, and no sooner had his attention called to the error, than he ordered its removal. If you could only accuse Seyi of demolishing Adogba Mosque (a better version of which he even rebuilt) but wouldn't talk of the Omituntun Mosque he built, the Ojaba Central Mosque and the Oja Bodija mosques he's currently refurbishing, or even the Olore Mosque/Rehab Centre he marked for demolition but wouldn't later demolish after getting his facts right, then you also reek of the hypocrisy you accuse him of.
 
While allegations of Muslim teachers answering Christian questions before they could get employment remain best known to Allah, I'll need to take pen off that. But it remains a clear fact that the Subeb chairman, Dr Nureni Adeniran is a Muslim, likewise, the commissioner for Education, Prof Daud Kehinde, is a Muslim too; and it would be out of logic that they sit and watch that happen. But again, they shot lasers at Seyi that Kolendar missionaries headed to secondary school across the state, distributing bibles and preaching the gospel. May I state unequivocally that missionaries coming to the state is as old as cowries. For, during my secondary days at Government Senior Secondary School, Orita Aperin Ibadan, missionaries came, shared bibles, one of which I also received. I guess Seyi was the governor then, too. But again, they fail to mention that when Islamic scholars visited Nigeria for seminars, Conferences and workshops, Prof. Wole Abbas, a brother to one of my favorite columnists, Alhaji Femi Abass of The Nation Newspaper, among other university scholars across the state would bear witness of the friendly reception Islamic scholars received from Engr Seyi Makinde.
 
Funnily enough, Seyi Makinde is not even as worse as Muslims like Raji Fashola who demolished mosques in Alausa and provoked the pro-Hijab policy in Lagos secondary schools as the then governor of the state, or the Lautech Professor Lawal Ajibade who sent a Munāqobah(veiled woman) out of his class mainly on the basis of her divine gown. Again, is Seyi as bad as shameless Islamic scholars like Labeeb, who would condemn veiling openly as a strange practice in Islam? But you hate Seyi. You only hate him because he's not a Muslim, while acting blind to the many good works he has executed across sectors in Oyo State and neglecting the fact that we're in a secular nation and Muslims can't be the only ones ruling. Or how about the message of Allah, that He would have made us all one but chose not to. And this, the scholars said, is part of what makes the world an interesting place to be.
 
The same aggrieved Muslims who of a sudden now endorse Teslim Folarin (a fruitless senator, celebrated lout, with no strong connections with Islam/Muslims in the past) for being a Muslim had suddenly dropped Waheed Adelabu Penkelemesi, which they endorsed in 2019, because he's no longer on the two big tickets. All of a sudden, accusations and allegations against Tessy are now overlooked and forgiven - even that his late wife, Angela, was a Christain, with his kids queuing behind the religion of their mother. The same aggrieved Muslims who condemned Makinde to hell are the same ones asking Muslims in Lagos State to vote for Sanwo Olu, a Christian, where there are Muslim candidates like AbulAzeez Jandor of the PDP. Do I even ask these angered Muslims why they wouldn't endorse a Muslim governorship aspirant like Tawfiq Akinwale, the Labour Party aspirant? A devout Muslim and long time MSSN brother with clear decimal of worship etched on his forehead and beards shrouding his face Oh. Are rich Muslims or Muslims with possibilities of winning our only brothers deserving of our supports?
 
If on any pedestal, anyone would accuse Seyi of having an Islamophobia agenda, it shouldn't be the same governor who hosted Muslim bodies across the state, and during which the chairman of the Muslim community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, requested on behalf of other Muslims that the governor remove Mrs. Oderinde as Permanent Secretary for Tescom as she's accused of being an Islamophobe. And immediately, the governor suspended her and had her replaced with Dr Bashir Olanrewaju. And as for the concerns about education secretaries in the state being in favour of Christians over Muslims, which is a flip of the coin to the side of the Christians this time, it behoves the angered ones to know that list of education secretaries are submitted via each local government, which the Subeb chairman ratifies, after which the Governor only approves what is submitted to him.
 
The allegations that three Muslim lawyers were denied promotion to judges until their deaths is what I can't exonerate Seyi Makinde of. While I seek more clarification on that, I will need to state that: while we lambast pastors who mount the pulpit to incite hatred against Islam, it behoves us to caution Islamic scholars who use the Mimbar for religious hatred or political canvassings. Seyi Makinde has done more than enough for Oyo state be voted out on the basis of differences in religion.
 
Thus, to surmise, when next Oyo Muslims hear "Seyi Makinde", they should say a prayer that Allah redirect his path and be his support as he occupies the Agodi Secretariat for another four remarkable years. For, Oyo people are not ingrates and would re-elect him, come Saturday.


Hashim Yussuf Amao tweets via: @LegalBard

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2023 Presidential Election And The Salient Message

Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan

En masse, broken Nigerians trooped out to exercise their franchise in the just-concluded presidential election. In previous elections, many of these voters would have preferred to recline on their couches while surfing through activities from polling units on their gadgets. Ruthfully, a badly-led Buhari administration had provoked their tears for the past 8 years, hence their massive turnout for this year's election.

In 2007, the voters' rate declined from 57.4% to 53.7 percent in 2011. In 2015, it made a further decimation as it reduced to 43.6% and later to 34.75 percent in 2019. However, the 2023 election had 87 million Nigerians stormed 176, 606 polling units to exercise their franchise, in an all-time high voting rate. What must have really triggered the sudden interest, if not the calamities that had befallen these voters under the inept administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
 
In the 2022 Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria ranked sixth; no thanks to Boko Haram, unknown gunmen, killer pastoralists, kidnappers, and other agents of doom that have continued to toil the peace of Nigeria. Pathetically, Nigeria is no longer sitting on a powder keg; it is now reclining on an atomic couch, while we hope it does not explode.

The 80 million citizens languishing in penury had made Nigeria the capital of world poverty, before India came to claim the inglorious award in March 2022, according to World Poverty Clock. Perhaps, the Austrian-British philosopher, Karl Popper, had the Buhari regime in mind when he said, “Those who promised us paradise on earth never produced anything but a hell”.
 
The anti-corruption crusade of the "Sai baba" administration was a fictitious one, which has even blighted the administration. From the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal’s ‘over N500 million’ grass-cutting scandal, to the N47bn in fraudulent contracts awarded by the former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Nsima Ekere, to the N80bn fraud of the suspended Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, and many others; the Buhari-led administration has only been a regrettable mistake made by gullible Nigerians.
 
Disregard for the rule of law, and anti human policies have been on the increase in the last eight years. The audacity of of the president to exhibit his clear contempt for verdicts of the (apex) court in the land is one that sends sadness down one's spine. From the scarcity of Naira, to scarcity of fuel, Nigerians have really endured wrenching frustrations.
 
With the massive turnout for the 2023 election where Nigerians choose between three main candidates: Bola Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Nigerians are fully awakened to the fact that prayers alone can't solve the many problems bedeviling the nation, but rather, political participation and the choice of capable candidates.
 
Even in the face of political narcissism, intimidation, and inconveniences, Nigerians now defy odds to troop out en masse and vote their preferred candidates; that even a woman who, despite being attacked by thugs with blood oozing out from her face, returned to the polling unit to cast her vote. An awe-inspiring action and salient message have been passed: Nigerians are fully ready to rescue Nigeria and rewrite her gory story. Kudos to every Nigerian who trooped out to partake in the just-concluded presidential election, indeed, they're deserving of every commendation they could get. Ours is Nigeria, and may it never falter.

 
Hashim Yussuf Amao tweets via: @LegalBard


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SHINJA:


Tell that Yoruba muslim...

Lol. Unlike you, I'm not a tribal/religion bigot. I just can hinder some truths. Check my profile, my last write-up here was in support of Peter Obi. I'm not a hungry writer. Everything I write is from my heart and not stomach. Peace.

You crooned only Tinubu's help from the piece.

How about his enviable achievements and track records in politics. Does any Nigerian politician comes close to him?

Relegate emotions/tribal sentiments and answer me.

Like Lil Wayne, like Tinubu.

Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan
 

Welcome to Nigeria. Emotional folks and "God's representatives" will attend to you shortly. But before they do, let me tell you a little about them. Look, they are sinners. Hypocritical sinners who cast aspersions on fellow sinners. Reason: the latter sin a different way. They publicly feign innocence to corruption and bad acts, but behind their charming exteriors are bitter, corrupt souls. My dear, I do not mean to unclad them; I do not even mean to cut them with an unfriendly tongue, for I am one of them. I only want you to have an idea of their hypocritical selves.
 
Well, good appearance is not only worn by bad people. I know decent souls who also appear in decent robes. But do not fall for the gimmicks. Millions of Nigerians only appear decent, they're shining chameleons - green snakes under green grasses. The same chameleons that would besmirch a man like Lil Wayne for his raggedy looks, in a "judging a book by its cover" syndrome, while turning blind to their individual shortcomings.
 
Draped in raggedy clothes and tattoos, no position do I hold to justify Lil Wayne's tattered appearance, but away from emotions and haphazard judgments, I only see Lil Wayne as a brilliant book with a wack cover, whose beauty may be visible only to the few who refused to be disgorged by sheer sentiments, but embraced an open mind to the amazing personality of this virtuoso. His powerful lyrics that serenade the heart. The pro black, pro Africa, and pro human songs he brilliantly croon. The many humanitarian acts he engages in. Matter-of-factly, I've lost count of how many artistes and people who have applauded his moral and financial impacts in their lives and those of their families.
 
Drake, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, Mack Maine, Omarion and many others were nobody until Lil Wayne rendered them a helping hand and shot them to the global spotlight with his record label, Young Money Entertainment. These men and women wouldn't stop singing the praises of Lil Wayne, a man who has helped them in the darkest moments of their lives and helped them discover their essence in life.
 
Celebrating Lil Wayne's 38th birthday, Drake wrote on his IG with a GOAT emoji, "More life to the man that gave me everything I have!!! My GOAT...". Nicki Minaj would later follow suit while celebrating Lil Wayne's 39th birthday. The queen of 'Barbies' shared a throwback picture of herself and Lil Wayne on IG with the caption, "The first pic i ever took with the man who changed my life. Happy birthday to my everything @liltunechi".
 
Rapper Future, NBA Young, 2 Chainz, Wyclef Jean, Max Kellerman and many other artistes would also not cease to tell the world, the many helps Lil Wayne had rendered to them. This is highly commendable of Lil Wayne, a man with a raggedy look, but who has chosen not to grow alone but help others grow. So laudable of Mr Carter, a man who has raised many successful men and women and spent heavy sums to beam smiles on people from far and near, pay for hospital bills, help people start businesses, and execute amazing projects in New Orleans for the benefits of his people. Unlike many of his critics, who couldn't point to a single soul they have raised in life or amazing projects they have executed for humanity, but would be quick to launch an ad hominem at Lil Wayne for his raggedy look.
 
Three days ago, while surfing through Instagram, I checked Drake's IG story in a hope of seeing his reaction to his latest Grammy Award success with singers Future and Nigerian superstar Tems. Surprisingly, I found Lil Wayne's picture as his IG profile picture (which still remains the same as I type this), another message of gratitude to a man who helped him find his way in life. Even President Donald Trump had to relegate sentiments to grant this noble man a last-minute presidential pardon as he bowed out of the White House in 2020.
 
Like Lil Wayne, like Tinubu. Two definers of men makers. The latter - aside his track records and enviable achievements in the leadership and political terrains - has helped many men find their essence in life. Men, who today, hold great positions. Across genders, tribes, or beliefs, Tinubu has made Governors, Senators, Reps, Ministers, Commissioners, notable individuals. He even elevated a vice president, who, because of political games, edited Tinubu off his success story, in a syndrome of what columnist Sam Omatseye referenced in his column, 'The king's meat', as "The fear of gratitude... I can’t acknowledge those who made me a success because it will diminish my stature and accomplishments." But it remains a shining truth that Tinubu elevated him and many other kingsmen, billionaires, and progressive individuals.
 
More interesting is the fact that Tinubu would help people from far and near, pay for hospital bills, start businesses for people, renew the hopes of many individuals, and yet keep mum about the help he had rendered. This exceptional man belongs to the second category of charitable individuals, whom author Charles Dickens described in his evergreen book, Bleak House, as 'the people who did a great deal and made no noise at all. The brilliant author wrote, "There are two classes of charitable people: one, the people who did a little and made a great deal of noise; the other, the people who did a great deal and made no noise at all.".
 
In a world where many successful people chose to be selfish about their successes, in a syndrome of what Yoruba people would call "Bamu bamu ni moyo, mi o mọn pe ebi npa ọmọ ẹni kan" (My belly is filled to the brim, thus I care not about others who starve), people like Lil Wayne and Tinubu deserve every praise they could get for their rare aura. That they find it uncomfortable to revel in amazing luxury while others languish in agonizing penury, Lil Wayne and Tinubu's charitable attitude is what the world should take a cue from, for if they do, the world would be a better place for all to live and thrive. May posterity be kind to Lil Wayne, Tinubu and everyone who contributes meaningful quota to humanity and the growth of other people.


Hashim Yussuf Amao tweets via: @LegalBard

cc: lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

Lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

https://dailytrust.com/regardless-cut-peter-obi-some-slacks/

https://businessday.ng/opinion/article/regardless-cut-peter-obi-some-slack/

Regardless, Cut Peter Obi Some Slacks

Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan

His victory, his loss—none would diminish him or strip him off his previous achievements. He is made, set indelible records, and etched his name in the historical folklore of Nigerian politics. In Peter Obi, many hopes are currently stashed. Supports that cut across tribes and religions. Groups among the Igbos, Afenifere among the Yorubas, Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development (CNEEPD) among the Northerners are attestation to the belief in a budding Nigerian 001 - if fate would beam a smile on him in the coming election, or ones to come.
 
In spite of disparaging political views, Obi has electrified Nigerian youths, gave them a new, reverberating voice. For his acclaimed honesty, he paid with impeachment as the then Anambra state governor. His sin: he wouldn't inflate the state budget and contracts. But he reclaimed his mandate, and posterity reinstated him on the governorship seat. Like other Nigerian politicians, he's not perfect; but across sectors, he has executed laudable projects at Anambra State.
 
Education wise, Anambra was 24th on the national log, he spurred the state's education to number 1. And just when other governors were leaving debts, Obi claimed he left $500m in Anambra coffers as investments. True or false, the courage to declare credit, when your ilks declare debits is worthy of applause. The Debt Management Organization (DMO) would later put a stamp of affirmation on him as "least corrupt". That EFCC has not taken axes after him till date, is another reason to commend him. If there really is a financial mess at his feet, this time wouldn't have been fair with him. Researches affirm his good works across many sectors, too.
 
Hundreds of thousands of Nigerian youths, who in the past, must pitch their political tents with either the ruling party or the second most influential party, suddenly rallied round the Anambra man and a party with far less influence, resources, and even structures. Reason: the increasing plights of Nigeria have become unbearable for them.
 
Being at the receiving end of daily and unending aspersions and yet growing wider audience, Obi has only grown abuse absorbers and remained focused on his goal: getting to the helm of Nigeria affairs. A perfect human or politician exists nowhere in the world, and a fractional part of Nigerians may continue to take cutting tongues after Obi, Pandora's papers might have bared his feet of clay, he may be tagged "word-slurrer", "a joker without structure or huge resources", but for being a hope to many Nigerians and youths across tribes and religions, for igniting the political interest of many Nigerians who in the past would rather sleep at home on election days than vote, Peter Obi deserves some accolades. Regardless of differences in political views and affiliations, cut Peter Obi some slacks.

Hashim Yussuf Amao
Twitter: @LegalBard

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/01/02/almajiri-children-nigerias-ticking-bomb/

https://saharareporters.com/2022/12/30/almajiri-children-nigerias-ticking-bomb-hashim-yussuf-amao

https://businessday.ng/amp/opinion/article/almajiri-children-nigerias-ticking-bomb/

https://reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/component/k2/opinion-almajiri-children-nigeria-s-ticking-bomb-hashim-yussuf-amao



Lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2, kindly move this to FP

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/01/02/almajiri-children-nigerias-ticking-bomb/

https://saharareporters.com/2022/12/30/almajiri-children-nigerias-ticking-bomb-hashim-yussuf-amao

https://businessday.ng/amp/opinion/article/almajiri-children-nigerias-ticking-bomb/

https://reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/component/k2/opinion-almajiri-children-nigeria-s-ticking-bomb-hashim-yussuf-amao



Lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

Lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

https://thenationonlineng.net/nigerian-youths-need-for-mentorship/

Almajiri Children: Nigeria's Ticking Bomb

Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan


Bedeviled, unkempt, and hunger-stricken; so dispiriting it is to see innocent children unleased on the streets of Northern Nigeria to beg around for food, when they should be in school learning towards securing a better future.

Coined from “Al Muhajirun" which translates “an emigrant”, Almajiri simply denotes a seeker of knowledge who migrates from his home to an Arabic school or to a teacher "Mallam". The archaic Al Majiri practice, without doubt, has birthed more bad than good, especially in the 21st century, where seeking knowledge has advanced with the aid of reforms and technology.
 
The Almajiri system could have yielded good results in the past, but today, it's only a system responsible for 14 million out-of-school children, according to a report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Beyond the statistics and outpours, the Almajiri children pose great threats to the security architecture of Nigeria, as bandits, kidnappers, and Boko Haram exploit them with trifling lucre and get recruits from them - no thanks poverty and their illiteracy.
 
While many concerned Nigerians have raised a dissenting voice against the perilous web over the years, it has rather become worrisome that the practice has only continued to cast an ominous pall on the development of Nigeria. Sanusi Lamido's condemnations and those of many Northern elders are commendable, but have had little impact on combating the menace. More laudable is the action of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who in 2020, facilitated a meeting with 19 Northern governors towards combating the Almajiri system and avoiding inter-state movements of the Almajiri children. Dr Abdullahi Ganduje's implementation of free and compulsory primary and secondary school education in Kano, to curtail the Almajirai is also deserving of applause. But beyond these words and actions, the Almajiri system is a stoppable drive, effective strategies and solutions are only required to be put in place.
 
There is no denying that the (Almajiri) parents, who are the first agents of socialization, have failed these kids; thus, the real sensitization needs to start with them. There is a need for timely sensitization for these parents on the dangers of kids who are left uncatered for, as well as the need for them to stop seeing childbirth as competition or something just to brag about; while serious sanctions should be meted out to parents whose kids roam about the streets while they should be in school.
 
Through official and unofficial means, Mallams, who are the teachers of the Almajiri kids, have been reported to benefit from the proceeds of begging from these children. They Mallams need to be sensitized on the need for the Almajiri kids to go for, not only Islamic education, but Western education as well. Through that, these children will have a balanced view of life and won't see things from just one direction. The Mallams need to know that illiteracy is not a practice of Islam, as Muslim countries around the world have high literacy rates. An instance is Saudi Arabia, which had an illiteracy rate of 60% in 1972, and in 2018 already had an illiteracy rate of 5.6% in 2018. Likewise, Qatar, which in 2016, had a literacy rate of 97.26% among citizens between age 15 and 25 years.
 
The society has a lion's share of the responsibilities towards tackling the menace of the Almajirai, as well. There's a need for more voluntary organizations like Act 4 Almajiri Child, PeaceWay Youth Initiative (where this writer had volunteered) and many others, to be at the forefront of struggles against the Almajiri system. As well, there is a need for full implementation of the Child rights act, like the Child Rights Act 2003 which states in Section 15(1) that “Every child has the right to free, compulsory, and universal basic education, and it shall be the duty of the government in Nigeria to provide such education.” Also, there's a need for stiff punishment against offenders of the Child right acts and parents whose kids roam about the streets during school hours.
 
The government at the state and federal levels as well need to hearken to their responsibilities of making schooling an enabling environment. In 2020, there were torrents of reports of students who were kidnapped right inside their schools, like the Kankara, Jangebe and Dapchi schools. While we seek to have children attend school, it behoves the government to secure these schools and make them attractive to children. Also, a reasonable percentage of the budget - for instance the Federal Ministry of Education’s recommendation that states should allot at least 15% of their budgets to education - should be channeled towards education both at the state and federal levels, that way, much attention and developments would be channeled towards the schooling atmosphere. Chapter 2, Section 18 of the Constitution also emphasize the need for the government to eradicate illiteracy and make provisions for free, compulsory, and universal primary education, as well as free secondary and university education.
 
God forbid, but until there is total scrapping of the Almajiri system, banditry, kidnappings, thuggery, and the like will likely continue to ravage Nigeria, especially the northern parts. Almajiri is Nigeria's ticking bomb, the best time to eradicate it was decades ago, the second best time is now.


Hashim Yussuf Amao
Twitter: @LegalBard


cc: lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

Nigerian Youths And The Need For Mentors

Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan


Years beyond recall, the advice and guidance that come with mentorship have always helped shape the lives of young people positively. Across academic, personal, spiritual, and professional lives, the rising need for youths to have mentors is deserving of attention. Unfortunately, many young Nigerians seem unconcerned about finding themselves worthy mentors, which has made many of them derail from good paths and ruined their chances of success in life.

At crucial stages of life when a single mistake - if taken wrongly - can make any young person slip off track, a mentor's wise counsel on a wide range of topics from career choices to behavioral decisions to self-development, can help a confused youth rearrange his thoughts, renew his confidence, and get him back on track.

This need has aroused the curiosity of many concerned Nigerians, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who, at the recent graduation of the first 74 trainees of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, asserted, "I have always said the lack or failure of leaders to mentor the young ones is the bane of society....". It only remains to be hoped that more programs like the LMI, which will sensitize the youths on the need to have mentors, will follow suit, as this would be of great help to the lives of Nigerian youths and the nation at large.

With the aid of worthy mentors, young and inexperienced Nigerian youths would navigate through the challenges of young adulthood and adolescence easily by taking ideas from older mentors who are more experienced and have walked through some stages of life - while they also open doors of opportunities, internships, valuable networking, and connections to these youths.

At a time when atrocities like kidnapping, drug abuse, thuggery, and banditry are mostly perpetrated by youths, it has become pertinent to advise Nigerian youths to seek valuable mentorship from worthy mentors, as this will not only help combat these atrocities, but also better their individual lives.


Hashim Yussuf Amao
Twitter: @LegalBard


cc: lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

https://businessday.ng/amp/opinion/article/between-japa-and-self-assessment/

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/between-japa-and-self-assessment/?amp

Lalasticlala mynd44 seun fynestboi ishilove Oam4j Sissie mukina2

Kindly push this to FP