Turning off the news anchor mid-broadcast left me in a state of profound dismay. The pride I once held for my country, Nigeria, was now tainted by the crumbling foundation of our beloved nation, laid bare for all to witness. In a world governed by order and control, the concept of ungovernable spaces may seem paradoxical. However, these spaces, whether physical or virtual, challenge traditional systems of authority, providing fertile ground for alternative modes of existence and resistance to take root. Hailing from the North-central region, I’ve witnessed the rise of activities and crimes perpetrated by militias or unknown gunmen,…
Author: Sumayya Abubakar
“No one escapes pain, fear, and suffering. Yet from pain can come wisdom, from fear can come courage, from suffering can come strength – if we have the virtue of resilience.” For the past month, I find it had to use my digital device due to the horror I witnessed by the contents, the dead’s of children, of women and men, the destruction of densely populated buildings, how they still smile and laugh, I couldn’t define that resilience, though I was grew up in a conflict environment, I still couldn’t understand the depth of their resilience and patience, a lot…
In the quiet of my room after a long day, I yearned for a peaceful night’s sleep. However, destiny had other plans, as the piercing scream from my neighbor’s house shattered the tranquility of the night. It was 12:15 a.m., and I rushed outside to join the gathering crowd, all bewildered by the unfolding tragedy. The young man in the neighboring house had fallen victim to an unknown assailant’s murderous act. Days passed, and the echoes of screams persisted. Another young life was extinguished by faceless perpetrators. It left me pondering – were these lives lost over mere phones and…
As I found myself nestled amidst the vibrant energy of the canteen, a chorus of conversations swirled around the recent political upheaval in Niger Republic. Seeking refuge from this ubiquitous topic, I discreetly reached for my phone, hoping for a digital escape. To my bemusement, the virtual realm echoed the real world, forcing me to ponder the role of ECOWAS in navigating such intricate conflicts. A contemplative mood enveloped me, setting the stage for an enlightening conversation with Mallam later tonight. A Quest for Peace: The ECOWAS Odyssey Born from the ashes of the 1975 Lagos Treaty, the Economic Community…
Plateau state is located in the north central and has an estimation of about three million people and is named after the Jos Plateau, a mountainous area in the north of the state with rock formation, with a lovely climate and cool weather. It is also the twelfth largest state in Nigeria. Plateau State has had its fair share of conflict since 1994 to date the past government went as far as establishing the Plateau Peace Building Agency and one of its cardinal mandates is to promote the culture of Peace and harmonious co-existence among the diverse ethno-religious groups in…
As I perused the digital realm on my handheld device, I stumbled upon a plethora of scandalous revelations concerning our nation’s public officials. It became glaringly evident that these individuals have not only looted the wealth of our country but continue to perpetuate its impoverishment, all the while basking brazenly in the public eye. I couldn’t help but wonder if the citizens of our nation truly comprehend the magnitude of the pilfering inflicted upon us by these corrupt figures. Compelled by this disheartening realization, I instinctively sought solace in the presence of Mallam, a man of deep insight and discernment.…
While sitting in the office reception, we engaged in a discussion about the conflict in Sudan when Aysha suddenly asked about the educational disparities between the Northern and Southern parts of the country. Curious, I inquired about the reason behind her question, and she mentioned the controversy surrounding it on social media. I smiled affectionately in response. Education in Northern Nigeria holds significant importance and has undergone various transformations throughout history. The region has a rich educational heritage deeply rooted in Islamic traditions and the quest for knowledge. Islamic education has been a cornerstone of learning in Northern Nigeria for…
I was abruptly awakened from my sleep by the ringing of my phone. Curious as to who could be calling at such an hour, I initially ignored it and tried to go back to sleep. However, I was soon jolted awake again by another noise. Grudgingly, I picked up the phone and was surprised to hear Aysha’s voice on the other end, excitedly informing me that she had won “taci zabe”. I was unsure who or what she was referring to, and asked for clarification. Aysha confirmed that it was indeed Binani, which left me surprised considering the norms and…
It was lunch time at work, the norm is as we eat, we gossip about anything under the sun, Shitnaan a colleague of mine was telling a story of her niece, they were to be speaking English language in the house but her niece always speaks Hausa language, so her aunt scolded her saying; “sai hausa kamar wata bahaushiya” and the girl was cried saying she isn’t a” beggar”. To the six-year-old Bahaushiyya means a beggar, we all laughed over it, but it stuck to my heart. I was eager to go home and discuss with Mallam about this social…
Cats, also known as domestic cats, are small carnivorous mammals that have been domesticated by humans for thousands of years. They are popular as pets all around the world due to their playful, affectionate, and independent nature. They are known for their agility, grace, and sharp senses, particularly their excellent night vision and hearing. Cats are also valued for their ability to catch and kill rodents, which has earned them a place as working animals in many societies. There are various breeds of cats with different physical and behavioral characteristics, but all cats share common traits such as their love…
The Election Morning As early as 7:02am on the 25th of February 2023, I walked down my community to observe how people were exercising their franchise, upon arrival at polling unit PU030, I noticed a small crowd of people waiting for the INEC officials to arrive, they were coordinating themselves and even sharing number according to who arrived first. The men were forming different groups, as the patient wait began. As I looked at their faces I saw a mixed reaction, a feeling of sadness as well as calmness, they are living in an illusion of change, they believe and…
Life was getting out of my hands Times were flying, as seasons kept coming and going, I finished my Quranic memorization at age 14 while still in JSS3, and I now have a class of my own teaching the minors. One night during our night conversation over suya; Mallam asked, “Sumayya, who do you think is a Muslim?” I was stunned, of all the questions why would Mallam ask this simple question and I gladly answered, a Muslim is someone who prays (5) times a day, fast during the month of Ramadan, gives out zakat and performs hajj if he…
