Author: Justine John Dyikuk

The current theatre of war in the North-East and its seeming crescendo occurred when suspected Boko Haram fighters murdered in cold blood over 100 unsuspecting rice farmers in Koshobe and Zabarmari communities of Borno State. The militants alleged that they carried out the attacks in retribution for farmers cooperating with the Nigerian military. In Zamfara andKatsina States, armed bandits now collect harvest fees before allowing farmers access their farmlands – A potential danger for food security. Recently, Ekiti State Governor KayodeFayemi who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) disclosed that some fleeing Boko Haram insurgents have…

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The Executive Arm of Government in Nigeria has allegedly consistently violated the fundamental rights of the citizenry “as guaranteed under section 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.” Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, cases of Human Rights’ abuses are alarming. Little wonder, the US government accused the administration in Nigeria especially security agencies for widespread use of torture during prosecution although the law of the land forbids it. The detention of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) in disregard of four court injunctions is worth recalling. Even the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights…

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The popular saying, “when a dog bites a man it is no news but when a man bites a dog it makes headlines” seems to have found expression in Nigeria’s recent desire to romance with Niger Republic. Many Nigerians were taken aback when the news filtered the airwaves that the Federal Government intends to construct a standard-gauge railway system to connect that country. While speaking recently at the opening of the maiden edition of the International Association of Port and Harbours, IAPH, Africa Regional Conference, organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi disclosed that…

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Today, we swim in a sexualized world that is saturated with the murky waters of celebrating the mundane. There is an increasing commodification and commercialization of sexuality. In the world of business, commerce and industry, capitalist moguls are employing sexualized ads (advertisement) to lure unsuspecting members of the public. Most adverts are now laced with a half-naked woman who is literally used to entice customers to buy these products. Even when the product that is advertised has no relationship with a nude Lady, advertisers conscript such alluring concepts to cajole customers to patronize their products. Interestingly too, media outfits are…

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Recently #SecureNorth has been trending on various social media platforms to demand securing a region that has been ravaged by activities of armed bandits who have operated without consequences. According to reports making the round across the country, armed bandits in some Northern parts of the country like Katsina and Zamfara communities are demanding for “harvest fees” from farmers to allow them access their farms. It is also alleged that at the beginning of the planting season, the bandits also collected monies from local farmers before allowing them to go to their farms. It is gathered that they collect as…

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#EndSARS with its slogan of Soro Soke, a Yoruba phrase which literally translates as “Speak louder” has opened up new vistas for political communication in Nigeria. Figuratively, Soro Soke means “Don’t be silent” or “Don’t sit on the fence.” During the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria especially those that took place in Lagos, young protesters were shouting “Speak louder!” to press home demands for putting an end to all forms of police brutality in Nigeria. The slogan has now become a loud anthem for an erstwhile docile populace which had lost its voice no thanks to the impunity of the ruthless…

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Our local press is replete with news of cities across Nigeria which have fallen under siege by those described by the media as looters and hoodlums. In an unceremonious manner, what initially started as peaceful #EndSARS protests took a dramatic turn. Many commentators have blamed the chaotic situation on government’s inability to engage the youths in dialogue in the first instance as well as the alleged shooting of the peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate, Lagos by suspected military personnel on 20 October 2020. While the looting and destruction of lives and property is condemnable in its totality, it is crucial to…

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Does disturbing images of the alleged shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate area of Lagos State on 20 October 2020 plus those of our stained national flag not suggest that we are living in rivers of blood? Well, rivers of blood is a metaphor for the general state of insecurity, impunity and bad governance in the country. In his article titled “Politics and ‘blood-letting’ industry” which featured in The Guardian on 24 June 2020, Matthew Agboma Ozah aptly described the situation in our country thus: “At the moment, Nigerians are wrenched apart by pockets of crisis…

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Nigerians woke up to gory amateur videos of the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate, Lagos which occurred yesterday. What disturbing is that while the youth held the national flag and chanted the national anthem as a symbol of their patriotism to their fatherland, the shooting spree continued under the cover of the dark, when CCTV cameras had allegedly been removed. The photo of our national flag, stained with the blood of the young martyrs trending various social media handles captures the sober mood of the nation. While it will go down in history that a lioness…

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For many young people especially Catholics around the world, Blessed Carlo Acutis (3 May 1991–12 October 2006) has broken the Internet to become an irresistible sensation. Being the first venerable to appear in jeans, a sweater and sneakers and be considered for Sainthood, Acutis comes across as a teenager who was not only media savvy but morally and spiritually up to date at a time that the Internet has been polluted with all things mundane. Written in the language of digital culture, the life and times of this young Italian constitute a social gospel for millennials.  This enigmatic personality was…

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India has a population that it is seven times bigger than Nigeria yet the former which shares the same colonial ancestry with the latter appears to be a happy twin sister. This is because Nigeria has overtaken India as World Poverty Capital, World Open Defecation Capital, World Capital of under-five deaths and Third World Most Terrorized Country. While the speed with which Nigeria’s Dreamliner seems to fly ahead of India’s jet is amazing, there is much ado about government’s insensitivity about our warp image. Any nation that does not care about its perception in the eyes of the international community…

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The celebration of Nigeria’s 60th Independence calls for sober reflection on how the rule of law has fared in our polity since May 29, 1999. In every democracy, meaningful development is not possible without citizenship participation. “Democracy” comes from the Greek word “Demos” which means, people, and “Cracy” which stands for rule or government. Put together, democracy literally means, “The rule of the people.” It ensures protection of lives and property, adherence to the rule of law, provision of social amenities, ensuring freedom of speech, press and religion of one’s choice and human-capacity building.  Despite this lofty position, scholars like…

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This writer’s knowledge of Miyetti Allah has simply been that of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association (MACBAN). Will his perception change? Well, kindly read on to find out. For want of clarity, MACBAN is a loosely partisan advocacy group which promotes the welfare of Fulani pastoralists in Nigeria. Headquartered in Kaduna, the organisation was founded in the early 1970s but became operational in 1979. However, it was not until 1987 that the socio-cultural association which represents the interests of almost 100,000 semi-nomads and nomads in Nigeria, gained wider acceptance as an advocacy group across the country. In the 1970s membership was drawn from…

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The cheering news of Bordo women in Jahun Local Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa State who contributed N1000 each to purchase a vehicle to the tune of N1 million for the purpose of conveying pregnant women in that locality to the nearest clinic which is about 29 kilometres has demonstrated that there good Nigerians whose milk of kindness we can all relish. The current health crisis with the many woes associated with it plus human catastrophes such as commercial kidnapping, armed banditry and Boko Haram insurgency have made the Nigerian narrative a sad one. This is in addition to hunger…

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In our backyard, African and African American Entrepreneurs have come together to give back to the society through building a new city in Ghana. Revealing the aim of the project, a shareholder and board member, Kofi Anku described the Ayi Mensah Park initiative as a Corporate Social Responsibility. He further disclosed that although he was born in Ohio, USA to Ghanaian parents, the decision to build a vibrant 200-unit townhouse community located at the foot of Aburi Hills, Accra, Ghana was primarily to connect the two worlds. Anku also noted that his family which has invested in real estate as…

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The intractable conflict between Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups in Wukari, Donga, Takum, Bali and some parts of Gasol (Dan Anacha) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Taraba State and other neighbouring LGAs in Benue State fall within the larger picture of the activities of armed bandits, kidnappers, header/farmer conflicts, communal conflicts between rival ethnic groups and insurgency. The large scale pig-headed insecurity in Taraba has left over 10 thousand people dead with more than 200,000 people displaced (ACCORD/UNHCR, 2002). This has resulted in the breakdown of law and order leading to absence of government services, human rights abuses, disruption of economic…

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The Signing into Law of the Companies and Allied Matters Bill 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 7 has been greeted with apprehensions by various segments of society. The Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) which was passed by the National Assembly replaces the 1990 CAMA. In part, sections 839(1) and (2) of new the law empowers the supervising Minister “to suspend trustees of an association [Church or NGO] and appoint the interim managers to manage the affairs of the association for some given reasons.” The Law also empowers the Registrar of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Supervising…

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At a precarious time when the activities of suspected herdsmen have brought about suspicion and acrimony in various communities across the country, a Catholic priest has defied circumstances by making a historic visit to a Fulani settlement near Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State. Rev. Fr. Isaac Iwar, VC who spoke to Bauchi Caritas after sharing the sensational photos of the visit on social media disclosed that he was actually returning from St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tafare where he officiated at the funeral mass of Mr. Joshua Ajiya Danlami when he dashed in to greet members of the Fulani community. He further…

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Espionage which involves intelligence gathering has implications for every nascent democracy. Experts have opined that effective and efficient espionage has the capacity to quench the fiery challenges of national security to secure a nation’s sovereignty. This shows that any breach of intelligence could truncate a nation’s internal and external security. The intractable insecurity in our country today calls for sober reflection about intelligence gathering and national security. Despite the gallant efforts of our security agencies, the insecurity in the country which ranges from the unwholesome activities of Boko Haram, suspected killer herdsmen, to commercial kidnapping and armed banditry have continued…

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Recently, Nigerians woke up to a new normal that would define the future of freedom of expression and inability to hold those in government accountable. The news that the Federal Government has increased the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to N5 million in the amended National Broadcasting Code (NBC) to deter prospective violators of national peace and cohesion took many by surprise. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the explanation on Friday 7 August 2020 when he featured on a TVC live Programme, “This Morning” disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the increase…

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Everywhere around the world, governance is a pretty serious business. In civilized and developed climes, governance has walked past provision of social amenities.  This is because, in advanced parts of the world like the United States of America and the United Kingdom where the democratic experiment is over hundred years, while maintaining public institutions is key, they are contending with freedom of speech and citizens’ rights.  Conversely, in developing countries like Nigeria, we appear to be stuck in the era of celebrating the provision of basic social amenities as the so-called dividends of democracy.     What is germane to…

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The untimely death of Flying Officer Tolulope (1995-2020), Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot has once more brought to the fore the Hobbesian dictum that life is “nasty, brutish and short.” The Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu was said to have recently completed her Promotion Examinations and was attached to the Air Component of Operation Gama Aiki, Minna. Tolulope was in Kaduna waiting for deployment when she met her untimely death on July 14 as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base…

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That Nigeria has unfortunately been branded as the World’s Poverty Capital reveals how the country is divided majorly into the world(s) of the rich and the poor. “About half of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty.” This disclosure by John Campbell in a piece entitled “Nigeria’s ‘Emerging Middle Class’ Is Leaving” published in Council for Foreign Relations on June 21, 2019, further emphasizes that that number is more than any other country in the world. Unlike other developed climes where there is a corresponding ratio of both rich and middle-class citizens except for a few poor people, in Nigeria, only…

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1. Recently, the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan woke the world to the news that Hagia Sophia, the world’s largest “Cathedral” would be reverted into a Mosque. The breaking news which is still a developing story soon received backlash from across the globe given the historic value of the structure in political and religious terms. Once more, Erdogan’s pronouncement has stirred up nostalgic feelings in Christians of yesteryears who recall how their forebears regrettably fought the crusades to “win” the faith. Undoubtedly, any debate around an epic edifice like Hagia Sophia is capable of igniting tensions given the strain-relations that…

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Continued from yesterday… Although the UN claims to spend close to $8bn (£6.5bn) every year on peacekeeping mission around the world with the bulk going to missions in Africa, a 2017 report by a Geneva-based research group Small Arms Survey accused its mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) for lacking neutrality by giving arms to rebels in the town of Bentiu in 2013. A damning internal investigation found that its peacekeeping mission in Juba failed “to protect civilians under threat of physical violence – with specific protection for women and children.” In the northern part of Central African Republic (CAR), the…

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Since January 2020, the United Nations (UN) began celebrating the 75th anniversary of its existence. Founded in 1945, the organisation has held its high in upholding human rights, canvassing for education for all, ensuring socio-political and economic equalities and initiating dialogues at all levels towards creating a more human and humane society. What is more, “The world needs solidarity” campaign by the body with the hashtag #UN75 underscores the importance it places on global solidarity. This piece aims at critically evaluating its activities to juxtapose its strides and challenges in entrenching global peace with particular reference to Africa.    In the area…

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While in Secondary School (Minor Seminary), the authorities ensued that the exact number of meat was provided for students during meals. If there were 10 students on a table and 1 person cornered two pieces of meat, it meant that 1 person would miss out on this “precious protein.” It was the same thing with mangoes and oranges. It was the responsibility of the Kitchen Perfect to ensure that each student got what was his due. If there were extras, it was announced and those who were interested would indicate. That way, energy is saved even as equity and fairness…

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In matters that concern Religion and Philosophy, scholars have always leaned on the timeless remarks of John Mbiti’s African Religions and Philosophy (1969:1) that: “The African is notoriously religious” to argue that there is a religious signature on African cultures and peoples. The demographics of the key faith groups in Nigeria prove the point. For example, a 2019 report released by Pew Research Center in 2015 estimated the population of Muslims in Nigeria as 50% while that of Christians at about 48.1%. In another 2019 report from The World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Muslim population was put at 51.6% while that of Christians…

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In one of my columns “Labels as Instruments of War”: A Post-COVID-19 Consideration,” I made reference to Prof. Ali Mazrui’s seminal thesis, The Triple Heritage – a film series premiered on BBC in 1986. Mazrui’s work set out to challenge the negative effects of Europeanization on African values and thought patterns: “In that documentary project, the Kenyan-born academic who had a stint in the University of Jos, Nigeria fingered three major influences namely an indigenous heritage borne out of time and climate change, the heritage of Eurocentric capitalism forced on Africans by European colonialism and the spread of Islam by both jihad and evangelism as responsible for the menace. Mazrui who…

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Northern Nigeria has been living in the shadows of the past. To cast our minds back, the region was Islamised by Fulani invaders from Upper Guinea led by Sheik Usman Dan Fodio, the founder of Sokoto Caliphate (1804-1903). After the British had conquered the extant one-hundred-year-old Caliphate, all Emirs, Sultans and Muslim officeholders were forced to take an oath of allegiance to the Colonial State run by Christian “infidel” colonisers. The most important Muslim dignitary after the Sultan, Ahmadu Bello, was a direct descendant of Dan Fodio, who stretched the “Holy War” beyond the heart of the Yoruba south at…

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