Before expressing my opinion on possessing a University Degree in Nigeria these days, let me hurriedly advice possible rejoinders that I don’t mean acquiring a University Degree is meaningless or does not add value to any system. It does add value but not as believed. I mean those genuine University Degrees not the Toronto or Chicago State University types. Let that be clearly understood by busybodies and roaming attack dogs. Leadership as we all know is more of an art than science. It is hard to set rules, theories and formulae for good leadership. Despite their differences in background, weaknesses,…
Author: Sanusi Muhammad
The frightful spurts of violence across the country intone a brazen incantation of bestiality over mankind. It exposes the scourge of our inner ugliness and establishes citizenship as a barbaric ritual drama, where the performers periodically swap masks among government and the governed. From Boko Haram-IPOB- ESN-armed banditry- kidnapping for ransom, to the herdsmen-farmers crisis, tribal militia terrorists, criminals and mass murderers actualize their fantasies of ill-bliss across the country. Exemplifying the worrisome situation, the Jos, Plateau State gruesome murder of over 22 innocent commuters by Irigwe ethno-religious terrorists along Rukuba road, the murder of Gen. Idris Alkali and other…
You cannot plant evil and run away from reaping its fruits, neither can you threaten a peace and dream to enjoy peace. As a life-long subscriber to the ancient philosophy of the Stoics, I don’t believe in murdering facts to suit a purpose, self-gratification or ridiculing a reputation. I always believe in stating facts no matter how sweat, soar or bitter. In the process, I may be insulted, challenged, or misinterpreted for ‘offending’ certain characters that I have no apology or regret for offering once the points are factual. I hate joining issues with anyone on the lingering crisis in…
Just from the blues while the people were managing their peace, some ruffians emerged abruptly on the Plateau and enthroned the rule of native terrorism under the ‘Republic of Violence’. Labeled as bandits, tribal militia or herders, they are devoted to brutish and indiscriminate killings of human beings, perpetrating looting, raping and arson with passion under the cover of land grabbing, ethnicity, cattle rustling and religion. But if the desire is to proffer lasting solution to the lingering problem, we should most sincerely ask ourselves why and what remotely caused the deadly acts from the onset in 2001? Was it…
The list of our exposed grave diggers and sworn enemies of our progress include but not limited to; Diezani Alli-son Madueke, AbdulRasheed Maina, Stella Oduah, John Yusufu Yakubu, AbdulHameed Aliyu, AbdulRasheed Bawa, Betta Edu, A’isha Ahmed, Ahmed Idris, Halima Shehu, Sadiyya Umar Farouk, Yusufu Sabi’u Tunde, Godwin Emiefile, Bello Maigari and several others, who are more of heartless enemies to Nigerians than the hunted bandits, insurgents and kidnappers for ransom. The good news worth celebrating in the fight against corruption is that under the new management of the anti-corruption agency, EFCC with pending corruption cases involving 13 former state governors,…
“Whosoever deceives him/herself of possessing the monopoly of violence at any given time is a daydreamer living in a world of illusion and swimming in deceit.”…………..Anonymous For peace to return to the embattled Plateau State, there is a need to revisit the remote cause of the crisis and those behind it. There is need to know the level of government’s involvement most especially the past governments presided over by Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang. Today, even the heartless are not pleased or celebrate the ongoing killings in parts of Plateau State, but the bitter truth is yet to surface from…
“Like every other responsible and respected profession, there are few bad eggs, and the journalism profession cannot be an exception, but to be fair and objective, Nigerian journalists are not only courageous, professionally upright and determined to put into practice their best for the good of the country, they have made enormous contribution for Nigeria’s independence as some of the best brains in practice that dominated the global scene with due recognition and respect. That always makes me proud of being a journalist although presently on sabbatical leave for politics”………..Governor Bala Muhammed A maxim says the pen is mightier than…
Having stayed long in any elective office gives the occupant a wrong perception to deceive himself as either the best in performance, most qualified or has amassed enough ill-gotten wealth to defeat an opponent at any election with the help of compromised security agents and ad-hoc staff of the electoral umpire including the already planted stooges masquerading as local government council management members that accessed power through questionable election results superintended by the toothless and sycophantic State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) that have outlived their usefulness to the democracy. This to decent minds portrays poor stage of the mind or…
Wonders shall never end as majority of the youths touted as leaders of tomorrow, are now into political thuggery, character assassination, blackmail, crude and unintelligent sycophancy typical of village tyrants on a rampage within the political space for peanuts. They have consciously mortgaged their tomorrow today for a bowl of porridge. But the larger society is to share the blame. A promise is a powerful part of credibility even in the mouths of politicians who are known for being famous for not keeping to promises. If it could be recalled, Nigerians enthusiastically embraced the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015…
Gimmick and deceit is their known trademark, members of the national assembly, have of recent introduced a new game of fooling the electorates to believing falsehood as 2027 is fast approaching. The new deceit rests with new states creation. The said proposal for the mirage called additional 31 new states was hurriedly pushed to the House of Representatives Joint-Committee on Constitutional Review for a final resting place. The 1999 Constitution (amended) has In Section 8 and other sections spelt out guidelines for the national assembly’s approval of such requests. The first hurdle has to do with support by at least…
Most of those on the saddle of leadership in Nigeria if carefully screened may not be the desirables but mere opportunists due to so many factors. Majority are in leadership for personal aggrandizement not for the public service delivery they promised and always tempting to fool the God they so much claim to worship by taking an oath that they woefully fail to abide with. Except for anyone living in a veritable fool’s paradise, the stark truth is that Nigeria today is in free fall. The existential conditions of millions of Nigerians are horrendous. To have a better understanding of…
Mr. President, with sense of humility, I owe you this responsibility as one Nigerian who never voted for you in 2023 to be the president of the Giant of Africa based on my in-depth knowledge of your leadership style as Governor of Lagos State where you performed far below expectation. But, as you were declared in 2023 as victorious through divine intervention, one is left with the option of wishing you luck as you pilot the affairs of Nigeria while critically observing your probably changed style of governance in transforming the country within your tenure. I have no business with…
I never thought it necessary at this critical time of politicking to join issues with any politician, most especially a desparador or wounded lion on a wild goose chase until the exited governor of Rivers State and defeated PDP 2023 Presidential aspirant, Barr. Nyesom Wike proved his political incapacitation and impatience after the presidential primary that he luckily lost. Wike had no doubt rated himself above each and every other member of the PDP and foolishly and arrogantly believed he owned the party that he could dictate and direct where the pendulum should swing at will for pecuniary interest. He…
When they gathered in Jos, Plateau State capital to launch the Tinubu 2023 Presidential campaign, it was a laughing issue for the display of crass ignorance of the person they gathered to market, Tinubu. I watched from far how party goons and their appendages shuttled from post to pillar to impress Tinubu for patronage should he emerge victorious at the elections. I watched amusingly how organizers of the event over stressed themselves without a second thought of reasoning just to impress Tinubu. Many thought Bola was the fool to be fooled because from the onset through series of investigative reports…
This interview was conducted with a veteran journalist and columnist, SANUSI MUHAMMAD on issues of national interest. He praised the efforts of Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State and described him as a detribalized politician and courageous leader that believes in equity, fairness and justice spiced with transparency and love for humanity. Attacks on the position of Governor Bala on the Tax Reform Bill Muhammad: This is the problem with Nigerians. Sycophancy and bootlicking in high places is what is derailing good governance because leaders are always deceived and denied the privilege of accessing true position of situations. They are…
Good governance is not from rocket science in where it exists. Nigeria as the country we belong and belongs to us is finding it difficult if not impossible to navigate to safe coast under the Tinubu brand of governance for its hatred to objective opinions to change its unacceptable, unpalatable and frustrating policies even from senior citizens and critical stakeholders in the Nigeria Project. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed falls within the bracket of patriots that serve with passion and confront challenges as they unfold for the good of Nigerians not minding the aftermath bull shit. Prior to his suggestions…
When the Department of State Security (DSS) based on discreet information of corrupt practices labeled against some Justices of the Supreme Court, the Service descended on residences of those corrupt judges and made several mind boggling discoveries at the early stage of the first term tenure of the Buhari presidency. There were outcries of human right violation from the hypocrites in our midst feasting in the temple of justice. Corruption was undergoing perfection in Courts. When a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen was booted out disgracefully for corrupt enrichment, same hypocrites disturbed our peace, so was…
Banditry, terrorism, highway banditry by ethnic militias, sponsored killings, politically motivated murders, abductions, kidnappings for ransom, ritual killings and brigandage and ethno-religious bloody crisis, just name it! Sadly, 63 years after our independence as a sovereign nation, our Nigeria is still not free economically and politically. We are unable to move far away from the old tribal prejudices and build a true Nigerian citizenship. We still identify ourselves with our localities where precisely we come from or the tribe we belong. It is common in some parts of the country that fellow Nigerians are rated and treated as strangers, or…
Nigeria as a country blessed with abundant natural and human resources is ‘cursed’ with pretentious religious adherents and hypocrites that ‘worship’ worldly wealth than the Supreme Being they claim to worship. The country lacks sincere and honest leaders to pilot its affairs to lofty heights. Majority if not all of those in leadership positions are criminally minded supported and surrounded by a coterie of sycophants, pimps and fronts. To drive home the point, it’s in our Nigeria of today serving civil servants supposedly on monthly salary and allowance, own mansions in choice cities including overseas and cruises in exotic limousines…
The contraption referred to as Northern region in Nigeria was a master-piece in all aspects of development and progress. It was a region that set the pace in agriculture, mining and other economic activities. It was the region that fought for the unity of Nigeria to remain as an indivisible nation. As time progressed in nation building, with the gruesome murder of its patriotic and God-fearing leaders, the region lost out in national affairs. It got frustrated, confused with a huge leadership vacuum and voiceless. It was left at the mercy of other crop of determined leaders the likes of…
It was a region blessed with honest and sincere leaders that had the safety and welfare of the people at heart, and, were determined to serve with passion. It was a united region that stood against odds of disunity and underdevelopment. It was a region that proudly supported the economy of Nigeria to flourish with its agricultural and mineral resources. It was a region that prided in discipline and sincere fear of God piloted by patriots and nationalists the likes Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardaunan Sokoto), Michael Audu Buba (Wazirin Shendam), Zanna Bukar Dipcharima, Aliyu Makaman Bida, Ali Akilu, Salihu Gonto…
I never wanted penciling down this article for public consumption at the initial stage, until after I had a heated intellectual debate on a very controversial and sensitive issue of national importance with some journalist colleagues, research fellows and very brilliant academicians and patriots at the premises of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State penultimate Saturday during a brainstorming visit to a senior fellow of the institute. Those my colleagues in the media, others mentioned and whosoever may have interest, are the target of this piece to pave way for future debates when…
I had wanted to extract the title of this piece from a verse of the University of Ibadan anthem because it is one of the most striking lines of the anthem, underscoring the importance of achieving greatness or success through diligence, hard work and transparency, but I suddenly changed my opinion not for political reason, but to deliver the message more accurately. However, since the piece is all about a man who achieved greatness through honest toil, it is apposite to interrogate the concept of greatness. So, what is greatness? Greatness is a cocktail of qualities that include honesty, integrity,…
An in-depth investigation on the position of public schools in Nigeria shows glaring decayed structures and absence of learning and teaching tools as well as qualified and motivated teachers with demoralized parents to conveniently handle the education sector successfully. One needs not to be told that the educational standard of Nigeria has fallen off the quality cliff courtesy of sharp corrupt practices, absence of committed and educated educational managers in the supervising organs of government. Nigeria remains an ever interesting country with charlatans and clowns on the saddle of affairs under the protection of security agencies. Across the country, the…
Despite the laudable and pragmatic efforts of Governor Bala Muhammed in developing Bauchi State to an appreciable level before he exits power in 2027, All Progressives Congress (APC) is swimming in a world of illusion thinking it can form the next government in the state. The 2023 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in Bauchi State surely showed a tectonic shift in Nigerian politics, as implied by the Presidential and National Assembly elections. But whether that shift is capable of reinforcing democracy to grow is another topic entirely. Bauchi State as a PDP traditional stronghold, the electorates never wasted time…
Prior to his arrival on our shore, there was no entity called Nigeria. Nigeria was a creation of Lord Fredrick Darnley Lugard’s administrative convenience as coined by his mistress who later became his wife Flora Shaw and endorsed by Her Majesty’s Government in Great Britain. Lugard had earlier experienced indirect rule in India where he previously served as colonial administrator. Unlike India where the three musketeers of Mahatma Gandhi, Pundit Nehru and Subbas Bose had restructured their colonial heritage by creating provinces along linguistic affinity which decisively, cemented their federation with attendant dividends as largest democracy in the world. Nigeria…
The game of politics in Nigeria at all levels is getting more threatened by hoodlums and vandals so desperate to either access power or to remain in power against the wish of the people. The tale of Merchant of Venice, one those William Shakespeare’s enduring literature works, draws parallels to theme of justice, equity, and the perils of greed. Today in Plateau State, these same themes are resonating as the outgone All Progressives Congress (APC) administration led by Simon Bako Lalong, recently attempted to cling back to power through the local government elections, desperate to steal the people’s mandate. Just…
INEC under the watch of Prof Mahmoud Yakubu has metamorphosed to a cesspit of corruption where the highest bidder in a contest is awarded victory. The commission seems to be more corrupt than corruption itself. The commission was under public scrutiny for suspected malpractice in the 2023 general elections where victories were awarded to those that could afford the ‘fee’, and now facing another charge of corruption from the public court in respect of the just concluded gubernatorial election in Edo State. Reports have highlighted similar findings of manipulations and frauds in the entire electoral system, particularly, in cases of…
Bauchi state Governor, Sen. Bala Muhammed has hinted at the nature of his administration, saying it would remain consultative, prudent and all inclusive community based. He also pledged to engage better hands into governance and with focus on the welfare of the people than the execution of white elephant projects lacking direct bearing on the lives of the ordinary people spiced with cheap political gain. The governor dropped the hints in an interactive session with journalists in Bauchi penultimate Saturday. Gov. Bala said rather than foisting projects on communities that have no direct bearing on their lives, he prefers to…
The polity is getting unnecessarily heated for pecuniary interests by those so desperate to lead others despite paucity of robust ideas on how to proffer solutions to our heap of problems. Majority of those on the political turf combing the nooks and crannies of Nigeria making contacts and asking for support, are not the desirables for trust with power but mere merchants in search of capital. Only but few of the lot deserve public trust. It is unfortunate that the same politicians that always peddle parochial and unrefined lies to gullible electorates at every election cycle are not only at…
