The #EndSARS protest of October 8, 2020 was a timely exercise but poorly protected and organized. It was long overdue, desirable and meant to change the narrative. It was targeted at ineptitude, greed, directionless and cluelessness combined. It was for good governance and to ginger the younger ones and to end police brutality, extortion and extra-judicial killings. The Nigerian Police has murdered thousands of innocent souls on phantom charges. The dreaded SARS was more of a killer gang than a trained public security outfit. Next for public attention should be the Criminal Investigation Units of the Nigeria Police and the…
Author: Sanusi Muhammad
The large piece of land referred to as Northern Nigeria occupies about 2/3 of the entire land space of Nigeria and despite all distortions houses over 60 percent of the entire population of the country, Nigeria. At the inception of colonial domination, ‘the British adventurers found already in place similar or even more sophisticated culture of learning, government, administration and flourishing commerce in Northern Nigeria. It was therefore, not difficult after the conquest with the defeat of His Eminence Sultan Attahiru of Sokoto Caliphate in the early 1960s that a system of indirect rule was foisted over the region. The…
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned philanthropist, Ibrahim K. Bawa, has expressed worry and concern over the increasing decline in ethical standards and cultural core values, particularly among the youths and politicians of these days. He identified poor leadership and blind followership laced with greed sat certain levels as major factors responsible for the ugly trend, regretting that the menace has permeated all facets of the society, including education, civil service, religion and politics. Speaking on phone to this medium, the legal luminary expressed confidence of the redeemability of the trend if leaders change their attitude to governance as…
The first acknowledged opposition to democracy in Africa is the military perhaps with few countries as exceptions that are yet to taste military intervention. At the slightest mistake of civilians in power, the military strikes to taste power. The army is a revered institution. It is a major component of a nation state. It is a rule that nations must have armies in case of any eventuality. The army is the life wire of any country in times of trouble. When there is war, the army is drafted to duty. But armies are not all about war. They are trained…
“Within the traditional council, we have carefully studied the policy thrusts of Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State towards poverty eradication. We are convinced that his policies are tailored to the economic viability of the state. His stewardship is adding credence to his policies”………..District Head of Giade Poverty has been one of the forces militating against the socio-economic development of Nigeria and a threat to national security overtime. The level of poverty in Nigeria is astronomically potent and politically embarrassing, considering the enormous human and mineral resources the country is endowed with. Despite the huge resources successive governments committed to…
As preparations are reaching advanced stage to mark the first two years in office of Sen. Bala Muhammed as governor of Bauchi State on May 29, 2021 and celebrate success, one remembers the 35th President of the United States of America, late John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whose early days in office were so eventful that history has hoisted him as a rare leader who didn’t need a long stay to prove his mettle in leadership. In only two years, Kennedy revived his country’s low balling economy with legislations and policies that sought to eliminate America’s debilitating racial fault lines and bring…
Unfolding events in Nigeria is confirming the existence of a basket case of raging tsunami storms. The storms have started making impacts, leaving their catastrophes, tears and blood on their trail. The ongoing spate of killings is dressed-up in the garb of unconscionable arrogance and impunity enmeshed in idiocy. However, it is yet to dawn on the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government that the symbolism of its authority and legitimacy is systematically under serious challenge and has already been demystified, if not by all at least by the Northern Elders Forum and other interest groups. The country is under serious…
When Governor Bala Muhammed took over as the Chief Executive of Bauchi state, his power to the people slogan, anchored on a relentless anti-corruption war, warmed the hearts of many who had, for years, from the sidelines, watched helplessly how their standard of living was merciless battered by the deeds of greedy elements that had stolen from the 4.6million people blind but still mustered courage and guts to shamelessly walk tall and even throw challenges to his aspiration. The feeling goes on that if Bauchi indigenes do not subscribe to their governor’s relentless effort in tackling the monster of corruption…
Although the 1999 Constitution of the country says it all, but still, there are some Nigerians that consider themselves more superior than others, more resourceful than others or better naturally endowed than others. Out of parochial sentiments, some Nigerians consider other components of the federation as parasites or dependants, forgetting that there is no component of the federation that lacks what to depend on for sustenance and even a better living independently. In 2015, as part of the campaign strategy of a component that considered one of the presidential candidates its own traded in several insults, abuses and hate speeches…
The video clips of the gruesome murder of Pastor Lawn Andimi and Roypvil Dalyop by Boko Haram was revealing and worrisome. It gave several people sleepless nights and made others to regret born as Nigerians and to have lived all these years to witness the present situation we have found ourselves courtesy of cluelessness, corrupt and ineptitude leadership at various levels of government. One pauses to ponder the pains and trauma of Nigerians who have become widows, widowers, cripples, orphans and incurred other forms of disabilities as well as those whose means of livelihood were destroyed by some senseless and…
Bauchi State Government had on penultimate Monday, conducted a town hall meeting on security issues with the participation of key stakeholders in the polity. During the meeting which was held at the multipurpose indoor sports hall with large turnout, Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed enumerated on why the meeting was organised which was to bring all stakeholders together to discuss issues bordering on security challenges and to disabuse the minds of the youths and members of the public from indulging in violent acts. He said the meeting was in compliance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to state governors…
Despite its glaring failure to addressing identified lapses in administering the country and its components, the government still finds it convenient and necessary to vilify the organizers of the recent protest against police brutality, extortion anchored on bad governance and inchoate revolution that is on suspension pending the reformation of the police and fulfilment of other demands. From what oozes out of the government towards organizers of the protest, the narrative is misleading and does not capture the reality of the protest. As an activist, there was the organized EndSARS protest which erupted like a volcano and as usual with…
Prior to the nationwide #EndSARS protests that enveloped Nigeria few weeks back, not a few Nigerians doubted the potency and efficacy of protest as a tool to effect positive changes. The magnitude as well as the impact of the protests surprised several Nigerians. Youths led by iconic musicians and thespians trooped to the streets to protest against police brutality and other governmental misdeeds that bedevilling the society over the years. The police organization rates itself above the law. The youths carried placards, which bore inscriptions denouncing police brutality and demanding for justice. Some of the inscriptions called for the disbandment…
October 20, 2020, remains a day Nigerians will ever remember. It was a day that will go down in our national history as that of rage and blood when suspected security agents murdered the innocent with live bullets during a peaceful protest against bad governance. The Tuesday massacre of innocent protesters cannot be said to be the first of such gruesome murders by security agents. As a matter of fact, it appears to be the tradition and mindset of those in government that wickedly, foolishly and criminally believe that the lives of the ordinary citizens, does not matter, as much…
The Nigeria Police has long lost the confidence and respect of the people it is funded to protect due to unbridled cases of corruption, extortion, hypocrisy, insincerity and extra-judicial killings. It is a clear case of a failed system enjoying the support of the authority for business as usual. The modus operandi of the Nigeria Police is no more a secret. Recruitment into the Nigeria Police and other security agencies is a reserve for the highest bidder. Criminals and rogues easily bribe their ways into the security agencies to perfect their crimes with authority cover. If carefully checked, even certified…
It was Alex Malley who observed who said what is needed from strategic leaders with journalistic discipline, is the confidence that their ability and relevance are nearly impossible to compete with, not only in the newsroom but in politics and governance as well. It is Malley’s conviction that journalists can make an appreciable impact in providing creative and purposeful political leadership. Yet, seldom do journalists step out to be the public voice, to seize the mantle of ultimate decision making responsibility, all of which perpetuates the common misconception that journalists only engage in informing, educating and entertaining as spelt out…
Throughout the history of humankind, people fight for certain ideals often at prohibitive cost only to discover that what they fought for is not what has actually prevailed. If their back is broken by the discovery, if their will is stymied by bitter disappointment, it will be left for others to continue the struggle. Even in wars, victory may turn out to be ultimate defeat, while revolutions often revolve into something totally unexpected and unanticipated. Today in Nigeria, there is palpable anger all over the land courtesy of reports of the various investigation bodies on atrocities committed by past leaders…
Nigerians suddenly realized being in a season of hate speeches and ridicule courtesy of our lazy politicians that have lost focus and ideas to market their aspirations at the most appropriate time. It was on that background, that the National Assembly planned to make laws for the general well-being of the people and also to act as a check on the executive. As the most important component of any democracy, the legislature is the hope of any nation. It feels the people’s pulse and makes laws to make life comfortable for all. Legislators are not called the people’s representatives for…
As I sat to pencil this piece, I thought of several favourable and unfavourable factors that may attract me attacks from those I may offend consciously. But, let me crave the indulgence of all for the fact that some readers may be pleased with what I may say while others may be offended for obvious reasons by my acts of commission or omission. As a public commentator, I remain politically sensitive, and I may tread on sensitive corns. If I do so, it was intentional and not unintentional. I set out neither to please nor to offend. I remain committed…
Determined to succeed through the restoration of the lost glory of the national veterinary research institute that had its share of the unfortunate crisis that rocked Plateau state over the years which affected research and vaccines production with low patronage from pastoralists. The newly appointed executive director of the National Institute for Veterinary Research, Vom in Plateau State, Dr. Maryam Muhammed, has appealed for cooperation from all and sundry in her desire to restore the lost glory of the institute and uplift its status to greater heights in veterinary services as she commended the efforts of her predecessors despite the…
When President Muhammadu Buhari contested the presidential election of 2003, crooks and rogues rose in unison to thwart his effort for fear of the obvious. They preferred Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to retain power than a ‘ruthless anti-corruption czar’ that Buhari was from his past antecedent as Military Head of State. Not deterred, in 2007, he made another bold attempt to possibly salvage Nigeria from the hands of the corrupt. Again, he was said to have been defeated. In 2011, Buhari was still determined to fight corruption through the office of the president. The rogues could not allow him through. In…
It may appear absurd to lesser minds for a journalist to talk on a topic considered by many as an ‘exclusive’ right of those in the legal profession. But a journalist is always expected to at least be knowledgeable in all disciplines to be able to inform, educate and entertain on a safe platform, hence my discourse on the above subject from several weeks of intensive research as a layman. To be able to catch the gist, try surface scratch on the embellished edifice of democracy in Nigeria, and a stench of human rights violations would definitely blow your nose…
On formation in 2014, All Progressives Congress (APC) was a party of hope. It was literally transformed into a movement of sorts. The party came of age as an amalgam of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), New Peoples Democratic Party (n PDP), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Democratic Change (CPC) and a handful of members of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The Leaders had different tendencies, even as progressive elements. But, as the journey began, it was evident APC harboured progressive and conservative elements. Thus, analysts contended that there was no line of demarcation, between,…
Throughout the history of humankind, people fight for certain ideals often at prohibitive cost only to discover that what they fought for is not what has actually prevailed. If their back is broken by the discovery, if their will is stymied by bitter disappointment, it will be left for others to continue the struggle. Even in wars, victory may turn out to be ultimate defeat, while revolutions often revolve into something totally unexpected and unanticipated. Today in Nigeria, there is palpable anger all over the land courtesy of reports of the various investigation bodies on atrocities committed by past leaders…
When we shout to high heavens of how corruption is steadily wrecking havoc to our national advancement, when we talk of corrupt practices bedevilling the civil service, when we trumpet a bloody revolution to clear the already heaped mess and we suggest death sentence for corrupt practice, town criers, the insane and jesters wonder why the noise on corruption or why the envy of those looters that look more of chimpanzees than humans? Sycophants and the criminally-minded frown and sponsored to challenge our outcries and in some cases, we receive threats of arrest, attack or elimination to the great beyond.…
Before the exit of former President Jonathan, the price of crude oil, Nigeria’s economic pillar was USD36 per barrel and even at that, the country was finding it difficult to sell its crude oil to the global market because of a glut mainly from overproduction by Saudi Arabia, a nation of about 12million people producing almost 10million barrels of crude oil daily, the Corona Virus pandemic and coupled with America’s self-sufficiency in energy because of the existence of its tremendous shale oil and fracking gas production. USA was the consumer of about 60percent of Nigeria’s crude oil production but today,…
A Bauchi State frontline politician and 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant Hon. Farouk Mustapha, has called on the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to save the state from any violent acts that may emanate from the forthcoming local government area councils election should it connive with any party to rig the elections. Speaking with our correspondent on phone, Mustapha said: “SIEC should not attempt to play a funny game by taking sides in the conduct of the elections. As the constitutional umpire, it should strive to maintain neutrality, be impartial in the conduct of the elections and declare…
By every available standard, Nigeria was a country President Buhari inherited that celebrated corruption, thieves of all hues, mediocrity and governance by deceit. As a country that was lousily established on fraud, one tries as much as possible to justify so many obnoxious smells of institutionalized fraud and corruption stinking to the high heavens in Nigeria. The stench is threatening to get all choked-up, unless President Buhari, and other sincere Nigerians act fast to clear the mess. One needs to live in Nigeria to experience firsthand, the rot that is symbolic of the system; as a people, we should be…
An Abuja based Non-Government Organization, Transparency for National Development, has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and anti-corruption agencies to commence the probe of the stewardship of the managing director of Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL), Aliyu AbdulHameed, whom they described as unfit for trust to pilot the affairs of such an important organ of government going by his leadership antecedents at the organization. In a letter of petition, signed by its National Director for Legal Services, Barr. Edward Shikzum, it was alleged that at several instances, AbdulHameed had violated the executive directive of…
Every October 1, Nigeria celebrates to mark the end of colonial administration which was more accommodating than the enthroned past indigenous leaders with the exception of few. Almost fifty-nine years after lowering the Union Jack, Nigeria is still groping in the dark and tottering on the brink. The newly introduced low key of the celebration confirms the existence of hard and uncertain times courtesy of several epileptic, a brand of administrations and glaring security challenges created from bad leadership over the years. The older Nigeria becomes, the more it drifts from attaining greatness. Not even the advent of the civilian…
