A Year of Reflection, Accountability, and Uncomfortable Truths
THIS year has been one of deep reflection, accountability, and uncomfortable truths. From insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and leadership failures to women trapped by culture, children lost to long school hours, and widows left to survive alone, my columns consistently examined how political, social, and cultural systems continue to fail the most vulnerable Nigerians.
I asked hard questions: are leaders prioritizing people or appearances? Are we, as a society, allowing tradition, silence, and convenience to harm those who need support the most? Whether exploring freedom of speech, education, or women’s empowerment, my call remained constant: awareness must translate into action, empathy must demand accountability, and change is not optional.
Nigeria Drowning in Hunger and Insecurity
In January, I wrote about a Nigeria where citizens battled hunger, insecurity, poverty, and a failing education system, while leaders chased optics, flyovers, cosmetic renovations, and seasonal handouts — instead of sustainable solutions. Twelve months later, little has structurally changed. Food is less affordable, poverty feels heavier, insecurity remains dangerously normalized, and education is still treated cosmetically. Promises multiplied; relief did not.
Federal vs Private Universities: Picking the Carry-Over Tab
Voice highlighted how private universities allow students to retake failed courses at a financial cost to speed up graduation, while federal universities enforce stricter academic standards that delay progress but often build resilience. Has there been progress? Not much. Federal universities remain competitive and strike-prone, while private institutions lean towards convenience over depth. The tension between endurance, quality, and affordability remains unresolved.
Population Census: The Back and Forth
Without accurate census data, planning for education, healthcare, housing, and economic development becomes educated guesswork. Despite repeated promises, Nigeria continues to rely on outdated figures. Months later, the issue is no longer confusion, it is institutional avoidance. Governance continues with numbers that no longer reflect the people.
Do We Have To Die First?
Voice explored Nigeria’s troubling habit of withholding empathy, fairness, and recognition until death. With the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, criticism quickly turned into praise, and silence morphed into sainthood. Has there been progress? Partly. Nigerians still oscillate between harsh condemnation and exaggerated praise, honoring the dead far better than we treat the living.
We remain kinder to the dead than we are fair to the living, allegedly with the exception of Her Excellency, Ma. Did we not read in the book: “Do not speak ill of the dead?”
Don’t Ship Them Off: Holidays Are Not Escape Routes
Voice challenged the culture of sending children away for long holidays as a form of parental convenience. Has there been progress? Yes. More parents are intentionally engaging their children at home, reclaiming supervision, bonding, and value-building. Presence, not distance, is proving to be the strongest form of parenting.
No, Intimacy Isn’t Sold In A Bottle
Voice exposed the dangerous rise of sexual enhancement products marketed to men and women, often disguised under the hijacked label of Kayan Mata. Has there been progress? Slowly, yes. More women are questioning what they consume, prioritizing health, finances, and self-preservation over blind trust in powders, oils, and unregulated remedies.
Even with emerging trends like the so-called “O-shot,” awareness is growing. Women are asking questions before experimenting. The market has not disappeared, but blind trust has reduced. Pleasure is no longer the ultimate currency.
Shea Nut Ban: When Policies Crush Women’s Hustle
Government restrictions on shea nut exports threatened the livelihoods of countless rural women. Has there been progress? Partially. Some relaxations and local initiatives offer relief, but systemic challenges persist. Policies that empower women rather than crush their hustles remain urgently needed.
When Silence Roared Louder Than Words
I reflected on Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s silent protest at the United Nations. Globally, it sparked conversations around African leadership, dignity, and symbolic resistance. While it did not change policy overnight, it reminded the world that sometimes, refusing to play along is itself a powerful statement.
The Walk Away Cancer Walk: Loud Music, Silent Pain
Voice critiqued cancer awareness events in Nigeria that have drifted from solidarity to spectacle. Has there been progress? Some. Awareness campaigns have improved, but access to treatment, affordability, and sustained patient support remain inconsistent. Awareness exists; tangible support still lags behind.
Welcome To Nigeria: Where Chaos Is the National Anthem
Voice examined how Nigerians have normalized political instability, insecurity, and governance failure. Humor, satire, and memes have become survival tools, masking deep-rooted leadership failures. Has there been progress? Not structurally. Citizens adapt emotionally, but vulnerability continues to define daily existence.
Freedom of Speech Is Not Free – Ask Sokoto
Voice highlighted the chilling ordeal of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, punished for speaking against insecurity. Has there been progress? Not really. The case remains unresolved, and leadership silence continues to reinforce fear.
Freedom of speech in Sokoto and by extension Nigeria remains uncertain. Speaking truth to power is still dangerous. As Idi Amin once said: “Freedom of speech is free before you utter it, but it is no longer free once you speak it.”
Two-Year Remembrance Of The Tudun Biri Tragedy
Voice mourned the military airstrike that killed innocent civilians in Tudun Biri and demanded accountability. Has there been progress? Sadly, very little. The community continues to live with trauma, grief, and unanswered questions — a painful reminder of unresolved justice.
Married to Silence: How Culture Traps Young Women in Depression
Voice explored how cultural expectations pressure married women to endure emotional pain quietly, masking depression and mental health struggles. Has there been progress? Slowly, yes. Awareness around mental health is growing, but cultural silence still traps many women behind closed doors.
When Support Ends, Women Are Left To Survive
Voice highlighted the harsh realities widows face, emotional loss, economic vulnerability, and societal neglect. Has there been progress? Not enough. Widows remain among Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups, with empowerment rhetoric rarely matched by meaningful intervention.
The Takeaway
I have done my part this year. I have lent my voice. I have cried, laughed, and yes, raged in some of my write-ups. There were days I doubted the value of speaking at all. Will it make a difference? Will change come from words alone? I doubt it often.
Yet, I will not relent. I speak because hope refuses to be silent. I hope for a Nigeria where our children inherit not our struggles, but the rewards of our courage, persistence, and labor.
Here’s to 2026, may it be filled with clarity, progress, accountability, and the courage to keep speaking truth to power.
Yours truly,
The young voice of Unfiltered Truths.
- Kabara is a writer and public commentator. Her syndicated column, Voice, appears in News Point Nigeria newspaper on Monday. She can be reached at hafceekay01@gmail.com.