BEFORE I continue, I will like to categorically state that this piece is no campaign for any candidate or the president himself. Having said that, let’s continue, I visited my hairdresser earlier last week, Thursday to be specific, and for the first time in years, the saloon was completely empty. Typically, Thursdays to Saturdays are her busiest days, so I usually go on Sundays to avoid these crowds but to my surprise that Thursday, the place was empty. On that Thursday, I was the only customer, which led to some interesting conversation. Of course, there was no electricity, she only…
Author: Hafsat Salisu Kabara
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STORYTELLING has long been a cornerstone of Nigerian culture, serving as a vital means of communication, education, and preservation of heritage. For generations, oral traditions have allowed elders to pass down knowledge, morals, and history through captivating narratives. These stories, rich with lessons and cultural values, not only entertain but also shape the identity of communities. From folktales about clever tortoises to cautionary tales that warn against greed, each narrative carries a piece of wisdom that resonates across generations. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, storytelling has adapted and evolved into new forms. Contemporary Nigerian authors like Chimamanda…
IT is time Nigerians stop over relying on formal education as the only path to success and start prioritizing skills. People have become so focused on using schooling to succeed that they forget to explore their natural talents, abilities, and skills. They have no concept of what they can accomplish after secondary school or varsity since they have no idea what their talents are. Nigerians spend an average of about nineteen years in school, only to graduate and face the harsh reality of unemployment. Besides, anything taught to a child after 1pm is almost pointless, the brain is exhausted by…
EXACTLY a month ago, traders were given one month ultimatum to crash exploitative prices in the market. It’s 30 days already but nothing has been done. Is like they don’t understand the gravity of the situation and the urgency of the need to check this unwholesome development. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, gave a month’s notice to traders and other market stakeholders involved in exploitative pricing to crash the prices of goods. They held a meeting to address the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services and unwholesome practices of market associations. According to…
What baffles me more is the choice of minister of defense, but what do I know? See that first protest that was between the government and hoodlums? Another will strike again, by kidnapped victims and their families or rather more kidnappings since it’s the new found business and the culprits are going free. Nigerians finished protesting and BAT saw how weak the protest was and slapped us with another price hike for wasting his time. In the midst of all the chaos happening, people were still mourning the brutal killing of Emir of Gobir because everyone saw his video pleading…
“I WILL hit the ground running”. Mr president sure did and we all are running with him. This piece is going to be a jumpy record of things that have gotten Nigerians to a certain level of anger. The failure of governance in Nigeria manifests in the declining capacity of political leaders to recognize systemic risks such as election fraud, terrorist attacks, herder-farmer conflict, armed banditry, and police brutality and put in place the necessary measures to navigate these challenges. Let’s go down memory lane. The Kano January 2012, Boko Haram multiple attacks – imprinted in the minds and hearts…
DADA Yar’adua, mother of former President, Umaru Yar’adua, and former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarter to General Obasanjo’s military regime, General Shehu Yar’adua, is dead. News Point Nigeria gathered that she died at the Katsina Teaching Hospital on Monday evening after a brief illness. She also died at the age of 102 years. Hajiya Dada was also the mother of Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Army. Funeral prayer will be conducted at the Yar’adua’s family house, Yar’adua area of Katsina metropolis by 1:30pm on Tuesday. Umaru Musa Yar’adua served as the president of Nigeria from…
There is this saying, “A widow is the only woman who knows where her man is every night – he is in his grave” Is infidelity solely defined by intimate acts with someone outside of marriage? Or does it also encompass the deception and lies that precede and accompany such actions? Is it not a form of infidelity to enter into a marriage with the full knowledge that you are untruthful and unfaithful? Deceiving your partner is a profound betrayal, isn’t it? Why hide behind falsehoods instead of being honest and transparent? What secrets are you concealing? It’s no wonder…
ABOUT two weeks ago, I had an encounter with a married woman who was behaving in a way that made me feel uncomfortable, particularly in the context of Hausa society’s cultural norms. People, especially women, often gossip or focus on trivial matters when they gather. This person is an attention seeker, too loud for my liking. What’s my business? None, right? But she’s someone I know, not long enough though. I for one, crave more substantial conversations about personal growth, business, and meaningful topics. Let’s talk money-making, let’s talk skin care, let’s talk new recipes, let’s talk about goals. Our…
THE Oxford dictionary defines peaceful protest as nonviolent resistance or nonviolent action – the act of expressing disapproval through a statement or action without the use of violence. This definition does not exist in the vocabulary of my Kano people. Definitely not. The whole of my adult life, I have never witnessed a peaceful demonstration in Kano even when it’s the Labour Congress, you hear annoying stories of violence and looting in some areas – the hoodlums seem to plan and strategize for these demonstrations. Sadly. I got the first memo of what was to come in Kano when 48…
AMID the reign of terror by thugs in the Sharada Ja’en, Sheka and Dorayi areas of Kano, respite came, according to an analysis by News Point Nigeria and Daily Trust. Salman-Dogo Garba has assumed office as the 46th Commissioner of Police for the Kano State Police Command to spearhead the activities surrounding the security affairs of the state. By virtue of the position and in the traditional setting, the Commissioner of Police takes charge as the head of the joint security heads committee in the state. The return of violent acts of thuggery in the state is seemingly one of…
“The children of the poor you failed to train ( educate) will never let your children have peace” – Chief obafemi awolowo. It was like he saw the future. THAT is a powerful quote from Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian statesman and former Premier of Western Region. His words resonate deeply, highlighting the consequences of neglecting the education and well-being of disadvantaged children. By failing to provide them with opportunities and support, we create a cycle of poverty, inequality, and social unrest that can haunt us in the future. Indeed, political thuggery in Nigeria has become a means to an…
THOSE who run our affairs are far too unserious wearing asoebi at any given opportunity and flying agbada all over the place other than concern for our welfare. That’s another reason why real development will continue to elude this nation. After 60 years of independence and 25 years of democratic rule, there is no stable power in the country, undilapidated road all over, good health is a thing of admiration to us, quality education – it’s either you have the money to take your wards to an elite school or take them to a public school that the teachers always…
“Before you acquire power, you should acquire the wisdom to use it well” – Tywin Lannister TYWIN Lannister character of Game of Thrones said this, as one of his less famous quotes in the hit TV series. A highly capable administrator. He is a master strategist and is extremely skilled in manipulating people in getting what he wants. This quote came to mind when the drama in Kano over claims to the commercial city’s throne played out significantly few days ago. Muhammad Sanusi II was reinstated as the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Friday, …
EARLIER this week, I was having an academic discussion with my niece, who is a 200-level student of one of the private universities in Kano. She wants to change her course of study from Biochemistry to Cyber Security Engineering but she seem indecisive about it because people around her thinks she can’t make it in Engineering and she is reluctant to discuss her options with her Level Coordinator because according to her, the lady is a “mean” somebody. Mid discussion, I told her If she wants to, she should. People will always discourage you until you make it, and then…
THERE is a need to take an analytical look at the recent released results of the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) for university admission seekers by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). JAMB’s Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, announced the release of the UTME results in a press conference held at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja a few days ago and according to him, over 1.94 million candidates registered and sat for the examination in 118 towns and over 700 centres across the nation. This is significantly higher than the 1,595,779 candidates who registered for the 2023 edition. The examination,…
NIGERIA’s Naira has officially been declared the world’s best-performing currency by global investment bank, Goldman Sachs and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Yemi Cardoso. And there are reliable reports that the Naira will continue to appreciate. Not only has our currency been declared the best-performing currency globally, but the Naira is also now trading at N900 to a $1 – one of the biggest news of the year for me. Before I proceed, I want to lament the ‘small silence’ in the media about this naira progress. When the naira depreciated, every sector of the media was awashed with…
EVERYONE will answer in the affirmative. Yes, absolutely. No doubt. Are you kidding me? Of course, I love me. But to what extent? How many times do you feel ashamed because of what people say about you? How many times have you let people weigh you down because of how you look? Either fat or skinny. Dark or light-skinned. Constantly body shamed, how many times? How many times did you hide because of what people will think? How many times have you suppressed a passion because of what people will say? Succumbing to immorality and indecency, just so you could…
BEFORE dwelling into this week’s piece, I will like us to fully understand the subject of this write-up, which is Palliative. According to a modern dictionary to ‘Palliate’ is to reduce the intensity or severity of a disease or to ease the symptoms of a disease without curing the underlying disease itself. This entails administering pain-killing drugs to a patient to downplay the pain. Another meaning reads, to “palliate” in everyday language may also connote “to cover an error or an undesirable situation by use of excuses and apologies”. If you ask me, nothing best delineates the Nigerian way of…
REMEMBER, all thoughts—good or bad—tend to cloak themselves in their physical equivalent. Fears are a state of mind conditioned into us. By recalibrating our minds, we can start to focus on what we truly desire and begin a life of extraordinary achievement and fulfillment. If we choose to waive our right to take ownership of our lives, we must be willing to accept whatever fate has in store for us. The things we fear fall into two categories: what we can control and what we cannot control. Developing the ability to tell them apart is a valuable skill, as American…