Northern Nigeria, a region brimming with cultural richness and historical significance, finds itself shrouded in a darkening storm. While the region once held the promise of a prosperous future, its potential is increasingly being eclipsed by a confluence of challenges: poverty, insecurity, and a lack of inclusive governance. This essay will explore the deepening crisis in Northern Nigeria, analyzing its multifaceted causes and the grim consequences it has wrought upon its people. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman The first dark cloud looming over Northern Nigeria is the pervasive poverty that permeates it. Despite its vast resources, the region suffers from a disproportionate…
Author: TheStories
Senator Ibrahim Lamido’s journey in Sokoto politics began when he was elected to represent Sokoto East Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Until 2021, when he began to show interest in politics and joined Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’s political empire in Sokoto State, the 44-year-old Lamido was relatively unknown in the political arena of Isa Local Government, where he hails from, let alone his senatorial district or the state at large. By Bashar Ahmad Gobir Lamido’s wise decision to align with Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto) was unsurprising, considering Wamakko’s enduring popularity…
The air hung thick with the scent of roasted peanuts and the sound of children’s laughter filled the narrow, dusty street. It was a lively scene, a microcosm of life in Kano, the bustling heart of northern Nigeria. But just a few blocks away, a stark contrast unfolded. A cluster of dilapidated buildings, their walls crumbling under the relentless sun, stood as a silent testament to poverty’s grip. It was here, amidst the shadows, that I met Maimuna, her weary eyes reflecting a life of struggle. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman Maimuna, a mother of five, toiled tirelessly at a local market,…
The sacking of some ministers and the retention of others in the federal cabinet highlights that the long-expected reshuffle was shambolic in its intention. By Abdu Labaran Many performing members were dropped, while numerous underperforming and controversy-trailed members were retained. If these individuals were truly working for the people, rather than for themselves, they would have resigned when accusations started pointing at them. Concerned Nigerians see nothing extraordinary in the exercise but a self-serving maneuver by the head of the country. Indeed, for the exercise to be holistic in the eyes of many compatriots, it should have included those who,…
The lament of a people struggling amidst neglect is a recurring theme throughout history. In our contemporary North, the cry is particularly poignant. While elected leaders express concern for the plight of its citizens, their actions often fall short, leaving a population grappling with poverty, insecurity, and a deteriorating future. The rhetoric of concern rings hollow when confronted with the reality of unaddressed social and economic woes. This essay will explore the chasm between political pronouncements and the lived realities of the Nigerian North, highlighting the urgent need for transformative leadership that prioritizes the well-being of the people, not self-serving…
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has issued a directive to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to deploy security forces to safeguard ongoing repair efforts on damaged electricity towers. This action follows President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to swiftly address the recent power grid collapse, attributed to sabotage by third parties. The incident has led to widespread power outages across Northern Nigeria, affecting essential services and the daily lives of citizens. Expressing deep concern over the disruptions caused by the grid failure, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of securing critical infrastructure from future attacks. In line with this, the…
A video clip of Governor Lawal Dare of Zamfara State shows him in the company of one other person discussing a brand new BMW 7 Serie. In the video clip, which is circulating on social media, it was said that the car was recently purchased by the governor at the staggering cost of N300 million. The price elicited double takes from yours sincerely because of the harsh, hard and hostile times that most Nigerian citizens are facing. When someone saw the same video clip and commented that Lawal grew up with the love, and in possession, of fancy expensive cars,…
As a country, Nigeria is gradually tilting towards a nation whose unity is being threatened like never before. Almost daily now, new narratives are emerging, with people championing one sectional sentiment or another. And the momentum is growing, and growing with serious speed. Sometimes last month, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on leave in the United Kingdom, the Yoruba Nation advocate, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, calling on the UK, the former colonial master of Nigeria, to consider a secession that would lead to…
‘Conscience natured by truth’ is the slogan of the Guardian, self-touted as the flagship of the Nigerian newspapers. It is a phrase coined by the famous Islamic scholar and reformist, Shiekh Usman Fodio, the leader of the Fulani Jihad and founder of the Sokoto Caliphate. That phrase has remained valid now as then but unfortunately lacking by most Northern leaders who prefer to build themselves rather than build the region. Elsewhere the story is opposite of what happens in the north. By Abdu Labaran By now it should be obvious that the North or a large part of it has…
There is a famous quote that is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States. The quote reads, “Well done is better than well said”. The accepted aspiration of the quote is to advance that, actions speak louder than words, and that it is more important to follow through on promises than simply talk about them. The media space in Nigeria is full of rhetoric, speaking or writing with the intent of persuading the public about the good intentions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the countless…