On Nigeria’s shores it is not surprising to hear that a building has collapsed in so or so town, because such disasters have been occurring frequently. The collapse often comes with fatalities. And, more often than not, the fatalities could be avoided or minimised with the use of the standard materials recommended by the experts. But because of the need to make money easily and anyhow with little or no regard to the safety of the eventual users, owners use sub-standard materials for the buildings or use UNEDUCATED ‘civil engineers’ (local bricklayers), to design (if any were done) and build…
Author: TheStories
I did not intend to write this small article, but the responses I got due to the earlier article I penned and posted kept on coming. Some of them were NEGATIVE while others were positive. There may be others who for one reason or another, prefer not to express their feelings about, ‘Kwaskwaro: The Type Of Politician We Need In NASS’. I wrote and posted the article on 6th August 2024, and since then I have been inundated with calls and responses. That is to be expected. But what I did not expect was to be accused of ‘encouraging’ corruption…
A pan-African students’ movement, Progressive Students’ Movement (PSM), on Monday, urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would stop governors from conducting local government LG polls. President of PSM, Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement in Enugu that it was imperative to make the financial autonomy granted to local governments have the desired impact. The Supreme Court had, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ordered the Federal Government to begin direct payment of monthly allocations into local councils’ accounts. Okereafor described the apex court verdict as a landmark judgment and one which would have direct impacts on the…
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called on the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to strengthen their security cooperation to enhance their defence capabilities against any security threats. The Minister made the call during the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja. The meeting, which started today, brought together top military leaders from West Africa to address the region’s pressing security concerns. Badaru emphasized the significance of collective efforts in combating terrorism, cross-border crimes, and hybrid threats, stressing the need for enhanced regional security cooperation to safeguard nations and…
Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has lauded the efforts of the Nigerian military in combating banditry in the state, particularly in the southern part. Governor Nasir Idris praised the resilience and strong determination of the military, which facilitated the quick return of peace to the previously troubled southern areas, where banditry, destruction of farmlands, and loss of lives were rampant. The Governor made this commendation during a courtesy visit by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, and Commander Joint Task Force, Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, at the Government House, Birnin…
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has bemoaned military takeovers in some West African countries, stating that these actions have created unintended consequences and threatened democratic values in the region. He spoke at the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja on Wednesday. General Musa emphasized that the threat of military takeovers must be eradicated, as it negates the core values and responsibilities of the military profession. He added that in democratic countries, the military must uphold democratic values in line with the principles of their constitutions. Additionally, the Minister…
My country Nigeria is currently caught in an expiating crisis caused by criminals looting and vandalizing everything before them in the name of strike, inappropriately termed ‘a day of rage,’ and Amnesty International is very comfortable with that. But the same Amnesty is very concerned with the arrest of these criminals, so much so that it has been calling loudly for their unconditional release. By Abdu Labaran The same Amnesty International has been missing in action for the many crimes committed by the governments in its backyard, thereby proving the truism of the allegations that it was the Western World’s…
Politicians who are worth their salt and understand their roles are known to overcome challenges to improve the living conditions of their people. Globally, during campaign seasons, political parties and their candidates present blueprints they intend to execute while in office. Ahmed By Aminu Binji Nigeria is no exception; however, many campaign promises are often taken with a pinch of salt, as the electorate has become more discerning. Past track records of performance, either in public or private endeavors, now serve as a crucial determinant for voters. This likely informed the widespread support garnered by Sokoto’s current governor, Ahmed Aliyu,…
I did not know his real name, only the nickname he bears, so what I wrote about him was purely based on what I heard and read about him. Even his nickname, which I knew as Kwaskwaro, is suffixed with ‘na Buhari,’ and this was unknown to me. However, I later came to know his name was (now Honourable) Surajo Abdullahi. And I am not sure he knows me. By Abdu Labaran About two months ago, he distributed materials estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of naira to his constituents. The materials included motorcars, motorcycles, bicycles, fertilizers, and money,…
The Saudi authorities have given the Award of Excellence to the Sokoto State Government for its successful 2024 Hajj operations. The state government clinched the prestigious and most coveted award due to the proper arrangements made to ensure the welfare of the State’s pilgrims during the just-concluded 2024 Hajj exercise. This came to light when the Chairman of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Aliyu Musa, presented the invaluable award to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House Sokoto on Monday. Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Gov. Aliyu commended the PWA officials for their unwavering commitment, which led…