Different forms of pressure shape our lives in subtle and overt ways, often wearing a friendly face while quietly bruising the human spirit. A few days ago, I came across an emotional post that stirred deep empathy in me. It was a reminder that popularity, success, and perceived strength do not immunize anyone against emotional exhaustion. The post came from a Nollywood actress, Lizzy Gold, whose honest lament exposed how even admiration can become a burden when society refuses to respect personal choices. Lizzy Gold spoke openly about her relationship status, asking the public to stop pressuring her into marriage…
Author: TheStories
A prominent governorship aspirant in Yobe State, Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah, has urged residents of the state to unite and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue in office beyond 2027. Tumsah, a development advocate, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting with his supporters drawn from across political parties, where discussions focused on the future of Yobe State following the completion of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s second term in 2027. According to him, Yobe State has reached a critical stage in its political and developmental journey and must speak with one voice in support of national leadership continuity. “Yobe…
Against the backdrop of prolonged conflict, insecurity, and humanitarian crises in Nigeria’s Northeast, Amnesty International Nigeria has trained 65 journalists from the region on ethical, responsible, and human rights-centred reporting. The two-day media training, titled Human Rights-Centred Journalism, was held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, and brought together journalists covering insurgency, displacement, gender-based violence, and governance in conflict-affected communities. Speaking on “Journalism with a Gender Lens: Protecting Rights, Shaping Narratives,” Dr Anne Agi, a lecturer in the Law Department of the University of Calabar, said journalists reporting conflict must recognise the media’s power to either reinforce inequality or promote…
When the novelist, poet, and online influencer Hadiza Bagudu wrote her now widely discussed essay, “We Protect Our Girls but Neglect the Boys,” perhaps she was not blunt enough for the gravity of the moment. That, at least, was my immediate thought after reading the alarm recently raised by a man of God whose intervention arrived with shock, surprise, and an invitation to deep reflection. I found myself compelled to share his message, urging others to contribute their views, not merely to argue, but to search collectively for answers, conviction, and ultimately, a better society. On X, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo…
The debate about who should shape a young person’s career often sounds simple online, especially when a post declares that “parents cannot decide their children’s paths.” Such statements easily attract applause because they appeal to our desire for independence. But as I read one of these comments, something in me resisted the simplicity of that narrative. It felt too neat, too one-sided for a topic as layered as human destiny. So I stepped into the conversation, not to dismiss anyone’s views, but to widen the window through which we were all looking. The truth is that no one can dictate…
Gov Bago’s advocacy is not the kind that passes unnoticed. Ordinarily, the loudest defenders of a two-term tenure are those already seated comfortably in office, incumbents whose political calculations are shaped, consciously or unconsciously, by the promise of continuity. Their arguments are often partisan, their judgment clouded by personal ambition or survival instinct. That is what makes Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s public endorsement of a single-term tenure for political and elected office holders so unusual, even disarming. He did not spell out the precise length of the proposed single term, nor did he indicate when such a reform might realistically…
I initially thought that public resistance to the nomination of the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was the loudest storm of the season, until I witnessed the tidal wave that greeted the nomination of Reno Omokri. It unfolded almost like a political drama, beginning with a short but explosive remark from a netizen, Dr. Mohammed, who wrote that the nomination that “pains” him most was Reno’s thereby describing him as a “deep-skinned hypocrite.” Whether or not that was the first shot fired, it was certainly the moment I became aware of the outrage melting across platforms like wildfire. Soon…
By Usman Mohammed Binji II A new chapter unfolded for mobility and logistics provider Amana Rides Nigeria Limited on Thursday as the company officially opened its new corporate head office in Sokoto, marking a significant milestone in its expanding footprint across the state. The unveiling ceremony, held at No. 1 Marmaron Nufawa, off Western Bypass near Bafarawa Flour Mills, brought together stakeholders, business leaders, and members of the public who gathered to witness the company’s progress and its growing role in local development. In a moment that blended official duty with personal reflection, Sokoto State Deputy Governor Idris Muhammad Gobir…
By Muhammad Usman Binji I The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State has issued a strong disclaimer to clarify ongoing confusion over the party’s authentic chairmanship in the state. In a statement signed by Umar Muhammad Faruk, the recognised ADC Chairman in Sokoto State, the party declared that Alhaji Bello Isiyaku (Keegan) is not the state chairman, contrary to claims reportedly being circulated across media platforms. Faruk explained that the national leadership of the party suspended Isiyaku in early September 2022 after he declared interest to run for governor under the ADC during the 2023 elections.…
The uproar began the moment news broke that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had finally released the long-awaited list of ambassadorial nominees, and among the prominent names sat that of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of INEC. As expected, the dust rose quickly and almost uniformly; critics found a familiar rhythm in their outrage. To many observers, the appointment was “too soon, too close and too damaging,” a gesture they read as political reciprocity rather than national interest. The public sentiment leaned heavily toward moral discomfort, and in the marketplace of opinions, morality often wears the loudest colours. Across…