A total of 145 women from 15 groups in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State have graduated from the Social Analysis and Action (SAA) programme under the CASCADE project, implemented by the Development Exchange Centre (DEC). The women, trained over 12 months through existing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), acquired skills in livelihood improvement, nutrition, and gender equity. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ann Alberta Bot, CASCADE’s Gender Technical Officer, said the SAA sessions provided a platform for women to discuss and address harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and promote healthy family practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal…
Author: TheStories
Many Nigerians have been painfully swindled out of millions of their hard-earned money through various scams. Consequently, some victims of these scams have committed suicide, others have been denied prosperity, and many have been left with unpayable debts. Internet scammers have stolen money from people; Ponzi schemers have defrauded numerous Nigerians of their cash, just as dubious and unregistered financial service operators have ruined countless financial nests. The destructive nature of Ponzi schemes, in particular, was highlighted by Dr. Okey Umeano of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in an edition of Accounting and Business (AB) magazine, where he wrote:…
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has left indelible scars on the land and its people, a reminder of the brutality of Jewish-imposed war and the mercilessness that accompanies it. Under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s military actions have intensified, leading to a humanitarian crisis that evokes strong emotions and raises profound questions about morality, humanity, and the consequences of political decisions. The images emerging from Gaza are not merely snapshots of destruction; they are powerful narratives that encapsulate the anguish, despair, and resilience of a population caught in the crossfire of conflict. At first glance, the visual landscape of…
In the intricacies of Nigerian politics, few figures elicit as much controversy as Atiku Abubakar, a perennial presidential aspirant and former Vice President. His recent endorsement of calls for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has ignited a firestorm of controversy. This endorsement is particularly troubling given Kanu’s role in inciting violence that has resulted in the deaths of numerous individuals, particularly from the Northern region, and the destruction of properties across Nigeria. The implications of Atiku’s support for Kanu’s release warrant a critical examination, as they underscore the broader tensions…
As a boy in secondary school, like many restless teenagers, I dreamt of what I might become someday. My imagination traveled wide: doctor, lawyer, journalist, teacher — but never once did I see myself as a soldier. It wasn’t out of disrespect for the profession or ignorance of its prestige. No. The idea of being a soldier terrified me. Something deep within, perhaps an extra X chromosome in my emotional wiring, whispered that I was not built for that life of rigid duty, harsh command, and emotional detachment. In school, many of my friends fantasized about wearing khaki. It was…
Some encounters stay with you — not just because of the people you meet, but because of the renewed sense of purpose they leave behind. That’s exactly how I felt meeting Mrs. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Nigeria’s new Country Representative, during her first official field mission to Sokoto and Kebbi States last month. I was introduced to her by my Chief, and what began as a formal greeting quickly turned into a warm, thoughtful conversation about the work we do in the Communication, Advocacy, and Partnerships (CAP) Section. I explained how our team supports programme colleagues — amplifying their work through…
Dr. Anisah Ari, an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, has emphasized that women’s courage and grassroots leadership are vital tools for sustaining peace in Nigeria’s conflict-affected communities. Ari made this known in a paper titled “Reclaiming Peace Through Truth Appeal: The Imperative of Tough Conversations in Nigeria’s Fragile Landscape,” which she shared on Sunday in Abuja. She cited widespread banditry, abductions, armed robbery, and killings as factors destabilising communities and exposing the country’s fractured national identity and fragile security architecture. “The country is overdue for a shift from reactive security to proactive dialogue. Peace cannot be imposed; it…
The clamour for increased representation of women in Nigeria’s political space has once again come to the fore, as stakeholders await the outcome of the Reserved Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly. The bill, also referred to as “Additional or Reserved Seats Bill’’ seeks to alter the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide reservation for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly to address the low number of women in the legislature. If passed into law, the bill will address the long-standing concerns of women underrepresentation in governance and decision-making by ensuring that…
Bauchi State First Lady, Aisha Bala Mohammed, has commended Nigerian girls for championing education, health, and dignity — showing resilience and leadership even in crisis. Speaking at the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Bauchi, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis,” she said girls are “not just part of the future — they are shaping it right now.” Mrs. Mohammed highlighted how Bauchi girls are leading campaigns on menstrual hygiene, environmental protection, and community service. She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to expanding education access, ending child marriage and…
I woke up this morning with that quiet urge to write, the kind of restlessness that begins with a question and ends in reflection. My mind hovered over a dozen possibilities: the heated arguments about Tinubu’s sense of fairness in appointments, the shockwaves from Professor Joash’s emergence as INEC Chairman, or the latest drama of political clemency and pardons. Yet, none felt right. Nigeria’s political air has grown too predictable, its conversations split between the eternally “pro” and the forever “anti”—two camps so rooted in conviction that neutrality itself has become an offence. The last time I dared to sound…