The National Prayer Altar (TNPA) last week called on the Nigerian government to reverse its ratification of the policy, which equates certificates issued by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) with WAEC, NECO, NBTE and other standardised examination bodies. TNPA said such an equation distorts Nigeria’s secularity. In the meantime, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has confirmed the compatibility of the NBAIS certificate with WAEC, NECO, and NBTE. The Islamic organization advised the Christian group and Nigerian Christendom to eschew all vestiges of colonial mentality as well as anti-Arabic and anti-Muslim paranoia.…
Author: TheStories
As part of ongoing efforts to deepen democratic participation and amplify women’s voices in Nigeria’s political landscape, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has commenced a series of high-level consultative forums with key media stakeholders. The initiative is supported by the European Union under its flagship Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme. The forums—organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP)—are scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Port Harcourt and on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Abuja. They are focused on…
I have traveled extensively across the globe, visiting countries on every habitable continent—except Australia. Despite these journeys, I’ve never found it captivating enough to remain in any one country for more than two weeks. There’s something about being in a place where you’re constantly tracked, monitored, or required to declare your return date that feels stifling. In many developed nations, life is so efficient and orderly that it becomes monotonous. Everything works like clockwork—too perfectly. It’s almost dull. Back home, we’re used to a different rhythm: getting frustrated when “NEPA takes light” and jubilant when power is restored. As we…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria. This resolve was underscored during a high-level meeting held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja between the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and the new US-DEA Country Attaché to Nigeria, Ms. Daphne Morrison. Morrison, who is newly assigned to Nigeria, emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between both agencies, noting that her visit was to reinforce existing ties and chart…
In the symbolic and political nucleus of the Sokoto Caliphate, an imperial, illiberal, power-drunk governor who is held hostage by what seems like politically conditioned rejection-sensitive dysphoria (i.e., unhealthy hypersensitivity to even the mildest, most well-intentioned criticism, often associated with sufferers of ADHD) is oppressing an 18-year-old critic identified as Hamdiyyah Sidi Sharif. I first became aware of Hamdiyya’s woeful plight in the hands of Sokoto State governor Ahmad Aliyu when respected former Kaduna State governor Colonel Dangiwa Umar (retired) called attention to it in a November 2024 BBC Hausa interview, which caused the Sokoto State Government to launch caustic…
In Nigerian politics, the dynamics of electoral contests often hinge on the interplay of grassroots mobilization, coalition building, and the prevailing sentiments of the electorate. As the nation approaches the next electoral cycle, the stage is set for a significant showdown between the coalition led by Atiku Abubakar and the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With the promise of free and fair elections, coupled with effective grassroots mobilization, Abubakar’s coalition poses a formidable challenge to Tinubu’s second-term aspirations, which many perceive as lacking substantive engagement and coherence—a phenomenon often referred to as the “Rarara Effect.” Atiku Abubakar, a seasoned politician…
The Senate of the Democratic Republic of Congo has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of former President Joseph Kabila, paving the way for military prosecutors to initiate legal proceedings against him. The historic decision, announced late Friday, marks the first time a former Congolese head of state faces the prospect of prosecution by military authorities. While the specific charges have not yet been officially disclosed, legal experts suggest the move may be linked to investigations into alleged abuses during Kabila’s 18-year rule. Kabila, who led the Central African nation from 2001 to 2019, retained senatorial privileges after stepping down,…
In the dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics, the endorsement of candidates by political parties plays a crucial role in shaping electoral outcomes. As the All Progressives Congress (APC) gears up for the 2027 elections, the unambiguous endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate is a significant development. However, it is essential to recognize that such an endorsement should naturally extend to his Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Their partnership embodies a cohesive leadership model that is vital for the APC’s success in the upcoming elections. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman The political journey of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is marked…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State has strongly condemned what it described as an act of injustice against its spokesman, Sani Dododo. Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, the state party chairman, Usman Bello Suru, said, “We are in a democratic era where freedom of speech is a right guaranteed to every citizen of this country.” Controversy erupted after Dododo appeared on a live phone-in radio programme, following the defection of three senators—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Aminu Bande—from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The programme sparked criticism from…
In a world drowning in noise, where everyone feels compelled to offer an opinion—qualified or not—silence has become tragically underrated. We live in the era of endless talk, where everyone’s an overnight philosopher, and even your neighbour’s cat seems to have something to say on social media. Yet, the most powerful, mature, and compassionate response we often overlook is silence. And no, this isn’t about passively ghosting responsibilities or tiptoeing around hard truths. It’s about making the intentional, strategic choice to say nothing—when saying something would do more harm than good. Let’s be honest: if you don’t know the full…