In the dynamic circumstances of Nigerian politics, female politicians often face unique challenges and scrutiny. However, among the ranks of these formidable women, Hajiya Sa’adatu Garba Dogon Bauchi stands out not only as a Commissioner in the National Population Commission but also as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many, particularly the youth in Kaduna State and the broader Northern region. Her journey transcends the realm of politics; she embodies the spirit of resilience, empowerment, and mentorship, making her an icon and an Amazon in her community. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman Hajiya Sa’adatu’s political career is marked by her commitment…
Author: TheStories
I stumbled upon a flyer from Christ College, Zaria—an unassuming school by many standards—listing students who scored 300 and above in the UTME. Fifteen names graced the page, the lowest score being a staggering 302 and the highest, an almost mythical 371. By Bagudu Mohammed My first reaction was a mix of awe and mischief. I chuckled and muttered under my breath, “So, where are the big-name schools now?” You know the ones—those elite institutions nestled in Abuja, Lagos, Jos, Kano, and Minna, where fees can rival university tuition and where some believe excellence is simply a price tag away.…
The political atmosphere in Kebbi State is stirring once again, and this time, the spotlight is gradually shifting to one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal minds and political figures, Dr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. With 2027 on the horizon, calls for Malami to contest the gubernatorial seat are not only growing louder but are echoing across the three major Emirates of Kebbi: Zuru, Yauri, and Gwandu. The mounting support from political stakeholders, traditional rulers, and grassroots mobilizers underscores a sentiment long nurtured—Kebbi deserves tested leadership, and Malami fits the mold. By…
In recent times, a curious slogan has slithered into our everyday conversations, advertisements, and online banter—”This is not for civil servants.” It sounds like a joke. It feels like satire. But is it merely humour, or a mirror to a society that’s slowly losing its soul? What started as a casual quip has evolved into a cultural talking point, thanks in part to a stirring critique by Folorunsho Fatai Adisa in his piece “This is Not for Civil Servants: A Mockery Masquerading as Marketing.” In it, he challenges the moral foundation of a phrase that seems harmless on the surface…
My wife came home with a story that struck a deep chord in me. She had visited her younger brother, her family’s lastborn and my little brother-in-law, to tell him his UTME result. He scored 214, a respectable mark considering the wave of mass failure reported in the news. She greeted him with a warm smile and words of encouragement: “Abba, you did well! You made us proud.” But instead of relief or pride, what she got in return was a burst of frustration. By Bagudu Mohammed “You people never believed I was reading,” Abba snapped, visibly agitated. “You wouldn’t…
The visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Doha, Qatar for the second leg of his four-day Gulf tour underscores the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations in American foreign policy. As President Trump engages with leaders in Qatar, the discussions are expected to revolve around critical issues such as defense, regional security, economic ties, and the ongoing situation in Gaza. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman One of the primary focuses of President Trump’s visit to Qatar is likely to be defense cooperation. The Gulf region has long been a pivotal area for U.S. military presence, with Qatar hosting the…
In the history of modern diplomacy, few spectacles have been as grotesque as Donald Trump’s tour of Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. This journey, cloaked in the guise of statecraft, is not diplomacy in the traditional sense; rather, it is a meticulously choreographed theatre, staged in gold and fueled by the insatiable greed of power brokers. The applause that Trump receives from Gulf rulers is not a testament to his diplomatic acumen but rather a reflection of their own complicity in a sordid arrangement that prioritizes wealth over humanity. As children in Gaza face starvation and violence, the leaders of…
The ACUF Initiative for Policy and Governance (ACUFIPOLGOV) has called for urgent reforms and candidate support measures following the confirmation of systemic technical errors that affected the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in multiple centres. The group’s position comes after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released its 2025 UTME Technical Review Report, which revealed that the integrity of the exam results was compromised for over 379,000 candidates across 157 centres—mainly in Lagos and the South-East. According to the report, a critical system update meant to support answer randomization and validation was mistakenly omitted from server clusters in…
When the legendary Bongos Ikwue—musical sage, lyrical philosopher, and master of mellow rebellion—sat for an interview with Channels TV, few expected a metaphysical bombshell. But there he was, with a voice as soft as velvet and words as sharp as divine chisels, declaring: “Zero is not nothing. Zero is only zero. And the power of zero is the ultimate power.” By Prof. Chiwuike Uba, Ph.D. Wait—what? Most of us were told in school, with all the confidence of a chalkboard tyrant, that zero is nothing. But Bongos flipped the script like a master griot. He took that “nothing” and turned it into…
In a time when Nigerians are yearning for leadership that truly connects with the people, Yakubu Garba shines as a rare example of what it means to lead with heart, humility, and purpose. From his humble beginnings in the communities of Shiroro, Niger State, Garba’s journey has remained grounded in the values that matter most: honesty, empathy, and service. Leading with heart, not just a title For Yakubu Garba, leadership isn’t about power or position—it’s about people. It’s about being present, listening, and making real, tangible differences in everyday lives. Whether he’s backing youth-led initiatives, fighting for the rights of…