By Sani Danlami

The advent of social media which is believed to have begun around 1997 with the launch of the platform “Six Degrees”, is shaping the news reporting, in the sense of narrating happenings.

Access to news has been democratized. Citizens masquerading as journalists now report events in real-time.

Social media comes in with some magic. It provides a direct line between journalists/citizens journalists with their audience and sources. It seems that things have been made easier as news stories are broken faster, thereby creating more interactive environments among journalists, audience and sources.

As well, social media allows politicians as well as power brokers to speak to constituents or their target audiences directly. Now people express themselves without the gatekeeping employed by the traditional media to sanitize discussions.

But this comes with some challenges and responsibilities as verification of information and combating misinformation become daunting tasks.

In spite of the strides taken by social media to ease down slow dissemination of information as exemplified by the traditional media, it gave birth to some sicknesses including but not limited to cyberbullying, disinformation morphing, privacy violation, which are fast consuming us.

It is within this context that a former member House of Representatives from Tarauni Federal Constituency, Hafizu Kawu under the auspices of Hafizu Kawu Media Team, teamed up with the Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, to cleanse social media in order to attract healthy political discussions.

For ages, people have been complaining of the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation; but little is done to walk the talk. Social media has dissevered relationships, led to conflicts and heated the polity much more than it served us.

It was out of this frustration that the former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 governorship election, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo called on the past governors of the state including Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to set aside their differences and work together for the betterment of the state. Kano has been at the receiving end. Disinformation and misinformation split up former established political figures in the state.

This social media summit could not have come at a better time. Already, the drum of the 2027 general election is quietly beating and political parties’ social media handlers are fast becoming adamant. Based on this, the summit will go a long way in sanitizing and strengthening processes of social media.

One beautiful thing about this summit organized by Hafizu Kawu in collaboration with the Council of Ulama’a is that it drew participants from major political parties in the state including the APC, the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), among others.

Also, the choice of the venue of the event, which is Islamic Forum of Nigeria National Headquarters, in Kano, testified to the commitment of the organizer on reforming and promoting decency in modern political practices, particularly on social media platforms.

Undoubtedly, this is a very interesting outing which says a lot about Hafizu Kawu’s intention and commitment towards promoting political cohesion and understanding among political parties in the state, particularly within the ranks of their social media users, who proved, many times, to be in disarray.

The dual-professor, Abdallah Uba Adamu, was the guest speaker at the all-important event. Present at the event also was a renowned Islamic scholar, Shaykh Ibrahim Khalil, the chairman of the Council of Ulama, Kano Branch.

Abdallah Uba Adamu was particularly selected to initiate the participants into some core values of journalism as a communications scholar to enable them engage in healthy communications and discussions. He said that this is necessary for Kano State to occupy its rightful position as a melting pot of politics and it will serve as an example for the neighboring states.

Going by the targeted audience, popular politicians from Tarauni Local Government, namely; Alhaji Talle Mai unguwa, who came with a group of who is who in Tarauni APC; former member of State Assembly from Tarauni, Abubakar Zakari, with his large entourage and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Kabiru Muhammad, among others, attended the event.

Other politicians from APC were the Tarauni local government APC Chairman, Maikudi Ali, with Wards Chairmen were present, signaling their endorsement of this important effort of cleansing social media space.

Former Speaker Tarauni Local Government Council, Ali Madu attended the event in the company of former councilors of the local government and other political heavyweights from Tarauni.

Tarauni is the birthplace of this idea; but members of political parties across the state were attracted by the event. They all endorsed this idea of enhancing public morality and cleansing social media. Why? Everyone is a victim. Fake news and propaganda have turned electioneering campaigns into physical strife

The two teams, the former lawmaker and the council of Ulama’a, from all intent are deeply engaged in promoting saner and safer political discussions among political actors in the state. This is what Kano political atmosphere desires the most to produce good leadership that will serve all.

The most interesting part of the event, though it was organized by Hafizu Media Team and the Council, was that participation cuts across the state, as many social media users from across APC, PDP and NNPP, attended the first of its kind event.

Prof Adamu explained with all clarity that the necessary paradigm shifts from misuse of social media platforms by party promoters. On the other hand, Shaykh Khalil, referred participants to always put Allah first before engaging in anything towards promoting their political interest.

Other speakers called on social media users to always have a good understanding of their principals in order to work effectively and efficiently.

This and similar efforts can promote peace and stability in the polity. It is obvious that without peace no development is possible, workable and reachable.

Despite the threats social media poses to political stability, with such summits, where educators and community leaders join hands with educators to enlighten users of social media on ethical considerations, the future looks bright.

By Hashim Abdallah

The Palestinians Won The 15-Month Battle -Hashim Abdallah of justice.

On 15th January, 2025 Zionism signed to end its US backed genocide in Palestine where hundreds of thousand casualties recorded mostly Palestinian civilians, including women and children from among whom were journalists, health, rescue and above all diplomatic workers.

Although Palestinians being seeing at the receiving end as they recorded such a huge number of casualties, either dead or maimed ones, it is obvious they won the battle for many reasons from their perspectives and of course from different point of view.

We must firstly take into consideration the aim of the oppression even if it might had falsely been claimed, ie, to rescue the hostages captured by the Hamas. Have the captives been liberated from the Hamas captivity? If no, the claimed, or open aim of the shelling has been defeated outrightly. Has Hamas been forced to release them unwillingly? If no, their resistance is steadfast and their pledge is amazing.

The facts of their being triumphant did not stop there as their resilience in thronging in multitudes to return to the remains and the ‘only remaining 8% saved places in Gaza’ as according to Aljazeera. It surprised the world as they were smiling and raising the two fingers symbolizing their triumph and courage which confirm you the notion of feeling being victorious as they harbour it amidst the debris of the collapsed structures. They appear rejoicing the news of the armistice in spite of the Israeli breaches from the truce first day till the second and third day that exceeded even to the fourth day. Yes, there were attacks here and there with death toll rising even after the ceasefire being said to have already been signed.

Celebration vs protest
As the Palestinians celebrate the ceasefire, Israelis have been reported to have been protesting violently attacking Israeli Palestinians/Arabs.

Captives’ Exchange
It is both surprising and fascinating Palestinians would exchange few jews for many Palestinians as Israeli agreed to with no alternative.

‘You can kill a man, but you can’t kill his ideology’ is a popular saying originated from wise thinkers, revolutionaries and freedom fighters from Bhagat Singh to Martin Luther King, Victor Hugo and Steve Biko. All Palestinians believed to have been fighting a holy war which leads them to heaven. However, this is not an ideology limited to be held by only Palestinians but also all moslems. You could find a lot ready to die defending their territory from Israeli aggression and occupation.
Matyrs is what all Muslims consider and/or refer to brethren died fighting the holy war of self defense and/or the other one,ie, ‘crusade.’

That not limited to Muslims for the world too believed they have been defending themselves from occupation, transgressions, trespassing and land seizure by Israeli settlers backed by the Jew government(s) which the current one is being led by the blood monger, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Even from the eyes of the world of analysis, it is a striking ascertainment among the analysts that none on earth resist like Palestinians. Of course, it is undeniable fact that they never surrendered to Israeli full military forces of aggression and oppression.

Indeed, as it is according to the Muslim faithfuls, the people around the holy mosque of Al’aqsa would be bold, resistant and guards of the Quds Mosque on behalf of the Muslim and Islam as the third holy mosque in Islam.

Palestinians won the war if the world really united in speaking up against the atrocities in Gaza Strip.

The secrets that many non Muslims do not know is that all the happenings have been predictions in Islam. Nothing surprised Muslim world that much.

Hasheem Abdalla teaches English language and Literature at Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic Hadejia, Jigawa State.

08038662494
hashimat@bupoly.edu.ng

By Balarabe Idris

It’s hard to believe that 15 years have passed since we graduated from the Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication program at Bayero University, Kano (BUK). Even more difficult to accept, is the loss of my dear colleague and friend, Lawal Saidu Funtua, a correspondent of Peoples Daily Newspaper in Katsina and also Publisher of blueinknews, an online media. The last time we met was in 2019 during the wedding ceremony of his daughter in Funtua. Even though, we maintained communication through phone calls, the last time we had spoken was almost 6 months ago.

I still remember Lawal Saidu Funtua’s bright smile, infectious laughter, and unwavering dedication to our studies. We shared many late-night study sessions and lively discussions that shaped our understanding of the media and communication.

Lawal Saidu was more than just a classmate; he was a true friend, generous and confidant. His selflessness stood out, particularly when he covered our hotel accommodation at Afforestation Hotel in Kano during our program.
I recall how he’d arrive in Kano before me and entrust his car key to his late brother, Murtala, to book our accommodation. Even his ATM card was in Murtala’s possession, showing his trust and generosity.
One notable instance was when Lawal received a call for an advertisement payment worth millions of naira. Instead of sharing his own account details, he opted to share those of his younger brother.

Lawal’s kindness and empathy extended beyond these gestures. I recall in 2016 when our entourage came to Katsina from Abuja for a SCI Work to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN) Media/CSO’s field visit to Katsina communities. At that time when he visited me in my hotel room, I told him about some personal issues I was undergoing and he offered his support.

Lawal Saidu was a book worm, a good writer and researcher to the core whom has spent so much money on books related to media and communication, political economy and governance. His commitment to research had definitely assisted me during our study.

His passion for journalism and commitment to telling the stories that needed to be told inspired us all. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of journalists and communicators

Though Lawal Saidu may be gone but his memory lives on in our hearts.

Rest in peace, my dear friend, Lawal Saidu Funtua. You will never be forgotten by us. May Jannatil Firdaus be your final abode.