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Opinion

Letter to Northern Nigeria Intellectuals

Published

4 years ago

on

 

By Adamu Tilde

Dear Intellectuals,

Save yourselves the burden of what and who an intellectual is- this is not an academic exercise, you are an intellectual in as much you have a fringe of interest in the goodness of Northern Nigeria. This letter is long overdue.

In case it sounds harsh to your hearing and bitter to your taste or perhaps timeworn to your hefty and hectic brains, let it be known at the outset, I am full of rage writing this letter. I am very angry, with all of us. I have to tell us this without mincing words- we should all cover our faces in shame. We have failed our society, woefully! We fail to live the expectations of our society.

Our ancestors must be very angry with the way we betray their trust. All hope is not lost, anyway. We can still turn things around if, and only if, we take a holistic invoice of our stocks; what do we have and what is in short supply? Where are we heading to and how can we reach there? Are we in the right direction? If yes, how can we sustain the momentum? If no, are we to have a 180-degree turn-around i.e System Overhaul, or we can sustain the momentum but change direction or continue in the direction but adjust the momentum? As an intellectual, your call is not that of a political thug that wallow in the pond of his ignorance.

Yours is not that of a monk that seeks solace in the solitude of his shrine. Yours is not that of a bigoted citizen who expresses his unenvious sophistry in exonerating his faults by heaping the blames on a non-existing and better-imagined enemy. You are neither known to be intimidated by a mere barrage of insults nor to succumb to a superficial cum pedestrian scholarship. You weigh things, happenings and occurrences on their merit and deduce your conclusion therefrom.

Your task, as observed by one of our finest thinkers, Sarki Muhammadu Sanusi II, “…is not one of blending into the opaque consciousness of the tumultuous mob around you, your voice drowned in a cacophony of misdirected protests. Your task is to remind us of who we are and what we ought to be. Our values are not to be taken from conduct of our adversaries but from the great heritage of our people”.

Northern Nigeria and the Inevitable Transition

If the above is your calling, then, why do you find solace behind your screen? Why should you maintain silence in the face of threats to the general survival of your very community? Why are you at ease, given the existential threats of ignorance, poverty, intolerance, religious rivalry that are staring (or to be more appropriate, occupying) at [the] society? What have you done? Agreed that you are bound by limitations but could there be a stopping stage in salvaging the plight of one’s society? That one should even entertain the thought of bowing-out? I acknowledge the small that you have done and are still doing, but is that enough?

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Yes, many of us are shielded from the ravaging and dispossessing poverty that befalls our communities. Yes, many of us are insured against dehumanizing ignorance. Yes, many of us are very tolerant of diverse views, beliefs, traditions and philosophies. Yes, many of us will never succumb to the thoughtless ideologies that give birth to ragamuffins who will kill in the name of religion, political leaning, ethnicity or regional loyalty.

Dear Intellectuals, we have to acknowledge the role your parents played in making you who you are today. But, come to think of it, what will be your prediction if the circumstances of your birth are removed from your make-up as you are today? I am not making excuses for the failure of the failed citizens. But many of them are accidental victims. They could have been like you if opportunities have been provided for them to exercise their potentials.

And this is the crux of my letter to you. You can avenge their plight. You got all it takes. Sit down. Think. Articulate. Come up with something tangible. We shouldn’t subject them to further hardship beyond this one. They already suffer more than enough. To be ignorant, poor and tools at the hand of religious ideologues, political gladiators and ethnic jingoists is the greatest of all dehumanization.

I choose this space to communicate my message to you because it is a platform that you can use to salvage the fate of many. You are blessed with the knowledge of languages, the writing skill: an instrument for ethical illumination, political consciencisation and social mobilisation. Like I said before, it is not that you have not done anything, no. You have done a lot and we applaud you for that. But is that enough? Can you relent? Absolutely no!

Why shall we relent when the sentiment-driven politicians are hell-bent on exploiting the poverty of the hunger-stricken masses? Why shall we relent when the god-forsaken-ethnic-jingoists are all-out to absolve their failures by beating the drum of war? Why shall we relent when crowd-maniac religious ideologues are feasting on the ignorance and gullibility of their religious followers?

If the above are hell-bent, never-tiring and rat-racing in advertising their devilish cause—a cause that erodes all sense of communal living, antithesis to development and freedom—why shall we, dear intellectuals, be secluded from the marketplace of ideas and go into self-imposed hibernation in our comfort zones because of our assumed safety? My dear, you are not safe. We are all not safe. We are all vulnerable.

To paraphrase Bishop Kukah, we have committed most of our free time exhibiting genius and making trouble by banging on the doors of literary rhetoric, political correctness and isolationist mentality. But at best, we might have been blowing a muted trumpet. Of course, at another level, we could ask why, beyond the entertainment and artistic value of our writings, engagements, sophistry exhibition, what is the value of our intellection? Who exactly are we intellectualizing for and for what purpose? Why have our writings/engagements not effected any significant change in our societies? What is the scope of our narratives? We blame our politicians but in reality are they not doing much better than us? Are there no lessons we can learn from the distances they cover to sell their messages? How is it that members of political parties crisscross the country in a way and manner that intellectuals do not?

Your being an intellectual is not for nothing. It is a burden. We owe the society a great deal. You are to challenge the propositions of religious ideologues, counter the narratives of ethnic jingoists and of course render the sweet-melodies of politicians to what it is, LIES.

I leave you with these lines:

Mu de hakkinmu mufada muku ko ku karba ko kuyi dariya
Dariyarku ta zam kuka gaba da nadaman kin gaskiya.

Yours,
Adamu.

 

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Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

4 days ago

on

December 18, 2024

By

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

 

 

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

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I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

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Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

on

December 16, 2024

By

 

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

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Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

7 days ago

on

December 15, 2024

By

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As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.

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