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Opinion

The Menace And The Mandate Of Using Mercenaries To Massacre Marauders

Published

3 years ago

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By Bala Ibrahim.

Terrorism is a menace of the highest order, because it involves criminal acts that are committed by individuals or groups, for the furtherance of ideological goals. Some of these acts may stem from domestic influences, like political, religious, social, racial, or environmental matters. In the case of what is happening in northern Nigeria, the general believe is that the activities of the terrorists are propelled by political and religious influences.

A day after the dreadful Abuja/Kaduna train attack, a friend called, and we engaged in the rub of minds, during which he said, Bala, why can’t the government be advised to try using bounty hunters for the elimination of the menace of these marauders?

For a fee or reward, the services of bounty hunters or mercenaries can be engaged, to enter the bushes and pursue these criminals. This would bring the atrocities of the terrorists to an end permanently. Why cant the government explore that option?

My friend wants the government to give mandate to the mercenaries to massacre the marauders.

I don’t know if my friend had the same discussion with the governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, but I was extremely pleased when I heard the governor talking in tandem with the thinking of my friend. I heard him saying, “We are considering hiring mercenaries to end terrorism”.

On Friday, while speaking with journalists, after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the recent deadly train attack near Kaduna, El-Rufa’I said the devastating attack, which claimed eight lives, would have been avoided if the federal government heeded his earlier warnings. “With the sort of arrogance and boldness the terrorists operated in recent times, they could subdue the nation if the military fails to act proactively, by storming their camps and hideouts in the forests and wipe them out once and for all”- El-Rufai.

In what appeared like additional indictment on the government, El-Rufai advanced that security agencies, including the military, are aware of the locations and specific mappings of the terrorists, but they seem reluctant in acting.

Although El-Rufai said President Buhari had assured that he would take required actions and the ongoing carnage would be caged in a matter of months, the fact that similar assurances have been given before, with similar time lines, and nothing corresponding came out of them, is making many to buy the idea of engaging the mercenaries.

The north, particularly the northwest states of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger, are virtually living at the mercy of these terrorists, who are regularly subjecting them to the reign of terror.

For that, the people want the government to give mandate to the mercenaries to massacre the marauders.

Not only do I agree with the positions of El-Rufai and that of my friend, but like Joseph Edward Abercrombie, the British fantasy writer and film editor, I support the adoption of something even harsher.

In his book, “Before they are Hanged”, Joseph Edward said, “ We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged. Joe put’s a query, thus, “How do you defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors, when your allies can by no means be trusted, and your predecessor vanished without a trace? It’s enough to make a torturer want to run — if he could even walk without a stick”

The call for the mercenaries is not just an indictment on the office of the National Security Adviser, but directly on Gen.Monguno in person, as the head of the office.

Two days ago, I listened to the BBC Hausa interview with Suleiman Mohammed, the father of Fareeda, who was amongst the eight confirmed killed in the train attack. Suleiman broke down in tears just after the second question. He pleaded with Aliyu Tanko, the interviewer, to let him go, because he couldnt stomach the trauma.

The Ramadan: Month of Redoubling Supplications

He mentioned that the Monday attack on the train was not the first, and they thought the government would be proactive after the previous attack. But it failed do so. From his voice, he was deeply distressed by what happened, which goes to prove the intimacy between him and his late Fareeda.

Listening to the interview, alongside my memory of how late Fareeda used to crack jokes with him on the phone, I was emotionally compelled to switch off my appliance in tears as well. It was deeply distressing, even to me as a pen pal.

The combined reflections of Fareeda’s father and governor El-Rufai, support the accusation that some public office holders are sleeping on duty, and constitutes a charge of misconduct against Gen. Monguno.

If Monguno had listened to that interview and he works with his conscience, he would have resigned before the end of the programme, or expect the President to fire him shortly. That’s the norm in saner societies.

But he didn’t, and I doubt if he would, or any retribution would come his way. In fact, if the President would be travelling out of the country tomorrow, Monguno’s name would be the first on the entourage.

This is Nigeria, where the President is moving around showcasing people that are accused of ineptitude. And the world is watching.

It may be recalled that, while PMB was presenting the 2019 proposed budget before a joint session of the 8th National Assembly, some opposition lawmakers booed him, forcing him to issue a warning, thus, “The world is watching us and we are supposed to be above this.”

It may please Mr. President to know that the same world is watching us, and he is supposed to be above this, by firing Monguno.

Yes, because of Monguno’s inaction, the people are asking the government to give mandate to the mercenaries, to massacre the marauders and bring an end to the menace.

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Opinion

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

Published

5 days ago

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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

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December 16, 2024

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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

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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

1 week ago

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December 15, 2024

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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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