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2023 And The Nigerian Youth-Dul Johnson

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Dul Johnson

 

By:-
Dul Johnson
Department of English,
Bingham University, Karu
Nasarawa State

I am not one of you. I am one of those who enjoyed everything good in this country and ruined it. I am one of those who believe that, like the phoenix, Nigeria can, and will rise again. But this can only happen if the younger generation wakes up now; younger generation because that’s where the strength and force of this country lie.

The Nigerian youth have been bashed and battered from different angles: a poor and unstable education system, lack of gainful employment, poverty, exclusion from politics except when they are being exploited and so on. Having experienced these for many years the youth have become lethargic rather than think and act. Consequently many have lost confidence in themselves; in their ability to do anything. Many have turned to drugs, crime (of different kinds), or a life of idleness. Saner societies institute gradual succession programmes through which the youth are integrated into the socio-political system. This way they will play a role in the affairs of the society and get a grooming until they are ready to take over. It seems to me that it is time this happened in Nigeria. I say this confidently because I saw a jolt out of that state of lethargy in 2020.

What happened in 2020 showed that we are not done with the youth yet. They have not been completely destroyed. After all a few have distinguished themselves and broken out despite the stifling socio-economic conditions in the country. Armed with the internet, incensed by their experience with the corrupt SARS police unit, the youth showed that they were not the Indolent lot we thought they were. With a mutual purpose and pooling their energies, they called out SARS. The media savvy generation soon created a hashtag which quickly became the platform to call for the end of SARS—the symbol of all the rot and dysfunction that was Nigeria.

 

ASUU Strike And Posterity-Ameer Abdul Aziz

Saner societies institute gradual succession programmes through which the youth are integrated into the socio-political system. This does not mean that the youth will take over power: there is nowhere in the world that this happens. What it means is that the youth will count; that they will play a role in the affairs of the society in every facet. It seems to me that it is time this happened in Nigeria. I say this confidently because I saw a jolt out of deep slumber. The individual exploits no longer mattered as the youth are collectively harassed, extorted and maimed as a result of the stereotype forced on them. They must therefore awaken to the need to pool their collective force towards creating the desired change.
EndSARS was a revolution in its latent and modern form. The organisers knew the system and the forces they were up against and were therefore not aiming at the pyrrhic victory of the Eastern Spring movements. Violent revolutions, as we know now, have not helped any society as they end up being far more expensive than imagined, setting the societies several years back. Silent revolutions, which are intellectually engineered, are now the answer to societies’ social and political problems. That is what Nigeria needs. That is what we have needed these many years of wondering in the woods, and this is what the youth can give us easily. If they want. They have the capacity and the resources, but they have to be ready, mentally and physically. I thought they were when they went into action in 2020.

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The EndSARS revolution of October, 2020 was a silent revolution. It had the elements of a silent revolution, even when it was hijacked in the end. It was a huge success given the forces it was up against. How it was organized and the impact it made is the reason I am writing this piece, and the reason I think it is needed now more than ever before. I believe that the youth can come to the rescue of this country by employing and deploying the method and machinery that gave them success during EndSARS to turn the politics of this country around come 2023. The resolve and resilience of the Nigerian youth was tested and proven. It was like going through the crucible.

The value of that movement was not in ending SARS. It did not even have the power to end SARS. But the way in which it attempted to dismantle that institution, that movement could, and should, do more than remove SARS. What can bring SARS and our numerous problems to an end is putting an end to bad politics and bad governance using the same ‘silent’ revolution method. They have the numerical, intellectual and physical strength to make this happen. The youth also have the capacity to mobilize and network, both on the social and other media. Above all, they have the goodwill of a great number of Nigerians of the older generation who wish for a better Nigeria, and have the experience to share. Strength, numbers and mobilization skills need the experience component to bring about the desired change in Nigeria.

Many times when I have discussed this idea with my peers, the fear has been that the youth are like their parents; selfish, greedy, polarized along ethnic and religious lines and as corrupt, if not more corrupt than their parents. To succumb to this view is to believe that Nigeria is doomed; that there are no good people left in the country. It may be foolhardy to refuse to see Nigeria as a failed state but we will not be the first failed state that would bounce back. We have all that it takes to become a great nation, and everything that we need to become one of the richest nations of the world.

My suggestion for the youth is simple. Revive the spirit of the 2020 movement with all the organizational acumen you displayed. Expand the network and use all the social and other media at your disposal. Think Nigeria. THINK NIGERIA! You do not have a political party and you do not need to form one. Your movement was stronger than a political party and it will be even stronger this time. Mobilize yourselves, keep talking and networking as you watch the political parties jostle. Never mind the fact that there will be detractors and black sheep amongst you. This is to be expected when you are dealing with human beings, but their numbers will be few and of no serious consequences. Watch the parties carefully. Analyze and discuss what they say. Analyze their manifestoes critically. Use experts when needed, and take their advice. Advise all youth (of voting age) to register and have their voter’s cards handy.

Make your decision close to elections. It may be difficult, but you must keep sentiments out of this project. Let your decision be a collective one; debate it on all possible platforms. Bear in mind that you are on a mission to save Nigeria. Find an appropriate slogan to capture this and let it be imprinted on everyone’s mind. In making the decision for a candidate, do not consider AGE, RELIGION or ETHNICITY. These are of no consequence if you think NIGERIA. All that is needed is to give your adopted candidate 75-95% of your votes and the real revolution would have started. Watch out for a ‘Dark Horse’ if there will be one. Whether it is at the state or national level, remember that someone has to be there. If there is no suitable dark horse, one of the numerous jostlers would definitely prove to have the intelligence and patriotic zeal to pull the country (or state) out of the woods.

To save Nigeria, you need to think Nigeria. To bring back the glorious days of Nigeria which you did not see but have heard so much of, you need to think Nigeria. And to THINK NIGERIA means to act as one; and the one force required to turn the political fortunes of the country around. I am behind you and with you. The progressives—by which I mean Nigerians who subscribe to egalitarian ideologies—are with you, and solidly behind you, and they can be found in all political parties.

 

Opinion

Kano APC Youth Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji and Party Survival

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By Abba Anwar

At cursory look of the title of this piece, what readily comes to mind, is the existing relationship between Kano APC Youth Coalition and Nasir Bala Ja’o’ji, in APC realignment process or procedure. This really captures the picture clearly from the surface. But there is more to it.

Kano APC Youth Coalition came into being more as a one-man-show, probably self-styled and crafty moved. But subsequent engagements of the Coalition, proves otherwise. Some people thought, the Coalition came handy canvassing for primary support for some quasi – politicians, unproductive as they appear, who always hide behind the scene and make a cover under good image of the party leadership at all levels.

Many people, including me, thought this Coalition under Adamu Unguwar Gini, would operate in desperation, under the guise of recuperating party youth into one basket for misleading purpose. As some elders, would-be-elders and self – acclaimed elders operate from clandestine position.

For sure the Coalition, prepared before its debut. Party elders, leaders and other stakeholders were contacted for direction and guide. This, I was not told, but I observed. I understand this by looking at its growing process. I equally understood that, the leadership of the Coalition was one time tilted towards particular side of the prism. But experience and good intention, in my view, necessitated for spreading the leadership into all sections of the state.

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It is this strategy, among others, that gave individuals like Hon Nasir Bala Ja’o’ji, to see reason in aiding the movement. Though he is the Zonal Leader of the movement, from Kano Central. But his contribution towards having effective and efficient implementation of the core central objectives of the group, that is making the party stronger and domineering at all levels, gives him the courage to be one of the principal stakeholders.

The recently announced donation of Eighty Eight Million Naira (N88m) to the Coalition for the 44 local governments tour and empowerment of 100 people from each local government, says a lot in his enduring commitment to the expansion and making the party strong enough to compete comfortably come 2027, at both state and national elections.

The proposed local governments tour and empowerment programme scheduled for time to come, is an important pointer to the fact that, this Coalition has very strong and fearless individuals that are ready to sacrifice their time, energy and resources towards political alignment and realignment within the party structure.

People like Musaddique Wada Waziri, Malam Abdussalam Ishaq (Kumbotso), Umar Maiwayo Rimingado, my younger brother Inyass Habibu, Ibrahim Danyaro, Jijitar, Abubakar Indabawa, former Vice Chairman, Warawa, Dini Manchester Kankarofi, Abubakar Aminu, Hon Barwa, Sani Gilashi, Danfillo, Idris Zango, among many others, are playing very critical role in strengthening the grip of the party across the state and the nation at large.

One interesting thing about this combination is, here are important actors, who, for strategic reason, come from all “sides” of the party stalwarts. Party stalwarts because they are the shining stars of the party in the state.

Stars like Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, former Deputy Governor and Gubernatorial Candidate for 2023 election, HE Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs and Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate for 2023 election, HE Murtala Sule Garo, Hon Abubakar Kabir Bichi, among others.

But all the Stars above lineup behind our Flagship, the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON.

After critical review of the intention of the Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji comes to believe that, this Coalition means well for the party. And should therefore be facelifted, encouraged, guided and supported. After believing that, the Unguwar Gini led group, “… belongs to everybody and does not belong to anybody…”, Ja’o’ji made it compulsory to always give a helping hand to the group. More importantly, since the Coalition means genuine support for the party at all levels.

Let me still insist that, if Ja’o’ji a political appointee under President Tinubu, as a member Governing Council, of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State, can do this, contributing N88m, I’m sure other political appointees under the same administration can also replicate.

Because supporting Coalition in the same pace and manner, equals to supporting the party, the National Chairman, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the same time. In my view therefore, Ja’o’ji apart from being a pacesetter among all political appointees from Kano, he is genuinely a firm believer of APC programmes and policies.

My appeal is for the National Chairman of the party, Baba Ganduje, and the Tinubu led administration, to kindly see reason for continued support for the Coalition and similar ones across all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

As Unguwar Gini model shows in Kano, Coalition of this nature is not taking away any responsibility of party leadership. We can see how harmonious is the relationship between APC Youth Coalition and state leadership of the party, under Prince Abdullahi Abbas. Another pillar of great substance.

Neutrality of this Coalition, in my own understanding, is clearly manifested in how our shining stars give helping hands to the movement. They are eager to give resources and moral support. It is indeed the neutral posture that gives Ja’o’ji the strength to be of that magnitude.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com

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Opinion

Open Letter to the Former Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development

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Abba Dukawa

As Muslims, we believe in Al-Qadar, the concept of Divine Decree or predestination. This pillar of faith reminds us that everything, good or bad, comes from Allah. We trust in Allah’s wisdom, love, and plan, acknowledging that our lifespan, deeds, and circumstances are recorded in the Lauhul-Mahfuz.

In light of your recent dismissal, I’m concerned that your public statements blaming certain individuals for your removal contradict this fundamental Islamic principle.

You admitted President Bola Tinubu explained your removal was due to the need to balance Kano State’s political representation. Quoting you: “I was surprised, as I wasn’t found guilty of wrongdoing or poor performance… Kano North was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to strike a balance.”

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I urge you to reflect on Quran 2:286, “Allah does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear,” and Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 26, “Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, gives the kingdom to whom He will, and takes the kingdom from whom He will.”

Your rise from local government chairman to deputy governor and minister was Allah’s will. Similarly, your dismissal is part of Allah’s plan.

I caution against desperation and blaming others. Instead, trust Allah’s wisdom and providence.

As a Muslim, it’s inconsistent to think anyone can alter Allah’s plan for you. I believe those close to you are misleading you by allowing you to publicly blame others for your dismissal as Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development. It’s unwise to grant interviews after being relieved of duty, as it comes across as desperate—and your media handlers are equally at fault for permitting it.

Why have the rest of the ministers who were equally sacked remained silent? Why are you the only one expressing dismay for being relieved?

Dukawa writes from Abuja and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com

 

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Opinion

Sokoto:Sen. Wamakko’s 9 Years Of “Poor” Representation In The Senate

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Sokoto is known for leadership and where religious knowledge is deep-rooted. So, leaders from the Caliphate are well respected and honour by people from other parts of the country. The reason is clear, Sokoto is the seat of Caliphate that produced great leaders and Islamic scholars of high repute.

So, nobody expects less when it comes to leadership in the state, but if you are a keen observer and follower of activities in Nigeria, you would wonder if the Sokoto they are talking about today, have any link with the activities of the great leaders and scholars that were in charge of Sokoto of years back. Certainly, not, because the kind of leadership is not the same, today its political leadership and followers of Nigerian politics know that, the present day politics can’t provide the kind of leadership the Sokoto of the past provided.

Analysts questioned the negative trend ascribed to Sokoto state. They asked several questions including but not limited to how can the great Sokoto state be rated among the educationally backward states in Nigeria? Why should Sokoto be rated among the poorest state in Nigeria? They are worried that it is not acceptable to count Sokoto state among states with negative statistics on child and maternal health; malnutrition should not be an issue in Sokoto. In fact Sokoto should not be among the state that should be faced with insecurity challenges.

But all these and more are prevalent challenges in Sokoto state and this call to question the kind of leadership the political class in the state are providing. For those who are concern about the happenings in the state, are begining to doubt all the positive publicities some top politicians in the state are enjoying for years.

One politician in the state that fortune has smiled on since the inception of this political dispensation in 1999 is Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, he has been around for so many years, from the grassroots to the mainstream politics of the state Wamakko has been at the forefront of leadership in the state. He was deputy governor for 7 years, governor for eight years and now Senator for nine years.

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Wamakko enjoyed positive publications as a governor and had some landmark achievements ascribed to his name. He was seen as one of the performing governor in the state. Even though critics and analysts have contrary opinions. They said in terms of impact and cost analysis of some of his projects and or their lifespan/durability, Wamakko’s tenure is more of a disservice to the people of Sokoto than a blessing.

To buttress their argument, the critics and analysts, drew the attention of people of Sokoto to compare what his predecessor Sen. Ibrahim Lamido has done in terms of quality, durability and relevance to the general wellbeing of Sokoto people and the plethora of substandard projects Wamakko littered Sokoto with.

They further argued that to assess the quality and sincerity of Wamakko as a leader, his nine years as a senator should be critically scrutinized and the result of the findings be made public for all to judge. According to the analysts, Wamakko has not represented his people well. As a Senator, they said, he has held privileged committees that should be beneficial to the entire Sokoto, but no soul aside members of his inner circle that has benefitted from his senatorship seat.

They explained that the years of neglect of local governments like Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Silame is the obvious reason why the Lakurawa terrorists group existed in the area for over 8 years unnoticed by the Nigeria government.

Sokoto North senatorial district comprises of Sokoto North and Sokoto South, Wamakko, Kware, Binji, Silame, Gudu and Tangaza, you go round these local government areas and point to one particular thing the senator has done for members of the senatorial district.

Yes the eastern senatorial district of Sokoto is facing serious security threat in the last seven years, and this has affected socioeconomic activities, which has increased the level of poverty in the region. However, for the last 17 months, things have began to change for better. Purposeful leadership and deliberate actions to change the fact of things can be witnessed.

The purposeful leadership of senator Ibrahim Lamido and deliberate attempt to find a lasting solution to the many challenges affecting the region are so glaring for all to see. For instance, the deliberate investment in education of youth from the region is one sure way of liberating the region from the grip of unscrupulous elements taking advantage of poor level of education in the area to recruit terrorists.

In an unprecedented move and boldness to confront the deep rooted challenges of poor quality of education, Sen. Lamido has sponsored about 50 youth from the zone to study in various fields of human endeavours in India. This is in addition to many interventions in the education sub-sector from the senator, who out concern to the education of youth, declared war against poor education in the region.

This is not happening in any of the senator districts of Sokoto including Sokoto central where Sen. Wamakko spent 9 years representing his constituents in the Red Chamber. It has never happened, it is not happening and I am not sure if there is any plan to do anything like this by the two other senators for the teeming youth in their respective zones. All the eight local government areas of the senatorial district need education intervention including the two metropolitan, but nothing close to this has ever happened. Why won’t Sokoto be rated as educationally backward state when leaders don’t see the need to invest in education of the teeming youth?

Due to the security challenges, Sokoto state is faced with a lot of humanitarian challenges as a result of banditry attacks. And Sen. Lamido has responded well to these challenges. He did not stopped at distribution of relief materials and visitation of victims of banditry attacks, rather engaged in a very robust package of intervention where over a hundred of widows were empowered with N250,000 each to engage in micro and small businesses so as to become self-reliant.

This is done, to facilitate the resuscitation of the economic activities of eastern senatorial district that has suffered from bandits attacks and Sen. Lamido is doing all these from the point of knowledge, that no nation can survive insurrection if it’s people are economically incapacitated.

In the entire nine years of Sen. Wamakko, nobody can provide the record that he has done this kind of gesture. Nobody is talking about giving rice and clothing materials to widows and orphans. Nobody is talking of photoshoot with people who genuinely need humanitarian assistance, but leaders are taking pictures to further exploit people in need of assistance.

Sen. Lamido’s contributions in fighting insecurity in the eastern part of Sokoto if replicated by other senators in the state, nobody would be talking about the Lakurawa terrorists group in Sokoto. Sen. Lamido had from time to time assist communities’ efforts towards ending insecurity. In fact, with permission by the federal security agencies, Sen. Lamido funded the civilian JTF to support the mainstream security personnel in fighting the terrorists operating in the zone. This is in addition to many efforts that can’t be express in black and white due to their sensitive nature all in a bid to restore peace and normalcy in his region.

Such exemplary leadership is lacking in other parts of the state including in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Gudu Tangaza Binji, Wamakko, Silame and Kware where Senator Wamakko is representing.

Needless to engage in lengthy write up, if Sen. Wamakko in his 9 years did 10% of what Sen. Lamido has done in 17 months in fight insecurity, the Lakurawa terrorists group wouldn’t have penetrated into Nigeria.

The security challenges in the eastern part of Sokoto is receiving the adequate attention of Sen. Lamido. Beside his contributions in fighting banditry, the senator he has equally provided many communities with good drinking water, relief materials and other supports to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with a view to making their better.

Signed:
Concern Sokoto State Progressive Mind.
Convener

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