Opinion

Political Appointees And The Paradox Of Power

Published

3 years ago

May 12, 2022

Malam Bala Ibrahim

By Bala Ibrahim.

I belong to a WhatsApp group that is very engaging, and almost always posting materials that are of interest and exciting to the curiosity of the willing to learn mind. Before I got added to the group, a friend, who thought belonging to the group would be of mutual interest, sought my permission by text, after I consented, he went ahead to add my name.

Since then, information from the group has been of immense importance to my consciousness, and collection of literary materials. The acronym of the group is NN. To the friend, I say thank you.

Today, a member of the group forwarded an article with the caption, THE IRONY OF LIFE. I have seen it some where some times, but today, pursuant to what happened yesterday, where PMB gave order that all political appointees with interest in elective offices must tender their resignations not later than Monday 16/05/22, with hindsight, I thought the time has arrived for me to look at the irony, of that irony of life.

The article runs thus:

“THE IRONY OF THE IRONY OF LIFE

I drove to Gudu cemetery yesterday , to offer a prayer beside his grave Mallam Abba Kyari. One thing that strike my mind was that there was no protocol, no security check, no appointment to see him in his new home.

Few months ago, if you want to see Mallam Abba, Chief of Staff to PMB, the protocol and the security agents will not allow you. They will ask you if you booked an appointment, or if your name’s on the list. But yesterday, none were available . They have gone and left Abba to protect himself.

Magu /PSC:The Morality And Rectitude Of Rightful Reasoning

That’s a big lesson for all of us that one day we will be left alone to defend ourselves. The same people that we are running away from are the one that will have unhindered access to our graves .

If Abba was told that the uneducated grave guards are the one’s to look after his corpse in his permanent home, he would have sent them to Harvard and buy them a beautiful apartment in Maitama.

They are the only friends he has now. All the big men, the politicians, the boot lickers, the sycophants , the praise singers have deserted him. That’s irony of life.

Brothers and sisters let’s be humble”.

Surely this is an irony, but even that irony has its own irony, which I call the Paradox of power.

Starting from secondary school, where I held positions of Prefect and later Deputy Head Student, I was compelled to understand the meaning of the privilege of power, and the pains of loosing that privilege after leaving the power.

It was sequel to my acquaintance with such privileges, that on getting to the University, I contested and won a political position, which also came with certain rights, advantages, or partial immunity granted to me only.

If I say I didn’t enjoy those privileges, na lie. Till today, the friend that added me to the NN group, addresses me as Mr. PRESIDENT. But apart from in my house, where by virtue of my position as the head of the family, I don’t preside any where any more. That’s the paradox of power.

Yes, power that is vested in the leadership to take certain actions, comes with certain privileges that tend to spoil. The proverbial saying that ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’, is absolutely apt in the case of political appointees in Nigeria. And mostly, their moral senses only become awakened, after leaving the place. That is when the rays of the paradox of power begin to shine on their shoulders.

Life, especially the life of the man or woman in power in Nigeria, is always a counterfeit. Only few, get a fraction of the reception they receive while in power, after leaving power. Mostly, or almost always, the cheers and cheerios’ are not genuine. They are just an imitation of the real word or term uttered, or acted to please the officer. The inner mind is thinking of something else, mostly the reverse.

To me, that’s the paradox of power, and those that are held captive by the believe in the paraphernalia of power, would on leaving the office be shocked by the irony of life. That irony also has its own irony.

In response to an article I wrote about the retirement of a friend that was frustrated out of office, Chiroman Yola, Alhaji Abba Yola, in boxed a message to remind me about the temporariness of positions, by quoting former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, thus,
“General Yakubu Gowon, Rtd has this to say when the announcement of a coup came to him at an African Union Meeting in Addis-The world is a stage where everyone has his entrance and exit’.

By implication, he was consoling me by way of assurance that, one day, the very person or persons that frustrated my friend out of service, would also come to that junction.

From the President’s pronouncement of yesterday, we have arrived at that junction. And effective any moment from now, they would begin to witness the paradox of power.

Malam Bala Ibrahim Is a Journalist and a public affairs commentator,he also worked with the BBC

Opinion

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

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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.

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.

Opinion

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

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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.

Opinion

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

Published

7 days ago

December 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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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.