Opinion

Nigeria And The Disposition Of Depreciation Of Appreciation

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2022

President Muhammad Buhari

By Bala Ibrahim.

In the countdown to the 2023 general elections, the country seems to be witnessing a general lack of contentment with the performance of the government at the centre, and all the accusing fingers are pointing at Muhammadu Buhari, the man elected to pilot the ship to the proverbial El Dorado, the imaginary place of immense wealth and comfort. Cries are coming from every segment of the society, including those that were ab initio supportive of the government, and all the accusing fingers are pointing at President Muhammadu Buhari.

I don’t blame the complainants, because promises were made and the people have the right to optimism, but I disagree with the methodology of making a defendant only in Buhari, or solely shifting the blame to the doorstep of the President. Indeed the President has a portion of the blame to carry, the portion of which I would also highlight. But for now, I would say Nigerians are peculiarly good at the depreciation of appreciation, especially in the dying days of an administration.

Some of the complaints are genuine, particularly the ones that rest on the original promises made by Buhari before he was elected into office. Two key areas were hammered upon by him, viz, corruption and insecurity. And because of his antecedent of being a former no- nonsense General with an excellent anti-corruption posture, the consensus was that, within a short period of time, these two vices would vacate Nigeria.

Although as the defendant, the President has not openly admitted to making some mistakes, but methinks, some of the complainants are incognizant of the meaning of honest mistakes. Any mistake made without the intention of causing harm, the kind of mistake that anyone could do in similar circumstances, is an honest mistake.

Even though the Nigerian law has given President Buhari the immunity against prosecution from other mistakes, nature has not been so kind to him in other areas. It has not given him the protection against the commission of honest mistakes. So the President is liable and naturally answerable to the people, because they have a legitimate expectation.

Shekarau’s Strong Ally Made List Of Ganduje’s Commissioner Nominees

But even with such liability, I feel the President should not feel crestfallen, because, Nigeria has made name in the depreciation of appreciation, particularly towards the end of tenure of any regime, or the end time of an officer in office. More so, for any officer that comes with certain qualities that are at variance with two peculiar trademarks outlined by the late Danmasanin Kano, Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule.

The late Danmasani said there is a Hausa saying that, one only get’s a sustained ovation, or enthusiastic show of appreciation from the public, through the exhibition of two attributes, viz, the trait of being a giver, and the peculiarity of conviviality. In other words, for Nigerians to count you amongst the faultless, you must be generous with your wealth, regardless of the source, or legitimacy of the wealth. You also need to be generous with friendliness, regardless of your disposition.

Again, unlike in Economics, where appreciation is viewed as the rise in value of an asset based on certain factors in the market, in politics, particularly Nigerian politics, appreciation is mostly directly proportional to the politician’s propensity to give. The more you give, the more you are hailed. And precisely that’s the reason the country can not correct the calamity caused to it by the cancer of corruption.

Unfortunately for Buhari, nature had moulded him with some special sensors of morality, that see the characteristic of unjustifiable generosity from a different perspective. According to his former Chief of Staff, Supreme Military Council, late Gen.Tunde Idiagbon, Buhari is always disturbed by the precarious position of Nigeria, such that he wonders why people are unnecessarily laughing and smiling with deception. For people in positions of responsibility, their moods should reflect the reality of the situations, which in Nigeria, is more of angst than ecstasy.

By nature, Buhari is a paragon of humility and self-effacement, two qualities that combined to make criminal generosity a taboo to him. Hence the propensity for prudence, which makes others refer to him as being mean or miserly. But those close to him, or those that had the opportunity of meeting him under dispassionate circumstances, including yours truly, would attest to his sincere and genuine generosity. For such people, there is no depreciation of appreciation for the man. They are always quick to give him the benefit of doubt, by relying on the idiom of honest mistake.

The depreciation in the appreciation of President Buhari’s performance can be on anything but corruption. Yes, PMB can be found guilty of such slip-ups like the failure to diligently keep an eye on those he assigned responsibility, which amounts to a failure that is coequal to ill-performance.

Many appointees of the government have been accused of underhandedness, but to date, there is no proportionate penalty meted out, nor the visible sights of heads rolling in places of work. Yes, in person, the President is clinically clean of corruption, but he has a minus.

The double standard on the fight against corruption, where the convicted were pardoned and set free, with the prospects of having their loot returned, the reluctance to fire under performing National security adviser, alongside the refusal to act tough on some erring appointees, are adding to the minus. The case of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawan, who was accused of serious corruption, but instead of languishing in jail, he is allowed the freedom of roaming around, and making provocative statements that could compound the country’s problems.

An Islamic scholar has put it this way, -“for there to be a righteous leadership, there must be a righteous followership, because it is from amongst the followers that the leaders emerge, hence the phrase, every nation gets the leader it deserves”.

Pursuant to the recent calls for the President to be impeached because of the public’s perception of his poor performance, I read on the social media, a long shopping list of breaches perpetrated by the government of Good luck Ebele Jonathan, almost all of them impeachable offenses, but there was not a single attempt to impeach him, and the reason is simple,-the treasury was widely opened for all kinds of looters.

So the bottom line is, in Nigeria, as long as there is the flow of slush funds, the government is unlikely to face the depreciation of appreciation. And Buhari can not be an exception.

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.