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The Harvard University Professor who worked as a bus ‘conductor’ in Lagos -Dr MJ Yushau

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2 years ago

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The professor from right

Dr. Muhammad Jameel Yushau

At 2:45am everyday the first email at HKS comes to your inbox. HKS Daily is a catalogue of information about activities at the Kennedy School. If you miss it for a day, you could miss countless opportunities about conferences, breakfast with guests, working groups, lectures by presidents, governors, mayors and other leading policy makers from different parts of the world.

When I checked this morning, I saw an event posted by the Building State Capability Project. It was a book talk entitled “They eat our sweat: Transport labour, corruption and survival in urban Nigeria.” The theme was from the title of a book by Daniel Agbiboa, an Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University Center for African Studies. I registered immediately.

I love original research. Daniel’s work is an excellent example of that. The book, which I look forward to reading, was based on his research work at University of Oxford, where he worked with the late pan-African scholar, Professor Abdulra’uf Mustapha. It was a research project that used participant observation to study the informal transport sector in Lagos. As a student of public policy, this attracted my attention even more. Many policies are designed without an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural and even political implications of such policies.

Nigeria’s General Murtala Muhammad , Africa’s Son who contributed to the Liberation of South Africa And Republic of Namibia.

A governor or minister might see informal transport sector as a nuisance to a modern city. He might bring consultants to hurriedly analyze the problem and come up with a solution. Every person would like to see his city looking like San Francisco, Paris or Dubai. What we tend to forget is that there are thousands of lives that could suffer in our attempt to look modern. Where do we put those people who work as drivers and ‘conductors’ if we don’t have an alternative industry that will absorb them?

To understand this, Professor Daniel went to the field. He became a bus ‘conductor’ for two months working with a driver, starting early in the morning and absorbing the difficulty that comes with such endeavor. He used his research to understand the difficulty of survival within the informal transportation sector.

Left Dr MJ Yushau and the Professor conductor, middle

Left Dr MJ Yushau and the Professor conductor, middle

He provided a critique to those who use CPI to evaluate countries as corrupt, when ordinary people in those countries have completely different realities. “Informal transport not only provides a sector for examining corruption, but also a prism through which to interrogate the binary framing of formality/informality and understandings of the borders (or lack thereof) between the two.” Says Daniela Schofield in a review of the book published on the blog of The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Takeaway: Developing public policy needs in-depth thinking and proper planning. Building infrastructure is only one part of the story. Managing the effect of policies on people is a much harder task

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International

Donald Trump Breaks Over 130 Year History, Stages Comeback Like Grover Cleveland

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2 weeks ago

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November 6, 2024

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

With America’s history of democracy begining from 1789 with George Washington as the pioneer US President ,American politics is now 225 years with some Presidents assassinated while others are defeated in an election .

For example after succeeding Richard Nixon due to wateralgate scandal President Gerald Ford did not win election into the White House in 1976 but was defeated by Jimmy Carter while Jimmy Carter could not get reelected in in 1989 and was defeated by Ronald Reagan,the same with George Herbert Bush who could also not secure reelection in 1992 but was defeated by Governor of Arkansas Mr Bill Clinton .

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There are were also other American Presidents who were assasinted like Abraham lincoln after the American civil war of 1846 and President John Kennedy who was also assassinated in 1961.

Now the most unique in American politics was the issue of its former President Grover Cleveland who is the first American President to serve two non consecutive terms in office ,between 1885 to 1889 and between 1893 to 1897 serving as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States .

Grover Cleveland staged a comeback in 1893 by defeating his old rival President Benjamin Harrison who only served one term as America’s 23rd President since then over 130 years ,President Trump who was defeated by Democrats Joe Biden in 2020 has now won the 2024 elections and to serve as the 45th and 47th President of the United States like Cleveland who was the only American President that carry that medal but now jinxed by Donald Trump

 

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International

Trump, Harris Secure Votes as First Results Emerge in U.S. Presidential Election

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2 weeks ago

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November 5, 2024

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The first results in the U.S. presidential election have emerged, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump tied at three votes each.

The early count comes from Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, a small town with just six voters.

Dixville Notch is famous for its tradition of being the first to finish in-person voting, a practice that began in 1960.

Voting reportedly began right at midnight. Meanwhile, votes were counted, and results were announced just 15 minutes later.

Harris, the Democratic candidate, and Trump, a Republican, have been close in the polls leading up to election day.

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International

ActionAid Nigeria Commemorates International Peace Day with Cultural Festivities

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2 months ago

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September 26, 2024

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By Naziru Idris Ya’u

Celebrating Peace: ActionAid Nigeria/Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative Commemorates International Peace Day with Cultural Festivities

On a radiant day marked by vibrant cultural displays, ActionAid Nigeria/Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative commemorated the International Day of Peace with an event that brought together communities in a celebration of harmony and resilience.

The Peace Fiesta, held in honor of this significant occasion, showcased various cultural troupes that performed traditional dances, songs, and skits, emphasizing the theme of unity amid diversity.

Speaking at the occasion, Andrew Amebu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, articulated the organization’s commitment to fostering inclusive development and sustainable peace in communities. “Today, we celebrate not just peace, but the ideals of brotherhood and the importance of understanding across cultures and nations,” she stated. “This event is a reminder that our shared commitment to peace is groundbreaking for the futures we want to create.”

Over the past 20 months, ActionAid Nigeria has made significant inroads into building community resilience against violent extremism. The organization recently provided livelihood equipment worth 100 million Naira (approximately 71,428.5 USD) to 600 youth and women across Kano and Kaduna States. These beneficiaries, trained in seven different vocational skills, are a vital part of the organization’s effort to promote socio-economic stability and discourage violent extremism.

Hajiya Dankabo highlighted that over 15,000 direct beneficiaries have been engaged in sensitization programs, cultivating a culture that values peaceful coexistence and embraces diversity. The ripple effect of these programs is evident in the increasingly harmonious interactions within these communities.

Partnering with the Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI), the event also featured novelty football matches aimed at improving peace and social cohesion among community members. “Sports have emerged as a vital tool for unifying people, transcending differences, and creating a peaceful environment,” remarked the Executive Director of DRDI, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Yahaya, who noted that such initiatives are crucial for strengthening communal ties.

International Peace Day, observed annually, is a global call to action that encourages individuals and communities to prioritize peace above all differences. The day resonates deeply with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), both of which are instrumental in fostering a harmonious world.

This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” served as an impetus for ActionAid Nigeria to mobilize communities against ethnicism, discrimination, and intolerance. Supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) in collaboration with Global Peace Development, the organization has been implementing the System and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violence Extremism (SARVE III) project. This initiative has resulted in the establishment of 24 women’s safe spaces along with Peace Clubs and Local Conflict Management Alliances aimed at enhancing early warning capabilities for conflict and promoting peacebuilding efforts.

The cultural extravaganza at the event was a fitting highlight, demonstrating how art and tradition can symbolize and signify the ideals of peace and stability in communities. Each performance served as a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that binds communities, encouraging them to embrace their differences as a source of strength rather than division.

As the sun set on the event, the atmosphere lingered with hope and the promise of ongoing efforts toward building resilient, peaceful communities throughout Nigeria. ActionAid’s initiatives reflect a broader commitment to weaving peace into the fabric of society—an endeavor that requires continuous collaboration, engagement, and education for lasting impact.

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