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School Participation as a Challenge in Northern States: Tackling Illiteracy

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Yakubu Nasiru Khalid

By Yakubu Nasiru Khalid

Living in a country filled with uncertainties is a precarious endeavor. Making predictions about the future in this nation is no easy task. Our thoughts, ambitions, and hopes constantly evolve. I am brimming with dreams of self-improvement and the betterment of others. However, the narrative is increasingly changing, and hopes and dreams are deteriorating. This decline can be attributed to the negligence and lack of attention to education in the North.Nevertheless, it’s well-recognized that in order to promote sustainable development and peace, a solid educational foundation is essential.

The North stands as the most populous yet illiterate region in Nigeria. School participation remains a significant challenge, and this issue is particularly acute in the northern states such as Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and more. This problem continues to escalate, highlighting the failure of the government to prioritize education and the inadequacy of public sector advisory members.

Government offices are dominated by unquestioning loyalties, especially in the North. The prevalence of “yes men” results in inefficient and less beneficial services to the general public. Many of our politicians, appointed officials, and elected officers surround themselves with absolute loyalists instead of individuals with the ability to foresee future challenges and offer necessary solutions.

In numerous northern states, over 67% of youths have lost interest in education due to economic hardships and the high cost of education. This poses a severe and pervasive challenge in the coming years. Furthermore, those students who drop out of school due to financial constraints or with the intention of starting a business face capital issues, which can lead them into antisocial behaviors for personal gain.

Starting a business now demands a substantial amount of capital compared to previous years, and the cost of education has also risen. Meanwhile, the government has failed to provide youths with adequate financial support for entrepreneurship or to make education affordable for both the privileged and the underprivileged. This has resulted in an increase in criminal activities and a growing number of criminals in society, with issues like banditry, burglary, and kidnapping becoming prevalent in the North.

I am now convinced that the North will continue to lag behind the South in terms of progress and peaceful living. This is primarily because illiteracy is deeply entrenched, and its consequences are alarming. A comparison of these regions undeniably reveals that the North is plagued by illiteracy, stemming from the negligence and resistance to Western education by our parents. We have been left behind, and we will remain so unless northern leaders rectify these issues

Opinion

Open Letter To The Executive Chairman, Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

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Dear EFCC Chairman,

Re: Urgent Call for Investigation into the Conduct of EFCC Kaduna Zonal Command

I respectfully write to draw your urgent attention to serious irregularities, unlawful actions, and deliberate misconduct being carried out by officials of the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, which are tarnishing the integrity and credibility of the Commission.

Sir, the EFCC team in Kaduna, including the Director and several sectional heads, have engaged in actions that not only undermine the Commission’s mandate but also violate the principles of fairness, justice, and due process. I humbly appeal for your direct intervention to investigate the activities of the Kaduna office, as I possess solid evidence of their misconduct.

The EFCC in Kaduna claimed to be investigating an alleged **₦30 billion case** against me, *Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello*, my company *Formal Act Legacy Ltd.*, and our donors, *United Charity Foundation (UCF-FICOD)*. However, rather than conducting a transparent investigation, the Kaduna Directorate created **unsubstantiated and unnecessary charges**, including:

* A **₦10 million charge** involving a company that legitimately supplied *four Hilux vehicles* and completed *four solar-powered boreholes* for four communities—fully executed and paid for since early 2023.
* Charges relating to official vehicles sponsored by **Wema Bank**, for which Formal Act Legacy has been servicing the loan for over two years.
* Additional **₦54 million and ₦37 million charges** that are completely mischievous, baseless, and unrelated to the real issues.

Sir, these false charges are a distraction. The real issue is simple:
**Contractors have executed projects and supplied drugs, hospital beds, and equipment for free medical outreaches across communities—yet many of them have not been paid.**

Instead of focusing on why these contractors remain unpaid, EFCC Kaduna is fixated on fabricating charges over a donor-funded project designed to benefit all **774 Local Government Areas** in Nigeria in line with Mr. President’s development agenda.

I respectfully ask: **Will you, as Chairman, fold your arms and allow this injustice to continue—knowing fully well that Mr. President entrusted you with this sensitive national assignment because of your integrity, competence, and loyalty?** I believe the answer is no.

Sir, I am a committed member of the APC, and I know the level of trust Mr. President has placed in your leadership. I therefore appeal that you look into this matter objectively and grant all parties fair hearing and justice.

CC:
– Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption
– National Security Adviser
– National Human Rights Commission
– Others as appropriate

Thank you for your attention.

Signed:

Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello
MD/CEO, Formal Act Legacy Ltd and
African Sub-Regional Coordinator, United Charity Foundation (UCF-FICOD)

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Opinion

How Political Persecution Pushes DSP Barau, Doguwa Ahead of Others – Study

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By Abba Anwar

Today’s piece looks into some parts of the finding of a study recently conducted by a teamwork of experts, who specialize in the study of political risk framework and development, over some key political personalities from Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted on state by state basis.

The one that is readily available now, is that of Kano state and other few states. In the report, the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, is seen as one of the leading political figures from North, one of the pillars, who suffers too much political persecution from within his party and from without.

Be that as it may, the years long orchestrated ploys, designed framework for political fall down and display of open hatred to the identified individuals included in the study, differ from an individual politician to another across the states.

“What is more fascinating about our findings, is the fact that, all those targeted for disruptive political life, across our states of study, Northern Nigeria, are waxing stronger day in day out. In real term, some of their detractors have started diminishing down the ladder,” the study reveals.

The study further reminded that, “The political challenges of the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin started since during his membership of House of Representatives, from 1999 to 2003, from Tarauni federal constituency. Under the banner of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Referring to the time when Right Honourable Ghali Umar Na’Abba, was the Speaker House of Representatives. While Barau was the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation.

Looking back to history, the report reminded all that, Barau was confronted with internal political blackmail, harassment and intimidation from PDP circle. Then, he was one of the closest, members to Speaker Na’Abba. When the then President Olusegun Obasanjo fought Na’Abba’s re-election in subsequent election, through the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Barau also falled victim as Na’Abba.

As returning match, during the same election, Na’Abba, Barau and other strong minds, put heads together and pushed Kwankwaso aside in 2003 general elections. Then the debut of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, under All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) platform.

While acknowledging that, throughout the political history of Kano, in recent political development, it was only Senator Barau who, switched from one Senatorial District to another entirely different District, vied for an elective position, which was higher, than the one he left, and emerged victorious.

Do you remember that? After the return of democracy in 1999, Barau contested for the House of Representatives in Tarauni federal constituency, which was under Kano Central Senatorial District, from 1999 to 2003. As a result of distortions, persecution and manipulations he suffered from his party men, he joined his ancestral space, Kano North, where he contested for a Senatorial seat and got it.

His political relocation to Kabo local government, of Kano North, created another corridor for his elevation to higher position of a Senator of the Federal Republic and now Deputy Senate President in the 10th Assembly.

The authors of this study, know clearly how and where Barau started from, the faces and manifestations of persecutions he suffered, unwanted display of bitterness by his long standing detractors and largely internal hatred, which all culminated into his elevated position. With the socio-historical and political background of the DSP, as understood by the study, he could be called the last man standing, in that arrangement, since the return of democracy after prolonged military rule.

“Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin is also the first Deputy Senate President from Kano state. This also places him above many of his contemporaries. We are also aware of how he has been getting his tickets for the seat he is occupying now, in previous and last elections. We all believe that it is Almighty Allah Who Guides his path,” according to the study.

Many qualities of the DSP’s political life and positions, are soundly acknowledged in the study, that I cannot discuss them here. But people will get to know more when the result of the study is released.

Senator Barau’s interventions across the spectrum are well acknowledged and appreciated by the study. Ranging from his constituency projects, genuine and meaningful empowerment and other interventions since when he was a Member of House of Representatives from Tarauni federal constituency, up to the feats he achieved as a Senator.

They include his scholarship programmes, in local and foreign universities. Commending the choice of courses of study and schools selected. Like in the Nigerian universities, students were sent to study degree programmes in some of our premier universities, like Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Bayero University, Kano, University of Lagos, alongside other universities.

While a lot is said on the DSP, the study believes that, he won’t panic, no matter how deeper machinations he could face, as build ups to 2027. Assuring that, “… after our research we have come to realize that, Distinguished Senator Barau is not an ordinary politician. While his political fortunes are waxing stronger, his influence, is covering larger geo-political spaces.”

In the case of Honorable Alassan Ado Doguwa, member representing Tudunwada/Doguwa federal constituency, in Kano South the study enlists him as second to Senator Barau in the face of stiffer political persecution and repression. Yet, he, like Barau, is waxing stronger, day in day out and year in year out.

With all the stiffer and enhanced political persecution, within and outside his political base, Doguwa was the ONLY House of Representatives contestant who won his election in 2023, under the banner of All Progressives Congress (APC), then. Yes he was faced with so many challenges and opposition, without any good backing and support from his APC base, then, yet with Allah by his side, he emerged victorious!

This study appreciates Doguwa’s political maturity and strength in slugging it out almost alone, for his image, his constituency and his party, at large. Signaling that, “Honourable Alassan Ado Doguwa, is another Barau in disguise. Many at times he is left with weak support from his party, at the state level, yet his influence, followership and strength are inching forward. At a speed that only Divine view can explain.”

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 15th November, 2023

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Opinion

Tribute to Late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba-Dembo

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By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo anipr

Death is an inevitable transaction as no one has immunity against its mode of operation, and it stings like rampaging bees.

On 5th November,2025 Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba(rtd) succumbed to the cold hand of death.Innalillahi waina Ilaihi rajiun.I would have prepared this tribute a day after his demise but I have been in transit from one place to another since I’m currently on my annual leave.Be that as it may, better late than never.

The former Chief of staff to President Obasanjo and Yar’adua was a gallant officer with an impeccable character.He was also an intelligent officer,who served as a former Governor in the old Benue-Plateau State between 1975 -1976 and Founder of National Security Organisation now Department of State Service from 1976 to 1979

Last week when I was in Abuja and I paid a visit to my mentor in the PR profession and the publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib,he described the late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed as one of the most intelligent Army officers in the history of Nigerian Army.He also said the country would miss him as his advice in the area of counter insurgency would have helped a great deal

Adangba,as we usually referred to him,as a Chief of Staff to Obasanjo touched many lives positively in Ilorin and beyond.This is not hearsay but what I knew,saw and heard.He facilitated many employment opportunities for Ilorin indigenes across military ,paramilitary agencies and MDAs.A very meticulous Army officer who did not believe in the so called public endorsement when he offered help.

Through his magnanimous employment opportunities,a friend of mine,a friend of my friend,a friend of my nephew and so on benefitted from him.He was a man who would be running around for you without your consent just for you to be great and be of help to others.He was a builder of men

Significantly, some of those he had assisted are also in position, where they are currently offering help to others

I owe him this piece not because I have benefitted directly from his selflessness but humanity emphasises on paying good with good.If I had not benefitted from him at least hundreds of Ilorin indigenes did and invariably I have benefitted too.He was a builder of men

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu Described General Mohammed as a disciplined,loyal, and patriotic officer whose remarkable service to the nation spanned decades of distinguished contributions to Nigeria’s stability and governance.

Talking about Late General Abdullahi Mohammed’s integrity and commitment to service of the country would be inexhaustible as many eminent Nigerians include Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Former President Obasanjo,Gov Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator Saliu Mustapha and others have paid tributes to the late astute General.

May Allah in His infinite mercies forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah Firdaus, and give his family, Ilorin Emirate and Nigeria the fortitude to bear the loss

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

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