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Abubakar Adam’s Quest for a Better Life: A Journey Marred by Hardship and Betrayal

Published

2 years ago

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Abubakar Adam

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Abubakar Adam, a 25-year-old car washer from Kano in northwestern Nigeria, shared his harrowing tale of a four-month journey in pursuit of a brighter future through Italy via Algeria. However, his aspirations were met with unexpected challenges, leading to an abrupt end to his journey due to stigmatization encountered in Niger.

In an exclusive interview with NIGERIAN TRACKER, Adam recounted his ordeal, shedding light on the trials faced by migrants seeking economic opportunities abroad.

Adam, driven by a desire to alleviate the financial strain on his aging and less privileged parents, made the decision to embark on the journey after learning of people venturing to Algeria for employment prospects.

The journey is challenging,” Adam admitted, reflecting on the unforeseen difficulties encountered along the way.

Departing from Nigeria, Adam and his companions ventured to Zinder, Niger Republic , with hopes of finding employment opportunities perceived to be more favorable than those in their home country.

However, their journey was fraught with obstacles from the outset, as they encountered bureaucratic hurdles at the Nigeria-Niger border, where entry required the purchase of entry cards.

Facing extortion and hostility from Niger  immigration officials, Adam and his companions were left stranded at Zinder station, uncertain of their next steps.

Despite encountering setbacks and betrayals from alleged sponsors, Adam remained determined to press on with his journey, driven by the hope of a better future for himself and his family.

Their resilience, however, was met with further challenges as they faced rejection and mistreatment at the hands of immigration officials in Niger.

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Forced to endure physical discomfort and humiliation, they resorted to desperate measures, including bribery, to secure passage.

Upon reaching Agadas, their intended destination, Adam and his companions found themselves disillusioned and betrayed by false promises made by their alleged sponsors.

Despite their efforts to find employment and support themselves financially, they were met with disappointment and hardship, ultimately leading to their decision to return home to Kano.

He continued as follows

“One day, we had to return due to our parents’ condition. Our sister’s husband claimed he would secure the funds to take us to Algeria. The 350 thousand Naira was sent to him, as he was in Algeria. My mother sold her goat for 20 thousand Naira and gave it to me, just as my friend’s mother did for him.

We were taken to Mataimai, close to Kwangwalam in Niger. We spent three days there. Her husband called our parents, stating he would host us at Agadas bus station and take us to Algeria within three days. He did this to encourage our parents to send him money.

During our three days in Mataimai, she arranged for a car belonging to her husband’s friend. We embarked on a journey at Bakin Burji in Zinder. Upon alighting from the vehicle without a card, the Niger immigration directed us to enter a room. They threatened to report us back to Nigeria, citing political conflicts between the leaders.

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We replied to them that the fight is not between us, the masses, but between the political leaders of Niger and Nigeria. One of the immigration officers threatened to beat us.

We begged them to allow us to pass. They said they would never do so unless we found something to settle them. We searched for a “jaka,” which costs 5 sepa, equivalent to 10 thousand Nigerian money.

They did not even look at us when we begged them. The Niger immigration officers refused to listen to us. We then rented a “Jaka Ashirin,” equivalent to 40 thousand Nigerian currency, from our sister because her husband assured us that upon landing, we would find a job.

We later handed over 20 thousand Naira to the Niger immigration officers, equivalent to Nigerian currency. They were supposed to provide us with a gate pass that would allow us to pass through everywhere. Instead, they started beating us and instructed us to enter our car.

Upon entering the car, other passengers warned us that as Nigerians, we needed to be very careful because we were becoming unpopular in the Niger Republic. Most of the passengers, who were Nigeriens, advised our driver to board us onto a sheep and animal lorry since the Niger immigration officers refused to provide them with the card. They feared we would face the same mistreatment as we experienced at the previous gate.

We later boarded a trailer carrying sheep and rams, continuing our journey on it from Zinder to Agadas. We spent a whole day traveling.

At every gate where there was immigration, we had to lie down and allow the sheep and rams to step on us. Sometimes, the animals excreted over our bodies. We endured this for four days without praying or taking a bath for two weeks. Wherever we went, we had to beg for food to eat.

When we finally arrived at Agadas, we had 50 sepas. We bought a local food made from millet for 50 sepa, and we ate it.

When we landed at Agadas, we learned that our sister’s husband had lied to us. He didn’t know anybody in Agadas; we only met one of his sisters there. We were hosted in one shop, and every day we went out looking for menial jobs without earning a single Kobo.

We continued phoning our sister’s husband, who had taken our 350 thousand Naira in anticipation of sending us some amount, but he refused.

Our aunt sold all her possessions and sent the proceeds to my brother, who went to Mali because he was tired of what was happening. He planned to start digging for gold there.

When he went to Mali, he started smuggling, and sometimes they were pursued and shot at, so they stopped. Meanwhile, he left us in Agadas. Later, he went to Jado, and we are totally disconnected from him; up to now, we don’t know where he is.

The guy whose shop we were staying in Agadas is tired of us; we have exhausted all his food stocks.

We looked for unskilled labor jobs, and in one month, we earned 40 thousand Naira.

We advised ourselves to return home to Kano, Nigeria because our parents didn’t know about our condition.

We decided to return home to Kano without informing our alleged sponsor. We boarded a car, made our way back to Zinder, and faced no challenges on the journey back. From Zinder, we arrived at Kofar Ruwa Bus station in Kano, concluding our four-month journey without reaching Algeria or Italy.

When we returned, our mother started crying when she saw the three of us. She asked about our brother who went to Mali, and when we said we couldn’t find him, she began to cry.

Up until now, the whereabouts of our brothers are unknown. As I am speaking to you, said Abubakar, who came back to Nigeria last February 2024.”

Reflecting on his experience, Adam issued a cautionary message to fellow youths contemplating migration, urging them to exercise caution and pursue opportunities with diligence.

As the issue of labour migration continues to be a pressing concern in Nigeria, Adam’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the perils and challenges faced by those seeking better opportunities abroad. Despite the hardships endured, Adam remains hopeful for a brighter future, advocating for informed decision-making and perseverance in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

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ADVERT:KANO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD IMMUNIZATION PLUS AND MALARIA PROGRESS BY ACCELERATING COVERAGE AND TRANSFORMING SERVICES (IMPACT PROJECT)

Published

9 minutes ago

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March 9, 2026

By

KANO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD
IMMUNIZATION PLUS AND MALARIA PROGRESS BY ACCELERATING COVERAGE AND TRANSFORMING SERVICES (IMPACT PROJECT)

CREDIT NO. IDA-65390

Request for Bids – Goods

Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

NG-KANO MPA-536529-GO-RFB

Date of Issue: March 9, 2026

1. The Kano State Government through the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received a credit from the International Development Association toward the cost of the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under the Contract for the Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

2. The Kano State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Procurement of the following:

Item No.
Description / Identification of Items
Qty
Bid Security
Delivery Period
Location(s)

 

Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

NG-KANO MPA-536529-GO-RFB
44
₦19,700,000.00
90 days
Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project, State PIU Office, Na’ibawa Zaria Road, Opposite Gidan Fiat, Kano State

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Bidding Procedures
3. Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Bidding using Request for Bids (RfB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement in Investment Projects Financing” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”) available on www.worldbank.org/procure and is open to all Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations. In addition, please refers to paragraphs 3.14 to 3.17 in the “Procurement Regulation” on the conflict of interest.

Invitation
4. Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information from the State Project Manager, Kano State IMPACT Project, and inspect/obtain the bidding documents at the address below, between 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Mondays to Fridays, except on public holidays.

5. Qualifications requirements include:

The Bidder should demonstrate that it has successfully completed the supply/installation of a minimum of 30 (Thirty) Ultrasound Scan Machine within the last 5 (five) years.”
Audited financial statements for the last three (3) years, to demonstrate the financial capability of the Bidder in terms of Profitability and adequate working capital,
Registration with Professional organizations/Licenses to sell Medical Equipment in Nigeria.
Company Registration,
Certified Manufacturers Authorization,
Evidence of after-sales services in Nigeria

A margin of preference for eligible national contractors shall not apply; Additional details are provided in the Bidding Documents.

6. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of ₦ 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only). The payment method will be a Bank Draft in favour of the Kano State IMPACT Project. The Bidding Documents will be collected by the representative of the Bidder or by courier services on request, which shall be at the bidder’s cost.

7. Bids must be delivered to the address below at 11:00 am local time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Electronic bid submissions will not be accepted; Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives, who choose to attend in person at the address below 11:00 am local time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of ₦19,700,000.00 in local currency or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency.

8. The address referred to above is:

The State Project Manager,
State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU),
Kano State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project,
Address: Na’ibawa Zaria Road, Opposite Gidan Fiat, P.M.B 3295, Kano State.
Telephone: +234 803 530 7255 / +234 806 558 1226
Email address: piukanoimpactproject@gmail.com

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Legal Setback for Turaki Faction as Appeal Court Affirms High Court’s Ruling on Ibadan Convention

Published

37 minutes ago

on

March 9, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, thereby upholding the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to intervene in matters concerning the party’s planned national convention.

Delivering judgment in a set of nine consolidated appeals, a three-man panel of the appellate court unanimously affirmed the earlier decision of the lower court. The Federal High Court had previously barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or validating any convention organised by the Turaki-led faction.

The legal battle stemmed from a dispute over the party’s scheduled national convention, initially planned for November 14 and 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Turaki faction had challenged a lower court order that restrained the party from proceeding with the event.

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In its ruling on Thursday, the Appeal Court rejected the appellants’ contention that the matter constituted an internal affair of the party and was therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. The panel held that the Federal High Court was fully competent to hear the suit.

Delivering the lead judgment, the court stated that the appellants could not “repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.” It emphasised that the issues raised extended beyond internal party politics and touched on statutory and constitutional violations.

Consequently, the court dismissed the appeals for lacking in merit and awarded a cost of N2 million against the appellants, to be paid to the respondents.

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CITAD Workshop Trains Students on AI Risks and Cybersecurity

Published

4 hours ago

on

March 9, 2026

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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged women and girls to actively participate in the digital space, emphasizing the importance of online safety and emerging technologies.

The call was made on Sunday during a one-day workshop organized by CITAD at Sudawa College of Nursing & Midwifery, Kano. The workshop, themed “AI Deepfakes, Cyberbullying, Harmful Content Reporting, and Data Protection,” aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.

Speaking on behalf of CITAD Executive Director Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, CITAD Programme Officer Isah Garba said the organisation uses information and communication technology (ICT) to promote social development, good governance, and education.

“Every 8th of March, CITAD marks International Women’s Day with unique activities that empower women and girls,” Garba said. “Our focus is on promoting women’s rights, fighting gender-based violence, advancing digital inclusion, cybersecurity, peace-building, and youth entrepreneurship training.”

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He added that the workshop was particularly designed to address challenges posed by emerging artificial intelligence technologies, including AI deepfakes and cyberbullying.

“The session equips participants with practical skills to identify AI-manipulated images and videos, report harmful content using platforms like Repotrix, and safeguard their personal data online,” Garba explained.

On her part, Miss Ogedegbe Sarah, representing the students of Sudawa College of Nursing & Midwifery, lauded the initiative and called on participants to apply the knowledge gained.

“In today’s world, where artificial intelligence plays a significant role, it is crucial that we understand how to protect ourselves online and report harmful content,” she said.

International Women’s Day, celebrated every 8th of March, commemorates women’s struggles for equality and liberation, spotlighting issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and the fight against violence and abuse.

The theme for IWD 2026 is: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”

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