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Rough Roads, Tough Journeys along the Jos , Abuja and Lafia Roads

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Faith John

 

Faith John

Plateau State, with its enchanting landscapes, temperate climate, and cultural diversity, possesses immense tourism potential. Yet, the dilapidated roads act as a deterrent for both domestic and international tourists. Visitors are discouraged by the arduous journey, navigating through pothole-riddled roads that not only dampen the travel experience but also pose safety concerns.

The repercussions of neglecting these vital roads stretch far beyond inconvenience. At the forefront is the safety concern: the treacherous minefield of potholes paves the way for accidents, causing injuries and sometimes tragic loss of life. Commuters navigate a perilous obstacle course daily, while vehicles bear the brunt of the relentless wear and tear, escalating maintenance costs for already burdened residents.

The Jos to Abuja Road are vital transportation routes that play a pivotal role in connecting Plateau State to other key regions in Nigeria. However, the condition of these roads has significant implications for commerce, transportation, and the socio-economic landscape of not just Plateau State but the entire country.

The road’s state has also affected agricultural activities in the region, as farmers struggle to transport their produce to markets, leading to economic losses and decreased income for rural communities. Additionally, the road’s condition discourages potential investors and hampers the socio-economic growth of Plateau , Abuja and Nasarawa States.

The Jos to Abuja and Lafia Road serves as a crucial link between Plateau State and the federal capital, Abuja. This road holds immense importance as it connects Jos, a key city in Plateau State, to the political, economic, and administrative hub of the nation.

The poor condition of the Jos to and Abuja and Lafia Road significantly affects transportation and trade activities between Plateau State and Abuja. The Jos to Abuja and Lafia route’s deteriorating state increases transportation costs, leads to longer travel times, and poses safety risks to commuters.

Moreover, the road’s condition adversely impacts tourism, discouraging visitors from exploring the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Plateau State. It affects businesses, limits job opportunities, and constrains economic growth in the region.

Furthermore, the health implications are alarming. The dust clouds that envelop the air due to road disintegration pose significant respiratory hazards, particularly affecting vulnerable demographics like children and the elderly. Health hazards coupled with prolonged commute times take a toll on the mental and physical well-being of the populace, leading to stress and reduced productivity.

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The impact of poorly maintained roads on tourism, investment, and the overall growth of Plateau State, especially Jos, cannot be overstated. The road network serves as the lifeline for tourism and investment, playing a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and development. However, the dismal condition of roads in Plateau State presents a formidable barrier to the realization of its full potential.

However, amidst the chaos and despair, a glimmer of hope shines through. Grassroots initiatives emerge as communities along the Abuja road band together, filling potholes, organizing cleanup drives, and amplifying their voices on social platforms. These actions serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of Jos’s inhabitants, a beacon of hope in the midst of adversity.

The Jos to Abuja Road are vital transportation routes that play a pivotal role in connecting Plateau State to other key regions in Nigeria. However, the condition of these roads has significant implications for commerce, transportation, and the socio-economic landscape of not just Plateau State but the entire country.

The road’s state has also affected agricultural activities in the region, as farmers struggle to transport their produce to markets, leading to economic losses and decreased income for rural communities. Additionally, the road’s condition discourages potential investors and hampers the socio-economic growth of both Plateau and Nasarawa States.

The Jos to Abuja and Lafia Road serves as a crucial link between Plateau State and the federal capital, Abuja. This road holds immense importance as it connects Jos, a key city in Plateau State, to the political, economic, and administrative hub of the nation.

The poor condition of the Jos to and Abuja and Lafia Road significantly affects transportation and trade activities between Plateau State and Abuja. The Jos to Abuja and Lafia route’s deteriorating state increases transportation costs, leads to longer travel times, and poses safety risks to commuters.

Moreover, the road’s condition adversely impacts tourism, discouraging visitors from exploring the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Plateau State. It affects businesses, limits job opportunities, and constrains economic growth in the region.

The bad road of the Jos-Lafia Road and Jos to Abuja Road hampers trade, transportation, agricultural activities, tourism, and overall socio-economic development in Plateau State. Urgent attention, comprehensive maintenance, and infrastructure improvements are imperative to unleash the economic potential of these routes, foster regional connectivity, and facilitate sustainable growth and development in Plateau State and beyond.

The call for action reverberates across the city. Community leaders, advocacy groups, and residents rally for government intervention. The urgency to prioritize road maintenance and rehabilitation echoes through the corridors of power. It’s not merely about enhancing convenience; it’s a matter of safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the city’s future.
Government should mend the roads, mend the future. The fate of this vibrant city hinges on the concerted efforts to address this pressing issue. For the roads not only connect places but also weave the fabric of a community, and neglecting them leads to the unraveling of its very essence.

Faith John
Department of Mass Communications
University of Maiduguri

Opinion

President Tinubu’s Visit to Katsina: A Missed Opportunity Wrapped in Songs and Handshakes

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Jamilu Abdussalam Hajaj

 

By Jamilu Abdussalam Hajaj

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Katsina should have been a pivotal moment—an opportunity for the state to draw national attention to its pressing challenges, developmental milestones, and future aspirations. Unfortunately, what should have been a strategic communication moment for the state turned into a viral distraction.

From the streets of Katsina to the corners of social media, two things dominated the narrative: a campaign-style song from singer Rarara and a casual handshake between the President and Aisha Humaira. These moments, while lighthearted and culturally expressive, overshadowed the very essence of a presidential visit—governance, development, and accountability.

It raises a critical question: Was the state’s PR machinery asleep, or was the leadership not interested in framing the visit within a narrative that could catalyze national interest, policy focus, or even investment in Katsina?

In a time when states are competing for federal attention, donor support, and private capital, optics matter. Yet, in Katsina, a sitting governor was cheering a singer on and clapping joyfully to impress the President. A presidential visit is not just a ceremonial tour; it is a platform. It’s the time to walk the President through pressing realities— insecurity in rural areas, the economic potential in agriculture, the struggles with education, the underfunded health sector, the resilience of the people, and the efforts already underway to tackle these issues.

Instead, the silence around these important issues was deafening.

No strategic documentaries. No impactful speeches. No high-level stakeholder engagements positioned in the media. No community interactions that could inspire federal interventions. Not even a strong visual presentation of the state’s development agenda.

Governance is not just about doing the work; it’s about telling the story. And in that regard, Katsina missed the moment.

This visit should have been used to showcase the hard work of the administration (if there is any to show), to call for more support where needed, and to galvanize public interest and empathy. But when all that trends from a presidential visit are a song and a handshake, it’s safe to say the moment was poorly managed or, worse, completely misunderstood.

Moving forward, states must take public relations seriously—not for propaganda, but for perception, engagement, and strategic positioning. Because if you don’t control the narrative, someone else will. And often, they will focus on the trivial and mundane parts, not the transformational.

 

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Opinion

EFCC Probe on Refineries: Transparency or Political Witch-Hunt

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By Aminu Umar

The recent move by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to probe the handling of finances and contracts related to the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries has stirred a heated debate on whether the investigation represents a genuine drive for transparency or a politically motivated witch-hunt.

At the heart of the issue is the EFCC’s request for salary records and allowances of 14 key officials who served during the refinery rehabilitation period. These include high-ranking executives such as Abubakar Yar’Adua, Mele Kyari, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ibrahim Onoja, Ademoye Jelili, and Mustapha Sugungun.

Others listed are Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama. The commission appears focused on payments and administrative decisions linked to the multi-billion naira refinery resuscitation program.

However, conspicuously absent from the list of those summoned is Adedapo Segun, the current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), who served as Executive Vice President for Downstream and was directly in charge of treasury, refinery operations, shipping, and trading. During this time, all payments related to the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries were made under his financial supervision.

This omission has raised several questions: Why is Segun not being invited or questioned if the goal is transparency? Why is the probe appearing selective?

Equally puzzling is the inclusion of Abubakar Yar’Adua, whose role is administrative rather than operational, while high-profile former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) such as Andrew Yakubu, and Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who played central roles in refinery policy and contracts in previous administrations, appear to have been bypassed.

We are not saying Mele Kyari is innocent or guilty, but we must insist on a fair process,” a stakeholder familiar with the situation told this reporter. “This shouldn’t be a selective trial. The people who gave out the contracts and approved the funds must be investigated too.”

The tension is heightened by growing concerns that the probe is targeted at individuals from a specific region. Many observers fear this could deepen regional mistrust, especially if only northern executives are made scapegoats.

We are worried this is being used to paint Northerners as the only looters,” said one source. “You cannot fight corruption with bias. You need to look at all sides. This includes those who were ‘exonerated’ too quickly.”

Another burning question is why individuals such as Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, former Minister of State for Petroleum, and Andrew Yakubu, former GMD of NNPC, who had strategic influence on contract awards and rehabilitation policies, are not facing any scrutiny. Critics argue that anyone involved at any stage of the refinery rehabilitation—whether from policy, finance, or operational perspectives—should be equally held accountable.

Civil society groups and international anti-corruption bodies are now being urged to step in. The call is for an independent and thorough probe that includes all relevant stakeholders—without exception.

“We are calling on NGOs and international organisations to ensure that this is not a political trial. If you must clean up the refinery system, you must do it across the board,” the statement concluded.

In a country plagued by decades of failed refinery operations and opaque oil sector dealings, the public is watching this investigation closely. The EFCC is at a crossroads: its actions will either affirm its commitment to justice or expose it to accusations of being used as a tool for political vendettas.

For now, Nigerians wait—with growing skepticism.

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Opinion

Censoring the Uncensored: The irony behind Hisbah’s ban on Hamisu Breaker’s song

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By Ummi Muhammad Hassan

Following the ban by Hisbah on a new song titled “Amana Ta” by Hamisu Breaker, social media went into an uproar, capturing the attention of the public.

In the early hours of April 24, 2025, social media was filled with reactions following a press statement issued by the Deputy Commander of the Hisbah Board, Kano State chapter, Dr. Khadija Sagir, announcing the ban of Breaker’s new song. The reason cited was that the song allegedly contains obscene language.

This announcement, however, triggered a counterreaction from the public. Many became curious to know more about the song and the so-called obscene content, with some taking to their social media handles to express their opinions.

The irony of the situation is that Hisbah unintentionally gave the song more prominence, causing it to go viral. Many people who were previously unaware of the song searched for and listened to it, just to understand the controversy.

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In my opinion, after listening to the song, it contains no obscene language. Rather, the issue seems to lie with some young women who mimed the song in a suggestive manner after hearing that Hisbah had labelled it as indecent—as though to dramatize or reinforce the claim. Some even appeared as if they were intoxicated.

To me, this is both devastating and concerning, as it reflects the erosion of the strong moral standards once upheld by Hausa women. Many young people are now making videos lip-synching the song in indecent ways. It made me pause and ask myself: where has our shyness gone? I believe this question deserves a deeper conversation on another day.

In Breaker’s case, thanks to the Hisbah ban, he became the most trending Kannywood artist in April, and his song went viral—and continues to trend.

A similar incident occurred earlier this year when the federal government banned Idris Abdulkareem’s song *Tell Your Papa*. That action unexpectedly brought the artist back into the spotlight, causing the song to trend widely.

Social media has made censorship increasingly difficult. Once a movie, text, or song reaches the internet, it becomes almost impossible to control—even by the creators themselves.

While social media censorship remains a challenge, this recent incident highlights the need for the government to intensify efforts against the spread of indecent content—through Hisbah and agencies like the Kano State Film Censorship Board.

Clear guidelines should be put in place, requiring artists and filmmakers to submit their content for review and approval before public release. This, among other strategies, could help reduce the spread of inappropriate material.

Additionally, Hisbah should be more mindful of how such announcements are made, as they may inadvertently promote the very content they seek to suppress.

Ummi Muhammad Hassan, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Bayero University, Kano. She can be reached via email at: ummeemuhammadhassan@gmail.com.

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