On September 2nd, we celebrate the birthday of a man whose life has been a pillar of hope and progress for countless individuals—Malam Y.Z. Ya’u. He is not just a name but a legacy, a figure whose influence spans multiple fields, from academia to civil society, and from technology to human rights. A philanthropist, mentor, researcher, farmer, journalist, and activist, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u embodies the qualities of a true changemaker.

Malam Y.Z. Ya’u’s journey is a reflection to his commitment to the betterment of society. He began his academic career in 1984 as a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Bayero University, Kano. His tenure was marked by intellectual rigor that inspired a generation of engineers and thinkers. However, his vision extended beyond the university. In 2000, he made the bold decision to resign and co-found the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), one of Nigeria’s pioneering NGOs focused on ICT. Through CITAD, he has been instrumental in promoting youth entrepreneurship, peacebuilding, and ICT policy advocacy. His work has empowered young people to take control of their destinies, harnessing technology to drive personal and societal development.

Malam Y.Z. Ya’u’s contributions to civil society are as profound as they are diverse. He has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding Nigeria (WANEP-Nigeria) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), where he has played pivotal roles in shaping policy and advocating for peace and justice. His leadership in the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room underscores his commitment to ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and that governance is accountable and transparent.

A prolific writer and researcher, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u has authored or edited over 20 books and published more than 30 peer-reviewed papers. His work has explored the intersections of ICT, mass media, and youth studies, providing invaluable insights into how technology can be leveraged for social good. His expertise has made him a sought-after consultant for organizations, governments, and development partners, further amplifying his impact.

One of his most significant contributions has been in the area of countering hate speech and addressing harmful online content. For the last 15 years, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u has led pioneering efforts to make cyberspace safer, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups. His work in this area is not just about technology but about safeguarding human dignity and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.

Understanding that networking is a challenge in rural areas and developing countries, where people lack access to adequate telecommunications, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u, through CITAD, launched an initiative to provide training that equips communities with the knowledge and tools they need to develop their own connectivity networks. This initiative was co-sponsored by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Additionally, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u is the mastermind behind the birth of the Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS). Organized annually by CITAD, KANSIS features presentations and panel sessions where experts discuss and debate topical issues related to development in society.

Malam Y.Z. Ya’u is more than just an academic or an activist; he is a bridge—connecting ideas, people, and communities. His strategic mind, combined with his empathy and down-to-earth nature, has made him a respected figure in every circle he touches. As we celebrate his birthday, we also celebrate a life dedicated to service, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a better world.

Happy Birthday, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u. Your work has not only lifted humanity to new heights but has also redefined what it means to be a leader in the modern world. May your journey continue to inspire and impact lives for many years to come.

Buhari Abba, a multimedia journalist, wrote this piece from Kano.

MUDASSIR ALIYU YUNUSA
mudassiray@gmail.com

The current democratic dispensation is the longest reign of uninterrupted Civilian Administration in Nigeria after the First, Second and short term Interim National Government (ING) that collapses prematurely in less than a decade after their inceptions following the successive military intervention in the political affairs of the country.

In a couple of months to come the current political epoch which commences in 1999 will attain a Silver Jubilee, 25 year of uninterrupted democracy; a great journey that has consolidated the nation’s democracy.

25 years after Nigeria returned to civil rule, citizens have witnessed various transitions and change in power, from ruling party to opposition party. The nation has also seen how politicians paying more attention to satisfying their personal interest, whims and caprices rather than delivery on their primary assignments, the needs of their constituency.

The unfolding development has opened windows of opportunity for electorates and keen watchers of events to draw lessons how political elites lavish the opportunity freely offered by their constituencies.

Incidentally, little did some of the political elites know that the electorates, more than ever before, now have better political awareness and understanding of elective positions. More particularly, the power to pass a vote of confidence, at the same time recall any elective officer who failed to deliver campaign promises.

Moreso, our political awareness have prepared us to make rational choices of individuals with requisite credentials and proven record of Integrity to represent our constituency at the National Assembly.

We are equally positioned to constantly remind our political leaders to avoid repeating the mistake of nominating a weak representation whose stock in trade is to deceive his constituency and paddle lies and empty promises to circumvent his deficiencies to represent adequately.

Contrary to their campaign promises when given the privilege to serve, we have seen gross incompetence and misrepresentation. What reign supreme is ulterior motives and self perpetuation, paying no heed to the aspirations, yearnings and plights of their people and constituencies.

Therefore, IT IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME FOR GOOD PEOPLE TO EMERGE. It is pertinent to note that our political leaders and people consider genuine criteria before offering mandates to any politician to serve.

We must consider credibility, competency, capability, proficiency and the track records of all contestants. It is time we tender our attention to discover that figure unanimously recognize as worthy of the political post.

It is our duty to look inward and search for competent and trusted people within the community for the leadership positions. We are mindful of the fact that some people are silent achievers with capabilities to lead. In many occasions, these category of people are not well known in the public for obvious reasons.

Among the rear gems identified in Kano Municipal is one competent gentleman I discovered. He’s industrious, diligent, competent and dedicative toward serving humanity. This fellow has deployed his personal resources to uplift his community. He’s passionate to develop human capacity.

Dr. FAROUK KURAWA is worthy of our representation at the National Assembly. Kurawa’s outstanding performance earned him the current position Mañaging Director Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA).

His elevation is no doubt attributed to his good behavior and character and according to the saying by a great Indian Hero Mahatma Gandhi “Behaviour is the mirror in which we can display our images”. This is quite true especially when people are using their resource capacity (Time, Wisdom, money, position of authority etc) towards serving the humanity wholeheartedly.

Dr. Kurawa is indeed a breed of gentleman who is ever and always ready to serve but not to be served, looking at his generosity to people, respect to elders, self assertive, excellent and exceptional qualities that make him to be a record breaker in any position he hold both in government and private setting.

He worked in the Banking sector and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for 17 years with out blemishes. As somebody who spent many years working in a non-governmental organizations, he also build-up by having his Ph.D in Business Administration (Agri-Business).

Surely, his educational background, wealth of working experience in local, national and international levels ought not to be ignored and just allowed to go untapped. Dr Kurawa is an Agricultural expert specialising in Agri-Business.

As MD KNARDA, a state agency saddled with the responsibility of coordinating, monitoring and evaluating agricultural projects, foster rural infrastructural development, improve livelihood and ensuring food security and other issues concerning the well being of the rural communities. Dr. Kurawa’s positive inputs in the agency is progressing toward greatness.

With his vast knowledge and experience in agriculture which is among the mainstay of Nigerian economy particularly in Northern Nigeria, Dr. Kurawa would be a favorable, desirable and advantageous person to represent the Good People of Kano Central at the National Assembly.

By Bala Ibrahim.

“As the Chief of Army Staff, my simple response to the call is, ‘Thanks, but no thanks!’ The Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power”-Lagbaja.

“Undemocratically sail some interests to power.” That’s the catch phrase to capture, from the powerful pronouncement of General Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff.

Anyone living in Nigeria today, is undoubtedly aware of the terrible situation of the country. Some are even calling it calamitous.Those who say so cannot be fully faulted, because, things are tough, very tough. All the ingredients of a tough life, as described by the dictionary, are visibly resident in Nigeria today, viz: economic hardship, trials, tribulations, and struggle. Some signs that may indicate that someone has had a difficult time or a hard life would be things such as physical signs of abuse or neglect, signs of poverty, depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, or a lack of support from family or friends. These are descriptions from the dictionary about tough life and they seem to be simmering in Nigeria today.

What the dictionary did not say in answer to the meaning of tough life is the role of the government in a democratic arrangement. But indeed the Government has a share in the comfort or discomfort of the citizens of a country, Nigeria inclusive. It is not the ambition of this article to totally exonerate the government from blame, with regards to the misery of Nigerians, but it is the determination of the article to tell those who think that, through the call for coup, the solution to the problem would come, sorry, wrong number. It is simply akin to swallowing a nonsensical story hook, line, and sinker, without knowing what the real implication is all about.

A 2020 study found that, coups tended to lead to increases in state repression, not reductions. For Nigeria, repressive regime cannot salvage the situation. It would only worsen it. So, thanks for the call, but no thanks, according to the Army.

The Chief of Army Staff, who spoke recently in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2024, pinpointed the origin of the call, thus:

“the pertinent issue that came up during the recent protest is the call for undemocratic intervention in governance by the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Although one can say this was coming from young Nigerians who never experienced the era of Nigeria’s extensive military rule and the concerted struggle by heroes and heroines of our current democratic dispensation to get the Nation on its current path”.

Methinks those calling for coup don’t even understand the real meaning of the consequences of coup or what repression is all about. With repression, even the freedom to think freely is suppressed. The freedom to desire something is suppressed. People pay heavy price under repression, because of the lack of freedom, topmost of which is the denial of the freedom of expression. Countries that go the way of coup often fall under sanctions, which ultimately worsen the living conditions of the people. So, thanks for the call, but no thanks, according to the Army.

Yes, when Nigeria’s situation is perused properly, especially against the backdrop of the incessant insecurity in the country, it would be easy to accuse the government of insensitivity, because there are those alleging that the Government is benefitting from the insecurity. But that can also be wrong. No government, no matter how careless, would want its citizens to remain unsecured.

The principal reason for the institution of Government as explained by the Social Contract theorists is the provision of security of lives and properties for the citizens. This is the ambition of every government every where in the world and Nigeria cannot be an exception. Even those who accuse the government of engaging in corruption, must know that without security, the so called corruption cannot thrive. So, every government, regardless of its mission, needs the security of its country. But, and I repeat but, that security can best be provided, when the role of the military is limited to the barracks.

By training and orientation, the military is a friend of the bullet and not the ballot. So, contrary to democracy, which is a combination of two Greek words, “demos”, meaning people, and “kratos” meaning power, or “power of the people through the ballot, the military comes under “militocracy”, which is an authoritarian government operating with the use of force, where the predominant power rests with the bullet.The opinion of the public is unimportant and can be silenced or side-lined with ease.

Since 2011, coups have become rampant in Africa, making the African Union to loose its grip on peace. It is alleged that, the actors, both local and international, are exerting their influence over these coups. And mostly, the end always fail to justify the means. Examples given are the events in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia in 2011, Burkina Faso in 2014 and 2022, Zimbabwe in 2017, Algeria and Sudan in 2019, Mali in 2020 and 2021, Guinea in 2021, Niger in 2023 and Gabon in 2023.

“Mostly, the governments that follow these coups have failed to address the circumstances that caused them. This, of course, leads to further coups. Succeeding regimes entrench themselves in power by corruption and by marginalising their political adversaries. Eventually, rising mass poverty provokes deep political disgruntlement. Political instability triggers a coup — and so the cycle continues”- Reuben Twinomujuni, Uganda.

In simple language, those calling for a coup are simply calling for a vicious cycle, which is a sequence of reciprocal cause and effect in which two or more elements intensify and aggregate each other, leading inevitably, to the worsening of the situation. Nigeria is not destined for such scenario and God would not allow it. So, thanks for the call, but no thanks, according to the Army.

In addressing the issue of insecurity, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja gave the assurance that the military would soon surmount the prevailing security challenges facing the country, because, the conference had provided them the opportunity to make strategic projections for the fourth quarter and comprehensively review the counter-insurgency operations, anti-banditry efforts, and other critical operations across the country.

The task before every Nigerian I think, is to pray for the success of the military in this endeavor, and not for them to venture into the political arena of the country.

In most cases, apologists of coup are largely politicians that have lost elections, who always take advantage of the gullible and the easily deceivable, by merchandising falsehood, with the intention of injecting political tension in the country. Once there is such political tension, there would be strained relations or conflicts, depending on the magnitude of the lies peddled. These would pave way for power struggles, regional disputes, or other political factors between individuals or groups.

Those conversant with coups say, such tensions can lead to heightened hostility and potential overthrow of the government- an undemocratic regime change in short. Such change is not permitted by the constitution and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had told those with such thinking, to have a rethink. The President said he is not opposed to any regime change, but those angling for that, must wait till 2027. Even at that, they have to go through the ballot and not the bullet.

Only last month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had his inaugural Council of State meeting, wherein many issues were discussed, including the hunger protest and the security situation of the country. The briefing by the National Security Adviser at the meeting, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was particularly commendable, because he allayed everybody’s fears, they said. The NSA spoke on the tightness of the security around the country and also reassured all that, nobody will be allowed to truncate our hard earned democracy.

“Any change of government has to be through the ballot and not through the barrel of the gun, or through insurrection or through any other unconstitutional means. Only through the ballot box can any government be changed and reassured of the security readiness of all security agencies in the country to secure our territorial integrity and to protect Nigeria’s democracy.”- NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Indeed those calling for the coup are not only callous, but seriously unserious and insensible. And the Chief of Army staff, Lt.Gen. Lagbaja had answered them, by saying: Thanks for the call, but no thanks.