Author: Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

For over a decade, Northern Nigeria has been stewed in the orgy of violent extremism. The region has been host to Boko Haram, ISIS West Africa Province (ISWAP) and now the daring and dreaded terrorist bandit groups.  Killings, abductions, destruction of lives and properties have become compulsory bitter pills swallowed by the people on a daily basis. The North is burning.  As a matter of fact it is profusely bleeding. Residents cannot sleep with both eyes closed. Road users are kidnapped, burnt and slaughtered daily. Markets are close, telecommunication infrastructure was interfered with; fuel is no longer dispensed in gallons…

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While addressing participants of Course 15 of the National Defence College, Abuja, in 2007, Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi, the then Minister of State, Foreign Affairs like many others before and after him asserted that only fools take nations dependent on external sources for their defence needs seriously. Stating the obvious, he pointed out that; “In order to increase its capacity to act independently, within the sphere of influence and beyond, Nigeria has to drastically reduce its reliance on external sources for her defence needs. If the experience we got during the Nigerian civil  war is anything to go by, such dependency…

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The political configuration of the nation gives Northern Nigeria undue advantage over other regions.  This must be stated for emphasis and without fear or contradiction. When it comes to number of states and local governments; the north has majority. So also is the Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituency representation at the National Assembly. In as much as politics is a game of numbers, the Northern political elites are very much aware of this basic truth and are proud to exploit it to their advantage any time; any where with no apologies. They have easily, always utulised it as a weapon…

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The untold stories of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies Kaduna, Kaduna State is anchored on probity, transparency and excellent managerial acumen displayed by the Board led by Professor Muhammad Shafiu Abdullahi. The reality on ground seems unbelievable and even unachievable to the doubting Thomases and naysayers. Islam as a way of life is primed on knowledge, science and education. To meet the demands of ensuring that the gains of the Board are achieved the choice of an Islamic scholar in the person of Prof. Abdullahi whose track records in Islamic education and mentoring was most well…

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The viral photos of surrendered Boko Haram commanders with placards of varying inscriptions denouncing their evil ways and sins they committed against the nation and humanity trended online penultimate week. The terrorists numbering about a hundred whose stock in trade for over a decade has been killing, maiming, raping, stealing, destroying and pillaging the country were seen with their families begging Nigerians for forgiveness.  According to a statement by Brigadier Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Army Spokesperson, shared alongside photos of the Boko Haram commanders; “Musa Adamu, a chief bomb expert for the insurgents and his deputy Usman Adamu were among those…

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“…security is development; without security, there can be no development.”  – Robert McNamara. It is no longer news that the security challenges confronting the nation has assumed a frightening and worrisome dimension. Unarguably, it is becoming intractable by the day. The gnawing fear and apprehension is palpable. It is choking to say the least. The menace has unfortunately become a constant, dangerous and terrible part of our new normal way of life. We are on a daily basis inundated with the horrendous stories of the evils perpetrated by many of these notorious criminal groups in the country. For over a…

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The  growing demand for free, fair,  credible and transparent elections in Nigeria suffered another set back as the National Assembly shut the door against e-transmisson of election results from polling units. The parliamentarians deliberately killed and buried a growing national aspiration with obnoxious technicalities. Surprisingly, the same National Assembly approved the use of any other electronic means during elections as INEC deems fit but hinged the electronic transmission of results on the express approval by National Assembly and the Nigerian Communications Commission. Unbelievable! In his view on the subject under review, the former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega said;  “the…

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Dear Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Sir, I join Nigerians in their numbers to sincerely congratulate you on your recent appointment as the 22nd Nigeria Chief of Army Staff (CoAS). This came on the hills of the unfortunate passing on of the former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers in an ill-fated plane crash in Kaduna. Your appointment to the exalted office was indeed meritorious and well deserving. It also calls for sober refection. Meritorious on account of your experience and as one who has held high ranking positions and served in various capacities as field…

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Even the deaf can hear the rhythm of chaos pervading the atmosphere. One could feel the heavy hands of the grave danger. There are no pretences about it. Internal peace and security of lives have departed. Lives are snuffed out of citizens day in day out with impunity by criminal elements and unknown gunmen. In today’s Nigeria, life and living has no meaning! Banditry, Kidnapping and Boko Haram insurgency have held sway for too long. There is growing threat of hunger arising from challenges farmers have faced; still face and continue to face. What about the increasing sense of collective…

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There is no gainsaying the fact that the global import of water cannot be over-emphasized. The high premium God even placed on water was captured on the account of creation in Genesis 1:6-10. It was God’s second manifestation of his power and glory after light came into being. In fact, there was water already before the Almighty’s pronouncements gave life and effect to substances. “And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the…

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There is no gainsaying the fact that the global import of water cannot be over emphasized. The high premium God even placed on water was captured on the account of creation in Genesis 1:6-10. It was God’s second manifestation of his power and glory after light came into being. In fact, there was water already before the Almighty’s pronouncements gave life and effect to substances. “And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under…

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Those who are familiar with Kaduna will concede to the indisputable fact that the  capital of former Northern Region has never had it so good in terms of infrastructural revolution and development since its creation in … Thanks to the avowed commitment of the Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to frontally address the yawning gap in infrastructural all over the state. It was his resolve and determination to turn the state into an investment hub and make life better for citizens. To this end the governor has awarded contracts for several road projects under the Kaduna Urban Renewal Programme. Despite the…

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By: Sunday Onyemaechi Eze We have all agreed even in principle that growth and development of nations are largely anchored on the quality of education obtainable in such nations. Some Asian countries invest huge fortunes in their citizens to acquire knowledge and skills in universities abroad especially in America and the United Kingdom. They quite understood the pivotal role education plays as the catalyst for the overall development of other sectors of their economy. Nigeria has not done well in genuinely towing the examplary line of the Asian nations which were known to have started this journey to attaining greater…

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Nigeria is a country living in denial of its division, challenges and troubled chequered history. Anybody who lays claim to the fact that the country is one is living in illusion or outrightly delusional. Right before and after independence, there was already  a  misunderstanding and suspicion accompanied by regional power intrigues which characterised that era. People could not see the cold war brewing among the regional trio. The three regional leaders of Azikiwe, Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello do not buy into the same thinking and understanding of what Nigeria should or ought to be. One should have possibly seen that…

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The bitter truth remains that the planned construction of Jibiya/Maradi 55km standard rail line by the Nigerian government does not serve the overall and overriding interest of her citizenry. Nigeria as a nation is already in a dire fix. Her domestic challenges are increasingly taking a heavy toll on the nation and her people. Emerging signs that the nation may be plunged into another recession if it is not already in one is glaring. Suffice it to say that; a man whose house is on fire does not hunt for rats. The golden rule is to love your neighbour as…

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“At the end of the day, we must have an honest conversation as Nigerians and know that unless we fix electricity, we cannot make progress.” – Nasir el-rufai There is no gainsaying the fact that, quality, affordable and stable power supply is a vital catalyst to technological and industrial development of nations.  Suffice it to say that, nations referred to as developed attain such enviable status with citizens’ unfettered access to stable and affordable power supply.  Power outages seem non-existent except in isolated cases as grown adults never witnessed any. This offers existing industries and startups a lifeline for continuous…

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“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” – George Orwell. Nigerians were destroyed, the understanding of their history denied and completely obliterated by the deft political manipulations of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015. Propaganda was the potent political weapon unleashed on the populace by the party to clinch electoral victory and gain relevance over other parties and its major contender the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 general elections. It was a well-calculated political move to deflate the ego of the then incumbent PDP. The stone precisely…

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Movies are a veritable source of information, education and majorly entertainment. Millionaires have emerged from the movie industry while many people are gainfully employed in the industry’s value chain all over the world. Watching movies is an acceptable form of recreation for families and friends. Some say it is therapeutic to watch movies. That notwithstanding,  many like me watch movies once in a blue moon. You are right to conclude that I am not a movie freak. It was never my hobby nor formed part of my daily schedule. In fact, I was born in a remote village in Enugu…

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The military all over the world is a symbol of national pride, strength, valour, resilience and power. The hallmark of the military include: patriotism, tact, discipline, selfless national service among others. In fact, the military is a repository of knowledge. History has evidently shown that the military all over the world has broken grounds in several scientific and technological innovations aimed at sustaining national growth and development in the areas of defence, security, aeronautics, medicine, agriculture, ICT etc. No wonder, the need to partly anchor Nigeria’s ship of industrial development on the shores of the military at inception was part…

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The politics of who succeeds president Muhammadu Buhari come 2023 is gradually gathering momentum. Expectedly, as President Buhari’s second term in office trudges into half time, politicians and political pundits of Igbo extraction including pressure groups have continued to demand a president from that part of the country. Recently, a prominent elder statesman from the south-west Ayo Adebanjo has lent his voice and support for the presidency to be ceded to the south-east. The call for south-east presidency is predicated on the prism of ”justice, equity and fairness.” What other reason could one adduce to drive this point home?  Since…

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The unmitigated wave of insecurity in our country Nigeria has become a malignant and smelly leprous sore begging for urgent national diagnosis and treatment. The menace has unfortunately reached its crescendo in recent days. Do we still have a government which swore to protect the lives and property of its citizens is the question on the lips of many? The lives of average Nigerians no longer matter and are not even worth the value of a mere farthing.  Again and again, people have been and are slaughtered in their numbers with reckless abandon by Boko haram insurgents, marauding kidnappers, cattle…

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The legislative arm of government is undeniably the face of the people in a representative democracy. Better said, it is unarguably a shining example of and the bastion of democratic governance all over the world. This arm of government drew its strength from the mandates of the people and constituents the members represent. The acclaimed crucial role of the legislature makes it the only casualty in every unpopular change of government through coup-de-tat in Africa in times past. It must be noted that members of the legislature specifically work, move motions and present bills for the benefit of the people they represent…

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Over the years Almajirinci is an Islamic educational system commonly practised in Northern part of Nigeria. “Almajiri” is a Hausa word derived from the Arabic word “Almuhajirun”, meaning migrants. In Northern Nigeria, it refers to persons who travel far from home in search of Islamic knowledge. Over 80% of almajiri in Nigeria is predominantly found in the North with a considerable population in the Southwest of the country too. Almajiri schools are also called Makarantun Allo (Slate School), Tsangaya (Learning Centre in Hausa) and Ile-kewu (Arabic School in Yoruba) depending on the context of the usage. The practice to a large extent has not provided answers to the…

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Coronavirus pandemic is one not in a hurry to leave the scene any time soon. Unfortunately, it has like others before it comes to stay. No disease is completely eradicated from the face of the earth. Various kinds of drugs are produced and made readily available to manage it and its attendant consequences. For this one, we only work and pray for quick breakthroughs in solutions and remedies arising from both conventional medical and herbal practices. It may endure but certainly, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. However, humanity must begin to learn how to live…

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Condemn no one for asserting that some Nigerian pastors are nothing short of comedians and entertainers who will never fail to amuse. Among a whole lot of them who lay claim to God’s calling; it is only the Almighty who knows who He truly called. The handsome pastor and founder of Christ Embassy, Chris Oyakhilome is one man of God I cherish and respect so much. Those occupying his kind of position, we are admonished by the Holy Book to respect. I had in my spare time paused to watch, listen and read stories related to him, his ministry and…

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Let me join millions of Nigerians to happily congratulate you on your nomination as commissioner designate in Kwara State. It is indeed heartwarming to be found worthy of service to your fatherland at a young age of twenty six (26) especially as a young woman in a male dominated political firmament like Nigeria. The governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and government of Kwara State by this estimable action has not only done the youth of Kwara and Nigerians proud but had set a well deserved standard and precedent worthy of following by other states. Let me remind you that; in Nigeria, only…

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