There are few things more dignifying than when a towering public figure extends the courtesy of respect wrapped in humility. General Lucky Irabor, former Chief of Defence Staff, exemplifies that rare blend of strength and grace. When he invited me to the presentation of his new book, “SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” I was reminded that behind the imposing military uniform lies a man of reflection, intellect, and empathy — unless, of course, one dares to cross the line. This quality stands in sharp contrast to the arrogance I have encountered at a strategic institute where a…
Author: TheStories
The Government of Namibia has expressed deep concern over the recent political upheaval in Madagascar, where the military has reportedly taken control following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina. In a statement issued on Monday, Namibian President, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said Namibia views the developments in the island nation with “grave concern”, warning that any attempt to assume power through unconstitutional means undermines regional stability and democratic governance within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). President Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled that in August this year, SADC leaders met in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, during the 45th Ordinary Summit, where they collectively pledged to…
A total of 145 women from 15 groups in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State have graduated from the Social Analysis and Action (SAA) programme under the CASCADE project, implemented by the Development Exchange Centre (DEC). The women, trained over 12 months through existing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), acquired skills in livelihood improvement, nutrition, and gender equity. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ann Alberta Bot, CASCADE’s Gender Technical Officer, said the SAA sessions provided a platform for women to discuss and address harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and promote healthy family practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal…
Many Nigerians have been painfully swindled out of millions of their hard-earned money through various scams. Consequently, some victims of these scams have committed suicide, others have been denied prosperity, and many have been left with unpayable debts. Internet scammers have stolen money from people; Ponzi schemers have defrauded numerous Nigerians of their cash, just as dubious and unregistered financial service operators have ruined countless financial nests. The destructive nature of Ponzi schemes, in particular, was highlighted by Dr. Okey Umeano of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in an edition of Accounting and Business (AB) magazine, where he wrote:…
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has left indelible scars on the land and its people, a reminder of the brutality of Jewish-imposed war and the mercilessness that accompanies it. Under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s military actions have intensified, leading to a humanitarian crisis that evokes strong emotions and raises profound questions about morality, humanity, and the consequences of political decisions. The images emerging from Gaza are not merely snapshots of destruction; they are powerful narratives that encapsulate the anguish, despair, and resilience of a population caught in the crossfire of conflict. At first glance, the visual landscape of…
In the intricacies of Nigerian politics, few figures elicit as much controversy as Atiku Abubakar, a perennial presidential aspirant and former Vice President. His recent endorsement of calls for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has ignited a firestorm of controversy. This endorsement is particularly troubling given Kanu’s role in inciting violence that has resulted in the deaths of numerous individuals, particularly from the Northern region, and the destruction of properties across Nigeria. The implications of Atiku’s support for Kanu’s release warrant a critical examination, as they underscore the broader tensions…
As a boy in secondary school, like many restless teenagers, I dreamt of what I might become someday. My imagination traveled wide: doctor, lawyer, journalist, teacher — but never once did I see myself as a soldier. It wasn’t out of disrespect for the profession or ignorance of its prestige. No. The idea of being a soldier terrified me. Something deep within, perhaps an extra X chromosome in my emotional wiring, whispered that I was not built for that life of rigid duty, harsh command, and emotional detachment. In school, many of my friends fantasized about wearing khaki. It was…
Some encounters stay with you — not just because of the people you meet, but because of the renewed sense of purpose they leave behind. That’s exactly how I felt meeting Mrs. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Nigeria’s new Country Representative, during her first official field mission to Sokoto and Kebbi States last month. I was introduced to her by my Chief, and what began as a formal greeting quickly turned into a warm, thoughtful conversation about the work we do in the Communication, Advocacy, and Partnerships (CAP) Section. I explained how our team supports programme colleagues — amplifying their work through…
Dr. Anisah Ari, an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, has emphasized that women’s courage and grassroots leadership are vital tools for sustaining peace in Nigeria’s conflict-affected communities. Ari made this known in a paper titled “Reclaiming Peace Through Truth Appeal: The Imperative of Tough Conversations in Nigeria’s Fragile Landscape,” which she shared on Sunday in Abuja. She cited widespread banditry, abductions, armed robbery, and killings as factors destabilising communities and exposing the country’s fractured national identity and fragile security architecture. “The country is overdue for a shift from reactive security to proactive dialogue. Peace cannot be imposed; it…
The clamour for increased representation of women in Nigeria’s political space has once again come to the fore, as stakeholders await the outcome of the Reserved Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly. The bill, also referred to as “Additional or Reserved Seats Bill’’ seeks to alter the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide reservation for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly to address the low number of women in the legislature. If passed into law, the bill will address the long-standing concerns of women underrepresentation in governance and decision-making by ensuring that…