It is often said that time waits for no one, yet in Africa, it sometimes feels as though time itself has been given the gift of lingering. This reflection was inspired by two wedding ceremonies I attended over the weekend—events that were supposed to run like clockwork. Instead, it became a living illustration of what has come to be known as “African time.” The first wedding was scheduled for 9 a.m., while the second was set for 11 a.m. It looked like the perfect arrangement—attend the first, slip smoothly into the second, and still have the rest of the day…
Author: TheStories
Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State’s recent statements regarding the payment of bandits starkly illustrate the paradox of leadership in a nation grappling with insecurity and governance challenges. El-Rufai’s vehement condemnation of the practice, juxtaposed against his earlier endorsement of it, reveals a troubling inconsistency that not only undermines his credibility but also reflects a broader issue within Nigeria’s political class: the dissonance between rhetoric and reality. Elrufai’s assertion on Channels TV that he would not “pay bandits, give them monthly allowance, or send food to them” encapsulates a sentiment that resonates with many Nigerians who are weary…
The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a duty-free limit of $300 for imports, effective September 8. Spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Maiwada, announced the decision in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, following the board’s 63rd regular meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. Maiwada explained that the initiative—known as the De Minimis threshold—is aimed at stimulating cross-border e-commerce, reducing clearance delays, and consolidating Nigeria’s position as a regional leader in trade facilitation. “The De Minimis threshold is the value below which imported goods are exempted…
It has been a week since your unexpected and shocking departure, yet it still feels like a dream. How I wish it truly was! When the news broke last Sunday, there was panic, confusion, and denial. Many refused to believe it, while others turned to prayer, seeking divine intervention. Even now, I struggle to accept that you are gone. Arase, you were too good to leave this world so soon. Perhaps this is why people say good things don’t last—but why must it be so? You met the Commission at its lowest point, with no clear direction. But you gave…
Politics is rarely straightforward. It is a journey filled with contradictions, shifting loyalties, and unexpected alliances. My experience with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a clear reflection of these realities. As Campaign Director General for the ADC during the 2023 elections, I stood at the heart of a battle that tested both the party’s survival and Nigeria’s democratic hopes. My bond with the ADC was not just political affiliation — it was an emotional investment in what I thought could be a credible alternative for Nigerians. The party, under Chief Ralph Nwosu, was in crisis. Once a symbol of…
Few issues divide Muslims today as sharply as the celebration of Maulud—the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For some, it is an impermissible innovation (bid’ah) with no basis in Islamic texts. For others, it is an expression of gratitude and love for the Prophet, a tradition that strengthens faith and community. Between these two camps lies a controversy that goes to the heart of how Muslims interpret their religion in a changing world. The case against Maulud Those who reject Maulud ground their argument in the concept of bid’ah—introducing new practices into Islam without precedent in the Qur’an or Sunnah.…
Politics, as it is practiced in Nigeria, is less a noble contest of ideas than a ceaseless duel between betrayals and loyalists. The battlefield is crowded, the weapons are words and promises, and the casualties are trust, friendship, and faith. Betrayal is not an exception—it is the grammar of the game. A headline just caught my attention and has refused to leave my mind. It was attributed to former President Goodluck Jonathan and read with painful simplicity: “Buhari defeated me in 2015 because I was betrayed.” Another headline, this time from Daily Trust of September 4, 2025, put it bluntly:…
Not long ago, a video stormed the Nigerian social media space. A young lady, visibly pushing past the natural blush of shyness, made an impassioned plea: men, she argued, should be allowed—no, encouraged—to marry more than one wife. Her reasoning? There are too many single ladies languishing in loneliness. Her delivery was fiery, emotional, and tinged with a sense of desperation. In a voice trembling between conviction and despair, she claimed—rather dubiously—that Muslims were marrying more than six wives, and that even the Bible gave a nod of approval. “Government should do something,” she pleaded over and over, her cry…
In governance, leadership is the cornerstone on which progress rests. The recent vote of confidence in Speaker Tajudeen Abbas by the House of Representatives underscores the importance of stability in Nigeria’s democracy. Announced by Deputy Spokesperson Rep. Philip Agbese, the move dispels rumors of impeachment and highlights the qualities that have defined Abbas’s tenure. Politics often thrives on uncertainty, with leaders constantly tested by pressures within and outside their institutions. In such a climate, a collective declaration of confidence is more than a political gesture—it is a profound statement of trust and unity. By speaking resoundingly in Abbas’s favor, the…
Every year, as the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal arrives, debates resurface within the Muslim community about whether or not to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). While some regard the Mawlid as a show of love for the Prophet, closer examination of Islamic teachings and history tells a very different story. No evidence in the Qur’an or Sunnah The first and most important point is that no verse in the Qur’an or authentic hadith commands or even encourages the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday. The Prophet himself never celebrated it, nor did he…