The phrase “Things fall apart, the center cannot hold,” drawn from W.B. Yeats’s poem “The Second Coming,” evokes a profound sense of disintegration and chaos. This sentiment resonates deeply within the socio-political landscape of Northern Nigeria, where historical, cultural, and contemporary dynamics converge in a tumultuous narrative. The complexities observed in this region reflect the broader implications of societal disintegration, mirroring the themes articulated in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.” This essay seeks to explore the interplay between Achebe’s narrative and the contemporary challenges faced in Northern Nigeria, emphasizing the fragility of societal structures in the face of external pressures.…
Author: TheStories
I am deeply concerned, not just by the deaths of five Lagos female political leaders, which happened sequentially, but by the eerie silence and dissociation that followed it. Unlike so many other news and happenings, some of which are not even irrelevant, the story of the Lagos 5 is not trending. As I write this, the news of their demise seems to have barely made a ripple on the surface of public discourse, with just a few reports and mentions on social media handles. It is almost a week after the passing of the fifth woman, yet there is no…
The recent and rather startling disclosure by a governor from one of the core northern states that he was rough-handled by bandits and kidnappers has further highlighted the procedural limitations of state governors in tackling the menace of banditry and kidnapping in the region—and indeed the country at large. The rise and spread of banditry and kidnapping have caused serious and unimaginable damage to the geographical, social, economic, and political structures of the core northern states, which continue to grapple with the insecurity the menace has created. Insecurity is a terrible drawback in the scheme of national development. From the…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, has hailed the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, for redefining government–media relations through his strategic investment in journalism capacity building and commitment to open governance. Speaking at a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists in Sokoto, NUJ Chairman, Usman Mohammed Binji, described the minister’s support as a “visionary partnership” that strengthens democracy by empowering the media to operate with skill, integrity, and courage. The workshop, themed “Investigative Journalism in the Digital Era,” trained 20 practicing journalists drawn from various media organizations across the state. It focused on equipping them…
For almost two decades, insecurity has posed one of the greatest challenges to Nigeria’s unity and stability. From terrorism in the Northeast to banditry in the Northwest, kidnappings in the North-Central, and oil theft in the South, these threats have stretched the country’s security architecture. However, in the past year, a renewed sense of optimism has begun to emerge, and much of that credit goes to the pragmatic and focused leadership of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. Since assuming office, Badaru has brought to the Ministry of Defence a unique blend of discipline, coordination, and strategic foresight that…
On a bright afternoon, the academic community gathered to celebrate an extraordinary milestone — the launch of Learning and Cognition in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Age, a festschrift honoring Professor Musa Balarabe. More than a collection of essays, the book is a heartfelt tribute to a distinguished scholar whose lifelong dedication has profoundly shaped the fields of learning and cognition. Professor Balarabe’s enduring commitment to education is reflected in the diverse themes explored within the volume. The contributors — a blend of experts, educators, and students from Nigeria and beyond — examine the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and education,…
Over fifty (50) affected staff under the 7.5% Contributory Pension Scheme in Shiroro Local Government Area have met with the Director of Administration (D.A.), Mohammed Beji, to deliberate on issues affecting their pension contributions, including unpaid balances, mop-up irregularities, zero accounts, and underpayments. The meeting, which was held on Wednesday at the Shiroro Local Government Secretariat in Kuta, provided an opportunity for open discussions between the management, staff representatives, and union officials on how to address lingering pension-related concerns. In his opening remarks, Yakubu Garba, NULGE Shiroro Branch Secretary, commended the D.A. for his continuous commitment to staff welfare and…
When news broke that Lieutenant Haruna Samson, a doctor and army officer had been killed in a domestic dispute with his wife at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Akwa Ibom, the nation sighed in disbelief. On social media, someone wrote a grim piece of advice: “Stay away from your spouse’s phone. Don’t go looking for what your heart may not survive. Just pray and live in peace.” Dark humour, yes—but also a mirror of our collective reality. The once-sarcastic phrase “Something must kill a Nigerian” has quietly become prophecy. The United Nations’ World Population Prospects ranks Nigeria lowest in global life expectancy—54.9…
Wife of Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed her commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty among persons with disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable households through the Al-Muhibbah Foundation’s empowerment initiative. Speaking in Yelwa Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area, during an empowerment exercise on Tuesday, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the First Lady stated that the initiative aims to promote economic independence among disadvantaged groups, particularly women. Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Asmau Auwal Jatau, Aisha Bala Mohammed explained that the empowerment program was designed to uplift beneficiaries by providing them…
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) has fixed December 25, 2025, as the deadline for the payment of 2026 Hajj fares by intending pilgrims from the state. This was announced by the Chairman of the Agency, Aliyu Musa, during a live phone-in programme on Rima Radio, where he urged prospective pilgrims to complete their payments on or before the deadline to ensure smooth processing and logistics ahead of the pilgrimage. According to him, the decision aligns with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) directive, which sets December 29, 2025, as the nationwide deadline for Hajj fare payment. Musa…