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…
Author: TheStories
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…
Nigeria and Qatar have deepened their partnership in combating illicit drug trafficking with the symbolic exchange of instruments of ratification between both countries. The exchange was conducted by the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohamed Buba Marwa, and the Ambassador of Qatar to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri. It follows the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on March 3, 2024, in Doha. The agreement focuses on cooperation in tackling the illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances,…
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, has revealed that over 60 million adults in Nigeria lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. He disclosed on Tuesday in Kano during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Nigeria National Council for Adult Education (NNCAE) Annual National Conference, held at the Convocation Arena of Bayero University, New Campus, Gwarzo Road. The five-day event, running from October 6 to 10, 2025, features the theme: “The Future of Adult Learning in Nigeria: Leveraging the 5th Industrial Revolution for Inclusive, Equitable, and Sustainable Development.”…
The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education has empowered adult learners across the North-West with starter packs to help them start small-scale businesses. Speaking in Kaduna on Monday, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, said the beneficiaries were graduates of the second phase of the Literacy Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS) initiative. He said the learners acquired vocational skills in beauty and cosmetology, fashion and design, and home economics, aimed at making them self-reliant and financially independent. Prof. Maitafsir noted that the initiative aligns with UN SDGs 4, 5 and 8, as well…
In the US, the terms socialism and communism are often conflated, especially by some right-wing politicians and media, to stir emotional responses and discredit opposing views. This is rooted in the country’s historical experiences with the “Red Scares”, which ingrained deep fears or rejection of communism. As a nation strongly aligned with free-market capitalism, any association with state control or socialist ideas is culturally and politically sensitive. Consequently, labeling someone a “socialist” can carry heavy negative connotations and is often used as a tool for disinformation, wrongly branding even moderate or interventionist ideas as un-American. Western Europe is not the…