News
Kare-Kare tribes held the annual traditional festival ‘Bara Ma Jalam’ in Bauchi
Kare-Kare tribes held the annual traditional festival ‘Bara Ma Jalam’ in Bauchi
By: Yahaya Wakili
A colorful Karai-karai Annual Traditional Festival, Bara Ma Jalam, was held in Jalam town, Bauchi State, where thousands of people across the country attended the festival.
Alhaji Aliyu Jibo Mni, Matawallen Jalam, said the history of the karai-karai annual traditional festival is just like any culture. If you organize the culture, you will see that they sit down together and discuss their progress.
Alhaji Aliyu Jibo mni Matawallen Jalam, former Head of Service of Bauchi State Government, said the Karai-Karai people were at an earlier stage when they moved and finally settled in Jalam after various locations. We finally lodge in Jalam, and at the end of every season, we meet together to celebrate our good harvest.
“During the celebration of the good harvest you saw during the program, you will see people carrying a sample of hore, bow, and arrow, meaning we are hunters, we are farmers, and we celebrate the past season, and then we discussed together what we were going to do and how we would move forward.
“We look backward, we see what has been good for some years, then we advise our people to ignore some other incoming farm seed so that we concentrate on what to prepare ourselves for the future, and during the celebration, our leader, who is the “Makuyi.”
He revealed that Makuyi is just like the chief of the traditional activities; he will advise us to start for the next season very soon, immediately, so that we don’t go for any other things, and during our ideal period, which is before the rain season, we go for hunting. We advise everybody not just to sit down; ideally, you don’t become a beger. A karai-karai man is never a beger.
Alhaji Aliyu Jibo Mni maintained that, just for a period of time, people will come and meet together, discuss together, and re-establish some past relationships. He noted that somebody you haven’t seen for the past ten years comes and advises you, so this is a kind of reunion for the community.
“For the Karai-Karai community, I think we should all believe that Karai-Karai man is not a lazy man, so he should not be a beger, he should stand on his own, and were ever he finds himself, he should be honest among his host community, and he should be a person who should have a very good relationship with everyone within a community, whether his own community or any other community he finds himself in.” Jibo added.
He advises all karai-karai men that any time he hears about Bala Bara, it is advisable that we put our heads together and come and celebrate it, and if you are outside the community, try as much as possible to see that when you stand on your own and when you hear any of your brothers or relationships that are in trouble, don’t ignore him.
“Because if you are somebody today, tomorrow you may not be somebody again, so just be as simple as possible. Try to relate to other people, try to live peacefully with your neighbors, and try to respect your neighbors, so that is what a karai-karai man should be.
Kare-Kare tribes held the annual traditional festival ‘Bara Ma Jalam’ in Bauchi
IPCR Sees Lent, Ramadan Overlap as Call for National Healing
By: Michael Mike
As Christians begin Lent and Muslims commence Ramadan, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged Nigerians to use the rare overlap of the two sacred seasons to strengthen unity and reject divisive tendencies.
In a statement released on February 18, 2026, the institute described the simultaneous observance as more than a calendar coincidence, calling it a powerful symbol of shared values and collective responsibility in a nation grappling with insecurity and social strain.
IPCR said both seasons—marked by fasting, prayer and reflection—offer an opportunity for citizens to look beyond religious differences and recommit to peaceful coexistence. It stressed that the moral lessons of compassion, self-restraint and generosity embedded in Lent and Ramadan should translate into everyday interactions among Nigerians.
The institute warned against extremist narratives that distort religious teachings for narrow interests, noting that such interpretations undermine national stability. Instead, it encouraged faith leaders and communities to amplify messages that promote tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect.
According to the institute, true spirituality is measured not only by acts of worship but also by how individuals treat neighbours of different beliefs. It added that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a strength capable of fostering resilience rather than division.
“With both faiths engaged in solemn reflection at the same time, Nigerians are presented with a timely reminder that we share a common humanity and destiny,” the statement noted, urging citizens to work together toward a more peaceful and prosperous society.
The Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, who signed the statement, extended goodwill wishes to Christians and Muslims, expressing hope that the sacred period would inspire reconciliation, understanding and renewed commitment to national unity.
IPCR Sees Lent, Ramadan Overlap as Call for National Healing
Operative dies in accidental discharge in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
An operative attached to a security unit in Niger State has died following an accidental discharge of a rifle at his duty post in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Feb. 16 when the operative, identified as Abubakar Iliya, 35, who was attached to a special hunters unit stationed at Galadiman-Kogo, reportedly fell from a sentry post.
During the fall, his cocked rifle disengaged and discharged, striking him in the abdomen and causing fatal injuries.
His remains were later evacuated by his unit for burial in accordance with customary rites.
Operative dies in accidental discharge in Niger
Boat mishap leaves passengers missing in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
A canoe conveying seven passengers capsized while in transit between Jata and Kami Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving several persons missing.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 16 when the canoe, carrying six females and one male passenger, overturned during the journey.
The passengers were identified as Mustapher Yakubu; Sahura Yakubu and her child; Zarifa Yakubu; Mommy Yakubu; Lizatu Yakubu; Zaratu Yusuf; and Sumaiya Ibrahim, all from Jata/Bmagara via Kami Village.
Rescue teams, including police and local divers, were immediately mobilised to the scene. The boat driver and his conductor were rescued alive, while search efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.
Authorities said further updates would be provided as rescue operations continue.
Boat mishap leaves passengers missing in Niger
IPCR Sees Lent, Ramadan Overlap as Call for National Healing
Police neutralise two suspected kidnappers, recover rifle in Akwa Ibom
Tragedy in Plateau: Carbon monoxide exposure claims 37 lives at Wase mining site
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
