Columns

TINUBU’S ALBATROSS

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

2….

TINUBU’S ALBATROSS

BY CHRIS GYANG

New Zealand’s immediate past Prime Minister, Jacinta Arden, made history recently when she made the shocking declaration that she would not be seeking re-election and revealed that she would resign by February 7, which she proudly did. The PM had confessed that she was taking that step because she “no longer had enough in the tank” to continue “the most privileged job anyone could ever have.”

That is exactly what President Buhari should have done a long time ago. But in Nigeria, and most other African countries, leaders do not resign from their privileged positions even when, as we are painfully witnessing in Nigeria today, they have glaringly failed and the people are suffering as a result. Despite their shocking failures in the areas of security, poverty alleviation, sustaining federal universities, etc, how many ministers have either voluntarily resigned or even been sacked by Mr. Buhari?

In Nigeria, that January 19 announcement by Arden would have caused Buhari’s kith and kin to curse and shun him forever. This is because, again, in Nigeria, and indeed most of Africa, we see leadership as a position held in trust for your extended family of tribe and religion. You use the commonwealth to enrich members of your little circle. Which is why Tinubu has the confidence to unabashedly announce to the world that it is his turn to rule Nigeria, his overwhelming moral baggage and all. He also said that ruling Nigeria has been his life-long ambition – as if he was some special, providential, gift to the people.

It is this sense of entitlement that got us into this mess in the first place. Buhari, despite his string of failures as military head of state in the eighties, kept insisting to become a democratically elected president to the extent that his fellow core northerners took up his persistent desperation as a moral, religious and tribal crusade that must be won. That was why they threatened brimstone and fire. But when it took him some months to assemble a cabinet, it was very clear that the civilian president had not changed much from the military dictator – in terms of the dexterity to handle the rather complex and delicate ropes of governance.

And eight years later, the country is at a standstill. Not that we were making any appreciable progress before now with rising insecurity, spiralling inflation and poverty, etc, which had contributed to making life a living hell for majority of citizens. Now, Nigerians are caught in the excruciating web of two national tragedies that are but a signature of the Buhari administration’s spectacular wobbling in the last eight years.

We do not need to tell about the bewilderment and total surprise of Nigerians that they have to buy new naira notes at banks and other smaller currency outlets because Buhari’s government had a sudden brain wave and decided to change the colour of some of our currency denominations. Apparently, an afterthought.

Nigerians are gradually coming to terms with the fact that, even at the twilight of his reign, the imperious President Buhari has failed to solve the perennial fuel scarcity bedevilling the country, even as he himself occupies the position of Minister of Petroleum Resources. And our country, which is Africa’s largest crude oil producer, still exports the raw crude and imports the refined products. This, just like sleeping at filling stations to buy petrol, has become a normal way of doing things under Buhari’s watch.

But Nigerians should not forget that Buhari never “had enough in the tank” to begin with. He wanted to be president chiefly because of what we today know as emi lekon – brazenly manufactured and brusquely thrust upon us by the very people who have openly boasted that they single-handedly brought Buhari to power. But they are now joining in our lamentations because, first, it serves their shrivelled political ambitions and, second, they desperately seek to distance themselves from the debilitating stench emitting from the Buhari administration.

But it’s too late. The day of reckoning is almost here. Buhari and Tinubu are akin to Siamese Twins. Therefore, it is impossible for Tinubu to exempt himself of culpability from the current pains Nigerians are being subjected to by the Buhari administration. He is only now trying to distance himself from the glaring failures of Buhari because he has realised that Mr. President has become an albatross on his neck.

And only a few days to the presidential election, it is too late to shake it off. But, certainly, the yoke of suffering under which we are currently sweating can be shaken off, broken, through the ballot.

(GYANG is the Chairman of the N.G.O, Journalists Coalition for Citizens’ Rights Initiative – JCCRI. Emails: info@jccri-online.org; chrisgyang01@gmail.com)

TINUBU’S ALBATROSS

Columns

BRIGMASSOSA: Friendship/Relationship Through Alma Mater

Published

4 days ago

July 14, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

BRIGMASSOSA: Friendship/Relationship Through Alma Mater

By: Balami Lazarus

Growing up for many of us was interesting because for some of us that had the privilege of time and space provided by our parents, and our stubbornness as kids has helped us to explore our environment far and wide, having a range of friends.

Primary school was the beginning of our friendship and relationship through secondary school—Brigadier Maimalari Secondary School Maiduguri. These stages provided us with both childhood memories and those of secondary school. Giving us a strong and standing relationship through our alma mater. Where both senior and junior students are members, some by default with absence from the association register.

The old students association is one place where memories are recalled and remembered by the mere presence of classmate(s) or sets of groups valued by those who appreciate the alma mater relationship.

I pity those old students that take alma mater relationships for granted. I believe as we are growing older, we need more of such associational relationships, including that of childhood.

Samaru Nostalgia Group (SNG) Zaria is my childhood group, where we addressed ourselves as brothers and sisters because our relationship is far over and above us; it has its origin from our parents when living was communally bounded. For some, such childhood relationship and connection is lost. Why are some deliberately depriving themselves of the good opportunity of a lifetime friendship/relationship?

The benefits derived from this relationship are above penny and kobo. While many out there are refusing to take a position and ownership of such a union of their alma mater to harvest the pros.

Recently there was an overflow of condolences when we lost a committed member, a fine gentleman. What caught my attention were the tributes by Pastor Ngale Lautong and that of Dr. Edmund Richard Egbe. These tributes say it all about the deceased. And it reads in parts: ‘You responded to a call placed on you. You have shown commitment to the Association and its members in terms of contributions and assistance.’ On the other it reads, ‘We have indeed lost Luka, a gentle soul, a bridge builder, and a peace-loving brother.’ These testimonies will be engraved in the annals of the Brigadier Maimalari Secondary School Old Students Association (BRIGMASSOSA).

No individual can have it all. We need to lean on each other as a fraternity to accomplish some goals and objectives. There is strength in numbers.

Balami, a publisher/columnist. 08036779290

BRIGMASSOSA: Friendship/Relationship Through Alma Mater

Columns

Mangun Gruesome Killings: What is the Rational Behind this Act?

Published

3 weeks ago

June 30, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Mangun Gruesome Killings: What is the Rational Behind this Act?

By: Balami Lazarus

When I heard of the killings of the innocent travelers that happened at Manjul in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, who are my brothers and sisters? I sat down and began to think, trying to reason out why and what the rationale is behind these killings. My thought raised so many questions regarding this brutal murder, ruling out some motives. But political motive kept whispering, telling me the rationale is politically motivated considering the quantum of killings on the Plateau in places like Bokkos, Bassa, and Mangu, which has become a vicious cycle in these areas. And in addition, there were utterances from some politicians complicating issues.

I hereby condole with the families of my brothers and sisters from Zaria-Basawa, Samaru, Hayin Dogo (Kallo Kura), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) community main campus Samaru who lost their lives in the Mangun brutal killings of 20th June, 2025, on their way to Qua-anpan for a wedding. May their souls rest in peace.

The killings of these innocent Nigerians were carried out with no reason or cause, neither threat nor provocation of any kind, much lessreligion or ethnicity, as some irrational persons want us to believe. I stand and write with the power of the pen to say in print that the sentiments aforementioned are far and kept away from such unfortunate incidents, which have been peddled around by some enemies of peace and progress on the Plateau.

It is on record that so many Nigerians have condemned in totality the killings of these innocent travelers. While the government and the good people of Plateau State have long condemned this act in strong terms. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s administration has properly condoled and sympathized with the government and people of Kaduna State, including the management and staff of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. In his effort as the executive governor, Mutfwang is working tirelessly to see that justice takes its course on those involved in this crime. Besides, his administration is making an effort to compensate the affected families, according to sources.

It might surprise some readers why I emotionally addressed those murdered as my brothers and sisters from Zaria-Basawa, Hayin Dogo (Kallo Kura), Samaru, and ABU main campus, which are integral parts of the Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. I am an indigene of Zaria, having been born and bred outside the ganuwa (city walls) of the ancient Zaria city in Gaskiya, Kongo, ABU main campus, and Samaru, all addressed as Zaria, where I had my childhood spree. Therefore, I will not be queried by identifying with the deceased and their families as my own people, for we are linked one way or the other.

Let me hereinafter tell you why I suspect political motive was behind these killings of the travelers in Mangun-Mangu. I partly grew up on the Plateau, shuttling between Jos and Sharam in Kanke Local Government Area as a student and still living in Jos. Moreover, I have some good understanding of the people, their sociopolitical and economic happenings, and their dynamics on the one hand. And I once led a political group on the other. The utterances of some politicians and their cohorts/allies are questionable because they are not happy with the people-oriented projects of the Caleb Mutfwang administration. And that they were accused of sponsoring the killings going on in the state. The case of Mangun, 20th June, 2025, holds water going by the alleged accusations and the kind of politics playing out in Plateau State.

Findings have revealed that there were interventions by some youth leaders, elders, and vigilantes who risked their lives trying to stop this group of rascals from carrying out the killings and burning of the bus belonging to ABU conveying the victims for a wedding at Qua-anpan. In fact, some were burnt—men, women, and children. Others were rescued with various degrees of injuries. Reports put the total dead at 8 persons. While 12 were injured, some survived. The good news making rounds is the arrest of over 20 suspects believed to be behind these gruesome killings of the Zaria travelers.

Thus, this incident has no doubt painted Plateau State in a bad light as one of the major flashpoint states where killers of innocent travelers reside. Well, I will not blame them because this is not the first. However, this particular one is painfully shrouded in a bitter political atmosphere between some gladiators who are not at peace with the positive developments in the state. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as the change driver.

Yes, there are insecurity challenges on the Plateau, where apprehension and naked suspicion are everywhere, prompting the citizens to be extremely cautious and always on alert. However, if young men can channel their collective energies as a force towards the insecurity bedeviling the state instead of engaging in political thuggery, drugs, and criminality, there will be a change in their lives and the entire system.

Balami, a publisher/columnist. 08036779290

Mangun Gruesome Killings: What is the Rational Behind this Act?

Columns

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

Published

4 weeks ago

June 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

By: Balami Lazarus

Osama. Does it ring a bell? Yes, it does on the Plateau. The Osama I am writing about is that individual who is known for his good works for humanity on the radio and outside the studio. Osama is a gentleman but is outspoken and has a mind of his own.

My Osama in this context is a personality, a brand, and a trademark. Osama is a broadcaster, radio presenter, and popular comedian on stage and in the entertainment industry in Jos-Plateau and beyond. Since the writing is sailing, I will later reveal the identity of who this young man is and why he is so passionate about good governance.

The fights for human rights, social justice, and good governance have been the cries and topic of discourse of so many Nigerians, especially good governance. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights activists are the leaders in these struggles, whereby their roles cannot be overemphasized. The quantum of spoken words, public lectures/enlightenment programs, workshops, seminars, etc., has not brought many changes in our systems because there was little or no action by you and me as Nigerians.

I remembered when I was very active in the struggle for human rights and social justice. As Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of Democratic Alternative (DA), we were much concerned with democratic alternative processes and social justice with a whiff of good governance, and this has been the case for some NGOs, as I know.

I came to understand from my experiences that, as a country, we have good public-oriented programs, but our major challenges are implementation and follow-up that come with too many talks but no individual action or collective responsibility because many Nigerians are fearful, and this has made me a one-man advocate/crusader for human rights and social justice. Like the subject of this work.

Now back to the subject. Osama is a brand package, fearless advocate, and mouthpiece for good governance on the Plateau through Town Hall, a popular radio program aired by JFM 101.9 FM. Jos is widely listened to. He was born as Ehis Akugnonu. But Osama has overtaken his certified name. Therefore, my continued use of Osama is justified in this work because I realized that many times your other name (also known as) tends to dominate and overshadow your real name.

Osama is redefining the fight for good governance by personal efforts through follow-up and speaking on them, putting the government on their feet to improve and do better. ‘I am for good governance, and I will continue to speak on this matter.’ He is purposefully driven by his passion for good quality and better systems to have an enabling environment where the systems are working for progress and development.

Balami, a publisher/columnist 08036779290

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio