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This article is a reprint from exactly a year ago. It appeared as an Editorial on this publication August 29, 2009. We really commend the House for overwhelmingly rejecting the bill seven months later, in March 2010.
Recently a news item caught my eye, and made me wonder what is happening on the ground regarding the Land Use Act that is presently in the process of being amended. What I read was that all state governments in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Authority have endorsed a bill that will strip them of power over land allocation procedures in their localities. Full Article
Reports
of massive expenditures by the current Nigerian government pricks the mind,
making one come to the conclusion about the possibility that the Nigerian
President may have embarked on a plan to deplete the national treasury in case
he does not get a longer tenure to do the same. As we have impressed earlier
in one of our articles, we did not forget that a struggle over pruning the
2010 budget proposal, in light of the economic realities, was one of the last
battles that the late Umar Musa Yar’adua led government had to fight with his
own party and
governmental branches.
Full Article
The
moral and political courage to do the right thing at the right time is what
separates effective governments (administrations) from mediocre or failing
ones. We mentioned and discussed the issue briefly in last week’s piece about
our book (Towards The Restoration of Nigeria), while describing how the book
viewed Nigerian political challenges. A clear demonstration of that position
occurred just yesterday and we thought it wise to use that occasion to further
impress our argument. President Obama demonstrated such courage while
announcing his strong support Friday August 13, 2010 for the approval by city
officials to construct a $100 Million Mosque within walking distance of
ground zero, the former location of the New York Twin Towers.
Full Article
Towards the Restoration of Nigeria:
Our New Book
Hadiza Wada, DBA ...August 7, 2010
This is an interview conducted in the process of putting together a “Book Trailer.” A book trailer video is an increasingly popular way of capturing and promoting a newly released book.
Q: I think the most curious thing is the title of your book itself. So when you say Restoring Nigeria, does that imply that the nation has broken down or is tattered in some way?
Author: The title was a process of wider discussions with others in an effort to capture the essence of the book. But to answer your question directly, we will just delude ourselves when we assume that Nigeria is a healthy nation growing at a healthy rate. And this is not just our opinion. The most basic of people’s rights continue to be denied Nigerians. The nation is deteriorating at a fast rate. Health, education, portable water and simple electricity, you name them. Just recently after South Africa was able to become the first African nation to impress FIFA and the world to host world cup, the Netherlands team who felt so enthused on reaching the world cup finals decided to travel by road across the continent. The team further snubbed Nigeria big time when they chose not to travel through it, citing Nigeria’s insecurity as a reason. Full Article
Heads of governments
from more than 49 countries converged at Kampala, the capital of Uganda for a
summit which took place from July 19 - 27. Though the theme was maternal and
child health, the summit discussed many issues and consequently issued a
communiqué where some major decisions were highlighted. For example on the
issue of security, the communiqué says “the Assembly welcomes the efforts
deployed by the AU and the Regional Economic Communities for Conflict
Prevention, Management and Resolution...”
Full
Article
The
Obama Administration has reached another milestone in its struggle to put the
nation back on sound financial footing, with the signing of a new banking and
consumer protection bill Wednesday. You may recall that the U.S. financial
challenges emerged immediately after the election of President Barack Obama,
but even before he took office. Since then, one strategy after another has
been employed to deal with the issue. Today, most of the immediate threats to
the economy have gradually waned, though most financial analysts including
those within the administration believe the nation is not out of the woods
yet.
Full Article
In
any legal tussle, there is a judgment that settles the issue, and one that
settles it justly. The first resolves it temporarily leaving the tension
intact only to resurface later; and the other ensures that the settlement is
just, allowing the matter to rest for good.
Denying the
nation a just and lasting solution to rotational presidency by any individual,
institution or group of people is not only unjust, but hypocritical and
unbecoming of any one bold enough to call himself a leader. Why should the
nation be confined to the two alternatives the politicians are imposing on the
nation, i.e. between the abandonment of rotational presidency and its
continuance?
Full Article
Recently,
the Minister of Petroleum announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum
Cooperation (NNPC) is resuming oil exploration in the northern part of the
country. The oil presently mined comes from fields in the South-south zone
that borders the Atlantic Ocean with increasing exploitation of offshore
wells. This is not the first time an attempt is made to explore oil in the
North. All the recent explorations have been in the Northeast with the last
one stopped abruptly in 1999 by the Obasanjo administration after only three
trial wells were drilled.
Full Article
It is with humility, and immense gratitude to God for making this endeavor possible that we announce the completion and premier of our soon to be released book titled Towards the Restoration of Nigeria: Discussions and Analysis of Major Issues. The timing could not have been better too, as Nigeria prepares for another round of elections. The main goal, is in line with that of our weekly magazine “The Optimist Voice,” i.e. to inspire, motivate and subsequently inculcate a proactive and participative citizenry willing to speak up for the greater good of the country and its people. Details
We thought we have already rested the issue of immense corruption in public service, whether governmental Ministries, Legislatures, the Executive offices, Federal, State Local, and all others. For years, since about mid eighties upwards, corruption has taken roots. It is only getting worse by the year, until today and of all times, the civilian administration the country has craved for after years of military; public service has become public looting. Full Article
Hadiza Wada, DBA
... June 26, 2010
The
return to democratic dispensation in Nigeria should be a blessing for a
nation long held hostage by rule of the military, whose very own training
is not to use diplomacy and soft measures for addressing problems. It
should have been so for everyone, but alas the whole nation continues to
face various challenges based on how for these eleven years since the
inception of the current round of democratic rule, things have gone out of
control several times. The promise of peace after attaining democracy
continues to elude the nation.
People have been loosing their lives in large
numbers for a decade.
Full Article
While bragging that it was “the biggest trial ever undertaken by the Hague Tribunal” once again we see how the world values human lives, or lack thereof, based on who they are. For the 1995 murder of 7,000 Muslim Men in the city of Srebrenica, after “luring” them into the city using credible organizations such as the United Nations to convince them that it is a safe refuge, the two men got life in prison. Full Article
African Educational Challenges
Hadiza Wada, DBA
...June 5, 2010About a year now (at about the inception of this publication), we ran some series on the educational challenges in Nigeria, written by Dr. Isah Abbas of the Department of Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
. Another facet we have not mentioned which has been discussed extensively in the past is the effect of contemporary educational curricula and teaching processes on non white people of the world in general and black people in particular. Full Article
In
attempting to spotlight the reasons behind police inefficiency which is not
particular to Nigeria alone, but many third world countries and African
nations in general, we will examine the causes as described by empirical
studies. One very useful study was conducted by Alice Hills and published
by The Journal of Modern African Studies in its September, 2007
issue. The study is titled “Police commissioners, presidents and the
governance of security.” The study, informed by earlier studies that
pinned the major problem to governance of the force, observeing
situations from four different countries of Africa, namely Ghana, Zimbabwe,
Kenya and Uganda.
Full Article
This paper was first delivered at a conference on Nigerian Socio-Economic Development in Leeds, United Kingdom in August of 2008. The Conference was organized by the Nigerian Muslim Forum UK.
Today, I intend to do what people generally do not do. I just pray that you have the patience to follow me with an open mind. I intend to talk from both sides of my brain and my inner conscience, to address the problem at hand. By that I mean, the creative and divine, the academics and theology. I believe, to be sincere to ourselves and at the same time effectively ponder the problems, we have to address the issues from both parts that made us who we are as a creation, the body and the soul, the physical and the spiritual. Full Article
All
three religions (Godly) have strong roots in Africa. They are not imports,
as generally believed. Following historical records closely, they appear to
be offshoots of a continent that has for thousands of years been in a quest
for a sense of higher power (We covered that in our
April 3, 2010 edition). After all, at the very least, they are all
regarded even today as “Semitic” (meaning from mixed dark and light race).
Religious quests started thousands of years ago, along the Nile that natured
the first ancient human that walked the earth, four million years ago. That
was how far back the carbon dating placed the archeological remains of that
first humanoid. No intellectual today worth his professional name will doubt
that Africa indeed is the cradle of mankind.
Full Article
While this publication does not choose and/or endorse any political party, or group in particular, we do have and continue to advocate for a strong opposition party in Nigeria. This we do believing that it will provide a check to abuse of power primarily. It could also provide an alternative platform for many meaningful goals including saving the country from derailed agendas, neglect of the electorate and the nation, and neglect of the unrelenting pursuit for meaningful objectives etc. There are many challenges that the nation face. But we strongly believe that the most important ones have to be addressed immediately, and we need some empowered groups to push for them. Full Article.
“...(the
corruption continued) until the heavens wondered at them before Me, and
the earth and mountains, including the beasts, wondered and wailed. All
that had no effect on them; nor was the Book useful to them.”
(God to Jeremiah, Ibn Kathir)
We woke up this week to a volcanic eruption on the northern arctic continent of Iceland, which has literally handicapped air traffic to and from European nations. Literally a thunderous roaring and raging mountain spitting its guts. Before then we had many signs of an ailing world some of which has come to be generally termed a consequence of human activities corrupting the atmosphere and the environment. Earthquakes have also become all too frequent, with Haiti still on our minds and a few days ago China. Full Article
Hadiza Wada, DBA ...April 10, 2010
World
leaders from 47
countries converge in Washington Monday for a two-day summit
on nuclear non-proliferation. But what is the story behind nuclear build
–up ? When did it begin and when did it became of much concern to the
world; enough to make nations push for its reduction, and eradication?
Nuclear
arms race began immediately after world war II in the mid nineteen forties.
The atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki both cities of
Japan in August of 1945 became the focus of attention for nations hungry
for power and military might.
Full Article
Nigerian
Industries have been undergoing a steady but rapid decline. According to
most sources used in this paper, one of the most severe blows that crippled
Nigerian Industries was the introduction of a programme from IMF and the
World Bank titled the Structural Adjustment Program SAP. The program plus
subsequent policies of the federal government, especially those related to
export and import policies, and provision and maintenance of adequate
infrastructure were others.
Full Article
Hadiza Wada, DBA ...April 3, 2010
Africans
on the continent may not be the most pressed to know the dynamics of the
ongoing color war in the world. The colonial experience after all, has been
some half century in the past. Though that should not have made people sit
back, we can generally say that the African struggle for progress and equal
treatment as any other human or nations of this planet has not generally
been effective yet.
But
the African American, who has to some degree made progress in raising his
status from that of less than a human to a full human being at about the
same time as the African struggling to free himself from colonial control,
half a century ago, is still engaged in that struggle today. For that
reason, we will look into what he has discovered. Full
Article
Hadiza Wada, DBA ...March 27, 2010
President
Obama has recorded an important and historic victory on the 23rd
of March when he signed into law a health care reform bill passed earlier
in the week by the House of Representatives. The President signed
the measure, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,
in the East Room of the White House, flanked by key players within the
Democratic Party. It was not an easy achievement, but it was worth the
fight; that was how many from within the party see it, while the
Republican Party members vowed to try to undo some of its provision, even
if at state level.
Full Article
This
is a special presentation because no analysis of Nigerian issues is complete
without a thorough look at Niger Delta issues. We have not dealt with it
comprehensively in our publication, but have just touched on some of its
aspects in isolation. It has resurfaced recently however, as one of the
most important projects the ‘Yar Adua Administration set out to boldly
confront, after successive administrations have avoided it completely owing
to its complexities. To be candid, it was more than a bold move by the
administration to make such a decision. Either the Yar Adua Administration
was ignorant of the complexities of the issue and the invisible hands
involved, or else it knowingly decided to take the bull by the horn and
might have been suffering the consequence. Full
Article
The
most potent threat to the contemporary status quo is image reversal. The
world has gotten itself caught up in a series of habitual ways of doing
things politically, economically, Egyptian Monument: socially and
most importantly today, religiously. A cabal of a few worldly figures have
found it expedient to promote certain values in these spheres to uphold the
status quo, where about 5% of the world population control more than ninety
percent of world riches, throwing an increasingly bigger proportion of world
population into financial difficulties, and more than fifty percent of them
in poverty. One of the weapons, and as we say the most portent of them is
the creation and sustaining of an image that serves their purpose.
Full Article
OUR BOOK
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Available Link To Archives
EDITORIAL
Fasting as a Great Teacher
Fasting for religious reasons by any individual regardless of religious identity or differences has a lot of benefits, otherwise people across religions, would not engage in it. It teaches numerous lessons for living people, while adding to practical benefits even beyond the religious realms. To many Nigerians however, it has lost its meaning. That is why many people dread its arrival instead of welcoming it. A revival of some of the benefits is in order, so we may reawaken the zeal to reap such benefits. Full Article
Avoiding Rigging in 2011 Elections
Abba B. Shuwa, Leeds UK ...August 21, 2010
That we are in an era of digital technology is not in doubt but the attempt to use it as a means of fraudulently acquiring wealth and manipulate it to serve selfish purpose is a matter of concern to most Nigerians. Efforts made by the country’s various agencies to install and use technology to manage its affairs has become a veritable tool of exploitation and as well a means of short changing citizens who have little knowledge about their use. Full Article.
Jonathan, Rogue Politicians and the Nigerian State
Abba B Shuwa, Leeds UK ...August 14, 2010
The character of the Nigerian politician is akin to those traders that are referred to as rogue traders in the UK. These are a kind of fraudsters who trick gullible customers into paying for goods and services that would not be provided and these types of people are called Yan Wala Wala in Hausa. Even though these rogues were exposed and punished in the UK but to the dismay of many they get rewarded in Nigeria since most Nigerian politicians fit into this category of fraudsters. Full Article
New INEC and the Little Signal from Bauchi
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde ...August 7, 2010
Space scientists who discover planets and extraterrestrial bodies capable of destroying the earth do not wait until they see them very close on their large telescopes before they take them seriously. By the time they see the giant bodies close to the earth it will be too late for the life planet. Rather, they look for signals out there, even if it is a little sound, small motion or a tiny speck of light, indicating something which they will subject to a detailed examination. That is their job. If they do not see anything that catch their attention, we are safe. If they do, they would know no sleep until they handle it. Professor Jega and his new INEC must take the same approach towards future elections. Full Article
Jonathan and the Northern Hawks
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde ...July 31, 2010
The Northern Political Forum that took place last week in Kaduna was a significant attempt by the Jonathan camp to win the PDP ticket that will enable him continue with his presidency until 2015, presumably. The meeting was attended by some notable figures from the three northern zones who, though short of rejecting zoning totally, unanimously approved the PDP ticket for Jonathan in 2011, according to what was shown on the national television. On the one hand, their decision raised hopes for Jonathan and, on the other, generates some fears about his ability to deliver on his promises. Full Article
Editorial
African Governments at Fifty
For most African nations, their journey of self-government or independence started some fifty years ago in the year 1960. This means they have reached the half century mark this year 2010. The time has come, therefore, for reflection as to whether the fifty year journey has amounted to significant gains for their nations. In short it’s a time when reports cards are issued, so one may find out whether his grades are in the high level, mediocre, barely obtained a passing grade or a failing grade. Various nations are on different levels of development. But in general, the development obtained does not measure to the amount of years so far spent in freedom. Half a century is a long time. Full Article
Bauchi Circle Inc. Formalizes ...July 17, 2010
The Bauchi Circle Inc., a non profit association formed almost three years ago has formerly launched its activities locally, July 18, 2010. The association’s name is a shortened form of the first Northern political association that later turned into a political movement in Northern Nigeria, formed by Mallam Sa’adu Zungur. That maiden association, formed during the British colonial administration in Nigeria was tagged “Bauchi Discussion Circle.” Bauchi Circle Inc. was formed in the United States in 2007. Full Article
Counteracting Partisan Police
Abba Bashir Shuwa ...July 17, 2010
Leeds, U K
It is appalling to hear about how the Nigeria Police Force behave in handling political matters which always creates the impression that they have been clearly partisan, helping the party in control of government in the fight against their opponents. On numerous occasions the Police employed dubious tactics in frustrating the activities of some organized interest groups that are opposed to the government in control of power while those that support the aspirations of incumbent office holders were given the required permit and police protection to conduct their activities without hindrance. Full Article
Nigerian Politics, PDP and Future of
Jonathan ...July 10, 2010
Abba Bashir Shuwa
Leeds, U K
Of Politics And Religion
Dr Aliyu U Tilde ... July 3, 2010
This article is a reprint from 2007, written shortly after the execution by hanging of some relatives of former Iraqi Leader, including Barzan-al-Tikriti. It is a summary of the writer's opinion of Middle East events and policy titled then as Bleeding Heart.
Editorial
Press Women of Courage ...June 19, 2010
Helen Thomas, a veteran reporter who has been on the White House Press Corp for many years resigned June 7, 2010, after making a remark about Israel. Her remarks followed the news of an Israeli raid on a flotilla in international waters. Because as a woman reporter she left an indelible mark in historic circles, we decide to share her story. Reading from the video clip of the remarks that forced her into retirement, you may notice that it may have been an unauthorized recording of a personal remark to someone she knew and probably trusted. Full Article
Jang is Demystified
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde ...June 12, 2010
They saw it coming. They heard about it over twelve months ago. So they were prepared. They have fought many battles before in various parts of the country, winning all and losing only the one with El-Rufa’i. However, this one is against a powerful and arrogant state governor who enjoys unleashing hardship and crisis among the poor particularly among the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups. His policies of cleansing the Plateau of non-indigenes has cost many lives and caused misery to thousands of families. Full ArticleEditorial
Our Opinion of Mr. Goodluck? ...June 12, 2010
This publication has avoided taking any position on Mr. Goodluck Jonathan since his acting status was passed by the legislature, down to the passing of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in May. This we did for professional reasons. We do not want to pass a judgment on someone for whom we have little data. To this day not much has happened to pass a credible judgment. From the onset, trying to research his data did not turn up much to make any strong opinion. We discovered that as a deputy, by sheer luck or otherwise, he had twice taken over from his masters. First occasion was at Bayelsa his home state... Full Article
DECISIVE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Hadiza Wada, DBA ...March 6, 2010
Many analysts within and outside Nigeria believe the country is on its way to becoming a nation that may live close enough to its potentials soon. But that does not mean that it has freed itself from most challenges and hurdles. It just is becoming increasingly aware of its problems and has been more active and articulate, which may lead to development if handled appropriately. The country has many issues it has to squarely face and soon, in order to find its way back on track. Identifying and facing those challenges is key to relief. Full Article
The Health Care Reform Summit
Hadiza Wada, DBA ...February 27, 2010
EDITORIAL
Hawking Dirty Laundry
February 27, 2010
As the fat cats in the Nigerian Political arena exchange words over issues of political control of the country, each side showing its muscle, the most important elements of the whole issue are relegated to the background; the people. The power tussle is left in the hands of those who are mainly interested in either canvassing power for themselves, or making sure they stay close to those who hold the reigns, and care less about the welfare of the nation and its people. The Nigerian Press continues to hawk stories that every reasonable person should question, nonetheless because people are not generally ready to dig for the truth unless it favors them, people swallow the garbage hook and sinker. Full Article
Computers
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde ...May 15, 2010
In the beginning was the brain that processes data on images, sounds, feelings, etc, which we daily come across in our life. Though the brain cannot be surpassed in processing such natural data (or what we call signals) that is perceived by the body, it is limited in its capacity to process and apply artificial one. The brain, for example, quickly perceives gravity and, within millionths of a second, processes it and concludes on the level of danger it might pose to the body. But ask the brain to distribute 17 cows to five children – two boys and three girls – with each male getting twice the share of a female. Here, small as the data could be, even the brain of the genius will first hesitate for some seconds or minutes before giving an answer. In most cases it will fail. Full Article
EDITORIAL
PDP and Rotational Presidency ... May 8, 2010
Any party that does not respect its own ideology, policy, and common agreements - where its major stake holders do not feel any need for accountability to what they have already propagated - is not one that people should respect, let alone cast their votes for. Though people have come to distrust politicians, still some of their actions that one sees these days make people at the very least disgusted. For some key players within the ruling party in Nigeria have demonstrated that they only believe something when it serves them individually, and not common goals that ensures fair play, integrity and respect for public interests. I hope Nigerians have been awakened by recent developments surrounding rotational presidency and what is unfolding today. Full Article
Technology and Nigerian Agriculture
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde …May 1, 2010
We will briefly take advantage of the confusion in our political atmosphere to touch on other equally important areas. In the second part of our series – Technology Our Savior – I set out to discuss the imperative of technology in achieving food security for this country and the West African Sub region. God has blessed this country with enough land that could be put to economic use by cultivating different crop species. We may add that He has also blessed it with over 120 million inhabitants who are ever willing to consume the produce. Full Article
Memories of GSS Ganye
Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde ..April 24, 2010
Some events are greater than their times. They consolidate in our brain, as memories, to form experiences which we would recall to avert a mistake or solve new problems. Our secondary school experience is one that we cannot dispense with easily. We must inevitably apply it either as education administrators or universally as parents of our teenage children. For me, the memories of my stay at Government Secondary School Ganye (now in Adamawa State) have been a key asset that is benefiting not only my children but also thousands of others in my state. I have narrated the personal account of that stay in 2003 when I visited the school for the first time in twenty-four years to collect my WAEC result! Full Article.
EDITORIAL
The Nuclear Security Summit ...April 17, 2010
The Obama administration’s just concluded Summit this week in Washington appears to be a further avenue demonstrating to the world his determination to portray a different foreign policy approach away from his predecessor’s Republican Administration that drew a lot of fire from many nations of the world including U S European allies. A position that may have cost the country a lot politically, diplomatically and also economically, and may have ushered in the Obama administration that promised change. It seems that the Obama Administration has found its foothold and is forging ahead with its articulated agenda, as mid term election approaches. Full Article
Cheating God
Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde … April 10, 2010
This article was first published on Thursday 17 November 2005. I just felt it is apt to publish it as we prepare for another weekly Friday congregation. There is little wonder why Nigerians are generally rated the most religious people under the sun. We are never tired of pubic holidays at the slightest opportunity. Eid el-Maulud, Eid el-Fitr Eid el-Adha, Easter, Christmas, etc, are annually declared public holidays. This is not to mention our Sunday services, mid-week fellowships, five daily prayers, Jumu’ah prayer, and now, Tahajjud or Kiyam el-Lail which are traditionally observed after midnight! Full Article
EDITORIAL
Rimi, a Giant of a Man ...April 10, 2010
While returning to God is the ultimate destination, for humans, life is a journey. The highway upon which we walk being time, and the distractions on our paths, being the events and people we meet. Everyone’s hope is that when he does meet his creator, he receives a good report card. That report card will reflect his Creator’s judgment as to (a) how one makes use of the time he got, (b) how he met the challenges he faced, and (c) how he interacted with the people he met. Nigerians, despite a population estimated at about 140 million have only a handful of real torch bearers at national level. Muhammad Abubakar Rimi was one of them. Full Article
The Days of Jonathan
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde ...April 3, 2010
This week, the Senate approved for the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, his list of cabinet ministers. It was a milestone in his effort to consolidate his power. What he did was quite in order, for no leader would succeed with a council largely made of disloyal members. Now that the ball is in his court, the next hurdle would be what he intends to do with his tenure. And the options before him in this regard are pretty many. Full Article
EDITORIAL
Historic Precursor to Nigerian Ordeal ...March 27, 2010
Much of the issue around ailing ‘Yar Adua should not have caused the uproar and hot exchange that heated up the polity unnecessarily. As a democratic government, as long as an elected President has not completed his term, that administration continues to bear his name and title. Regardless of who holds the reigns at present, the Administration will continue to bear the name Yar’Adua/Jonathan Administration. That is standard practice everywhere. To learn from lessons such as this, I call to mind a similar occurrence during the Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32 President of the United States of America who contracted polio while in the White House and was confined to a wheelchair. The country neither grounded to a halt, nor got itself wrapped up by the effect of the illness on the President. Full Article
Nigeria: Between Marriage and Divorce
Dr. Aliyu U Tilde ...March 20, 2010
Yesterday, the Libyan leader, Muammar Qaddafi, suggested the partition of Nigeria into two states, Christian South with capital in Lagos and Muslim North with capital in Abuja. I listened to reactions of Nigerians from both sides of the faith-divide. Nobody supported him. The call was dismissed by commentators as arising from his ignorance of the religious configuration of the country. That was not the first time Qaddafi was making such suggestions. And every time he suggests so, he is rebuffed by both Muslims and Christians. Full Article
Quote of the Week
The Virtues of True Leadership (Piety)
At the time of Umar bn Khattab's (Amirul Mu’minin) leadership of the Muslims, the Islamic caliphate expanded rapidly beyond Arabian borders. One day he received the returning Army with a lot of treasure from the palace of the Persian King Khusraw (after the Muslims conquered Persia). After praising and marveling at the trustworthiness of the Muslim Army that returned with all such treasures for the Islamic treasury without taking from it; among them were the personal regalia of the Emperor which accordingly should be his (The victor’s leader). Umar bn Khattab was reported to have raised his hand to the heavens and prayed thus:
“O Allah, You kept this wealth from Rasulullah (The Prophet, SAW) who was more cherished and honored by You than anybody. You kept it from Abu Bakr (First Caliph) who was more cherished and honored by You than we are. You gave it to me (Second Caliph), so I take refuge in you from giving it to me.”
Before he left the gathering at which he received the returning army, he had distributed everything aportioned for him of the treasure to those in need. (Qisas -al- Sahaba)
The Plateau Crucible (3)
Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde ...March 6, 2010
In the concluding part of this series, I intend to discuss ethnicity as it manifested its ugly face in the recent conflict in Plateau State. I will not hesitate to say that I am not a supporter of ethnic identity as a basis for determining the rights of citizens because I subscribe to the universality of mankind, believing that no one is superior to another except by conduct. Employment of ethnicity in the construction and determination of public matters has always resulted in heinous consequences. Ethnicity is the animal vestige that man carries from the animal kingdom to the realm of humanity. Full Article
Yar'adua: The Final Days?
By Dr. Aliyu Tilde ...February 27, 2010
Events during the previous two days clearly shows that the recent 'return' of Yar'adua to the country was obviously done to avert his removal from office in the following weeks, certainly not because he was due for discharge from his hospital bed or for the purpose of allaying the apprehension of Nigerians over his ill-health. In fact, this act of desperation has further worsened the political fortunes of the President. His return without any significant improvement on his health was a blunder that is now backfiring with serious foreseeable consequences. All this is happening because the President has failed to make a wise choice between his health and power as I suggested in my first article on the matter. Full Article
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Murtala Tribute by Aliyu Ammani
