Afo Heritage Magazine

Afo Heritage Magazine Amplifying minority voices

05/12/2024

There is no alternative to peace. Let's swallow our pains, forgive one another, conquer our ego and embrace peace. This way, we would make progress.

28/11/2024

Fact remains, there's no alternative to peace. What is happening in Afo land needs serious but objective check. This is getting out of hand.

03/08/2023

NIGER REPUBLIC COUP, NIGERIA MUST TREAD WITH CAUTION

By: Yahaya Abdulrahman
[email protected]
3rd August, 2023

Going by the position Nigeria holds in the league of African nations, one would naturally expect her to at least, identify and possibly support any country in the continent, following any development therefrom. Not only is Nigeria the most populated black country in the world, she takes pride as the largest African economy, has many other advantages, plus, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently ECOWAS Chairman.

In view of the foregoing, recent happenings in and around Niger Republic cannot go without drawing her attention. While it is alright to pay attention to coup staged by military forces in Niger, wade into the matter with a view to see to the return of democracy now or in the nearest future, and of course, sustained peace and development, it is very wrong to not thread with caution.

Resorting to military action, as is likely the next step, will mean investing huge amount of resources for the country, lost of fine soldiers whose number may be outrageous and only God knows how long the war will last, whether or not it would be justified in the end or it will become counterproductive, putting President Mohammed Bazoum's life at risk. More disturbing is, this is happening at a time the country is facing serious economic hardship, with cost of living rising to unbearable level, resulting from subsidy removal on PMS.

Owing to this painful reality, protests have already commenced in some parts of the country, so has looting of government owned stores, both of which signals a clear message; that citizens are both hungry, angry and dissatisfied. With this unhealthy scenario comes increasing insecurity where insurgency, militancy, banditry, farmers/herders crises, among other security situations keep consuming innocent lives and valuable resources.

Proactive measures must be taken by Tinubu led Administration to cushion effects of economic crunch, winning the trust, confidence, support and solidarity of the population in the process, while bringing insecurity under check. Only then would Nigeria's involvement in Niger or any other African country's condition be appreciated by Nigerians. We ought to learn from history.

At the moment, the last Presidential broadcast has not achieved desired result - since it has neither put food or any table nor brought about increased income for individuals, the rich and the poor alike. Until the good plans as contained in President Tinubu's speech come to effect, only an insignificant proportion of the population is ready to listen, more so that cost of governance has not reflected in the call for collective sacrifice. The common man is saying no to being the only one to make sacrifice for the good of the country while the privileged few in government live fat on tax paid by them.

Granted, for diplomatic reasons, we should not watch idly, military juntas usurping democracy, especially right by our boarders, more so that it poses great deal of danger, for infiltration of weapons into the country may heighten, we should be careful enough not to further expose ourselves to criminals lurking around the corner to strike in the name of taking over any part of the country, which bandits hope to achieve or cessation, which IPOB aims at.

21/03/2023

THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS, MY PERSPECTIVE

By: Yahaya Abdulrahman

To the glory of Allah, elections were conducted and winners have emerged. This further proves that what is meant to be will be, against all odds. Bearing this in mind, it is outrightly foolish of anyone to do the unthinkable in a bid to secure victory for oneself or the candidate/party one supports. In the end, only that which is meant to be will come to pass, leaving those who did forsake their conscience and love for country in shame, leaving lessons to be reflected by the wise.

Like always, there are complaints here and there about the process and results. Be they (read: complaints) genuine or otherwise, truth be told, even those who lost out know that the exercise is fairly fair, with enormous improvements recorded from many fronts. For the first time since Independence, Nigeria has produced the first female elected Governor through Adamawa State.

Whether due largely to cashless policy recently introduced by Federal Government or because there is more awareness and deliberate willingness to make good governance a reality, voters were not as induced by money and other material things as they used to be, hence victory by significant number of candidates least expected, going by what is believed to be the then "normal or usual" thing.

Another aspect is the less number of election violence before during and after the exercise - as compared to what did obtained in the past. With this development and more, it is very likely that the common man in the street can beat his chest and offer himself to electorates in search for their mandate. By the time this happens, no one will think he is doing the masses a favour by contesting elective Office. And whoever emerge victorious, knowing that he rode to power on the votes of the ordinary Nigerian, will be compelled to listen to them and do their bidding, otherwise risk losing in the subsequent elections to follow, same way many incumbent Executives and Legislatives did.

To better the process, Nigerians in unison, have to make bold to fight one of the instruments of hate, rancour, division and retrogression " religious and ethnic sentiment". This is one thing that nearly consumed us while the process lasted. Supposed educated/informed individuals were seen commenting and canvassing for votes only on the basis of religion, throwing credibility, performance and other factors that makes good leadership to the dustbin. Unfortunate, to say the least.

That despite losing track on this line, only genuine will of the masses played out should reawaken us to the stark reality, which is, in due course (and we are getting there soonest), only those who mean well for the country shall man our affairs. Nigeria, and my own dearest State of Nasarawa shall break barriers, grow and prosper against the wishes of its enemies.

Onus lies with you and I to put heads together to block doors of malgovernance, political thuggery, ethno-religious biases, in the same vein, promote decency, purposeful leadership and all inclusive governance that upholds peace, unity and even development. There is no better time to do it than now. Think and reflect.

02/03/2023

Presidential And National Assembly Elections, Any Lesson For Nigerians ?

By: Yahaya Abdulrahman

Recent Presidential and National Assembly elections have come and gone for good, but not without lessons to learn from. The whole process, right from the point of Electoral Reform to the conduct of Primaries by various Parties drew National and International attention, given certain provisions that appeared strange but quite positive for democracy.

With powerful figures including serving and past Governors losing Office to opponents who ordinarily would have been considered less influential in the scheme of things and therefore, not their match, Nigerians are beginning to come to terms with the fact that mandate can be secured by anyone whose relationship with the common man out there (a section that constitute majority of the overall population) is good, consequent upon his concern for, and impact on them.

Mr. President's failure as well as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, plus the President Elect's, to deliver their home States speaks volume for discerning minds.

That there was no enough money in the hands of politicians as was the case before the cash-less policy, with which to buy votes (by implication, the conscience and future of Nigerians), points yet again, to the fact that we can do without money bags who are only good in shortchanging our Allah's given endowments for their personal needs. While the Reform is not perfect, it is unarguably marked significant improvement in our voting system.

Ethnic and religious sentiment did reared their ugly heads. They however, failed woefully, another plus for democracy. I only hope that we have learned our lessons this time around, to not let same overtake our sense of reasoning, further heating the already hot polity, as a result. We cannot afford to be consumed by the religious crises, or any such at that, now that the unity and progress is most needed to forge ahead.

Nigeria is in her trying moment and so, requires genuine, collective and sincere commitments of all sections of the population. The Independent National Electoral Commission has to take a step further aimed at addressing challenges emanating from upload of results right at Polling Units, as earlier announced, or better still, deal with attempts to hack its portal. Those trying to do that ought to know that there is always more to winning elections.

On the whole, Youths must resist pressure from all quatres to fuel crises of whatever kind. It is their future and those of their children and onward generations that is being traded for terminal interests. The wiser, more conscious and deliberate we are about giving birth to, and sustaining a peaceful and flourishing Nigeria, the better for all of us. Accept my best wishes, dear readers, as you reflect on this.

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