Can Buni tame the Lake Chad curse?, by Hassan Gimba That is the question. Perhaps we should first take a look at Lake Chad and Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State and current chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum. The Lake Chad Basin is an area of about 2,434,000 square kilometres…
Of sons, daughters and preservation of legacies Throughout history, men have been under immense societal pressure to produce male heirs to carry on their names and legacies. This expectation has often led to strife, stress, and sometimes untoward actions. The preference for male heirs is deeply rooted in many societies, possibly stemming from the belief…
“Breathe in, breathe out, Nigeria,” by Hassan Gimba Some time ago, I had an oblique conversation with Governor Mai Mala Buni about my health condition, and something related to the topic of this piece came out. Sometimes, I get amazed at how he recalls things we see as inconsequential or forgotten because of time and…
Chess, that bomb in your hands, and masters of the game, Hassan Gimba In 1984 there was a universal review of the dystopian novel Nineteen Eight- Four, sometimes written and published as 1984, written by George Orwell. More known for his satirical book Animal Farm, George Orwell is a pen name adopted by Eric Arthur Blair, an English novelist,…
Why Nigerians no longer want to pay tax (2), by Hassan Gimba There is no doubt that trust was the main determiner in making earlier citizens pay taxes willingly. There was trust in the leadership of the day and the knowledge that the taxes collected would not be misappropriated. Now, even the gate man in…
Cry not, North, Smell the Coffee and Act (2), by Hassan Gimba The North and its leaders seem happiest and satisfied when led by the nose. As in every election cycle, vote seekers would come and put a black liquid in a syrup bottle and, with fanfare, tell you they have gotten “crude oil”…
Cry not, North; smell the coffee and act (1), by Hassan Gimba The topic on everybody’s, well, almost everybody’s, lips now is tax reform. Everybody has become an expert, so everyone is discussing it: the experts, the neophytes, and even those who do not give a hoot. Nigerians love to talk, dissipate energy, joke about it, and…
HBD Buni: The Leader Who Forfeited His Inheritance for Peace (2) “Money doesn’t change men; it merely unmasks them. If a man is naturally selfish, arrogant, or greedy, the money brings that out; that’s all.” – Henry Ford. Last week, while extending our birthday wishes to the Governor of Yobe State, we underscored his honourable character and…
HBD Buni, the Leader Who Forfeited His Inheritance for Peace Last week, while the battle against a new security threat, the Lakurawa, and a £25,000 marriage were shaping national discourse amidst excruciating economic difficulties, an extraordinary gentleman with qualities Nigeria could greatly benefit from celebrated his birthday. Honourable Mai Mala Buni, the Governor of Yobe…
National Grid, Alau Dam Collapse: Who Pays?, The national grid collapsed three times last month and twice this month. This year, it has collapsed at least 11 times. This underscores our long-standing struggle to have a consistent power supply, even if not for the whole nation, at least for those fortunate enough to have access…
