I was looking today at the New York Times’ report on the memo drawn up by US military’s Africa Command based in Stuttgart, Germany, which has [imperialist] responsibility for Africa. The plan that it sent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC was in compliance with President Donald Trump’s demand, via social media, for a military plan to attack Nigeria, ostensibly to end “massacre of our cherished Christians” by Islamist insurgent groups. The plan’s three options, — light, medium and heavy — reminded me of what I read many years ago about the bureaucratic trick of sending memos…
Author: Editor
A recent investigation by the BBC Global Disinformation Unit has cast serious doubt on claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, revealing how the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) and allied Igbo ethnic advocacy groups propagated inflated figures and unverified narratives that have reverberated across international political and religious circles. The report, titled “Are Christians Being Persecuted in Nigeria as Trump Claims?”, was authored by Olaronke Alo and Chiamaka Enendu of the BBC Global Disinformation Unit, alongside Lagos-based journalist Ijeoma Ndukwe. It scrutinizes the origins and credibility of claims that over 125,000 Christians have been…
As Nigeria pushes forward in diversifying its agricultural economy, sesame (Sesamum indicum) has quietly emerged as one of the country’s most promising non-oil exports. With strong global demand, ideal growing conditions in northern Nigeria, and high potential for inclusive and climate-smart growth, sesame represents a compelling opportunity for investors, policymakers, development partners, and farmer groups alike. A Rising Star in Nigeria’s Agricultural Export Landscape Known locally as Beniseed, sesame is valued for its high oil content, natural oxidation resistance, and wide industrial applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals (AFEX, 2022). According to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC, 2018), Nigeria exports…
The Department of State Services (DSS) announced on Tuesday that it had fired 115 staff members. It warned the public against engaging with individuals who were parading themselves as serving operatives of the agency. In a statement posted on its official X handle, the DSS said the action followed ongoing internal reforms aimed at strengthening discipline within the service. “As part of the ongoing reforms in the Department of State Services, the public is hereby informed that a total of 115 personnel have been dismissed over a period,” the agency said. According to the DSS, some of the affected personnel have continued to impersonate serving…
Football has always been our one shared language in Nigeria, the one thing that unites a country often divided by tribe, politics, and hardship. It is the dream of every young boy juggling a ball on a dusty field, every mother cheering from a wooden bench, and every fan who forgets their worries when the Super Eagles take the pitch. But that beautiful dream is being dimmed, not by lack of talent, but by corruption. In May 2023, FIFA highlighted the Kebbi project as part of its dedication to developing grassroots football, noting on its InsideFIFA website. “It is no…
In Nigeria, ironically, some heroes who work tirelessly to develop their country often go unnoticed, unsung, and unappreciated outside their immediate communities and the people directly benefiting from their efforts. These individuals have a passion for serving humanity with their talents and hearts, regardless of bigotry or selfishness, and without expecting anything in return. Ideally, society should recognize these people with support and rewards to motivate them and inspire others to follow their example. However, they often remain unrecognized and receive little acknowledgment for their lasting impact. When I encounter such people, I look up their names, hoping to see…
Under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, the United States can designate countries that engage in “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs). These violations may include torture or cruel treatment because of religion, disappearances, prolonged detention without charges, and other systematic denials of individuals’ rights tied to belief. Historically, the U.S. maintains between 12 and 13 active CPC designations at any given time. As of December 2023, 12 countries held the CPC label: Myanmar, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Just a few days…
The Al-Qaeda–linked jihadist group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for its first-ever attack inside Nigeria — a move analysts see as a significant escalation in the group’s regional ambitions and a worrying sign of expanding militant influence from the Sahel into West Africa’s most populous nation. According to reports, JNIM, which has been active across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced that it carried out an assault in northern Nigeria. While details of the operation remain unclear, the group’s claim marks a new frontier in its campaign and underscores the growing fluidity of militant activities across the…
In traditional Nigeria, especially in the Muslim North, where I can confidently say I know a thing or two, segregation was minimal. Communities were integrated, with children of various social backgrounds associating freely. This social cohesion, evident from history and personal accounts, has eroded, giving way to educational divisions that now mirror and deepen societal inequalities. Stories from our elders describe community events that fostered lifelong friendships between the offspring of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie included the middle class, senior public officials, and wealthy families, while the proletariat comprised the masses. In those days, for instance, circumcisions…
Despite global outrage over attacks on Christians, PRNigeria reports a disturbing pattern of mosque-targeted violence against Muslims in Nigeria has received far less attention—even as hundreds have been killed in places of worship. This report highlights the scale of atrocities from 2009 to 2025, demanding equal global condemnation. While former U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened military action against Nigeria over alleged “Christian genocide”, the reality on the ground reveals a broader and more complex crisis. Muslim communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, have suffered relentless attacks inside mosques and during religious gatherings—often at the hands of the same terrorist groups…