The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Society and the missing rod

    Society and the missing rod

    Sir: The news of African children who are dissociated from their parents has become an unpleasant but regular song in the mouths of many parents. Under labels such as Gen-Z and Millennials, many are now parenting children with whom they only share financial bond. Life in Nigeria has become a drift from a generation of students who used to be asked why they were always home to a generation of students who are begged to come home. The irony however is that the generation that prefers to be distant from home is the generation well-pampered at home, while the homely generation was the one for whom the rod was not spared. What does this say about parents and parenting?

    This era has a generation of parents who want to provide for their children what they felt they lacked in care; thereby negotiating the boundary of being caring and becoming carefree. The generation of parents who were chastised for their words, their actions, their movements, their choices and so on now feel life is beyond chastisement.

    In the typical Nigerian home until the 90s, the horn of the father’s car or the sound of his voice was a call to order for the children. A wake at midnight by any of your parents was either for a revival on your buttocks or the kind of sermon even your pastor cannot deliver on the pulpit. It was a period you would not go home to tell your parents you were punished in school or by a neighbour.

    It was not the period to pay for assistance in WAEC, impersonate children in JAMB or beg lecturers for admission as if they own the universities. It was a time parents were ready to let you sit WAEC three times and JAMB five times until you are academically sound enough to pass by yourself. That training produced the best of parents who are now professionals and would prefer to negotiate everything for their own children. Parents raised with little that they were able to manage well now provide everything for children who find it hard to make the best of it.

    Was it so much fun growing up under this regimented home structure? No! Did we all even like our parents for these hard times then? No! But are we better off for it today? Yes! Do we look back today and thank our parents for those times? Yes! Do we recount these experiences with our siblings, friends and contemporaries with so much laughter? Of course yes! Now, are we so emotionally distant from our parents like the ones we overly pampered? Certainly No!

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    It must be mentioned too that the era of the rod was not one devoid of caregiving and affection. It was the time we looked forward to travelling to the village for Christmas or “Sallah” so we could see our cousins, nephews and our friends in the village. It was a time we had our village friends even as city children and we always prayed for festivities to come fast so we could bond. Such relationships built in us affection, compassion and consideration for others.

    On the contrary, the care we give today is that which isolates our children from others. They do not know their cousins in the city, not to speak of the ones in the village. So it becomes okay for them to go and not look back. After all, they have just one man and one woman called their parents to miss and not a family or community of people. WhatsApp family groups make it easy to reach out to their siblings. If you are lucky as parents, they add you to it. Alternatively, they create the redundant one where you only send your morning devotion and announcements, and they have theirs where they bond virtually.

    The ways of the old may not be entirely practicable today but they must not be completely jettisoned. Even the western world that does not use the rod anymore once created the idiom that says “spare the rod and spoil the child”. The rod, of course, is a metaphor for chastisement. It does not exactly mean hitting children even though it does not exclude it, but it means discouraging indiscipline, correcting bad habits and promoting virtuous lifestyle.

    If the closer we get as parents is the farther they become as children, then we may conclude that the use of the rod is not the problem but the avoidance of its use.

    •Ganiu Bamgbose,Lagos State University, Ojo.

  • Dangote Refinery: Better times ahead

    Dangote Refinery: Better times ahead

    Sir: Nigerians have long waited for the commencement of the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by Dangote Refinery due to its expected benefits. The refinery commenced its first loading of PMS on Sunday, September 15, which according to the Ministry of Finance is a significant step in Nigeria’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency.

    However, according to the federal government, the Nigerian National Petroluem Company Limited,  NNPCL, will be the sole buyer of PMS from the refinery for now, and from October , the NNPCL will begin selling crude oil to Dangote Refinery in Naira and purchasing PMS from the refinery in Naira, while diesel will also be sold in Naira to independent marketers. The decision to make NNPCL the sole off-taker of the PMS from the refinery has raised a lot of dust.

    Many people were disappointed when the NNPCL announced a hike in the price of PMS, as there was a general belief that PMS prices would drop once Dangote Refinery commenced production and sales. The refinery, which is privately owned and profit-oriented, won’t sell PMS for less than its production cost. Some major determinants of its production cost are the price of crude oil on the international market, the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate, and the cost of refining crude per litre. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun said in a TV interview on Sunday, September 15, “We are expecting that as this refinery and others ramp up production, scale, and achieve greater economies of scale, there should be the opportunity—and there is definitely the potential—to reduce their costs, which should be passed on to the consumer.”

    There are concerns from many quarters that the recent hike in the price of PMS could cause a rise in inflation, which Nigeria has struggled to tame. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s headline inflation on a year-on-year basis dropped to 32.15% in August 2024, from 33.4% in July 2024. Food prices have been the major driver of inflation, and therefore, ordinarily, as we fully enter the harvest season, a continued decline in inflation would have been expected. However, the recent hike in the price of PMS and fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate will affect the inflation figures for subsequent months.

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    The price of PMS is expected to reduce in the long term as economies of scale are achieved by refineries, when more refineries come on stream, leading to competition, and as the Naira begins to gain value. Selling crude oil to domestic refineries in Naira and purchasing refined products from them in Naira will significantly reduce the pressure on foreign exchange. According to the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zach Adedeji, this policy will save $7.32 billion annually by conducting all crude transactions with local refineries in Naira. It will also result in a more stable and stronger Naira.

    The federal government, NNPCL, and Dangote Industries Limited should be commended, as this is the first time in about 30 years that Premium Motor Spirit production has begun in Nigeria. The price of PMS is expected to decrease in the near future, therefore Nigerians should be patient.

    While the hike in PMS prices will impact inflation in the coming months, I don’t expect it to be very significant because food prices, which are the major driver of inflation, will drop further as we move deeper into the harvest season. Beautiful times lie ahead for Nigerians.

    •Kenechukwu Aguolu,<kenerek1@gmail.com

  • On Yobe/UNICEF partnership in teachers training

    On Yobe/UNICEF partnership in teachers training

    Sir: I commend the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board (YSUBEB), led by acting chairman Mallam Isa Shettima, for organizing a comprehensive training program for public school teachers across the state. This commendable initiative, in collaboration with UNICEF, has equipped educators with essential skills to teach at the appropriate levels, thereby enhancing the quality of education in Yobe State.

    The training program covers all geo-political zones of the state, including Damaturu, Potiskum, and Nguru, showcasing YSUBEB’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind. By investing in teacher development, the board is addressing important aspect of education, acknowledging that educators play a vital role in shaping young minds.

    UNICEF’s contributions to Yobe State’s educational system, especially during the Boko Haram insurgency, have been invaluable. The organization’s dedication to promoting access to quality education, even in challenging circumstances, is truly commendable.

    The partnership between YSUBEB and UNICEF serves as a model for effective collaboration, demonstrating the potential for meaningful change when stakeholders unite toward a common goal. By pooling resources and expertise, they have created a comprehensive training program tailored to the specific needs of Yobe State’s educators.

    A significant benefit of this training program is its focus on teaching at the right level. By imparting knowledge at an appropriate pace, educators enable students to grasp complex concepts, build solid foundations, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

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    Moreover, the program’s emphasis on engaging young pupils reflects YSUBEB and UNICEF’s recognition of the importance of early childhood education. Research consistently shows that investments in early learning yield substantial returns, shaping future academic success and overall life outcomes.

    As trained teachers return to their classrooms, it is crucial for them to implement their newfound knowledge. I encourage educators to seize this opportunity and integrate innovative teaching methods and strategies into their practice.

    YSUBEB and UNICEF’s commitment to education extends beyond the training program; they work tirelessly to tackle systemic challenges, improve infrastructure, and foster inclusive learning environments.

    The success of this initiative relies on sustained support and collaboration. I urge stakeholders—including policymakers, community leaders, and civil society organizations—to rally behind YSUBEB and UNICEF.

    The YSUBEB-UNICEF teacher training program is a ground breaking initiative poised to create a lasting impact on Yobe State’s education landscape.

    •Kasim Isa Muhammad,Damaturu, Yobe State.

  • Youth and the choice-less conundrum

    Youth and the choice-less conundrum

    Sir: Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, recently arrested 46 suspects over alleged involvement in internet-related fraud in Delta State. The suspects popularly called yahoo boys were arrested in Warri, Ubeji and Jeddo communities in Delta state on September 8. About 13 exotic cars, laptops and mobile phones were also recovered from them.

    Now, in the face of yet more arrests of young Nigerians for internet-related fraud, the natural reaction is to flinch and rail at the process and proceeds of a crime which consists in impersonating white people on the internet and mining such impersonation to milk the unsuspecting but ultimately gullible among them of their money. This crime which is as widespread as it is lucrative on its way to become the crime of choice among Nigeria’s young people.  

    It may be argued that those going into ‘yahoo yahoo’ are doing so as a matter of choice, but even a cursory scratch at the surface of a financial crime gaining ferocious popularity would yield a choice-less conundrum. How crueller can conditions get in a country where families exert themselves, exhaust their resources, sell off ancestral lands to put their children through school only to be confronted with debilitating unemployment at the end of the day?

    The truth is that with rampant unemployment, Nigeria is leaving an entire generation without choice, and the consequences are as gripping as they are sobering. It is also providing dangerous justification for the kind of immorality that scalds the soul of a country.

    Churches and mosques litter every nook and cranny of the country, yet they fail to light up the corridors of power. Government officials lecture on morality only when convenient while assiduously refusing to practice what they preach.

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    What’s the difference, if any, between the moral bankruptcies of the ‘yahoo boy’ who fleeces unsuspecting white people of their money, and the corrupt security personnel who systematically enriches themselves by exploiting the ‘yahoo boy’?

    As long as Nigeria’s young people remain with neither options nor opinions about decent, dignified living within a state that prefers to  dissemble before it discerns, ‘criminals’ and their crimes of survival will continue to reach for survival, no matter how far it is placed beyond their reach.

    The solution is a simple as it is complicated. No matter how dead a conscience is, it often retains a spark of morality. No matter how hardened those knee-deep in internet crimes are, there is a tale of desperation that simmers just beyond the surface.

    What options are available? Former president, Muhammadu Buhari may have ill-advisedly described Nigerian youths as ‘lazy’ in 2018, but it is beyond doubt that the country has some of the most enterprising young people in the world. What options exist for these young people brimming with ideas who want to earn honest living? What are the alternatives to crime in a country where nothing really works but crime? Unless these questions are honestly and completely answered, and options provided, Nigeria will remain a country whose young people are sacrificed to the gods of financial and economic promiscuity and impropriety because there are no other plans for them.

    The reality is that the wildly dysfunctional, but prolific machine of the Nigerian state is steadily churning out a stream of cunning and crafty internet thieves who are dragging Nigeria’s name through international slime. It is only a matter of time before they drag out the entrails of the Nigerian state and splay same on the barbed wires of international opprobrium.

    • Kene Obiezu keneobiezu@gmail.com 

  • Religion and flight of reason among Nigerians

    Religion and flight of reason among Nigerians

     Sir: Religion in Nigeria is frequently described as a beacon of hope, a source of comfort for millions fighting the nation’s rampant socio-economic problems. However, in recent years, an alarming trend has emerged that is raising eyebrows across the nation: the rise of irrational behaviour and outright foolishness, cloaked in religious fervour. This phenomenon is not limited to the impoverished or uneducated; it has permeated all levels of society, with even highly educated adults falling prey to questionable practices under the guise of religious devotion. This is no longer a virus but an epidemic!

    There seem to be a recent addition to this trend – I’m a Chosen. This has become a common proclamation among adherents of a particular Pentecostal sect based in a Lagos suburb with substantial branches across Nigeria. While the phrase may seem innocuous on the surface, it has become symbolic of a deeper issue—the increasing trend of adults abandoning rational thinking in favour of blind allegiance to religious doctrines, sometimes to the point of absurdity.

    Religious devotion is nothing new in Nigeria. But the recent surge in unquestioning faith is eroding critical thinking and rational decision-making. Many Nigerians are now more inclined to attribute every aspect of their lives—whether success or failure, health or sickness—to divine intervention, rather than considering logical explanations or personal accountability.

    While religious freedom is a constitutional right, the extent to which adults are surrendering their reasoning abilities in favour of religious dogma is rather disturbing.

    Religious leaders, many of whom wield significant influence, preach doctrines that discourage questioning or independent thought. In fact, questioning the teachings of religious leaders is often equated with blasphemy or a lack of faith. This attitude has created a culture where blind obedience is glorified, and critical thinking is dismissed as rebellion against divine authority.

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    Another worrying trend is the use of religion as a shield against intellectual progress and scientific reasoning. In a country where health issues like malaria, typhoid, and maternal mortality are still rampant, some Nigerians have turned to faith healing and prayer camps instead of seeking medical treatment. This approach has cost lives, but for many, it’s seen as a test of faith.

    Adults who should be leading the way in advocating for better healthcare and education are instead urging others to rely on divine intervention. Universities and other centres of learning have not been spared either, as some students refuse to engage with science, reasoning, or evidence-based research, claiming that “God will provide all the answers.”

    The workplace is another area where this religious influence is causing friction. Employees who spend hours in prayer sessions instead of focusing on their work or skill development are hindering productivity and competitiveness. Furthermore, the belief that success or promotion is tied to divine favour rather than meritocracy is fostering an unhealthy work culture that rewards faith over competence.

    Nigeria, a nation with enormous potential, cannot afford to be led by people who prioritize superstition over sound policy, prayer over planning, and divine intervention over hard work. The country’s future depends on its ability to embrace rationality, education, and innovation—qualities that are often undermined by blind religious devotion.

    Faith, in and of itself, is not the problem. Religion can provide comfort, guidance, and a sense of purpose. But when adults abandon reason and allow religion to dictate every aspect of their lives, society as a whole suffers. There is an urgent need for balance—where faith coexists with logic, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.

    Nigerians must begin to ask hard questions of their religious leaders and themselves. Are they truly building a better future through blind faith, or are they allowing themselves to be exploited by those who benefit from their ignorance? The time has come for Nigerians to reclaim their intellect, and to demand a future where religion serves as a moral guide, not a tool for manipulation.

    •Olalekan Adigun, Abuja.

  • On Nigerians’ poor reading culture

    On Nigerians’ poor reading culture

    • By Daniel Ighakpe

    Sir: Once upon a time, Nigeria paraded the best set of authors and publishers in Africa. At that time, reading was an innate affection for both young and old. This reading culture reflected so much on the quality of leadership and civil discipline that it brought pride to Nigerians anywhere in the world. Now, the rich literacy history that the country was famous for has waned. Yes, reading and writing which were once indulged in as a pleasure are now often spurned as a chore.

    One possible factor contributing to the poor book reading culture is the socio-economic environment that is not reader-friendly. The daily struggle for survival provides little or no time for people to cultivate good reading habit. Equally, high cost of books, particularly imported ones as well as a dearth of dedicated quiet reading spaces like libraries has contributed to low readership promotion in the country.

    In the last few decades, the Nigerian indigenous book publishing industry has experienced a downturn due to numerous challenges facing the industry. These include book piracy, proliferation of unqualified author-publishers, lack of capital, and inability to provide adequate numbers of high-quality books. Other challenges include poor reading culture, infrastructural decay, dearth of expertise, incessant rancour among the major stakeholders, and so forth.

    As a panacea, stakeholders such as government, publishers, authors, regulators, booksellers, libraries, and readers should cooperate among themselves towards the development of a virile book publishing industry.

    Private investors such as banks, finance houses and influential individuals should participate, especially in terms of massive capital injection.

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    The government can partner with notable non-governmental organizations in the establishment of book clubs in our schools across the nation. This will help to promote a good reading culture among the youths.

     Government should help to eliminate the scourge of book piracy. It should charge less import duties on book publishing equipment and accessories in order to encourage hitch-free importation.

    Existing public libraries should be renovated and upgraded, while new ones should be built and equipped with relevant titles.

    Higher institutions could offer courses in book publishing and related disciplines, thereby helping to provide the required personnel for job opportunities that exist in the book publishing industry.

    The onus is on all, both the government and the private sector, to nourish our book publishing industry – the harbingers of books, thereby contributing towards the further development of the society.

    •Daniel Ighakpe,

    FESTAC Town, Lagos.

  • Flood: We are all from Borno

    Flood: We are all from Borno

    • By Zayd Ibn Isah

    Sir: The city of Maiduguri recently came under attack by the relentless force of nature. A devastating flood swept through the beautiful city, claiming lives and destroying property. While the word “attack” typically conjures images of Boko Haram’s decade-long reign of terror in the state, this time it was the waters from Alau Dam that left destruction in their wake.

    One has to feel sorry for the indefatigable governor of Borno, who has been at the forefront of the rescue operations. Professor Babagana Zulum has been working tirelessly with security agencies to rid the state of Boko Haram insurgents, and by all indications, there has been tremendous success. But the flood disaster presents a unique set of difficulties and demands effective solutions.

    This is not a call for sympathy; it’s a call for action. Relief efforts must be scaled up, and support must come from all corners—government, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens alike. The people of Borno have endured more than their fair share of hardship, and now, more than ever, they need our help to rebuild their lives and communities.

    So far, the support from Nigerians across religious and political divides is commendable: the World Health Organization (WHO), through its representative, Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has pledged technical and operational support; former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, visited Borno and donated N100 million to the flood victims; the Kano State government also made a donation of N100 million to the state; the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, pledged a donation of ₦2 billion to assist those affected; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, paid a condolence visit and pledged his unalloyed support to the flood victims. The support coming from across religious, regional, and political divides goes to show the truth of the time-tested saying: what binds us together is stronger than what divides us. The rescue operations by agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and private individuals are, to me, indications that we have a system that works and people who recognize the urgency of the situation at hand. Those who died rescuing others, like the young Nigeria Customs Service personnel, Officer Ibrahim M., deserve a special place in the country’s hall of fame.

    At this moment, it has become clear how much of a compassionate and discerning leader we have in our able President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his statement, the president expressed deep sympathies to those affected, praising their strength and resilience, before assuring them of the government’s commitment to alleviating their suffering. He promised support and relief to rebuild lives and restore hope, and also thanked the governor of Borno State, traditional leaders, emergency response agencies, NGOs, and corporate organizations for their exceptional leadership and support.

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    According to President Tinubu, a Disaster Relief Fund has been established to alleviate the impact of the catastrophe even as he urged the private sector to match or exceed the federal government’s commitment to the fund and appealed for global collaboration from international partners. The president’s visit came shortly after the vice president, Kashim Shettima, who hails from the state and governed it for eight years, visited to assess the extent of the damage.

    Ultimately, this flood in Borno is a wake-up call, showing us that while Africa may be blessed with fewer large-scale natural disasters, we cannot afford to be complacent. A lasting solution must be implemented to prevent future breaches of the dam. There must also be a prioritization of disaster preparedness and response systems to ensure that when nature strikes, we can protect our people and their livelihoods.

    It is sad that at a time when Borno State is on a path to recovery from the complexities of the humanitarian crisis caused by years of conflict, this level of destruction occurred to worsen the displacement of families and damage to valuable infrastructure. But there is hope for Borno yet, thanks to all of us who, by identifying with the enormity of the need and rising to the challenge, have become sons and daughters of Borno in this tragedy. Like all tragedies, we have the power as a collective to help in restoring the good fortune of this beautiful state.

    •Zayd Ibn Isah,

     lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • As autonomy returns to local councils

    As autonomy returns to local councils

    • By Kola Amzat

    Sir: Recently, the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment ruled in favour of local councils’ fiscal autonomy. The judgment, at the behest of the federal government, was necessitated by the decades of impunity, mindlessness and cheating visited upon the councils by the state governments across the country.

    Now that the local government accounts have been untied from the apron strings of state governments, they are now in vantage position to operate independently as ordinarily expected in the federal system setting.

    Meanwhile, the implication of Supreme Court judgment is that it has placed heavy burden on the local government authorities across the country in terms of rendition of their stewardship and accountability to the generality of Nigerians, most especially the deprived and traumatized citizenry at the grassroots.

    It has therefore become imperative for the leaders of local governments to be rendering accounts and provide justifications for the huge funds and resources that would now be available to them from FAAC.

    There is no doubt that the judgement came at a time when there is abject poverty, hunger, deprivation in all the nooks and crannies of the country, with millions of Nigerians living in squalor.

    We must re-emphasize to the chairmen all over 774 LGs that the new regime of ‘huge availability of fund’ is not meant for them to acquire properties in choicest areas of Nigeria and abroad, as well as living a life of stardom; rather, the funds are meant to be channelled to cause remarkable developments in all facets in their respective domains, as well as significantly improving the well-being and general welfare of Nigerians at the grassroots.  

    It is indeed important to reiterate that it would be inimical and counter-productive to leave the local council chairmen and their team the sole prerogative of managing and administering huge resources now available to them on monthly basis, without instituting administrative and structural system that would compel them to be accountable and rendering their stewardship, otherwise, the landmark judgement of the Apex Court would be meaningless.

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    One therefore suggests the followings to the federal government:

    Presently, the general affairs of local government are firmly in the hands of chairmen and council managers. In several cases, the two key figures just hold the entire council to ransom. It’s important that the administrative and financial structure be changed with a view to introducing a new system that would check the two top officials in their bids to continually corner the local government as their fiefdom.        

    The need to replicate the state administration system structure in a mini form at local councils that would necessitate the appointment of the special officers to administer the local councils in collaboration with the chairman, as well as manning the portfolios of economy, infrastructural development, chieftaincy and rural development, medical/health care, and educational development.

    There is need for federal government to establish Local Government Performance Monitoring Commission (LGPMC) with a view to continually monitoring the councils with regards to disbursement of funds to projects and also, making relevant reports to the federal government.

    To realize this, the government is enjoined to make spirited efforts to cultivate National Assembly with a view to amending relevant provisions of the constitution that would enable this come to manifestation.

    Of course, with the new season of huge fund availability, it’s apparent that there would be need for a new electoral body that would not only specifically handle local government elections, but, would also ensure that men of character, decent political and cognate antecedents, developmental and people-centric, and more importantly, patriotic Nigerians with fervent desire for service and responsive and responsible governance henceforth ascend power as leaders at that level of government.

    This is the only way that the spirited efforts made by President Tinubu at ensuring fiscal autonomy for the councils through that landmark judgment would not only make meaning, but, drive developments in all the facets of government

    •Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB),

    Lagos.

  • Who’ll save Potiskum Specialist Hospital?

    Who’ll save Potiskum Specialist Hospital?

    Sir: Walking into the Potiskum Specialist Hospital in the Potiskum Local Government area of Yobe state on September 14, I was filled with a sense of hope and urgency. My niece, suffering from sickle cell disease, was in dire need of medical attention. Her condition was worsening by the day, and I knew that timely intervention was crucial.

    But what I witnessed that day was a distressing scene. The waiting area was packed with people, all waiting to see a doctor. The air was thick with anxiety and frustration, and I could sense the desperation in the eyes of those around me. The wait was agonizingly long. We spent three hours waiting for a doctor to arrive, watching as the minutes ticked by at a glacial pace.

    My niece was crying profusely due to the excruciating pain she was suffering, and I felt helpless as I tried to comfort her. When the doctor finally arrived, the sense of relief was short-lived: I realized that the workload was simply too much for him to handle alone. The hospital was understaffed, and it showed. Potiskum, being the most populous local government area of Yobe State, deserves better. Its hospital should be equipped to handle the needs of its people, but the lack of adequate hospital personnel is a major hindrance.

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    This lack has far-reaching consequences. It not only affects the patients but also the doctors and nurses who are overworked and undervalued.

    Governor Mai Mala Buni, we urge you to take immediate action and employ the numerous jobless health workers in our state to cater to the growing population of Potiskum. It is unacceptable that our hospitals continue to struggle with inadequate staffing despite the abundance of qualified and eager healthcare professionals seeking employment.

    The current staffing crisis is not only detrimental to the well-being of patients but also puts unbearable burden on the existing healthcare workers. They are overworked, undervalued, and at risk of burnout, which ultimately affects the quality of care they can provide. By hiring more health workers, Governor Buni, you will not only be addressing the critical staffing shortage but also injecting life into the local economy.

    These new employees will contribute to the state’s economic growth, support their families, and stimulate community development. Furthermore, employing local health workers will ensure cultural sensitivity and a deeper understanding of the community’s specific needs. They will be better equipped to address the unique health challenges facing Potiskum’s population.

    •Kasim Isa Muhammad,Potiskum, Yobe State.

  • Maiduguri floods and still looming dangers

    Maiduguri floods and still looming dangers

     Sir: The news of the flooding in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, which has affected over one million people, according to the state government, and displaced 400,000, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has naturally attracted national, if not international attention.

    In addition to over 30 fatalities, many individuals remain missing. A prison wall was destroyed and with it the alleged escape of Boko Haram leaders, according to Governor Babagana Zulum. Dangerous animals such as snakes and crocodiles were released from a zoo, adding to the peril.

    Moreover, corpses were exhumed from Gwange Cemetery, leaving bodies floating in the floodwaters—a horrific sight that could easily haunt those who witnessed it. Commentators have reminded those familiar, and informed those unaware, of a similar disaster that occurred 30 years ago, in September 1994, when the Alo Dam collapsed due to structural failure caused by heavy rainfall.

    That event stifled economic activities, led to the loss of livestock, and destroyed arable lands—much like what happened last week. This tragic incident has been attributed to natural phenomena, particularly the effects of climate change, such as the melting of glaciers at the North Pole.

    This causes rising water levels, which eventually overflow into other parts of the world, resulting in devastating consequences in regions like Maiduguri. Others have blamed human negligence, arguing that regular assessments of the structural integrity of dams and proper risk mitigation measures should have been put in place.

    These preventative actions could have averted the dam failure and flooding experienced in Maiduguri. Stakeholders have been urged to set aside blame and speculation about the causes of the flooding, and instead focus on recovery efforts. Governments, individuals, and organizations have been contributing cash and donations in kind to provide shelter, clothing, and food for the victims.

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    However, a significant health risk remains inadequately addressed. Sewage, dumpsites, and other contaminated areas have been washed into different parts of the city, posing serious threats to public health and the environment. These areas harbour pathogenic microorganisms transmitted through water, increasing the risk of diseases such as cholera, dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), typhoid, diarrhoea, and hepatitis.

    With 46 million Nigerians practicing open defecation, and north-eastern states like Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe having the highest numbers of people engaging in this practice, the health concerns are very real. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which has invested in the construction of over 7,000 toilet facilities in the region, these practices make the flood-ravaged areas more susceptible to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

    Nigeria is already witnessing a surge in cholera cases, with a reported 128% increase in infections in the last week alone. The displaced victims of this disaster are already vulnerable, and the government must place their health and safety at the forefront of recovery efforts.

    But the situation extends beyond just physical health. The loss of loved ones, the haunting image of floating corpses, the destruction of homes and businesses, and the security concerns posed by prison escapees in a region already traumatized by insurgency—all of these factors contribute to a mounting mental health crisis.

    The affected individuals must be given access to mental health professionals to help them process their trauma and navigate their future. While addressing the immediate needs of flood victims is critical for their short-term survival, tackling the broader health concerns—both physical and mental—will be crucial for their long-term recovery and well-being as a community.

    Public health experts must be consulted to guide these efforts and ensure that Maiduguri’s residents can rebuild not only their homes but also their lives.

    •Lawal Dahiru Mamman,Abuja.