The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Takeaways from Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum

    Takeaways from Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum

     Sir: The successful hosting of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri is a clear display of governance, strategic planning, and people-centred commitment to regional cooperation.

    Bringing together over 1,200 participants, including eight governors, ministers, legislators, traditional rulers, international delegates, and civil society organisations, the forum showcased the plight of the disenfranchised communities in the region.

    Of course, hosting this event in Maiduguri, rather than in Abuja or any other major Nigerian city, was an unlikely but calculated decision that sent a good message of resilience and regional stability.

    The discussions and panel sessions were compassionate yet practical, highlighting both idealism and the realpolitik necessary to achieve tangible outcomes. The necessity of cross-border coalition efforts was a recurring theme, as participants examined how to counter the effects of conflict, displacement, and disenfranchisement.

    Unlike past forums that have been dismissed as shrill political talk, this edition was different—it sought to counter apathy and disillusionment with actionable solutions. The presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, added weight to the discussions, ensuring that the event was not just another political talk shop, but rather a fundamental step towards regional rehabilitation. 

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    Governor Mai Mala Buni’s emergence as the chairman of the forum signals a turnaround in the perception of Yobe’s role in international engagements. This pendulum swing in leadership dynamics presents both potential and complications. His new role will require careful navigation of common grievances among member states while ensuring that the region does not succumb to the neglect that has defined past interventions.

    Buni’s leadership will be tested on multiple fronts—balancing populist expectations with the realities of governance, countering opportunism, and ensuring that regional policies are people-centred rather than performative. With this millennium ushering in new geopolitical complexities, the ability to form strategic partnerships will be key. Given the documented history of regional conflicts, Governor Buni must act with both ruthless efficiency and compassionate foresight. 

    The decision to host the event in Maiduguri—a city deeply affected by insurgency—has redefined perceptions of security and stability in the Northeast, proving that with the right level of commitment, even the most challenging environments can become centres of diplomacy and development.

    No doubt, the coming years will demand stronger coalition efforts, pragmatic solutions, and sustained commitment to addressing the region’s challenges. The people of the Lake Chad Basin cannot afford another cycle of betrayal—they are expecting genuine progress. Governor Buni’s leadership must prove that this forum was not just a political means to an end, but a real step towards change.

    •Kasim Isa Muhammad,Potiskum, Yobe State.

  • Kauru Local Govt: Still at the mercy of bandits

    Kauru Local Govt: Still at the mercy of bandits

    Sir: Recently, the senator representing Southern Kaduna, Marshall Katung, called on both the federal and Kaduna State government to do something urgently to bring to an end, the menace of banditry in three local government areas of Southern Kaduna, including Kauru Local Government. Indeed, the senator merely spoke the minds of many communities in Kauru Local government who in the last two years have never known peace due to the incessant attacks and kidnapping of helpless farmers by bandits.

    Last year, a retired director of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was kidnapped with over N300 million paid as ransom before he could regain his freedom. His abduction came at a time when many communities lost their loved ones through kidnapping with the lucky victims only released after millions of naira was paid was as ransom.

    The army of displaced people scattered across Kauru town and other adjacent communities such as Pambegua presents a dire situation that needs an urgent attention. Many farming communities are yet to harvest their crops due to the fear of the unknown. In recent time, efforts were made by Kauru Local Government chairman, Bashir Dawaki, to engage the services of a Civilian Joint Task Force, popularly known as yan bulla to provide security in remote rural areas. The truth however is that the yan bulla cannot, in any way, match the superior fire force of the well-armed bandits.

    Indeed, the yan bulla carried out covert operations and combed up the forest which serve as the hideout of bandits. The operation which lasted for some hours ended up without achieving the desired objectives. The unsuccessful operation by CJTF further emboldened the bandits leading to more attacks and sacking of many communities.

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    Kauru Local Government is a predominantly farming area with majority of its people engaging in agricultural production. Economically, Kauru Local Government communities feed Kaduna State with grains, legumes and other consumable food stuffs and by extension the country at large. For instance, Pambegua, Anchau and Saminaka markets get their uninterrupted supply of good and services from many of Kauru’s communities. With Kauru communities experiencing frequent attacks and farmers abandoning their farms, the grains supply chain has been disrupted with severe consequences on farming activities, jobs and wealth creation.

    Unless concerted efforts are put in place to nip into bud the dangerous activities of bandits, there is tendency that many farmers will not cultivate their land next year. This will lead to food insecurity not only within the local government but also the state. Kauru Local Government has a vast and fertile land. It is estimated that no less than 50 tonnes of grains are being cultivated annually. Unfortunately, the bandits have reduced the area to ghost towns as many inhabitants migrated to safer communities.

    To address the challenges, there is the need for Kaduna State government to solicit support of federal government to establish military formations. The victims of bandits in remote areas have complained that they hardly get emergency response when they come under attacks. This cannot be unconnected with the fact that security personnel are far from bandit-ravaged communities. If military formations are established in strategic locations across the nook and corner of the local government to provide emergency security response in case of distress, the activities of bandits can be squarely addressed. The government should also intensify intelligence gathering to identify informants and logistics suppliers.

    •Ibrahim Mustapha,Pambegua, Kaduna State.

  • Board appointees: Heeding the president’s advice

    Board appointees: Heeding the president’s advice

    Sir: While constituting the boards of the 42 federal agencies and organizations recently, President Bola Tinubu advised them to steer clear of the day-to-day administration of those organizations.

    The president’s advice presupposes them to see their role as purely advisory and promotional. They are the think-tanks for their various agencies and organizations on how best to achieve their objectives and goals.

    Given the composition of the boards, which presumably are round pegs in round holes, they seem best suited to advise the organizations’ managements who are bound to respect their views and prognosis. Take the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) for example, the chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi (CFR) was Director General of NIIA and Minister of Foreign Affairs under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1987).

    His board constitutes an asset to the NIIA in its quest to achieve its objectives and profound goal in foreign policy maintenance for the country. Ditto for all other board appointees and their organizations. Nonetheless, over time, despite board appointments, the supposed fortunes of most government agencies and organizations continue to be abysmally ossified. Lack of progress in most of these agencies and organizations have been at the heart of the beck and call for their disposals or privatization.

    The debacles of most government organizations or agencies can be listed under five headings.

    One: the undue dichotomy between board appointees and agencies’ officials. The intolerable disposition of agencies officials who see appointees as interlopers who have come to milk them under the trite pretext of performing oversight functions for the government.

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    Two: the idea of political appointees seeing their appointment as reward for their labour for the party in power. As such they become desperate for both monetary and material rewards irrespective of the resourcefulness or otherwise of their agencies or organizations.

    Three: the usual unhealthy rivalry among board members to gain chairmanship predilection to be favourably treated above other colleagues in the scheme of things.

    Four: the usual disappointment and low morale by board members when monetary and material resources are not forthcoming as expected from the organizations to meet their expected needs.

    Five: the tendency by ambitious political appointees to turn their appointment to political manoeuvring and gerrymandering preparatory for the next election. While not involved in the day today administration of the agencies, board members can at least be think tank for budget debates and implementations for their organizations.

    They should also constitute advisory body for policy and plan implementation for their organizations or agencies. The government should give the boards targets in terms of the development of those organizations and should not hesitate to dissolve any board that fail to meet up with such target.

    Boards must be resourceful and result oriented and like ministers, chairmen of boards should brief the president on quarterly basis about the progress of their organizations. Board appointment should no longer be business as usual if the best are to be achieved from their composition and appointment.

    • Sunday Olagunju Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • Unanswered questions about youth Confab

    Unanswered questions about youth Confab

    Sir: During his state of the nation address in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proposed a 30-day youth conference to be held in the first quarter of the 2025.

    People like us who are not blinded by sentiments have commended the president because of our optimism and believe in Nigeria. In the same vein, those who don’t wish the country well have condemned the forthcoming conference. They have already expressed misgivings and negative views about the confab. They have called it many names.

    But in a country where 60% of the population are youths, the youth conference will go a long way in providing better channels for the youth to express themselves.

    The youth conference is very important at this point in time. It is not a “jamboree” as some cynics try to portray it.  Because there is no way you can gather people in the name of conference without getting sound ideas that would help the process of nation-building.

    Nigerian youth are not uninformed. They are savvy and cerebral; and therefore, the conference will yield the results.

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    The conference will also create opportunity for networking amongst the diverse youth groups; strengthen national unity and integration and reinforce the spirit of democracy and democratization in our country.

    Yet, in spite of its significance, the Ministry of Youth Development failed to make budgetary allocation to the conference. No single kobo has been allocated for the national youth conference in 2025 budget. How come there will be a national youth conference; yet there is no budgetary provision?  It is a bad sign that despite the priority that President Tinubu attached to the conference, the ministry sent a budget proposal without a kobo for the youth conference.

    Even if the minister in charge is planning to go on begging development partners and rich people to fund the conference, which I am in total opposition, there’s still need to have a budget that can be scrutinized not only by the National Assembly, but also by all Nigerians. This will ensure accountability and transparency.

    Another unanswered question is the modality of selecting the delegates to attend the conference which the ministry is yet to release. How many state, local government and national delegates will be selected, and who will be responsible for selecting them?

    It should be borne in mind that we are talking about national conference; not local, state or zonal conference. It is also not an engagement with youth organizations. It must follow conference standard and format otherwise, it will not be a conference.

    •Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,Unguwa Katsina.

  • Agriculture varsities and their budgets

    Agriculture varsities and their budgets

    Sir: There are six agriculture universities under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). During the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the then Minister of Agriculture – Chief Audu Ogbe in his quest to mirror successful models in other countries where agricultural education is closely linked to agricultural governance relocated the universities of agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture rather than the Federal Ministry of Education. This arrangement was to foster partnerships with agricultural stakeholders, including donor agencies, agribusinesses, and international organizations, and help position the academia to develop innovation in the agricultural sector so that they will help the federal ministry drive its vision for the sector.

    It was expected that the universities align their programs, research, and training with national agricultural policies. By doing so, they are better positioned to contribute significantly to agricultural research, agricultural extension service delivery, and the transfer of knowledge and technology.

    Many years down the line, it has become important to track the progress and lessons learned on this relocation. I use the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) as a reference, although it is not significantly different across the other five universities of agriculture except for the Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Adamawa State.

    The FUNAAB was allocated a total of N13,857,441,794 for the year 2025, about N12,568,346,291 are for overhead with over N8 billion for salaries and wages, and only about N1,289,095,503 is slated for capital expenditures. In the capital budget to the FUNAAB, there are just four budget line items, and they include; (i) construction and rehabilitation of intra-campus road networks (ongoing) (N100,167,800), (ii) rehabilitation of existing sporting facilities in FUNAAB main campus (N32,000,000), (iii) construction and furnishing of office complex for technical and administrative staff (phase one) (N700,490,478), and (iv) construction of dam for the provision of clean water, distribution network, and irrigation system (reticulation) (N80,000,000).

    It is worrisome to discover that the plan of an institution like FUNAAB revolves around the four items. It is more worrisome that their budget hardly reflects the vision of being a center of excellence in knowledge generation for global development. The budget did not suggest any plan to support the government towards its agricultural transformation agenda. What is more shocking is that the budget lacks substance and is not a reflection of the needs of a specialized academic institution of research and learning.

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    I think that a university of agriculture should allocate funds for groundbreaking academic programs, technology, and research activities. Grants, fellowships, and scholarships for students and researchers should be part of the budget. The budget line items should be associated with things like agro-industry development, career services, and upgrading infrastructures like classrooms, laboratories, and hostels. There should be investments in specialized machinery, IT infrastructure, software, digital learning platforms, cybersecurity, and data management systems.

    Unfortunately, a quick appraisal of the capital budgets of the other universities as such did not establish evidence of intelligence and efficiency in resource allocation, academic and institutional planning, and the vision of meeting the objective of looping them with the Ministry of Agriculture ab initio.

    Apart from the universities, there are over 20 institutes and colleges of agriculture also falling into the trap of poor resource allocation. The budget of an academic institution of agriculture typically should have various items that reflect its educational, research, extension, and administrative activities. It is even possible to invest in agro-allied industries in these institutions as students are trained to be agro-entrepreneurs.

    For these institutions to be under the FMAFS, it should ensure a seamless connection between academic research and practical applications in the field. However, for a center of knowledge to fail to demonstrate excellence in resource allocation is rather unfortunate. Going forward, I think the Ministry of Agriculture should guide these universities in designing plans and curricula that address the specific needs of the agricultural sector for national development.

    •Godswill Aguiyi,godswill.aguiyi@gmail.com

  • Trump’s tough policies, wakeup call for African leaders

    Trump’s tough policies, wakeup call for African leaders

    Sir: President Donald Trump on assumption of office as the 47th president of the United States has instituted a comprehensive crackdown on illegal immigration and has broadly suspended U.S. foreign aid. Although these actions have different immediate targets, they send a powerful message to African leaders that reliance on foreign aid is increasingly unstable and fragile, and there is no better time than now to work towards self-sufficiency.

    Shortly after his inauguration, Trump enacted Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This order significantly broadens the scope of expedited removals and enhances interior enforcement activities (Federal Register, 2025). It authorizes government agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to carry out large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants. This operation has led to extensive raids in major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, resulting in the detention of thousands of individuals. The administration’s strong stance is further evidenced by the deployment of military assets to expedite deportations. Military aircraft, including C-17 flights, have been used to repatriate deportees to their countries of origin.

    The Trump administration has announced a 90-day suspension of nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs as it conducts a thorough review to ensure alignment with the “America First” policy. This abrupt halt in aid has significant implications for international aid organizations, particularly in Africa, where many countries depend heavily on U.S. support for essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. The immediate consequences of this suspension are severe. For example, in Ethiopia, the withdrawal of funding has forced organizations like Action Against Hunger to halt critical nutrition programs, leaving hundreds of thousands of individuals, including malnourished children, without necessary assistance.

    The emergence of these policies starkly illuminates the vulnerabilities inherent in a heavy reliance on external powers. The extensive deportations will undoubtedly result in a significant influx of returnees to various African nations, many of whom are likely to face formidable challenges as they attempt to reintegrate into societies they left behind years ago. The simultaneous withdrawal of funding poses a grave threat to essential services, exacerbating already pressing socio-economic issues that have long plagued these communities.

    African leaders must come to a critical realization that dependence on foreign aid and the exportation of labour is neither sustainable nor effective strategy for fostering long-term development. It is imperative to seek alternative pathways that empower local resources and harness the potential of their populations to build a resilient future.

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    Given these unfolding trends, African countries must adopt a strategy centered on self-reliance and resilience. This means diversifying their economies to reduce reliance on a narrow range of exports and external financing. By investing in technology, solutions-oriented research, efficient energy, and value-added agriculture, countries can create jobs and foster sustainable economic growth. Additionally, strengthening governance frameworks to improve transparency and accountability will attract both domestic and international investments. Implementing effective tax collection mechanisms and addressing corruption can enhance public revenue, enabling governments to finance their development initiatives independently. Regional cooperation is also essential for achieving these goals.

    The current geopolitical landscape, although poses significant challenges for African countries, however, also provide a critical opportunity for reflection and change. African leaders must seize this moment to reshape the future of their nations by implementing policies that promote self-sufficiency, economic diversification, and regional cooperation. By doing so, they can mitigate the impact of external policy changes and build a foundation for sustainable growth that is resilient to the fluctuations of global politics.

     The deportation policy and the suspension of foreign aid are not just policy decisions; they serve as urgent reminders for Africa to prioritize self-reliance. By rising to this challenge, African nations can transform difficulties into opportunities, paving the way for a future where their destinies are shaped not by external influences, but by the collective will and resourcefulness of their own people.

    •Tosin Afeniforo,Italy.

  • Good move by Kano’s Hisbah

    Good move by Kano’s Hisbah

    • By Kene Obiezu

    Sir: In Kano State, the  Hisbah Board (Hisbah) operates with all the power and authority of a religious police, which it is. Backed by the state government and drawing what it considers its extensive moral and spiritual authority from the Quran and Sharia Law, the body has been a force to reckon within the state for many years now.

    From seizing and destroying alcoholic drinks to prevent the consumption of alcohol in the state, to enforcing public decency by enforcing modesty among residents by sometimes shaving young boys, to banning the public display of mannequins by cloth sellers, the morality police has been at the center of maintaining public decency in Kano State for many years now. Its efforts have sometimes seen it enter into the very eye of the storm. But in a country where it is easier to become controversial than correct or credible and creditable, it is no surprise that Hisbah is controversial with all the work it does and how charged its encounters can be in the course of doing its work.

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    In Nigeria, the North clearly has the highest number of out-of-school children. A large chunk of these kids are resident in Kano State. A lot of these kids are cast-offs of the Almajiri system of education, a prominent feature of life in Northern Nigeria.  Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, may have recently sought to draw a dichotomy between almajirai and out-of school children, but the spectacular failure of her attempted categorization in the face of the sheer number and destitution of children who beg every day for a living while they should be in school put paid to any further hopes that almajirai are not out-of-school children.

    In the light of the darkness that the out-of-school children represent, Hisbah must be commended for recently relocating about 230 of these children from the streets of Kano. It is clearly a step in the right direction. Kano State witnessed the dangerous use to which these innocent children could be put during the protests of August 2024 when many of them were conscripted by criminals to wreak havoc on public property in the name of peaceful protests.

    The children should be sent to proper schools with the full support of their parents and guardians. Alongside school, they should be made to learn technical skills and entrepreneurship to prepare them for the future. They could also be used as peace ambassadors with a special remit to stand against terrorism in its many dangerous forms.

    That is what the Kano State Government is doing by keeping them in Hajj Camp and away from the streets. This is highly commendable.

    •Kene Obiezu,

    keneobiezu@gmail.com

  • Census and national transformation

    Census and national transformation

    • By Chiechefulam Ikebuiro

    Sir: In 2011, the National Census results in India revealed an anomaly in key gender metrics -the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). The CSR, defined as the number of girls per 1,000 boys aged 0–6 years, showed a steady decline from 945 in 1999 to 927 in 2001 and further dropped to 918 in 2011. This decline was largely attributed to the Sex Ratio at Birth, which highlighted deep-rooted gender discrimination and women’s disempowerment.

    The data revealed a strong socio-cultural and religious preference for boys, leading to pre-birth discrimination through gender-biased sex-selective abortions and post-birth discrimination through neglect of girls’ health, nutrition, and education.

    In response, the Indian government launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) initiative. Since its implementation, the national SRB has increased from 918 to 930 girls per 1,000 boys, and the gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary school level has risen from 75% to 78%. Institutional deliveries have also surged from 61% to 97%, significantly improving maternal and child health outcomes

    In essence, the BBBP scheme has made the safety, education, and health of girls a cornerstone of national development.

    In 2010, Brazil’s census revealed stark regional disparities in income, education, and access to services. This data informed the development of the Bolsa Família, a social welfare program designed to address inequality and poverty.

    Bolsa Família has been instrumental in reducing poverty rates and enhancing the well-being of beneficiary households by increasing consumption, improving access to basic services, and promoting social inclusion. The conditional cash transfer program, in particular, has helped break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, lifting over 35 million people out of extreme poverty.

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    Between 2003 and 2014, Brazil’s extreme poverty rate fell from 12% to 4%, while the Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, dropped from 0.58 to 0.51. School attendance rates among beneficiary children rose to over 95%, and dropout rates among children aged 6 to 17 decreased by 71%.

    In 2020, China’s census highlighted an aging population and a declining birth rate. In response, the government revised its one-child policy, allowing couples to have more children, supported by increased maternity leave benefits, housing subsidies, tax breaks for larger families, expanded childcare services, and reduced educational costs.

    These policy shifts were further supported by urban infrastructure development aimed at creating age-friendly environments, enhanced healthcare facilities, and housing options suitable for growing families in rapidly expanding cities.

    These examples illustrate the transformative potential of census data in addressing social, economic, and demographic challenges. A census is far more than a mere headcount as we are wont to believe. It is an invaluable tool for understanding the needs of a population, guiding policymakers, and informing development strategies.

    In the same vein, the absence of timely and accurate census data can hinder effective planning and development. For instance, Nigeria’s last census was conducted in 2006, nearly two decades ago. This lack of up-to-date data undermines the ability to plan for education, employment, healthcare, and infrastructure needs. The United Nations recommends conducting a census every 10 years to capture significant demographic changes and inform policymaking.

    The failure to conduct a census has left us all guessing at the true size of the population. This lack of data is detrimental to our national development, and this gap must be filled.

    That the president has given the directive to conduct a census this year is a welcome move, as it is long overdue.

    A comprehensive census is critical to national development. It informs policymakers of the needs of different regions. For instance, data on age distribution can help plan for education and employment programs tailored toward the youth population.

    An accurate census helps pinpoint demographic pressure points, such as youth bulges, which, if unemployed (as is the case here), can fuel crime and extremism. Our intelligence agencies can now use the data to predict where potential radicalization or security threats might emerge and deploy resources accordingly.

    It can help forecast labour force trends, identify skill gaps, and design policies aligned with future needs. It will help identify consumer markets and areas requiring investment. It will guide industrialization efforts.

    It’s high time we leveraged census data to build a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous country.

    While some may harbour mistrust about the census, fearing that it could be misused for personal gain, the president and the National Population Commission (NPC) must take steps to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.

    The time to prioritize credible census is now. Accurate data is the bedrock upon which our national progress can be built ensuring the needs of all citizens are met and the future of generations is equipped to thrive

    •Chiechefulam Ikebuiro,

    chiechefulamikebuiro@gmail.com

  • Breaking the cycle of domestic violence

    Breaking the cycle of domestic violence

    • By Zayd Ibn Isah

    Sir: Nothing clearly depicts man’s inhumanity to his fellow human being like the video circulating on social media of a woman burned to death by her supposed husband in Abagana, Anambra State. According to news reports, tempers flared between the couple after the husband confronted his wife over allegations of infidelity. In the ensuing drama, the husband, Sunday Nwanna, poured petrol on his wife, and, like bushes set ablaze during Harmattan, set her on fire.

    How does one explain a man setting his beloved wife ablaze over an unproven allegation of adultery—not even catching her in the act, let alone on their matrimonial bed?

    Unfortunately, domestic violence has become as rampant as weeds in a neglected garden. Couples no longer have the decency to resolve their issues amicably. As a result, many matrimonial homes have become little more than boxing rings where partners who were once in love now fight to the bitter end. According to a 2022 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 28% of women aged 15–49 in Nigeria have experienced physical violence at least once since the age of 15. Even more disturbing is the finding that over half of these women endured such violence from their current or former husbands or partners.

    It is not only women who suffer from domestic violence; men also find themselves at the receiving end of this culture of cruelty. However, male victimisation remains deeply underreported, as societal expectations often discourage men from admitting they have been abused. Two prominent cases point out the issue. The first is that of Maryam Sanda, who fatally stabbed her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a dispute over alleged infidelity. Her actions shocked the nation and ignited conversations about men as victims of domestic violence. Another high-profile case is that of Yewande Oyediran, who killed her husband, Lowo Oyediran, during an argument.

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    To break the cycle of domestic violence, victims should be encouraged to leave their marriages rather than being persuaded to endure the abuse with the hope that their partner will miraculously turn over a new leaf. Another way to break the cycle of domestic violence is to address the culture of undue tolerance or condonation. Many Nigerians and Africans, unfortunately, normalise abuse and make excuses for enduring it.

    Breaking this toxic culture requires a societal shift in mind-set. Families, communities, and religious institutions must emphasise the sanctity of life and the importance of self-worth over societal expectations. It’s crucial to challenge the narrative that enduring abuse is a virtue or a necessary sacrifice for the sake of marriage.

    Victims of domestic violence should not only be encouraged to leave abusive relationships but also be advised to seek legal redress in court instead of resorting to self-help. Speaking of self-help, the Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, once said he told his daughters to retaliate whenever their husbands slapped them. While the Emir’s frustration and desire to protect his daughters from abuse is understandable, resorting to self-help often exacerbates the problem. Except there is an immediate threat to life requiring self-defence, the wiser course of action is to leave an abusive marriage and pursue legal redress. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” as Mahatma Gandhi aptly said.

    Additionally, support systems, shelters, and counselling services for victims of domestic violence must be strengthened. Survivors need safe spaces where they can rebuild their lives without fear, judgment, or stigma. Providing resources and legal support will ensure that victims are empowered to make decisions that prioritize their safety and well-being. Ultimately, the malaise of faulty unions can be cured by constantly propagating the message that no marriage or relationship is worth losing one’s dignity, peace of mind, self-esteem and life. And even in the storm of bad relationships, we can always stretch our hands out to remind victims that their lives matter, and that they deserve all the love, care, understanding and support they can get.

    •Zayd Ibn Isah,

    lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • WHO: How Sub-Saharan Africa can mitigate U.S. withdrawal

    WHO: How Sub-Saharan Africa can mitigate U.S. withdrawal

    Sir: The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a pivotal role in global health governance, providing technical assistance, setting standards, and coordinating responses to health crises. Historically, the United States has been a significant contributor to the WHO, both financially and technically. Its withdrawal from the organization will have profound implications for the WHO’s ability to fulfil its mandate, particularly in vulnerable regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.

    The immediate consequence of the U.S. withdrawal is a significant reduction in the WHO’s budget. As the largest single contributor, the U.S. provided substantial funding, and its absence will necessitate cuts in programs and personnel. This could severely impair the WHO’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks, support national health systems, and conduct essential research.

    Sub-Saharan Africa, with its myriad health challenges, would be disproportionately affected. The region heavily relies on WHO support to combat infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as to strengthen primary healthcare systems and respond to health emergencies. A weakened WHO would struggle to maintain these critical services, potentially reversing hard-won health gains.

    Additionally, the U.S. withdrawal could undermine the WHO’s role in setting global health agendas and advocating for evidence-based policies. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for greater African ownership and leadership in global health. African countries can strengthen their own regional health organizations and increase their contributions to the WHO, ensuring the organization remains responsive to their needs. African leaders could view this as a chance to step up and enhance the healthcare system by focusing on local needs.

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    To counteract the potential negative effects of the U.S. withdrawal, African countries can take several steps:

    Strengthen Regional Collaboration: Enhance cooperation among regional health organizations, such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), to pool resources and expertise.

    Increase Domestic Investment in Health: Prioritize health spending in national budgets to reduce reliance on external funding.

    Encourage Local Healthcare Utilization: Build and trust in local healthcare systems, reducing dependence on medical tourism, which depletes foreign exchange.

    Diversify Funding Sources: Explore alternative funding mechanisms, including partnerships with the private sector and philanthropic organizations.

    Enhance Local Capacity: Promote the local manufacture of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies. Invest in training healthcare workers and strengthening health systems to improve resilience and self-reliance.

    By strengthening regional collaboration, increasing domestic investment, and diversifying funding sources, African countries can mitigate the negative impacts and ensure continued progress in improving the health of their populations.

    •Dr. Christian I. Ike (FPSN, FNIM) Atlanta Ga. United States.