News

[OPINION] Northern Amnesia: Governor Sani, The Table Shaker

Published

2 months ago

July 30, 2025

By Israel Adebiyi

“When truth is buried underground, it grows, it chokes, it gathers such explosive force that on the day it bursts out, it blows up everything with it.”
— Émile Zola

There’s a kind of silence that settles over the land after years of failure. A silence made of shame, denial, and carefully chosen half-truths. In Northern Nigeria, that silence has become an institution — polite, predictable, and profoundly dangerous.

Then came Uba Sani — with words that cut through like harmattan wind.

At a recent citizen engagement summit in Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani did what few northern politicians have ever dared. He faced the region and told it the truth: “We failed our people.” Not they. We. All of us who have held power in the North in the past two decades, he said, must offer the people an apology.

In that single moment, he shattered the convenient forgetfulness the North has grown used to. He didn’t call out Abuja. He didn’t drag the South. He didn’t blame some vague colonial past or “outsiders.” He pointed the finger inward — and included himself.

That is no small thing. That is not politics. That is an act of courage.

Because what Governor Sani spoke to is not just political miscalculation. It’s a generational betrayal. A betrayal that has left too many Northern children unschooled, too many women dying in childbirth, too many communities in darkness, and too many homes listening for the next gunshot.

Let’s stop for a moment and look at the evidence — not the emotion, but the math.

According to the 2022 National Multidimensional Poverty Index, nine of the ten poorest states in Nigeria are in the North. In Sokoto, over 90% of people live in poverty. Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa — same story. We’re not just failing; we’ve normalized failure.

And yet, this is the region that has held the most power in Nigeria since independence. Presidents. Military heads of state. Senators. Generals. Governors. Ministers. National Security Advisers. We’ve produced them all. But not the outcomes.

We’ve built palaces in Abuja, but not a working school in Shinkafi. We’ve padded budgets but abandoned hospitals in Birnin Kebbi. In some states, over 60% of children aged 6–15 have never seen the inside of a classroom. What kind of leadership allows this?

Northern mothers still die in delivery rooms at three times the national average, according to the latest NDHS report. Some rural health centres don’t even have paracetamol. The elites fly abroad. The poor bury their dead.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: [OPINION] BUHARI: The Man Who Missed Redemption

Security? Forget it. From Zamfara to Katsina to Niger, bandits have made homes out of forests. Whole villages are ghost towns. And yet, most of the top military chiefs in the last decade came from this region. Who, then, is to blame?

Let’s talk money. The North is land-rich but cash-poor. While Lagos alone contributes over 30% to Nigeria’s GDP, most northern states struggle to hit 1%. But the same northern governors go cap-in-hand for federal allocation and call it development. Where are the industries? Where is the productivity?

This is what Sani is shaking — a region that has grown comfortable with underdevelopment and allergic to self-reflection.

Some elites have pushed back, of course. Former senators and political juggernauts who built their careers on recycled loyalty have tried to downplay his remarks. They say he was too harsh. That he forgot their “service”. That he shouldn’t “wash dirty linen in public.”

But if that linen hasn’t been washed for 40 years, where should it be aired?

Let’s be honest — it is easier to blame Buhari, or Tinubu, or the South. But Sani refuses the easy route. He says: we, the North, are not victims here. We are architects of our own decline.

He refuses to play the amnesia game.

You can feel the discomfort in the air. He has stepped on toes — and many of those toes wear agbadas. But the truth is not about comfort. It’s about course correction.

This isn’t about just Uba Sani. It’s about whether the North still has the capacity to face its reflection. To see the rot — and clean house. To stop building dynasties and start building schools. To stop naming roads after ancestors and start giving roads to rural farmers.

Too many of our children are stuck in almajiri cycles while the children of the elite occupy UK universities. Too many of our mothers die in labor while wives of past governors set up foundations for photo-ops. Too many old names have stayed too long — and are grooming their sons for the throne.

That is what Governor Sani is fighting: not just silence, but the inheritance of silence.

He says, “Let’s apologise.” But apology alone is not enough. It must be backed with a plan. A Marshall Plan for the North — real investment, not campaign slogans. Functional education, not workshops. Security that protects, not retaliates. Jobs that empower, not enslave.

It must come with the rethinking of what power is: not title, not convoy, not prayer photos — but legacy measured in lives changed, not lives lost.

Governor Sani’s voice may be lonely now. But history listens to such voices. And perhaps, just perhaps, in that lone voice, the North might find a new beginning.

Because silence, when it becomes tradition, is nothing but consent.

And now, one man has dared to shout.

News

Five Soft Skills Every Graduate Must Have In Today’s Job Market

Published

3 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

There is no doubt that graduating from university anywhere in the world is not a small feat but a major milestone.

However, securing a job in today’s competitive labour market, especially in a country like Nigeria, requires more than just a degree as employers now look for graduates who possess practical skills that can add value to their organisations from day one.

The workplace in today’s world is shaped by technology, globalization, and evolving business needs.

As a result, graduates must develop skills that go beyond academic knowledge to remain relevant and employable.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five essential skills every graduate should have in today’s job market.

1. Digital literacy

The world has no doubt become a global village, and as a graduate, you cannot afford to be left behind. In almost every sector today, technology is at the centre of operations. From using productivity tools and managing data to adapting to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, digital literacy is a must-have for graduates.

Graduates who are familiar with digital platforms, social media, and online collaboration tools often stand out during recruitment. Being digitally literate also means being able to learn new software quickly, a trait employers value highly.

2. Communication skills

This is an important skill not just for graduates but for everyone. The importance of communication in navigating all aspects of life cannot be overemphasised. It remains one of the strongest predictors of workplace success.

As a graduate, you must be able to express your ideas effectively, both in writing and in speech. Good communication fosters teamwork, leadership, and strong professional relationships.

3. Critical thinking and problem-solving

Life is not a bed of roses, and there will always be challenges that require critical thinking to resolve. Employers want graduates who can analyse situations, think logically, and propose solutions rather than simply follow instructions.

In organisations, unexpected challenges arise frequently, and individuals who can make sound decisions under pressure are highly valued. Critical thinking also helps graduates evaluate information and avoid bias.

4. Adaptability and flexibility

If there is one lesson COVID-19 taught us, it is that nothing is certain. The pandemic proved how quickly industries can change. From remote work to automation, graduates must be adaptable to remain employable.

Adaptability means being open to new ideas, adjusting to different work environments, and learning new skills as industries evolve. Employers also value flexibility in graduates who can handle multiple roles or shift priorities as needed. Being adaptable often signals resilience, a quality highly sought after in uncertain job markets.

5. Emotional intelligence

While technical know-how is undoubtedly important, emotional intelligence is what often sets successful graduates apart. Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to manage relationships.

In workplaces where collaboration is key, graduates with strong emotional intelligence can work well with diverse teams, resolve conflicts, and even take on leadership roles earlier in their careers.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Start A Small Business In These 7 Steps

Published

3 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

The idea of starting a business is exciting; it’s your chance to turn an idea into something real. But let’s be honest, it can also feel scary.

From money problems to finding your first customers, challenges will definitely come your way. But the good news is, if you take things step by step, you can grow steadily.

Here are 7 simple steps to help you figure out how to start your small business:

1. Begin with an idea you believe in

Every venture, business or not, starts with an idea. It doesn’t have to be glamorous, just something valuable to people, one you have some faith in. You can ask questions like, “Does this solve a problem?” “Will people find it useful?”

2. Do some research

Before you begin anything, find out more about your idea, your market, and potential operations. Who will buy from you? Who is selling something similar? Research can get overwhelming, so stay focused.

3. Write a simple plan

A simple plan? Yes. Don’t bother yourself with confusing techniques and long documents. Simply have a short plan with your goals, budget, target customers, and means of reaching them.

This plan will be a guide when things get overwhelming and confusing.

4. Make smart money decisions

One of the biggest struggles for small businesses is running out of money. Start small, avoid unnecessary spending, and separate business from personal money. Even if you don’t have much, discipline matters.

5. Start small

It can be quite tempting to want to rush and be big overnight. Don’t fall prey. Instead, you can first test your product or service with a few people, listen to feedback, and improve. E.g., a small bakery testing cakes and pastries with friends and neighbours.

Small mistakes are easier (and cheaper) to fix than the huge ones that might get hard to rectify.

6. Choose people over sales

News

‘My Wife Keeps Late Nights, Returns Home Drunk, Denies Me Sex Since She Joined OPC’

Published

10 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court 2 sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 13-year-old wedlock between a couple, Adisa and Falilat, on the grounds of no love, irresponsibility, drunkenness and keeping of late nights by the latter.

Adisa stated that Falilat became wild and uncontrollable after she joined the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

Adisa explained that Falilat hardly slept at home and on the few occasions she did, she always denied him s3x.

According to the plaintiff, the last time he and the defendant had s3x was almost two years ago.

He added that their children always looked haggard and unkempt because she seldom cooks for them nor gave attention to their appearance.

Adisa said he could no longer stomach Falilat’s excesses and therefore prayed that their union be dissolved.

Falilat refused to come to court in spite of being served court summonses.

Adisa in his evidence said, My wife and I got married 13 years ago although I did not pay her bride price.

“The once intimate and steady relationship between my wife and I has turned sour and degenerated because of her rebellious nature.

“She has made life unbearable for me ever since she joined the OPC. Falilat is now wild and uncontrollable.

“She refuses to take instructions from me and dares that I do my worst any time we have a misunderstanding.

“My wife has completely abandoned her duties at home.

“She neither cooks for our children nor ensures that they appear neat. They look haggard and unkempt all the time.

“Falilat hardly sleeps at home. On the few occasions she did, she would return home in the middle of the night drunk and disturbing the neighbourhood.

“She has turned me into a source of ridicule in our compound and neighbourhood.

“Falilat denies me my conjugal right. The last time we had sex was almost two years ago.

“My lord, I am better off without a wife than have Falilat under my roof.

“I pray the court to stop our relationship so that I can have peace of mind.”

The court president, Mrs O.E Qwoseni, while giving her judgment stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was carried out and the bride price was not paid.

Owoseni added that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend herself but that she failed to make use of the opportunity.

According to her, the evidence of the plaintiff was deemed admitted.

Ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union.