News

OPINION: President Tinubu Is Not Deaf

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2024

Tunde Odesola

Daybreak Nigeria! All the make-up is gone now. On the forehead are lines of wrinkles. Short tears dry up midway down the sides of the nose, forming the ruthless eyeshadows of the tiger. The smile has turned into a sneer, the cheers are swallowed up by jeers, and laughter has ceased, seized by weeping and gnashing of teeth across the land. The calamity is total.

Now, the rich are also crying. Those not crying are shivering. Because nowhere is safe; palaces or huts. No one is smiling; kings or paupers. The American dollar is gripped by the spirit of Joseph’s dream, it’s now swallowing the naira. One dollar, just one dollar, is now swallowing one thousand five hundred naira. Èemò wòlú!

The land is bitter. Hunger is raining. Poverting is pollinating. Death is reigning. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man, who assured the citizenry, saying, “E lo f’okan bale,” appears lost. The Asiwaju called BAT also said, “Let the poor breathe,” but the air has ceased. The poor can’t inhale, the rich can’t exhale. Yoruba kings have become chickens inside a pitch-black cage, and the Fulani cobra coils up in a corner, snacking them up one by one – after its regular feast on the people. The bat of the night has lost its voice.

But, the purpose of this article isn’t to paint our country in sad colours. It’s to make you laugh and forget the woes besetting our beloved country – even if only momentarily. The expression, “Òrò burúkú tòhun tèrín,” signposts the junction called Bittersweet. Inside his regalia, the egungun must endure his fart, he dares not tear off his mask. Èewò òrìsà! The Abami Eda – Fela Anikulapo – called it Shuffering and Shmiling.

Imagine you bought a plate of rice, beans, veggies and chicken. Iya Ramota, the food seller, tells you to go home and wait for your order. Back at home, you waited all day, and Iya Ramo didn’t show up. At midnight, she shows up with a big plate and a toothpick in her hands. She picks a grain of rice with the toothpick and puts it in your mouth. She also remembers to put in a grain of beans before she leaves with the food. You jump up, shouting Up Iya Ramo!

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Isn’t this what you do when you shout ‘Up NEPA!’ after being ripped off by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria – when you should be shouting, ‘wahala, wahala, wahala’ – in the voice of that irritant musician in Sango, Ogun State, whose wisecracks overflows from a portable suitcase? Isn’t that shuffering and shmiling?

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is the longest word in the English dictionary. You can count how many letters it has, good luck. But don’t try to pronounce it, please. I don’t want to be held responsible for missing teeth, biko. Do not say I didn’t warn you o, ehn-ehn, because Nigeria is a now country where a packet of unadulterated antibiotic costs between N45,000 and N60,000 when the minimum wage of over 104 million citizens remains N30,000, according to the World Bank figures.

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a fibrotic lung disease caused when you breathe in chemical dust such as silica, coal dust or asbestos. Yes, asbestos! Asbestos is a potential killer outlawed for building in developed countries.

Silicosis is another name for pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. Yet another synonym for it is ‘black lung’. It’s also called pneumoconiosis. When I consider the various names of the disease, I see the developed world running with the simplified versions, researching, while Nigeria, the h(r)ope of the black man, smokes on a keg of gunpowder.

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Growing up, I listened to the sweet voice of King Sunny Ade, singing “Ile o labo sinmi oko…,” a song he did about his journey to London, extolling the importance of home over the farmstead. Kennery King, Orlando Owoh, also did a song, ‘Ero ki yeye mi,” in praise of home. Before KSA and Orlando’s songs, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey had done a song about the importance of home.

Home is a place of refuge. It’s a stockade to leave and return to after toilings afield. Many years ago, Nigerians in the Diaspora considered Nigeria as home, and their foreign abodes as farmsteads because home is where you feel secure and loved, wanted. The reverse is the case now. Nigeria has turned into oko (farmstead) while foreign abodes have become homes.

About 700 years ago, Africa was invaded for slaves by the West. About 500 years later, slavery was abolished and a new form of slavery called colonisation started. Though Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960, the domineering influence of the British and America over the country is still strong, owing to corruption and misgovernance by Nigerian rulers.

Nigeria’s former slave masters have long departed, and the land has been despoiled. Nigerians themselves are the ones now begging to go and be slaves in foreign lands. They risk lives and limbs, stowing away on planes and ships because the country is no longer at ease. What would Nigerian children taken or born abroad be? Where would they call home? Nigeria or foreign lands?

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Last week, I shook my head when I heard that a friend of mine, in a bid to erase his family’s link with a particular Yoruba river, had changed his name to reflect his Christian religion. But Jesus Christ never told any of his disciples to change their family names which reflected their pagan histories.

Two days ago, Madison Academy in Alabama, USA, announced the return of Mustang Mud Run 5K, calling on interested participants to reserve their spots. The announcement says, “Prepare to have fun and put your skills to the test in North Alabama’s Mud Run. The obstacle course, situated on the campus of Madison Academy, will challenge participants with 18-22 obstacles along and through Indian Creek and the adjacent wooded areas. The family-friendly, fun mud run is open to anyone over the age of 12. Runners are expected to slip, slide, climb, jump, slog, and swing their way to a fun finish.”

Were this event native to Nigeria, many zealots, who have made pastors and imams their gods, would say the sport belonged to the devil, forgetting that they themselves are from mud! They would cast and bind and speak in tongues.

The zealots, their pastors and imams won’t pray hail and brimstones on the political leadership that has refused to hand over criminal cop, Abba Kyari, to the US, for trial over alleged involvement in wire fraud. Kyari, while on suspension over involvement in wire fraud, was caught on video negotiating the release of 25kg of cocaine for $61,000. He remains a member of the Nigeria Police Force to date, earning a salary.

It’s funny how we run this type of unjust country and still expect birds to chirp like birds, and rats squeak like rats. Ka ma ri ni Poolu wi. Apostle Paul says such an expectation is a mirage.

So, I hissed when Fuji singer, Wasiu Ayinde, called on President Tinubu in a viral video, telling him that Nigerians are shuffering. If the President doesn’t know by now that Nigerians are living in the worst of times, and it takes a bard to call his attention to it, it’s time to wind down the country and give it back to Britain or America for colonisation. But I would prefer the Chinese. I love their language.

News

Top 11 Friendliest Countries To Visit

Published

2 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Some countries leave a lasting impression not only because of their sights, but because of the people who call them home. These are places where visitors feel welcome the moment they arrive, where locals are quick to offer directions, share a meal, or simply start a conversation. From busy cities to quiet communities, these destinations stand out for their warmth and hospitality.

Contents
1. Panama
2. Mexico
3. Indonesia
4. Costa Rica
5. Philippines
6. Taiwan
7. Portugal
8. Ireland
9. Canada
10. Australia
11. Thailand

In this article, Nigerian Tribune highlights eleven friendly countries to visit:

1. Panama

Expats say Panama is one of the easiest places to settle into, with affordable living, friendly neighbours and a relaxed pace of life. Its mix of cultures reflects in the way locals open their doors to newcomers, whether you’re exploring rainforests or relaxing along the coast.

2. Mexico

Mexico’s hospitality is well-known. From big cities to small towns, visitors often talk about how locals guide them, recommend places to explore or strike up a chat. The welcoming spirit is part of daily life, making even first-time travellers feel at home.

3. Indonesia

Community life plays a strong role here. Through the tradition of gotong royong, people work together and look out for one another. Tourists note how Indonesians patiently help with language barriers and enjoy sharing their culture, especially in places like Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

4. Costa Rica

Costa Ricans are known for their warm, positive outlook, summed up in the phrase pura vida. Visitors say the people are approachable, ready to assist and always proud to show off their forests, waterfalls and beaches. Even non-Spanish speakers find it easy to settle in here.

5. Philippines

The Philippines offers more than beautiful islands. Many Filipinos speak English, which makes interaction easy, but it is the hospitality that stands out. Locals often treat visitors like family, adding a personal touch to travels across the country.

6. Taiwan

Taiwanese people are polite, patient and eager to help. Travellers often mention how someone will stop to offer assistance if they look confused. The blend of traditional culture and modern life also creates an inviting environment for visitors.

7. Portugal

Portugal has gained a reputation for being warm and easygoing. Whether you are wandering through Lisbon or exploring seaside towns, you’ll find locals who are welcoming, helpful and proud to share their history, food and way of life.

8. Ireland

Ireland consistently ranks high for friendliness. The people are known for their humour, openness and storytelling. Many visitors recall how strangers struck up conversations or helped them find their way. Dublin, in particular, enjoys a strong reputation for being exceptionally welcoming.

9. Canada

Canada’s multicultural setting and calm pace of life reflect how locals interact with visitors. Politeness is a strong cultural trait, and travellers often talk about the kindness they encounter from major cities to smaller towns surrounded by nature.

10. Australia

Australians are known for their relaxed approach and willingness to help. The spirit of “mateship” encourages people to look out for one another, and visitors see this in everyday interactions. Whether at a beach, café or tourist spot, the friendly attitude is hard to miss.

11. Thailand

Called the “Land of Smiles”, Thailand’s reputation speaks for itself. The cheerful attitude of locals, influenced by cultural values that embrace kindness and joy, makes travelling here pleasant. Even in busy markets or tourist centres, visitors still encounter genuine warmth.

These destinations show that travel is about places but the people you meet along the way. Their friendliness adds colour to the journey and often becomes the most memorable part of the experience.

News

7 Health Risks Of Owning A Cat

Published

9 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Ismaila Biliaminu Manne
December 24, 2025
Cat risk of schizophrenia
In many households worldwide, cats are among the most popular domestic pets that humans coexist with. Research has shown that cats can offer emotional support, improve their owners’ moods, and contribute to their overall morale.

Contents
1. Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD)
2. Toxoplasmosis
3. Allergies and Asthma Triggers
4. Ringworm (Fungal Infection)
5. Rabies (Though Rare in House Cats)
6. Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, and Worms
7. Psychotic illnesses.

Although cats are great companions, cat owners should be aware that sometimes cats can carry harmful germs that pose health risks to humans and can make people sick. This can happen even when they appear healthy and clean.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Tribune discusses the major health risks of owning a cat that really matter to protect yourself and your household.

1. Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD)

When a playful kitten scratches you a bit too hard, it stings, but it can also lead to cat-scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria. People become infected with Bartonella henselae from the scratch of domestic or feral cats, particularly kittens. Because cats can have fleas that carry B. henselae bacteria, these bacteria can be transmitted from a cat to a person during a scratch that is contaminated with flea feces (poop).

B. henselae infection occurs most often in children under the age of 15. The infection usually spreads through scratches, bites, or when a cat’s saliva gets into broken skin.

2. Toxoplasmosis

This is one of the most talked-about risks of owning a pet, especially for pregnant women. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite found in cat feces. And while cats usually pick it up from hunting, humans can get infected when handling litter boxes or contaminated soil.

Most people have mild symptoms of this infection that may be similar to the flu. But infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, or cause problems for the baby, including blindness and seizures. “Pregnant women and people with lowered immunity are most at risk,” according to The Conversation.

Most healthy adults never notice symptoms. But toxoplasmosis can be dangerous for pregnant women and people with compromised immunity.

3. Allergies and Asthma Triggers

According to a report, research showed that up to 1 in 5 people have an allergic response to cats, and this figure is increasing. Most people allergic to cats react to a protein called Fel d 1. The main cat allergen is produced in the glands of the cat, including the sebaceous (oil-producing skin glands) and salivary glands

Also, Cat dander (tiny flakes of skin) triggers reactions in millions of people.

Allergic reactions range from itchy eyes to severe asthma attacks.

4. Ringworm (Fungal Infection)

Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the scalp, skin, or nails (onychomycosis). It gets its name because it causes a ring-shaped, itchy rash. And it typically looks red on light skin and appears gray or brown on darker skin.

Despite the name, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. It’s a contagious fungal infection that cats can carry, especially kittens. Humans can get ringworm by touching infected fur or surfaces.

5. Rabies (Though Rare in House Cats)

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal. Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.

After a rabies exposure, the rabies virus must travel to the brain before it can cause symptoms. This time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms is the incubation period, which may last for weeks or months.

Meanwhile, there is a slim chance for vaccinated indoor cats, but rabies is still among the serious risks of owning a cat if your pet roams outdoors or is not vaccinated. Rabies spreads through bites from infected animals and is almost always fatal once symptoms show.

6. Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, and Worms

Fleas love cats almost as much as we do — and they bring problems. Fleas can cause allergic reactions, tapeworms, and even anemia in kittens. Ticks carry Lyme disease, and cats can also spread roundworms and hookworms to humans.

Hookworms are parasites that normally live in animals like dogs or cats. However, they can spread to humans through the skin. When they infect people, the hookworms can cause a disease called cutaneous larva migrans (CLM).

7. Psychotic illnesses.

According to a Tribune Online report, researchers from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research in Australia had examined data spanning 44 years and 11 countries, including the US and the UK, and found a significant link between cat exposure and later diagnosis of psychotic illnesses.

The report further explains that a “significant positive association” exists between having a cat and an increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders, which affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, so discovering possible environmental factors is essential to advancing both prevention and treatment.

News

FULL LIST: Churches That Don’t Celebrate Christmas

Published

39 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

While the vast majority of Christian denominations celebrate Christmas on December 25 as the birth of Jesus Christ, a minority do not observe it as a religious holiday.

Here is a comprehensive list of major groups that officially or traditionally do not celebrate Christmas, based on their doctrines and practices:

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses

The most well-known group; they view Christmas as having pagan roots and note that the Bible does not command celebrating Jesus’ birth (or birthdays in general). They stopped observing it in the 1920s after research into its origins.

2. Armstrongite Churches of God (e.g., United Church of God, Living Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, and other splits from the former Worldwide Church of God). These groups, influenced by Herbert W. Armstrong, reject Christmas due to its alleged pagan origins and lack of biblical mandate. They instead observe Old Testament holy days.

3. Certain Strict Presbyterian
Denominations in Scotland (e.g., Free Church of Scotland, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Associated Presbyterian Churches, Free Church of Scotland). These conservative Reformed groups view Christmas as an extra-biblical “Roman Catholic” holiday with no scriptural warrant and historically discouraged or banned its observance.

4. Churches of Christ (Restoration Movement): Many (though not all) congregations do not hold special Christmas services or emphasize the holiday in church, seeing it as unbiblical and treating it as a private cultural matter rather than a religious observance.

5. True Jesus Church

A restorationist group that rejects Christmas for theological reasons, emphasizing only biblically mandated practices.

6. Iglesia ni Cristo

This restorationist church from the Philippines does not celebrate Christmas, viewing it as unbiblical and of pagan origin.

7. Some Independent or Fundamentalist Groups (e.g., certain Independent Baptists, Oneness Pentecostals). Various conservative or fundamentalist congregations reject it on similar grounds of pagan influence or lack of biblical support.

8. Other Notable Mentions

God’s Kingdom Society — Celebrates Jesus’ birth in October instead.

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) — Rejects it due to pagan origins.

Deeper Life Bible Church — Leadership has stated they do not celebrate it, viewing it as unbiblical.

Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) — Traditionally view every day as holy and avoid special religious holidays, though individual observance varies.