Category: Daily Trust

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has asked the Niger State and the Federal Governments to rise up to their responsibilities and protect communities from daily bandit attacks.

The National President of the Association, Dr. Usman Akanbi Oladipo, in a statement, expressed deep concern over assaults on farming communities in Magama, Mariga, Kontagora, Borgu, Rijau and other parts of Niger State.

He said the continuous attacks on the affected farmers not only threatens the safety of victims and other law abiding citizens, but also have a deep negative impact on the country’s food security as well as the agricultural revolution of the Niger State Governor.

He urged the state and the federal governments to immediately deploy adequate and effective security measures using relevant technology like drones to secure the affected communities to enable the displaced farmers return to their homes to harvest their farm produce.

He said, ‘The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is deeply concerned by the daily bandits’ attacks on farming communities in Magama, Mariga, Kontagora, Borgu, Rijau, and other parts of Niger State. These relentless attacks have caused displacements of thousands of farmers, including women and children, destroying livelihoods, and causing severe trauma.

‘ANA is concerned about the complete disruption of children’s education in the affected areas. For several years, these children have lost access to education and meaningful upbringing after the killing or displacement of their parents by bandits.

‘As writers, educators, and conscience-keepers of Nigerian society, we wish to draw the attention of the Niger State and Federal governments to the lingering plight of these hapless farmers whose contributions to the food security drive of the country and indeed of the Farmer-Governor, His Excellency Umar Bago, can never be underestimated.

‘The continuous attacks on these farmers not only threatens the safety of victims and other law abiding citizens, but also have a deep negative impact on the country’s food security as well as the agricultural revolution of the Niger State Governor,’ the president added.

The Association also called on both state and federal governments to provide immediate humanitarian support to the displaced families, including food, shelter, and medical care, and as well as prioritise the safe re-opening and protection of schools.

‘The Association of Nigerian Authors stands in solidarity with the people of Niger State and all other states affected by violent crimes across the country.

‘Securing the lives and livelihoods of rural communities is securing the future of the nation.’ he added.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the demolition of properties owned by Igbos in Lagos State, saying the exercise has brought pain at a time many Nigerians are struggling.

Speaking during the commissioning of projects in Aba, Abia state, Kalu urged the president to prevail on the Lagos state government to stop the demolitions and allow affected owners to regularise their documents.

‘Mr president, I also want to say that the destruction and demolition of the houses and offices of our brothers in Lagos makes our hearts bleed,’ Kalu said.

He appealled to the Lagos State government to continue to accommodate those yet to obtain their documents.

According to him, ‘For some of them who have not gotten the right documents, my plea to you is to appeal to the governor of Lagos state to keep accommodating our brothers.

‘Allow them to rectify their documents instead of destruction. Let them come into the room, find a way, and regularise some of these documents. It bleeds our hearts that houses are being destroyed in these hard times’, he added.

The Lagos State Government had recently demolished plazas at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo Local Government Area.

The exercise was carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.

Earlier in the week, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, visited the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market with lawmakers including Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh.

Obi faulted the exercise, insisting that the structures had valid approvals.

But Lagos Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olumide Oluyinka, said the buildings lacked approvals and were unsafe.

He stressed that the demolition was not targeted at Igbo traders.

Kamilu Ibrahim is an artist, a script writer, a director and a producer known in the Kannywood as Dan Hausa. In this interview with Weekend Trust, the producer talks about his mission in the industry among other things.

Who is Dan Hausa?

My name is Kamilu Ibrahim born 31 years ago, and people in the filmmaking industry know me as Dan Hausa. I was born in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano state. After my formal education, I got trained at the High Definition Film Academy in Abuja, SAE Institute, and also took part in the U.S. Embassy’s Filmmaking for Impact program. After completion of several trainings, I joined the kannywood filmmaking industry and started directing in 2017. That was how I ventured into the industry and it has been one good story or the other ever since I joined the industry.

Why film directing, when you can be an actor?

My journey into the entertainment sector began with my love for storytelling; I started as a scriptwriter, then worked closely with experienced filmmakers in the industry before directing my first film. Over the years, I have learned that directing isn’t just about cameras and lights, but it is about understanding people, culture, and the power of narrative ability.

However, while growing up, I came to learn how films could educate and inspire people. In Arewa, to explore our talents, cinema is more than entertainment; it’s a mirror of the larger society. I want to use that mirror to reflect our values, challenges, and hopes. That desire to make meaningful films kept me moving and finally succeeded in pushing me into directing.

What is your motivation in today’s Kannywood?

For me, it’s merging modern cinematic techniques with our Hausa cultural identity. I love bold visuals and tight storytelling, but I never want to lose that traditional heartbeat of my origin, I am a Hausa personality and I will not fail to show that in my films. My goal has always been to raise our production quality to international standards while staying true to our roots’, you can see the proof of that in my current and biggest project, ‘Wata Shida’.

How would you describe your directing style?

I like to call my style ‘realism with purpose.’ I focus on authenticity in every scene, every performance; every frame must feel true to life. But I also ensure that there’s always a message, something the audience can take home and reflect on.

What are some of your notable works?

Some of my notable works include, Wata Shida which is currently airing and the feedback we are receiving shows that the film has an overwhelming response from the public and there are others like Lulu Da Andalu a myth-inspired adventure series showing on AREWA24 and YouTube.

It will interest you to note that YouTube is what pushed us to think bigger in terms of story and production. My film Mijin Hajiya earned me Best Director at the 2024 Kano Entertainment Awards, while Tataburza made waves at film festivals. Earlier films like Bakon Yanayi (2019) and my debut Kulba Na Barna (2017) helped me define my style. However, my latest project, Amaryar Lalle which starred actress Rahama Sadau, it is good to understand that each project is a step forward in showing what Kannywood can achieve.

What awards and recognitions have you earned?

I have also been recognised by the Arewa5050 Awards and Kaduna International Film Festival (KIFF) for Lulu Da Andalu, which even won Best Indigenous Hausa Film. There is also an AMVCA nomination for best African indigenous language, which is exciting because it means Hausa stories are getting wider attention.’

Who are your key collaborators?

Filmmaking is teamwork and single individuals can’t succeed in the sector without effective collaboration. Prominent actor and singer TY Shaba have been a creative partner on several projects that I have executed, especially on Lulu Da Andalu. I have also worked with Rahama Sadau on Amaryar Lalle.

What themes do you usually explore in your films?

I like telling stories where modern life clashes with traditional values, family conflict, cultural identity, gender roles among others. These are real issues in our society, and I try to explore them honestly but cinematically. I believe film should make people feel and also think right.

What is your next project?

I am working on Wata Shida Season 2, it is a story about a woman who enters a six-month sham marriage to protect her inheritance. It’s a socially meaningful but also very entertaining film. I am currently working on the continuation of season 2 of ‘Amaryar Lalle.’

Can you tell us a little about your latest project?

This latest project of mine is very close to my heart. It follows a story of a young girl fighting to get educated in a society full of obstacles that ranges from socio-religious huddles. However, through her character we see how family, tradition, and resilience collide, and how hope can survive even in the harshest situations.

What inspired you to make this story?

Growing up, I saw so many bright young girls whose dreams were cut short just because they were girls. I felt a sense of responsibility to tell this story as a fiction, but as a mirror of what is happening around us.

How do you balance tradition and modernity in your work?

It’s about understanding and respect for traditions. I respect our traditions, but I also embrace new technology and ideas. In my films, I make sure traditional values are represented truthfully, while using modern techniques to improve production quality.

What challenges do you face as a director in Kannywood?

Budgets are often limited, and resources can be scarce. But the biggest challenge is sometimes societal misunderstanding of what we do as filmmakers. People forget that film is also an art form and a tool for change, not just entertainment.

What advice would you give to aspiring directors?

Learn the craft and don’t rush. Watch other people’s films, study scripts, spend time on set even if it’s just to observe. Most importantly, stay humble and focused. Filmmaking is about patience, teamwork, and vision.

How would you want to be remembered?

I would want to be remembered as someone who had tried to blend two conflicting concepts in making one single and meaningful piece. That is how I would want to be remembered.

Even as former president Goodluck Jonathan is yet to speak about his intention to run for the presidency in 2027, speculations that he will run are rife.

Rather than attenuate, such projections have fuelled further debate about the former president, while his continued silence over the matter has served to heighten the suspicion that he is considering running for the position.

The projections appear even more probable due to recent happenings around the current president, which include the fact that his interactions with political parties have increased, his public appearances have also multiplied, while his close associates have been unusually upbeat about his chances of winning should he decide to contest.

Hitherto, the 2027 projections had centred around the three major presidential candidates that contested the 2023 elections: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP; Peter Obi of the Labour Party; and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the NNPP. Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, had also been factored in, given his renewed interest.

There are, however, strong indications that the former president is making serious consultations on the possibility of running for the office. Only last week, the former president paid a visit to his long-time political associate, former Senate President David Mark, who is now the national chairman of the African Democratic Party (ADC), and had lengthy discussions believed not to be unrelated to the former’s intention to run.

This week, former minister for information, Prof. Jerry Gana, who is a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also came out to say point-blank that Jonathan would contest the 2027 election. Speaking to journalists shortly after a PDP congress in Minna, Niger State, Gana said Nigerians had experienced two other leaders after Jonathan and were now yearning for his return.

‘I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as president again,’ he added.

There was also an event to celebrate the ‘good qualities’ of the former president slated for the Independence Day, which was, however, put off due to what the organisers described as ‘pressure from outside.’

The much-advertised stage play entitled The Patriot was to celebrate the patriotism and statesmanship of former president Jonathan. Posters, billboards, and clips on various social media platforms announcing the staging of the play with images of former president Jonathan conspicuously on them were placed at strategic points in Abuja and shared across various media platforms.

As many turned out at the venue to watch the play as advertised, the producer, Patrick Otoro, came on stage to explain that it would no longer be staged and had been replaced with another one titled Our Yard Our Bond. He explained that shortly after the adverts for The Patriot went out, they received several calls alleging that they were staging it to campaign for Jonathan.

Though he did not say where the calls were coming from, he said they made it clear that it was not yet time for campaigns.

‘We got calls that we were campaigning for Jonathan. That was not our intention. No, we’re not campaigning. We don’t belong to any political party. We just wanted to honour him for making that call,’ he said.

Among the dignitaries that turned up at the event were the former minister of information and PDP chieftain, Prof. Jerry Gana, and former secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

On Friday, the former president was also at the presentation of a book, Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, authored by a former chief of defence staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd).

Analysts said if the former president is not interested in contesting in 2027, he would have made that clear by now instead of keeping people guessing.

Presidency, PDP worried

In a shocking development, the presidency did not wait for Jonathan to declare before responding to Prof. Gana. Special Adviser to the president on information and strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, described the comment by Gana as an absurdity.

He said Gana even deluded himself, asserting that the former president would defeat President Tinubu to reclaim power after 12 years.

He added: ‘However, we should caution former president Jonathan to be wary of the PDP sugar-coated cheerleaders. Politicians of Jerry Gana’s ilk merely want to lure him into the race to satisfy their personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests. They will abandon him midstream, as they did in 2015, and leave Gentleman Jonathan in the lurch.’

The National Working Committee of the PDP also joined the fray, saying Gana does not have the authority of the party to disclose that former president Goodluck Jonathan would become its presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said the party does not lack presidential materials for the next general election, as there are competent and performing governors from the South that could easily become its presidential candidate, if they so desired.

65 years of recycling leadership

A peep into Nigeria’s political history shows that if former president Goodluck Jonathan succumbs to pressure and agrees to run for the presidency in 2027, he will be counted as the fifth Nigerian former ruler who lost power and tried to stage a comeback.

The others are Nnamdi Azikiwe, Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, and Ibrahim Babangida. Impliedly, it is only Shehu Shagari, Ernest Shonekan, and Abdulsalami Abubakar that did not make an attempt to return after leaving office.

Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was president during the 1st Republic, tried both in 1979 and 1983 to come back. Gowon, who was overthrown in 1975, made an attempt for the presidency under Option A4 but was defeated at the primary.

Olusegun Obasanjo was not overthrown, but he still contested election in 1999, won, and stayed in office for eight years as president.

Shehu Shagari, who was overthrown after winning a second term in 1983, though lived till 2018 seeing through six elections after his overthrow, never made any attempt to return to the presidency. But his vice president, Alex Ekwueme, did in 1999 and 2003.

Muhammadu Buhari, who overthrew Shagari but was sacked by his friends and colleagues in 1985, joined politics and contested in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before he won in 2015.

Ibrahim Babangida, who overthrew Buhari in 1985, also tried to stage a comeback through democratic means in 2011 but was defeated at the primary.

Ernest Shonekan, who lived till 2022 to the ripe age of 82, is among the few that showed no interest in returning to power. Abdulsalami Abubakar was not overthrown but, unlike Obasanjo, did not attempt to come back.

With the majority of those who left their seats making attempts and sometimes succeeding in coming back, analysts say it is likely that Jonathan will succumb to pressure.

Nigerians and nostalgia for former leaders

Some analysts say Nigerians prefer their former leaders because they believe the past had always been better. Prof. Murtala Muhammad of the Department of History and International Studies, Northwest University, Kano, said Nigerians frequently believe that the former government is superior to the current one.

He said: ‘According to social psychology, when people are faced with the harsher realities of the present, collective memory and nostalgia frequently exaggerate the apparent stability or modest accomplishments of previous governments. Although this phenomenon is not exclusive to Nigeria, the cyclical nature of governance failures makes it more severe.

‘People selectively ignore the very criticisms they once made of those same administrations when comparing their current struggles with selective memories of the past. The result is a vicious cycle of disappointment in which the government of the past is recast as the lesser of two evils and the government of today is vilified.

‘Every administration has a history of overpromising and under delivering, which has led to a drop in living standards, increased insecurity, and a worsening of poverty. Nigerians turn to the relative stability or modest growth of past regimes when promises of reform and transformation fall flat due to corruption, poor management, or inconsistent policies. Thus, the idea that ‘the past was better’ reflects both psychological nostalgia and the instilling lack of trust in governance.

‘By portraying current administrations as incompetent and former ones in gentler terms after they leave office, the media and public debate reinforce these narratives,’ he added.

Those who are in support of Jonathan say he is better poised to win the votes in the North because he is statutorily bound to do only one term, and that if the South-South and the South-East support him, then he is good to win.

But not all are in support of Jonathan’s return. Chief Asara A. Asara, a close political ally of the former president, said the optics are not in his favour.

‘He is a global icon, so as far as I’m concerned, that is enough. He has built a name for himself, so except he has forgotten something in the Villa, in my own personal opinion, I don’t see anything that he is going there to do because, even the economy today, the Nigeria situation today is worse than when he was there. He is not a small boy, also he has read, so he is supposed to look at the indices, both political, economic, and otherwise. Most of his supporters have left, most of his supporters cannot even support him again, so why are you coming to put the reputation you have built over the years, because a few groups of people who want to benefit from your presidency tell you go and run, you will win.’

Analysts say there is also the challenge of political platform, as the PDP where the former president belongs is experiencing turmoil that may not favour his contesting on that platform. All the major opposition parties already have a surfeit of aspirants who may not want to step down for the former president.

Legal issue

There’s also the legal issue which is being debated on his eligibility to contest in 2027, given that he had taken oath for the office twice.

Barrister Ugochukwu Osuagwu, when contacted, said Jonathan is not constitutionally eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, having taken the oath of office on two previous occasions. He said the constitutional amendment catches up with him because he had taken the oath twice, adding that the recent judgement of a high court in Bayelsa, clearing the way for the former president to contest, had not been tested at the appellate courts.

‘The essence of the amendment is to prevent somebody who had taken the oath twice in the past, so the amendment is both retroactive and prospective.

‘Aside arguments on taking oath twice, Jonathan has ruled for six years; if he contests and wins, he will now rule for 10 years,’ he added.

A former Attorney General of Ekiti State, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), said he is of the view that Jonathan is entitled to contest the 2027 presidential election, as the constitutional amendment that forbids somebody from being sworn in more than two times does not have a retroactive effect.

‘The constitution is prospective, not retrospective,’ he said.

‘The Ondo State Governor (Lucky Aiyedatiwa), who was sworn in on December 27, 2023, cannot do another term now because the constitutional amendment was already in operation when he was completing his boss’s term,’ he said.

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has decried loss of talented staff to better opportunities within and outside the country.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the 63rd anniversary of the institution in Zaria, Prof. Ahmed lamented that aging infrastructure and poor renumeration have dampened staff motivation, noting how the University lost nearly 2,000 staff in the last five years.

He said currently, the institution is in dire need of a replacement and additional staff to strengthen its research and academic activities.

‘Presently, there is a particular programme run by the University whose staff are 95 percent professors.

‘This development may risk non-accreditation of the programme in subsequent time and result to shortage of mentees who will take over from the existing high caliber staff.’ he noted.

The Vice Chancellor, who identified funding constraint as a serious problem affecting institutional operation, said the situation has compressed capacity for infrastructure renovation, library acquisition and research support.

Prof Ahmed, however, highlighted the University’s plans to strengthen Distance Learning and contribute meaningfully to inclusive education.

‘We shall strengthen the Distance Learning Centre (DLC), the largest in Nigeria, to increase the pace at which education is taken to every home, ensuring that no family is left behind.

‘In this way, ABU will not only expand access but also contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), especially in inclusive education and reducing inequality.’

The Vice Chancellor challenged alumni community of the University to give back to the institution through endorsement gifts, annual giving and generous donations to secure its future.

Prof Ahmed also applauded the commitment of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu for its bold reforms across the economy and the education sector in the country.

As the race to raise chicken for Christmas and New Year begins, smallholder poultry farmers are struggling with rising prices due to shortage of day-old chick supply across the country.

From September every year, smallholder poultry farmers raise broilers, targeting the yuletide season (Christmas and New Year), when the demand for chicken meat is high.

However, this year, farmers are concerned that prices are very high compared to last year, raising concern that many families may not afford meat during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Delta State chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria first raised the alarm in a WhatsApp post, where its leadership expressed concern that the scarcity of day-old pullets was hitting the roof ‘on a daily basis.’

‘Pullets just added money. Somebody will be asking: What’s the sudden scarcity in broilers and pullets? What’s actually the reason behind this despite availability of raw materials and downward review of prices by various feed companies,’ the post asked.

The poultry industry in Nigeria has suffered many setbacks since COVID-19, pushing many small and medium scale farmers out of business.

Sources said about 80 per cent of the total day-old hatched in Nigeria are supplied to other African countries widening demand gap domestically.

Weekend Trust gathered that these African countries pay upfront at a uniform price making them a preferred choice for most Nigerian hatcheries.

‘True, but.

The scarcity of day-old chicks and pullets has been blamed on supply to other African countries like Ghana, Cameroon, among others following the high demand for Nigerian birds in those countries.

A former ECWA Farm Manager in Jos, the Plateau State capital, Yilkes Zumunci Bitrus, who is now the chief executive officer of Holy-Right Agro Veterinary Services in Jos, acknowledged this fact.

He explained that the reason for this is that there is much outbreak of diseases in those countries and the quality of their birds is not as that of Nigeria.

The manager said there was high demand for Nigerian birds in those countries, so farms and hatcheries in those places endeavour to meet their demands and supply them, to the detriment of local farmers.

According to the chief executive officer, the farms sell at a higher price to those who come from the neighbouring countries, but they won’t tell local farmers, who they deny the birds.

‘Again, those neighbouring countries come to Nigeria to get birds because they see the country as their own abroad, just as there is always cravings for goods and services from abroad.

‘I liken this to Nigerians having preferences for goods and services from other countries. For example, we have good locally made shoes and automobiles, but we go to other countries to purchase those products, with the mistaken thought that the products outside are always superior to those locally made at home,’ he said.

Zumunci explained that in addition to the supply of birds to neighbouring countries is also the forthcoming yuletide, which is also another reason there is scarcity of day-old chicks and pullets.

According to him, many farms are now saving and nurturing the birds ahead of yuletide in December (Christmas) to sell at a higher price because as at then, the price will be high and the sellers will make more profit.

Another issue, according him, is that in January and February, prices of birds crashed and farms made losses; so people will make much gain in December so that they can make up for the loss in January and February. He stressed that it is for that reason that they are not selling day-old chicks and pullets now; they are keeping them to mature for sale in December.

He revealed that the crash in prices of birds in January and February was so severe that farms even burned the birds since there was less patronage.

Asked why the farms won’t distribute to farmers who are their customers, he explained that if that was done, the farmers would take advantage of it and make it a habit to lessen their patronage and wait for the period when they would be given free chicks.

The public relations officer of the Plateau State Poultry Association, Solomon John, also agreed with Zumunci on hoarding day-old chicks and pullets ahead of the yuletide, adding that the hatcheries too have issues as some complain about parent stock not laying many eggs.

On her part, Madam Grace, a poultry owner around Yelwa Club junction in Jos South, said she booked for day-old chicks and pullets in a hatchery farm but they told her that she could not get it until next year.

She said she was looking for how to get day-old chicks and pullets from alternative sources.

She said the prices of pullets and day-old chicks were between N1,800 and N1,820, while that of broilers is N1,750.

Farmers speak

In Kano, Hajara Sani, a housewife, was disappointed when, on enquiry about the availability of day-old broilers, she was told that booking was required and it would take two or three months to get supply.

Hajara was told that N1,700 is the price for a day-old broiler, while a day-old layer is N1,300, with a local breed known as merger costing N600.

Women are usually seen in clusters waiting for their turns to take delivery of day- old chicks at different poultry outlets in Kano, suggesting that such chicks, especially broilers, are not readily available for would-be buyers.

The chairman of the Kano State Poultry Farmers Association, Dr Usman Gwarzo, explained that certain factors were responsible for the scarcity, which invariably affects the price.

He said the problem was traceable to production challenges in which the major hatcheries in the country like Olam are struggling with foreign exchange to procure the parent stocks that usually lay the eggs.

‘The parent stock is the one that usually lays the eggs that can be hatched; and you need foreign exchange to buy. And everybody knows the volatility of the forex market.

‘Lack of government support to poultry farmers is another factor for the scarcity. Farmers do not get any kind of support to thrive in this kind of business, unlike other aspects of agriculture.

‘Again, no bank supports poultry farmers with any kind of loan. The profit margin of a poultry farmer is between 19 per cent and 20 per cent, but the least interest bank offers is 30 per cent,’ Dr Gwarzo said.

He said a day-old broiler from the hatchery was N1,700, but it would arrive in Kano at approximately N1,900, noting that a parent stock is N8,500 for a day-old.

According to him, farmers like him wait for three months after placing an order for day-old broilers because the hatching period takes about three weeks with demand from different farmers.

Dr Ismail Abdulsalam, another poultry farmer, corroborated what the chairman said. He, however, added that farmers were struggling to replace the aging birds with limited lifespan, creating increased demand on the hatcheries all over the country.

Abdulsalam said the process of hatching broilers and layers was the same, but the broilers give the hatcheries a bit more profit; and therefore, an incentive to hatch more to meet increasing demands.

He said, ‘The process of hatching broilers and layers is the same. But because broilers are a bit more expensive than layers and the hatcheries profit higher, they tend to hatch more broilers, especially as the festive period of Christmas approaches.

‘In the past, just for Christmas sales alone, a farmer could place an order of 100,000 chicks, but that has dropped to maybe 50,000. From now, until Christmas, the price of broilers will remain high because of the likelihood of increasing demands for chicken during the celebration of the festive season.’

According to Abdulsalam, the price of a day-old broiler is between N1,800 and N2,000, while a day-old layer is about N1,500-600, linking the scarcity to the growing population in the country.

Similarly, Abba Abdu, who sells poultry feeds and live birds at Ahmad Chicks, told Weekend Trust that a day-old chick cost at least N1,700 but after a long wait.

‘I have just sold mine, and it will take another month before I get the next supply. You cannot get a day-old chick without waiting for some time after booking. That is how the market is working,’ he said.

Abdu attributed the scarcity to the activities of some poultry farmers who tend to make huge profits supplying nearby Arab countries.

He gave the name of one Saheed, whom he said was given a contract to supply chicks to Arab countries in Africa. Abdul, however, could provide any detail on how farmers supply foreign markets with live birds, leaving customers at home waiting.

Nigeria had in the past experienced significant scarcity and price hike of day-old broilers driven by a combination of factors like the impact of COVID-19 pandemic forex crisis, which limited importation of fertilised eggs, as well as logical challenges in supplying the hatcheries to the farms.

Other dynamics

Ms Nanji Gambo-Oke, the immediate past public relations officer of the Poultry Farmers Association in Plateau State, said farmers often overlooked the dynamics of demand and supply.

‘When egg demand drops, feed prices remain high. They lament, but now that feed prices have dropped and egg prices are rising, you meet silence. It is clear that demand drives the market. Citizens have more disposable income at the moment due to harvest, so they are prioritising protein in their diet.

‘Some hatcheries have faced challenges like scarcity due to lack of parent stock or disease outbreaks, forcing them to cull parent stock.

‘Setting eggs for pullets is more demanding; and there are periods hatchery owners tend to focus on broilers, which are easier and more profitable for hatcheries. And sometimes when poultry production seems more profitable, others are tempted to join, unaware that this influx can flood the market, leading to surplus supply and crashing prices,’ she said.

She added that many factors were causing the hike in the price of day-old pullets and broilers, noting the high demand to meet up with seasonal demand for end products.

‘For broilers, it is Christmas festivities; and for pullets, it is the fasting of March,’ she added.

Power is also the number one factor affecting the price of chicks, according to Gambo-Oke, who said that many hatcheries were operating on diesel 75 per cent of the time.

‘Many hatcheries have downsized, operating at 25-50 per cent capacity due to poor demand off season, causing huge financial losses. Take for instance, doc broilers are sold at N50 and N100 during off season like December to early January when no one is picking birds.

‘The list goes on. Even if the price of feed is relatively cheaper, there are other intricate inputs and decisions to be made when producing day-old chicks,’ the farmer said.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the death toll from Lassa fever in the country had climbed to 168, with 906 cases recorded so far in 2025.

In its latest epidemiological report covering January 1 to September 21, the agency said the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) now stood at 18.5 per cent, higher than the 16.9 per cent reported in the same period last year.

According to the report, which was released on Friday, Nigeria has so far documented 7,792 suspected cases of the viral disease across 21 states and 106 local government areas.

The majority of confirmed cases – 90 per cent – were concentrated in five states: Ondo (33 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (18 per cent), Taraba (13 per cent) and Ebonyi (3 per cent).

‘Cumulatively, as at week 38, 2025, 168 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (16.9 per cent),’ the NCDC stated.

The agency noted that no new health care worker was infected in the latest reporting week, while overall suspected and confirmed cases have declined compared to last year.

Lassa fever, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is an acute viral illness endemic in West Africa, primarily transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or faeces.

Person-to-person transmission, the WHO added, could also occur, especially in health care facilities without proper infection control.

The NCDC said its multi-partner, multi-sectoral technical working group continues to coordinate response activities at national and subnational levels.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said his comments on the role of President Muhammadu Buhari in Boko Haram crisis was misrepresented.

Jonathan said this while responding to the backlash which trailed his speech at the book launch of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor.

In a statement signed by Ikechukwu Eze, his spokesman, Jonathan said, ‘The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Dr. Jonathan alleged that Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government, and therefore this made him somehow complicit in the Boko Haram crisis.

‘We wish to make it abundantly clear that the former President’s comments were grossly misrepresented. At no time did Dr. Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form.

‘Dr. Jonathan’s remarks, made in the course of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to illustrate the deviousness and manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram in their early years.

‘His reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the terrorist group and purported to name prominent Nigerians as possible mediators: without those individuals’ knowledge or consent.

‘The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government. His comments were therefore an illustration of the group’s duplicity, not an accusation against the late former president or any individual for that matter.

‘The former president’s position was that if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram expeditiously bring their evil terrorist agenda to an end when the retired General became president?

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Jonathan recognizes that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence. Both men, during their respective tenures, shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability to Nigeria.

‘The Office of the Former President therefore urges the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks. Dr. Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria. He believes that the nation’s progress depends on a truthful understanding of its challenges, not on the distortion of facts for political or sensational purposes.’

A country slowly and tragically bleeds to death when its citizens become easy targets for criminals of all shades and stripes.

Nigeria is once again haunted by profoundly depressing news involving two women professionals. First to haunt the airwaves was the case of Onyesom Peace, who was called to the Nigerian Bar between September 23rd and 25th, 2025. Still drenched in celebrations at what is not an easy feat in a country where dysfunction is an unnatural disaster, she was abducted alongside her sister by kidnappers on her way back to her base in the southeast. They spent about four days in the den of their kidnappers.

For 29-year-old Somtochukwu Maduagwu, death came agonizingly on Monday, 29th September 2025, during an armed robbery attack during which she is said to have gotten severely injured and passed away as she tried to escape. It was also said that life-saving medical attention did not arrive on time.

In the circumstances, there can be only one fitting description for a country where death is easier than life. Such a country can be fittingly described as being disastrously dysfunctional.

The boldest stamp a state can leave on its territory and on the consciousness of its citizens is security. When the citizens of a country know that they are safe within a country, trust wells within them in the capacity of the state to protect them. This in turn, transforms into patriotism and many other good qualities that every state cannot do without. Alas, in Nigeria, the opposite is true.

It is constitutional that the chief responsibility of the Nigerian state is the welfare of its citizens. Yet, every day in Nigeria, Nigerians are killed, and unaccountably too. The grim list of Nigerians killed with no one held to account continues to grow by the day to put Nigeria on the spot and firmly establish it as a country without justice.

A country boils more fiercely than a cauldron when elected government officials appear impotent and impassive before the scalding rage of ragtag criminals and ragged non-state actors.

For all the current administration assures Nigeria that it is irreversibly on the right track, for all that loquacious government officials howl to the rooftops that the peace and prosperity of old have made a resounding return to a thoroughly parched land, the gaps remain, stressing the gulf between Nigeria as it is today and the country it aspires to be.

Criminals operate, saunter away, and return only because measures are not in place to check them. For more than a decade now, Nigeria’s suspect security architecture has continued to disintegrate, worn down by government dereliction and the newfound audacity of criminals.

These criminals strike at will, cut lives short, and cart away valuables only to rest, rinse, and repeat their crimes, all the while unbothered by what a fairly toothless state can possibly conjure.

A country where citizens cannot sleep with both eyes closed is a country cooking its demise. Such a country can hardly ever make any meaningful progress.

Nigeria must do more. It is tragically shameful that Africa’s largest democracy cannot guarantee the basics of statehood, thus exposing its citizens to ruthless criminals.

In Sudan, one of the oldest and most unique beauty and health rituals known as Dukhan or smoke bath, is a traditional practice where the body is exposed to scented smoke from a burning wood.

Dukhan is popular among married women and soon-to-be-brides. A practice which is part of marriage process for brides is believed to beautify the skin, making the body firmer and adding a lasting fragrance on the skin of the bride-to-be.

While some men also use it to relieve body pains, especially joint pain, the practice is generally considered a women’s ritual in northern Sudanese culture, a culture which has been largely adopted by most states in the northern part of the country.

In some instances, it is believed to able to treat sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, but in this circumstance, various medicinal plants, such as tundub (with its botanical name as capparis decidua, which is a desert plant which seeds and oil have traditional medicinal and nutritional uses), are used instead.

Although the ritual is Sudanese in origin, it has also spread into Nigeria, particularly the northern part of the country, where it has been adopted by women across different communities. In many parts of the North, Dukhan has become part of bridal preparation and married life, valued for its beauty effects, fragrance and role in enhancing intimacy. For brides in particular, the smoke bath is seen as a way of preparing the body and skin for marriage.

The process begins with the woman applying karkar, a special oil made by mixing sesame oil with various local herbs and perfumes. She then covers herself with a thick wool blanket and sits on a stool with a hole in the middle. Underneath the stool, a fire is lit in a small pit and special woods are placed on it. The most common are talh (acacia wood, from the acacia tree) and shaff (a locally grown scented wood). They are called turaren wuta here in Nigeria. These woods produce a rich, sweet-smelling smoke that surrounds the body.

The woman remains seated until the smoke becomes too hot to handle. The heat opens the pores of the skin, while the perfumed smoke is believed to smoothen and soften the skin, tighten the body, particularly the private, and leave a natural fragrance. After the smoke bath, women often receive a dilka massage (a body scrub made from turmeric, honey and other ingredients), that leaves the skin glowing.

Still, questions remain about whether the smoke bath is truly healthy. Medical experts have expressed concerns about its safety. In fact, Dr Naima Idris of the Girl Talk Series on an Instagram live described the practice bluntly: ‘It is like a barbecue for a woman’s private part.’

To understand why the practice continues to hold such meaning despite the concerns, Weekend Trust spoke with women who have experienced Dukhan firsthand.

Mariya Ibrahim, a bride-to-be, explained that the practice is a part of marriage preparation. ‘To be honest, it is a tradition that has always been done. Young girls and brides-to-be are excited at the thought of that aspect of wedding preparation. It is painful and time-taking, but once it is finished, you smell so nice and look better. I do it because all my sisters that are married did it. I cannot imagine a bride not having to do Dukhan or the whole gyaran jiki process.’

Zainab Musa, who has been married for four years, told Weekend Trust that she still maintains Dukhan as part of her beauty routine. ‘I began Dukhan as part of my wedding preparations, just like every other bride. My mother is from Borno State, so I grew up around the burning of turaren wuta for cloths. I often saw her and my aunties practise Dukhan without negative effects. Over time, I personally began to enjoy the fragrance it leaves behind. For me, it is not only a tradition but also a form of self-care,’ she said.

Although Dukhan is traditionally practiced, mainly by women from northern communities, today, it has crossed those cultural boundaries. Women from other regions have embraced the practice, showing how the smoke bath is gaining popularity beyond its original roots.

Elizabeth, a young woman from Anambra now living in Abuja, said she first discovered Dukhan through a sponsored Instagram advert by a spa. ‘I decided to give it a try. Honestly, it hasn’t really had any bad effect on me, but sometimes I do it together with the full gyaran jiki process, and that makes me look more beautiful and smell really nice. I don’t do it often, maybe once in three months, just as a self-care thing,’ she said.

Not all women continue with the Dukhan ritual after marriage. Aisha Ahmed, a mother of two said, ‘I did it when I was a bride because I didn’t really have a choice. Where I come from, it would have been unheard of for a bride to skip the full gyaran jiki process. People would have talked and I didn’t want the gossip. But many doctors advised against it.

‘After I got married I chose not to continue. And luckily, my husband did not mind. I understand the risks now, so I decided not to do it anymore.’

For those who provide the service, Dukhan is seen as an essential part of women’s beauty and self-care.

Jamila Yakubu, who runs a spa in Abuja and Kaduna since 2019, said she first encountered the smoke bath as part of everyday life in northern Nigeria. ‘As a northerner who has spent all her life in the North, I would say I first learnt about Dukhan from my environment since it is common here. Then I made research about it online before attending classes on it,’ she explained.

Jamila, who studied botany (the scientific study of plants), blends cultural practice with scientific knowledge. She said, ‘During a Dukhan session, body scrubs of different types are prepared from natural ingredients; and these scrubs are applied all over the body, then the scrubbing begins. Afterwards, the steaming session is next. The client sits in a sauna body steamer for about 20 minutes. The dorut wood is also burnt, allowing the smoke to trap in the sauna bag. Cloves and date seeds are also burnt, and women are told to sit on the smoke for a few minutes. This allows the steam to tighten the private part after childbirth. Cloves are known for their antimicrobial properties, which kill certain fungi and bacteria.’

She listed some of the natural materials she uses: turmeric, qasil, henna, moringa, dorot wood, palm oil, olive oil, coconut oil, carrot oil, among others. ‘The turmeric is known for instant skin glow and lightening, the qasil, henna and moringa plants are good for exfoliation, acne treatment and skin repair. The dorut wood brightens the skin, while all the oils I use naturally give it a radiant glow,’ Jamila explained.

She said her clients kept coming because they trust her expertise. ‘I don’t just offer a Dukhan service, I also educate them about certain things relating to their skin types. I make them comfortable; and I must say that I have a good customer relationship,’ she said.

Jamila admitted that Dukhan comes with risks if not practised carefully. ‘These disadvantages come when you don’t have a proper knowledge about it. When you sit in the smoke bath, make sure your head is outside the sauna bag; that is why I use a sauna bag to avoid inhalation of smoke, which might cause respiratory problems. I also make sure my clients don’t sit in the steam for long to avoid an increase in blood pressure,’ she explained.

On the cost, she said a regular session could be as low as N25,000, adding, ‘This include body waxing and two steaming sessions. But we offer different packages, depending on your budget. And yes, the price changes for bridal packages.’

Despite her belief in the practice, Jamila also urges moderation. ‘My overall thought about the smoke bath is that women shouldn’t do it too frequently to avoid skin burns and possible inhalation of smoke, except they are having the Dukhan session at a well-equipped space, like I use a sauna bag for mine. I recommend women to do it at least twice monthly and on special occasions,’ she said.

For Meelas, who runs a beauty spa in Abuja, Dukhan is both a passion and a profession. She said, ‘I have always been a woman who loves body care. I used to visit spas regularly, and that was where I learned how the owners interact with their clients. From there, I picked up knowledge about how to prepare and guide women through Dukhan.’

According to her, women come for Dukhan for different reasons: ‘Some are for marriage preparations, others for self-care and body maintenance.

‘Dukhan is 100 per cent healthy. It has no harm. Dukhan is all about beauty, it is just body maintenance to get the skin to look neat and beautiful.

‘Smoke bath is an amazing experience I will advise every woman to get. As a woman, you are supposed to always keep your body neat, smooth and soft; and for this to happen, you can’t rely only on skin products. This is why it is a necessity for every woman. It is advisable to have Dukhan, at least twice monthly.’

However, while women who practise it and those who provide the service often describe smoke bath as cleansing and relaxing, medical experts continue to warn against it.

Dr Nonye Okoye, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist told Weekend Trust that the claimed benefits were not supported by science.

She said, ‘There is no scientific evidence that it tightens the private part. We actually try to speak against women using scented herbs, fragrances or lotions to create a ‘better’ scent because the private part is not meant to have such floral smells. What those things do is distort the normal microorganisms, the natural bacteria that help maintain wellness. Naturally, the private part has different smells, depending on the individual, but it is meant to be musky, like fresh soil, not floral or perfumed.’

Dr Okoye explained that organisations such as the World Health Organisation and many OBGYN associations had openly discouraged steaming and smoke baths.

‘The risks completely outweigh the benefits. Exposing the private part to hot smoke can cause burns. The skin there is very fragile and the heat can lead to thermal injury and damage delicate tissues,’ she stressed.

She warned that the smoke also disrupts the natural balance of the private part, saying, ‘There are bacterial bugs that are meant to be there. The smoke can alter the pH (a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the environment of the private part), which normally protects women. When that pH is disturbed, it increases the risk of recurrent yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. It also creates micro-injuries and dryness that make women more vulnerable to HIV and other STIs.’

The dangers, she added, are not only gynecological. ‘Inhaling wood smoke, especially in poorly ventilated rooms, can irritate the lungs, trigger asthma and even cause long-term respiratory disease. Depending on what is burnt, women could also be exposed to toxins, such as carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These toxins can be absorbed into the body and increase susceptibility to infections. And with long-term exposure around the reproductive areas, we also have concerns about fertility.

‘The safer, evidence-based alternative is pelvic floor muscle exercises. Women can learn how to do this from a pelvic floor therapist. These exercises, recommended especially from age 30 onward and for women who have given birth through the private part, strengthen the muscles that support it and other structures. Done consistently, they improve tightness and sexual satisfaction without any risk.

‘Good hygiene, avoiding perfumes or scented washes, and seeing a gynecologist when necessary, are the safe ways to maintain vaginal health. Dukhan is not recommended. It is not evidence-based. What women need is education to make informed, medically sound choices,’ she noted.

Weekend Trust reports that although doctors advise against the Dukhan smoke bath, many women still follow the traditional practice because they believe it enhances sexual intimacy and improves their beauty. Health workers stress that women need education to make informed, medically sound choices, but for now, many continue to trust and follow the Dukhan practice passed down through generations.