By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that Nigeria is trapped in a security crisis that has humiliated the state, mocked its institutions, and exposed the glaring rot in its political and military architecture. Every week, the headlines read like a national obituary as villages were torched, schoolchildren snatched, farmers slaughtered, buses hijacked, soldiers ambushed, whole communities turned into tributaries of terror.

Yet one truth stands firm: these terrorists and bandits are not ghosts. They are known.

So why is Nigeria acting like it is battling shadows? Why does the government behave as if the criminals are invisible spirits roaming the forests? Why has the Nigerian state, once one of the fiercest military forces in Africa, suddenly become a timid observer in its own territory?

There is only one honest explanation: Nigeria’s insecurity persists not because the terrorists are unknown, but because too many powerful people benefit from pretending not to know them.

If anybody embodies the absurdity of Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, it is Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. While security agencies claim that locating bandits is a strategic challenge, Gumi casually strolls into their camps with cameras, journalists, and commentary. He emerges unscathed. Always! His visits are not covert missions. They are televised. Publicized. Discussed nationwide.

Yet, somehow, the same country that pretends not to know the location of these terrorists allows a cleric to maintain friendly relations with them. And the state nods silently.

Let us put it plainly: When a private citizen has more access to terrorists than the Nigerian military, something is fundamentally rotten. Gumi’s activities have raised questions the government does not dare answer: Who grants him these safe passages?, How does he guarantee his own safety among “dangerous criminals”?, and Why does the military suddenly lose its nerves whenever he heads into the bush?

The brutal truth is that Gumi is not an anomaly; he is a symptom of a security structure that has outsourced its spine.

For years, the Nigerian government has treated terrorists like wayward cousins who simply need talking-to. Officials deny it publicly, but everyone knows negotiations have happened, behind closed doors, through “middle men,” and through community leaders coerced into diplomacy.

We have heard about ransom payments being disguised as “security logistics”, even as prisoner swaps that strengthened enemy ranks, and bandits granted unofficial amnesty as if they were rebel freedom fighters.

Yet, every negotiation only fertilized the soil for more bloodshed. Terrorists who should be hunted down have become political stakeholders, calculating their next ransom the way a businessman drafts a quarterly budget.

This is why they grow bolder. This is why the kidnappers of today are richer than the civil servants who pay taxes to fund the military. This is why Nigeria has become a playground for criminals who know the state will never truly confront them. Surprisingly, farmers pay taxes to terrorists, the ultimate insult.

In fact, in the North-West today, farmers do not fear drought, pests, or poor harvests. They fear terrorists. To avoid being killed, kidnapped, or raped, they pay bandits “levies”,  gate fees to access their own ancestral lands. Communities negotiate prices like they are bargaining in a market. Terrorists issue receipts in bullets and death.

Everyone in these local communities knows who the leaders are. They know the boys who collect the payments. They know their names, their families, their camps. Yet the Nigerian government claims it cannot find them. This is not ignorance. This is complicity.

The Nigerian military has a glorious record. It has restored governments in neighboring countries. It has crushed well-organized rebel armies. It has fought in global peacekeeping missions with distinction. So why is it suddenly helpless before ragtag criminals armed with AK-47s and stolen motorcycles?

Because when the political class lacks backbone, the military cannot grow one. Nigeria’s leaders want peace without confrontation, victory without sacrifice, and security without accountability. They want to arrest insecurity while protecting the people who profit from it.

Bluntly put at this juncture, the country is bleeding, and too many hands are in the cookie jar. Given the foregoing, Let us stop pretending as it is embarrassing to see banditry flourishing at this scale, and signaling the danger that someone in power must be benefiting. To opinionate from the context of the foregoing view, it can be deduced that corrupt officers are benefiting from prolonged deployment of soldiers. This is as it is factual that politicians benefit from fear that shapes elections, informants benefit from feeding criminals intelligence, middlemen benefit from ransom transactions and some northern elites benefit from the chaos that gives them power over desperate communities.

It is annoying to watch and understand that Insecurity is now an industry; a billion-naira marketplace of death and protection rackets.

This is why Nigeria cannot win. Too many people at the top do not want this war to end.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction

By Bola Sobola

Marriage, traditionally referred to as a sacred and lifelong union, is under increasing strain in contemporary Nigerian society.  Once seen as a bedrock for family stability and societal cohesion, the institution of marriage now finds itself vulnerable to a growing trend: divorce.

  Events from within and outside Nigeria reveal that the rate of marital breakdown is rising at an alarming pace, prompting an urgent question: What is going wrong?

During courtship, couples often project themselves as generous, loving, and attentive.

The love feels endless, and the commitment unwavering. Yet not long after tying the knot, many discover a different reality. The very individuals who once could not go a day without speaking to each other suddenly become emotionally distant, sometimes even hostile. Is marriage really then an ‘eye-opener’, as the popular saying goes?  Or are societal, psychological, and cultural forces silently undermining relationships from within?

While Nigeria lacks a centralised, up-to-date national database, anecdotal evidence,  court filings, and media reports suggest a marked increase in divorce rates, particularly in urban areas.

In Ogun State, data from the High Court divisions between 2017 and 2020 shows a sharp rise in divorce petitions, from 535 in 2017 to 1,016 in 2019.

Furthermore, the Hill Deep Dive report estimates that there are about 15,000 formal and informal divorce or separation disputes annually in the state, suggesting that most separations occur outside formal courts, with many families choosing informal resolutions or simply walking away.

Such breakdowns are not without consequence, as findings have shown that children from broken homes often suffer academically and emotionally, with higher levels of psychological distress and lower academic performance.

Beyond infidelity and financial stress, many marriages suffer due to a lack of preparation.  Too many couples focus on planning a glamorous wedding but spend little time evaluating emotional compatibility or receiving premarital counselling.  According to marriage therapists, many divorces could be prevented with better pre-marital education.

Changing gender roles has also been identified as a major contributory factor. As more Nigerian women attain higher education and financial independence, they are less willing to endure disrespect, abuse, or irresponsibility from partners.

Cultural and religious pressures also complicate matters. Many marry to fulfil family or religious expectations, only to find themselves ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of shared life. Add to this the widespread stigma around seeking therapy or help, and it is no surprise that unresolved issues fester into full-blown crises.

Social media, though a viable tool of change, has also emerged as a powerful destabiliser. A 2022 study in Ota, Ogun State, found a strong correlation between social media use and family discord, noting that online behaviours often fuelled suspicion, emotional withdrawal, and infidelity.

The consequences are clear: emotionally unstable children, fractured family units, and increased social tension. In response, Ogun State is strengthening its family courts to better manage domestic disputes and also support affected individuals. What then can be done?

First, pre-marital education must be prioritised. Government and religious institutions should provide structured programmes that help couples understand communication, finances, conflict, resolution, and emotional readiness.

Therapy and mediation services must be normalised and made accessible, as this can significantly reduce court cases and support healthier conflict resolution. Employers and religious bodies can offer relationship wellness programmes as part of their outreach.

In addition to the above, public campaigns are needed to destigmatise divorce and counselling.  Education campaigns should also teach the responsible use of social media in relationships.

There should also be school programmes targeted towards supporting children. Children affected by divorce with access to counselling and academic support. Let us not derail the future of the generations that can move the nation to great heights.

Faith still plays a central role in Nigerian marriages. While religious institutions should encourage unity and endurance, they must also support justice and safety.  As Malachi 2:16 reminds us, “For I hate divorce, says the Lord.” But even within this context, silence and suffering must never be glorified.

Marriage is still worth defending, but not blindly. It requires wisdom, emotional intelligence, open communication, and mutual respect. If we are to reverse the rising trend of divorce, it will take the collective efforts of society, individuals, families, communities, governments, and spiritual leaders to rebuild faith in this vital institution.

Sobola of the Ogun State Ministry of Information & Strategy writes via bolasobola065@gmail.com

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction

By Folasade Akpan

Breastfeeding is widely recognised as the single most important source of nutrition for infants in the first months of life.

It is a low-cost, life-saving practice that also delivers long-term gains for cognition, health, and the economy.

Regrettably, in Nigeria, many mothers still struggle to breastfeed exclusively for the recommended six months or to continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for up to two years because of weak systems of support at home, in health facilities, and at work.

The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is observed globally, annually, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7.

The theme for 2025 WBW, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”, underscores the critical role of breast milk in child survival, growth, and healthy development.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed concern over stagnating exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria, which remain at just 29 per cent.

The fund said that while more than 90 per cent of mothers in Nigeria breastfeed, the rate of early initiation of breastfeeding has declined, from 42 per cent in 2018 to 36 per cent in 2023.

According to UNICEF, data from the 2023–2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reveals troubling trends in optimal breastfeeding practices.

“Only 23 per cent of babies are breastfed up to the recommended age of two years.

“Just 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, currently offer paid maternity leave for up to six months,” the fund said.

To reverse the negative trend, UNICEF emphasised the need for mothers to be supported at home, in healthcare facilities, and at work.

The agency recommended initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding with complementary foods up to at least 24 months.

Giving a mother’s perspective, Mrs Folasade Adediran, a teacher and mother of three, described her breastfeeding journey as both rewarding and challenging.

“Being a breastfeeding mother is not an easy task; sometimes, it can be overwhelming but with the kind of people I am surrounded with, their words and encouragement have kept me going; I must say, I am a lucky person.

“Breastfeeding a child in public transport is quite challenging but I think I am beginning to overcome it.”

She confirmed that during antenatal, mothers were taught the importance of breast milk to their infants which had been impactful.

Adediran said it was in those teachings she learnt that children who are given only breast milk for the first six months are always more healthy and stronger.

“I did it while nursing my first child and before she was eight months she had started walking and at the same time, she was teething.

“As a result, I have promised myself that any child that comes out of me must enjoy that privilege that is apart from the fact that it saves you money.”

On how she manages being at work and breastfeeding, she said that it was very inconvenient as she might be called upon at any time to attend to the baby.

“Being a teacher, you cannot leave your lesson halfway during class, and at the same time, you cannot leave your child to keep crying.

“Most of the times, I express breast milk but along the line, it gets finished before the close of the day, so managing work and breastfeeding is not easy at all.

“I suggest that longer maternity leave would be best for working mothers for at least a period of six months for exclusive breastfeeding,” she said.

From an expert’s view, Ms Uju Onuorah, a nutritionist, described exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months as vital, providing “the perfect balance of nutrients in the right proportions to support a baby’s rapid growth and brain development.”

She said that colostrum, the first milk, was rich in antibodies that protected against infections such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and ear infections, while breast milk adapted to meet changing needs.

On long-term benefits, she said that children who were breastfed had lower risks of diarrhea and respiratory illness in infancy and, later, lower rates of obesity, type-two diabetes, and some allergic diseases, alongside modest but meaningful cognitive advantages.

“Mothers benefit from lower lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type -two diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, including faster postpartum recovery.

“Economically, families save money, employers gain from fewer parental absences, and health systems see long-term savings,” she said.

Onuorah acknowledged cultural and workplace barriers, including pressure to give water or herbal mixtures, food insecurity, and lack of workplace facilities.

She stressed the need for breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, community support groups, and engagement of family members.

In calling for action from concerned stakeholders, the Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) urged governments, healthcare providers, and communities to treat breastfeeding as a public health necessity rather than a personal preference.

“Breastfeeding is more than a personal choice; it is a public health necessity.

“It is a proven public health intervention that provides unmatched health benefits for both babies and mothers,” the association said.

Prof. Mark Okeji, Registrar of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, identified family support as key to effective breastfeeding practice.

“To improve breastfeeding practice, families must adopt practices rooted in love, compassion and understanding, fostering a positive environment for breastfeeding mothers,” he said.

Benue State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, said three months maternity leave was “grossly inadequate” for achieving exclusive breastfeeding.

The Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF), led by Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara governor, also advocated for six months paid maternity leave in all 36 states.

The forum pledged to engage governors and state legislators to promote the policy across all states for improved maternity and child welfare.

In Kaduna State, the Commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, said the government had inaugurated baby crèches in key institutions “to ensure women do not have to choose between their careers and their children’s well-being.”

Highlighting the government’s role, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices.

“Breastfeeding is not the sole responsibility of women, but a shared obligation; it must be treated as a public health priority, a national development strategy, and a climate resilience measure,” he said.

Pate listed interventions such as training healthcare workers, implementing baby-friendly hospital initiatives, granting 112 days paid maternity leave to federal civil servants, two-hour daily breastfeeding breaks, and 14 days paternity leave.

He also highlighted enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes through NAFDAC to curb aggressive promotion of formula and protect exclusive breastfeeding.

“If we get breastfeeding right, we take a giant step towards ending malnutrition, reducing poverty, building a resilient climate-smart nation, and securing a healthier, more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

Stakeholders hold that breastfeeding should be taken seriously as it is a wholesome nutritional and immune-boosting practice that equips the baby for healthy development.(NAN)

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction