society

A LESSON FROM THE PAST: THE HIGH COST OF HOSPITALITY

Published

6 months ago

November 20, 2025

Sahara Weekly

A LESSON FROM THE PAST: THE HIGH COST OF HOSPITALITY.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“How Nigeria’s Historical Amnesia Is Opening the Door to a Dangerous Future.”

History is not just a COLLECTION of OLD STORIES; it is a mirror. A nation that refuses to look into that mirror does not only forget where it is coming from; it blindly walks into the very dangers its ancestors once confronted. Nigeria, regrettably, is a perfect example of this self-inflicted blindness. We trivialize history, we suppress facts and we pretend that ancient patterns no longer matter. Though history does not expire. It repeats itself (brutally) when ignored.

As philosopher George Santayana warned, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Today, Nigeria stands on the edge of that repetition, replaying a script written over 200 years ago, which is the tragic CONSEQUENCES of HOSPITALITY.

THE BEGINNING OF A PATTERN: 1804 AND THE FALL OF THE HAUSA KINGDOMS. In 1804, King Yunfa of Gobir, in present-day Sokoto, opened his doors to a wandering Islamic scholar and his followers. His name was Usman Dan Fodio. His reputation at the time was that of a peaceful, devout reformer. His intentions, however, were far deeper and more strategic than anyone anticipated.

What began as peaceful coexistence between host and guest quickly evolved into tension, rebellion and ultimately, war. By 1808 (barely four years later) King Yunfa was dead, Gobir had fallen and the ONCE-PROUD HAUSA STATES had been conquered. The Sokoto Caliphate emerged, with Dan Fodio at its head. Hausa kings were dethroned; Fulani emirs filled their thrones.

Renowned historian Murray Last describes the Sokoto takeover as “the most sweeping political revolution ever witnessed in West Africa.” HOSPITALITY had TRANSFORMED into OCCUPATION. FRIENDSHIP became DOMINATION. A VISITOR became a RULER. This was not just ISLAMIZATION; it was strategic conquest executed through patience, infiltration and eventual force.

THE CASE OF ILORIN: HOW AN ALLIANCE BECAME A TAKEOVER. The same pattern replayed itself in Ilorin. Afonja, the powerful Yoruba warlord of Oyo, invited a Fulani cleric and warrior named Janta Alimi for support in his political battle. Though alliances without foresight are the quickest pathways to betrayal.

By 1824, Afonja lay dead; murdered by the same Fulani forces he had welcomed. Ilorin, once a proud Yoruba town, became an emirate under the control of the Sokoto Caliphate. It remains so till this day. Every attempt by descendants of the Afonja lineage to reclaim their ancestral throne has failed.

The historian Samuel Johnson, in The History of the Yorubas, warned: “Afonja sowed the seeds of his own destruction by trusting a stranger with the keys to his kingdom.” Nigeria, in 2025, is repeating this exact MISTAKE only MODERNIZED.

THE PEOPLE WHO RESISTED AND WHY THEY STILL MATTER. Not all kingdoms fell. Some learned quickly; others fought fiercely.

The Yoruba Stand at Osogbo in 1840 when the Fulani jihadists attempted to push deeper into OYO TERRITORY, Yoruba forces under the command of Ibadan halted them at the decisive BATTLE of OSOGBO in 1840. This battle is one of the most important, yet RARELY TAUGHT, in Nigerian history. Had the Yoruba lost that day, places like IBADAN, ABEOKUTA, ILESHA, AKURE, OWO, ADO and even BENIN might have been absorbed into the Caliphate.

The Benin Kingdom; A Wall That Refused to Fall. The Benin Empire also resisted multiple northern incursions. Scholars note that the Edo military structure was one of the strongest in West Africa at the time, preventing Fulani penetration beyond certain parts of Edo North.

The historian Jacob Ade Ajayi famously remarked:

“If Benin had fallen, the map of Nigeria (culturally, politically and religiously) would look dramatically different today.” Resistance saved the identity of millions.

THE CONTINUATION OF A STRATEGY; DISGUISED IN MODERN POLITICAL LANGUAGE. Fast-forward to the present. What swords and horses achieved in the 1800s is now being pursued with LAWS, POLICIES, SETTLEMENTS and POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS. The BATTLEGROUND has changed; the STRATEGY has not.

IT OFTEN BEGINS INNOCENTLY:

“We need land for grazing.”

“We need grazing routes.”

“We need pastoral settlements.”

“We need RUGA.”

“We need livestock transformation zones.”

Though OBSERVERS and ANALYSTS are not fooled. Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, the late economist and former CBN Deputy Governor, warned before his death:

“There is a deeper agenda behind the herdsmen crisis. This is not just grazing; it is territorial expansion.” His words ring louder today than ever.

WHEN SETTLEMENTS BECOME POLITICAL FORTRESSES. History teaches that settlements become communities, communities become political blocs and political blocs become power structures. From there, local chiefs are installed, votes are consolidated and the CYCLE of DOMINANCE begins. Anyone who dismisses this as a CONSPIRACY THEORY should examine what has already happened in:

Bassa

Bokkos

Mangu

Riyom

Barkin Ladi

Jos North

JOS (once the pride of the Middle Belt, a peaceful melting pot) descended into decades of violence tied to land claims, demographic shifts and ethnic assertion. The Middle Belt has been bleeding for years because people refused to read the handwriting early.

The renowned political scientist, Prof. Toyin Falola, notes: “The struggle for land in Nigeria is the struggle for power. Whoever controls land controls identity, culture and the future.” This is the same playbook of 1804; only MODERNIZED, LEGALIZED and DISGUISED.

THE REAL DANGER: THE FUTURE MAP OF NIGERIA. If this pattern continues unchecked, Nigerians may soon wake up to:

Emirs in Enugu

Emirs in Owerri

Emirs in Agatu

Emirs in Abeokuta

Emirs in Benin City

THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE?

King Yunfa thought so too; until Dan Fodio dethroned him.

Afonja believed he was in control; until Janta Alimi overpowered him. History is not prophecy, but it is a warning.

THE GRAZING BILL — A SOLUTION OR A STRATEGY? One analyst captured it perfectly:

“The GRAZING BILL is not a SOLUTION; it is a STRATEGY.”

Create a crisis.

Propose a “SOLUTION.”

Use legislation to legalize the agenda.

It is a political trick as old as civilization. And it works every time when a people are asleep.

OUR GENERATION’S RESPONSIBILITY: TO REMEMBER AND TO ACT. The tragedy of Nigeria is not only political corruption or bad leadership; there is also HISTORICAL IGNORANCE. We teach everything except the very things that matter. We hide the truth from classrooms and expect students to understand the dangers around them.

HISTORY must RETURN to our CURRICULUM not as a DECORATIVE SUBJECT but as a SURVIVAL MANUAL. As Chinua Achebe once said, “A people who do not know where the rain began to beat them cannot know where they dried their bodies.” Today, the rain is falling again and we pretend we cannot feel it.

FINAL WARNING FROM HISTORY: HISTORY IS KNOCKING; WILL WE ANSWER? The story of Nigeria is filled with warnings carved into the bones of those who paid the price for trusting too easily and resisting too late. The patterns of the past are resurfacing in our present. The LINES are IDENTICAL; only the ACTORS have changed.

HOSPITALITY is a VIRTUE. NAIVETY is a DISASTER.

Nigeria must learn the difference or history will teach it again, the hard way.

Let us BE wise. Let us BE aware. Spread the word.

History is knocking; and this time, we cannot afford to ignore it.

society

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

society

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.

society

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during an attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Oyo State wing of the union described the situation as increasingly distressing, particularly following the emergence of a video allegedly released by the abductors showing the victims pleading for their freedom.

The union said the footage had heightened fears over the welfare of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

According to the NUT, no child or teacher deserves to be subjected to such traumatic experiences, adding that the prolonged captivity of the victims has continued to inflict psychological pain on their families, colleagues and the wider education community.

The union called on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate and safe release of the victims.

“This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers,” the statement read.

While acknowledging ongoing interventions by security agencies and government authorities, the union stressed that time was of the essence, warning that every additional day in captivity deepens the trauma suffered by the victims.

The NUT urged security operatives to strengthen surveillance, improve community intelligence gathering and deploy all necessary operational and diplomatic measures to facilitate the rescue of the abductees.

It also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support rescue efforts by providing credible information that could assist security agencies.

“The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority,” the union stated.

Reaffirming its support for the families of the victims, the NUT pledged continued solidarity and prayers while advocating safer learning environments across the country.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State NUT, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode.