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NIGERIA: A NATION OF PARTICULAR CONCERN. By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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NIGERIA: A NATION OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by Saharaweeklyng.com

 

“How Insecurity, Economic Misrule, and Institutional Decay Are Dragging Africa’s Largest Democracy to the Brink.”

Nigeria is no longer a nation at a CROSSROADS; it is a nation at a CLIFF’S EDGE, dragged dangerously close to collapse by insecurity, corruption, economic mismanagement and institutional failure. To describe Nigeria as “A COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” is not an exaggeration. It is an urgent diagnosis grounded in data, daily experiences and the wailing voices of communities mourning their dead, burying their children and losing faith in a government that has repeatedly failed to secure life, dignity, and hope.

Today, more than 46% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, inflation continues to ravage every home and millions of young people are out of school, unemployed, or fleeing the country in desperation. The economy is battered, insecurity is rampant and governance is largely rudderless. But nothing captures Nigeria’s descent into chaos more painfully than the horrifying attacks on schools, a brutal reminder that even children, the most innocent among us, are not safe.

THE KEBBI SCHOOL ABDUCTION: A NATIONAL WOUND THAT REFUSES TO HEAL. On November 17, 2025, Nigeria was jolted again by a chilling act of terror. Armed men stormed the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, abducting at least 25 schoolgirls in a coordinated predawn attack. The attackers scaled the school fence at about 4:00 a.m., opened fire indiscriminately, and dragged the girls into the forest.

In an act of courage and sacrifice, the school’s vice-principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, tried to shield the students. He was shot dead on the spot, executed for standing between young girls and the barrels of bandits’ guns. A security guard, Ali Shehu, was also shot and wounded while attempting to resist the attackers. This was not an isolated attack, it was a continuation of a horrifying pattern. The attacks in Chibok (2014), Dapchi (2018), Kagara (2021), Tegina (2021), Kuriga (2024), and now Kebbi all form a bloody chain of state failure. The haunting question remains: How many Nigerian children must be abducted before the government takes decisive action?

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as “REPREHENSIBLE,” ordering security agencies to rescue the girls. Though Nigerians have heard these promises before, promises that too often end in mass graves, unmarked graves, or traumatized survivors returning from months of captivity.

INSECURITY: NIGERIA IS BLEEDING FROM EVERY CORNER. Nigeria is now a battlefield.
Bandits control forests.
Terrorists dominate territories.
Kidnappers roam highways.
Cultists terrorize communities.
Unknown gunmen spill blood freely.
And criminals now view schools as marketplaces where children can be BOUGHT, SOLD and TRADED.

Between 2011 and 2024, more than 22,000 Nigerians were abducted, according to SBM Intelligence. Schoolchildren account for thousands. Today, the fear of abduction has become a cloud over education in the North-West and North-East. Parents are withdrawing their daughters from school. Teachers are resigning. Students attend classes under the shadow of death.

The African Centre for Strategic Studies warns: “Insecurity in Nigeria is no longer episodic; it is SYSTEMIC, SUSTAINED and INCREASINGLY NORMALIZED.”

AN ECONOMY IN FREE FALL. As insecurity expands, the economy collapses further.

• Food inflation soared above 30%, turning basic staples like rice, garri, and beans into luxuries.
• Fuel subsidy removal in 2023 unleashed nationwide hardship without adequate safety nets.
• The naira’s devaluation pushed millions into despair, weakening purchasing power.
• Power shortages cripple manufacturing and small businesses.
• Youth unemployment remains among the highest in the world.

The World Bank notes sharply: “Nigeria’s economic crisis is affecting the foundations of social stability.”

Businesses are shutting down. Investors are fleeing. The middle class (once the hope of national growth) is thinning daily. Nigeria is becoming a land of the extremely rich and the extremely poor.

THE ROT IN GOVERNANCE: CORRUPTION AND A CULTURE OF IMPUNITY. Nigeria’s governance crisis is not accidental, but engineered by decades of CORRUPTION, INCOMPETENCE and POLITICAL ARROGANCE.

Transparency International continues to rank Nigeria near the bottom of the global corruption index. Funds meant for security are siphoned. Allocations for education vanish. Social welfare programs become political compensation schemes. In many states, salaries and pensions are delayed while leaders parade luxury convoys and foreign trips.

As Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once warned: “The greatest threat to Nigeria is not corruption itself, but the culture of impunity that protects it.” This impunity has now metastasized into a national cancer.

A BROKEN SOCIAL CONTRACT. The social contract between Nigerian citizens and their government rests on a simple principle: The people obey the law and the state protects life and welfare. That contract has been shredded.

When schoolchildren are kidnapped, when teachers are murdered, when farmers are slaughtered, when the state cannot secure food, jobs or electricity, then governance loses its moral legitimacy.

As renowned political economist Amartya Sen argues: “Development must begin with freedom; freedom from fear, hunger and insecurity.” Nigeria today offers none of these.

WHAT MUST BE DONE AND URGENTLY. If Nigeria is to avoid total collapse, five urgent actions are non-negotiable:

1. Secure the Nation — Not with Speeches, But with Strategy.
Nigeria needs technology-driven intelligence, forest surveillance, community policing and decisive operations that dismantle bandit networks permanently.

2. Protect Schools with a Real Safe Schools Initiative.
Deploy armed marshals, install perimeter security and establish rapid-response teams in high-risk regions.

3. Rebuild the Economy from the Bottom Up
Job creation, agricultural revival, MSME funding and power sector fixes must take precedence over cosmetic reforms.

4. Fight Corruption with Institutional Teeth
Special anti-corruption courts, open contracting and digitized government payments are essential.

5. Put Citizens First
Social protection must be transparent, targeted and shielded from political interference.

A CRITICAL SUMMATION: THE HOUR OF TRUTH FOR NIGERIA. Nigeria stands at a historic turning point. The abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi, the killing of their vice-principal and the rising waves of insecurity, poverty and corruption are not isolated problems; they are symptoms of a nation clinically ill and dangerously untreated. The world is watching. Nigerians are waiting. History is recording. If Nigeria fails to act decisively now, the consequences will echo for generations.

As long as we still breathe, hope is not dead.

In the words of my own reflection: “We must refuse to normalize decline. Nigeria must rise; not by chance, but by courage, sacrifice and the unyielding demand for a nation worthy of its people.” — George Omagbemi Sylvester

 

NIGERIA: A NATION OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by Saharaweeklyng.com

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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.

 

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

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.

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