Connect with us

society

SEVEN DAYS IN ZAMFARA

Published

on


I give thanks to God for bringing me back home safely after spending seven wonderful, memorable and historic days in Gusau with my friend and brother, His Excellency Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara state. 
I was received in Zamfara with joy, love and kindness wherever I went and I was treated as if I was a son of the soil. It really was awesome and I was humbled and surprised. 
The overwhelming majority of the people of Zamfara state are warm, humble and kind-hearted and I urge every Nigerian to visit the state to see it for themselves. 
During the course of my trip I saw the wonderful things that Matawalle has done in the state over the last one year since he came to power and how he has restored peace in most parts of the state and brought hope, joy, strength, confidence and prosperity to the people. 
Whilst there I learnt about the massive gold and diamond reserves and mines in the top soil of the state which, once the ban on mining is lifted and after proper development and extraction, will eventually propel Zamfara to be the richest and most prosperous state in Nigeria. 
I also visited one of the three massive Ruga settlements that were under construction and discovered how this initiative has resulted in a lasting peace process and healing amongst the various hitherto warring communities in the state. 
I saw the massive infra-structural development that is going on in the state and witnessed the strong collaboration that exists between the state and Federal Government to fight and crush the local terrorists by deploying soldiers and police in strategic locations. 
I went to every nook.and cranny of the state and when I paid a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Garba Tambari, the Emir of Maradun, I was warmly received and treated to a massive and sumptuous lunch at the palace which was attended by hundreds of people. 
This was a great honor for me and I was touched by it. What made it all the more moving was the fact that the Emir had been in the defunct National Party of Nigeria with my father and he knew him well. We had much to talk about! 
The following day His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Makwashe, the Emir of Shinkafi, and the Shinkafi Emirate Council conferred me with the ancient and historic title of Sadaukin Shinkafi, which means the “warrior/hero” of the Shinkafi Emirate. 
I was deeply humbled by this great honor and this is all the more so because I never expected it. I thank his Royal Highness and the Emirate Council for the confidence they have bestowed in me and I pledge to live up to their expectations and build bridges of peace, mutual respect and harmony between our various communities and people.  
After meeting so many other leaders in the state and exchanging views and ideas with various political groups and NGO’s I spent much of the time resting, thinking and meditating about the importance of peace, bridge-building, unity and understanding in our country which are sentiments that my brother Governor Matawalle also cherishes and holds dear. 
We spoke extensively into the early hours of the morning virtually every night and we agreed to build bridges between the north and the south and between members of the Christian and Muslim faith in order to save Nigeria and pull her back from the brink. 
I might add that this is something that he has been in the forefront of doing well before he became Governor and I am glad to see that he has continued, with even greater zest and zeal, after he became Governor. 
It could well be that this is precisely why God removed his predecessor in office and put him power. The Lord never makes mistakes and His timing is always perfect. 
In my view the path that Matawalle has chosen proves his quality and worth as a leader and I have a feeling that over the next few years he will play a critical role in the affairs of this country and will be instrumental in keeping her together. 
In order to make Nigeria a just, noble, civilised, humane and equitable society that regards every single Nigerian as being equal regardless of tribe or faith we must identify those on both sides of the north/south divide that are moderate, reasonable and rational, that believe in fairness, equity, justice and equality and that understand and appreciate the importance of peace, unity, mutual respect and understanding 
Once we are in a position to identify such people we must then resolve to join forces and work with them in our quest to build a better, greater, fairer and safer Nigeria in which all of our compatriots can live in peace and harmony. 
It is because Matawalle believes in this that he and I are close and have been so for years. 
Thankfully there are many other leaders in the core north that think like him such as Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Governor Bala Mohammed, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi (Wambai Shinkafi), former Governor Ahmed Makarfi, Alhaji Tanimu Kabiru Turaki SAN, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, former Governor Sule Lamido, Col. Sambo Dasuki, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam. 
These are reasonable, rational and enlightened men  who have a deep knowledge of history, a keen sense of justice and who represent the last hope for Nigerian unity. 
I say this because, unlike some that are in power in our country today, they do not believe in using violence as a means to an end and neither do they believe in or are part of any hidden religious or ethnic agenda. 
They do not believe in hegemony, suppression, subjugation, tyranny or racial and religious domination and persecution and they see themselves as being Nigerians before being anything else. 
These are the type of people that those of us with like minds from the south can work with, join hands with and build a new Nigeria with. We have a duty to our respective people and an obligation to our God to do no less. 
Most importantly, as leaders, we must never be led, moved or motivated by hate or pain but rather by compassion, understanding and a deep appreciation  of the virtues of decency, equity and justice. 
We must give hope and inspire rather than encourage division and endless strife. We must attempt to heal the wounds of the past rather than attempt to inflict new and even more painful ones. 
It is leaders that have this mindset, regardless of their faith or where they come from in the country, that can save Nigeria from a frightful and dangerous implosion and total collapse. 
If we fail to identify and build bridges with such leaders Nigeria is not only doomed but is also destined for a long and terrible war which no sane person wishes for and which will not augur well for our people. 
Worst of all is the fact that no-one will ever win such a war: we will all lose and we will all end up shedding tears for many years to come. 
This is why we must build bridges no matter how difficult it may be and no matter how many hurdles may be put in our way. 
We must build bridges regardless of the insidious motives and misconceptions that many that know no better and that have been poisoned, embittered and blinded by hate have attributed to those of us that have opted to indulge in such a noble gesture and exercise. 
We must build bridges even though a few shallow, undiscerning, feeble-minded, misguided, naive, gullible, ignorant and politically-motivated individuals believe and see our quest as nothing but an exercise in futility and a total capitulation to tyranny and injustice. 
We must build bridges even though the extremists on both sides of the divide shall hate us and cast aspertions on the character of those of us that seek to do so. 
We must build bridges because everything, including the future and very existence of our people, depends on it. 
The easiest path to tread in any controversy or complex situation is one of conflict, acrimony, confrontation, extremism and ultimately violence and war. We have all trod that path in the past in various degrees but, if pursued to the bitter end, it leads to nothing but mutual annihilation and utter destruction. 
Both Islam and Christianity confirm the wisdom and beauty of dialogue and bridge-building and only the enlightened can appreciate the fact that dialogue does not mean capitulation. 
An attempt to make peace and engender good relations with those that have like minds and similar values cannot be described as cowardice, betrayal, compromise or weakness.  
As a matter of fact the opposite is the case and it is rather those that refuse to seek peace and build bridges and that refuse to even talk to those that they perceive wrongly and erroneously as their adversaries and life-long sworn enemies that are the cowards. 
Followers can afford to harbour such irresponsible sentiments but leaders cannot do so because it would result in drastic and dire consequences. 
I believe that it is appropriate and wise to always extend a handshake where one is offered. Only the mad and blind and those that trade, thrive and derive sadistic pleasure in the shedding of innocent blood and the destruction of lives and property refuse to do so. 
Such people have no place in a civilised society or at the table of peace and we should not allow their negative rantings and cynical disposition to distract or deter us from making that peace and building that bridge. 
On my 6th day in Zamfara Matawalle and I went to Sokoto state to meet with our mutual friend and brother Governor Aminu Tambuwal where we spent the night. 
Again we had fruitful and productive discussions about how to move the country forward and I was once again received with nothing but love and understanding. 
Contrary to the expectations of many Sokoto is actually a very peaceful and beautiful ancient town and all those I met there treated me with love and respect. 

Before leaving Sokoto and in the company of the two Governors, I paid a courtesy call on His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV, the Sultan of Sokoto. 
I was deeply humbled by his kind words, wise counsel, deep knowledge and insight and genuine warmth and I thank him for receiving me. 
This was the first time that I had the privilege of meeting with the Sultan and I was very impressed with his deep and profound understanding of the complex issues that our country and people are faced with and his remarkable knowledge and recollection of our history. 
The Muslim community in Nigeria is blessed with a truly great and wise leader who is worthy of nothing but the greatest respect and the highest honor. 
I am convinced that as long as we have political leaders and traditional rulers that are ready to work together and that are prepared to communicate regularly and dialogue frankly and candidly, no matter how hard that might be and no matter what we may have said and done to each other in the past, there is still hope for Nigeria.
We must forgive one another for past hurts and slights and we must attempt to put our differences aside and recognise our common humanity. That ought to be the guiding principle and focus as from today and it shall certainly be mine. 
There is no gain saying that in all faiths, in all races and in all tribes we have both good and bad. Not one tribe or faith is free of evil men and not one is made up of solely demons or angels. 
All tribes and races have both and what is reckless, dangerous, unacceptable and indefensible is for us to demonise a whole race or a whole faith simply because of the actions of a few. And to a large extent many of us have been guilty of doing that in varying degrees  over the years. 
I am committed to continue to resisting all forms of evil and tyranny, to speaking for the voiceless, to defending the defenceless and to stand for the oppressed just as I have been doing, at great risk to my life and liberty, for many years. 
That will never change and neither will I ever compromise or prostitute my principles and values. I will never compromise with evil or betray my faith and neither will I ever bow before hegemony or tyranny. 
I will never be a slave to anyone or allow others to enslave my people and neither will I ever give up on or forsake the struggle for freedom, equality, liberty and equity in our country. 
I will continue to resist and speak against all forms of subjugation and injustice in the South and the Middle Belt but henceforth I will also speak up for the many victims of oppression, mass murder, ethnic cleansing, slaughter, injustice, wickedness and genocide in the core north as well. 
They are also being butchered and slaughtered like flies by evil souls, bandits and terrorists from mainly outside our shores and not enough of us acknowledge or recognise this. Not enough of us really care. 
Not enough of us acknowledge their sufferings or speak against the evil that they have been subjected to by uncaring leaders and vicious and barbaric terrorist organisations. 
A situation where up until Matawalle came to power in Zamfara just one year ago up to 300 to 500 people were being killed every day is unacceptable. This was the case yet the rest of the country said nothing. 
Wherever I see injustice and wickedness being unleashed on any Nigerian I will continue to fight it because that is my calling. I will no longer fight for just some of our people but rather for all of them. 
We cannot just fight for our tribe but we must fight for all tribes. We cannot just fight for our region or zone but we must fight for all regions and all zones. We cannot just fight for our faith but we must fight for all faiths. 
That is leadership. That is courage. That is righteousness and decency. That is God. 
I love the people of the core north as much as I love the people of the south east, the south south, the south west and the Middle Belt.
I love the people of Zamfara as much as I love the people of Plateau, Southern Kaduna and my great  in-laws in the south east who have always and will always have a special place in my heart. 
We must bring peace to all our people and we must fight for all of them, both Christians and Muslims. We are after all, all God’s children. 
I thank Matawalle, the man of the moment and the man of peace, for building this bridge and I would encourage other northern and southern leaders to take a cue from him and do the same. 
We may disagree on many things but there can be no doubt that we all agree on the importance and benefits of peace, unity, love, mutual respect and mutual understanding.
That is the only way to make Nigeria what our forefathers wanted her to be. That is the only way to make us strong and relevant in the wider world and in the international community. That is the only way forward. 
That is the only way to build and establish a new, promising, inspiring and restructured Nigeria. May God guide us.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

society

Amadi Lawrence: The Brand Whisperer Behind Starstation’s Creative Renaissance*

Published

on

*Amadi Lawrence: The Brand Whisperer Behind Starstation’s Creative Renaissance*

Lagos, Nigeria – In a country teeming with talent and ambition, it takes more than just vision to stand out. It takes grit, strategy, and an instinct for storytelling. These are the qualities that define Amadi Lawrence, the dynamic CEO of Starstation, a fast-rising, top-rated management and media company based in Lagos.

For over a decade, Lawrence has been the unseen hand behind some of Nigeria’s most compelling branding, artist development, and content marketing campaigns. From launching new products to repositioning personalities, his work has consistently revolved around one core belief: stories move people—and people build brands.

> “Since 2011, I’ve worked closely with leading organizations, companies, and high-profile individuals,” Lawrence said. “My goal has always been to help them shape their presence and achieve remarkable growth across advertising, marketing, and public relations. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about impact.”

 

At the heart of this impact is Starstation, the firm he describes as “the brainchild of absolute passion, years of experience, and utmost dedication.” More than just a consultancy, Starstation is a powerhouse of creativity, branding, and strategic management—blending innovative thinking with deep emotional intelligence to help clients tell their stories in a powerful and authentic way.

> “Starstation is a top-rated innovative management company that helps brands and talented artists rediscover their mission, live their core values, and clarify their positioning,” Lawrence explained. “We are creatives who love telling inspiring stories about the brands we serve.”

 

From artist and event management to business analysis, brand storytelling, and corporate strategy, the firm delivers a wide spectrum of professional services. And with each project, they aim to go beyond the ordinary.

> “We live in a time where common thinking reigns supreme,” Lawrence said. “At Starstation, we challenge that. We value potential over predictability. We exist to reignite the fire within restless brands—to challenge their status quo and stoke their belief in an uncommon future.”

 

This future-driven philosophy is evident in the company’s track record. Whether crafting compelling content for a campaign, building a disruptive brand identity, or managing an event that leaves a lasting impression, the Starstation team approaches each task with a clarity of purpose—and a hunger to elevate their clients.

Lawrence’s personal journey reflects that same sense of purpose. Having worked in artiste management, content creation, and branding, he has cultivated an instinctive feel for market dynamics and audience psychology.

> “Whether I’m building a brand from scratch or re-energizing an existing one, I always focus on authenticity,” he said. “People can tell when something is real—and when it’s just noise. That’s why our campaigns are built on truth, values, and strategy.”

 

His style of leadership combines mentorship and innovation. He doesn’t just execute projects—he empowers the people behind them. Many of the talents who passed through Starstation have gone on to build solid, independent brands of their own.

> “I believe in collaboration,” he added. “I believe in helping people discover their voice—and amplifying it. That’s what makes the work fulfilling.”

 

As the digital landscape evolves, Lawrence continues to embrace new trends while staying grounded in storytelling.

> “The tools may change, but the core remains the same,” he said. “People will always connect to stories, values, and vision. That’s what we deliver—every single time.”

 

For companies, individuals, and talents seeking to rise above the noise, Starstation is more than a service provider—it’s a creative partner and strategic guide. And at its helm is Amadi Lawrence: a man driven by passion, purpose, and the audacity to imagine a future beyond the ordinary.

> “The future,” he concludes, “belongs to the uncommon. That’s why we’re here—to help brands discover that part of themselves and lead with it.”

 

As a media partner, Starstation continues to shape the narratives that define success in Nigeria’s ever-evolving creative and corporate space—one brand at a time.

Amadi Lawrence: The Brand Whisperer Behind Starstation’s Creative Renaissance*

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

Tinubu Isn’t Nigeria’s Problem — He’s the Symptom of a Rotting System

Published

on

Budget Constraints, Infrastructure Woes Stall Diplomatic Deployment

from military rule to mismanaged democracy, Nigeria’s crisis runs deeper than any one president.

By Femi Oyewale

In the flurry of discontent sweeping across Nigeria today—rising costs, worsening insecurity, and public distrust—many fingers are pointing at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But in our desperation to find a scapegoat, we risk missing the bigger picture. Tinubu is not the architect of Nigeria’s ruin; he is the latest occupant of a broken system built on decades of policy failure, corruption, and elite impunity.
Tinubu Isn’t Nigeria’s Problem — He’s the Symptom of a Rotting System
Let’s be clear: Tinubu’s administration deserves critique—no leader is above accountability. But it is intellectually lazy and politically shortsighted to isolate him as the root cause of Nigeria’s dysfunction. Our real enemy is the structure—a web of systemic errors that has entangled Nigeria for over 60 years.
A Brief History of Institutional Collapse
Since independence: Nigeria has struggled with the ghosts of colonial division, regional distrust, and leadership that prioritized personal gain over national development. From military dictatorships to flawed democratic transitions, every administration contributed bricks to the wall of dysfunction we now face. Policies came and went, but accountability remained a myth. The oil boom brought riches, yet poverty deepened. Institutions became shells of power, riddled with incompetence and fueled by patronage.
Democracy Hijacked: Nigeria Under Tinubu and APC's Reign of Suppression By George Omagbemi Sylvester
By the time democracy “returned” in 1999, the nation had already normalized bad governance. Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari—all had chances to reverse the rot. Instead, they either sustained it or worsened it. Now Tinubu inherits a house built on sand, and we expect him to walk on water.
Structural Injustice and a Culture of Rot
The real crisis lies in how our political, judicial, and economic systems are wired. We run a federal system that behaves like a unitary state. Governors act as emperors. Elections are transactional. Justice is for sale. And our security architecture is outdated and overwhelmed.
Fueling Uncertainty: Investigating Nigeria's Subsidy Removal And Dangote Refinery Debacle* By Sylvester Audu
Tinubu did not invent fuel subsidy scams. He didn’t start the tradition of bloated governance or underfunded education. The poverty and infrastructural decay tormenting Nigerians today are the cumulative results of 60+ years of elite failure. If not him, the system would have found another operator.
A People Conditioned to Tolerate Failure
Nigerians have also been conditioned—through survivalism and repression—to accept bad leadership as fate. We cheer tribalism over merit, and we normalize inefficiency as long as it wears our ethnic or religious label. This collective silence is what emboldens political actors, not just at the top but across all tiers of government.
Nigeria: Achebe’s Warning Ignored, A Nation in Relapse By George Omagbemi Sylvester
TIME TO FIX THE FOUNDATION
Removing Tinubu won’t fix Nigeria. Electing a messiah won’t work if the system crushes reformers. What Nigeria needs is institutional restructuring, civic awakening, and a hard reboot of its political culture. We must de-emphasize personalities and focus on process. We need less of “who’s in power” and more of “how power works.”
The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story Reviewed by Sunday Dare,
Blaming Tinubu alone is like blaming the final domino in a long-fallen chain. He is a reflection, not the cause. If Nigerians want a better future, we must stop hacking at branches and start digging out roots. This is not just Tinubu’s mess—it is ours too. And until we fix the system, no president, saint or sinner, will save us.

Continue Reading

society

ENOUGH OF THE PROMISES: Nigerians Demand Security, Not Speeches

Published

on

ENOUGH OF THE PROMISES: Nigerians Demand Security, Not Speeches By George Omagbemi Sylvester

ENOUGH OF THE PROMISES: Nigerians Demand Security, Not Speeches

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

 

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu once again summoned Nigeria’s service chiefs to Aso Rock for yet another high-level security meeting, Nigerians collectively sighed not with relief, but with exhaustion. We have been here too many times before. The statements are recycled. The directives sound familiar. The assurances ring hollow.

This is not leadership; it is theatre.

The tragic truth is that the Nigerian people are not just tired, they are angry, disillusioned and traumatized. They are tired of being the collateral damage in a war their government pretends to be fighting. They are tired of being promised security while bandits roam free, terrorists regroup and kidnappers demand ransoms without consequence. The real crisis is not just the violence; it is the normalization of that violence.

The Grim State of Insecurity: A Nation Under Siege


Between 2015 and 2024, Nigeria has recorded over 63,000 conflict-related deaths, according to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker (NST). In 2023 alone, over 4,800 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents, while more than 3,600 were kidnapped. States like Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Niger and Benue have become synonymous with bloodshed. From Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast to bandits in the Northwest, to killer herdsmen in the Middle Belt and separatist agitators in the Southeast, the entire federation is under siege.

Rural communities have been abandoned. Highways have become death traps. Urban centers are no longer safe. Nigerians live in fear not because they are weak, but because their leaders have failed to make safety a priority.

Presidential Promises Are Not Bulletproof Vests


President Tinubu came into power with promises of security reform. On May 29, 2023, during his inauguration, he boldly declared that “security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.” Yet, as of May 2025, that promise remains largely unfulfilled.

Yes, the president meets with service chiefs. Yes, there are occasional “military successes” trumpeted by the state media. But these are mere tokens in a crisis that requires transformation not tweaking.

You cannot bomb terrorism out of existence while corruption is left intact. Security is not merely about bullets and battalions; it is about intelligence, accountability, justice and trust. It is about rooting out the rot in the system that allows terrorists to be released from jail, while victims receive shallow condolences.

Empty Meetings, Empty Results
Every time there is a mass abduction, a military ambush, or a deadly attack on civilians, the federal government reacts the same way:

A security meeting is convened.

The President is “briefed.”

Service chiefs are “directed” to “intensify efforts.”

The same faces appear in the same photos.

Nothing changes.

These meetings are not solutions, they are distractions. They offer optics, not outcomes.

How many Nigerians must die before action is taken? How many villages must be razed before strategies become realities? How many schoolchildren must be kidnapped before the government sees the urgency that citizens feel every single day?

As Chinua Achebe once warned, “A man who brings home ant-infested firewood should not be surprised when lizards start to visit.” Our leaders have invited chaos by tolerating impunity. And now, Nigeria is crawling with lizards of lawlessness.

A Deafening Silence on Accountability
Nigeria’s political elite have mastered the art of talking without saying anything. They issue statements without solutions, sympathize without sincerity and govern without results.

Why, for instance, has no service chief ever resigned or been dismissed for gross security failures? In civilized democracies, such dereliction would trigger resignations, probes and prosecutions. In Nigeria, it earns a promotion or a national award.

In the words of Professor Wole Soyinka, “Only in Nigeria do criminals get rewarded while victims are forgotten.”

This culture of impunity must end. If the military hierarchy cannot secure Nigeria, then it is time for a national overhaul not another presidential handshake.

ENOUGH OF THE PROMISES: Nigerians Demand Security, Not Speeches
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

The Economic Cost of Insecurity
Beyond the human toll, insecurity is decimating Nigeria’s economy. According to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the country loses over $10 billion annually due to conflict-related disruptions. Farmers cannot access their land due to fear of attacks, which has worsened the food crisis and driven inflation to an alarming 33.2% as of April 2025.

Foreign investors flee at the first hint of instability. Tourism is virtually nonexistent. Domestic businesses relocate or shut down. The World Bank notes that insecurity has become one of the top three obstacles to Nigeria’s economic growth, alongside corruption and poor infrastructure.

A nation without security is a nation without a future.

2025 Is Halfway Through: Why Only Excuses?
It has been nearly two full years since this administration took office. Nigerians are not unreasonably impatient they are rationally demanding results. The APC government has exhausted its grace period.

No more “renewed hope” slogans. No more speeches about “resilience” and “commitment.” Nigerians are not a people who need to be told to endure. They need a government that knows how to act.

As the popular street saying goes: “Na security we wan chop?” No. But without security, no one can chop.

What Must Be Done?

If the Tinubu administration truly desires to end this cycle of bloodshed, it must take the following concrete actions:

Reshuffle and professionalize the military leadership. Promotion must be based on performance not political loyalty.

Invest in local intelligence and surveillance technology. Drones, satellite monitoring and community-based intelligence must be prioritized.

Strengthen state policing frameworks. Centralized policing has failed. Each state must be allowed to manage its own internal security with federal collaboration.

Prosecute collaborators and financiers of terrorism. Enough of the hidden sponsors; name and shame them.

Ensure victims get justice and compensation. Healing starts with acknowledgment.

Quotes to Remember

Nelson Mandela: “Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment.”

Barack Obama: “Security and opportunity are two sides of the same coin.”

Thomas Jefferson: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”

But what use is vigilance when those at the top are asleep?

Let the Bullets Stop. Let the Lies End.
Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are demanding what every responsible government should provide: the right to life, peace and liberty. If this administration cannot guarantee that, then history will judge it harshly not for what it promised, but for what it failed to deliver.

Let the bullets stop. Let the bloodshed end. Let results speak louder than rhetoric.

Nigeria deserves peace. And Nigerians demand nothing less.

ENOUGH OF THE PROMISES: Nigerians Demand Security, Not Speeches
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending