“Allah will not forgive me…”
My first visit to Northern Nigeria was in 2018 when I was posted to Nasarawa State for my one-year compulsory NYSC. Before then, I had never travelled beyond Enugu State. The North was completely new territory for me.
When my call-up letter came out and I saw Nasarawa State, I prepared myself mentally for the journey.
There was no direct vehicle from Aba to Lafia, so I was advised to travel to Makurdi, Benue State first, then continue to Nasarawa. I arrived at the park in Makurdi around 4:30pm and immediately found a vehicle loading for Lafia. I entered and waited.
For over 30 minutes, I was the only passenger.
Concerned about the time, I approached the driver and told him I might need to find an alternative since it was getting late and this was my first time traveling to the North. He begged me to stay and promised:
“No matter what happens, I will carry you to your destination.”
I trusted him and went back to my seat.
Around 6:00pm, another vehicle arrived from Enugu with six passengers heading to Lafia. The vehicle I had been sitting in could only carry six people. The loaders began transferring their luggage into my vehicle and asked one of them to board another car. The group refused — they insisted on traveling together.
Then something shocking happened.
The agberos brought out my bags and told me to find another vehicle.
I was angry and frustrated. It was getting dark. I didn’t know the town. I had already waited for over an hour. When I realized the loaders were Igbo like me, I pleaded with them in Igbo. They didn’t listen.
I walked up to the driver and reminded him of his promise. I told him it wasn’t fair to abandon me now that he had seen full passengers.
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he said something I will never forget:
“If I do this to you, Allah will not forgive me.”
He asked all six passengers to come down from his vehicle and told them to board another car.
The loaders were furious. They insulted him, calling him a bad businessman who didn’t have sense.
But the driver stood his ground.
He returned my bags into the vehicle, started the engine, and began driving, with only me as his passenger.
I couldn’t believe it.
He crossed River Benue with just me in the car and kept driving. At that point, I even started feeling sorry for him. If I were in his position, would I have done the same?
About three to five minutes into the journey, he received a call from the park. Another vehicle had just arrived with five passengers going to Lafia.
He looked at me and asked, “Should I turn back?”
I said yes.
He reversed, returned to the park, picked up the five passengers, and we finally headed to Lafia.
That was my first personal encounter with a Muslim man in the North.
Till today, I still think about the spirit that made that driver willing to carry just one passenger — at his own loss — simply because he gave his word.
You may be Christian.
You may be Muslim.
You may be a traditional worshipper.
But before anything else, we are human beings.
There are good people in every religion.
There are bad people in every religion.
Your prayer should simply be this:
May you never meet a bad person irrespective of religion or tribe.
Kalu Kelechi Kalu
Dr. Ijeoma Akunyili, the daughter of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer of Jersey City Medical Center, USA.
She becomes the first Black physician to lead the hospital since its founding in 1882.
Let's retweet to celebrate her! 🙏
Education minister unveils Zulum's 2 mega schools
The Federal Government has commended the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for the significant investment he has made in providin
https://t.co/FvCO9IbseC
@AbbaKyari48@KashimSM@ProfZulum@GovBorno@Habuhk4 As a legend clocked 59 today, we celebrate him for all the selfless service he rendered and we urge him to do more. May your days ahead continue to benefit humanity. Happy birthday long life and prosperity my VP Sir.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hastily and thoughtlessly removed fuel subsidy on the day of his inauguration, he triggered an economic avalanche that has since buried the average Nigerian under the weight of inflation, hunger, and despair.
In a bid to manage the self-inflicted crisis, the administration promised to pay a wage award to federal civil servants as a temporary cushion pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage. That promise, like many others under this government, has become a broken covenant.
It took the Tinubu administration a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure. By implication, the Federal Government owes 10 months of wage award arrears to federal workers. Yet, only six months have been paid and that too after a series of unfulfilled assurances and avoidable delays. As of today, the Federal Government owes four months of wage awards, amounting to ₦35,000 monthly, a total of ₦140,000 per worker.
While several state governments have shown commendable responsibility in the management of labour affairs, the Tinubu-led Federal Government has distinguished itself by its callous indifference and utter disdain for workers’ welfare.
To make matters worse, instead of engaging in dialogue or fulfilling its promises, the government has now resorted to tyranny and suppression of free speech. Nearly two weeks ago, Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze was arrested and detained for attempting to organize a peaceful protest to demand the payment of the overdue wage awards. His only "crime" was speaking up for workers abandoned by the state.
We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Emelieze. His continued detention is an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration.
Let it be known: Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act, not repress. -AA
A man of exemplary character who consistently demonstrates a commitment to the welfare and advancement of his people and the state, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
May Almighty Allah continues to uplift you Sir.
@ProfZulum@GovBorno@BornoGovt
Last month, our ongoing nationwide grassroots fact-checking sensitization initiative reached MMC and Jere LGAs of #BornoState, impacting over 594 citizens in Muna Ethiopa, Ajilari Cross, and Teachers Village communities.
Through an engaging and interactive approach, our team educated participants on the importance of verifying information before sharing, and equipped them with practical skills to identify false information effectively.
thread!
@FAOlivestock team, in collaboration with the UNIMAID Veterinary Teaching Hospital, kicked off the week by offering free veterinary services in Maiduguri. The support benefits both participants & non-participants of @FAO's livestock restocking initiative after the recent floods.
🌼 Let’s prioritize our mental health! Here are some simple ways to nurture your well-being:
🧘♀️ Try mindfulness
📚 Enjoy a good book
🎨 Get creative
🚶♂️ Take a walk in nature
🤝 Connect with a friend
It’s okay to take time for yourself—you’re not alone! #MentalHealth
Today, BELACODE supported 50 individuals in Tashambama with essential non-food items. Each received detergents, two clothes, and sanitary pads. We're committed to making a difference, one community at a time. #CommunitySupport#BELACOT#HumanitarianAid"
Today, BELACODE continues its mission of supporting our community in Maiduguri. With compassion and dedication, we distributed essential supplies to those in need at Teachers Village IDP camp. Together, we build resilience and hope. #CommunitySupport#BornoRelief#BELACOTImpact
Dear Twitter
We the citizens of Borno are very grateful . The balance of the Network from 12th &13th Sept( the day acc was shared on Twitter ) got an increase of 1.2M Twitter donations. We also received other donations which was upto 1M.
We are now accessing camps for the distribution of essential items. And will update on available balance again on Monday before withdrawal to buy items.
Will keep you posted.
cc @alouibrahim92@Realoilsheikh@a_mere_fiction@Bornocivil
In these challenging times, our safety and well-being are crucial. Let's work together to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. By supporting each other and taking necessary precautions, we can overcome any obstacle.