Breaking news: Governor of Bauchi's right hand man and loyalist resigned!

Tahir Ibrahim Tahir (the Talba of Bauchi) is the close loyalist of the Governor during 2015 elections and the first political appointee by the governor. 

He explain his reasons for resignation.

 Quote "RESIGNATION AS SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT SCHEDULING

It is sad that after two years and more, the government has little or nothing to show for it. The administration has been rudderless and just seems to take on issues as they come without any clear blueprint, plan or manifesto with well laid out time line to deliver campaign promises to pursue the change mantra as publicised before coming into power. Youths were the focal point of our campaigns and were the backbone of our victory but painfully, they are still left to languish on the streets and still being used as campaign tools or added decoration to the Governor's convoys. The Government is not pushing any agenda for bringing succor to the poor people of Bauchi State but only interested in enriching itself, it's  families and a few close friends.

People that did not work for the success of the Government took over in one night and sent off all those that suffered and worked hard for the success of the party. All those that were responsible for the government's success have been totally taken out from the scheme of things and have become helpless observers. Only family members and friends of the Governor call all the shots and control the activities of government and that is why the government is busy patronising and romancing people that fought against it's success. Even the Chief of Staff was a contestant under the PDP during the 2015 polls and so has no idea who did what and who was what in bringing the government into power. Other appointees follow the same suite and came on board to humiliate and drive away all those that mattered. The Government grows more and more unpopular with people and most of the people are fed up with the lies and the acrimony of a government whose watch word is nepotism.

As for me, I definitely fall in the category of those that have been used, misused and dumped. We are now a liability to the government. Gone are the days when they needed people like us to gain acceptance and popularity. I was the number one 'appointee' of the Governor during the campaigns through to the first few months in office before the appointment of other key appointees. I toiled for M A Abubakar Esq day and night without even a glitch. I ran his 'office' for him sincerely and passionately. I took him as a father. Little did I know I was just a political servant who was to serve a purpose and be done away with. Access to him was truncated, access to His office became a pilgrimage, access to His residence became a mirage. I was dropped from his domestic and overseas itinerary by neatly worked out conspiracies of the Governor's Chief Security Officer. I couldn't believe what was happening. I was hurt and I cried. Was this for real? I was patient for a long time and I prayed the government will find it's way and things will change. But eventually I was frustrated out of office and technically schemed out. I had no official role to play as between the Chief of Staff and the Chief Security Officer who is also the Governor's relative, my duties were taken away. I was just a stooge who was appearing around the Governor and looking like I was with the Governor. Meanwhile we were miles apart.

I have worked for change and change has come. I am proud of the role I played in bringing this government into power and I will continue to pray that what I worked for will come to serve it's promises and deliver to it's people. As for me, I have resigned from my post as the Senior Special Assistant on Scheduling. It is better to die standing than to live kneeling down. As a youth, I believe I have a lot to offer yet to my state and to my country Nigeria." unquote.

MY EXPERIENCE OBSERVING RAMADAN IN THE MIDDLE EUROPE DURING MY STUDIES

By Adamu Tilde

“Allah Daya Gari Banbam!”

I could not think of a better phrase that aptly captured my Ramadan experience in Central Europe than the above adage. It was, indeed, Ramadan Unusual, like never was. It was just “too dry” as we say in a popular Nigerian parlance.

Ramadan, as I am used to, symbolises a period of mystical experience, jollification and merrymaking. It is much more than a mere abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. People welcomed Ramadan with both arms open. A week to Ramadan means intense preparation, stocking and distribution of foodstuffs, exchange of gifts and sending of goodwill to loved ones. That was my sole and only definition of Ramadan period; well, until I found myself in Central Europe.

“We should expect to start fasting either on this or that day” the Imam announced after Jumu’a prayer. It was then I was reminded of the forthcoming Ramadan. It couldn’t have been duller, blander and staler!

Nothing signifies Ramadan’s anticipated presence other than this one-line announcement. I was like, this Imam must be kidding! Ramadan and no fanfare! I mean, where is the aura and tranquility that often usher and herald the coming of Ramadan? Where is that feelings of getting into a special period - a period of introspection, contemplation, reflection and purification of soul - feelings of closeness to one’s Benefactor (exalted be His Name)? This must be another world!

A depressing feeling began to creep in, gradually. I felt alienated and out of place.

After accepting the sad reality of my existence, I couldn’t think of buying anything; besides, what is even there to buy other than multiple forms of wheat-flour - Gyros, Kebab, Pizza, Burger, Cake etc.

Another startling and unsettling reality of my existence was that we were in Summer time. And Summer means praying Isha’ at 11:00pm and Subh at 2:30am. In other words, I had only 3-4 hours between Suhoor and Iftar. The longest one would fast in the tropics is 14 hours. Here, I had to fast for 20-21 hours!

It then dawned on me that if I made the mistake of sleeping between Iftar and Suhoor my name would be changed to “Marigayi!” When I told my mum the number of hours I would be fasting, she joked that, given the nature of my frail body, by the time Ramadan ran out I would be as lean as the numerical number 1!

The thought of what to break the fast with during Iftar was more dispiriting and morale-killing than the number of hours to be observed fasting. My brain couldn’t accept Pizza for Iftar. Impossible! A ‘Buda-Baki’ without ‘Kunu’ and ‘Kosai’! And worse, for a Fulani man for that matter?! Is that one 'Buda-Baki'? Borrowing from the Pentecostals’ hush tone, I exclaimed, The Devil is a Liar!

As the days passed, I got used to the strangest Ramadan of my life. I was relieved for the presence of good internet connection to listen and watch Tafseer as they occur in Nigeria.

One of the funniest things that I would live to remember was that when we reached the last ten days of the month. A brother from Sudan asked me as the Imam whether we could observe Tahajjud. I looked at the remaining Maamu to read their reactions. They were all incredulously dumb-founded. I told him, well, as you can see, we are just finishing the Taraweeh and it is already 12am. And we are expected to stop Suhoor by 2am. So I jokingly teased him whether he thinks it is wise to observe Tahajjud and let go of Suhoor? I then reminded him that both Taraweeh and Tahajjud mean the same thing - they are all referred to as Qiyamul Lail!

It was an experience!