A Twist of Fate: How Crashing The White Falcon 🦅 Revitalized My Reading Habit and Strengthened My Lifelong Love for Books

Life, unpredictable and full of twists, often leads us down unforeseen paths. One such twist for me unfolded on a Thursday morning when my childhood friend’s urgent request to borrow my car turned into an unexpected series of events that not only shook my finances but also revitalized my lifelong love for books.

Farooq Gajo in the Whote Rose 🌹

In the wake of a car crash orchestrated by my friend, my once-pristine Toyota Solara Convertible became a mangled wreck. Financial strain and inconvenience followed as I navigated the aftermath of the crashes and the looting of my personal belongings, including my cherished dark Signature Ray Ban sunglasses.

The White Falcon 🦅

Yet, amid the chaos, an unexpected silver lining emerged. Stranded without my car, I found solace in public transportation during daily commutes. This twist of fate became the catalyst for rediscovering the joy of reading, a passion deeply ingrained since my childhood.

From the earliest memories of being captivated by children’s stories to exploring the wisdom of literary classics, my love for books had been a constant companion. However, in the busyness of adult life, and the challenge of switching career role from Tech to Sales, my reading habit had taken a back seat. The incident with my friend acted as a wake-up call, prompting me to reconnect with the stories that had shaped my journey, and helped carve a special time from my busyness for reading.

The White Rose (Farooq Gajo’s Personal Library) 📚

The bus rides, once a mere means of transit, transformed into a precious window for literary exploration. What started as a compromise became a transformative experience, allowing me to devour books during commutes. The very constraints of my car’s confines, which once limited my reading because I am always on the steering wheel, were now replaced by the freedom to explore diverse narratives and books that have been gathering dust in my book shelf inside my personal library (the White Rose 🌹).

My reading journey, for the better part of last year was stuck on “Money” by Rob Brown over the past six months, regained momentum. The hours spent in transit became an opportunity to finish books with newfound zeal. “Psychology of Selling” by Brian Tracy, a daunting read in the past, succumbed to my accelerated reading pace, taking only 11 days to complete.

Farooq Gajo in the White Rose 🌹

In retrospect, the car crash, though financially burdensome and inconvenient, became a pivotal moment. It not only reshaped my reading habits but also strengthened my lifelong love for books. The childhood passion for stories, nurtured through the years, proved resilient in the face of life’s turbulence.

Farooq Gajo and The White Falcon

As I treaded through the challenges posed by the car crash, the threads of my lifelong love for books remained unbroken. If anything, they were woven tighter, proving that amidst life’s twists and turns, the solace and joy derived from a good book could serve as a constant, reliable anchor. The incident became a testament to the enduring nature of passions cultivated since childhood, revealing that sometimes, unexpected twists of fate can lead us back to the comforting embrace of our lifelong loves.

Now, I have resolved to commute to work with the public transport system more often than not.

“In the pages of lost love, the chapters remain etched, binding our hearts to the bittersweet poetry of what once was.” – Farooq Gajo

The Power of Customer Experience: Building Lasting Relationships

There’s only one boss; the customer. – Sam Walton

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, customer experience has emerged as a critical factor that can make or break a company’s success. Customer experience is more than just providing a product or service; it encompasses every touchpoint a customer has with a brand.

Understanding Customer Experience

Customer experience (CX) is the sum of every interaction and encounter a customer has with a brand throughout their journey. This includes initial awareness, research, purchase, post-purchase support, and any ongoing relationship. A positive CX can lead to customer loyalty, word-of-mouth recommendations, and increased revenue.

In banking, customers are referred to as “account holders” or “clients.”Retail Customers are typically referred to as “shoppers” or “buyers.”, In the hospitality industry, customers are often called “guests.”, In the online retail space, customers are known as “online shoppers” or “users.”, In the telecom industry, customers are often called “subscribers” or “users.”, In aviation and transportation, Customers are called Passengers, In Restaurants and food industry, Customers are called “diners” or “patrons.”, In Gyms and Fitness Centers, customers are often referred to as “members”, In Insurance Customers are known as “policyholders.”

Why Customer Experience Matters

There are Five (5) Main Types of Customers;

1. Loyal Customers.
2. Impulse Customers.
3. Discount Customers.
4. Need-Based Customers.
5. Wandering Customers.

Which type of Customer do you want?

It is totally up to you and your business to determine the type of Customer you create out of the prospects that access any touch-point of your business. Below are some tips;

1. Differentiation: In a crowded market, it’s often the quality of the customer experience that sets one brand apart from the rest. A memorable and enjoyable experience can be a powerful differentiator.

2. Customer Loyalty: When customers have a positive experience, they are more likely to return and become loyal patrons. Loyal customers are not only repeat buyers but also advocates for your brand (Net Promoter Score).

3. Increased Revenue: Happy customers are willing to spend more and are less price-sensitive. They are also more likely to make additional purchases, refer friends, and write positive reviews.

4. Reduced Churn: A great customer experience can reduce customer churn. When customers feel valued and supported, they are less likely to seek alternatives.

FAROOQ GAJO

Key Elements of Exceptional Customer Experience

1. Personalization: Tailoring experiences to individual preferences and needs makes customers feel valued. This can be achieved through data analysis and personalized recommendations.

2. Seamless Multichannel Support: Customers should have a consistent and seamless experience across all touchpoints, whether it’s in-store, online, or via customer service.

3. Accessibility: Accessibility for all customers, including those with disabilities, is crucial. Ensure that your products and services are usable by everyone.

4. Timely and Effective Customer Support: Quick response times and efficient issue resolution are vital for a positive CX. This includes online chat, email, and phone support.

5. Continuous Improvement: Gather feedback and data to continually refine and enhance the customer experience. Listen to customer suggestions and adapt accordingly.

Conclusion

In an age where customers have more options than ever, creating a memorable and positive customer experience is essential for business success. Exceptional CX not only leads to increased revenue and customer loyalty but also builds lasting relationships that can withstand market challenges. Companies that prioritize customer experience will find themselves at the forefront of their industries and in the hearts of their customers.

PUBLIC SPEAKING AT A GLANCE

“A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool speaks because he has to say something.” Plato.

As the President of Lagos Arewa Youth Organization (LAYO), I have been opportuned to give speeches that gave me butterflies in the stomach, It’s alright to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation, and the only question that comes to my mind after such speeches is – How did I manage to get these butterflies to fly in such formation to deliver such a masterpiece?

Farooq Gajo delivering a speech at Culturati Symposium 2023

As I strive to answer this question, I accredit my penchant for reading books voraciously, and I have studied many great speeches and speakers e.g. Barrack Obama, Malcolm X, Tafawa Balewa, Muhammed Qahtani, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and boy! it’s an adventure.

Farooq Gajo Public Speaking Certificate

My major introduction to Public Speaking and the power it has on the audience was in the year 2017, We have just graduated from Fidelity Bank’s CREST Academy after an arduous 2-months of induction into the banking profession, as part of a CSR initiative we were to visit an Orphanage and halfway into the programme, HR Mosopeoluwa Obikoya said I am to give a speech, as the President of my induction class (ACERS), I simply shrugged and said okay, because I’ve never felt the need to prepare before speaking anywhere, I just flow with what comes, and that’s simply what I did. I went on to give a speech that gave me butterflies in the stomach (and the room went still and silent as though I was the only one there).

Farooq Gajo delivering a speech at the United Nation World Tourism Organization

What struck a chord with me the most were the feedback I got from my colleagues, A very intelligent colleague Florence Ogbonna (nee Florence Obiaku) told me to consider a career in Public Speaking, Sebastian Omeje asked me if I knew I was going to give the speech beforehand and had prepared, I said No. and He went on to tell me that I flowed as if I was born to make that speech, ‘Sope told me that I have become a celebrity. Ever since then, I awoken to the latent potential in my Public Speaking abilities and made conscious efforts to improve my skills.

Farooq Gajo Public Speaking Certificate

Public speaking is a valuable skill that can boost your confidence and help you effectively communicate your ideas to a larger audience.

Even though I am not where I want to be as a Public Speaker yet, as I continue to learn and improve my Public speaking skills, I thought to share the twelve (12) key tips (in order of priority) that I have learnt, and think will be beneficial to you (my reader):

1. Know Your Audience: Understand who you are talking to and tailor your message accordingly

2. Prepare and Practice: Take the time to prepare your speech or presentation thoroughly. Outline your main points, and rehearse your delivery to build confidence.

3. Speak Only when you have something to say: Like Plato said “A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool speaks because he has to say something.”, “No one ever complains about a speech being too short!” Ira Hayes and Hausa people will say; Da Muguwar rawa ‘kwanda ‘kin tashi. “Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.”  D. H. Lawrence. 

Farooq Gajo Public Speaking Certificate

4. Start Strong: Grab your audience’s attention right from the beginning. Begin with a compelling story, a surprising fact, or a thought-provoking question to create a strong opening that sets the tone for your speech. For starting strong pay emphasis to the tone and pitch of your voice this is very essential.

5. Tell Stories: Stories are powerful tools for capturing and retaining the attention of your audience. Incorporate relevant anecdotes, personal experiences, or case studies to illustrate your points and make your speech more relatable. “Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.” Dale Carnegie.

Farooq Gajo delivering a speech at Culturati Symposium 2023

6. Connect with Your Audience: Tailor your speech to resonate with your audience. Understand their needs, interests, and expectations to deliver a message that captivates and engages them. Usually I know this has been achieved when the room goes completely silent and all attention is on me (like the famous Hausa saying – Kamar ruwa ya shanye su, meaning as if flood has consumed everyone). “The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.” Lilly Walters.

7. Engage with Body Language: Pay attention to your body language. Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use hand gestures to convey confidence and connect with your audience.

Farooq Gajo engaging the audience during a speech

8. Speak Clearly and Moderately: Articulate your words clearly and speak at a moderate pace. This helps ensure that your audience can follow along and understand your message without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

9. Handle Nervousness: It’s normal to feel nervous before speaking in public. Practice deep breathing exercises, visualize success, and focus on the value you’re providing to your audience to help calm your nerves, It helps to give more attention to those part of the audience that you can read from their faces are immersed in what you are conveying and they are keenly tagging along.

10. Interact with the Audience: Encourage audience participation through questions, polls, or interactive activities. This creates a dynamic and engaging atmosphere, fostering a connection between you and your listeners.

Farooq Gajo delivering a speech

11. Use Visual Aids: Visual aids such as slides or props can enhance your presentation and make complex ideas easier to understand. Keep them simple, visually appealing, and relevant to your message.

12. Speak Only when you have something to say: Like Plato “A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool speaks because he has to say something.” Plato.

13. End Strong: Leave a lasting impression by ending your speech with a powerful closing statement. Summarize your main points, offer a call to action, or leave your audience with a thought-provoking question to ponder. “Begin with the end in mind.” Dr Stephen R. Covey.

Farooq Gajo delivering a speech

Remember, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. Embrace opportunities to speak in front of others, seek feedback, and continue refining your skills. With time and dedication, you’ll become a confident and impactful public speaker.

Resources

If you are interested in learning more… Google and books are a very useful resources I will recommend.

Good luck! 🎤

Have an amazing week ahead…

ISLAMIC BANKING AT A GLANCE

" Islamic Finance = Finance with the remembrance of God” - Amanah Advisors

As a Banker and Islamic School Teacher, I’ve always been fascinated by Islamic banking and finance, and how it integrates into the modern day banking and finance globally.

Recently, I was granted a virtual internship opportunity by AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE), an Islamic think-tank and Islamic Finance consultancy based in Dubai UAE . After a rigorous two months of Article Writing, Development of Industry Linkages with concerned Market, Data Collection & Communication, free seminars in Educational Institutes, Forums, Associations, Religious Organizations, Establishment of Strategic Partnership linkages, Promoting Distance Learning Program and Al-Huda CIBE Services, Visit to the Financial Industry, Weekly Reports and Fortnightly Meeting, and a Final Internship Report. I was certified.

Participation flier from AlHuda CIBE Farooq Gajo

Hence I decided to write a 5-minute read article on Islamic Banking and economics to share with you my readers ( I know it’s been long I posted here, I promise to do better!)

What is Banking?

Generally, Banking is a business of intermediation, in which money is taken from areas of surplus and borrowed to areas of deficit with the aim of rejuvenating the economy.

In rejuvenating the economy, a lot happens and that is where profit (resulting from charges, commissions, fees, interest or equity participation) and loss (in case of default or non-profitability) are made, ultimately the approach a bank takes here is what determines if it is Islamic or not.

What is Islamic Banking?

Islamic banking is grounded in the tenets of the Islamic faith as they relate to commercial transactions. The principles of Islamic banking are derived from the Quran, which is the central religious text of Islam.

Beginning in the 1960s, the first modern experiment with Islamic banking can be traced to the establishment of the Mit Ghamr Savings Bank in Egypt in 1963. Islamic banking resurfaced in the modern world, and since 1975, many new interest-free banks have been established. Islamic banking also referred to as Islamic finance or Shariah-compliant finance, refers to finance or banking activities that adhere to Shariah (Islamic law). The rules that govern commercial transactions in Islamic banking are referred to as fiqh al-muamalat.

Two fundamental principles of Islamic banking are the sharing of profit and loss and the prohibition of the collection and payment of interest by lenders and investors.

Islamic banks make a profit through equity contribution, which requires a borrower to give the bank a share in their profits rather than paying interest. There are more than 560 Islamic banks and over 1,900 mutual funds around the world that comply with Islamic principles. Some conventional banks have windows or sections that provide designated Islamic banking services to their customers.

Riba (i.e. Interest)

Riba is mentioned and condemned in several different verses in the Qur’an (3:130, 4:161, 30:39 and perhaps most commonly in 2:275-2:280).

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ أَضْعَـٰفًۭا مُّضَـٰعَفَةًۭ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ١٣

Translation:

O believers! Do not consume interest, multiplying it many times over. And be mindful of Allah, so you may prosper. Q3:130

Riba is an Arabic word that means “to increase” or “to exceed” and is commonly used in reference to unequal exchanges or charges and fees for borrowing. Interest is deemed riba, or an unjust, exploitative gain, and such practice is forbidden under Islamic law. In Islamic finance, riba refers to interest charged on loans or deposits. Religious practice forbids riba, even at low interest rates, as both illegal and unethical or usurious.

Islam consider that Riba is not only an oppressive practice, it also involves exploiting those in need. A fundamental part of being a Muslim involves that those who have wealth need to assist those that do not.

Islamic banking has provided several workarounds to accommodate financial transactions without charging riba (i.e. interest).

Examples of Islamic banking products?

Some of these include Mudharabah (profit sharing),

Wadiah (safekeeping),

Musharakah (joint venture),

Murabahah (cost plus finance),

Ijar (leasing),

Hawala (an international fund transfer system),

Takaful (Islamic insurance),

and Sukuk (Islamic bonds).

Key Differences between Islamic and Conventional Banking

One of the primary differences between conventional banking systems and Islamic banking is that Islamic banking prohibits usury (Usury is the act of lending money at an interest rate that is considered unreasonably high or that is higher than the rate permitted by law) and speculation (taking positions on the market without any underlying reason or fundamental analysis, based on chance, and not on actual economic activity). Shariah strictly prohibits any form of speculation or gambling, which is referred to as maisir. When more information or guidance is necessary, Islamic bankers turn to learned scholars or use independent reasoning based on scholarship and customary practices. Shariah prohibits taking interest on loans. In addition, any investments involving items or substances that are prohibited in the Quran—including alcohol, gambling, and pork—are also prohibited.

In this way, Islamic banking can be considered a culturally distinct form of ethical investing. To earn money without the typical practice of charging interest, Islamic banks use equity contribution systems (Murabaha). Equity contribution means if a bank lends money to a business, the business will pay back the loan without interest and instead give the bank a share in its profits. If the business defaults or doesn’t earn a profit, then the bank also doesn’t benefit. During the years of Mit-Ghamr project operations, the bank exercised a great deal of caution, only approving about 40% of its business loan applications. However, in economically good times, the bank’s default ratio was said to be zero

In general, Islamic banking institutions tend to be more risk-averse in their investment practices. As a result, they typically avoid business that could be associated with economic bubbles.

Murabaha (Cost-Plus Financing)

Murabaha, also referred to as cost-plus financing, is the Islamic financing structure in which the seller and buyer agree to the cost and markup of an asset. The markup takes place of interest, which is illegal in Islamic law. As such, murabaha is not an interest-bearing loan (qardh ribawi) but is an acceptable form of credit sale under Islamic law. As with a rent-to-own arrangement, the purchaser does not become the true owner until the loan is fully paid. In Islamic finance, murabaha financing is used in place of interest-bearing loans.

Certificate of Completion_ Farooq_Gajo

Many argue that this is simply another method of charging interest. However, the difference lies in the structure of the contract. In a murabaha contract for sale, the bank buys an asset and then sells the asset back to the client with a profit charge. This type of transaction is halal or valid, according to Islamic Sharia.

Additional charges may not be imposed after a murabaha due date, which makes murabaha default an increasing concern for Islamic banks. Many banks believe defaulters should be blacklisted and not allowed future loans from any Islamic bank as a method of decreasing murabaha default. Even if it is not expressly mentioned in the loan agreement, this arrangement is permissible in Sharia. If a debtor is facing a genuine hardship and cannot repay a loan on time, respite may be given as described in the Quran. However, the government may take action in cases of willful default. Defaults under murabaha arrangements have become a problem for companies operating under Islamic law and there has been no clear consensus on how to deal with them. Further research has shown that Islamic banks may require collateral to protect themselves against possible default by borrower. The idea of collateral is derived from the concept of Ar-Rahn (pawning). Ar-Rahn means pledging of an asset or title as a security to obtain loan or financing from a pawnshop.

Ignorance and lack of awareness about Islamic Finance has fueled a lot of resistance to its adoption, As of now, Jaiz Bank, TAJ Bank, and Lotus Bank stand as the sources of Islamic banking in Nigeria.

Key Takeaways:

• Islamic banking and finance is the kind of banking practice that strictly adhere to the Sharia and the teachings of the Quran.
• An important principle of Islamic finance is that banks do not collect interests. Instead, they share profits and even losses. Also, while trading, banks go for non-speculative and risk-averse investments.

If you are interested in reading further about this topic, below are some useful resources.

Resources:

AlHuda Centre for Islamic Banking and Economics Tutorial and workshop Notes

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/murabaha.asp

Idrees Yahaya Adamu, Idea of Collateral and Guarantor in Islamic Bank

Financing, Federal University Kashere, Gombe Nigeria

https://journal.seisense.com/index.php/jom/article/download/45/39#:~:text=Islamic%20banks%20may%20require%20collateral,or%20financing%20from%20a%20pawnshop.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/riba.asp

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/islamicbanking.asp

Click to access article-A009-en.pdf

https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/articles/islamic_banking.html

SARKIN FULANI OF LAGOS, AREWA COMMUNITY CHAIRMAN INTERVENES IN ALABA RAGO MARKET QUIT NOTICE

The news of the vacation order by the Lagos state government to the traders of Alaba Rago market, one of the most largely populated Northern Nigerian market situated outside the North no doubt came in with an excruciating and devastating pain to the traders and their customers.

L-R Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Galadima of Lagos, Alhaji Yusuf Sa’adu Dandare Gulma Chairman Arewa Community Forum, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Abubakar II The Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo Olu The Executive Governor of Lagos State.

This threw the traders into pandemonium and rancor owing to the fact that the economic situation of the country has largely affected trade, inflation has caused multiplier effects on prices of goods and services, which in the long run has affected sales and projected poverty and hunger.

The short notice to pave way for developers without proper framework of relocation, compensation, and a clearly defined handover scope with terms for current traders and shop owners who have been the custodians of this market for decades is also a major factor that has further enraged the traders.

This uncertainty has further thrown a big question as to why northern traders are not usually regarded, carried along during development plan process of markets that have been run by them for decades based on antecedents of similar evacuation plans in other markets they have been prevalent in the state, a recent example was the Ile-Epo foodstuff market during the administration of former governor of Lagos Akinwunmi Ambode.

The population of traders in Alaba Rago is a force to reckon with by the state, as dislodging the traders will have a lot of consequences from economic, political, security and otherwise, depending on the prism to which we analyze the situation. Be that as it May, suddenly rendering a size-able number of people that have businesses jobless without a proper relocation and rearrangement plan is not a good feat for the statue of Lagos state as a mega city for all that doesn’t discriminate, and it also does not speak well of the government as an all-inclusive government.

(L-R) Alhaji Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare Gulma Chairman Arewa Community, HRH Sarkin Fulani of Lagos Alh. (Dr.) Muhammad Abubakar Bambad’o II, His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Galadima of Lagos Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Lagos State Chief of Staff Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde

With the election season ahead of us, the political undertone that’ll be given to the sudden evacuation order viz Okada ban which has largely affected the northern populace resident in Lagos will be seen as a vendetta against this demography of people as politicians are already exploiting this situation owing to the fact that the northern populace are a large percentage of Voters in Lagos state, this is a fact, evident in various elections in the state and the general elections.

Evident to this is the recent visit of the former Governor of Kano State and the Presidential aspirant of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in person of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who was at Alaba Rago to commiserate with the traders and promise to intervene on their behalf.

His Royal Highness The Sarkin Fulani of Lagos Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Bambad’o II (Chairman, Council of Fulani Chiefs Southwest Nigeria)

After due consideration of the whole situation and proper assessment, the entourage of HRH The Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Bombado II alongside his brother the Galadima of Lagos, and the Chairman Arewa APC Consultative Forum Alhaji Saadu Gulma Dandare met with the governor of Lagos, Gov. Babajide Olusola SanwoOlu who is a man of honor and pedigree, a listener and proactive leader who has exemplified his leadership skills in the development of the state. After due deliberation, the governor rescinded the 14 days evacuation order earlier issued to allow the traders continue with their legitimate business pending a formal agreement and development plan that will work in the interest of all stakeholders. This indeed is a welcome development in the interest of all. The delegation also discussed the issue of Ayobo Cemetery earlier given to Arewa Muslim community by former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola which Arewa people have not been able to access till date and lastly the issue of the Okada ban.

In this regards, we commend the efforts of our reputable Royal Fathers; the Palace of the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, who defied all odds to intervene on behalf of our people, our concerned Politicians especially Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his concern towards the welfare of our people and subsequent intervention, the Chairman Arewa community Forum Alhaji Yusuf Sa’adu Gulma Dandare, The general Arewa community in Lagos whom have remained calm and law abiding while this issue is being resolved amicably, lastly the leadership of Alaba Rago market and respected traders.

Alhaji Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare Gulma (Chairman Arewa Community in Lagos)

Most importantly, we must commend the Lagos state government for heeding to the plea of our people and addressing this situation, we also implore them to run an all-inclusive process to properly nip this issue in the bud, as we enjoin all Arewa people to continue to be law abiding and cooperate with Government/Law enforcement agencies in fishing out the bad eggs amongst us.

Yasir Arafat Jubril

Public Relations Officer (PRO)

For; Lagos Arewa Youth Organization (LAYO)

Arewa Twitter; A Force for Good or Evil?

Farooq Gajo at the #LagosArewaTwitterConnect 2020

My Name is Farooq Gajo, I am a Banker, Blogger, Writer and a passionate Teacher. I am here to present the topic; ‘Arewa Twitter; A force for Good or Evil’.

Media and it’s importance cannot be overemphasized, as aptly captured by the visionary and impactful Black Human Rights leader in the struggle against racism in America, a Muslim convert and an exceptional Orator Alhaji Shabbaz Bn Malik famously known as – ‘Malcolm X’ who said;

“The media is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”

There was a time in Nigeria when to control the masses one of the tools you need is a Media house – mostly newspapers or TV Stations. In fact it became so apparent that the respective regions in Nigeria each had it’s own regional newspapers which they use to control and influence the narratives in their favour, for example;

1. The Nigerian Tribune owned by Late Obafemi Awolowo.

2.  The Concord Newspaper owned by the late billionaire MKO Abiola.

3. The New Nigerian Newspaper by Mamman Daura, 

4. The Nation Newspaper owned by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – the political leader of our brother here Jubril Gawat – Mr Jagz

5. Even the richest man in modern times Jeff Bezos owns a Media company known as the New York Times.

A little research into this newspapers will tell you that they exist to serve the political and business interests of their benefactors. They are mostly and usually trying to control the minds of the masses, and controlling the narratives in favour of their benefactors. And it worked, because sometimes You will find them making the innocent look guilty and the guilty innocent. That is why rich and influential people ensure they own their own Media houses to protect their reputation and interests, they mostly achieve so by controlling the narrative.

Controlling the narratives is so effective that psychologically when you are watching a movie, You will find yourself always supporting the person whose story is being told and we call that person ( The Actor or Protagonist), you tend to side him with him because the story always justifies his actions and explains his “Why”, in Movies you will notice that it is mostly the actor whose rationale is being explained, you get to see the pent up frustration He/She is going through to the exclusion of the Boss (The Antagonist), even though it’s not all the time that the actor is right, a typical example of such conditioning in Hausa setting is ALI NUHU – The most successful Hausa actor in Kannywood Film Industry. Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s we watched his films, Ali Nuhu made it a trademark that, He always acts as the Protagonist (Actor) instead of the Antagonist (Boss), these endeared him to the audience so much, that psychologically we became conditioned to thinking that He is always right, and we loved him, we also hated those who antagonize him, the likes of Momo (Kumurci) who always plays the antagonist and the bad boy, and even in real life, I felt the same way about this actors.

This is one of the effects and powers of Media and Storytelling, because it’s more of a one-sided story. Another example is Olusegun Obasanjo, have you read his autobiography My Watch? There’s is no way you will read that book and not admire and be on the Man’s side, but when Nobel Laureates like Wole Soyinka comments on it, you will be wondering is the same person I read about?

I can bet you that should you watch a movie between the Colonial Masters and our Ancestors that were taken into slavery, from the angle of the Colonial Masters, you are likely to support the masters, especially when you don’t know any better.

Farooq, Classiq (Arewa Mafia) and Maryam at the #LagosArewaTwitterConnect2020

This whole scenario is aptly captured by Chinua Achebe, the prominent Nigerian novelist and essayist who said in a 1994 interview with the Paris Review, that 

“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

You must be in position to tell your own story and the story of your people and that we can do effectively with Twitter.

Fortunately for our generation, Technology has caused a disruption that decentralized Media and handed it down to the masses in form of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Nobody needs to own a Newspaper company now to be able to tell their own side of the story or seek for justice, this is evidenced in the numerous HashTags we’ve used to seek for justice and also get it.

In fact, nowadays some Social Media Influencers have more reach than a whole newspaper company in Nigeria.

Traditional Media in form Newspapers is fast declining while Social Media is fast rising, and the early movers stand to gain a lot from this move. 

As the migration from traditional Media to Social Media intensifies. It is in the wave of this technological disruption that “Arewa Twitter” is formed.

Northerners (i.e Arewa People) from time immemorial, have always been communal in their approach to life, little wonder they are more united than their counterparts from other parts of the country.

AREWA

This is demonstrated in their voting patterns since the first republic. Northerners are so communal that in any settlement they inhabit they seem to know each other by name, face and family houses. No matter how large the setting, for example; Agege in Lagos, where this event is holding, all of you know each other. and they are majorly of the same mindset and convictions – religiously and morally.

God being so kind, as mankind migrates to the virtual world (The Internet). The Arewa Person reproduced that same communal approach to life. A classical example is;

AREWA TWITTER.

Jamil, Farooq and Yasir at the #LagosArewaTwitterConnect

Arewa Twitter is a community of Twitter Users, that trace their roots to the North, be it they are based in the North or not, replacing the traditional village square – Dandali (Hausa) ; where we gather at night to sing, dance, play, educate, familiarize with each other in our respective villages and communities, buying and selling delicacies like ‘Dan Malelele, Hanjin-Ligidi, Tuwon Madara, Alewa – Sweets, Qarago, Rake – Sugarcane, Ragadada, shashshaka, ‘Dan bagalaje, Panke, Gyad’a mai gishiri, Alewar d’inya, Alewar gyad’a and so on. Arewa Twitter has replaced our traditional Village square (Dandali) and made it A global village square, after all the world is now global, right?

That way we don’t only get to play and familiarize with people in our immediate communities but also those in other communities take for example I now know Yasir and Jamilu though they are from a different town from mine.

Is Arewa Twitter a force for Good or Evil?

The major reason why I stand before you today is to answer the question; Is Arewa Twitter a force for Good or Evil?

To fairly answer this question, I ran a poll on my Twitter handle asking the same question, and 211 people responded.

Result & Findings are as follows;

Good: 29%

Evil: 11%

Undecided: 11%

Good & Evil: 49%

An analysis of the above result shows that Arewa Twitter is a double-edged sword, depending on which side we decide to strengthen, It can be used for either Good or Evil.

Generations before us, are wary of the impact digital disruption will cause especially the moral decadence – a topic amply discussed by my brother here Yasir Arafat in his presentation, the challenge of raising a child in this generation where immorality is celebrated as the norm, where qualifying as a “Marlian” is seen as a coveted achievement.

At the same time academics are optimistic and marveled by the opportunities “Digital Disruption” provide. We live in a time when the two largest Universities are free to attend, so long a you can afford data – “Google and Youtube”.

Arewa Twitter is Good, if we decide to be productive,

1. Support each other,

2. Support each other’s business (Entrepreneurship)

3. Debating over topics of mutual interest,

4. Islamic Reminders,

5. Educate one another and understand our problems,

6. Criticize constructively,

7. Share Job Opportunities, etc.

Arewa Twitter is Evil, if we engage in;

1.  Bully,

2.  Slander,

3.  Needless Quarrels,

4.  Libel/Defamation,

5.  Drag downs,

6.  Near obsessive vituperation over love relationships and marriage,

7. Male salivating and thirsting over girl posts to use for VAR,

8.  Tonnes of gossip and sour friendship drama,

9. Refusing to correct your friends when they are doing something wrong,

10. Blind Support of Politicians. 

As we embrace Social Media platforms like Twitter, we must learn the trick of Storytelling, we should know that if we don’t tell our story and archive it, whatever our detractors write or say about us, is what generations to come will believe.

It will interest you to know that the real-life Hausa warrior Bayajidda is not a super-hero to the Hausa infant and teenage child, but the fictional Superman and Batman that never existed in real-life.

As we go back to the streets of Twitter to tweet, let us always remember that;

‘Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter

Thank You.

DIGITAL NORTHERN NIGERIA

The North & Digital

Societies will only thrive as much as the knowledge available to them, and they will be limited by what they do with that knowledge. – J J. Omojuwa (Author of the Digital Wealth Book) 

Have you read the story of the North?

Before and after Sardauna became the premier,

Before Nigeria became independent,

Why majority of out-of-school children are from the North,

How we became so backward in western education,

Why poverty and hunger are pervasive in the North,

Why our streets are filled with helpless children begging for food during school hours?

Have you heard about the colonial masters?

The Secret to their success?

How they conquered our forebears,

The days before Nigeria was formed,

The glorious days of the Caliphate?

 

In all the instructions to seek knowledge the Almighty Allah (SWT) and the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) mandated believers to seek ‘Ilmul-Hali  عِلْمُ الْحَا لِ ’ that is the knowledge that allows you to function competitively in the generation you are born.

As at the beginning of 2019 there are 13.2 million out of school children in Nigeria, the highest in the world, over 80% of this children are in Nigeria’s northern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Kano, sixty percent of that population are girls only. Out of every 100 out-of-school-children, Over 70% are in the North.

The Industrial Revolution passed without us keying into it, now the Information Age is here, and our parents and leaders are making the same mistake again,

This time around it’s costlier,

This time around it’s deadlier,

The secret to the white man’s victory over the African is TECHNOLOGY!

We cannot afford to be had, took and done for like the past,

This time around it’s DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY!

It is software, applications, soft-skills and invincible, wars are being fought and won without a single bullet being fired (Cyber-warfare).

Digital is shaping the world of tomorrow and changing the nature of the future of life and work. We must anticipate and prepare for the future of our generations, corporate bodies are scampering and taking measures to stay relevant as the digital revolution’s disrupts their ecosystem.

Children in other climes are learning coding/programming in primary school, In the North even University students don’t know how to code, or even what coding means.They use the latest iPhone, Samsung and Huawei yet they don’t understand a single line of the code that runs this phones, that makes the devices work. A classic case of consumerism and dependence. Not that their southern counterparts are far ahead, but at least they are awake to the challenge/opportunity and are making moves to mitigate against them, In-fact they are the major players in this field. 

In 2019 alone, Facebook’s revenue amounted to ($70.7 billion) US dollars, and Nigeria’s total budget for 2020 is 10.59 trillion naira ($35bn), and Facebook is just an App, that was started in a hostel room by a boy who dropped out of school, and doesn’t have a degree, only desire to learn and practice. That boy can be an Almajiri in the streets of Kano today.

So far the most prominent application of Digital that the Northerners are engaging in is Social Media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Whatsapp.

Take for example Twitter, the demography of Northerners there form the Arewa-twitter bloc, famous for trending periodically on Twitter, their strengths are mostly hinged on lifestyle and small scale entrepreneurship, very few can boast of over 100k followership. 

There are so many Africans with influence on Twitter, some even have more followers than the founder of the app Jack Dorsey, yet all it takes is a single click of a button by Jack or his employee to end the entire influence of any influential person on this app, without recourse or explanation, It has happened recently, and all they can do is whine and open another account to start afresh.

The most in demand digital skills for which there is a serious dearth in Nigeria are as follows, if you can be good in any of these skills even if you don’t have a degree, you will find gainful employment.

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI),
2. User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Design,
3. Digital Marketing,
4. Data Science,
5. Design Thinking,
6. Cloud computing,
7. Digital Project Management,
8. Machine Learning,
9. Mobile Development,
10. SEO/SEM Marketing,
11. Data Visualization,
12. Data Engineering,
13. Cyber-security,
14. Cloud Computing/AWS,
15. Blockchain Technology, and
16. Internet of Things (IOT)

These are all in line with Technological trends of 2020 of 5G Network, Autonomous driving cars, AI-as-a-service, Extended reality (Virtual, Augmented, Mixed Reality), Blockchain Technology.

How do we learn all these foreign skills?

We are lucky. We live in an age where a determined learner is more resourceful and knowledgeable than an M.Sc. holder in the same field, because a traditional certificate holder is mostly a theory person with little actual practical knowledge, while you on the other hand can attend The two largest Universities in the world, that do not require you to pass WAEC/NECO, or a minimum of 6 credits including English & Mathematics, nor a first degree with 2.1 or 2.2.

All you require of you is willingness to learn, the two largest Universities in the world are YOU-TUBE & GOOGLE.

Every one of the aforementioned courses you wish to learn is thought there basically for Free. while you can also study this courses at very minimal or no cost using any of the following Online Education Sites;

1. Coursera
2. edX
3. Khan Academy
4. Udemy
5. iTunesU Free Courses
6. MIT OpenCourseWare
7. Stanford Online
8. Codecademy
9. Open Culture Online Courses

 

The North is in its present state of disrepair because our forebears (Parents and Traditional Rulers) saw Western education as a taboo and a curse, they refused to accept the knowledge and opportunities western education provided despite being the prevailing knowledge of that time, they delayed and procrastinated, until all other regions got far ahead of us, in other words they misinterpreted the Prophet’s instruction, there mistakes have cost us dearly.

It is an undisputable fact that; Islam is the most prized possession of a Northerner, and if this poverty and illiteracy rate continues, Islam will be lost in the North either to other religions or to extremisms like Boko Haram, Anwaru etc., this is in line with the Prophet’s saying  

كَادَالْفَقْرُأَنْيَكُوْنَ كُفْرًا

Poverty can lead to disbelief.

And this is evident in the way Muslims are being converted to other religions lately in Northern states.

Northerners! Wake up before it’s too late, else the repercussions will be disastrous.

Teach yourself and your kids coding and programming languages at their tender age, introduce basic coding and programming languages in your schools, you never know which Almajiri boy will be your Mark Zuckerberg.

“Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed by it” -Unknown

 

A NORTHERN-MUSLIM’S FIRST TIME IN CHURCH

Saturday, May 20th, 2017. I attended a church programme ‘THRIVE’ at the Harvest House Church in Akobo, Ibadan. All my life, I’d never seen the inside of a church except in movies, newspapers and other media. Harvest House was state of the art. Like a modern day music theatre, there was a spotlight on the pastor and three adjacent large wall-size projected screens at the background displaying other parts of the church one may be blind to one as He focuses on the speaker. The sound systems were modern, the notes sounding clear and confident. The congregation sat in an orderly manner, basking in the wisdom the speaker shared. I thought to myself: “Little wonder Christians barely miss church services, this is fun.” The service started with a heart-warming Yoruba praise song I used to enjoy during morning assemblies as a secondary school student –Ta lo da bire. Born a Muslim, I have kept to my religion and never felt the need to probe other faiths. Having read the Holy Qur’an and adhered to its tenets to the best of my understanding, I’d been convinced it is enough to navigate my way to Heaven.

Growing up in the suburbs of Lagos, my childhood playmates had been Christians and Muslims alike. We celebrated all festivals together and got along well. I’d always wondered why there are so many religions, why can’t there be only one religion? As a result, I engaged in Bible Study with some Jehovah witnesses around my area on weekends. Pastor Ibukun Awosika was the speaker. In her melodious voice, she quoted Matthew 19:19 which enjoins Christians to love their neighbours as they love themselves. I remember the Holy Prophet (PBUH), in the 40-Hadith collections of Annawawi, said that a believer’s faith will never be complete unless he honours his neighbour. In the Quran, Allah further clarified that he revealed Torah to Prophet Moses, the Psalms (Zabur) to Prophet Dawud, the Gospel (Injil) to Prophet Isa – Jesus (PBUH).

At this juncture, I realized that faith is a continuous chain that started from time immemorial and our religions are not on a collision course as we have led ourselves to believe. Instead our nonchalance toward learning about one another’s belief has birthed differences. The more we learn about one another, the more we understand each other, and the more we can see beyond our prejudices, stereotypes and thoughtless hate and misunderstandings, the better for our society and country.

*A summarized version of this article was first published for the post-graduate hall press of the University of Ibadan.

 

A Mother Like No Other.

Every July 26th, you turn a year older, and I can’t help but notice that you look younger. I have ran out of answers in response to people’s questions, is She your sister? they will ask, the surprise look on their faces when I tell them you are actually my mother and I have an elder brother, those whom have met you will say; No wonder I am so sociable, I had an enabling environment -referring to you and how lucky I am to have you as my mother. You’ve raised me with so much love and affection that emotionally completes and secure me . The spirit of hardwork and prayer you have inculcated in me will forever remain with me. You are a living testimony that women raise men, you taught me how to love, you taught me how to care, you taught me how to live,  you gave me hope when all seemed lost. You stood against the world, so I can live, dream and make my dreams come true, you went the extra mile to make sure I lack nothing, raised me up and taught me to fly ✈, for this alone. I will not waver, I will not succumb, and I will not tire until I make you prouder!- This is my promise, forever and always!

Because You are a mother, like no other.

Happy Birthday my Woman of Steel 🎂.

Why Young Muslim Folks Rally Behind Mo Salah!

To begin with, I barely watch regular football matches even though I support FC Barcelona – I find it very tasking to sacrifice over 90minutes of my evening hours to watch a football match- which mostly coincides with Isha’ prayer time.
Suddenly it’s Ramadan-the holiest month in the Muslim calendar and I want to watch this UEFA Champions League Final match, infact I just received the Liverpool football club’s jersey that I ordered days ago. Which begs the question Why?

Single answer: Mohammed Salah!

Muslims worldwide are facing the biggest challenge in the history of the faith, a challenge that has eroded practically all the virtues and positives of the religion, it has infact synonymized the term “Islam” with a much derided word “Terrorism”. Conversely, “Islam” directly translates into “Peace” from Arabic, how ironic?
In recent years, misguided teachings have given birth to numerous ideologies in Islam, ideologies that thrive on ignorance, mis-interpretations and misnomers, ideologies that are not just dogmatic and impractical but impossible to yield positive results because of their archaic approaches and methodology. Most importantly ideologies that are truly unislamic/unpeaceful, this ideologies have succeeded in marring the good image of Islam and leaves Muslim youth in confusion and shame leading to some thinking that their religion has no place in Modern times.
At this critical juncture came a devout Muslim footballer at the height of his career-who has successfully taken his team to the final of the apex league- The Champions League. He celebrates his goals with the most peaceful and humble act of Sujood (prostration); a symbol of total submissiveness to the Almighty Allah. Salah is a footballer that submits his talent to the will of Allah!, Salah not only symbolizes greatness in obedience to Allah, but he serves as a role model to Muslim youths who crave recognition in the sight of the world, and that of Allah! and he is celebrated and loved by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike for his skill and humility.
I believe for Islam to be understood for the religion of peace that it is, role models like Salah and Mane need to take the lead- as they currently are doing. Role models who represents Islam in the most loveable ways. It is a cardinal teaching in Islam that the best form of love is that which is influenced through the love of Allah (SWT), in other words -let someone’s love for Allah be the reason for your love for that person. I love Muhammad Salah because he loves Allah. And In-Shaa-Allah Mo Salah will never walk alone -cause Allah is with him.
What a coincidence Liverpool’s motto is: Never Walk Alone.

Whatever the outcome of tonight’s match. I know I’ll always take one lesson from Muhammad Salah and Mane -Our talents are given to us by Allah (SWT) and should be submitted in enhancing his cause, by so doing He will guide you to the right path. Spread Love!