By Ini Ememobong
 
The news of an explosion in a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri is another sad reminder of the rising insecurity that has become the unfortunate contemporary reality that Nigerians face.

This is totally unacceptable; the irreducible minimum the government should offer its people is the protection of lives and property.

This administration has failed woefully in this respect and should rise to the occasion rather than resort to rhetoric and playing politics with security.
 
We commiserate with the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this senseless attack. No one should lose their life while worshipping God.

If these attacks on places of worship continue unchecked, they will not only violate the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely worship but will also create an atmosphere of fear that threatens the very fabric of our religious society.

We call on the Federal and State Governments to take immediate and practical steps to protect our citizens throughout this yuletide season and beyond.

Nigerians deserve more than empty promises and political rhetoric. We need concrete, actionable security strategies deployed on the ground.

This escalating insecurity has become unbearable and must be confronted with the urgency and seriousness it deserves
 
• Comrade Ini Ememobong is the
National Publicity Secretary,
People’s Democratic Party

By Adebayo Ilupeju

I woke up this morning still carrying yesterday in my body. After covering about 320km on Lagos roads, mixed with the familiar December traffic that stretches patience to its limits, my nerves were clearly protesting.

That moment of exhaustion slowed my pace but quickened my thoughts.

It set my mind wandering toward the people who give their all so that others can live with a little more ease. Across Nigeria, there are men and women who show up every day, against all odds, to deliver the services they are employed to provide, and then some. They do not merely clock in and out.

They pour themselves into their work, often unseen, often uncelebrated.One such person is a hijabi sister at the LSETF Kosofe liaison office. She is the very picture of dedication.

Calm, patient, and relentless in her pursuit of solutions, she works tirelessly to ensure people are attended to and guided rightly. Speak to anyone who has crossed her path and the verdict is the same. She has a heart of gold and a rare sense of responsibility.

Then there is the charming LASTMA official of Radio Bus Stop fame. He has somehow mastered the art of turning chaos into calm.

While directing traffic, he dances, smiles, and exchanges courtesies with commuters, easing tension and restoring a sense of order. I have encountered him in other parts of the city as well, always consistent, always human, always reminding us that service does not have to be cold or harsh.

These are just two examples among thousands scattered across the country. From offices to roadsides, from hospitals to classrooms, there are countless golden hearts holding the system together with sheer commitment and goodwill. They are the quiet backbone of daily life.

They are unsung heroes.As a society, we may not always have grand rewards to offer, but recognition goes a long way. A sincere thank you. Public acknowledgment. Commendation letters. Small incentives. Structured reward systems that spotlight integrity, kindness, and excellence in service.

These gestures matter more than we often realize.When good work is seen, it grows. When dedication is appreciated, it spreads.

If we truly desire a better Nigeria, we must learn to celebrate those who are already doing right, especially those who continue to serve with grace when no one seems to be watching.

•President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu just walked back the much-criticised promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Brigadier -General after Nigerians made a lot of noise about it.

For once, people’s voices cut through the usual government static. It’s proof that, at least sometimes, public outrage can actually change things in Nigeria.

This promotion wasn’t just a small slip-up. Inside the army and among civilians, folks were angry because the whole thing seemed to break the military’s own rules.

Normally, if you’re a Colonel, you sit tight for several years before anyone even thinks about making you a Brigadier General.

In this case, the ADC barely had a year in that seat. Plus, ADCs don’t usually get picked from such high ranks in the first place.

For once, people’s voices cut through the usual government static. It’s proof that, at least sometimes, public outrage can actually change things in Nigeria.

So, the whole thing looked fishy from the start. It’s not just about skipping a step—it points to a bigger issue: the president’s advisers dropped the ball.

And honestly, you can’t really separate Tinubu from the problem.

The ADC is glued to the president’s side, and a move like this would never fly without his say-so. Still, let’s be fair. Tinubu actually paid attention to the outcry.

He listened, changed his mind, and reversed a decision that most leaders would’ve stubbornly stuck with.

In a real democracy, it’s not just about making the right call the first time. It’s about having the guts to fix things when you get them wrong.

Strangely, though, some of the same people who slammed the promotion are now upset about the reversal, too. What do they want? Real accountability, or just something new to complain about?

In the end, this whole episode is a reminder to those in power: follow the rules, pick advisers who know what they’re doing, and take public criticism seriously—without flipping and flopping.

That’s how you rebuild trust, little by little, between leaders and the people they’re supposed to serve.

•Adebayo Ilupeju, Lagos.

Caveat: The opinion expressed in this article is solely that of the author, and not that of Ohibaba.com