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Constructive and Unbiased Journalism: Tribute to Katsina Post @ 10

 Constructive and Unbiased Journalism: Tribute to Katsina Post @ 10 By Prof. M. K. Othman Saddiq Mustapha and Mustapha Saddiq, often mistaken for the same person because of their similar names, are, in fact, two bosom friends. Both were classmates in secondary school but later pursued different tertiary-level programs, Mustapha Saddiq in health sciences and Saddiq Mustapha in agricultural sciences. Twelve years ago, they reunited, driven by shared passion, to establish “Katsina Post”—an indefatigable e-newspaper focused on Katsina state in particular and Nigeria in general. Their initiative is inspired by legendary media figures from Katsina, including the late Alhaji Abidina Coomassie (Today Newspaper), the late Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua (Democrat Newspaper), the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Reporter Newspaper and Sentinel Magazine), the late Wada Maida, and Alhaji Garba Dangida. Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman of Media Trust Group and publisher of Daily Trust Newspaper, ...
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USA/Israel - Iran War: When Two Elephants Wrestle

 USA/Israel - Iran War: When Two Elephants Wrestle… By Prof. M.K. Othman While the term "war" may suggest a confrontation between equals, the USA/Israel-Iran conflict is marked by a significant imbalance in power and resources. Thus, a more accurate analogy would be a struggle between a cat and a rat, emphasizing Iran’s disadvantage. Still, international conflicts are complex, often defy logic, and are rarely resolved by force alone; the 'might-is-right' doctrine does not hold water. The Middle East crisis must be understood through the lens of these imbalances and complexities, forming the basis of this analysis.    On February 28, 2026, the world experienced a seismic shift, one that many people did not immediately understand but has since become painfully clear. What started as coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets quickly escalated into a full-scale regional crisis. Tensions have risen, involving various parties from ...
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Re: Muhammad Hassan Sale- The Demise of an Academic, One Death Too Many

 Re: Muhammad Hassan Sale- The Demise of an Academic, One Death Too Many By Prof. M. K. Othman   2010 was a year I was traumatized by the death and tragedy of my former students and colleagues when I was burdened with the task of identifying their bodies - Engr Joseph Mohammed and his classmate, who were involved in fatal road accidents in Enugu when we went for the NIAE Conference, tagged, “Enugu 2010”. I visited several private and public mortuaries in Enugu, which involved examining the bodies of the deceased, some of which looked horribly disfigured, while others appeared as if they were sleeping. We eventually identified the two victims. It was the most horrific experience of my life, which made me spend many sleepless nights until I performed the Hajj operation of that year, one month after the tragedy. That experience was different from that of Tuesday, 10th February, 2026, when Muhammad Hassan Sale slumped and died tragically, leaving his nursing wife, two children, ai...
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Re: Nigeria, Greatness and the Missing Link

 Re: Nigeria, Greatness and the Missing Link By Prof. M. K. Othman   A quick break – time to share feedback from my valued readers and see the issues discussed in this column from all angles. This week and in the coming weeks, I will present opinions and observations on three critical issues – the potential for Nigerian greatness, the death of the academics, and the ABU 45th Convocation - which were thoroughly presented in this column. These issues and several others presented in my column can be accessed via my blog - https://deepthoughtwithmkothman.blogspot.com/2026/02/nigeria-greatness-and-missing-link-ii.html?m=1 Happy reading   Thank you so much, Sir, for this blissful article. Nigeria's resources are indeed a blessing. What is missing is effective management and infrastructure by our leaders to transform them into tangible benefits for Nigerian citizens. May Almighty Allah continue to bless your pen. May Almighty Allah guide our leaders to effective resource managem...
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45th ABU Convocation: Okonjo-Iweala’s Unpalatable Message to Africa

 45th ABU Convocation: Okonjo-Iweala’s Unpalatable Message to Africa By Prof. MK Othman Nigeria stands at a decisive crossroads. With youthful potential, resources, entrepreneurial drive, and intellectual talent, we still struggle with policy inaction, weak institutions, and overreliance on outside approval. I have highlighted how stories of competence and integrity can transform Nigeria's global image. This aligns with university values: seeking truth, engaging in evidence-based dialogue, and nurturing active citizens. Thus, the significance of ABU's 45th Convocation is clear, especially in light of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's candid message to Africa. This year’s ABU Convocation was more than an academic ceremony; it became a forum for critical discourse on national and continental issues. By inviting Okonjo-Iweala for the pre-convocation lecture and awarding her an Honorary Doctor of Science degree, ABU reiterated its dedication to tackling key development issues through e...
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Muhammad Hassan Sale: The Demise of an Academic—One Death Too Many

 Muhammad Hassan Sale: The Demise of an Academic—One Death Too Many By  Prof. M. K. Othman On Tuesday, 10th February, 2026, as I stepped out of my official car at the university clinic, the crowd’s solemn eyes were fixed on me, rife with unspoken questions. Why did the cold hand of death snatch away Muhammad Hassan Sale, a Lecturer II, a gentleman, and a promising, hard-working academic in the Agronomy Department? What will become of his nursing wife and their two little children? Just two hours earlier, Sale and his wife had left their home together; she was hurrying to the hospital for postnatal immunization, while he rushed to catch a university bus headed over 60 kilometers away for the day's work, unaware of the tragedy that awaited his family. Inside the bus, he was comfortably seated, but soon he began gasping for air. The driver diverted to the university clinic for immediate medical attention. As is customary, the university Director of Health Services called to infor...
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Nigeria, Greatness and the Missing Link II

 Nigeria, Greatness and the Missing Link II By Prof. M. K. Othman The picture of Nigeria and its potential to be a great nation was presented in this column last week. It is heartwarming and inspiring to recognize Nigeria’s enormous natural and human resources, but also disheartening to know that these resources are lying idle, with some being plundered. As earlier buttressed, humans are the most important resource, which galvanizes the transformation of other resources to fast-track societal development. How qualitative is Nigeria’s human resource? The major qualitative indicator of human resources in any society is the level of its human capital. Human capital refers to the stock of competencies, skills, knowledge, and personality attributes that individuals embody.  These attributes are responsible for creating a high-quality labor force with appreciable economic, social, and personal values. Labor is the most important factor of production. Human capital is therefore a pri...
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