Man cries for help as source of livelihood is destroyed

Mr. Alaraba Muhammed-Salis

 Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

The issue of illegal demolition of buildings by some individuals who take laws into their hands has been rampant in Nigeria, especially in the city of Lagos over the years.

On December 1, 2022, an incident reportedly happened at a market named after Folashade Tinubu Ojo, the daughter of the APC Nigerian President, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The market sited at Mile 13, Adekunle Bus Stop, along Ikorodu Road, Owode–Elede area of Lagos State,  named "Folashade Tinubu Ojo (FTO) New Plantain Market," has been demolished.  While sharing a sorrowful story of the incident with Bulkybon Periscopes, one major victim   of the demolition, Mr. Alaraba Oluwatunmise Muhammed–Salis whose barbing-shop was destroyed lamented his ordeal.

One of his belongings destroyed

He said “My shop is not sited on the disputed area affected by the illegal demolisher of a plantain market plaza near where my shop was built. Mr. Dele Abdul Akande is a landlord who shares boundary with my own landlord, Chief Adewale Teluwo. But Akande took laws into his own hands by destroying a building close to the one housing the sellers of plantain and other types of items in the guise of taking possession of the land.

“What pained me most is that my shop is not within the space where the disputed plantain market was built.  Yet, without any legal authorization from any court of law, Akande demolished the plantain plaza and also partly encroached on Chief Teluwo’s land where my shop was built, and completely destroyed it and my belongings. His action has put me and my entire family into a serious crisis in these tough times.”

Lamenting further, the victim avers that “I am in a serious big debts situation right now. I took loans from various financial houses to set up my barbing saloon to the high standard it was before its illegal demolition by Akande.”

 Alaraba says another demolished structure (measuring (10.973 mm X 4.572mm) was near the spot of the plantain market. He explains that “The illegally destroyed structure was where my shop was located. I rented it from Chief Teluwo.  It was an entertainment place built above a raised surface at 3ft (0.914 metres) height from the ground level due to the fact that the entire landscape is a swampy environment. The area has been used for different entertainment activities such as a Football Arena (DSTV) Premium Super Sport show 24/7), Spanning Games (Playing Station Centre), T-World Gbajamo World (All-inclusive Barber Shop Palour), POS POINT (for all banking transactions) and T-World Marketplace Construction (for variety of business transactions).”

Nonetheless, he recounted his losses, saying that “I lost all the investments of my life and important items I bought over the years to equip my shop. Some of the items I lost include my books, various documents, MP3, radio transistor (my companion), a library of many tabloids of over ten years, data storage devices, used smart phones and gift items I pledged to give to my friends, relatives and customers. In addition, my memorable photographs, files, thesaurus, 8th, 9th, 10th editions of Oxford English Advanced Learners Dictionaries, and copies of business report et cetera, are among my irretrievable mementoes lost to the illegal demolition.

“The destroyed property was built on a marshland. Hence, all my clothes, shoes, trinket (ornaments), canvas (trainers), including generators, Sal wood, used 4 pieces of MP3, StarTime satellite / antenna model decoders (dish and terrestrial) model 265, water containers (drums, plastic baths and buckets) and FTA strong satellite decoder and so on and so forth are among the items destroyed.”

He also informs that “During the time of the illegal demolition, I was lying in bed suffering from vertigo-vestibular. The heartless demolition act caught me totally unaware. However, it was when I later visited the scene that I found out that all my things had been completely ruined. The value of some of my things destroyed are stated thus:  -10.973mm x 4.572mm dimensions, raised surface with Sal wood media (Patako Eki, in Yoruba dialect) and entire floor is worth N1,700,000; -two pieces of play station 5 (Ps5) Component Player worth N650,000 each = N1.3m;  -two pieces of ELEPAQ generator 3.8kva auto operation worth N450,000 each = N900,000; Model A13 5G Samsung 8 RAM Android 128 GB Internal Storage N250,000; four pieces of SMC model K ceiling fan worth N67,000 each  = N268,000; -KDK standing fan N40,000;  -three pieces of TMT and Excel wall fans worth N16,000 each  = N48,000; and -Barber Shop 200 watts UV Sterilizer N45,000 respectively.”

In retrospect, the victim told Bulkybon how he began his business of hair cutting. Going down memory lane, he said “I began the business of cutting hair for people when I was in Form Four at Secondary School in 1984. I later proceeded to Government Technical College, Ajegunle, (AJETECH), Ogun State, where I bagged Levels I, II, and III with ILM City & Guilds Certificate London, in Graphic Art and Printing Technology between 1985 and 1988. I had rented the shop since May 5, 2014. This amounted to nine years 7 months and some days that I have been operating the barbing saloon before its illegal demolition.

“I turned 55 years old on November 11, 2022. This makes me wonder how and where I want to begin my life again. I am totally destabilized. I don’t know where to go or start again. The ruined building had been my home whenever I was away from my family because I reside at Ijoko -Ota, Ogun State. I usually go home every fortnight to see my family and other loved ones.

“I am using this avenue to call on fellow Nigerians and other kind-hearted folks worldwide, to kindly come to my aid right now, especially human right solicitors (Activists).  I am helpless.  Please, come and help me in this hour of my hopelessness. I don’t have any place to go, sleep or relax again whenever I am in Lagos to struggle to make a living to cater for my family. I have been hanging out with some kind hearted friendly customers since the devilish act happened on December 1, 2022.”

He further points out his pathetic situation by informing that “I have been sleeping here and there like a vagabond.  The destroyed structure had been my home in Lagos since 5th May, 2014. Nigerians, where should I begin again? This question has remained unanswered since December 1, 2022.”

“After the nasty occurrence, my feelings have been in a very horrible state with low self-esteem and depression. I am begging for money and food to eat. I also have a family to cater for.”  he concluded.

At present, Alaraba looks very pathetic and ill. He is appealing for assistance from the global public. Any person willing to help him to restore his business can call him through this mobile number: +2348062815689.

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Necessity to reshape gender relationships for global development

Title of Book:  The Stake of Gender Inclusivity

Author: Hezekiah James

Publisher: MBK~Darul Hikma Printing Press, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Year Published: 2025

Pages: 162

Reviewer: Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga

The Stake of Gender Inclusivity written by Hezekiah James, mirrors gender issues from a broader point of view beyond only concern for women, as many folks generally believe that it is only women that suffer in one way or another in their relationships with men.

The author points that gender issues are not just a women’s issue but a human issue that affects society as a whole. With insightful explanations and reflections, Hezekiah encourages men and women to rethink how they relate to each other and how society can move towards fairness and cooperation. With a periscope on gender relations and social developments, the book highlights the importance of partnership between both genders in building a better society.

The Seven-Chapter book dwells on the following topics: Gender Background Study, Gender Analytical Reviews, Gender Thriving Controversies, Gender Boundary Landmarks, Gender Case Studies, Gender Sensitivity Initiative and Thrilling Gender Approach respectively. Each of the chapters contain subthemes focusing on various perceptions and perspectives of the subject matter. One of such perspectives is the idea that men should not be left out of the conversation about gender equality.

The author highlights the need for men to play an important role in supporting and promoting robust discussion about women rights. He explains that many societies have long believed that gender discussions are meant only for females or feminist activists. Unfortunately, this assumption creates division instead of progress. According to the author, real progress happens when both men and women work together to address social problems. The author clearly states that men must be seen “Not as benefactors, but as active champions of gender initiatives" (pg 1). This statement introduces the main conflict in the book: the misunderstanding that gender equality is a struggle between men and women rather than a shared responsibility.

Based on the foregoing, Dr. DeWayne Frazier, the President of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, who wrote the 'Foreword' of the book, says that, "We are living in a moment of heightened awareness around gender, identity, and equity. Yet, while progress is visible in some areas, the path toward true gender inclusivity remains incomplete. Deep-seated cultural norms, institutional biases, and systemic inequalities continue to hinder the fulfillment of gender equality around the world. These barriers are not just personal: they are structural. They do not only affect individuals: they undermine entire communities and economies. This is the landscape into which The Stake of Gender Inclusivity enters: not merely as another contribution to the gender discourse, but as a strategic intervention. With more than words, it is about action and how we can be the 
change that is needed."

Therefore, one of the central themes of the book is cooperation. The author explains that gender equality should not be viewed as a competition where one group wins and the other loses. Instead, he emphasizes that progress can only happen when both sides respect and understand each other. As the author explains, “Gender engagement is not a zero sum game, where progress for one gender equates loss for another” (pg 1). This idea forms the foundation of the book’s message. Rather than blaming men for social problems or portraying women as powerless victims, the book encourages mutual respect and shared responsibility. The author presents men and women as partners who both have important roles to play in shaping society.

Furthermore, the author makes use of real everyday people in society by discussing the roles played by men, women, and families in shaping gender relationships. These roles help the reader understand how gender attitudes are learned and passed from one generation to another. Emphasis on the role of the household as the place where many beliefs about gender are first developed is one of the meats and potatoes in the book. Here, the author says meaningful change begins at the personal level, where individuals reflect on their attitudes and behaviors. By focusing on everyday relationships between men and women, Hezekiah makes the discussion more relatable and easier for readers to understand.

One other noteworthy quality of the book is its logical structure. It begins with personal reflections and gradually expands into broader discussions about culture, religion, law and other social institutions. By examining influences such as traditions, religious teachings, and legal systems, the author shows that attitudes about gender are shaped not only by individuals but also by larger social structures. This approach helps readers to understand why gender inequality continues to exist in many societies. He emphasizes that solving it requires cooperation and collective effort. The author also encourages open dialogue between men and women, suggesting that honest conversations can help reduce misunderstandings while strengthening relationships.

Moreover, another commendable trait of the book is its balanced approach to gender discussions. Instead of creating division, the author tries to build understanding between both genders. The book encourages men to take responsibility for supporting gender equality while also recognizing the important contributions of women in society. This balanced perspective makes the book thoughtful and constructive. It also promotes the idea that cooperation is more effective than conflict when addressing societal issues.

Hence, in terms of writing style, the author is thoughtful and reflective, combining explanation, social observation, and analysis to discuss gender issues in society. Even though gender issues tend to make many men defensive of their own rights as leaders, the tone and diction of the author remains clear, balanced and easy to understand. These make the ideas he propagates comprehensible to a wide range of readers.

Nonetheless, though the ideas Hezekiah advocates are highly commendable, a few weaknesses are in the delivery of some messages in the text. At some points, the discussion borders on theoretical jingoism, which may make it uneasy for some readers to relate to the ideas. This does not in any way diminish the salient ideas in the book, aimed at promoting peace and cooperation concerning gender relationships and social development. The hallmark of the book is that, gender equality cannot be achieved by one group alone but requires cooperation, understanding, and shared responsibility between men and women.

In conclusion, the author encourages readers to have a rethink concerning their previous ideas about gender differences, and ignite meaningful positive social change, which begins with honest dialogue and mutual respect. Therefore, the book is a highly recommended material for policymakers, religious leaders, sociological scholars, students and anyone interested in social development. The book matters in today’s world as gender debates continue to shape politics, education, religion, and family life.

Hezekiah James is a Nigerian author, educator, entrepreneur, and social inclusion advocate whose works focus on advancing sustainable solutions to social development challenges. Some other of his manuscripts are waiting in line for publication. He attended Perfect Memorial Secondary School, Mwari, and further advanced his studies at the University of Jos, Plateau State where he pursued higher education and expanded his intellectual interests. Various organisations such as the Bauchi State Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, as well as NGOs/CSO etc, have shown interest in The Stake of Gender Inclusivity as a worthy text for education and human relationship improvement. These engagements demonstrate the growing relevance of the book in shaping conversations around inclusive development and social responsibility.

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Musings of pain, love, injustice, perseverance intertwined in Africa

Title of book: Hope in the Shadow of Dream\

Author: Maximumdan Solomon Sambo

Publisher: Moving Tech Integrated Concept, Yola, Adamawa, Nigeria

Year of publication: 2024

Reviewer: Michelle Niyang

Hope in the Shadow of Dream is a collection of inspirational, motivational, and socially conscious poems written by Maximumdan Solomon Sambo. The book contains fifty-five poems segmented into five sections, with section part focusing on important human and societal experiences such as pain, faith, perseverance, patriotism, injustice, love, and hope, especially within the African environment. Through simple but expressive language, the poet attempts to encourage readers to remain hopeful despite the many challenges of life.

The opening section of the collection concentrates on suffering, violence, and emotional trauma. Poems such as The Black Night, The Pain, and You Cannot Live in Pain Forever present disturbing images of loss, fear, and communal tragedy. These poems reflect real social conditions like conflict, insecurity, and human cruelty. However, even within these painful descriptions, the poet gradually introduces the possibility of healing, survival, and divine intervention, showing that darkness does not last forever.

Another dominant theme throughout the book is hope, resilience, and faith in God. Poems like Turning Point, Never Say Never, and Integrity emphasize inner strength, moral character, and spiritual dependence. The poet repeatedly suggests that perseverance, discipline, and trust in God can transform suffering into victory. The motivational tone of these poems makes the message clear and accessible to a wide audience, particularly young people facing uncertainty about the future.

The collection also gives attention to African identity, patriotism, and leadership challenges. In poems such as Africa My Pride, True Nigerian, Stay United, and We Are One, the author celebrates the beauty, strength, and historical struggles of Africa while criticizing corruption, disunity, violence, and poor governance. These poems function as both appreciation and warning, encouraging citizens to embrace unity, responsibility, and national development. This patriotic concern makes the work socially relevant beyond personal reflection.

In addition, the poet addresses gender inequality and injustice against women. Poems like Plight of a Woman and Clamouring for Justice strongly condemn abuse, violence, and denial of women’s rights. The emotional tone in this section highlights the physical, psychological, and social suffering experienced by victims, while also demanding justice and societal change. This reinforces the book’s broader message about human dignity and equality.

The final section shifts toward love, heartbreak, beauty, and emotional relationships, as seen in poems such as Love Speaks, Heartbreak, and Beauty Queen. These poems provide a softer and more intimate conclusion to the collection while still maintaining the central theme of hope and emotional healing. They remind readers that love, despite its pain, remains an essential part of human existence.

One noticeable strength of the book is its clarity of message and sincerity of emotion. The poet uses straightforward language rather than highly complex poetic structures, which makes the poems easy to understand for general readers. Although some poems rely more on repetition and direct expression than deep literary symbolism, the strong moral lessons and emotional honesty give the collection meaningful impact.

In conclusion, Hope in the Shadow of Dream combines personal reflection with social commentary to deliver a message of perseverance, faith, unity, justice, and love. The poems collectively argue that hardship, violence, and disappointment are real parts of human life, yet they do not have the final authority over the human spirit. Instead, hope remains constant even in the darkest situations. Therefore, the collection serves as a reminder that individuals and societies have the responsibility to choose positive transformation. By promoting moral integrity, national unity, respect for women, and trust in God, the poet encourages readers not only to endure life’s struggles but also to contribute to building a better and more compassionate society. For this reason, the book stands as an encouraging literary work that speaks especially to young Africans searching for meaning, strength, and direction in a challenging world.

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Succeeding beyond all odds

Title of book: Naija Commando

Author: Mike O. Nwangwa

Publisher: Royal Ray International Limited, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Number of pages: 198

Reviewer: Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga

 

“Naija Commando” is a memoir of a young Nigerian writer, Mike Nwangwa. It talks about his struggles, resilience and triumphs from his primary education to secondary level at Command Secondary School, Jos, Plateau State, and onward to his tertiary accomplishments.

It is a 198-page book made up of Thirty-Seven Chapters, chronicling his struggles with school choices and overcoming financial challenges, vis-a-vis academic bottlenecks, societal expectations and future aspirations.

The themes in the chapters’ border on the importance of political awareness among young folks and the need to embrace good leadership traits from positive minded administrators and elders in the country.

Youth and entrepreneurship development, positive parenting and association with folks that have good goals oriented aspirations, are part of the meat and potatoes of the book’s musings. These and many other issues showcased in the book reminds the reader about a newly published book that dwells on leadership, inequalities, entrepreneurship and gender issues titled “Colours of Leadership and Inequalities,” edited by Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga.

Through a captivating storytelling style, Mike the author of “Naija Commando” paints a picture of many challenges being faced by a typical Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary level. With an engaging mixture of humour and salient issues affecting the Nigerian child, the author spreads his experiences from elementary school age to his tertiary attainment. The role good mentoring plays in the life of youths within and outside the school environment is also beamed on with counselling electricity.

Therefore, the book is a metaphor of the average Nigerian youth experiences, in terms of what the author passed through and endured, as he takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride about the ups and downs he wrestled with, in a Nigerian military school and beyond its environment.

Nonetheless, Nigerian youths who did not attend military schools can also relate with the author’s experiences, because they live in the same society where the military schools exist. The tumultuous waters of adolescence and a host of societal challenges and expectations in a country where the youths are continuously disappointed by some socalled elders and elite, from the grassroots to the national leadership system, requires a great deal of resilience to succeed in it.

The author’s diction is very clear for any average reader to understand. This makes the book an interesting read. The content is devoid of mechanical or channel noise; thereby making the reader assimilate the messages or information without psychological noise. The material is therefore highly recommended for Nigerian youths to read and adopt the spirit and need to embrace perseverance and good leadership traits, from any positive-minded politician or administrator in the country; rather than allowing themselves to be used as thugs for the settlement of political parties' disputes and politicians' differences.

Interestingly, despite being a Zoologist, the author has displayed that he is a good story writer, as he holds a first degree in Zoology from the University of Maiduguri, Bornu State, and a master degree in Communication Management from Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

In conclusion, in spite of all the odds he encountered like many other Nigerian youths are still facing, the author has succeeded in various human endeavours, while he is still looking forward to achieving more. This is the hallmark of “Naija Commando”. Other books authored by Nwangwa include “I Believe Miracles Still Happen,” “The Call, The Gift, The Vision,” “Wisdom Of The Treasure Seeker,” “I Plead Guilty,” and “5 Secrets Of Christmas.”

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