The Learners' Den

Image by freepik As we approach election day, let us remember the importance of peaceful participation. By avoiding toxic and hostile political debates, we can protect valuable relationships and recognize that we are all interconnected by our shared ancestries. Throughout history, our societies have been bound together in an unbreakable web of interdependence, and we must maintain this unity. One way to do so is by exercising our democratic right to vote for our preferred candidate. However, it is equally important to respect others' choices and avoid belittling those with differing political affiliations. By embracing our differences and promoting mutual understanding, we can work towards a just and democratic society. To ensure a peaceful election, we must also avoid any form of violence or thuggery that could disrupt the voting process. Let us show our commitment to non-violent communication and mutual respect. Together, we can uphold the integrity of our electoral s...

Image by Freepik Peer pressure is a pervasive social phenomenon that is detrimental to our well-being. It creates stress and encourages us to adopt behaviors and attitudes that go against our individuality and ideals. This often leads to feelings of inadequacy and a loss of self-esteem. Research shows that peer pressure has negative impacts on our mental, emotional, and physical health. When we succumb to peer pressure, we will end up engaging in unhealthy behaviors and developing unhealthy habits. This is especially damaging when we engage in such behaviors just to fit in with a group or gain approval from others. To avoid the dangers of peer pressure, it is essential to stay true to our values and convictions. This means being confident in ourselves and our choices, and not compromising our ideals just to fit in. By doing so, we can maintain our sense of individuality and self-esteem. As Dr. Bhawna Gautam once wrote, "there is every reason for you to trust in yoursel...

Participants at the second session of the SIF Marriage in Arewa, the northern region of Nigeria, is an important cultural and religious ritual. However, like any other area, it has many concerns and obstacles.  On Sunday, February 12, 2023, some selected brilliant minds gathered in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for the second session of the Students Intellectual Forum (SIF) and intensely explored the topic, "Marriage in Arewa: Issues, Challenges, and Solutions." At the start of the session, Sani Musa Ibrahim, the chairman, and moderator delivered a warm welcome address before journalist Aliyu Jalal gave a thought-provoking opening speech. During his remarks, Aliyu not only explored the processes of marriages in Northern Nigeria but also drew attention to rising divorce rates and marital strains in the area, giving greater context to the topic at hand. He also posed questions on the root causes, including issues with marriage views, social media, excessive wedding ...

Image by Freepik February 13 was dedicated by UNESCO to celebrate the tremendous impact that radio has had in bringing people from diverse backgrounds together. Therefore, as we celebrate radio's importance and influence, here's to another fantastic year of captivating radio programming and the resounding strength of this remarkable medium! Moving on, I've always been fascinated by the world around me, and how different people of different ethnicities and civilizations lived their lives. That's why, when my parents gave me the option to choose what I wanted after primary school in 2006, I knew exactly what I wanted: a transistor radio. Although youngsters my age were preoccupied with bicycles or video games at the time. A Kchibo brand was bought for me. This was the onset of my love for journalism and international relations — even though I studied neither at the university.  Undoubtedly, listening to the radio news every day gave me a diverse and beneficial...

Book by the famous Daniel H. Pink In " The Power of Regret" by Daniel H. Pink, the author explores the impact of this ubiquitous emotion on our lives and how it can be harnessed to propel us forward instead of holding us back. The book begins with the story of a renowned singer who drew inspiration from the song "No, I Regret Nothing at All" to overcome her battle with addiction and resurrect her musical career. Tragically, she passed away three years later. The book posits that regret is a natural part of the human experience and can serve as a motivator for growth and self-improvement, but should not be allowed to overwhelm us. Pink differentiates between regret and disappointment, highlighting that regret carries with it the opportunity to go back in time, while disappointment does not. He delves into the concept of "counterfactual thinking" and its impact on our emotions and behavior. He also argues that regret can shape our decision-making...

Sani Musa Ibrahim  Imagine waking up to the sound of your friend's voice, passionately speaking of grandiose ideas that paint a vivid picture of their all-day imagination. That's exactly what it's like when Sani Musa Ibrahim is asleep.  Shamweel and I are always fascinated by Sani's weird behavior when he's asleep. His subconscious mind produces a composition of imaginative ideas, ranging from starting his dream company to addressing the intricacies of societal issues and even engaging with well-known figures. It's a truly captivating experience. We attentively listen to him and his amazing dream-inspired ideas. Nevertheless, whenever we bring up what he has said while asleep, he becomes defensive in his response. One day, I secretly captured his every move and held onto the evidence until the next morning. When I played it back for him, I watched as his eyes widened with shock and disbelief. The man in the video was none other than himself, but he tried to act ...

Group photo after the inaugural session of the Students Intellectual Forum As the 2023 general elections draw closer, the fate of Arewa continues to remain a matter of utmost concern to many citizens and experts. During its inaugural dialogue on the possibilities and challenges of Arewa after the 2023 general elections, the Students Intellectual Forum (SIF) affirmed that Arewa will get better under certain circumstances. On 5th February 2023, a diverse group of students gathered for the first session of the Students Intellectual Forum (SIF) at the Iya Abubakar Institute of Computing, ABU Zaria to deliberate on the elections and post-election in Arewa. The participants shared their thoughts and perspectives on the current situation and the opportunities and hurdles ahead. The discussion centered around several key topics, including the state of Arewa's security, economic stagnation, population, leadership, mindset, corruption/greed, education, and illiteracy. It was also...

Supreme Court of Corruption, Nigeria The corruption in the Nigerian judicial system has left it unable to fulfill its role as a defender of justice and human rights, resulting in widespread injustice and the victimization of those who ought to be protected by the law. The rampant corruption in the Nigerian judicial system has allowed rich and influential politicians to escape accountability for their actions, either through bribery or manipulation of the system. This leaves the marginalized and vulnerable to bear the brunt of an unjust system, while the wealthy continue to flaunt their unlawful immunity. As you may recall, a few months ago, Nigeria held its primary elections in preparation for the upcoming February general elections. Before the primaries, each prospective candidate was allowed to purchase their nomination and expression of interest forms. It is widely known that in Yobe North, the incumbent senator, Ahmed Lawan, did not run in the primary election for the Y...

Image by Seif Eddin Khayat on Unsplash I am writing to you in the hope that you are feeling well. I write this letter to prepare you for the failures and heartaches that life may hurl at you. If I do not get to watch you grow into the woman I hope you will be, just know that daddy loves you to the square of infinity. Accordingly, in this letter,  I aim to impart to you some of the wisdom and invaluable lessons that, at this point, I  gained from life.  They  will  assist  you  in  adjusting,  adapting,  and  navigating  your  way  through  life. First of all, you cannot control the events that happen in your life, but you are at liberty to choose how to respond to each event. If you choose to see the positive side of every situation, you will be successful; however, if you train your mind to always see the negative, the consequences will be overwhelming. Although it is natural to feel overwhelmed and discouraged ...