The Learners' Den

Mentorship has an origin dating back to 800 BCE. This culture has a rich history. And, if you fast forward to the 1980s, studies have shown that people who have mentors are more likely to do well in school, earn more than their peers at work, get promotions quickly, and are better suited to perform at the highest level. According to Prof. Terri A. Scandura, “71% of the US Fortune 500 companies offer mentorship to their employees.” Another study published by Sun Microsystems, a tech company in California, asserted that mentorship produces “employees that are more highly valued” by many organizations. This is to say that mentorship is one of the “three components of learning processes” you can utilize to improve your personal and professional development. However, it's worth noting that there isn't a rule that says one has to have a mentor before one succeeds in life. Still, the bottom line is that mentorship advantages cannot be overemphasized. Before we delve into this importan...

Established in 1975, the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed to promote “economic integration,” improve security, and foster regional cooperation to counter common threats to peace and political stability in the region. The bloc included 15 signatory countries. For many years, the region was afflicted by the uprising of extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State, and other minor non-state actors. Moreover, the vast majority of the population is living in abject poverty (less than one dollar per day) due to corruption and economic downturn. This prompted the military officers to topple the civilian governments in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea through coups and counter-coups.  After a diplomatic impasse with the junta officers and ECOWAS delegation, the bloc, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, threatened to take economic and military action. While military action was just rhetoric, the countries faced sign...

A few hours ago, BBC Hausa reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would soon open shops specifically selling alcohol to diplomatic envoys in the country. The report was received with mixed emotions from Muslims in Nigeria; some laughed at it, others startled and outraged. But the latter group reacted the most. I know that the revelation rang unbelievably in their heads, looking at alcohol’s prohibition in Islam. Well, it's understandable to be shocked by such a report, particularly if you are not in touch with the country’s ongoing radical economic and social reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS), the incumbent de facto ruler and heir apparent to the kingdom.  Nevertheless, for me, I wasn't startled by the report. It's no longer a secret that we are in an unprecedented period of ambiguous geopolitical rivalry between the most powerful and rapidly growing countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, India, and Russia. This means that Saudi Ara...

From the shared testimonies of married couples and insights from marriage counselors, I understood that there are no married couples that can brag about their marriage being an endless hitch-free sailing. Even though differently, it’s almost akin to the highs and lows of a bachelor’s life. This uncomfortable reality is one of the many reasons that nudge us to imbibe the culture of patience and proper reactions to survive its turbulence waves.  Yesterday, in the afternoon, during a taxi ride in Kano, I overheard the driver lambasting his wife over the phone. His tone and words were brimming with frustration because she hadn't informed him in advance about the finished state of some specific food items. He was annoyed with her and curtly said to prepare the dinner with whatever she had available, and abruptly ended the phone call before she even explained herself. His behavior makes me sick, knowing the fact that she’s his wife. She immediately called him back after he hung up on her...

Image: YouTube  “ Our Planet," a Netflix series narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough—a biologist, British broadcaster, natural historian, and author—is the only nature documentary that I have never gotten tired of watching daily. Through Sir David’s extraordinary voice and insightful commentary, I have endlessly fallen in love with the beauty and complex interaction of the natural world. In his company, I see a completely similar life to ours. The survival strategy exhibited by the organisms whether living on land or in water intrigues me. The coexistence between species with dissimilar traits and feeding modes, coupled with the leadership skills exhibited—especially by the eldest or powerful among them—is quite breathtaking. Every detail of life within the natural world is fascinating, thanks to Sir David.  This documentary entertains and enlightens because it breaks down complex interactions in tropical forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains, oceans,...

The BRICS Summit banner in Johannesburg, SA (📸Aljazeera) In addition to what happened in Russia yesterday, the ongoing BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, is another interesting topic that attracted divergent opinions from experts and international relations enthusiasts on the challenges and potential of emerging economies such as China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa. The summit has divided opinions between those who believe that there is an emerging new world order on the rise, and others who believe it's too early to make such a bold assertion. The more than a decade-old bloc has recently attracted the attention of other emerging economies in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. On the face of it, the bloc can tremendously play a big part in high-ranking decision-making bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations (UN), etc. However, when the coalition continues to be...

As I stepped into the small shop, I noticed a young couple standing near the counter making a purchase. The shop's dim incandescent lighting cast a soft glow on their faces, illuminating the genuine happiness they seemed to exude. The man appeared to be in his late twenties, thanks to his baby-faced appearance. He wore a tight-fitting white Kaftan that accentuated his plump figure. Plus his friendly smile revealed a sense of contentment. By his side stood a noticeably younger woman, gracefully attired in an ash-colored Abaya. Her attentive gaze and poised posture hinted at her deep engagement in the ongoing conversation between her husband and the shop owner. Curiosity piqued, the shop owner couldn't help but inquire, "Is she your wife?" The husband's warm expression only grew brighter as he replied, "We got married last month." The shop owner extended his congratulations, his voice filled with sincerity and warmth. "Oh, congratulations! May Allah ...

Manchester United's recent loss against their rival, Manchester City, undoubtedly brought joy to their rival fans. Regardless, it's crucial to recognize the remarkable transformation that Erik ten Hag has brought to the team since his arrival. Despite initial challenges, the Dutch tactician has orchestrated an incredible turnaround. Under his guidance, Manchester United achieved a commendable third-place finish in the Premier League, won the Carabao Cup, and even reached the FA Cup final. These accomplishments are exceptional, considering the team's efforts to regain its competitive edge. As the season comes to an end, it's now time for the players and staff to take a well-deserved break, rest, and recharge for the upcoming season. The defeat suffered by Manchester United can serve as a significant source of motivation for the players to strive for improvement. It's essential not to dwell on the past but instead create a new chapter in history and establ...

Let's consider an important truth together. The process of change is not always smooth sailing; it often entails a slow, uneven, and winding journey. Throughout the history of Nigeria, substantial amounts of money have been allocated to subsidize fossil fuel products, making it relatively affordable for Nigerians to power their homes and vehicles. Although expert economists infer that if these considerable funds were diverted toward critical sectors such as education and healthcare, Nigeria would have the potential to compete on the global stage of prosperity.  Given the embezzlement concerns surrounding fuel subsidies, President Tinubu made a definitive statement during his inaugural speech that the funds are "gone," as his government lacks the means to continue reimbursing them. Since then, this announcement has created a sense of chaos at fuel stations, leading to record-high petroleum prices.  Consequently, the prices of all products across the country have experience...

Image: Kano State by Wikipedia  I am deeply concerned about the escalating incidents of phone snatching in Kano State, which have transformed the once-peaceful metropolis into a hub of criminal activity. It is distressing to see Kano's reputation shift from being a commercial epicenter to a city known for such crimes. To address this issue, the new administration, led by Abba Kabir Yusuf, must take bold and swift action. Phone snatching not only affects the residents, or visitors of Kano but also tarnishes the city's reputation, making it less appealing to potential visitors. Kano, renowned for its dynamic businesses and attractiveness as a commercial destination, cannot afford to be plagued by such vicious criminal activities. For instance, in 2019, my brother experienced a harrowing incident while traveling in a tricycle (Keke Napep) in Kano State. He was ruthlessly attacked with sharp blades by a group of hooligans who not only robbed him of his belongings but al...