Tell Magazine

Poor hygiene situation at rehabilitation camps for people displaced by floods, as well as forecast of more floods in the country before the year ends, raises fears of a more devastating disaster in the offing   It happened while he was fast asleep. In the early hours of Friday, August 31, 2012, Mohammed Jubrilla, a rice farmer in Zip village, Karim-Lamido Local Government, LG, area of Taraba State, was rudely interrupted from what was otherwise a blissful night rest. The interruption came in the form of a cool night breeze accompanied by a sound. At first, the sound was barely…

The face-off between the presidency and the legislators over the implementation of the 2012 capital budget might throw a spanner in the works of 2013 budget. Now there are fears that both the Presidency and legislators might be working towards another delayed passage of the budget with grave implications for the economy   A grim prospect is hovering over the Nigerian economy. While the National Assembly, NASS and the Presidency are still at loggerheads over the level of implementation of the 2012 capital budget, the refusal of the House of Representatives to consider the 2013 budget last week may have…

Hunger and economic recession appear imminent as floods in many parts of the country destroy farmlands and sweep away livestock and other agricultural products   Muhammed Sha'aba, village head, Gbaradogi/Kpata Regatta, a largely agrarian community in Patigi area of Kwara State, was soaked in grief through out last week as he saw the devastation caused by the recent flooding of his village. Gbaradogi/Kpata Regatta is one of the 16 villages submerged by the surging River Niger in the renewed flooding that has plagued many parts of the country in the last one month. Although Sha’aba survived the flood, he was…

Activities at the country’s international borders have transformed the surrounding communities into areas of commerce, crime, sleaze and fun   For over 15 years, Danladi, surname withheld for legal reasons, a professional driver, has been plying the dusty and pothole-filled Gembu-Mbamnga-Bang-Sabon Gari Road in Taraba State, North-east Nigeria. The road leads to Nigeria’s border with Cameroon and Danladi does the trip regularly in his rickety antiquated Land Rover, laden with smuggled goods meant for his customers in the neighbouring country. At the border, Danladi encounters security agents including customs men, immigration officials and soldiers but he waves at them and…