Identifying the Real People

A Case Study of the Statement by Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

By Yohanna Sunday Atiku

1 July,  2026.

Recently, Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, encouraged Nigerians, particularly young people, to consider small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kulikuli.

Her statement quickly attracted criticism on social media. Many people mocked it, while content creators used it to produce humorous content. Some also argued that it reflected a lack of meaningful economic solutions.

This article is not about defending or condemning her statement. Rather, it seeks to identify the people the message was most likely intended for.

One of the basic principles of communication is audience identification. Every message has a target audience, criticizing it negatively without identifying its intended beneficiaries can lead to a wrong conclusion.

Her advice does not mean that someone already running a successful business should abandon it to start selling akara, roasted corn, or kulikuli.

Many of those criticizing the statement may not even be the people it was meant to reach. Some already have stable incomes and can comfortably provide for themselves and their families.

The message appears to be directed at ordinary Nigerians—the unemployed, low-income earners, and young people looking for a way to earn an honest living.

Starting with a small business does not mean you will remain there forever. 

Many successful entrepreneurs began with little capital. Growth comes through consistency, discipline, and proper management of profits.

Nigeria has a wide gap between the rich and the poor. While this challenge did not begin today, encouraging people with little or no capital to start small businesses can be a practical step toward self-reliance.

If you are financially comfortable, the statement may not apply to you. However, that does not change the fact that many Nigerians can still benefit from starting with small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, or kulikuli, etc.

Rather than viewing the statement as an insult, it may be more helpful to see it as advice for people who simply need a starting point.

Not every message is meant for everyone. In this case, the "real people" are Nigerians with little or no startup capital who are looking for a legitimate opportunity to begin. Every successful business has a starting point, and no honest means of earning a living should be underestimated.

Protect Our Schools Like We Protect Our Oil Pipelines

  

This image above shows school children returned by security personnel after their abduction in Borno State Nigeria.

By Yohanna Sunday Atiku

30 June, 2026.

It is high time for schools in Nigeria to be recognized and protected as critical national infrastructure, just like oil pipelines and other strategic national assets.

The alarming increase in attacks on civilian schools, particularly those attended by children, is deeply disturbing. These attacks are not merely assaults on educational institutions; they are deliberate attacks on education, literacy, and the future of our nation.

The continued neglect of this growing security threat by relevant stakeholders is a clear indication that schools at every level must be accorded the same level of protection as other critical national infrastructure. Regardless of the ideology or motive behind these attacks, Nigeria can no longer afford to treat the safety of students, teachers, and other school personnel as a secondary concern.

A mini Joint Task Force (JTF) security unit should be established in schools across the country to provide visible security, deter attacks, and ensure a rapid response to any emerging threats.

Considering Nigeria's large population, the recruitment of more security personnel, supported by adequate funding for salaries, welfare, training, and operational logistics, is both necessary and achievable. Furthermore, recovered proceeds from financial crimes should be invested significantly in improving the welfare and operational capacity of security personnel.

Community and family sensitization against terrorism, violent extremism, and other forms of insecurity should be intensified. In addition, security education should be made a compulsory part of the curriculum at all levels of education, with lessons tailored to the age and educational level of learners.

Until schools are officially recognized and protected as critical national infrastructure, perpetrators of these dastardly acts will continue to exploit them as soft targets due to inadequate security.

Governors across the federation should also see the establishment of state police as an opportunity to strengthen the protection of vulnerable critical infrastructure, especially schools, through community-based policing, intelligence gathering, and rapid response mechanisms.

Finally, the high level of security deployment, coordination, and operational readiness often witnessed during elections demonstrates that Nigeria has the capacity to protect its citizens and strategic assets when it chooses to do so. The same commitment, manpower, and resources should be deployed to safeguard schools, where harmless, peaceful, and conducive learning environments must be preserved for the benefit of future generations.

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Court Restrains Caretaker Committee and Orders Status Quo in ZAYODA Dispute

Yohanna Sunday Atiku, 27 June 2026.

The High Court of Justice, Bauchi State, granted an interim injunction restraining the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee from interfering with the affairs of the Zaar Youth Development Association (ZAYODA), including its administration, elections, and other lawful activities. The Court also restrained the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) from recognizing, assisting, or enforcing any directive issued by the Caretaker Committee concerning the management or elections of the association.

Additionally, the Court directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. In legal terms, this means that no party should take any further action to alter the existing situation until the Court has fully heard the case. Consequently, the Caretaker Committee should not assume or exercise control over ZAYODA, while the Police and NSCDC are prohibited from recognizing or supporting it.

The Respondents were ordered to appear before the Court and show cause why the interim orders should not be sustained. The matter was adjourned to 14 July 2026 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.

Importantly, the interim order does not validate or approve the suspension of the ZAYODA Constitution. Rather, the Court's order appears to preserve the position existing before the disputed actions by preventing the Caretaker Committee from exercising authority until the substantive application is determined. The order is therefore a temporary measure aimed at preserving the subject matter of the dispute, not a final judgment on the merits of the case.