Shehu Bawa Bwari, the coordinator on entrepreneurship to Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, has sent an audio message, threatening a Facebook user, Muhammad Alfa, for asking about a bread produced by the state government tagged “New Niger Bread”.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the New Niger bread is one of the initiatives of Mr Bwari and the coordinator on empowerment, Umar Mohammed, popularly known as Talban Samari.
In July, Mr Bago donated the sum of N20 million to support youths on bread and other confectionery production.
The initiative is aimed at empowering 200 master trainers to produce 10,000 bakers across the state within the next 4 years.
However, Mr Alfa, who is a final-year law student at Maryam Abacha University, Kano, put an inquiry on his Facebook page requesting to know the status of the initiative as well as the promise to train 10,000 youths.
He also inquired to know about the donation made by the governor to the trainees and if the bread is available for sale within the state capital.
“What’s the update on the production of New Niger Bread?
“Were they able to train the thousands of students as promised?
“Is the bread available in your area?” he asked.
However, the harmless questions triggered the reactions from Messrs Mohammed and Bwari.
While Mr Mohammed responded to the questions raised, Mr Bwari was upset, claiming that the post was aimed to undermine his efforts and hard work.
He also accused Mr Alfa of creating a negative impression about him.
“Muhammad Alfa Muhammad Stop mocking productivity; always appreciate the little effort of your fellow brother. You said target; so far we were able to train and empower 200 Nigerlites. Is this not an achievement?” Mr Mohammed asked.
Responding to another user in the comments box of the post, Mr Bwari said,” He is not buying anything but, in a way, making mockery of all your efforts, and we will definitely respond in a legal way.”
He further sent a voice note threatening to bring him down legally if he dares to blackmail him.
“Some time back, I asked you to be careful of the way you criticise people on social media. You asked about New Niger bread; I will answer your question in a very legal way.
“So that next time you will be careful not to put yourself in trouble with what you post on social media.
“I don’t joke with my efforts, and if you try to attack my efforts, ‘ubanka zan ci, bama ubanka ba, buhun uban ubanka’ (swear words in Hausa language). And that’s my nature.
“I will stop at nothing to bring you down. Your question on new Niger bread: they are doing well, and I’ll not show you on social media but in a court of law. By Allah, ubanka zanci (insult).
When contacted, Mr Bwari confirmed sending the audio clips.
He, however, said his message was not intended to threaten Mr Alfa but to draw his attention to the consequences of bad use of social media.
He also said the young man has a penchant for criticising people on social media.
“As a human being, when you’re trying to put things in order and someone sitting somewhere tries to undermine your efforts, it’s natural that you get angry.
“Sincerely, his posts and subsequent comments really got me angry; that’s what necessitated me sending the audio message,” Mr Bwari said.
“He also posted the dummy cheque of the donations given to the trainees by the state governor and created an impression that we have something to hide.
“That is why I said we will respond legally. Because I wouldn’t want to bring myself to his level and begin an unnecessary argument,” he added.
