Hitler Godwin Obaseki and the N19bn Radisson Hotel Scam By Fred Itua

In the Christian Holy Book, we were told that when it was time for God to redeem man unto Himself and send the messiah, rather than drop him from the sky as a full grown man, He took the long process of passing through the normal human process. The reason as stated in Hebrews 2: 14 – 18 and Hebrews 5:1-3 is so that, the messiah can fully understand and comprehend the challenges peculiar to humans, and therefore, be more merciful and compassionate in dealing with them.   Compassionate and…

Hajia Saadatu Sani Honored as Garkuwan Matan Paiko, Launches ‘Mamakit Project’ to Empower Pregnant Women in Niger State

In recognition of her unwavering support for rural women, Hajia Saadatu Sani, founder of Future Pathways Foundation, has been conferred with the prestigious traditional title of Garkuwan Matan Paiko by the Emir of Paiko. The title, reserved for outstanding women in the emirate, was bestowed upon her in appreciation of her humanitarian efforts and philanthropic outreach.   Described as a compassionate and selfless woman, Hajia Saadatu Sani has consistently dedicated her resources to improving the lives of the less privileged. To mark this special occasion, she extended her benevolence to…

Monday Lines: El-Rufai, Obasa and other godfather stories By Lasisi Olagunju

It happened one sunny day in mid-May 2003. I was preparing to go to the office around noon when Tayo, the editor’s secretary, called me. “Mr Olagunju, don’t come to the office, Baba Adedibu is here looking for you. He came with his boys.” There were no two birds bearing ‘hawk’ in the skies of Ibadan at that time. Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu was the strongman of Ibadan politics. He earned that appellation in practical terms on the field of battle. Adedibu was death that thundered before killing; he was lightning…

Congress of African Journalists, NUJ Celebrate Engr Mathew Tonlagha on His Birthday

By Our Reporter     The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have jointly celebrated Engr. Mathew Tonlagha, a distinguished businessman and philanthropist, on the occasion of his birthday.   In a statement issued on Monday, the President of the Congress of African Journalists, Dr. Christopher Isiguzo, MFR, and the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, described Engr. Tonlagha as a selfless entrepreneur whose generosity has significantly impacted the journalism profession and society at large.   The NUJ President, Comrade Alhassan,…

Ekiti State and the shifting security landscape By HC Ade

Security is the inalienable right from any fear or threat. Security, they also say, is a stage of being free from danger or threat while insecurity is the obvious presence of either or both the danger and the threat.   Insecurity is a global phenomenon that Nigeria and the subnational are having their shares. The genesis of Nigeria’s insecurity challenges is complex and multifaceted. It is traceable to our pre-colonial, colonial era and global effects.   Nigeria of over 250 ethnic groups and a roughly equal split between Muslims and…

Good News from Ekiti State By Michael Abiola

Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s selection as ‘Governor of the Year 2024′ comes as no surprise, given his strategic vision for Ekiti State. One worth mentioning is the construction of a world-class Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in the state. This is not just for the immediate but also laying the foundations for a modern industrial economy.   Oyebanjis recent commitment to reviving commodity boards and strengthening cooperative movements for which Western Nigeria was well-renowned and made very significant strides in the past is noteworthy. Without doubt, this effort will complement the…

How Many States Do We Need? By SImon Kolawole

The House of Reps has received proposals to create 31 new states across the country. Amazing. If every proposal sails through (which I doubt), that means we will end up with 67 states since we currently have 36 of them. That would mean 67 state governors, 67 state cabinets (with thousands of commissioners, special advisers and special assistants), 67 houses of assembly (with thousands of lawmakers and their aides) and, how do I say this… 67 motorcades full of the latest models of bullet-proof SUVs. With almost every state trying…

Empowering Believers: Unified Messages on Strengthening Faith from Abuja’s Esteemed Ministers

Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon   Amid a celebrated “Loyalty Month” within the Foursquare Gospel Church, two powerful sermons echoed through Abuja, delivering messages of unity, resilience, and spiritual fortification. Rev. Dr. Babatunde Idowu and Rev. Sam Osivwemu addressed their congregations with deeply inspiring sermons, aimed at equipping believers to navigate life’s challenges through faith. Rev. Dr. Babatunde Idowu: A Beacon of Hope at Foursquare Gospel Church, Katanpe Abuja. On February 9, 2025, Rev. Dr. Babatunde Idowu graced the pulpit of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Katanpe, with a thought-provoking sermon titled “Strengthening…

Bisi Akande, poverty and Ige’s death By Festus Adedayo

In her biography of Ayo Rosiji, one of the key politicians of Nigeria’s first republic, entitled Man With Vision, Australia-born historian, Nina Mba, citing a Holmes, called biographers “People who knead people.” In other words, biographers knead their subjects from raw flour into edible form. You then wonder what the late lecturer in the History department of the University of Lagos would have called autobiographers. Self-conjurers, perhaps. For, in the process of piecing together bits about themselves, those who write their life histories have been accused of selfishly adding together…

Can Buni tame the Lake Chad curse?, by Hassan Gimba

That is the question. Perhaps we should first take a look at Lake Chad and Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State and current chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum.   The Lake Chad Basin is an area of about 2,434,000 square kilometres (940,000 square miles), roughly 8 per cent of Africa. It includes parts of Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger and is fed by the Chari, Logone, and Yobe Rivers.   There are around 30 million inhabitants and over 70 ethnic groups, with their primary sources…