Category: Interview

My Story – General Gowon

Emporium Reporters

In this interview, a former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) highlights some of his experiences in office, what transpired before and after the civil war, and restates his belief in a united Nigeria.   You are committed to Nigeria’s unity; how did you take it when the civil war broke out?   I grew up with other Nigerians in a little village called Wusasa. It is Hausa community, but honestly, we knew one another. We either attended church together, or if you were a Muslim, you would…

Breaking the Stigma: Expert Insights on Why Men Should Seek Marriage Counseling – An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Olayode Abdurasaq

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By Amira Abdul About Dr. Olayode Abdurasaq: Dr. Olayode Abdurasaq, fondly known as the “Philosopher King,” is a renowned Marriage Counselor Trainer with over a decade of experience and is certified by the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Dr. Olayode has helped countless couples strengthen their relationships through his workshops, training programs, and counseling services. *Interview: Interviewer: Amira Abdul Amira Abdul: As-salamu alaykum, Dr. Olayode. Thank you for joining us today. Dr. Olayode: Wa alaykum salam, Amira. It’s a pleasure. Amira Abdul: Why do men often hesitate to…

How Atiku will win presidential election —Chief Jumoke Akinjide

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Former Minister of State for FCT and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, spoke to a group of journalists on the presidential election, how Atiku Abubakar and others will perform in the zones, the focus of the next president, why President Muhammadu Buhari must ensure credible elections, among other issues. DARE ADEKANMBI brings excerpts.   Why do you think, Atiku, who is a Northerner, should succeed Buhari who is concluding eight years of two terms?   First of all, as you know, I…

Why Oyetola is challenging poll result, by aide

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Ismail Omipidan is the Chief Press Secretary to Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. In this interview, he speaks about the recent governorship poll, insisting that the governor did not lose the election, but he only lost the ‘vote counts’     How has it been in the last three and a half years?   Governor Adegboyega Oyetola came into office in November 2018. He came in at a time when nobody really gave him a chance. There were few issues that heralded his election, especially issues of salary payment, reclassification…

How botched plan to kill me was revealed – Igini

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Mike Igini retires from INEC as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State. He speaks on his best and low moments as an election official.   What do you think is the biggest challenge of INEC in Nigeria?   IGINI: The greatest challenge to organising credible elections in Nigeria is corruption. It is the greatest challenge in every facet of our nation’s life. My colleagues in the bar are not immune from the malaise either, and it makes things difficult. You see, as REC, I am responsible for supervising…

How to end vote-buying, tribunals in Nigerian elections – Mike Igini

Emporium Reporters

Mike Igini discusses how Nigeria can overcome vote buying, improve the conduct of elections and reduce the intervention of the courts in the electoral process.   The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa-Ibom State, Mike Igini, in an interview, on Tuesday on the Sunrise programme of Channels Television, discussed how Nigeria can overcome vote buying, improve the conduct of elections and reduce the intervention of the courts in the electoral process. Below are excerpts from the interview.   Q: What is INEC’s assessment of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election?…

Politics: Service to the People – Deacon Osaigbovo

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Deacon Festus Osagie Osaigbovo is the Director General, Edo State Liaison Office, Abuja. Osaigbovo, having served the last four successive governments in Edo State has risen to become a political leader representing the good people of Abiokunla Ward 2 in Orhionmwon Local Government. In this interview which he granted in his country home in Oza , The Leader, as he is popularly called by his people, spoke about the monetization of politics, voter’s apathy and other sundry issues as he summed up saying that politics should be service to the…

To survive Online challenge, media should embrace plural journalism, says Adedayo

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Dr. Festus Adedayo is a political communication scholar, author and lawyer. He was a media adviser to two executive governors. In this interview with ROTIMI AGBOLUAJE of The Guardian Newspapers, he spoke on the challenges facing media in Nigeria today.   How can the media industry produce quality hands for this generation?   IT’S distressing when you look at the media industry. At the time we got into journalism, our predecessors told us that we didn’t meet the industry at its prime. Even the one we met was such that…

Those who attack me do so out of ignorance, mischief, malice – Femi Adesina

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Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, became a household name at the then Weekend Concord long before 2002 when he was invited to be part of the formidable team that formed The Sun Newspapers, of which he was pioneer editor. He rose to become the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the company as well as President, Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE). In 2015, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. In a chat with Chioma Okezie-Okeh of Saturday Sun, he shares his experience as the presidential…

YOU & LITERATURE TODAY: Philosophy, history and poetry made me get in touch with my reality, with my essence as a person – Edward K. Boateng, a Liberian Poet. By Munyal Markus Manunyi Email: [email protected]

Emporium Reporters

Recently, We Write Liberia (WWL) represented Liberia in Sierra Leone to host a creative arts evening in the Capital’s City Council Hall. The event which was tagged Upholding the African Culture had attracted more than 500 persons including 15 schools, theatre companies, other poetry organisations and lots more. We Write Liberia is an NGO of young Liberian creative artists which has been in existence for 4 years now, and known for its output in the aspect of Creative Arts in Liberia. Let’s hear from Edward, one of the forerunners of…