Category: Opinion

Remi Tinubu, what has God got to do with it? By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

The above was the question asked by Britons and the rest of the world in the afternoon of May 22, 2013. Close to the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, Southeast London, two young men of British-Nigerian descent, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, had attacked a 25-year old British Army soldier, Fusilier Lee Rigby and killed him. Rigby was of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. It was a case of religious extremism. The soldier had been on off-duty and was walking along Wellington Street. His attackers mowed him down with a…

Owa Obokun: Heritage, reality, aspiration (2) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Ijesas are distinctive! They are known for their discerning nature and exceptional brilliance. Their rich history reveals fascinating connections. For the record, they are the masterminds behind Osomaalo, a pioneering business phenomenon in Africa. In the 1930s, Obafemi Awolowo, the legendary statesman, once resided in Ilesa as Secretary to Daniel Ajayi Afilaka. At a time in the history of Ijesaland, Olori Remilekun Anike Agunlejika, wife of Oba Adeniran Agunlejika, also held the esteemed title of Yeye Oge of Edeland. Ijesaland is credited with originating the iconic ‘Nwa Boy’ style, now…

The Northern Protesters, A Mirror that Poke Us in the Eyes… By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

When the streets of Northern Nigeria filled with voices demanding an end to bad governance, there was hope that change might finally come. Yet what began as a peaceful call for accountability quickly unraveled into turmoil, leaving deep wounds in its wake. The North—once resilient and proud—now stands battered, its infrastructure in ruins and its people shaken. As cities like Kano, Sokoto, Gombe, and Kaduna fell into chaos, the protests were seized by hoodlums and criminal elements, morphing into waves of destruction. Security forces, despite their presence, seemed unable to…

Imaan’s Stich in Time , Saves Minors, By Abubakar Yusuf

Emporium Reporters

In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda, spirit of democracy, national development and leadership compassion, the issue of detained minors has been resolved through the unconditional release directed by the government. The Tinubu led administration extended the succour and also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the arrest and detention of the minors no matter how highly placed of the security agencies involved, an indicator that Mr President was not aware of the activities of the overzealous security agencies who carried out the…

In defence of nepotism By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

Wahala no dey finish for Nigeria. Because President Bola Tinubu appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff last week, my northern friend sent me a WhatsApp message from Zaria: “It comes as a surprise as Oduduwa takes over the lead agencies of the critical safety sector: Army (military), Police (security), DSS (Intelligence), EFCC (anti-corruption).” My friend was talking fairness. I heard him and remembered the quaint saying about equity and clean hands. So, I replied him: “Can you name those who served in those four positions under Buhari and where…

FEC vs. NEC: What Does Zaccheus Adedeji of FIRS Want? By Yushau A. Shuaib

Emporium Reporters

The recent submission of four executive bills to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu has sparked intense debate. President Bola Tinubu’s recent submission of four executive tax reform bills to the National Assembly has sparked heated debate. Central to the controversy is Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), whose clarifications on the reforms have yet to clear the air but intensified discussions.   At first glance, the four bills appear to serve distinct purposes: The Nigeria Tax Bill seeks to harmonise various tax laws to…

Let’s Save Our Democracy from this Axis Of Evil, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

Several people, including Nigerian leaders, have said that democracy, as a form of government, has no better alternative. And why not, if democracy is all about a system of government in which the governed freely participate in electing their representatives?   Nigeria has had a go at practising democracy even before its independence from Britain. From independence, we practised it fully for six years, though it was the Westminster system, bequeathed to us by the colonisers. It got its name from the central London area hosting the Parliament of the…

Ayinde Barrister, North and Tinubu’s VAT Bill By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

In a gripping but evergreen musical rendition of a Yoruba folklore, late Fuji music lord, Ayinde Barrister, once deployed the canvas of the forest to paint the inequality of the world. In his Fuji New Waves album, he also depicted the acrimonies that follow the sharing of jointly hunted games. What the anecdote tells us is that, if we listen to the unspoken voices of the forest, humanity may find answers to some of its knotty matters. The narrator and about eleven of his friends, had gone on a hunting…

UBEC / NCDMB Strategic Partnership; Moving Basic Education From Blackboard to Smart Board, BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.

Emporium Reporters

The efforts of the leadership of two prominent government agencies , the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB is the desire to move the country from analogue to digital era in line with the global trend, but also to address essentially the scourge of Out of School Children OOSC that was becoming a norm inspite concerted efforts by the commission.   Since Basic Education is the foundation to all levels of Education to be acquired by our pupils and students , the moves…

Do You Know Who I Am? The Honorebu Who Slapped The Law, By Niyi Osundare

Emporium Reporters

The Honorebu’s first question   Was preceded with a very Honorebu slap   So loud his neighbours thought   It was a thunderclap     “Who are you, wretched driver;   What madness drove you   To disturb my Honorebu leisure   In the middle of an empty day?   In my Honorably acquired mansion   Where, between booze and boast,   I churn out the bills which beget those laws   That have turned Nigeria into a Paradise”   The second slap came with an imperial swagger:   “How…