Category: Opinion

EBUBE MUONSO, FAKE PROPHETS AND INSECURITY By Law Mefor, PhD

Emporium Reporters

The new wave of insecurity in Anambra in particular and the South East has its roots in preaching wealth without work championed by the likes of Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, aka Ebube Muonso. They are merchants of fake miracles and fake prophecies who, for decades, have taught our youths to believe they can become wealthy and great without work, perseverance, and morality, all vital virtues for which Ndigbo were reputed in the past. Such virtues that accounted for the outstanding successes of Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo in general are now assailed…

The Unending Revenue Sharing War ,by Simon Kolawole

Emporium Reporters

Do you know that Jigawa can become the richest state in Nigeria? Don’t laugh at me and say “this guy has started again”. I will explain myself, but my central point remains that we have a mental block when it comes to understanding the wealth of a state. We have limited it to mineral resources and the sharing of the contents of the federation account by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). We downplay many potential sources of revenue staring us in the face every day of the week and…

My Man of the Year By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

The door of life is binary; it opens either ways, inwards or outwards. So goes an age-long wisdom. When the Thisday newspaper, on January 1, 2025, announced President Bola Tinubu as its Man of the Year pick, emotions of Nigerians ran riot. Was that decision a product of editorial science or newspaper shamanism? Nigerians asked. To many, the newspaper’s editors must have meandered into some kind of trance, communed with with some unseen spirits and emerged therefrom with their odd pick. To others, Thisday hit the bull’s eye.   Suffering…

The tiff between me and my friend, Umar Iliya Damagum, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

For those who may not know, considering that I am a journalist and he is a politician, the first time I knew Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was in 1977, some 48 years ago. When God brought us together at Government College Maiduguri, we were both teenagers, eager and ready to dive headlong into the world of adventure. We wanted to survey the world, savour its mysteries, learn from the experience it would offer us, become better humans, and collect the…

2025: Prayers, hopes and dreams By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

At last, we survived the Year 2024! For that, we give thanks to God! Not unexpectedly, the Year 2024 was marked by complexities and contradictions. On the one hand, social movements and activism gained momentum, shedding light on the shape and size of pressing issues like inequality and climate change. On the other hand, systemic inequalities persisted, and globalization disrupted traditional structures, fuelling the hustle and bustle of uncertainty and insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere, further underscored the challenges…

When showmanship becomes diplomacy, By Ahmad Sajoh

Emporium Reporters

At the risk of swimming against the tide of the anti-Tinubu sentiments pervading some sections of the country I stand to point large gaping holes in the showmanship displayed by the President of Niger Republic General Abdurramane Tchiane. A leader of a country by whatever means is also the Chief Diplomat of that nation. When such a person replaces diplomatic finesse with grandstanding and showmanship, definitely something is wrong somewhere.   Unfortunately, many Nigerians including credible groups seem to support his diatribes and use them as a basis for questioning…

Pastor Adeboye: The Soun and Public Good ,By Olusegun Adeniyi

Emporium Reporters

Throughout history, religions and religious leaders have impacted the affairs of countries. For instance, the ‘Asian Miracle’ is in part explained by the discipline and work ethic integral to the Buddhist religion. Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and other religions have also helped to shape societies. This is why some have remarked that with so many Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, there is very little Christianity and very little Islam. It appears that in our country, religion is only capable of serving as a tool for division and exploitation. It is…

NiDCOM at 5: TRANSFORMING DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT WITH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP By Juliannah Vincent-Yakubu (erinjuliannah@gmail.com)

Emporium Reporters

As the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) celebrates its fifth anniversary, it has cemented its position as a transformative force in bridging Nigeria and its global diaspora. Established to harness the expertise, resources, and networks of millions of Nigerians abroad, NiDCOM has redefined diaspora engagement, driving unity, fostering investment, and promoting national development. Under the exceptional leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM has consistently delivered on its mandate, achieving milestones that validate its creation. Through flagship initiatives such as the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), the Commission has attracted millions…

Edo Governor Celebrates Oba Ewuare II, Edo People on Igue Festival

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has extended warm felicitations to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, the Oba of Benin, and the entire Edo people on the occasion of the annual Igue Festival.   In a statement issued on Monday, Governor Okpebholo described the Igue Festival as a sacred period of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the peace and development witnessed in the Benin Kingdom.   He acknowledged the remarkable progress made by the Benin Kingdom and Edo State despite…

2024: A Wonderfully Tough Year, By Kazeem Akintunde

Emporium Reporters

In the next 48 hours, we should be saying our final goodbye to the year 2024. It has been one hell of a journey navigating through the year for most Nigerians. Many have died, millions of others are struggling to keep their heads above water. Still, we should give thanks to God that we survived and are still counted amongst the living.   Now is the time to do a postmortem on the year so that we can all plan ahead for the new year. What are those things we…