Category: Opinion

This was published on 10/05/2024, precisely five months ago. Was I clairvoyant? No, the signs were there for all to see. Did anybody give a hoot? Hmmmmn! Well, here is a repeat. I do not want to believe that in a country of nearly 250 million people, I am the only one who thinks there is a gathering of ominous dark clouds over our dear country beginning in the North. I cannot afford that foolish and lazy thought even if I wanted to dream so, because it is that type…

The recent protest in northern Nigeria, which took a violent turn, should ultimately serve as a stark wake-up call not only for the government but also for the northern elites. The escalating crisis highlights the perilous task ahead, as a significant portion of the population has become directionless due to the collapse of our traditional value system.   The erosion of trust in leadership is alarming, as people no longer regard traditional and religious leaders as credible sources of guidance. Instead, the rampaging population has become self-proclaimed leaders, providing dangerous…

Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello endorsed candidates, leveraging their influence and reputation. Awolowo reportedly supported Joseph Fadahunsi (1960), Ayo Akinsanya (1960) and Adekunle Ajasin (1979). Azikiwe backed Michael Okpara (1960), C. C. Onyia (1963) and Chukwuemeka Ojukwu (1966) while Ahamadu Bello endorsed Tafawa Abubakar Balewa (1959), Kashim Ibrahim (1962) and Usman Faruk (1985). Their endorsements carried weight due to regional influence, party leadership, national stature and grassroots connections.   Awolowo’s vast network and loyal following could make or break candidates, boost credibility, mobilize support, shape party decisions and…

The National Assembly leadership in synergy with the management under the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambawal have made greater impact in the area of not only facilitating lawmaking, that will attract more development to Nigeria and trickled down to the six geopolitical zones. This was done through the introduction of various government machineries that was geared towards given special attention particularly to the areas affected by both natural and artificial phenomenon, like the activities of bandits, kidnappings, herdsmen attacks, Boko Haram , ISWAP among many others. Through…

A transparency group, Transparency and Anti-Corruption Campaign in Africa (TRACA), has demanded that President Bola Tinubu must immediately correct an abnormality caused by the immediate past Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) – Mamman Ahmadu. Recall that President Tinubu had on June 14 fired the then DG and ordered that the most senior officer in BPP should immediately take over from him. In a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Steve Orovwuje , the group kicked against a situation where the immediate past DG handed over to…

I should say right away that I am an activist in my own right and have been since I was a student. I’m not against protests taking place under the appropriate circumstances, even though the planned nationwide hunger protest meant to put a stop to hardships may not be for my generation.   The EndSars protests, which started Oct. 8, 2020, resulted in a disaster that claimed many lives and severely damaged property, especially in Abuja and Lagos. Thus, numerous commercial buildings in Lagos, such as Shoprite, continue to bear…

The politics of monopoly and oligarchy are familiar phenomena in Nigeria and beyond. During General Sani Abacha’s military rule in the 1990s, while working at the Federal Ministry of Finance, I witnessed the plight of a retired military officer turned entrepreneur. His product was threatened by a competitor who crashed the price of own goods to make that of the ex-officer uncompetitive. It was suspected that the regime used the competitor to deal with the veteran, who later served in a civilian government.   That experience made me wary of…

The Nigeria government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight point agenda had prioritized security of lives and properties, as well as gave attention to both domestic and international image in the area of securing both national and international reputation, that is fully protected and rejigged.   Since charity they said starts from the homes, the idea of community police meant not only for the protection of lives and properties from the grassroots, but ensured community participation and also nip in the bud any unforseen security…

  Nigeria is a drama, an entertainment. Listen to the ‘Wahala’ singer, Portable, as he wonders why anyone would want him to join this week’s proposed protests. Yes, he admits that he joined protests in the past. But he says that was when he was poor. “Now I am rich…You want a rich man to protest?” He asks cynically. He does not want an answer. Portable’s video looks like it would be the end of all protests if we all became wealthy. The government should love it. I do.  …