Lami Fatima Babare (1966-2018): She would have been 59, by Hassan Gimba (Pictures)

This was first published on March 12, 2018, nine days after her death. It is repeated wholly with only a headline change as a posthumous birthday seven years after. Lami Fatima Babare, my beloved wife, my friend, the mother of my children. Today marks one week of your painful death. When we got married on the 30th of October, 1992, our dream was to grow old together; to live to the age when we will walk about alone in the house with walking sticks after sending all the children on…

Now that Natasha has made Akpabio happy By Festus Adedayo

In South Africa under the presidency of Jacob Zuma, any analysis of government and governance without factoring sex into the mix was tame and lame. Zuma was a notorious polygamist who had six official wives as president, many more by unofficial account and 22 children from the liaisons. He was a kingpin of lechery. On May 8, 2006, a South African court under Judge van der Merwe acquitted him of rape of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, an HIV-positive AIDS activist, who was the daughter of his friend, Judson Kuzwayo. During trial,…

College of Education Ankpa – The Mandate Before Dr Fashagba Femi Paul By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

The appointment of Dr. Fashagba Femi Paul as the Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, is a masterstroke in academic leadership. With an impressive track record in academia, administration, and professional excellence, he is undoubtedly the right person to lead the institution into a new era of transformation. His wealth of experience and outstanding credentials make him well-suited for the task ahead, one that requires vision, strategic planning, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Dr. Fashagba’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Having served as the Director of…

IWD 2025: Orelope-Adefulire Reaffirms Commitment to Advancing Women’s Welfare and Accelerating Action

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has reaffirmed her office’s dedication to implementing policies and initiatives aimed at advancing the welfare and well-being of women and the girl-child, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Her remarks were contained in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Desmond Utomwen, to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day, celebrated under the theme ‘Accelerate Action’. Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that this year’s IWD theme serves as a…

My Natasha Comments on Arise: How Leaders Miss Golden Opportunities, By Frank Tietie

On Thursday, I was feeling unwell after two sleepless nights spent working on a fundamental human rights matter when the producer/director informed me that I was scheduled to appear on Arise News Night to discuss the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate. I considered declining the assignment, especially since laryngitis had set in that afternoon and I was losing my voice. However, I was unhappy with the Senate’s decision and felt that this might be my only opportunity to express my thoughts on the matter in mainstream…

Tinubu and the Trillion-dollar Economy by 2030- a leap of faith or another Jamboree? By Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice

Tinubu’s administration has set its sights on a bold and transformative economic vision, reaffirming its commitment to bridging financial gaps and fostering inclusive growth across Nigeria. In a significant move to accelerate this agenda, Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion, a strategic initiative aimed at positioning Nigeria as a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. The event, held at the State House Banquet Hall, also marked the signing of a landmark investment agreement under the Aso Accord Initiative, a key pillar of the administration’s Renewed…

Akpoti-Uduaghan and the emerging controversies By abiodun KOMOLAFE

The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, stemming from her allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of office against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reveals a deeper issue within Nigeria’s political system. This incident, among others, raises questions about Nigeria’s claim to being a republic, as it exhibits characteristics of a feudal system, where social and economic relationships are defined by patron-client attachments.   In the case of the senate president, a lot has been revealed about the misogynistic nature of much of the Nigerian state. This issue has…

OF AKPABIO, NATASHA, AND SENATE’S “CIRCUS SHOW” BY Bolaji Afolabi

Many years back as teenagers in Kaduna, which by the way was the political capital of the (then) Northern region, the writer and group of friends, school mates, and play-mates had pleasant taste of access to modernity. Even as children of middle-class parents who were either civil servants, or in the semi, and informal sectors, basic necessities were readily available and accessible; not what is prevalent today. We spent hours playing street football, and devoting quality time on the tracks, and indoor sports hall of the magnificent Ahmadu Bello stadium,…

The Suspension Of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: A Test Of Democratic Ethics And The Rule Of Law. An Unbiased Democratic Advocacy Write-up from HallowMace Foundation Africa.

The recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate has sparked widespread debate and raised critical questions about the principles of democracy, ethical governance, and the rule of law. The six-month suspension, which was recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, and adopted in plenary, has been met with mixed reactions. While the Senate claims the suspension is a consequence of Senator Natasha’s alleged violation of Senate rules, many observers see it as a politically motivated move that undermines democratic principles and due…

Nigeria to Host 2026 World Public Relations Forum: A Triumph for Dr. Ike Neliaku Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon

In an exhilarating development for the African public relations structure, Nigeria has been selected as the host country for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF). This significant win reflects not only Nigeria’s growing influence in the global communication arena but also highlights the visionary leadership of Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a prominent figure in the public relations industry. The selection of Nigeria to host the WPRF is a historic moment for the nation, marking its emergence as…