We can’t run away from discussing Nigeria’s dissolution —Brig. Gen. Ikponmwen

We can’t run away from discussing Nigeria’s dissolution —Brig. Gen. Ikponmwen

Brigadier General Idada Don Ikponmwen is a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army. He is also the leader a non- partisan group called the Edo Think Group, which membership is drawn from the three senatorial districts of Edo State. In this interview, he says the proposed National Conference will be a waste of time if the delegates fail to come up with a new Constitution for the nation. While admonishing the Advisory Committee on the confab to adhere to its assurance that there would be no, no- go areas, Ikponmwen stresses the need to find lasting solution to the problems bedeviling the country even if it means disintegration.
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Budget 2014 Series: A hostage of an overheated polity

Budget 2014 Series: A hostage of an overheated polity

Even if the political tsunami, the defection of five PDP governors to APC, had not occurred, getting 2014 Budget passed, without protracted rancour, and before March next year, would have been close to a mission impossible. But, with the latest political developments, next year’s budget had suddenly become one of the possible hostages or victims of the overheated polity.

A reporter’s peep into Mandela’s cell

A reporter’s peep into Mandela’s cell

By Jide Ajani It was a visit that evoked emotions of many kinds. It was also a visit to one of the most popular prison facilities in the world – Robben Island Prison. And one of the inmates who made the prison to attract global attention was prisoner 466/64, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.  Mandela, referred to […]

Kudos to Governors Oshiomhole, Fashola and Orji; but…

Kudos to Governors Oshiomhole, Fashola and Orji; but…

The ideal role of a critic is to serve the best interest of society through constructive criticism by drawing the attention of leaders of society to issues which are begging for redress. It is however not enough to enumerate and propagate what is wrong. A good critic ought to, in addition, proffer solutions to the problems or articulate alternative options for handling identified concerns. More importantly, a critic should be charitable enough to commend leaders in those areas where they have made efforts to right their wrongs. The latter is the premise of today’s article which identifies 3 state governors whose recent activities deserve some measure of commendation. The governors are Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and Theodore Orji of Abia.

The oil revenue mystery

The oil revenue mystery

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amechi has opened an important debate about Nigeria’s oil industry, and it is an important question. How much oil does Nigeria sell daily? How much of this actually reflects in Nigeria’s revenue accounts? This has been a mystery. Indeed Nigeria’s oil revenue account is one of the most secret of mysteries, made even more so by a most secretive administration whose executive authority is so wide-ranging that it can afford to play God on this matter.

2015: We have the capacity to stop Jonathan — Gov. Kwankwaso

2015: We have the capacity to stop Jonathan — Gov. Kwankwaso

Governor Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State is a lucky politician. After winning the first term in 1999, he lost out in 2003 but returned to his seat in 2011 to continue from where he stopped. His imprints are all over Kano and he does not seem to be in a hurry to give up his fight to reposition the state, even after crossing from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress, APC. After one hour interaction with Sunday Vanguard at the expansive Government House, Kano, Kwankwaso gives an insight into his kind of politics, his developmental strides and defended his defection to the APC.

How lecturers underdeveloped the universities (3)

How lecturers underdeveloped the universities (3)

However, and this is the crux of the matter, those responsible for running the universities on daily basis have, through financial rascality, misused available financial resources. Wastages and corruption in the system are legion. They include explosive increase in the purchase of official cars, frequent unnecessary trips by top management of universities many of whom are senior academics, huge allowances and gifts for members of university councils, lavish convocation ceremonies, overpriced contracts awarded to relatives, friends and cronies of VIPs in various campuses most of which are poorly executed, and so on.

Thoughts on the National Conference – 1

Thoughts on the National Conference – 1

Like people on sickbeds, Nigerians are once again getting ready to toss from side to side, without asking if the problem is with the beds or themselves. Pity.

Do we need a National Conference, sovereign or not? The answer is neither “yes” nor “no” for the simple reason that we have failed woefully as a nation to raise a set of politicians who would make any form of government work. We had tried three forms of government since independence – parliamentary, military and presidential. None of them had been able to develop this nation to its full potentials – not at the national, regional or state levels. None.

David did not kill Goliath (4)

David did not kill Goliath (4)

Who does not like the story of David killing Goliath with a sling and a stone? Who is not impressed with Elijah calling down fire from heaven to incinerate the prophets of Baal? But all that is old wine that should not be put in the new wine-bottles of Jesus Christ. David ostensibly offered to kill Goliath in order to become the king’s son-in-law. But Jesus says: “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it.” (Matthew 16:25). When the Zebedee brothers wanted Jesus to emulate Elijah, he rebuked them, maintaining the spirit in them is not the spirit of Elijah

Sleeping with the eyes open

Sleeping with the eyes open

There is no better time to applaud the spirit and stoic determination of Harrison Okene, the 29 year-old man who survived two-and-a-half days trapped 30m (98ft) deep in freezing seawater. Although the incident occurred in May 2013 , it has only been widely reported in the last couple of days and his survival has captured the imagination of experienced deep Sea divers and lay people alike

Good preparation can see Nigeria through  – Dr Izamoje

Good preparation can see Nigeria through – Dr Izamoje

As Nigerians continue to celebrate what has been generally described as “a fair draw” after being pitted against perennial foes Argentina, Bosnia and Iran, the Chairman and CEO of Sport radio, Brila fm, Dr Larry Izamoje has warned against “Nigeria taking things for granted.”

The age of power

The age of power

Some people think strength is power under control, others say power is the ability to control and effect change. I believe power is the ability and even privilege to determine a course of action and then influence the result. The sad truth is that most people feel themselves to be at the mercy of fate, of reality. They feel powerless and emotionally, financially and spiritually impotent. It takes many years to actually become emancipated from this very depressing mindset and step into a realisation that power has been there for the taking and the using all along. I am not preaching a motivational message to give people a feel good burst of adrenaline; I am stating a fact that is becoming truer for me the older I get. Is power spiritual or political manipulation, gross abuse of authority, position and wealth or is it just a simple acceptance of responsibility, possibility and eventuality? I believe the latter to be very true.

Durbach emerges Squash Classics champion

Durbach emerges Squash Classics champion

South Africa born Rodney Durbach has emerged champion of the first Lagos International Squash Classics which ended at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday.