Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, a tree who made several forests, by Dele Sobowale
“God could not be everywhere and, therefore, he made mothers” – Jewish proverb. Sir (Chief) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, born on Tuesday, September 11, 1934, like all of us, was created by the Almighty God; and moulded by his mother in a billion, Madam Okunozee Igbinedion. Together, God and Mama gifted […]
Hamzat and the wisdom of sages, by Dele Sobowale
“It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if thw audience is deaf” – Walter Lippmann, 1889-1974, VBQ p 275. Seldom does the nomination of a candidate for any office arrest my attention and receive my endorsement as that of Dr Olufemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State. By choice, I have never […]
Nigeria’s festivals turned to funerals since 2015, by Dele Sobowale
“But, fortune’s honey turned to gall…thus Fortune, with a slight turn of her will brings men [and nations] from joy to sorrow”. Geoffrey Chaucer, 1342-1400, VBQ, VBQ p 64. A meeting with one of my oldest friends three weeks ago ended with both of us, 80+, almost in tears. We went back to memory lanes; to […]
Nigeria’s festivals turned to funerals since 2015, by Dele Sobowale
“But, fortune’s honey turned to gall…thus Fortune, with a slight turn of her will brings men [and nations] from joy to sorrow”. Geoffrey Chaucer, 1342-1400, VBQ, VBQ p 64. A meeting with one of my oldest friends three weeks ago ended with both of us, 80+, almost in tears. We went back to memory lanes; […]
Why deepening poverty might be unavoidable for decades, by Dele Sobowale
“Those who deal in ideas, if they are wise, will welcome attack. Only a peaceful passage should dismay them; for it proves that the ideas don’t affect anyone very much.” Professor John Galbraith, 1908-2006, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 97. Bad news. Irrespective of who wins the 2027 elections, one thing is guaranteed to follow. Nigeria’s […]
The lights of democracy are going out in Nigeria, by Dele Sobowale
“There are some situations one simply cannot be neutral about; because when you are neutral, you become an accomplice” – Christiana Anampour, CNN. For reasons too numerous to discuss, I had since my days in university vowed never to participate in politics by becoming a member of any political party. That should not be interpreted to […]
Terrorism: Hold some northern govs responsible, by Dele Sobowale
“In every community, there is a class of people profoundly dangerous to the rest. I don’t mean the criminals. For them we have punitive sanctions. I mean the leaders. Invariably, the most dangerous people seek power” – Saul Bellow, 1915-2005, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 124. Newspapers headlines were grim a day before the […]
Mehdi Hasan interview indicted Nigeria media, by Dele Sobowale
“A journalist should be pursuing a fair rendition of truth without regard to popular moods; the journalist should not be swayed by public opinion, only by the pursuit of truth, as close as he or she can get to it” – Malvin Kalb, 1997, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 109. AGIPs WE ALWAYS HAVE […]
Trump: Winning the war, losing the world, by Dele Sobowale
“Men make history, but, not just as they please” – Karl Marx, 1818-1883. “Brute force without wisdom falls by its own weight” – Horace, 65-8 BC, VBQ p 63 Trump, Hitler and all terrorists, dead and alive, operate on one principle. “Let them hate, as long as they fear.” They want other people to tremble at […]
No to abolition of Sharia codes in Nigeria, by Dele Sobowale
“As consistently maintained by all who believe in Nigeria’s sovereignty, it is unacceptable for the United States of America (USA), or any foreign power, to make laws for this country or compel the repeal of existing ones under whatever guise… The recent advisory compiled by the US House Committee on Appropriation and Foreign Affairs and […]
Governor Sanwo-Olu versus enemies of progress, by Dele Sobowale
“It is the part of a king [or Governor] to do good for his subjects and be maligned for it” – Alexander the Great, VBQ p 113. Since the demolition of Makoko began, after several notices were given to the squatters and illegal occupants of the land by Lagos State government, several attempts have been made […]
