From last week, cntinues the  narrative of how the minority question gave birth to the appointment of the Willinks Minority Commission and its relevance to the Niger Delta which has always been considered a special area in Nigeria.  Although the commission did not recommend the creation of states as strongly advocated by the minority ethnic groups, […]

In 2015, my friend, a retired federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, from Akure Oloyemekun in Ondo State wrote a book titled RESTORING GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA. The book is well researched and a guide to good governance in this country. Dr. Adegoroye was Director General of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, FEPA, between 1996 and […]

From last week, this is the concluding part of the  narrative on the individuals who were appointed  and served at different times as Nigeria’s ambassadors to different  countries, including Chief Edwin Ogbu and the late Major General Joseph Garba. Mention must be made of Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo (94) who was born on June 11, […]

From last week, continues the  narrative on the individuals appointed to serve as Nigeria’s ambassadors to different  countries, including Chief Edwin Ogbu who, before then, served in the Northern Region Civil Service and the Federal Civil Service. In 1963, he was transferred to the Federal Ministry of Finance as Permanent Secretary to help realise the objectives […]

From last week, continues the  narrative on the individuals appointed over the years to serve as Nigeria’s ambassadors to different  countries right from the formative years of the   country’s foreign diplomacy Chief Lawrence Odiata Victor  Anionwu was the first Nigerian Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs and the country’s first ambassador to Rome. […]

From last week, continues the  narrative on the appointments of Nigerian ambassadors over the years, beginning with the first set or  pioneer ambassadors which included  Chief Jaja Wachuku  Chief Jaja Anucha Ndubuisi Wachuku  (1 January 1918 – 7 November 1996) was a Pan-Africanist and a statesman, lawyer, politician, diplomat and humanitarian. He was the first Speaker […]

From last week, continues the  narrative of how ammbassadors in other countries are accorded respect which enables them to rise to higher positions, including the presidency. This is unlike what obtains in Ngeria where our diplomats are treated with little or no respect  Otto Von Bismarck, in 1859 was the Prussian ambassador to Russia and later […]

Appointments of ambassadors or high commissioners by the President is a constitutional obligation. There should not be any delay in such appointments. Section 171 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that: “(1) Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove […]

From last week, this is the concluding part of the narrative of how  the Federal Electoral Commission on August 17, 1979 declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the winner of the presidential election, the petition against his election, the accord between the NPN and NPP that paved the way for the election of leaders of the National […]

From last week continues the narrative of how  the Federal Electoral Commission on August 17, 1979 declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the winner of the presidential election, Chief Awolowo’s petition which ended at the Supreme Court presided over by  Justice Atanda Fatai Williams who was later appointed as the Chief Justice of the Federation by […]

From last week continues the narrative of how  the Federal Electoral Commission on August 17, 1979 declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the winner of the presidential election having, satisfied the provision of section 34 (A), subsection (1)(C)(1) of the Electoral Decree No. 73 of 1977 by scoring the highest number of votes cast at the […]

From last week, continues the list of names of the ministers produced following the alliance between the Northern Peoples Congress, NPC, and the Nigerian National Democratic Party, NNDP that gave birth to the NNA in the First Republic.  Others were Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Prime Minister and External Affairs), Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu (Defence), Chief Festus […]

A coalition government is in no position an inferior government nor illegitimate; power sharing is good for democracy; it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Power sharing makes people dependent and responsible

From last week, continues the narrative in support  of the preservation of our culture and tradition, arguing that it was wrong and counter-productive for the very important traditional institution to be deleted from the Constitution. TRADITIONS are a vital part of how we interact with the world around us. They provide a sense of identity and […]

From last week, continue excerpts of General Obasanjo’s broadcast to the nation following the promulgation of Decree 25 which proclaimed the 1979 Constitution endorsing the presidential form of government for Nigeria. WE are, of course, aware, and I am sure that no member of the Constituent Assembly can claim that the Constitution is a perfect document. […]