By Owei Lakemfa MOBOLAJI Johnson was an officer in a profession with a command structure where people were trained to obey the last order. But as military governor of Lagos State, Johnson was known not to obey the last order; on a  number of times, he insisted on practicing federalism in a military regime. He […]

By Owei Lakemfa POPE Francis this week sent humanity on another soul searching mission. During a visit to Japan, he held out the mirror in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and invited the world to look at itself. The only imagery that stared back at us, was the savagery of the atomic bombs dropped in both Japanese […]

I WAS tempted before the November 16, gubernatorial elections in Kogi State to suggest that incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello should simply be given a second term as elections were unnecessary. This would have saved us the enormous funds wasted in the elections. Those killed before, during and after the elections, might still have been alive. Those maimed and scarred for life, buildings burnt and property destroyed might have been averted.

IT follows a familiar pattern. African  leaders who are courageous enough to speak the truth to powerful countries, pay quite heavy prices. They are vilified, victimized, blackmailed or sometimes murdered.  Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, who was the African Union, AU, Ambassador to the United States until this month, is lucky. All she got for speaking out for Africa against its continued looting particularly by France, was a sack. At least the ambassador of Zimbabwean origins, is alive.

IT was a Nigerian event. The crème of our  medical profession gathered in their hundreds at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. It was simultaneously an international event as they were joined by leaders of National Medical Associations from the Commonwealth Medical Association, CMA, which was holding its 25th triennial conference. 

By Owei Lakemfa   THE political events and turmoil in Bolivia were expected. I was convinced about this far back in 2012. That year, I was in Washington and a childhood friend introduced me to one of his neigbours, a Bolivian. He was surprised I knew about his country and its history including its 1825 […]

A MAN who identified himself as a traditional ruler, strolled with a swag  through Immigration at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. He then walked towards Customs and was stopped. An officer pointed out he was carrying a pack that suggested he bought a pair of shoes abroad. He confirmed he did. He was asked to produce the shoes. He pointed at his feet: those were what he was wearing. The Customs said it was an item he has to pay duty on.

THERE is a New World Disorder. One of the main reasons for this, according to Akin Oyebode, international lawyer and professor specializing in the Law of Treaties, is because American President Donald Trump: “ imposes his will on the children of lesser gods.” Trumpism was a predictable tragedy waiting to happen. In my March 11, 2016 column titled ‘If Americans Throw Trump At Us’ I had argued that given his love for false statistics, fake news, characterization of Mexicans as drug peddlers and crooks and claims that Muslims are terrorists, Trump wants: “to turn both America and the world upside down.”

TALL, athletic, ever smiling, charismatic Mobolaji  Olufunso Johnson, the first Governor of Lagos State had a knack for putting people at ease although he was a Brigadier-General. While some military governors and military top brass harassed, and even tortured citizens, including journalists, Johnson was quite friendly, accommodating and generous.

By Owei Lakemfa GENERAL Francisco Franco, the  fascist who was dictator of Spain for 33 years, from March 28, 1939 until his death on November 20, 1975, is lucky to have a grave. This is why his family had the basis to protest against the exhumation of his corpse on October 24  from the Valley […]