By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja The Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State has said that with widespread poverty and limited energy access, African countries cannot afford to abandon its 125 billion barrels of crude oil and over 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. The Principal and Chief Executive of PTI, Dr. Samuel Onoji, stated this […]

There are moments when a country hears an uncomfortable truth with piercing clarity. This is one of them. In late August, three sober voices—former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and the Sultan of Sokoto—said aloud what millions whisper: justice in Nigeria is too often negotiated, not delivered. Their warning was not a rhetorical flourish; it […]

  “One who causes others misfortune, teaches them sense”–  African proverb. Last week, an event involving lead ers, organizations and leading Ulama from the North held in Kaduna. The last time clerics and leaders of Muslim communities in the North showed such unity  was during the scramble for reinforcing the Sharia legal system in states […]

I saw Mr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang (60), the governor of Plateau State, a lawyer-banker and former Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of the state, lamenting on television over herdsmen invasion of his state. The governor was almost in tears.  It was the same with Mr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia (59) the governor of Benue State, who […]

The 1990s were the  deadliest for change agents in Nigeria. We lost hundreds. In 1994, some political elites decided to join us. This led to the  establishment of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO.One day, one of these elites brought a parcel to the leader of the Campaign for Democracy, CD, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti to be kept. Beko, […]

In September 1887, Harry Johnston, Acting Consul of the Oil Rivers Protectorate (Niger Delta) procured the arrest in the wharfs of the Niger Delta of King Jaja of Opobo on the rather dubious charge of “obstruction of trade”. It accused King Jaja of violating a trade treaty with the British, which did not, however, have any penal […]

In September 1887, Harry Johnston, Acting Consul of the Oil Rivers Protectorate (Niger Delta) procured the arrest in the wharfs of the Niger Delta of King Jaja of Opobo on the rather dubious charge of “obstruction of trade”.

David Umahi, Minister of Works under this administration, is not a very likeable man. He is crude, and not really very polished. Mr. Umahi trained in engineering at the old Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTHEC), now Enugu State University. It was not a bad school. But in the period David Umahi went there, it was […]

Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), outgoing Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Jos is now the chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The entire process of nomination, scrutiny, endorsement, approval and appointment wasas far as the public was concerned concluded within a week. What was the speed for? […]

“No revolution is the fault of the people but the fault of the government” – Johann Goethe, 1749-1832, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ. A revolution is underway in the Northern states of Nigeria. The downtrodden, constituting 99.9 per cent of the population, hitherto docile beggars, saying “rankadede” to the privileged 0.1 per cent are sick […]

An African pidgin proverb says that dog wey go loss no dey hear hunter’s whistle.  Meaning anyone who doesn’t listen to advise is liable to get himself or herself into trouble sooner than later. That is what is playing out now with Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali. Initially I thought the death of his father […]

At a time such as this, many of us reflect on events of the year, our areas of success, limitations and shortcomings. Whatever may be the situation, we should give thanks to God for keeping us alive. It is by His Grace and Mercy that we are alive.  Anyone who is alive is a candidate for […]

It probably all started with an innocent fondness of former US First Lady Maime Eisenhower for the colour pink. It was said she loved pink so much that she wore it at every opportunity, including a pink gown with 2,000 pink rhinestones for her husband’s inauguration, and he in turn sent her pink flowers every morning. […]

“Are you aware,” I said, “that the President has pardoned some of  drug offenders you people sent to prison?”

In exercise of his prerogative powers of mercy, Tinubu pardoned a convicted murderer on death row. He also pardoned drug barons. He pardoned a kidnapper. That power was given to him on trust by the people.  In a country ravaged by insecurity, every message from the leader should reflect a ruthless determination to stamp out crime and […]