THE ENTRY OF Ayo Oshitelu into sports reporting was bound to bring one or two changes into the art of sports writing. Very seldom had the Ivory Tower released a choice product from its dizzy heights straight into the “Arena” of sports.

All tennis buffs look forward to the Grand Slams or the Masters Series where supreme tennis athletes enter ‘the arena’ to showcase their immense skills, sometimes defying the freezing cold, or gusty winds, or whatever it is the elements might throw at them.

The year 2013 has arrived with such certainty that it is hard to ignore. Much as I do not like odd numbers, I have a positive feeling in my spirit that this will be a great year indeed. With the turn of a new year, come new resolutions, new responsibilities, new dreams, new schemes and new life. People resolve to make changes in their personal life, career and environment. When will the leaders of this nation of ours resolve to make a turnaround for its citizens?

The beautiful thing about a new day, or a new book, or a new friend… or a new year; is the promise of opportunity. What I could not achieve yesterday perhaps I will achieve today. It’s a chance to do it all over, begin on a new journey of discovery but this time with the benefit of hindsight (for the serial slipper uppers *wink*)Long story short—a clean slate— upon which to write anything our hearts and minds can imagine.

LAST week, I told you about the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) study – which was published in the Washington Post. Having analysed the Quality Of Life in 80 different countries, it concluded that Nigeria is the worst place to be born in.

As many attempts has been made by the political leaders of the North to forge unity in order to bring power back to the North in 2015, the question is being asked, why the Northern political leaders want power so desperately?. The answer is that the ‘North‘ is so used to having an exercising ‘political power‘ that it feels unfulfilled without it. It is a matter of fact that since independence, power (headship of Federal Government) has resided in the North for more than three quarters of the period.

IT was the much-lamented Chief Sunday Awoniyi, a founding member of the party that once described the PDP as “a basket of scorpions stinging themselves to death”. Judging by all that happened in recent weeks, there can be no better description of the behemoth which holds Nigeria in a stifling bear-hug since 1999!

JUBRIL Mummad Aminu is one man with very tall credentials and still growing: a renowned Professor of Cardiology, a Diplomat, a Politician extra ordinaire.

IT is that time of the year when I like to remember the darkest days of Nigeria’s history, January 15th 1966 to January 15th 1970. For years it has been a ritual for me, for the simple reason that my life was defined, altered and in fact, retarded by it.

WE’VE had cases in this country of deputy governors who suffered impeachment or fell out of favour with their bosses for real or perceived acts of disloyalty when the governors were away from duty.

AT the zenith of his power, President Olusegun Obasanjo was credited with the quip that you should check your watch every time President Ibrahim Babangida said good morning to you.

HAKEEM BABA-AHMED approaches issues of Nigerian political ethos with the energy and perspicacity of Chidi Amuta and I read him for his reading of politics in Nigeria. In his North: The goals of power, he attempts analysis of the political North in a way politics that should encourage politicians in the South to engineer a Political South.

I WAS on the phone with my wife as I was flipping through the pages of a newspaper; half taking in the stories in the paper and half listening to my wife who kept saying huh, huh, huh, did you hear what I said? Then suddenly, I let off a scream! Oh no! What was that?

By Ochereome Nnanna I AM back after a hectic vacation. Officially, I am still on leave but the conversation on this forum must restart. So, welcome to 2013, the year that President Goodluck Jonathan promised us heaven on earth. May we live to see his promises come true. Let us start the new year by […]

Every year, Nigeria’s media traditionally celebrate persons adjudged to have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of endeavour or indeed, in their apparent dedication and commitment to their responsibilities as public servants.