Columns

Igbo identity crisis: The DNA option (I), by Ochereome Nnanna

Igbo identity crisis: The DNA option (I), by Ochereome Nnanna

There is this Northern Muslim girl who has carved a niche for herself on social media by making candid comments on Nigeria’s major ethnic groups. She packages it as comedy to blunt accusations of bigotry. She recently commented on one of the greatest dilemmas militating against Igbo unity: identity crisis. According to her, the Igbo […]
Visible Articles 5 10 15
Tony Blair’s religious reconcilatory efforts

Tony Blair’s religious reconcilatory efforts

THE front page of Friday, November 23, 2012 Vanguard carries the prominent picture captioned “Reconciliation: From left were: Bishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury Designate; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; former Prime Minister Tony Blair; President, Christian Association of Nigeria, C.A.N, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Estu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar at the launching of Tony Blair Foundation Led-Work, to encourage reconciliation between Christian and Moslem communities.

Before we sack Sanusi

Before we sack Sanusi

SHOULD we sack Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for calling for a drastic cut-down of public sector workforce to make more money available for capital development?

Eko 2012, NPL and Alibay at 80

Eko 2012, NPL and Alibay at 80

I live in Lagos. I counted myself lucky that this time I did not have to travel out for the National Sports Festival. This time the festival was to be brought to my doorstep.

Should government sack 50% of civil servants?

Should government sack 50% of civil servants?

At the Second Annual Capital Market Retreat in Warri, the CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, made a strong case against the current dedication of about 70% of national income to purely consumption by civil servants and politicians, who comprise less than 1% out of our population of over 160 million.

To Hell with Hell

To Hell with Hell

Jesus says: “It is written in the prophets, ‘and they shall all be taught by God.’” (John 6:45). However, new believers are not allowed to be taught by God.

Time and transformation at UNILAG

Time and transformation at UNILAG

Philosophers,from antiquity to the present, have attempted to elucidate abstractly the notion of time.However, advancement in the specialised sciences such as physics and mathematics has vastly improved our understanding and measurement of time as an empirical concept.

A round-table parley with Makoko residents would yield good results – Barr Phil Nneji

A round-table parley with Makoko residents would yield good results – Barr Phil Nneji

Concerned about the plight of residents of popular Lagos slum, Makoko, a group of women under the aegis of Gender & Child Care Advancement Initiative-GCCAI, went to the community with some gift items. In this interview with Vista Woman at the event, Barr.(Mrs.) Phil Nneji, Executive Director, GCCAI, debunks the claim that giving aids to people in such communities makes them lazy, and also calls on government to consider having a round table discussion on a viable way forward for Makoko instead of a one-sided decision like the demolition exercise with which the community was threatened with months ago.

Sanya Osha and his underground of summer bees

Sanya Osha and his underground of summer bees

Sanya Osha’s new novel, An Underground Colony of Summer Beesbegins with Jerome Akpata moving from Johannesburg to Durban. “He had become tired of having to live looking constantly over his shoulder wondering if someone was coming at him with a gun or a blade.”

Do state govts in Nigeria need commissioners?

Do state govts in Nigeria need commissioners?

Section 147(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria provides for the appointment of Federal Ministers while Section 192(1) does same for the appointment of State Commissioners. The objective is to enable the Head of the Executive branch of government to appoint some citizens to assist him in the onerous task of governance.

Charity begins at home

Charity begins at home

The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.-Mohandas Gandhi.

Oh for a thousand tongues…

Oh for a thousand tongues…

The cynics will tell you that the most beautiful one has been born, the greatest letter has been written, the nicest song has been sung. It is a jaded view that there is nothing new under the sun; the universe is in a constant state of evolution, recycling life in a gamut of forms.

The  president we need in 2015

The president we need in 2015

Last week, my friend and neighbour Dr Kingsley Kola Akinroye (KK), was formerly presented to a diverse but select crowd of expatriates and Nigerians as the Honorary Consul of Finland. It was the peaking of a romance that started about 15 years ago, and which hopefully, will still have many peaks.