Great Britain, once a colonial power ruling over 56 nations now part of the Commonwealth, transitions into a more inclusive society, a symbolic form of “reverse colonization”

The likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and now DG of the WTO; Charles Soludo, then Governor of the CBN and now governor of Anambra State and Oby Ezekwesili, a former Vice President of the World Bank, are Nigerian-born apostles and advocates of the World Bank- and IMF-style […]

“Our estimate of personal merit, is relative to the common faculties of mankind“-Edward Gibbon Every age has its manners, and its heroes, anti-heroes and villains. In ours, the anti-heroes and villains preponderate, while the heroes are becoming rarer and far between. At a time when good taste and exquisite manners are desperately lacking among both men […]

There are two public figures who still tell truth to power, irrespective of insults by government hirelings. One is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. We’ve written quite a bit about him of recent. When Obasanjo speaks, many of his critics ignore the message and attack the messenger. That’s fair game. He occupied our lives for eleven years […]

Welcome to a democratic world  Democracy is a term that has become increasingly popular in global politics. However, in recent times, many authors have expressed fears on the future of democracy. Likewise, many citizens have shown considerable dissatisfaction with how democracy is operated.  Regardless, the world has become more democratic in the last two centuries. By […]

There has been a sustained conversation about cleaning up the governance structure of the public service in order to create institutions that function for the good, growth and well-being of the people. They say that because of the strategic relevance of the public service, getting it right at that level would put so many things to […]

THERE have been daggers out for Dr Reuben Abati, co-host of the Arise TV’s ‘Morning Show’, following his recent comments on Senator Godswill Akpabio’s witty remark at the night of tributes for the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. Senator Akpabio had declared that the Igbos are “mercantile” people, who build houses and settle wherever they go. He […]

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 […]

Universities are the heart of a nation’s progress, nurturing intellect and aligning the moral compass of future leaders. They are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, innovation, and ethical development. However, in Nigeria, these institutions have lost their way, transforming into citadels of indiscipline, corruption, and moral decay. This situation represents not just an education crisis […]

“FCCPC warns Ikeja, Eko Discos to halt metre replacement amid compliance concerns — Report, November 14, 2024. The story went on to say that “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a stern warning to Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) against plans to replace metres”. The FCCPC under Mr Tunji Bello […]

A series of video recordings of men and officers of the Nigerian Army brutalising hapless Nigerians have in the past few weeks been making the rounds. The most disturbing, which a conscious institution should have by now made public either by its interim or full report, is that of a Major General in uniform supervising the […]

By Chidi Odinkalu & Chepkorir Sambu Described by one scholar on its centenary as “perhaps the greatest historical movement of modern times”, the Berlin West Africa Conference began shortly after noon on 15 November 1884. Interrupted only by a short break at the end of the year and the beginning of the next, historian, Adu Boahen, […]

 Writing about the things that would destroy any nation, Mahatma Gandhi, 1869- 1948, listed them as follows: Politics without principles Pleasure without conscience Wealth without work Knowledge without character Business without morality Science without humanity Worship without sacrifice Bad politics, selfish, un imaginative and unpatriotic politicians will eventually ruin a nation – even if it […]

About a month ago, when the Ondo State governorship election was some two weeks away, this column examined the possibility of the state enjoying a seamless election and came to the conclusion that even if the election surprisingly comes out well, one irreversible negative aspect would be vote buying which happens in every Nigerian election. […]

This headline is a bold inscription on the back of luxury buses belonging to a popular transport company in Nigeria. It is a warning to other motorists to drive carefully as many drivers and passengers have died from accidents caused by reckless driving and overtaking. Ironically, the drivers of these luxury buses warning others coming […]