I am worried that Nigerian leaders have captured the Nigerian state, taking beleaguered citizens hostage in the process and yet carrying on as if all is well. I am even more worried that the grossly abused citizens, afflicted with the debilitating Stockholm syndrome, rather than standing up to their abusers are actually coping, having over time […]

Recently, Indermit Gill, the World Bank’s chief economist and senior vice-president for development economics, wrote an article in the Financial Times urging Nigerians to embrace the economic reforms of their president, Bola Tinubu. “The country’s elites must forge a political consensus in support of these reforms,” he said. Like every seasoned policy expert, Gill knows that […]

Undeniably, the professional world is fast-paced; thus, the ability to succinctly and compellingly communicate who you are and what you do is invaluable. Enter the elevator pitch: a brief, persuasive speech that you can use to spark interest in what you do. Whether you’re a job seeker, entrepreneur, or established professional, a well-crafted elevator pitch […]

THE story of humanity’s fascination with space is as old as civilization itself. For millennia, humans have gazed at the night sky, tracing the patterns of stars and seeking to understand the mysteries of the universe. Today, our exploration of space has moved beyond observation. We have stepped into the cosmos, aiming to unlock the secrets […]

THE report about a member of the House of Representatives assaulting a Bolt driver was one I had read earlier in the day the news broke. Even after I had seen a footage of the despicable encounter and the infantile utterances of the supposed legislator, I still didn’t think it was strong enough to displace the […]

“Little by little however, the process of generalisation takes effect” – Georgi Plekhanov THE process of generalisation is nowhere more pronounced than in the discourse on the typology of governments in the sense of their being “good” or “bad”. This article seeks to contextualise the approach to examining governance from a particular ideological standpoint that seeks […]

When Nigeria’s civil war leader, General Yakubu Gowon celebrated his 90th birthday recently, one of his theatre commanders, General Olusegun Obasanjo, came and stood beside him – perhaps for the first time since Gowon’s ouster from power in July 1975. I call them “puppets” because they were pawns on the chessboard of the United Kingdom […]

SOME folks who read this syndicated column every Wednesday have asked me at one point or the other: what beef do you have with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC? Not any, I would always say, although beef is not the best source of protein for a senior citizen. So, beefing can be an invitation to trouble.  […]

THE 16th BRICS summit was the first since the group transmuted from BRIC to BRIC+ following its expansion at the 15th Summit held in South Africa in August 2023. The Summit which was held from October 22 to 24,  2024, in the Tatarstan city of Kazan, Russia was themed: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and […]

From last week continues the narrative of how  the Federal Electoral Commission on August 17, 1979 declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the winner of the presidential election having, satisfied the provision of section 34 (A), subsection (1)(C)(1) of the Electoral Decree No. 73 of 1977 by scoring the highest number of votes cast at the […]

The challenges in Nigeria’s educational sector are complex and pressing, encompassing poor quality, inadequate funding, limited access, and an outdated curriculum. The World Bank reports that Nigeria’s education sector is severely underfunded, with only about seven per cent of the federal budget allocated to education in 2024, well below the UNESCO-recommended 15-20 per cent needed to […]

By Dele Sobowale ‘He is a fool who trusts to luck; one should play a safe game.” — Leo Tolstoy, 1828-1910, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 62. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” — Alexander Pope, 1688-1744, VBQ  Sometimes a national matter likely to affect the fortunes of millions of Nigerians comes […]

It was a triumphant occasion. The venue was the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja. The joyous occasion was the destruction of over 2,400 illicit arms. The chief celebrant was the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons,NCCSALW. The five-star guests included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, members of the […]

It is hoped that President Tinubu would find time to offer Nwosu a befitting national honour as well as to name after him a national monument or edifice

“Against excellence in another [person], there is no way of defending ourselves except love.” Johann Goethe, VBQ, p 51. This is the third time I have fallen in love with an artist/philosopher long before meeting him. The first and ever abiding one was Uncle Sam; the second ever green Victor Attah. This one coming so […]