That said, it is disappointing that a historian of stature like Prof. E.A. Ayandele would declare ex cathedra that “If an individual ever decided the course of events in any country, Odumegwu Ojukwu did – by pushing Nigeria inexorably in the direction of civil war.”

The Dino Melaye versus Oluremi Tinubu confrontation in the House of Representatives, allegations of sexual misdemeanour levelled against three members of the House and reactions of Nigerians to these events have raised once again issues of sexuality, gender relations and the hypocritical holier-than-thou attitudes of people towards sex and gender relations in the society. Just like homoerotic relationships to which most Nigerians respond emotionally based on antiquated cultural and religious prejudices devoid of scientific credibility, sex and the justifiable disgust associated with men bullying or oppressing defenceless woman instinctively elicit negative reactions to the extent that rational discussion becomes extremely difficult.

Recently, along with Eyobong Ita, a former Vanguard staff and president of the US-based National Association of African Journalists, I attended a campaign rally in Akamkpa, Cross River State where it was refreshing, for a change, to hear politicians talk about strengthening the youth of the nation.

By Ben Edokpayi America’s Major League Soccer (MLS) is beginning to attract the international attention it deserves. In Nigeria that attention peaked last year when Nigeria’s Obafemi Martins was credited with the MLS goal of the season. The goal from a virtually impossible angle beat 64 other goals to claim the accolades and also establish […]