The Petroleum Industry Bill and the Quest for a New Nigeria
By Obadiah Mailafia LAST week, Thursday July 1, the Senate finally passed the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. A milestone in the history of our legislative affairs. Too many interests had repeatedly scuttled it over the years. According to the auditing and advisory firm, KPMG, previous attempts in 2009, 2012 and 2018 failed “because of […]
Facing Mount Nebo
I’M writing this piece from the Jordan Valley, about 40 km from the Jordanian capital of Amman. I have been here for a week, attending the Second World Science Forum, WSF, which took place from 7 – 11 November. More than 3,000 scientists were assembled, in fields ranging from astronomy and theoretical physics to medicine, bioengineering, genetics and robotics.
Managing business in a recessed economy (2)
WE have maintained that organisational agility is the essential quality needed by firms and businesses to survive in a recessed economy. There are three forms of agility: operational, portfolio and strategic.
Managing business in a recessed economy (1)
GOOD morning. I feel highly honoured to have been invited to address this Old Boys Association of St. John Chrysostom Junior Seminary, Osina, Imo State. For reasons I cannot fully explain, I feel deep love and rapport with Imo people. There is no doubt that your school has fulfilled its mission: I see before me distinguished alumni from all walks of life; men of sterling quality; men distinguished not only by intellect but also by character and virtue. I salute you all!
Jacob Zuma and the crisis of leadership in South Africa
THE person of Jacob Zuma, current President of the Republic of South Africa, came into the news in our country in connection with the erection of a life-sized sculpture by the restless Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha. That gesture has drawn a lot of flak at home and abroad.
President Buhari and the anti-corruption war
CORRUPTION is a major challenge for our country as it is for many parts of the world. It thrives best where controls are lax; in an eco-system in which institutional state capture by powerful groups encourages a politico-economic alliance between the state and the private sector in a manner that robs both government and society.
Epistle to the Catalonians
DURING July/August, I spent part of my summer in the beautiful city of Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalan region. I gave a talk at an international conference on the New Silk Road in which China hopes to invest over a $1 trillion to create a new co-prosperity sphere stretching through Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean.
Meditation on Independence @ 57
I SPENT my Independence Day Anniversary quietly in our federal capital of Abuja. The city wore a rather world-weary, mournful look. The address by President Muhammadu Buhari, was, in my view, appropriately solemn.
The rising National Debt: A case for caution
THE latest statistics on the national debt indicate that we owe some US$15.05 billion to foreign creditors and a staggering N14.06 trillion to domestic creditors.
Where are all the Intellectuals gone?
WE live in difficult times. The word ‘crisis’ is a much overused term. And yet, if truth be told, we have a crisis in our hands. There are a few misguided idiots out there who are determined to bring down our country in an inferno of fire and destruction.
Tragedy and Hope
OUR current national prevails remind me of the mythical two-faced Roman god, Janus, the god of war who presided over both conflict and peace. When I reflect on Nigeria’s unfolding drama, I think of Janus as wearing two faces, one denoting tragedy and the other, hope.
