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Stateof the Nation with Olu Fasan

2019: Nigeria needs a unity government

NIGERIA will go through another four-yearly ritual of a general election next year. It will be the country’s sixth since returning to civil rule in 1999. Given its chequered democratic history, the long period of uninterrupted civil rule is a credit to Nigeria. Yet, true democracy transcends routine elections. It is about a social contract under which the elected improve the general welfare of the society and the electors. Democracy is seriously undermined when it is reduced to a tiresome routine exercise of just electing governments with no subsequent positive change. Sadly, that’s the nature of democracy in Nigeria.

Why Nigeria must be restructured

I WAS recently interviewed by the Financial Times and quoted in its special feature on Nigeria as saying that restructuring “is the defining issue in Nigerian politics” and that “if it is not done, it will never go away”. I have long held that view. In my maiden article for this column, I concluded that:”Without restructuring this country, it will remain on a treadmill, stuck perpetually in the poverty and fragility traps!” Truth is, Nigeria is dysfunctional, deeply divided, with strong schismatic tendencies. It’s a country sitting on a ticking time bomb.

Obasanjo’s cynical volte face on Atiku

On November 29, 20188:04 amIn Stateof the Nation with Olu Fasan by Nwafor PolycarpComments

ONE of the strongest indications that Nigeria is a backward nation is the way it treats its former leaders.

A nation steeped in mutual bigotry

On November 22, 20186:06 pmIn News, Stateof the Nation with Olu Fasan by adekunleComments

STAN LEE, the famous comic book author, wrote a powerful essay against bigotry 50 years ago that recently went viral following his death on November 12. In the piece, Lee described bigotry as one of “the deadliest social evils plaguing our world today”.

Nigeria is stuck on a treadmill – going nowhere fast

On November 15, 20183:29 amIn Columns, News, Stateof the Nation with Olu Fasan, Viewpoint by Urowayino WaramiComments

Nothing agitates me about Nigeria more than its parlous state and uncertain future. So, it’s a huge privilege to be asked to write for this great newspaper, a welcomed opportunity to use its respected medium to contribute to public discourse on the state of the nation! The questioning of institutions and received wisdom is a democratic virtue, and a sceptical lack of deference towards leaders is the first step to reform. So, this column will provoke thought and speak truth to power.