Reductionism and the national question: restructuring or grievance? (I), by Usman Sarki
“The co-existence of several nations under the same State is a test, as well as the best security, of its freedom.” — Lord Acton Nigeria’s convoluted debate on restructuring has endured for decades because it supposedly speaks to questions of power, identity, representation, resource distribution, security, federalism and belonging. Precisely because the debate has been […]
Exodus to Cairo: Have Nigerians given up on Nigeria? By Usman Sarki
“The basis of every civilisation is wealth – wealth to provide the background of leisure, which in turn is the basis of culture in a commercial world,” John Buchan The old and historical Exodus was out of Egypt to the Promised Land. It was the movement of a people away from bondage, uncertainty and oppression towards […]
The Iran–US peace arrangement, by Usman Sarki
“As long as the same passions and interests subsist among mankind, the questions of war and peace, of justice and policy, which were debated in the councils of antiquity, will frequently present themselves as the subject of modern deliberation” — Edward Gibbon Edward Gibbon’s words ought to resound in the meeting rooms of Switzerland today, like […]
The abduction, death of Rabe Abubakar: A country without sense of shame, outrage, by Usman Sarki
“And as his genius was destitute of judgement, he attempted every art, except the important ones of war and government.” — Edward Gibbon on Emperor Gallienus Edward Gibbon judged him a most contemptible prince. The Roman Emperor Gallienus, son of the unfortunate Emperor Valerian, was said to have received with disturbing coldness the fate that befell […]
Can a country flourish without standards? By Usman Sarki
“The power of Rome was attended with some beneficial consequences to mankind; and the same freedom of intercourse which extended the vices, diffused likewise the improvements of social life,” Edward Gibbon Let me begin by stating that for the last forty years or so I have kept close to me the stupendous work of the great […]
Northern Nigeria beyond power: The imperative of internal renewal, by Usman Sarki
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic,” Peter F. Drucker The reactions generated by my recent article, “Northern Nigeria and an APC Second Term: Negotiation or Surrender?”, have been illuminating, thoughtful, and in many respects sobering. Among the responses received was a particularly frank intervention […]
