Inspiring a generation – An Olympic dream
On the 27th of July, all eyes were on London. How could they top the Bejing opening four years earlier? The pride of England was at stake and boy, did we know it. Billions watched around the world when the Red Arrows jet formation flew across the stadium spewing the red, white and blue of the Union Jack. The Brits usually are known for their stiff upper lip and are not known to blow their own trumpet.
‘I am humbled’
The billionaire of the recently- rested News of the World, Rupert Murdoch, has been known for years, but not as much as he is now known. In recent time, his fame or notoriety has gone round the world. Murdoch’s overweening political influence has long been recognised, from well before when the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, flew to Australia in 1995 to pay homage at his corporate court. It is said that those who knew him have the fear that those who crossed him would be given the full tabloid treatment over their personal misdemeanors, real or imagined.
Hacking or no hacking
Several parties are sharpening their knives with the unfurling of the hacking scandal of the News of the World and News International. There are even suggestions that the rot may have spread to other newspapers but the smear has not hit the other papers… yet.
When is journalism honourable?
The News of the World’s, NoW, then royal editor, Clive Goodman and private investigator, Glenn Mulcaire, were jailed for hacking into the mobile phones of royal aides.
Since then, a series of police inquiries and legal cases have explored just how widespread the practice was, with implications for the police, celebrities, politicians and even victims of crime and their families.
Anyone can die, anytime
Politicians can die anytime. And that was the case of 56-year -old Christopher Shale. He was as big as they come. He is a “big”, what they call,fish in the conservative party! Christopher was chairman of the West Oxfordshire Conservative Party Association. And that covers David Cameron ‘s constituency.
I lost the enthusiasm to continue – Jack Warner
Most people are making some money on the side. And, it is all over the world. Some journalists are making it by doing something in public relations.
A slap on the wrist
Suddenly we did not hear anything more about James Ibori of Delta State. And, there has been a lot of noise about how he was the Delta “Champion.” Someone even said he was the man who could not be touched.
Have women failed?
The Speakership of the Federal House of Representatives has finally been settled; Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has clinched it. One had expected the contest to go the usual way. That is, to go to South-West. And, one has expected Mulikat Akande-Adeola to have won it.
My apologies…
Let me apologise for my action, last Sunday, because I went to the inauguration of Is’haq Abiola Ajimobi, brand new governor of Oyo State. You see, I couldn’t split myself in three places, like Akande, Aregbesola, Fayemi did. They went to Ibadan and Abeokuta at one and the same time.
4 years not for ever
Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State are not new to high political offices. Both were in the forefront of political activity. Abiola was a senator of AD and Amosun of PDP. Both were contending governors for 2007 under ANPP. They all had long battles which they both lost.
Speaker: Mulikat sounds good
By June 7 we will know who becomes the Speaker. It would have to be Mulikat Akande-Adeola or Muraina Ajibola. Two of them come from Oyo State: both of them are lawyers and are two-time representatives. As I have heard them out, the two of them are very articulate. Any of them will be a credit for the lower legislative chambers.
Psychology of the Muslim
I think I understand the psychology of the average Muslim. Or nearly do. This psychology is coded in their belief of the inevitability of destiny. Some of them have honed it to an art. So, when Yuguda spoke that the youth corps “only fulfilled their destinies”, that was what he meant.
Akirogun is excited
The Akirogun of Egba sounded like a small boy when he called me the other day. He sounded excited, animated like a boy who has just been given a new toy. Segun Osoba told me Obasanjo had finally owned up to a lot of things: namely about himself and Gbenga Daniel, the outgoing governor of Ogun State.
We may not forget, but can learn a little
Nigeria is like the elephant, she forgets nothing and learns nothing. At least that has been the lesson that the outgone elections show.
Should I go there?
The frog is very short of tail; it is unlike the ram or the cow. It cannot flaunt the tail like the well-endowed horse. So, when it comes to talk about tail, the Yoruba say: Opolo ni e fo o. Frog says don’t even go there.
‘If not me, it is you’
By Kola Animashaun Professor Dora Akunyili does not need any introduction. Or you do not know that she was the over-all boss at NAFDAC for many years until she was invited to the Ministership of Information in Abuja? She did a damned good job in both places. Now, she is aspiring to go to the […]
