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Scene One: The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammadu Umar, says the federal government has started to establish ‘Ruga Settlements’ for herdsmen in 12 of the 36 states as a pilot scheme for a nationwide programme designed to curb farmer-herder clashes. Scene Two: Following general uproar, the General Secretary […]
Continue ReadingWritten by Philip Paul Bliss, ‘Hold the Fort’ (Ho My Comrades) is one of the most popular Christian hymns. It is also one of my favourites. Not only because of its powerful lyrics and rich melody but also the story behind it. The hymn was inspired by ‘The Battle of Allatoona Pass’ on 5th October […]
Continue ReadingAs a reporter who keenly followed what transpired in Nigeria before, during and after the annulled 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, it was an act of courage and statesmanship for President Muhammadu Buhari to accord June 12 a pride of place as a national Democracy Day. But then, if we […]
Continue ReadingUnderstanding the workings of the Nigerian economy is like trying to read a doctor’s prescription. It is never an easy task. That explains why when I see two or more ‘experts’ arguing about movement of share capital, ‘bullish runs’ and all that, I try as much as possible to keep my distance. Because they could […]
Continue ReadingLast Friday, the Supreme Court sent a strong statement to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the entire political class in Nigeria. In declaring ‘wasted’ the votes secured by APC candidates in gubernatorial, national and state assembly elections in Zamfara, the message is simple: Only when rules and regulations governing elections are […]
Continue ReadingThe most important of life’s battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul—David O. McKay Following the death in March 2017 of a medical doctor who jumped headlong into the lagoon off Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, I argued on this page that because some wounds can easily be […]
Continue ReadingLegalize it Don’t criticize it Legalize it, yeah yeah And I will advertise it Some call it tamjee Some call it the weed Some call it marijuana Some of them call it ganja Never mind, got to legalize it It’s good for the flu Good for asthma Good for tuberculosis Even numara thrombosis Go to […]
Continue ReadingLast Sunday in Kano, a city where millions of young people are neither in school nor meaningfully engaged, an official wedding was organised for 1,500 couples at the cost of N300 million by the state government. “The beneficiaries were selected from each of the 44 LGAs of the state by the committee shouldered with the […]
Continue ReadingThat those saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians are beginning to behave like assassins is a troubling challenge the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Muhammad Adamu has decided to confront. Henceforth, electro-muscular disruption technology known as teaser will replace the use of firearms for routine patrols, arrest duties and other low-risk operations. […]
Continue ReadingFollowing a civil protest spearheaded by respected journalist, Ms Kadaria Ahmed, over the violence and lawlessness that now define Zamfara, the federal government last weekend responded by suspending all mining operations in the state. There is a “glaring nexus between the activities of armed bandits and illicit miners, with both mutually re-enforcing each other” said […]
Continue ReadingOn Tuesday night, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) assisted the arrival of a charter flight carrying 160 stranded Nigerian migrants returning from Libya to Lagos. It was the 64th of such charter flights since the beginning of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration programme that has seen to the return of […]
Continue ReadingTwo years ago, following the convocation ceremony of a private university where 188 students graduated with first class degrees, there was an online discussion on the lack of quality control in our educational sector. According to the report that generated the conversation, 568 other students obtained second class upper degrees while 322 graduated with second […]
Continue ReadingIn July last year, my church hosted an empowerment programme to which we invited the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okey Enelamah as guest speaker. As convener of the session, I had to introduce Enelamah and I reeled out his impressive list of academic and professional qualifications. What stunned the audience was the […]
Continue ReadingFading away like the stars of the morning, Losing their light in the glorious sun- Thus would we pass from the earth and its toiling, Only remembered by what we have done. Shall we be missed though by others succeeded, Reaping the fields we in springtime have sown? No, for the sowers may pass from […]
Continue ReadingOnly lunacy can explain how with the two leading presidential candidates being from the north, all the violence and brigandage occurred in the south. To make matters worse, there are several Yoruba and Igbo people in Lagos and in the social media who are tearing at one another because of the manner in which they […]
Continue ReadingBy the time I left Ilorin, capital of my beloved Kwara State on the 6pm Arik flight last Friday to vote in Abuja the next day, the sense of excitement was palpable. Men and women who hitherto believed they had no power were buoyant. ‘O to Ge’ (enough is enough), the slogan of the main […]
Continue ReadingAnxiety has always been part of the tradition of elections in Nigeria. But the tension arising from the postponement of the presidential and national assembly elections which ought to have held last Saturday is troubling. All of a sudden, those who ordinarily should urge restraint are not only scare-mongering but also sowing seeds of discord […]
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