Greeks spoke loud enough to tell the world that their land fathered Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. They reminded the world that they are no feeding-bottle people to be guided by so-called supra-national bodies whose assistance benefits the banks and the trading class. They will take their fate in their hands and weather battles of want…
Let’s Gird Our Loins
Joseph Wayas beat Justice Atake with one vote to emerge as Senate president in 1979. Surprisingly, some Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN’s senators were rumoured to have voted for Wayas against their party’s directive. Gayus Bulama of former Gongola State, did not hide his option for Wayas. Atake was UPN. As it stood in the…
Privatisation Is Sharp Practice
The phone rang at late noon and the caller was my colleague, the indefatigable nationalist, Prince Anthony Momoh. It was at an hour unexpected because Tony takes calls and rings at night. Without waiting for the usual collegial exchanges, he asked; “Where is Jabso?” Jabso is Chief Ajibade Fasina-Thomas, whose pen name in sports commentary…
Buhari, Pick Your Steps Gingerly
Nigerians now have problems with standard and taste. Salihu Ibrahim, former chief of army staff’s description of the Nigerian Army of his charge fits the present character of the average Nigerian of today. He had said then that his force was where, “anything goes”. Must it continue? One thinks that is why Muhammadu Buhari is…
New Broom to Sweep Impunity
Do the duties of state officials overlap their territorial jurisdiction? We have just seen one enacted by the chief judge of Bayelsa State in swearing in the elected governor of Rivers State by the order of the former attorney general of the federation, Mohammed Adoke. Henceforth, by that action, all the jurists in Nigeria have…
Government Without Soul
Is it difficult to see why the cacophony for change deafens the Nigerian political space? There must be facts above the din enough to compel a wise leader to be seen to act on the side of the preponderant majority that claim to bear the brunt of misrule. Jonathan is politically blind and deaf to…
Sambo’s Challenge to Jega
“Who do these toughs represent? They don’t represent the so-called South-south because there is no such political division in Nigeria known to law,” one Bini chief wondered while laughing away Asari Dokubo, Tompolo and co’s threats. They threatened to sink Nigeria if President Goodluck Jonathan is rejected at the polls. Their bravado does not bother…
A Speech Without Theme
What ace has President Goodluck Jonathan left up his sleeves? He sounded very naïve in his appeal to Nigerians on Christmas Day. There was no such exhortation loaded with ideals that could lift people’s spirits. It was pedestrian and short of such thoughts that rouse a sleepy nation to reality. It was a speech without…
Respect Lagosians, Please
The two highlights of dying 2014 were Ebola and Boko Haram, none of which was pleasant to Nigerians. Whereas the good structure of Lagos health services fought Ebola, Boko Haram has been invincible because there is no comprehensible strategy for its containment. It defies the state and creates parallel governments as it claims more territories.…
Economy: Nigeria Skirting The Circle
How I wished Tayo Akpata, Sam G. Ikoku, Bola Ige, Erhunse Bankole Akpata, Tunji Otegbeye and other departed Nigerian thinkers were alive today to see how the cooks of neo-colonial politics have spoilt the broth. I do not envy Allison, Ayida, Phillip Asiodu, Olufemi Okunnu, Mohammed Dikko Yusufu, Mohammed Ayagi, Balarabe Musa and others who…