Armed thugs suspected to have been hired by a faction of the Trade Union Congress in Osun State, on Tuesday in Osogbo, attacked journalists who were covering a protest staged by Osun State workers at the State secretariat. They reportedly beat up Oloyede Oyegbenle, a cameraman of Channels Television, before seizing his camera. The thugs…
Where Is Our Beijing, 20 Years After?
By: Amina Salihu In 1995, we stood at the cusp of her story. With the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, BPfA, adopted by UN member nations, suddenly everything looked possible: new pathways for women, new opportunities, new hopes. Through the BPfA, governments were charged with providing platforms for women – through that Declaration’s 12…
Who Is Afraid of Card Readers?
By Debo Adeniran The forthcoming 2015 general elections have recently been throwing up series of interesting scenario which, by all estimation, marks it the most controversial, most contentious and in fact, the most chaotic in the history of electioneering in this country so far. The two prominent gladiators i.e. the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and…
More Mentors Needed for Black Community
I can’t quite come to terms with a New York Times story this week by Binyamin Applebaum that establishes that the lot of African Americans has not improved under America’s first black president. The story in the NY Times’ Upshot Section about how black jobless rates remain high despite an economy on the rebound, informs…
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…
When Language Becomes A Barrier
I am sure many journalists have been faced with scenarios where communication and/or dialogue were hindered by a language barrier. As a widely traveled journalist, I have faced several lingua franca hurdles that really stood out in countries where English was not the language of choice. As a very young and impressionable young journalist, I…
Nigerians Speak
If they say the military cannot secure 14 local government areas out of 774 local governments in six years, how can we be sure, they can secure those 14 council areas in six weeks? Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of APC, picking holes on the reasons given for the postponement of elections by INEC. There is…
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…
When Rumour Mongers Flourish
“It’s not mere extremism that makes folks at the fringes so troubling; its extremism wedded to false beliefs. Humans have long been dupes, easily gulled by rumors and flat-out lies!” – Jeffrey Kluger This is the season when rumor mongers are at their very best. They feed on half-truths and lies and make them…