|
Who is an African? By Jideofor Adibe, PhD, LLM At face value, the answer to this question seems obvious. Surely, everyone knows who the African is, it would seem. But the answer becomes less obvious once other probing qualifiers are added to the question. Are White South Africans really Africans? Are Moroccans, Egyptians and other Arab Africans as much Africans as say, Nigerians or Ghanaians? Is Barrack Obama an African? Details
Only Stronger Naira Will Stop Rising Fuel Prices. By Les Leba If the South African currency, the Rand could appreciate by over 50% from 14-6 Rands to the dollar in less than two years, we should witness a similar development in the naira value with increasing reserves and rising crude oil prices and see fuel prices falling to less than N26/litre. Details
NYSC and Nigeria’s Rebranding. By Saadatu Ovosi National Youth Service Corps was born as a child of necessity, established as part of the reconciliation effort of the government after the Nigerian civil war. That was the initial objective but the present national realities has even made more imperative. National reconciliation and integration are continuous efforts and process which the agency has been spearheading.Details
Legislative Oversight Failure, Catalyst for Corruption. By Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir But the question on many lips is where was the legislature as regards oversight functions while these atrocities were been committed? Could all they had uncovered happened if they had taken their oversight functions seriously instead of turning deaf ears to or looking the other way while all these illicit acts were being perpetrated. Would it not be indicting self for such monumental fraud in the system? Details
The Atrocious Fulani "Deportation". By Nafata Bamaguje The lame excuses so far offered by the Plateau state government insult our collective intelligence. That these recent Fulani migrants came in trucks - not on foot as expected of nomadic Fulanis - and they therefore pose a security risk, is utterly stupid. So modernity should by-pass Fulanis who are now prohibited from traveling in vehicles ? Details
Perhaps, after delivery the predominant harmful practice is “wankan Jego”. These practices vary among different towns in Hausaland but include taking hot bath, lying on hot bed and taking large amount of ‘kunun kanwa’ [a lake salt rich in sodium]. This practice is still pursued with great vigour, although the occurrence of the practice is diminishing because of greater awareness of the hazardous effects of the practice, and also its economic consequences since a lot of money is spent on buying firewood that is used in boiling the water. Details
War in the Delta. By Kevin Etta Jr. The federal government deserves applause for the current policy of taking a stiffer military approach to pacify the restive Niger Delta region and for deploying the armed forces in a full-scale invasion of the area. The objective is clear: to capture or kill the militants and their leaders and neutralize the volatility in the region to such an extent that will allow the functioning of the newly established Ministry of Niger Delta and other efforts to develop the area, consistent with the decades’ long agitation by legitimate interests in the region. Details
Central Bank at 50. By Les Leba
Fifty years down the road, how things
have changed! While our erstwhile colonial overlords continue to find
relevance for half pennies, pennies and shillings in their currency
profiles, our own equivalents have long disappeared and are no longer
relevant! Inflation has ravaged our system such that even Labour’s
current demand for a minimum wage of
The Implications Of Factionalisation Of MOSOP On The Niger Delta Struggle. By Walter Duru Governors and leaders of the Niger Delta region should, for the sake of the fallen heroes of the area, peace and stability in the land, as well as the region’s struggle for survival, take urgent steps to resolve the political conflict in the area. Furthermore, he that comes to equity must come with clean hands. Hon. Goodluck Diigbo, must also, as a matter of serendipity, ensures transparency and sincerity of purpose. He must do everything ‘humanly and Godly possible’, to clear the air on the allegation that he is being sponsored by Shell Petroleum Development Company to destabilize the area, so as to enable it return to the land. Details
Is Elumelu the same young man who was
spitting fire and swearing to expose corruption in the power sector
only a few months ago even if that would cost him his life? It is
nearly impossible to marry that other Elumelu with the present
pathetic, tragic figure; at the EFCC headquarters last week he looked
every inch like a lizard that narrowly escaped drowning.
Details
Ten Years of Democracy: Is Nigeria Making Headway? By Suleiman Nasiru This is the democracy the Nigeria people find themselves in, the desires and aspirations of Nigerians cannot be met with this kind of spongy system, until we shun tribal and religious sentiments we cannot get there, the PDP-led government must be ready to play the politics of give and take, the politics of win at all cost has cause us so much, lives have been lost, properties worth billion of dollars destroyed. Details
Ebira And Her Identity. By Onuru-oyiza M. Sanusi The problems of Ebiraland are many but can be summarized into political, clannish issues and “abstract”- no reason, incomprehensible cause. Our political front-liners empower our youth indeed, with guns for destruction instead of empowering the youth with scholarships and job (factory) for development. Tuggary is now a means of living for our teaming youths. Stopping the tuggary (crisis) is like retrenching workers, unless a civil alternative is provided. How many guns and ammunitions are there in Ebiraland as at today? Can these weapons be retrieved back? Ask the “gun-providers” Details
Nigeria: Ekiti’s Political Drama; A Reflection. By Kola Ibrahim The Ekiti election also shows the clear limitation of the PDP-led neo-colonial establishment. The rabid manners in which the PDP nationally, and in particular its south west section, intervened in the election again shows that these elements cannot just move this nation forward an inch. To its strategists, losing Ekiti after being ousted in Ondo and Edo by mass of people is the same as opening a floodgate for mass rejection of the party in the south west and indeed in the whole country. Details
Fulani Expulsion: Beyond Hysteria. By Jonathan Ishaku Plateau State is hitting the headlines once again. The story this time is the alleged expulsion of some Fulani nomads from Wase Local Government Area. Curiously, it is only the Northern based newspapers, including the Daily Trust, that are in a feeding frenzy over the story. This is not surprising; since the subjects of the deportation are said to be Fulanis and the “offending” state is Plateau State, our northern defenders are out with the sword (the pen), pretending that the deportation breaches some fundamental section of the Nigerian constitution. Other disinterested newspapers are wiser; fellow Nigerians are routinely evacuated from the streets of Lagos and Abuja to their originating home-states in their hundreds and nobody has ever cried foul. Details
Agricultural Loans And The Banks. By Eko John Nicholas The major bane of agricultural development in Nigeria has been the lack of government investment at all levels, and the profit oriented motives of the private sector. This has meant that the agricultural sector of the economy remains largely primitive, subsistent and unproductive for a very long-time, leading to the present sorry state of affairs in the sector due to complete neglect. Details
Tie Contracts to Job Creation. By Salisu Suleiman The government must view unemployment in Nigeria from a national security perspective. Nigerians are generally hardworking and creative. If you follow a street hawker darting in and out of heavy traffic for a whole day in the hot sun, (often burdened with goods they are hawking), you will understand. It has been mentioned jokingly that Nigeria has introduced a new service industry to the world – where you can do all your shopping right from your car. From fresh meat, fish, eggs, vegetables – everything you need to make a pot of soup, and more besides! Details
Tradition And Cultural Decadence In Hausa Land; Who Is To Blame. By Mohammad Isah Atabo The older generations that make up the bulk of the traditionists in Hausa land claimed the younger generation is solely responsible for the change in tradition and culture of the land. They claimed that Hausa culture and traditions have been ‘destroyed’ by Hausa youth that instantly developed an extremely high taste for western cultures there by disowning their own and destroying what their forefathers have kept for centuries. They also have fears for the future of tradition stressing that if the trend should continue, the whole institution that once directed the way of life for the Hausas will be history. Details
Another Fuel Crisis, No Scapegoat (Tankers Drivers) In Sight. By Bosah Chinedu What is to be blamed for the perennial hardship? Obviously, the crises were caused by the lack of planning of production and distribution, which is made possible by the neo-liberal policies that only guarantee the profit interests of a few instead of meeting the needs of all. In the absence of a planned society, anarchy becomes the order of the day. This explains the perennial crises in the oil sector, which manifest themselves in scarcity of petroleum products, increases in fuel prices, and strike actions. Details
Re-Branding Nigeria: Putting The Cart Before The Horse? By Shettima Aji Ali, PhD No doubt many Nigerians are today frustrated by the way Nigeria appears to be drifting along. Many years have now passed by making most young Nigerians today totally unaware that things were not this bad only few decades ago. I should not be mistaken for saying that the early years of Nigeria was in any way a bed of roses. Details
A Thief In High Places. By Abdullahi H. Mohammed I’m not saying crime is justified when one wallows in penury, but it is understandable, if not excusable, in a society where the horrors in the streets are manmade. Emotionally intense situations coupled with despair can test the extremes to which one can go. In the face of our worsening socio-economic conditions people are daily driven to near-insanity especially when they see a select few steeped in wealth so vast it threatens to smother them while they themselves are trapped in the quagmire of poverty and dejection. Details
Exam Malpractice: Stumbling Block to Educational Development. By Nasiru SuleimanOne of the biggest threat to the development of education in Nigeria today is the rate at which examination malpractice is gaining ground. Examination malpractice has been embraced by all and sundry in Nigeria, people no longer see it as a crime any longer, both the old and young engage in the crime, people no longer see examination as what you can sit and pass on your own unless you are ‘helped’. This scourge is the order of the day in our primary, secondary, and tertiary institution. Details
The Much Needed Call For Nigerians To Stand Up For Democracy And Against Kangaroo Election. By Adewale, FrancisTo me the stupidity in this argument is astounding, I mean, is this the same opposition parties harassed left and right by PDP’s installed soldiers and police men? Who controls the electoral process and personnel? Can anyone in its right senses explain the trip to Aso rock by Maurice Iwu, the supposed impartial electoral officer of the nation to the president on the eve of the election? Details
Nigeria’s Corruption Diary for One Week (Mon 4th May – Fri 8th May 2009). By Sylva Nze Ifedigbo Still in this week, A top cop and EFCC’s Director of Operations was sent packing. In an act that was enough to make us a laughing stock in the world, this man was found to have contracted out his studies and exams as a Law student at the University of Abuja. This man is the head of Operations of Nigeria’s anti graft agency. Why then do we worry over the operations of the EFCC when one of its head is a common criminal buying his way to a Law degree? Details
Not In Power To Build Road…Obasanjo. By Abbas A. Dikko What an insult on our collective intelligence! Nonetheless, let me quickly remind him of his 1999 campaign slogan in Maiduguri. Baa Ruwa! Baa Wuta!! Baa Abinshi(ci)!!! Meaning: no portable drinking water, electricity and food therefore, vote for me; I will provide these basic necessities. But today in far away Jigawa, he was shamelessly telling those who care to listen that he was not in power to build and provide road, portable drinking water, electricity, primary health care and basic education. Details
Local Governments in the Nigerian federation. By Aliyu A. Ammani Most of what we see today as the poor performance of the LGCs in Nigeria is a consequence of what State governments do to LGCs. Many State Governors, and their ‘appendage’ Houses of Assembly, are behaving as if they do not realize that local governments are indeed a constitutionally guaranteed third tier of government and that the LGCs are made of constitutionally guaranteed democratically elected officials. We see State Governors removing elected LGCs’ Chairmen as if they are bureaucrats appointed by the state governments. Details
Rebound in Nigeria's Stock Market is Up in the Air As for now, the fact that our economy is pegged to U.S. dollar is not automatic route for rebound in our lukewarm stock market. What the U.S. market is actually experiencing is not a natural momentum-driver but a decrease in the differential rate of downswing due economic stimulus. The efficacy of which is questionable to some degree because there is no surety of up bound forever without unexpected dips now and then. Details
The Unfinished Kerfuffle: Ekiti Rerun Insults Rebranding. By Segun Imohiosen My worry has always been the impression we create of ourselves before the international community. Nigeria has so much at stake at this point in time of its history and especially by virtue of its vision for 2020 and our expectation as a nation. If the thinking is how to become economic viable and be respected among the nations of the world, it may be very difficult and unachievable if certain cogent and viable factors are not considered in terms of its socio-political leaning that plays a fundamental role in how we are perceived in the international scene. Details
Sheikh Ja’afar: Exploiting A Martyrdom? By Abdullahi Bala Now that the campaign drums for 2011 have started, mischief and impishness are in the making in Kano, reminiscent or worst than that of 2007 political excitability. Saharareporters.com and a junk Newspaper pop up with this laughable article accusing Malam Ibrahim Shekarau of masterminding the murder. Details
The Need to Re-think National Security Strategy. By Abdullah Musa A national daily reported recently that armed robbers struck in Anambra State of South Eastern Nigeria. Numbering about a dozen, they attacked a bullion van and also some passenger buses. All in all, 30 people were killed and a dozen were injured. The police were reported to have killed 3 of the armed robbers. Of those killed by the robbers were three pregnant women. The source of the news as quoted by the newspaper was Reuters, an international news agency. Details
Religious Freedom in Nigeria. By Ziri, Stephen In a similar vein, anyone today in Nigeria, mostly for political convenience could just organize street urchins (the almajiris) sometimes even mobilized from neighboring states, or from neighboring countries, to kill people of other faiths; destroy their houses of worship, homes and businesses. I am therefore surprised that the editorial opinion would trivialize a phenomenon that has not only occasioned the loss of thousands of lives in the last decade but has also destroyed the livelihood of thousands of families along with their faith in a system that has not only failed to protect them but has also failed to give them justice in the aftermath of the carnage. Details
Lure of Billion Dollar Contract or Fat Chance of Punishment. By Farouk Martins Aresa We will subdue Niger Delta by bribes or contracts to Saro Wiwa children against those of Issac Boro; and then create our own extremists so that there will never be opportunity for peace. Ask for Elumelu release or war. Looters do it every time and when asked for their accomplishment; they claimed they keep Nigeria united, even by bloodbath. It is a vote getter. However, do you really need the votes if you can loot from the majority to pay a few thugs to snatch the ballot boxes or better still, use the Armed Forces against your opponents. How can you loose? Details
How Nigerians Work At The Passport Office. By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye A recent visit to the passport office in FESTAC, Lagos here, did quite a lot to renew my hope that Nigeria may not after all be a totally lost case. Nigerians will always reciprocate with positive responses whenever and wherever there is purposeful, exemplary leadership to show the way and dictate the tempo. Indeed, I never imagined that the Nigerian Public Service still had in its fold such wonderful Nigerians whose industry, dedication and warm, friendly approach to service delivery could constitute worthy, ennobling benchmark even to many private organisations. Details
Nude Protest, Wandering Conscience. By Hakeem Babalola In protest against the re-run governorship election in Ekiti, a group of women clad in white expressed their dissent with their breasts exposed. They walked round Ado-Ekiti breasting the storm - of election rigging. According to reports, only the elderly women allowed the public to see the two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs. The youths among them protested with their clothes on. Perhaps they are not as naive as the elderly. They probably know the game better than their elders, and so it was unnecessary for them to entertain the on-lookers with their boobs (no pun intended). Thank God the younger women did not emulate their elders in this regard otherwise such nude amusement would have caused confusion more than Iwu's INEC. Details
Economic Planning And The Burden Of National Development. By Prince Ikeokwu Contentious as it may sound, many believe that the re-branding project of the Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, is timely, especially as there is a consensus need for a change in our attitude and orientation towards making our nation great, while others are of the opinion that the project is a new method of singing another boring song. They equally suggested that the project will amount to a misplaced priority if power, Health, Education, Security, Electoral Reform, among others that will improve the welfare of the citizens, are not implemented to a satisfactory level. Details
The Federal Character Principle as a Necessary Evil. By Aliyu A. Amman The federal character principle has its root in the passion for fairness. The 50 wise-men that drafted the 1979 Constitution understand that passion. They, the 50 wise-men, justify the entrenchment of the federal character principle in our Constitution using the following words “There had in the past been inter-ethnic rivalry to secure the domination of government by one ethnic group or combination of ethnic groups to the exclusion of others. It is therefore essential to have some provision to ensure that the predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups is avoided in the composition of government, in the appointment or election of persons to high offices in the state (see the CDC report of 1977). Details
The Next Most Eligible Vice Chancellor For Ahmadu Bello University. By Usman, Sule Machika Let me conclude by paraphrasing the words of Ahmadu Bello in paying tribute to Dr Alexander, A.B.U.’s first Vice-Chancellor. The Sardauna identified the virtues of the VC as one who should be ‘a veritable guide and shepherd ... courage, capacity for hard work and his loyalty to the noble cause, ....is the type of man this country needs.’ Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, November 23, 1963. Indeed, he is the type of man Ahmadu Bello University needs as the next VICE – CHANCELLOR. Details
Nigeria: Agricultural Financing In The Face Of Global Economic Meltdown. By Eko John Nicholas If there is any seeming beneficial aspect of the current global economic crunch to a petro-dollar economy country like Nigeria, it is that it has again rekindled interests in agriculture. Recently, there has been hubbub of voices within government circle and the private sectors about the needs to diversify the economy from petroleum, which currently accounts for over 95% of our foreign exchange earnings to agriculture. This latest sing song about economic diversities is not new in Nigeria or elsewhere around the world. Details
Nigeria’s Sovereign Rating at Risk of Further Downgrade. By Charles Malize
AFRICOM: The Security Need for 21st Century Africa. By Emeka Chiakwelu Africom can be a force for good because it can supply the security infrastructures, manpower and technology needed to secure Africa from the danger of pirates and criminals that are making it difficult for normal conduct of maritime business. The resource and money that African countries have devoted and allocated for securing maritime peace can be used for other project in the continent. The point is that Africa will not relinquish her responsibility to Africom but work in concert with Africom in keeping Africa safe from criminal intruder, warmongers and terrorists. Details
Just imagine the table of comparative pay structures presented above. The Nigerian Senator earns more than his/her American counterpart and considerably more than his/her colleague in the House of Representatives. So are cabinet-level officials. The rationale for such an arrangement is hard to fathom. We are certainly not amused by the dismal failed state that these Nigerian Senators have been responsible for.Details.
Halliburton: M. D. Yusuf, Not a Bribe-Taker. By Max Gbanite Alhaji MD Yusuf spoke with candor. He narrated that when he was a board member of LNG under General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, they were under orders by the then Minister of Petroleum to follow due process and rule of law in the award of the LNG project, that international tender bidding process must be adhered to; but, on the day the tender was to be opened, the minister dissolved the board just like that. The unexpected action foreclosed the tender. Details
Mrs. Adebayo: My Nigerian Mother of the Year. By Isa Kamal
The Rtd. Justice Uwais led panel report is trying to be swept under
the carpet and Nigerians are keeping quiet in the name of peace
while some unscrupulous elements are trying to play over the
collective intelligence of the poor Nigerian masses. How on earth
can we have a violent free
Ekiti: Can Akunyili Rebrand This? By Mohammed Ali Akunyili’s re-branding project received a lot of condemnation, not because Nigerians do not believe in re-branding but because she was putting the cart before the horse. How can one bend a dry fish? Re-branding ought to have started from the originator herself by promising to always say the truth and nothing but the truth. Re-branding is not about telling the world what does not exist. Details
Soludo And The Critics. By Anthony Ola The attack on the CBN Governor is becoming strident in recent times now that his tenure is ending in May this year. In their desperation, those angling for the coveted job feel the only way the savvy professor can be prevented from getting another shot was to embark on a campaign of calumny, since he is comparatively far better than those that have been touted so far. However, it did not occur to some of us that in this attempt, all is fair in war. Details
Between 'Third Term' And Electoral Reforms. By Benedict Okereke The events unfolding in the Ekiti state’s rerun elections have once again thrown open the dangers Nigeria is facing as the 2011 general elections are just about 18 months from now. It has exposed a stark reality: if the proposals of the Federal Executive Council’s White Paper on Electoral Reforms (the main ingredients of which are not much different from those in the existing Electoral Laws) are what we are having for the 2011 elections, Nigerians have to prepare for uglier moments in the future. Details
Is Akwa Ibom Really OK? By Udeme I. Udeme Truly, things have fallen apart and the center can no longer hold. A deliberate effort is now being made, through billboards mounted at strategic locations across the state to persuade the people to keep saying and to keep believing a lie captured in the slogan that “Akwa Ibom is OK” in the hope that a barefaced lie repeated often would serve for truth. Details
Silence is Golden: Why Shekarau Shouldn't Talk Now. By Saka Raji Audu Therefore, the Sahara reporters' report on Sheikh Ja'afar killers is nothing but figment of their imagination. The report is a make-belief and a bunch of contradiction because the contents of the report sharply contradict the so called confessional statement. According to the dubio
As Nigeria marches towards re-branding, quite a number of things within the system have to be re-branded as observed by different commentators for the rebranding of Akunyili to make sense. I very so agree with the group of Nigerians and those in Diasporas who have been critiquing the on going re-branding for not addressing the main issues, these people have a right to their opinions. But this is not to say that re-branding in itself is not good but what ought to be re-branded first within the polity is not prioritised as indicated by some. Details
Why the Public Sector is Inefficient. By Salisu Suleiman A few years ago, I was in a team of Nigerian and World Bank officials strategizing on public service reforms in Nigeria. In the process, a participant described Nigerian civil servants penciled down for retrenchment as ‘un-trainable’. I was truly aghast that such a term could be used on human beings. I knew that back in my village, even the most stubborn donkey could be trained and made to behave. I thought it was part of the Bank’s ploy to institutionalize poverty in Nigeria by sacking innocent civil servants. Events in the Nigerian public sector since then have made me rethink. Details
African Women in Hollywood. By Garba Deen Muhammad Thirteen African women travelled to Los Angeles last week for a two-day conference on something that had to do with health matters. Imagine, going to a 21st century hospital to seek cure for 17th century ailments! It would make sense if those ladies went to Hollywood to learn the latest art in make-up, the latest breast implant technique or similar cosmetic stuff; but how on earth does anybody expect Los Angeles to know anything about Malaria, child and maternal mortality, malnutrition etc? Details
The Yoruba Question III: Culture of Anarchy/Infants. By Spinoza Ekiti is supposedly a state in Yoruba South West where every Yoruba therein has a PhD or an advanced degree from an institution of higher learning. Ekiti is like the city of Boulder in Colorado or like Iowa City in the state of Iowa, where every person is associated with an institution of higher learning. Yet, Ekiti is the center and hub of deadly, machete-wielding thugs, who will never allow an election or peaceful gathering to take place....Until these Yoruba issues are resolved, and as long as the Yoruba people exist as a part of Nigeria, I predict that Nigeria is doomed forever. Intelligent individuals and masses can be persuaded with ideas and logic, but there is no amount of logic or intelligent ideas to be applied to change the behavior of wild beasts and congenital infants from Yoruba land, and you know this, because you see it in Yoruba lifestyle, behaviors, thoughts, and actions. Details
Dora, This Is Becoming Too Ridiculous! By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye I seriously think that this is becoming too ridiculous! There is a disgusting penchant in Nigerian leaders to always throw money at problems and expect a magic to happen – a clearly lazy, insincere man’s option that would always be rewarded with resounding failure. We always want to seek a shot-cut to glory by seeking to purchase a good image. Details
On Economic Recession And Chukwuma Soludo’s Tenure. By Benedict Okereke Detractors and friends of the CBN governor, Chukwuma Soludo, have been having bouts over his tenure. Mute, as expected has remained Soludo’s response. It appears he has learnt to control his acclaimed weakness - inability to resist mounting, or being dragged to the rostrum even at the shortest notice, a habit that can have an Albert Einstein goof on a discussion on energy, mass and light’s speed. By and large, the deleterious effects on the nation’s economy of the overdrawn speculations on the incumbent CBN governor’s tenure may yet surface. Details
Fashola: Rooting in for Excellence. By Nduka Uzuakpundu While it is true that Fashola, as an individual, shuns empty and wasteful blitz in selling his administration to law-abiding Lagosians, one thing is pretty much imperative: a stepping up of the on-going state roads in the metropolis. It may interest Fashola’s critics – and one truly suspects that a majority of them are tax-dodgers – that his untiring effort to beautify the metropolis and reconstruct its numerous state roads is about the first time in nearly three decades, and it’s sure to peak in an uproarious and popular approval of the Action Congress administration by tax-payers and voters in the state. Details
Nigeria at the Mercy of Sahara Reporters. By Joshua Ocheja My fellow Nigerians, yes we know all is not well with our nation and Sahara reporters is not doing us any good. We need to focus and re strategize not with the likes of Sahara reporters exposing our weaknesses like a cancerous growth. Corruption and bad leadership is not exclusively Nigerian. The industrialized nations of Europe and America have their short comings and challenges too. This phenomenon is universal, it knows no boundaries. Details
Nigeria's Political Parties: The Need for ideology. By Senator (Comrade) Uche Chukwumerije Nigerian political class has a lot to learn from the ideological profile of NEPU, its legacy of commitment to principles, and the personification of the legacy by the lifestyle of its leader, Mallam Aminu Kano, if our political parties are to be the conveyors and articulators of positive political values. Without such values and such vehicles to carry them forward, our nation and her democracy will remain at best mired in a circularity of ceaseless motions without forward movement. Details
The hijab saga in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital is over. The hijab problem started almost a mount ago, when on the 23rd March 2009, one Safiya O. Ahmed’s appointment was terminated. The Management of the hospital alleged that she was wearing an un-prescribed hijab. It was a sad incidence, an unpalatable tale to both the storyteller and the listener. But the question is who was wrong and who was right? Does it matter? “It is not who is right but what is right that matters. What is of paramount importance to me and all serious minded Nigerians is the peace and tranquility that was threatened by the hijab saga. Details
Journalism or Irresponsible Rumour Mongering. By Kabiru Inuwa Tsakuwa Like every other reader, I was initially carried away by the sheer depth of the revelations contained in the citizen reports, which was posted by the Sahara reporters on its popular website a fortnight ago. However, I have since recanted and completely regained my composure after thoroughly going through the article painstakingly. Details
" Be Ye Transformed" - The Mindset of A New Nigeria. By Chidi Jacob My attention is constantly drawn with utter dismay and disgust to the voice of Nigerians howling like a finger-sucking infant, bullied out of a favorite candy. We criticize the government over everything, we endure and whine about NEPA, we complain about our roads, we curse and abuse those in power, but regrettably, we stick our fingers back into our mouths and earnestly linger for a divine rescue from Entebbe. A glance across several internet chat rooms depicts this complacent image – where Nigerians pose behind their keyboards to insult each other over manipulated news with distorted facts coming out of our contaminated News media outlets. Details
G-20 summit: Where is Nigeria the Giant of Africa ? By Emeka Chiakwelu For a patriot it was a troubling and unfulfilling moment to look up at stage in London where G-20 leaders were taking pictures and found out that our beloved country was not represented. South Africa was at the summit, but Nigeria the natural leader of Africa, cannot meet the requirement for acceptance into G-20. Nigeria is not an ordinary nation but far from the truth, Nigeria is endowed with both natural and human resources. With optimization of this capital she will be making great waves in economic and scientific advancement rather Nigeria is bucked down and preoccupied with small talk and infantile susceptibility. Details . By Farouk Martins Aresa It is very difficult for those with sound minds and self respect worthy of substance to get into politics these days for the fear of being soiled or worse, slaughtered like a goat. It has become a field for hustlers who have nothing to loose. Whatever it takes, they are willing to go the distance. In many countries including ours, creating business and employing people can be rewarding in the short term and make you rich in the long term. For most, politics is the shortest distance to riches. So the field is crowded with vultures in power leaving little room for sincere civil servants. Details
Fusion, Not Party Alliances. By Anthony Akinola There is no serious ideological divide in Nigeria. What divides Nigerians is their ethnicity or religion. This notwithstanding, competitive political parties are desirable for effective governance. Political office holders will have more respect for the electorate if they realise that there is a credible alternative party on the ground ready to take over the reins of governance. Details
Kano Pfizer Victims' Compensation and Saboteur Writers.
By Isa Muhammad Inuwa
“After the storm comes the thunder”, goes a common
adage, describing the simple, usual aftermath of any grand event or
episode in time. Thus, with the recent welcome development of readiness
expressed by the Pfizer multi national drug firm on one hand and the
victims’ parents group towards reaching final agreement on the sum of 75
million dollars as settlement fees, giving a promising signal of ending
the age-long controversy, a strange spate of writings by some media men
and verbal insinuations in certain quarters began to come up, some of
them containing wrong and misleading information, which needs dire
corrections and comments upon.
Details In the final year of his meritorious life, Malam Aminu Kano gave a deeply moving lecture on the occasion of the opening of his Gidan Mumbayya residence in Kano. On that occasion the late Malam made it crystal clear to all and sundry, what the ideological basis or inspiration for his struggles was: the Qur’anic doctrine of Fakku-Raqabah: freeing the bondman [Qur’an 90:13]. He gave a perspicuous illustration of the doctrine of Fakku-Raqabah and how it inspired and guided his lifelong struggle: championing the rights of the poor and downtrodden. Details
Oshomole & the Nigerian Aberration. By Tochukwu Ezukanma Paradoxically, a politician, Adams Oshomole is the Nigerian Man of the Year for 2008. Ironically, Adams Oshomole played no exceptional role in the year 2008. His court victory in itself was not a colossal achievement because judges reach their verdicts based on evidence and there was no want of evidence of rigging in the Edo State gubernatorial election of 2007. As a recently installed governor, he is yet to provide any basis for assessing his performance as a governor. His fabled struggle against a greedy and amoral oligarchy was in the past. That should have won him the award then. Why did a man who played no dazzling role in a given year emerge the man of the year of that particular year? Details
The way and manner in which elections are being handled in Nigeria is viewed differently by Nigerians depending on their level of education, their understanding of legal issues, or even their status in life. This may be the reason why people tend to be surprised why certain court decisions on similar matters differ; hence leading to so much confusion. It is this confusion the present writer is trying to clear on how the legal tussle in Sokoto state is unfolding. This is to enable all interested parties have a general understanding of the whole situation. Details
There is a general agreement in the Diaspora as well as in Nigeria that Nigeria’s educational system now needs more than ever the human capital and financial support from Nigerians in the Diaspora, despite the recent negative comments being expressed by high ranking officials in government. If the nation truly hopes to meet the Education for All (EFA) goals and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, there should be an urgent reexamination of the strategies currently in use, as many observers of and writers on education continue to draw perplexing conclusions that the current methods and approaches are simply not working. Details
Still On The Media, National Security: The Inspector General Of Police, Et.al. By Emeka Oraetoka Senator Smart Adeyemi, former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists [NUJ] who can be regarded as an authority in journalism and media ownership, according to National Mirror of Friday October 10, 2008, said that the greatest threat to our Nation is the media. According to him, those who are establishing media houses today are members of the ruling class who do not have the interest of the people at heart. Further, Senator Adeyemi said “the interest” of most media owners “is the money, the power, the economic benefit of setting up a media house and the political influence. Details
Beyond The Children’s Mortality Data (Part 1). By 'Kunle Oyekanmi Image is very important to Nigeria and Nigerians. The country has spent substantial amounts of money over the years trying to launder its image. A substantial number of Nigerians, probably the majority, operate under the assumption that image is very important and that perception and reality are the same. Such notions have found very secure spots in public policies and programs. In most developed countries and in the sphere of international organizations, perception is not reality. Perception, which is correctly interpreted, constitutes reality. Details
Achike Udenwa's Idiotic Gaffe. By Nafata Bamaguje With all the difficulties our industrialists face, is it any surprise that Nigerian entrepreneurs prefer to head for China to import toothpicks, candles and chocolate ? Yes, chocolate made in China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are hawked on the streets here in northern Nigeria even though none of these countries grow cocoa. They import cocoa from us then sell us chocolate. And I erroneously thought we were long past such retrogressive neocolonial economics. Details
Nigeria And Elite Machinations. By Musa Ado Rimaye Since Independence, Nigeria has made only limited progress in the elimination of poverty which, today afflicts over 70% of the population. As world’s 11th largest oil producer, the economy remains overwhelming undiversified with earnings from oil and gas comprising over 90% of exports and 80% of revenues. Yet the country’s oil wealth has failed to generate sustainable economic growth, better public services or improved living conditions for the majority of the people. Why? Details
Operation Save the Naira (2).
Even those Nigerians who do not believe in the virtues of a stronger naira rate of exchange will be unable to deny the strong correlation between deepening poverty of our people and a dwindling naira value over the last three decades. On recognition of this ugly trend, we should wonder why any government should facilitate poverty in the land by what it brazenly admits as a deliberate and strategic further devaluation of the naira, particularly in the recent past! In order to unravel this paradox, it will be appropriate to examine the merits of a weak naira against the merits of a stronger naira. Details
Why Is It So Hard To Change Nigeria? By Victor E. Dike “Why is it so difficult to change Nigeria?” This question reminds this writer again of the mountain of reform and restructuring programs enthusiastically advanced by the leaders as solutions to the nation’s myriad ills: the NEEDS, the Heart of Africa project, and the poverty alleviation programs. In fact, Nigeria has tried a hundred things without positive results. Since the reprise of civilian rule, in 1999, the National Assembly has been talking of amending the constitution, fixing the spotty electricity supply, and the dilapidated refineries, the pot-holed roads and passing the Freedom of Information Bill. There has been a lot of noise about reforming the educational system, the electoral system and the police, and about tackling corruption and the National Identity project, etc. But much remains the same despite all the claims that the reforms are working. Details
Adamawa Emirate Celebrates 200 Years. By Mohammed Zayyad Nearly two centuries after the creation of Adamawa Emirate, tremendous changes have occurred in the Emirate’s landmass; at inception the emirate covered 40,000 square miles comprising northern part of the Republic of Cameroon, Southern part of former Borno State and the present Taraba State. Today, the Emirate is still strong and virile with rich traditions, and exemplary social co-existence between diverse cultures and groups. Adamawa emirate a product of Othman Danfodio Islamic jihad, has remained a spiritual Islamic centre by birth and a home of all by socialization. Details
The Rains are Here Again! By Joshua Ocheja At last I resigned to faith and sat in the solitude of the four walls of my room and could not help but reminisce about the Nigeria of my dreams. Words outplayed each other; theories fought for relevance, all in my crowded and depressed mind and I unconsciously began to recite...Arise oh compatriots!! Nigeria calls obey to serve our fathers land!! With love and strength and faith, the labor of our leaders past shall never be in vain… Then I saw this blurred symbol I could not place or interpret in lucid terms. Details
As the Sahara Engulfs the Nigeria. By Salisu Suleiman In 1964, the Lake Chad covered an area of 25,000 square kilometers. Today, it barely covers 2,500. The once prodigious fishing has all but dwindled to a trickle. The lives and property of the 15 million or so people that depend on the lake are anything but assured. At the rate at which the lake is currently receding, it may soon vanish from the surface of the Earth altogether. Details
Re-Branding Nigeria – A Game Of Roulette! By Dr. Olusegun Fakoya I feel compelled to write this rejoinder in response to the recent interview by our erstwhile anti-fake drug czar and Nigeria’s current mouthpiece. Her recent interview titled: “Nigerians abroad are our worst enemy”, leaves a very unpleasant taste in the mouth. While her attempts at exploiting the principles of marketing strategy in giving a shape and function to her recent appointment is quite understandable, it behoves of one to observe that dignity and circumspection were thrown overboard in her unbridled attempt to justify her current political appointment. Details
Auntie Dora’s Harmful Drug. By Hakeem Babalola The former NAFDAC boss may be optimistic about Nigeria, but do her colleagues share the same sentiment? She spoke about believing in our country. Good talk. But how many Nigerian leaders actually truly believe in Nigeria talk less of the Re-brand Nigeria Project? It is not even about being optimistic or not; it is about honesty, transparency and accountability. This is the main product to be researched on. Then we may start talking about the outside package which is the re-brand. Nigerian administrators' attitude about service projects pessimism, therefore it is not abnormal for the followers to be sceptic, even cynical. Details
Nigeria In The Face Of African Informatics Olympiad. By Segun Imohiosen Amidst the re-branding project of Prof. Dora Akunyili of the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, and in spite of all the criticism, the good and bad publicity the project has received, reflecting the divergent interest of the people, everybody has been speaking from the angle which most concerned him and the people cannot be blamed for speaking out their minds. But what is most important is that the interest of the people should be considered in this entire project.Details
Democratic Rebirth: The Inevitability of Change. By Ibrahim Mohammed Conclusively thus, the promise of democratic politics is in people’s ability to enter into relationships with one another to articulate common purposes and act on them. We must organize and bring ourselves together and see that democracy is not a cost or curse, but an investment in rebuilding Nigeria and its infrastructure which have been under assault for far too many years. Our religions, public places, homes, public means of transportation, etc should unite us. Details
Soludo: Decision time for Yar’adua. By Garba Deen Muhammad Give him half the chance and he would try to convince you that whatever your troubles, he worries about them more than you do. At every opportunity, Professor Charles Soludo, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wastes no time in telling the world how deeply concerned he is over the debilitating problem of poverty in northern Nigeria. And yet in the past eight years, from the time he was economic Adviser to former president Obasanjo to date, nobody has done more to aggravate this problem than he had. Details
Unending Chaos in Ebiraland. By Buhari Sani Fueled largely by ruthless political agenda and retrogressive clannish sentiments, violence in Ebiraland has become banal. Ebiraland is today as dangerous as the Niger Delta. It has more guns per capita than anywhere else in Nigeria. Yet, the state government is ringing its hand as if it is powerless. Details
The Constitution Amendments We Need. By Monima Daminabo It is not out of place that in a multi-faceted nation like Nigeria, the practice of governance shall feature an unending spate of twists and turns in the fortunes of the citizenry. This derives from the widely contrasting features of the geography, history, culture and other circumstances of the constituent parts of the country. Details
Why Ribadu Must be Persecuted. By Ibrahim MohammedHe came in like a roaring lion, saw the rot in the Nigerian society especially among the highly placed, fought them and almost at the verge of conquering, when the powers that be, whose goose must never be gored, fought back until he is reduced to pieces of irredeemable engine. Details
Nuhu Ribadu, Police And EFCC. By Max Gbanite Again, it is important to note that the same Mrs. Waziri,a lawyer by training was Nuhu Ribadu’s boss in the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), while on active service. She practically trained Ribadu and others on how to investigate financial scams crimes. She, as chairman of EFCC, had the option of arresting Ribadu immediately for disobeying her orders, but in the spirit of ‘espirit d’ corps’, she gave him the benefits of doubts. Details
Yar Adua’s Electoral Reform Proposition , Let Us Have A Referendum. By Dr. Wumi Akintide The abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SEICs) was the most egregious of the recommendations in the Yar Adua White Paper. In a Federal system like ours, it makes no sense at all for Yar Adua to pretend that only the Federal level is competent to conduct a fair and free election. I totally agree with Mr. Abati that what the SIECs need is reform, along the same lines recommended for INEC. The ultimate goal is to make them truly independent. Details
Rebranding Our Leaders. By Chido Onumah So how “genuine” is this attempt to rebrand Nigeria and Nigerians? Those who question the genuineness of this multi-million naira project understand that at every juncture in our tortuous history, our leaders cook up some hogwash, either because they take us for granted or simply for want of what to do. For a country where everything seems to go awry because of the incompetence of its leaders, it is difficult to take the current re-branding exercise seriously. Details
Nigeria: Governance Without Convictions. By Abdullah Musa In a BBC Focus on Africa program, their correspondent based in Lagos announced that the federal government of Nigeria had canceled the policy of subsidizing petroleum products in Nigeria. He predicted that a litre of petrol might come up to N200 at the pump station. As part of the same policy thrust, the refineries are to be sold again: a reversal of an earlier reversal. If the pump price of petrol becomes N200 over night that will be over 300% increase. This sounds to our policy- makers like proper economic management, where a basic input such as petroleum product will increase in cost by over three hundred percent and they expect life to go on smoothly. Details
Niger-Delta Host Communities and NNPC Joint Venture Agreements. By Anthony Nwachukwu There is a communication divide between ruling politicians and the masses in Niger Delta region. Politicians talk down on us without listening to our needs. We are not communicating in Niger Delta region. Our leaders tend to be authoritative and oppressive. The government controls all radio stations and major newspapers too. Details
Yan-Kisan-Raba Entrenched in RMAFC. By Farouk Martins Aresa Nigerians have been crying for years that members of that august Commission are worse than armed robbers, yet they remain unmoved and unrepentant. Only heavens know where these crack heads get their “scientific” formula for allocating salaries in an unfortunate Country reduced to perpetual mass poverty. Details
House Of Representatives Committee On Jos Crisis’s Report And Matters Arising. By Ndiameeh Babrik Since the committee had made up its mind on what their report would be, they did not look beyond their noses even when they were said to have conducted public hearing both in Jos and Abuja as to the remote and immediate causes of the November 28, 2008 Jos crisis and even those before it. That was why probably most of the Nigerian dailies did not report the report in their newspapers apart from Daily Trust if my memory serves me right. Details
What Are We Rebranding? By Imohimi Uduigwome Airenevboise We have embarked upon another herculean attempt to rebrand our nation Nigeria. What are we rebranding? What do we hope to achieve? The obvious idea is to improve our image, the way other nations view and think about Nigeria. They have come up with a new slogan and logo. Branded gift items with the new logo are now everywhere and comical enough federal ministers were seen with the branded baseball caps. As far as the ministers were concerned, the fact that they agreed to wear the baseball caps, they were at the fore front to rebrand Nigeria. Details
Dora Akunyili; Re-Branding A Bad Product. By Abdu Isa Kofarmata In managing a product life, the ultimate strategic decision is to abandon a bad and unmarketable product; this according to William Stanton will save firm’s resources and subsequent collapse. Therefore, Professor Akunyili should do herself a good favour by abandoning that product so that she can save her energy and experience for her choosing profession. It would also save the entire system from total collapse under her watchful eye. Details
Good People… Great Nation…By Joshua Ocheja The re brand Nigeria project is believed to have failed already in some quarters citing factors like misplacement of priorities, another avenue for embezzlement of public funds and so on and forth. This is most embarrassing and sad. Suffice to mention that the re brand project aims amongst others to change the way Nigerians feel about Nigeria and to lift the image of the country abroad. Details
BBC, CNN and The Rest Don’t Mean Nigeria Well. By Uche Nworah There is a war out there, a raging media war against Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the developing world. This war serves only the interests of the west, and thrives mainly on stereotypes and half-truths. The war also aims to reinforce the servant-master ideology of the west unleashed on a people some of whom unfortunately are caught up in the warped subservient mindset. The war by the western media against the developing economies lends credence to the African proverb that a toad will not grow unless it swallows another. Details
BBC And Rural Transformation In Nigeria. By Muttaqa Yusha’u Abdurra’uf The anomaly of Nigerian politics is that it makes empty promises, and fails to respond to the aspiration of peoples. That is why our roads are merely death traps, poverty pervades the citizens, educational standard is poor, and unemployment reached an apex. Our politician are aware of these problems but pretended to be unaware, as such the BBC tour in the rural areas will served as the voice of the voiceless, as well as unveiling peoples agony to the door steps of decision makers. Details
The Trials and Tribulations Of A Leader. By Akintokunbo A Adejumo I felt the need to write this article because of what happened in London last week when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo came visiting to brief the world press on his peace mission in Central Africa. Although I did not attend, I read and learnt that the briefing was marred by protesters, mostly Nigerians, who do not feel Obasanjo is morally right to be accorded such honour as overseeing and bringing about peace to another African country with regards to his own dismal performance as President of Nigeria for eight tortuous, but eventful years. Details
Promoting Development Of Underdevelopment. By Rimaye, Musa Ado Today, the survival of the ordinary man has a big question mark in front of it. Healthcare has deteriorated, resulting in high maternal mortality and infant mortality rates; agriculture has been jettisoned, leaving the ordinary farmer without fertilizer, tractors/equipment, improved seeds/seedlings and/or subsidy of any kind. The least said about the energy sector the better because every living felon in the country knows what is happening in the sector where government continue to pump public money without any results and nobody has any explanation as to what happened to the money. Details
CBN, Stop This Nonsense! By Les Leba What is clear from the IMF-induced CBN guidelines is that our monetary authorities have once more positioned the resources of our nation for capital flight and the renewed accumulation of spurious foreign debts; debts which will once more balloon unnoticed for some time until our ‘benevolent’ overseas creditors decide once more to demand another round of economic restructuring with another set of IMF schooled monetary wizards, both indigenous and foreign planted once more at the heart of our treasury! Details
Operation Save the Naira. By Les Leba We shall proceed therefrom to identify the major cause of a weak naira as poor management of money supply. We will subsequently examine the impact of poor management of money supply in the determination of economic development and poverty reduction. We will demonstrate that the bane of the management of money supply is the unilateral substitution of naira for distributable dollar by the CBN every month Details
Nigerian Universities: Trees Without Fruits? By Abdullah Musa Nigerian universities should first and foremost be made to feel that they are in a global race. In that race, so far as the statistics quoted by Daily Trust is concerned they are nonentities. There is a mass population; but one that is totally disoriented; but one that is however married to current reality: that reality is that a student should pass out with a certificate bearing the logo or emblem of that university. Whatever may happen later in the labor market, may be ascribed to either chance or political or clan patronage. Details
Technical and Vocational Education: Key to Nigeria’s Development. By Victor E. Dike Technical and vocational education (TVE) has been an integral part of national development strategies in many societies because of its impact on productivity and economic development. Despite its contributions the leaders of Nigeria have not given this aspect of education the attention it deserves. And that is one of the reasons for the nation’s underdevelopment. This article focuses on the dearth of skilled technical manpower in Nigeria and argues that technical education holds the key to national development. Details
An Informed Citizenry As A Bullwark Against Bad Governance In Nigeria. By Adewale, Francis One good thing about the state of media in Nigeria is that the traditional media no longer have sole control of the message. Thanks to the innumerable Nigerian online bloggers populating the internet. A stark contrast between the approach of the traditional media and online blogosphere could be seen in the coverage of a certain Professor Gabriel Oyibo, who claimed have answered questions that Einstein tried to address until he died regarding the origin of the universe. Details
Building or Pack of Cards? By Bosah Chinedu As the clock ticks, so is the countdown to when the next building will collapse. Across the federation, it is one collapse or the other and its attendant casualties. The building that collapsed on Tuesday March 24 2009 at Idi-Araba area of Lagos, wherein 11 persons died, several injured and properties worth several millions of naira perished, has further and clearly put to question the housing policy in Lagos and other parts of the country. Without sounding pessimistic, more is still very much on the way, considering the state of anarchy in the housing sector and urban/community development. The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) commiserates with the affected families. Details
Redefining And Repositioning The Political –Economic Landscape Of Nigeria. By Benjamin Ogbebulu As democracy remains the best vehicle for ensuring positive change and political consciousness is what feeds democracy , Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora are now yeaning for a radical change in terms of economic and political reforms {Electoral /Economic reforms} under president Shehu Musa Yar’Adua administration. Diaspora is very happy with the recent High court judgement in Abuja which has now made it possible for the Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote and be voted for. Detail
The Collapse of Naira: Nigeria's Strategic Blunder. By Emeka Chiakwelu Nigeria has so far achieved theoretical quantitative macroeconomic fundamentals, but a lot needs to be done particularly on stabilizing her bearish Naira currency. Although Naira is relatively stable, it is weak and soft when you compare it to other major currencies like dollar and euro. Presently Nigeria is having one of the lowest debts to GDP ratio in the world. This is attributed to her recent payment of foreign debt and the reasonably macro-economic stability she achieved through economic reform measures with a huge foreign reserve. Yet the value of Naira continues to be depressed. Details
Do Our Politicians Know The Constitution? By Akintokunbo A Adejumo I have always suspected and held the belief that our politicians, all classes of them, appear to be charlatans, novices, greenhorns and pretenders. This is no longer surprising nor should be taken for granted. In our current nascent democracy, I suppose we should expect some kind of experimentation for a while until we finally get it right; however, unfortunately, since this form of governance has a very important impact on the lives of 140 million people, there really is no room for mistakes. Details
Terrible Times. By Imohimi Uduigwome Airenevboise In Nigeria we live in terrible times. We are a nation heading for the precipice with our eyes wide open expecting a bridge to appear miraculously to prevent us from falling down a yawning valley. I have read a lot of articles where the authors preached something akin to expecting a cauldron of gold at the end of a rainbow, light at the end of the tunnel. They know its fairy tale but something in them hopes that is true. Details
Is Culture an Impediment to Technological Development? By Abdullah Musa Our interest today is not really in the manner our people travel around. We are interested in the efforts of some Governors to see that their cities meet up to the global standards. Of recent Governor Fashola of Lagos embarked on the beatification of his city state: a state that has continuously skyrocketing population, which paradoxically cannot be counted to the Governor of Lagos’s satisfaction by the Census Bureau. Details
Yar'Adua, Politicise Not the IGP Post. By Tamuno briggs As the tenure of Mike Okiro comes to a successful end in July this year, the country’s top most position will then be up for grabs. I wish to suggest that the IGP should not be toyed with as in other government appointments. It is no longer secret that the top Chief Police Officers on the awaiting list to take over from Okiro the duty of effectively policing the country is certainly not a long one. It is one that does not need any rumblings and political maneuvers. Details
Kano Hisbah and Our Detractors. By Dr. Sa'id Ahmad Dukawa THE Kano State Hisbah Board has uncovered nefarious plans by some disgruntled, nay undesirable elements who are bent to misinform, misguide and discredit the good reputation of the board. We are equally aware of a sustained campaign of calumny by this cabal of people who are not comfortable with the statutory function of the Hisbah operatives in enforcing Shari’a legal code in the state. Now that the devil’s advocates have shifted their gear to the next level, thereby using the mass media as a plantform to continue with their smear campaign, with intent to malign the board and tarnish its image in the estimation of the public, we deem it necessary as well as a point of duty to tell our own part of the story, first as a reply to our dectractors and secondly, to disabuse the minds of those who might have had a wrong impression or misconception as being spread by the mischief makers on the issue. Details
Factors Militating Against Kano’s Anti-Graft Agency. By Salihu Othman Ishah By any standard and given the logistics at its disposal, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Directorate (PCACD) are performing magic. This is so as it has recorded worthy achievements in its few years of existence. The feat is obviously made possible as a result of the leadership at the helms of affairs supported by a workforce that strides to achieve even with minimal supervision and with a barefaced motivation. Details
Population Census In Nigeria , The Case Of Michika Adamawa State. By Iliya Yame Kwache I need to put it on record here that Michika has been lucky that it has never recorded any serious catastrophic disaster that would have led to the decline of its population. Rather I have seen steady rise in the number of other tribes like the Igbos, Yorubas, Hausa/Fulani, Margis, Kanuris and even foreigners who have found the peace loving Kamwe people easy to co-habit with and troop to Michika to do their businesses without fear of any ethno-religious crisis. This has been attested to by the article by one Sola Balogun titled “Michika, Home of Nyamiri Arewa” Daily Sun Newspaper Thursday, December 4, 2008. Details
Zamfara ANPP: Those Who Come to Equity… By Bello Bala Damba Being a resident of Gusau, I was astounded when a friend of mine told me of the atrocities going on in the state ANPP headquarters located along new market road. This is because I have read countless publications where the party accuse Shinkafi of abandoning Sharia. This is not to remember the kind of blasphemous statements made by ANPP bigwigs branding all PDP chieftains as anti-Sharia and in essence anti-Islam during past elections in the state. Details
Daily Trust’s editorial of March 27, 2009, which appeared on page 12 of the Newspaper was commendable. Every serious minded human being that read from that editorial commentary will in the end sympathize with Jigawa State on the issue of its education policy and development. Indeed, anybody who wishes Jigawa State’s education well will instantly kick against the idea of the Hon. Commissioner of Education, Prof. Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufai on importing 15 professors from abroad to lecture in the state’s polytechnics. Details
Femi Falana Versus The Progressives. By Garba Mustapha If Falana alleges that NANS is now under the undue influence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, questions the former Ekiti state governorship aspirant must be asked are: when, in the history of NANS did INEC attain such paymaster status to NANS? If NANS is now suddenly for sale, then who was the previous paymaster before INEC took over? What went wrong in the relationship between NANS and the Falana’s ‘Progressives’? And finally, why would Femi Falana now direct his “friendly fire” at NANS just for the sake of Professor Iwu? Details
|