Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the

Nigeria 2010 - A Season of Foreign Interventionists and their Nigerian Collaborators. By Dr. Sullivan Odumegwu; Garba Mustapha; and James Osunbor

It is understandable that Nigeria, convinced that it is but a young democracy, will in good faith look to experienced foreign democracies for mentoring; and for legitimacy especially in a world economic and political order that is dominated by these nations.

Of the two Western’ powers, the United States is more aggressive and gung-ho; and has of recent, outmanoeuvred the EU to emerge as the sole foreign power that is now seemingly intent on dominating Nigeria wholesale in the conduct of her domestic policies. Details

Engaging Indigenous Languages In National Development. By Attahiru Muazu Gusau

It is no longer tenable to posit that the use of English language as the Official Language [OL] of Nigeria has solved the problems of equal access to knowledge, divisiveness and grounding poverty and underdevelopment. Conversely, it can be argued that English as OL and medium of instruction in schools has become a formidable and impenetrable barrier to access to knowledge and information to a great part of the Nigerian society by ostracizing the languages of the environment and disengaging them from the business of education. Details

Nigeria: The Lack of Drinking Water and Dangers of Water Boreholes. By Emeka Chiakwelu

In classical physics, the study of fundamental principle of matter gave us the law of conservation of matter which states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Water is a matter and the quantity of water in Nigeria has not been altered. Therefore when we say that we lack water in Nigeria, it is a false premise because the rivers, lakes, streams and waters of Nigeria have not disappeared. What we lack is the clean and drinking water in Nigeria. Our government inability to deliver drinkable water to the citizens at the dawn of 21^st century is one of most difficult thing to fathom. Details

Mohammed Haruna Is No Bigot! By Suraj Oyewale

Many readers have also accused Haruna of exhibiting ethnic bigotry in his writings. As a religious follower of and contributor to national discourse in the last one decade, one thing that amazes me is the way those of us at the lower side of the Niger confidently attribute all the problems of this Lugardian contraption to the North, while pretending as if we are also saints. Details

BURNING POT BY PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON

Jos, Jos, Jos, and Nigeria

[gamji writer]

In Plateau, despite all the blame game, the Christian and Muslim stand. A fact that for me remains irrefutable is that the State Government has failed in solving the issues because it is part of the problem, not Just Jang but administrations before it. The military saddled with the responsibility of providing security has equally failed and both parties could have done better but unfortunately these institutions have become embroiled in the saga. Details

Nigeria: Interpreting Times and Events. By Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD

Nigerians, this is a season of deception in our land. Lying spirits have been released to create a make-belief. Many people shall be disappointed, who have high hopes of the present leadership in Nigeria. We must deliberately be fastidious and refuse to be moved by appearances, promises, and false starts. The same old gang is in charge. The head may bear a different superficial identity, yet the body is yet full of deceit. The most damning act of corruption in Nigeria is deceit. Details

Jos Crisis Exposes Us! By Yusuf Muhammad Inuwa

Going by the unfortunate events that occurred recently in Jos and its environs and the subsequent commentaries and publications in our media, it has exposes the psychic of we Nigerians and as such has once again brought out the question of our oneness as an entity called Nigeria. These events have showed the world the disdained sections of the country has against each other culminating into playing to gallery the lives of innocent victims of these barbaric atrocities committed by the so-called local marauding champions and the avenging armies of psychological and mentally retarded blood sucking coward celebrated by their clans as the defenders of their clannish enclaves. Details

Lamido Dr. Aliyu Musdafa: 1922-2010. By Zayyad I. Muhammad

The late Lamido has left an indelible legacy; he maintained social harmony among his heterogeneous subjects. For the nearly six decades he steered Adamawa emirate, he extended his hands beyond the border of Islam, maintaining a balance between Muslims and Christians in his domain. Details

Kano: Stuck in the Past! By Abdullah Musa

I would have wanted to recommend as panacea to Kano people’s self-inflicted tragedies that they embrace western education totally. But the above-mentioned candidate also went to school. But still yet that is the only remedy. Our problem is attitudinal. Someone knows that a fire can start in the market without his knowledge, but he keeps the proceeds of his sales inside the shop; and the fire pays him the tragedy he sought doubly! Details

Ikwerre-Igbo Relationship As Seen By Ohaneze Indigbo. By Okachikwu Dibia

First of all, Ikwerre is not Igbo. We have made this clear even before the civil war and that was why some Igbo accused Ikwerre of sabotage during the war. Second, in all efforts by the minorities in the former Eastern Region to agitate for their own political, social and economic recognition and liberty in the Easter Region and Nigeria at large, Ikwerre participated fully Details

Jos Crisis: Who Speak For Hausa Fulani? By Isa Muhammad Inuwa

A recent fresh attack by unknown gang of night marauders, on residents of Dogo Nahawwa, Kamang and Ramsat villages of the Jos South Local Government, has surprisingly attracted a gale of sporadic comments of sympathy and condemnations, both from within and outside the Nigerian nation, much more than it ever happened in the past incidents, during which the Non-Muslim Berom people were fingered as principal culprits, who remorselessly massacred their Muslims, Hausa-Fulani neighbours. This time, even the super-power countries of America, France, Britain as well as the Vatican palace in Italy and the United Nations, were all out, without fear or feeling of sentiment and widely lampooned the killings, which were suspected, (until factual and unbiased investigations prove that), was carried out by "Fulani pastoralists". Details

Soyinka: For Jonathan's Sake-- On the Road. By Nduka Uzuakpundu

For Soyinka, the Jonathan cause is like a peaking glory after the scornfully treacherous experience he had in the Biafran and Ogoni politics. He failed in the ’60s and ’90s primarily because, against his famous, if opaque, quill, his unblinking opponents, who were trained agents of death, were proudly and inflexibly armed to the hilt, with every imaginable instruments of his favourite subject. Details

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the ‘Problem’ and ‘Solution’ of Nigeria Political Crises (A modest Contribution to the Recent Cabal Question in Nigeria Politics). By Salisu O. Usman

Persistent turbulent period of any nation devoid of immediate remedies requires deep reflection on the genesis and real causes of the problems which could be historical and or contemporary. Some scholars and social critics alike had variously attempted to blame the Nigeria political woe on the misrule of the colonialists who departed decades ago. This is not fair. Details

Are You A Citizen Of Nigerian Or Merely A Settler Or Indigene Of A Locale? By Paul I. Adujie

Again, political charlatan, Christian charlatans, Muslim charlatans and ethnic charlatans etc, will engage in nonsense discussions and punditry, regarding the unnecessarily magnified distinctions, differences and dichotomies between the “indigenes” and the “settlers” Berom and the Fulani and the Hausa and the “Southerners” and “Northerners” all these persons with different appellations and labels, who are really nothing more than what they really are, Nigerian citizens! And it is that easy and so simple Details

Nigeria’s Political logjam: Revolutionary Alternative to the Policy of Lesser Evil. By Kola ibrahim

While the sidelined section of the capitalist ruling class have mobilised behind Goodluck Jonathan relying on the moral problem of the Yar’Adua camp, the camp lining behind Yar’Adua’s politics comprising state governors, national assembly members, a major section of the federal executive, big business that have gained from huge government projects, and other politicians who have tailored their political and economic survival to the 2011 calculations, are using their connection with the military to checkmate and hold back the new power section from emerging fully. Details

Ma Hajia Dada Yar’adua Our Hearts Ache In Your Shoes. By Farouk Martins Aresa

In a Country where the rich are indifferent to the suffering of almajiri, we call our leaders as we see them. If it is any relief, you son has shown sincere fortitude to solve the problem of the militia in Niger Delta. It is up to Ebele to follow up on the blue print laid down by Yar’Adua. But you need not pay attention to politics. It is rough, mean, dirty and selfish. It is just like swimming with the shacks. Details

The Illusions And Delusions of Nigeria’s Political Dynasties. By Akintokunbo A Adejumo

According to definitions, a dynasty is a succession of people belonging to the same family, who, through various means and forms maintain power, influence or authority over the course of generations. Though in elected governments, rule does not pass automatically by inheritance, political power often accrues to generations of related individuals even in republics. Eminence, Influence, familiarity, tradition, genetics, corruption and even nepotism may contribute to this phenomenon. (Please note the words, corruption and nepotism) Details

Jos: Reps Demand Truth Commission. By Adamu Muh’d Usman

A commission can treat local, National and Internationally issues respectively for societal changes, political stability, mutual understanding, genuine reconciliation, peaceful co-existence and National Development among others, but some or most of Commission of Inquiries or panels, lack focus, ardour and commitment to find out a lasting and permanent solutions to so many crises in this country most especially that of Jos, in Plateau state. Details

Leadership, Not the Police, Has Failed. By Abdulrahman Muhammad Dan-Asabe, Ph.D.

Why wait until tomorrow to do what can be done today? Perhaps the FG has given the Police Force until when there are no more innocent people left to be killed before finding its so-called “appropriate solution”? And how does the head(s) of a government institution that has failed in its primary assignment (of providing security), failed again to comply with government directives be allowed to remain in office? The answer to this question is simple and obvious: it is not just the Police Force that has failed; leadership in all aspects of the nation has failed. Details

Nigeria: Re-branding and the Image of a Nation in 21st Century. By Emeka Chiakwelu

Image of a nation might as well be the destiny of a nation. Nigeria's disfigured image in the global village has become an insignia of dishonest, dishonor and disrespect; this is outright humiliation of a nation of almost 150 million people. Majority of Nigerians are industrious, God-fearing and law abiding people. But a tiny minority is destroying the image of the country and the governance ineptitude is adding salt to the injury. Details

General Danjuma, A Thunderous Applause Or Scathing Rebukes? By Paul I. Adujie

A unique set of circumstances were presented in Nigeria very recently. General Theo Danjuma of Nigeria announced a hundred million dollars surplus with which he intended to do public good, for Nigerians’ common good. And the reception which he received was uproarious, in the most negative sense of the that term, this, even though he may have expected thunderous applause and ovations for his “philanthropy”

Many questions have therefore arisen, the most crucial, among them are whether Nigerians and the entire world should applaud General Danjuma or should he be bathed and drenched in scalding and scorching criticisms? Criticism predicated on the inappropriate means employed by Danjuma and others like him, in gaining wealth and opulence in the first place. Details

Danjuma Reputation As The Black Knight. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Many Nigerians are still apprehensive of the Army’s return. If a few of them decide to take over the government as in Dimka coup or the recent “welcome” of Yar’Adua from the Abuja Airport, they still can, regardless of the consequences. The only stabilizing force, whether we like it or not, are their colleagues in and out of the Army. There are many of them but only one of them stands out. Live with or without our Frankenstein.

Unfortunately, Nigerians are still paying a price for our colonial past and each of those who have been part of all the coups in Nigeria demands their pound of flesh. If it is not Danjuma, it is going to be someone else. As long as we have not been able to retire all of them into their cages as Abacha retired Babangida, we must live with them. Those who think otherwise do have a point but it is not pragmatic because old soldiers never die. Details

Turai As A Scapegoat. By Aonduna Tondu

The various discourses around Nigeria’s First Lady paint the picture of a greedy, overbearing and manipulative woman – a larger-than-life figure who has ruthlessly and remorselessly sought to take advantage of her espousal proximity to Mr. President to exert the kind of executive authority that is the ‘chasse gardée’ or exclusive preserve of that symbol of the people’s sovereignty. Yet, other unflattering exposés vainly harp on the supposed pretentiousness of a female whose rural and cultural provenance notwithstanding, has articulated power and its trappings irresponsibly and vindictively by putting her personal and selfish considerations over and above the national interest. In short, through these narratives, what we are being told is that Turai bears the greater part of the responsibility for the current grim state of the nation. Nothing can be further from the truth! Details

President Yar’adua’s Return Good For The Nation. By Aonduna Tondu

Finally, the Yar’Adua/Jonathan presidency has thrown up critical challenges for us all, one of which is the imperative to establish an efficient democratic system that will meet the aspirations of the average citizen. The organized opposition in particular can help do that, not by being obsessed with the PDP’s internecine squabbles to the point of taking sides as has been the case of late, but by arduously working to provide viable electoral alternatives. Details

When Nigeria Shall Be No More: Painting Scenarios. By Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD

For a while I thought I should not waste my time writing to counsel Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. I believe that what I have counselled him to do in some of my previous articles are enough; it remains to see how he handles those pieces of advice. My focus today transcends the current distressful situation in Nigeria. Four important things must happen before a nation tears apart:

Total disregard for the constitution, public opinion, and visible authorities.
Exaltation of one part of the country over the rest in a blatant, unyielding, and unpretentious fashion.
Abdication of responsible duties by those constitutionally and lawfully charged with them.
Resistance to change in the overriding national interest by a clique, cabal, or mafia.

Details

Ghosts From The Past: Goodluck Jonathan’s Desperation Will Spell His Downfall. By Aonduna Tondu

Those hailing Goodluck Jonathan's constitution of his Advisory Council or ‘éminence grise’ as a coup de maître of sorts had better think again. After the sorry spectacle of having to endure the ghastly re-apparitions in Nigeria of discredited former foreign rulers - the administrative debacle called George Bush Jnr., and the mendacious and hypocritical Tony Blair of Britain - in a desperate move to acquire a dubious external legitimacy, the Nigerian citizenry is being treated, this time, to an eerily familiar script consisting in the excavation of cadavers - revenants whose morbid imprints of reaction and decay cannot be said to represent a new beginning. Details

Bankole and the Lessons of Geography. By Abdullah Musa

The first experience: we were discussing the political problems of Nigeria with a friend, who is also a Hausa-Fulani, and also a Muslim. It was after one of the recurring crises in Nigeria, and my nature demanded for an end to the senseless killing of one another. I posited that since Nigerians cannot live peacefully with one another, then let’s go our separate ways! To this my friend replied: “no! a tafi a hakan; taci ba ta ci ba!” I may not be able to translate the italicized sentence for the non-Hausa reader. But the rendering might be something like this: let’s go on this way, neither stable nor unstable! Details

Nigeria’s Forgotten Heroes: Nnamdi Azikiwe – “Father of the Nation” (Part 1). By Max Siollun

After working for a short period of time as a civil service clerk at the Treasury Office in Lagos, he departed for the U.S. in 1925 with 300 pounds that his father had managed to save and borrow on his behalf. When he arrived in the U.S. he lived in poverty, at one time having so little money that he survived on lemonade and bread. To make ends meet he did manual jobs, working as a coal miner, casual labourer, boxer and dish-washer. While working in a coal mine he was racially abused, being called "nigger" and "coon", by the time-keeper. Azikiwe later lamented, "It gave me food for thought that an uncultured, tobacco chewing and vociferous Yankee foreman could speak to me, a university undergraduate, in such vein." Details

Dora Akunyili: The Woman in the News or the Power of Tongue? By Adamu Muhammad

Dora Akunyili, the Minister for Information and Communication may have hit the bull’s eye in her analysis but we are however ,of the opinion that she should direct her oomph, plans, view or ardour towards re-orientating the Nigerian polity, especially in her call or plan of re-branding concept instead of buck passing, which making some unwanted utterances that will disturb the peace of the nation. To be candid, Dora has taken so many things in her strides. Details

The Pfizer's Compensation Bottlenecks in Nigeria. By Isa Muhammad Inuwa

History of the Pfizer multinational drugs firm's test of its Trovan product on children, patients of the Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Nigeria's city of Kano in 1996, seems to have been all-through, enmeshed in remarkable mysteries, horrifying ironies and of course, some questionable, dilatory game-plans. Details

Democracy and Election Violence In Nigeria. By Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee

Democracy has been defined as government of the people, by the people, and for the people. While studying government both in secondary school and tertiary institution, we were never thought that electoral violence is an inherent element or feature of democracy. But today the reverse is the case. Details