Five Hundred African Currency To One Is Illogical By Gold STD. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Why would alien countries name present day Ghana Gold Coast, then abandon gold standard to back their promissory notes with mere printed paper? African currencies used to have some value under their rule before Independence. While they gave Independence, they would not relinquish economic independence. They have been able to exchange African resources with printed paper enhancing what Nkrumah titled Neo-colonialism. Details

 

Looters Feed Youths To Arabian Slavery Body Parts & Asian Death Penalty. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Our young generation would rather face death penalty for drugs in Asia, drown in the sea, die as slaves in Arabian deserts, used as body parts than stay in Africa to fight their oppressors and looters for their future. We have seen repulsive and disturbing pictures of beautiful young men, women and children sacrificed for body parts. Yet some Africans wonder why they cannot share glamor or comfortable lives enjoyed overseas by their relatives that tell them not to come over. Details

SSS Lopsided Recruitment; Between Ethnic Chauvinism And Quest For Balancing. By Rahaman Olalekan

I feel strongly that the disproportionate allocation of 331 of the newly Commissioned officers to the Northern States and FCT which is more than half of the total intakes from the Southern parts of the country is a further proof of dysfunctionality and defects in the operation of Nigeria Federal system. Details

The Blame Game as a Route to the Destination of Uncreativity. By Dr. Abubakar Alkali

The main reason why former President Jonathan lost that election was because of his lackadaisical, cavalier and non-committal attitude in fighting Boko haram. Former President Jonathan simply refused to fight Boko haram because to him, Boko haram is political and was created by Northerners to wrest power from him. Now he knows better. Details

 

Ooni of Ife Gracefully Humiliated Oba Of Eko. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Are you surprised that Ooni of Ife reduced Oba of Lagos below his level? The first indication of class was how they got to the throne. When the people of Lagos protested that Tinubu should not be in a position to share his preference on who should be the Oba of Lagos, other Yoruba protested that Lagosians must not discriminate against another Yoruba in Lagos, as they would allow Tinubu to determine their Oba. Indeed, we had those that were asking if Lagosians would rather have someone from other parts of Nigeria. Details

 

Insurance Against Kidnapers & Robbers. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Who gives kidnappers and armed robbers your intimate information and location while money hoarders sleep well at night? They should explore more graveyards and soak-away for big loots. Unless you are flamboyant, rich or a conspicuous spender, chances are most information about ordinary folks comes from close friends or relatives. It is not only the ungrateful son that invites armed robbers to demand ransom on him or to dispossess his “stingy” father of some money. Details

 

You Have To Be Deaf And Dumb Not To Loot As It Is. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Why are we so mad at looters? A friend said it right. Some of us are angry because we never got the opportunity to loot. There are those that would do worse if given that opportunity. We still remember Bankole, the young Speaker that complained on a daily basis about the amount of money leaking out of the treasury, only to find out he was a rogue himself. So his only problem was waiting on the wing to claim his turn. Most people have forgotten his case. Details

 

Legal Implication of Sexual Violence. By Bello Idris

I personally chose not to belong to the school of thought which sees Police as responsible for the escalation of the problem because; you can always find within the Police Force some honourable Police Officers who uphold firmly to the ethics of their profession. Nevertheless, there is the need for the Police to be proactive in dealing with the cases of sexual violence reported to them. There is equally the need for gender sensitivity training for the Nigeria’s Police, Doctors, Security Forces, Judges and other officials in the Criminal Justice System and Lawyers. Details

 

The Misinterpretation of Muhammadu Sanusi II. By Gimba Kakanda

There is a reason the North of Nigeria is yet to be “on top of the situation”, as our policymakers tend to say even when a crisis is out of control, in the quest to redeem the escalating social problems that abound there. It is because we are in denial of the origins, starting from our manipulation and misapplication of religion in governance to the stark deficiencies of our ruling class, and its implications on the present. Details

 

Emir Sanusi And His Poor Understanding Of Northern Nigeria. By Abubakar Abdulmusawwir

I was certainly not caught by surprise when I read that Emir Sanusi in his key note address during the opening ceremony of Kaduna State investment programme said that the Northern Nigeria will be the poorest if the country is broken into components. I was not surprise because he is known to be making statements that are not correct or half truth. Details

 

Obasanjo’s ogbologbo solution to fight corruption. By Muhammad Ajah

Those who know the former President very well can attest to his self-styled bluntness in propagating staged melodramatic episodes that last longer in mind than its reality. It is an undiluted truth that as a man who has rigmaroled the corridors of power in Nigeria, he knows and understands very well the piece of land called Nigeria. Obasanjo has remained strong in the nation’s politics, moving majestically anywhere he thinks of, watching the rots he assisted in creating and dishing out piecemeal desiccated solutions whenever he feels attention would be engendered. He is always a major of the dramatis personae in the shows he often dedicates to his enthusiastic followers. In short, he would have won many awards as the protagonist of his own didactic verbiages.  Details

 

The Buharian Trade-Off Thesis Of Anti-Corruption Campaigns In Nigeria. By Abel B.S. Gaiya

The Buharian trade-off thesis may explain why Buhari is perceived to pursue an anti-corruption drive that is party-asymmetric, despite being relatively universalistic or indiscriminate in the 1980s. It (political sensitivity, that is) may also explain why there may be a pattern of news about detected corrupt persons forfeiting assets to the EFCC, but are not named, as opposed to the demands of Nigerians in response to Buhari’s previous claim that he would publish names. Details

 

The Forty-Five Million Dollars Lost & Found Is Mine. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Where else can one hide his money from armed robbers? It is unfortunate that we cannot put money in the bank, at the farm, in the freezer, in a sewage tank and inside our house anymore; without some busy bodies revealing it to Economic and Financial Crime Commission. The forty-five million dollars found in that Ikoyi apartment is mine. It must be returned immediately to me otherwise EFCC will see me in the court of law under democracy and the rule of law. Details

 

Kano Family Law: Making Issue Out Of Nothing. By Bello Idris

Whichever way it goes, the Emir needs to be liberal in his approach to issues that are dicey of this nature. He should not be seen to be personally too keen about the insertion of a particular issue into the proposed law. There is no point for hush- hush since he is not caught by any tenure. I personally vouch his line of thinking but I hate to see him loose the loyalty and respect he commands to the majority of his subjects. Details

 

Abuja In Heat And Darkness. By Okachikwu Dibia

Throughout today, I have been wondering what is wrong with electricity in Nigeria: why is it that electricity has decided not to be available in Nigeria? NEPA or PHCN suffered the allegation that as a public utility, it failed to deliver its essential mandate of providing regular and affordable power to Nigerians Details

 

 

An Overview Of Service Delivery Initiative: 12 Years After. By Otive Igbuzor, PhD

Over the years, there has been poor service delivery by the public sector in Nigeria leading to the launch of the Nigeria Service Delivery Initiative by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR in March, 2014. The Federal Government signed a social compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) to improve citizen satisfaction by promoting service excellence in Public Service.

In this paper, we examine the quality of public service delivery twelve years after. But first, we underscore the imperative of service delivery and the need for reform of the public sector to be able to deliver efficient, effective and responsive services. We argue that there are blockages to service delivery which need to be removed through comprehensive and holistic public service reform.  Details

 

So Men Of God Do Pray & Trafficate. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Since men and women fall into this trance, we should not be surprised that respectable ladies fall into the lap of pastors, stars, the rich and powerful. We may call it abuse of trust, which is true but not different from that of the Catholic Priest that abuses minors and children. Each time we are down and we seek salvation, we become vulnerable. Respectable scientists, doctors and researchers when struck by incurable diseases or cancer, have sought quacks in countries unimaginable.  Details

 

 

Greed Drives Locally Made Goods More Expensive. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Dangote recently announced that he was going into rice production while promising to flood the market and bring prices down. Well, it is true that most promises made by businessmen in Nigeria in particular have not been fulfilled. Critics pointed to Dangote promises about cement whose price has not gone down just as his entry into tomato production. In the case of tomato, he was not the only Nigerian that made promises.

We have to accept that there are more market forces at play than the promises of one man. This writer is not a supporter of Dangote and has pointed out his disagreement with him in other cases. Details

 

Nigeria’s National Assembly As Democracy’s Poisoned Chalice. By Godwin Onyeacholem

To say that Nigeria’s National Assembly has been living in infamy since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 is to understate the severity of the country’s democratic woes. While less endowed but well-meaning and development-conscious counterparts on the continent are devising means of advancing the culture of popular representation through openness and improvement of the lives of their people, Nigeria’s so-called “distinguished” senators and “honourable” members are perpetually scheming for secrecy, swindling the electorate and the country and generally making lives more miserable for their constituents. Details

 

Political Impasse In The Gambia: The Facts, The Lies And The Bad Precedent (1 and 2). By  Ibrahim  M. Attahir, Esq.

 realized that, what was on the ground in The Gambia was contrary to what people were being fed with. I saw the scenario as a manifestation of a statement attributed to a former US President, Thomas Jefferson that: “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” This serious misinformation prompted me to write this piece as my humble contribution on the events in The Gambia. I hope it will put some records straight and separate the grain from the chaff, at least, for posterity.Details

 

Gladly and Gratefully Paying the Price. By Aliyu A. Ammani

... the Sokoto jihad is the best thing that ever happened to Hausa: the land, the language and the people. First, it united the hitherto disunited Hausa states. Second, and perhaps most important, it made the Hausa language the de facto lingua-franca of the caliphate which spans beyond the boundaries of the original Hausa states. Consequently, when the colonialists came, and as a result of indirect rule, Hausa language gradually became, in practice, the language of policy and administration across t

 

Nigeria Budget 2017: What Are The Issues? By Otive Igbuzor, Ph.D.

Therefore, the historical challenges with budget in Nigeria including concerns with the budget process, content of the budget as well as implementation challenges remain unresolved.  The process issues include the fact that citizens and communities do not participate in the selection of projects that go into the budget; Legislators are not consulted on the selection of projects into the budget; and oversight of the budget process by the legislature, civil society and the media is weak.  Furthermore, the Public Accounts Committee which was very popular in the second republic has become very ineffective and there is still confusion on the limits of legislative power in appropriation. Details

 

Hypocrisy of Free Floating Currencies in Liberalized Markets. By Farouk Martins Aresa

African economists with colo-mentality insist on free-floating currency and liberalized market as the only way to move our economy forward because it attracts foreign investments. We do not argue against foreign investment. We actually want foreign investment, what we guide against are predatory investors that have no interest in long term infrastructure but temporarily park foreign pension funds and edge funds in stock market that has never added value to economy. Details

 

Nigeria’s anti-corruption war: Why the presidency must stick with Magu. By Godwin Onyeacholem

But President Buhari should remain firm and not succumb to the prejudiced opinions and sheer blackmail of those working hard to blunt if not completely eliminate the refined cutting-edge of the anti-corruption campaign symbolized by the current leadership of the EFCC. He knows many of these agents of retrogression, and some of them even thrive under his very nose. There is no doubt that in Magu, the president made one of the finest choices of his administration considering the fact that both share almost an equal level of revulsion for a monster that has virtually crippled Nigeria, and which Buhari has placed on top his “change” agenda. Details

 

Understanding Open Government Partnership(OGP) In Nigeria. By Otive Igbuzor, PhD.

Nigeria has been faced with the challenge of effectively utilising its resources to support equitable economic growth, effective service delivery and social cohesion. One of the major driving forces for the development blockade is lack of openness, transparency and accountability in governance. Therefore, if government and citizens embrace open government principles in a tailored stakeholder engagement, then the blockades will be dealt with and reform will take place that will lead ultimately to effective policy, effective budget and effective implementation.  The move by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to join the Open Government Partnership is therefore a commendable one. Details

 

Telling the Recent Bayero University, Kano Story. By Maikudi Abubakar Zukogi

If the story of this vibrant and promising university will necessarily be tied to how it stands in the world university ranking, it is doubtful if it would ever get told. Bayero University, Kano will simply serve as the first course mixed gravel and cement holding the intimidating pillars of world Ivy League universities that annually make the list of Times Higher Education Supplement world university ranking. This emerging and unassuming university isn’t likely to put up any encouraging showing in the African universities ranking either. So if your interest is to look for a university with a promise like the northern star and you are going to have to rely on this somewhat academic rankings, you are more than likely going to miss out on what above every possessor of knowledge, there is one more learned, which is what the motto of Bayero University, Kano is, has to offer. Details

 

Now that You are A Graduate. By Yusuff Olayode Yusuff Supoto

Good that you have a good grade, and I am happy you are the best product in your department. However, there is a very important question you need to ask yourself before writing an application letter. You importantly should see, after answering this question that definitely, you are an irresistible product for an employer. Why not ask yourself, “Am I employable?” Details

 

Most Foreign Awards Are Bribes To Drain Africans Economy. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Ngozi Iweala, was Finance Minister with zilch private sector experience. Preached advantage of Paris Club odious debt pay off (negotiated unwisely according to Prof. Soludo) during OBJ reign; turned around and sold advantages of borrowing more during Jonathan. She now laments that   foreign investors took $80 billion out of Nigeria because of Buhari body language. Otherwise, they could have borrowed at low rate of 2% at home to reap 15% interest in Nigeria. Where does Nigeria make the profit (difference) from, what justifies our high rate and who benefits? Details

 

Southern Zaria: Why CAN Should Beg for Peace. By Abdussamad Umar Jibia, Ph.D.

The history of Northern Nigeria has left it with two distinct groups of people who are living in anything but love and harmony. Of the nineteen Northern states, Muslims outnumber the Christians in 16, with Christians having the majority in Plateau and Benue states. The two religious groups fare almost equally in Taraba state. Of the 19 elected governors in the North, 16 are Muslims representing 84.2 % while three are Christians representing 15.8 % in the North and 8 % nationwide. In the North Central geopolitical zones where they nicknamed the middle belt, there are more Muslims than Christians. Details

 

By All Means, Let’s Restructure. By Babayola M. Toungo

We are yet again at the season of unreasoning – the season when hair-brained ideas are put forth in order to advance personal ambitions instead of moving the country forward.  These are times when after running out of ideas, our politicians resort to emotive issues to whip up sentiments and draw the undiscerning to their cause.  Nigeria has seen so many of such fly-by-night politicians in the past and I am sure will see the back of the current crop.  These politicians are not averse to pushing the country to the brink as long as their scheme gives them political mileage.  The vogue today is the call for the restructuring or renegotiating the structure and unity of Nigeria as it exist today. Details

 

If You Think Living In Nigeria Is Hell Try Underground World. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Who the hell am I to tell you where to live, eh? After all, I reported myself to the Immigration hoping they would deport me back home. The nice immigration lady kindly told me that they had not received my medical report back yet and I should wait until they get it. Unknown to her was that I thought once I showed up, they would deport me back to Lagos, Nigeria. Home, sweet home. Well, that was many years ago. Details

 

Marzuq as Metaphor. By Adamu Tilde

What the aforementioned narratives demonstrate is the shattering of the long-held but absurd belief and mythology and wayward stereotyping of Northerners as lazy ignoramuses, intellectually inferior to their Southern counterpart, who cannot compete equitably without the aid of "Quota System". Details

 

It Takes One Man To Change A Country From Lootocracy To Democracy. By Farouk Martins Aresa

So one writing that went viral claimed that ten Buhari could not change Nigeria. We all seized upon it to make our points whether to give up on Nigeria or keep on trying until we die. Some of his frustrations were shared by most of us, whatever position we took. Nigeria is a mess that has not risen up to its potential or expectation as a regional power. So much was expected in the sixties after Independence. Some even claimed if it was Nkrumah that headed Nigeria, Eh! Details

 

Corruption And The Untouchables. By Aminu Iyawa

It has been gathered that Heritage Bank is partially owned by the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki who allegedly solicited the assistance of the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele to revive it.

I have personally spoken to a close friend to one of the contractors who was denied his payment  cheque of over a billion Naira until he opened an account with Heritage Bank. And when he tried to transfer the funds to the accounts of some people he owes money, he was denied the transaction and told to ask the beneficiaries to come and open accounts with the bank. Details

 

The 2016 'BRICS' India (GOA) Summit:  - Wether Nigeria. By Abubakar Atiku

Nigeria is never mentioned anywhere in the 7,322-worded Declaration, unlike the Republic of South Africa (RSA) that is a member nation.  Therefore, why should any Nigerian for that matter bother about the relevance of the Goa Declaration to Nigeria? Details

 

The North, Shiites and the Quest for Tolerance. By Adamu Tilde

The recent sectarian mob violence targeted against the northern Shia minority should enrage any believer in justice and freedom. That appalling display of lawlessness and barbarism must be unreservedly condemned by everyone. It is bereft of any legal, moral or social justification. Those angry mobs who cheerfully lynched their fellow citizens and torched and looted their properties have desecrated the very religion (or values) they are claiming to protect, and the clerics who silently or loudly abetted such travesty have betrayed their calling as men of peace. Details

 

Osinbajo Ridiculed United Looters Of Nigeria At Harvard. By Farouk Martins Aresa

When someone asked about differential treatment and marginalization, the Vice President as a skillful lawyer and Senior Advocate noted that when Nigerians loot, they do it as united clique of people. You would find different ethnic and religious groups united. But as soon as they cry marginalization, it usually comes at the expense of one ethnic group inciting other members that would hardly share their loot. The whole audience roar in approval and laughter! Details

 

Reviving Nigeria’s Shrinking Economy. By Amina Ado

How did we get into this mess? First, the fall in commodity prices depressed oil and gas earnings. Despite progress made since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria still relies heavily on oil and gas for its foreign exchange earnings and revenues. For example, it accounted for 93% foreign exchange earnings in 2014 and 70% of government revenues in the same year. Details

 

Ancient Africans Were Writers. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Professor Babatunde Fafunwa (23 September 1923 – 11 October 2010). A Nigerian advocated that school children should be educated in their native language first in order to facilitate their thought processes making it easier to learn other languages and subjects. Their thinking and logic become easier to adapt for invention and discoveries locally. This is how children that cannot speak a word of English or French become great scientists and Nobel prize winners. Details

 

‘Aso Haunted House Of Horrors’. By Ezekiel Daminabo

Abati’s take on the Aso Villa was further accentuated through the write up by Femi Fani Kayode in his own piece titled: Abati’s ‘Aso Rock Spirits’, Buhari’s ‘Kitchen Wife’, And The Curse Of Power’’. Fani Kayode claimed to concur with Abati based on his own personal experiences having served in Aso Rock for three years. He also veered into history to mention personal tragedies of past leaders which he referred to as their sacrifice for leadership. Details

 

Girl-Children as ‘Endangered’ Humans in our Society. By Muhsin Ibrahim

Girl-children face more challenges than can be confined in a single piece like this one. A girl child is, by her soul and flesh, like an embodiment of problems. Many poor girls languish in the river of despair, disgrace and disdain and have no one to listen to them. Their crime is only being girls. They are today the victims of abuse, rape, labour, hawking, early marriage, etc. Details

 

Operationalising Open Government Partnership (OGP) In Nigeria. By Otive Igbuzor, PhD

The Buhari administration made the commendable move of joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP), The partnership has the potential to unblock those challenges that have prevented the government from providing effective service delivery to citizens. The process of operationalising OGP in Nigeria has started. Nigeria government and citizens need to learn from the experiences of other countries and engage the process in a way that will lead to the accelerated development of Nigeria.Details

 

Judicial and Pastoral Abuse Of Integrity And Breach Of Trust. By Farouk Martins Aresa

If Buhari can clean up corruption in the Judiciary and the Police as he had embarked on in the Army  as soon as he was elected, we will see more changes (except for Burutai property in Dubai). We do not expect a perfect system but enough to make most promises stick. He was elected knowing his fault and weaknesses, especially regarding some of his appointments. But Nigerians are so sick and tired of corruption, they are willing to ignore some of his blind spots. Details

 

APC Imbroglio: Is Bola Tinubu guilty? By Abiodun Komolafe

Well, while I may be insufficient at supplying answers to these troubling  questions, until proven otherwise, I hold the notion that Odigie-Oyegun was either misunderstood, misrepresented or  used  by some principalities higher than him. Again, until there is evidence to the contrary, I am also of the firm belief that President  Muhammadu Buhari is too decent a leader to be  involved in this  messy and rather childish tricks that take nobody anywhere. Details

 

Consolidating the Gains of the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria: The Need to Ban Convicted Looters from Holding Public Office for Life. By Dr. Abubakar Alkali Muhammadu Buhari of 1983 is still the same one of 2016 as far as his stand against corruption is concerned. Remember that Mr President started his war against corruption in 1983 as a military head of state (During his war against indiscipline WAI). Mr President is not ready to jettison what he started 33 years ago.  When you fix corruption, you automatically fixed 95% of Nigeria’s problems. Details

 

Only Little People Pay Taxes Corporate Welfare Bums Do Not. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Nigerian politicians make more money in salaries and allowances than other politicians in the world. Yet nobody asks or query them about how much they pay in taxes. Ask anyone of them how they accumulate so much money, they usually claim their wealth is from their businesses. If business is so good and profitable, we wonder why the country has not shared their prosperity. The fact is most of them only give honest business men and women a bad name. Details

 

Is Nigeria Ready for Change? By Aliyu Ahmed

Nigeria has always been a country hanging by a thread, balanced on a needle and always on the edge. Nigerians for so long have wallowed in a state of uncertainty and misery. Nigeria was well on a path to a suicidal self destruction, we were in dire need of some kind of fairy tail romance before we finally imploded to oblivion. Buhari in his second coming drove us madly in love when he promised us ‘CHANGE!’. The promise of change resonated with every Nigerian. People from every state, city and village flocked en-masse and voted for change. The divine message has been heard and Nigerians were finally ready for a euphoric beginning with Buhari. Details

 

Youth Restiveness, Militancy and the Intractable Problems of the Niger-Delta. By  Austin Emaduku

If the Federating States must exist as Centres of developments rather than wasteful bureaucracies, then they must be empowered to develop at their own space. There are serious efforts by the Buhari Administration to diversify the Nigerian economy away from dependence on oil. This is good but can at best be only a short time measure while we commence the process of truly fashioning out a new federal constitution that is agreed upon by all constituents. Details

 

From Telecom, Banking To Manufacturing, Nigerians Are Cheated. By Okachikwu Dibia

MTN has been cheating Nigerians through numerous registration and re-registration of sim cards. They do not care what we lose to have our sims re-registered: we pay transport fare to registration points, we abandon all works and programmes for that day, we suffer the whole inconveniences of queuing up on a very long lines for hours etc. They won’t even volunteer an appreciation of what we pass through to have are sim cards re-registered many times. Details

 

Bida Basin: A New Resort For Nigeria’s Oil Dilemma. By Abdullahi Yusuf Tela

Considering the chaotic environment of the Niger delta where the people continuously agitate and boast about the richly oil endowed region. The likes of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and the Niger Delta Avengers are dominantly on the spheres of Nigeria not because of anything but because of the natural resources they enjoy. Details

 

Budget padding scandal: Nemo judex in causa sua. By Godwin Onyeacholem

Still, this country has Jibrin to thank for his unprecedented revelations. Now, the depth of the rot in the House of Reps is in the open. Rather than applaud and encourage those working to crucify him, it will serve this country well to focus on his message and squeeze adjustments from it. It is the way to go if Nigeria is serious about entrenching transparency and accountability in public governance. Details

 

Comfort from Senate in Time of Rage Across The Nation. By Ezekiel Daminabo

Without doubt President Buhari has demonstrated the commitment of the administration to the aforementioned objective as can be appreciated from his pronouncements and the visible efforts of the administration so far. The dividends from the commitment of the executive arm under him have manifested in areas like containment by the gallant Nigerian military of the vicious insurgents in the northeast of the country as well as militants in other areas, along with the fight against corruption.  But the same cannot be said for the economy, which is the backbone of the polity. Details

 

Of Ornaments And Beauty. By Babayola M. Toungo

Our politics, and indeed politics everywhere, is in such a way that no one man is any one thing which anybody else can’t be.  If you believe in the doctrine of equalitarian rotation, then you will know what I mean.  A lot of people have been governors in the past.  Some are dead while others are alive.  None among them is remembered by how flashy they dress or how much time they devote to pampering their skin.  They are chiefly remembered by the impact they made on the lives of the ordinary man. Details

 

Recession Is Adequate Reason To Cut Politicians Outrageous Pay. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Is anyone serious about cutting politicians’ outrageous salaries and allowance? If this recession is not enough reason to deflate an economy that was pumped up by corruption for so many years, it is very difficult to see what else it would take. Sending that message alone would have reciprocal effect on the economy, driving inflation and prices of goods and services down so that poor people at the bottom of the salary leader can increase their purchasing power with the little they make. Details

 

Buhari, APC and the Road to 2019. By Abiodun Komolafe

I've commented elsewhere that the way the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is preparing for the battle of 2019 has not been all that encouraging and the party has to address this particular temptation, especially, now that ovation is still ascending. Details

 

The Tragedy of an Unthinking Agitation: the Case of the Niger Delta Militants. By Austin Emaduku

I challenge all “Waferians” with memory to cast their minds back to the mid-80s to early 90s before the agitation that drove away the companies and tell me when the region was better off: before or after the agitations? What gains has the so-called militancy brought us if not strife, tears and pain? Besides making billionaires of a few, what gains have the years of criminal militancy disguised as agitation for freedom the region? Details

 

Fall In Global Oil Prices And Nigeria’s Economy: When A Problem Becomes The Solution. By Dr. Abubakar Alkali

Nigeria is today the only unrecognised global super power. Our country has all the potentials to be a world super power but alas, we are still ranked a third world nation. The super power status doesn’t just come as a gift. Nigeria has to earn it. We have to take our chances to be recognised as a global super power. Our chances lie in the enormous natural and human resources in our country, arable land, agriculture, solid minerals, etc. Details

 

Governor Ambode and the Michael Jackson Syndrome. By Tochukwu Ezukanma

Governor Ambode’s urban renewal policy is fundamentally flawed. For one, it strives to recast a Nigerian city in Parisian or Washingtonian mold. Secondly, it fails to realize that Lagos does not have to look like Paris, New York or Washington DC to be a beautiful, functional and livable city. A city is not just an agglomeration of buildings, streets and public spaces cobbled together by architectural, engineering and urban planning standards. Details

 

Lagos As The Most Viable State May Secede. By Farouk Martins Aresa

However, foreign currency that cannot be printed in Nigeria, we export them prodigally. Believe it or not, in the days of Jakande, all the fertilizers allocated to Lagos was given to the North! Today most of our food comes from the North, yet they have less rain than the South. Indeed, if the North decided to secede and starve the South, the militia and their supporters may die of hunger. Can you think of a better way to win a war than starving your enemies? Details

 

The Sultan And The 22 Religious Bodies: Distortion Of Law And Facts. By Ibrahim Muhammad Abdulrahman

The Sultan did not declare any day a holiday, he did not announce any public holiday and the 22 groups are either responding to the sultan out of ignorance or mischief. The only anomalous development in Nigeria since the advent of the Buhari’s administration which has gone to great length to deepen religious divide and tension in Nigeria is shameless  opposition-like behavior of some self-centered religious and ethnic leaders. Details

 

Recession And Nigeria’s Disarticulated Economy. By Okachikwu Dibia

The problem is that Africa’s political leaders have refused to change the disarticulated economies they inherited from the colonialists. They tout the idea of economic diversification or structural adjustment as mere lip service because doing so in reality will not avail them with the money they had come to steal from government. Who would imagine in 1980 that Nigeria would still be exporting crude oil in 2016? Or that her agricultural resources are yet to be seamlessly channeled to her home industries for further processing and reprocessing. Details

 

Nigeria: Battling Corruption to a Standstill. By Godwin Onyeacholem

The message is now out there that under this administration, it would no longer be ‘business as usual.’ But the fight should also not be conducted in a manner that leaves the impression that Buhari as the general of this war has no army behind him. It cannot be denied that at the federal level the battle is raging, but it has to percolate to the state and local government levels for it to register the desired impact. Governors, especially those of the ruling party, must take a cue from Buhari in the quest for zero tolerance for corruption. Details

 

Igbo and Hausa Will Make Peace, If Yoruba Contest Next Presidency. By Farouk Martins Aresa

There are growing factions in the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria for either a breakup of the country or some regional restructuring. The only time we have relative peace within the country is when the North and the Eastern part of Nigeria are in coalition to form government. Right now, the envious position of the “beautiful bride” (courtesy of Zik) is vacant. The way it is supposed to work is if the East is either in a coalition with the West or preferably, the North. Details

 

Witnessing The Birth Of Felony. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria has a new song.  It is called “Restructuring”.  Even if it is remix of the original, the former vice president is singing it with gusto wherever and whenever he got the opportunity of being given a microphone.  I called Atiku’s new found song as a ‘remix’ of an old wine because the song has been around since after the annulment of the June 12^th 1993 presidential elections in which the late MKO Abiola was coasting to victory.  Some people believed Babangida annulled the elections to favour the north – and this was farthest from the truth. Details

 

Is this the change Nigerians voted for? By Godwin Onyeacholem

In a government vigorously waving the banner of change, you would expect Buhari not to close his eyes, for instance, to the fact that his ministers have yet to follow the path he and the vice-president had taken by publicly declaring their assets. After all, strictly interpreted, change means that you want to do things differently from past administrations.

You would expect him to instantly address the first major embarrassment to his government when one of his foremost cabinet members stuck out his feet at a public function for one of his aides to polish his shoes in full glare of the public. It would not happen in countries where the leadership places premium on the dignity of the human person. Details

 

On Nigerians, Religion And Everything In-Between Rejoinder to: Why I am Convinced God Does Not Speak To Pastor Adeboye. By Leonard Karshima Shilgba

Some Nigerians claiming to be "secular humanists" today, once confessed faith in Jesus Christ; but what made them to recant? One of them asserts a reason that a once close acquaintance of his, with whom he sang in a Deeper Life Campus Fellowship, was struck with cancer. And despite their prayers, she died. He therefore does not believe prayer works, except that it makes someone to feel "good" about themselves. Details

 

Leadership Selection in Contemporary Nigerian Politics: Challenges and Prospects. By Abdullahi Usman

Discussing the myriad issues around poor leadership selection in Nigeria’s contemporary politics has become something akin to the proverbial broken record - or, perhaps scratched compact disc (CD) may be the better term to apply in this instance, since we are talking about contemporary issues here, as opposed to the traditional ways of doing things. Details

 

How Cattle Rustlers Killed My Uncle. By Dr. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

For the residents of Matso-matso in Jibia Local Government area of Katsina state, the morning of Sunday the 7^th of August 2016 was anything but bright. As early as three o clock they began to hear the sound of gunshots. Although these sounds are not new to the villagers, they strike fear whenever they are heard; either one or more people will die or some animals will be rustled, but usually the latter. The former is normally the case when a farmer resisted or when, like in the present case, the bandits are on a special mission. Details

 

Jibrin In The Realm Of Values. By Babayola M. Toungo

These are hard times for most Nigerians.  A little over a year ago, Nigerians trooped out in their millions to vote for change and change they got.  The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaigned on the “change” mantra and from the results of last year’s elections, the generality of Nigerians seemed to have bought into it.  The problem is that we have failed to key-into it.  Most of us were only thinking of personnel changes and not attitudinal and this is where our problems arises Details

 

Buharinomics and the Hedonistic Calculus. By Achum Tobechukwu Valentine

Although, the 2016 World Happiness Report places Denmark as the happiest country in the world, Bhutan – a country in southern Asia – however, became the first country to officially adopt Gross National Happiness (GNH), instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as her main development indicator... Out of the 157 countries being ranked, Nigeria occupies 131 position. This means that Nigerians are happier than only 12 countries out of the remaining 156 countries. Indeed! Not a type of score sheet to be happy about. Details

 

Nigeria Governors Trip To Germany - The Need For Justification. By Dr. Marwan Haruna Abdulkarim

Unlike any other time, the above announcement made by the Governors forum spokesperson for a planned trip by Governors elicited a lot of complaints. The travel will particularly be beneficial where the cause is fully harnessed. A corresponding drawback, however, is where governors end up acting otherwise and hence making it look as a jamboree. Details

 Railways and Political Backwardness in NigeriabBy Owei Lakemfa

Nigeria’s first speed train rolled off on July 26  in a roar of controversy. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) held it up as its  achievement. Its vociferous hailers  claimed that it was  completed due to the seriousness of its government. They presented it as  an abandoned project by the Jonathan Government which they claimed, failed to pay the needed counterpart funding. The completion of the project to them, is an indication that the APC has a lot of good projects in store for Nigerians.

 

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) denied the project was starved of funds. It commended   former President Goodluck Jonathan  for  the project’s “conceptualization and inception” and credited his Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with its  structuring and funding. It claimed the project was 99 percent completed before the APC strolled into power. Details

 

The Unwarranted Attacks on General TY Buratai. By Max Gbanite

The same petitioners under the aegis of Concerned Soldiers and Officers from the North East according to SaharaReporters, accused Buratai of executing the contract for the purchase of vehicles and motorcycles through a proxy by the name Usman Gamawa of Baggash Investment Limited. The petition stated that rather than supply new vehicles as the contract demanded, Mr. Gamawa purchased second-hand vehicles and motorcycles from Niger Republic and on arrival in Nigeria, the vehicles were then refurbished at the Mogadishu military Cantonment under the supervision of Staff Sergeant Dadan  Garba. The petitioners noted that some of the vehicles and motorcycles had since broken down. Details

 

 

Dear President Buhari, Nigeria’s unity is negotiable! By Chido Onumah

On a final note, let me emphasize that restructuring Nigeria has become a “categorical imperative” for the country. It is either we restructure or perish! Restructuring Nigeria is not an elitist concept (even if it is sometimes used by sections of the ruling elite to negotiate power) neither is it about splitting Nigeria. We can restructure (or negotiate) Nigeria without changing the internal map of the country; it is more about resource control rather than resource allocation; more about devolution of power and, therefore, responsibilities. It is about enhancing citizenship rights and the existential confidence in the country. Details

 

Time for Religious Organizations to Invest in Agriculture. By Adeyemo Olajire Philip

The successes recorded in the provision of tertiary education, mass media and other socio-economic developmental activities of these religious organisations must be replicated in the agricultural sector. Successive governments have contributed their efforts (positively or negatively) toward the agricultural sector, yet food remains scarce. Therefore religious leaders must not continue to watch hunger ravage our nation but to convince their followers to join hands towards food production.‎ Details

 

How We Destroyed “First In Africa” Pride Of The World. By Farouk Martins Aresa

What happened to the Back to Africa movements in Diaspora? Are you kidding, not even those Africans that were born there go back home anymore. There is this famous actress that claimed she has been to Africa, seen Africans and she is no African. Nobody wants to identify with the losers. There used to be a time when people would beg you to return home before you kill your mother. Now there are so many old Africans that would rather stay put in Diaspora for medical. Details

 

Too Bad to Celebrate. By Umar G. Pella

While trying to avoid the judgmental trap of passing a verdict on what can be termed as the score card of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, it must be admitted that out of all the expectations that Nigerians have of the administration, one that the government must deliver unscathed is the anticorruption crusade. Details

 

It Is Time For A Moratorium On This National Assembly  By  Dr. Anthony A. Kila

This body called the National Assembly made up of senators and representatives has clearly dived and gone beyond the minimum level of acceptability for a sane society and something must be done about it. My proposal is a moratorium that limits what they do to a few matters for a period that reflects what the country is going through and what is important for the country. Details

 

Ijaw Could Not Have Been President In Any Other Nation. By Farouk Martins Aresa

The point must be made clear to Ijaw that one of them became the President, not because it was their turn since there were bigger minorities waiting. ... Ijaw minority status will make their situation worse because in a democracy, a majority carries the votes. There are just not enough of them. In the South-southern states except in Bayelsa,   Urhobo and Anioma outnumber them in Delta State. In River State Ikwere outnumber them. In Akwa Ibom and Cross River states they are smaller than Ibibio and Efik. The real powerhouse or the sleeping giant of the South-south are the Edo in their State and Anioma in Delta. Details

 

As Buhari Shifts to Gear 2. By Umar Gide

There have been five presidential elections in Nigeria since it resumed democracy in the fourth republic. Muhammadu Buhari contested all but one, and lost all but one. That one was the 2015 election.... Mr Buhari has done well in curtailing and even decimating boko haram but should be vigilant on the Avengers, the herdsmen crisis and ‘commercial’ kidnapping so that not allow them replace boko haram. The war against corruption is another medal for Buhari but he has to work on the judiciary so that it do not scuttle his efforts, as on year in office there has not been any conviction yet on all the  corruption cases initiated by his government. Details

 

Buhari And The Tragedy Of Politics! By Abiodun Komolafe

As things stand, Nigeria's foundation is not only threatened with predictable consequences, its economy is also castrated. The masses are in total hardship, toiling and suffering; and it seems as if the spirit of Saul is pursuing our David! In this 'fantastically corrupt' country, demigods and untouchables in high places who once stole Nigeria blind are using Nigeria's money to torment Nigeria. Details

 

Only Exemplary Indigenous Characters Can Change Nations. By Farouk Martins Aresa

The difference between Kwame Nkrumah and Jaja of Opobo before him was that one tried to first build a Continental while the other tried to build an Economic independence. The Rooted Threats were knocked down. Man needs certain amount of money to live a simple decent life. How much is enough after that is subject to individual goals and wants not needs. Details

 

On the Menace of Cattle Herders in Nigeria. By Leonard Karshima Shilgba

Have you seen the report titled, “Ebonyi State becomes the first to ban cattle rearing in Igbo land”? Do you blame them? My governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom of Benue State, recently cried out, “I didn’t become Governor to preside over dead bodies…Our people are being pushed too far by herdsmen! Details

 

Fuel Price Increase and the Mass Rejection of Suffering. By Izielen Agbon

There is a subsidy on corruption in Nigeria. The corruption subsidy is the difference between the true price of petrol and the official pump price set by the FGN. This subsidy on corruption goes to the fuel cabal as increased fuel prices. The fuel cabal makes additional profits by selling at actual pump prices that are higher than the official FGN price. The key question facing the nation today is- who will pay for the corruption subsidy? Details

 

Indeed, We Are All Biafrans. By Godwin Onyeacholem

Yet for a country like Nigeria that is steeped in diversity in language, culture, religion and all known markers of identification, federalism is the best possible instrument for managing inter-group conflict and threats of disintegration along ethnic, religious and geo-political lines. But rather than blur the multiple fault lines, Nigeria’s “bizarre” federalism has so far served to widen the cracks in addition to failing to enhance democracy and economic development. Details

 

The Problem With David Cameron's Problem With Nigeria. By Eseoghene Al-Faruq Ohwojeheri

So when Mr. Cameron says Nigeria is perhaps the most corrupt country in the world, what source was he quoting or basing his statement on? Amnesty International just recently removed Nigeria from the top ten corrupt countries in the world, Britain is significantly missing in the list of the least corrupt in the world after over 300 years of existence, and Mr. Cameron is mocking a 56 years old country making effort. Details

 

Nigerian Workers And A Surge Of Discontent. By Rahaman Onike

The endurance levels which Nigerian workers had displayed in the recent past, is without exaggeration, an  act of patriotism and it is indeed a great sacrifice. As at May 1, 2016, some states have not paid November 2015 salary of workers on the excuse of current economic meltdown. whatever might be the excuse for the delay in payment of salary of workers, it is a sign of insensitivity of some of the state governors. Details

 

Resuscitating Idle Katsina Airport. By Muktar Maimaje

My idea is simply that Government should liaise with relevant stakeholders to produce high quality agricultural products that can be air freighted and sold in other areas for economic gains. Katsina State government should liaise with the Federal Ministries in charge of Aviation, Trade and Agriculture, Nigeria and Northern Governors Forums, NNDC, SON, NABDA, NAFDAC, NACCIMA, Cooperative societies and the Presidency and other relevant stakeholders to give life to this idea. Since Katsina is scheduled to host the President during the upcoming Economic Summit the opportunity is now. Details

 

 

The Change We Need in Education. By Dr. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

One of the first and greatest harm done to our educational system was the scrapping of Grade II Teachers colleges. In the old good system of those days, pupils at the end of their primary schools were taken to different schools based on their potentials as assessed and decided by panels of seasoned teachers. It was at this level that future primary school teachers were picked and sent to Teachers colleges. The NCE of nowadays is not as good as the Grade II certificate of those days. Details

 

The Nigerian Youth: Building Community…Becoming Productive. By Otive Igbuzor, Ph.D.

However, there is no doubt that the elders have failed to put in place effective development programmes for the youth. It remains to be seen whether the youth will fail themselves and refuse to develop themselves and become agents of change. It was Frantz Fanon who said “every generation must out of relative obscurity must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it.” Details

 

Devaluation: Good For Nigeria & Ghana But Not China & Japan. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Generally, structural Adjustment Program, SAP allowed most developing countries to qualify for WB and IMF loans. But before that a setup; countries have to devalue their currencies to the dollar, do away with import and export restrictions. At the same time privatize governments’ holdings, balance their budgets and remove price controls and state subsidies. Ghana sold its Gold-Mine as the classic economic lesson of privatization. No country in the world does all that! Details

 

Begging as a Failure of Leadership. By Dr. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

Recently, His eminence the Sultan of Sokoto was quoted saying that almajirci has nothing to do with Islam and that it is people who are too poor to send their children to school that resort to sending them for begging.... The notion given by the traditional ruler that almajirci and begging are the same is the kind misconception that has impeded the solution to the problem of child begging in Northern Nigeria.  Details

 

Buhari and the Reformed Izala. By Dr. Abdussamad Umar Jibia

One of the people that Izala had to reconcile with is the former Head of state later turned politician General Muhammad Buhari who for a long time Izala group considered as an adversary. During his reign as a military ruler, General Muhammadu Buhari took several decisions that did not go down well with Izala. A case in point is the retirement of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi, the main patron of Izala, from his position as the consulting Grand Khadi of Northern Nigeria... But the relationship between Buhari and Izala has since changed for the better. For example, throughout his four attempts at the presidency, Izala did not only indicate her support for Buhari, it openly campaigned for him at no cost. President Buhari must have realized how strategic the Izala group is in the Nigeria’s political equation of today.Details

 

Rich Parents Procure Dollars Sent By Children Of The Poor. By Farouk Martins Aresa

The rich parents and their siblings go to banks and Bureau De Change to exchange huge local currencies for dollars, euro, or pounds. By conservative estimates, working foreign students and others send billions of dollars home through formal and informal exchange channels. The cash   may the sole income many families spend to boast the local economies of African countries. Details

 

Economic Blackmail By Foreigners And Their Protégées. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Most of these foreign companies have been in Africa for ages and they sell many finished products made in Nigeria outside without reporting profits in dollars or paying taxes on these. Foreign companies claim they need all the foreign currencies they could get for raw materials imported. Even when we know that most of their raw materials are available locally. You may wonder what raw materials are needed for sugar and water companies like Coca-Cola. Details

 

Welcoming The Media Imagination in Nigerian Foreign Policy. By Chido Onumah

The recent visit of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to Nigeria presented an opportunity to rehash the view that Nigeria has not been given its due recognition in Africa. Of course, as expected, Mr. Zuma in his speech to the joint session of Nigeria’s National Assembly did touch on Nigeria’s role in the fight against Apartheid and its historical role in Africa. According to Mr. Zuma, “The people of Nigeria provided unwavering support and solidarity to the people of South Africa to unseat the last bastion of colonialism in Africa and enable us to attain our freedom.” Details

 

Nigerians’ acclaimed Godliness and  Nigeria’s Development Deficit. By M. T. Usman

As one exasperated colleague bloated out recently in response to an unannounced blocking of a busy street ostensibly to protect a group of ‘religious worshippers’, “we should be ashamed of the obvious mismatch between our proclaimed Godliness and the pervasive levels of backwardness”. How plausible is it for a people to be both ‘Godly’ and downtrodden, to be both ‘Godly’ and wicked, or to be both ‘Godly’ and selfish plunderers of their commonwealth? Is it that being religious or Godly has nothing to do with being equitable and just? Details