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Democratic Stability And Military Background. By Michael Nwosu
In a recent newspaper interview, a prominent businessman, Mr. Sunny Okogwu, argued that General Babangida’s best credentials for contesting the presidency in 2007 is his military background. In his logic, men with military backgrounds have greater capacity to guarantee the viability of our democracy and the country’s political stability. According to Mr. Okogwu, President Obasanjo has managed to sustain our democracy this far, largely because of his military background. In other words, as Okogwu’s kinky theory goes, our democracy would have long collapsed were it headed by a civilian president! But how watertight is this curious logic? Details
As Trust Paper fires Dr Magashi. By Janet Bala
We all know that, Trust Paper is very good in sacking and firing the very people that help the paper to achieve credibility and wide readership. The only problem is that, when ever the paper fires, there would not be any worthwhile replacement. Take for example, Dr Aliyu Tilde who had shared his ordeal with the paper in the Maiden Edition of Leadership (Preview) through a detail interview titled ‘Where Is Tilde. Till today, Weekly Trust has not gotten any replacement Details
The Many Sins of a Transgressor. By Paul Mamza
It seems majority of Nigerians have gone through the school of mischief and had in the process learnt and imbibed good lessons of sortie which hampers any positive change along the path of reformation. When issues are discussed as intellectual discourse to rescue the nation from the clutches of injustice, despair and irrationality, the citizenry often look at the trivialities rather than the core-message(s). Details
First of all, it is probably not fiscally possible or sensible for Nigeria to repudiate her debts to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, or even the African Development Bank because Nigeria is either a member nation in good standing or has substantial foreign exchange deposits, reserves, or special drawing rights in all or some of these international financial institutions. Details
In Saudi: A Non Partisan Testimony On Hajj 2005. By Abdurrahman Dako Kwaru
Pilgrims should NOTE that spending money any how in Saudi will only warranted pilgrims to the level of begging. They should please avoid such act, and stop complaining in the media that they were seriously suffering, with out means of sustaining themselves. Details
The Collapse of Daily Trust’s Health Interactive Column: Our Triumph. By Adalat Yusuf
I became alarm, because, here was someone who was always there. With respect to consistency, I can only equate Health Interactive with Haruna’s Wednesday Column. The reason why I was alarmed, was because I made it my duty to keep a constant tab on that column. When the third subsequent Tuesday, the column was not published, my number six sense told that, there must be something fishy and I was bend on finding out. Details
Africans At Home and Abroad. By Mr. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
For most Africans, life in America is tough; it inflicts both physical and mental pain. It can be disorienting. It weighs on the soul and saps ones energies. Life in America is not as is being portrayed to those Africans who dream of crossing the oceans to this part of the world. It is neither a painting nor a picture; but more like a series of never-ending nightmares or prolonged dream-paralysis. Details
Of Emirs And Obasanjo. By Babayola Toungo
My concern here today is the conspiracy of silence from our traditional/ religious leaders on the deliberate skewed representation as inaugurated by Obasanjo. Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI), Supreme Council for Shari’a and other such Islamic organisations have made the usual noises and it stopped there. But those that matter, those that pretend to be the custodians of Islam has decided to keep mute over an issue that may ultimately change the politics of this country as it affects the Muslim Ummah. Details
This essay is a general rejoinder to all commentaries, by Igbos and non-Igbos, which share this recurring tendency of blaming Igbos, their missteps, and their famous “disunity” as the greatest obstacles to the current quest for “Igbo Presidency” of Nigeria. Details
Balarabe Musa to be Taken to England – Our leaders Will Never Learn. By Obadiah Oghoerore Alegbe
Many Nigerian doctors that could treat successfully these big shot are wasting away in the Diaspora for lack of funds to relocate home. Some who have relocated are not patronized because our big shots want white doctors, white nurses in a white man’s hospital. We shall see the hand of God, we shall know that there is God Almighty in the Universe. Details
A Critic [al] Self-Evaluation. By Ndubueze Godson III
On El-Sanusi’s Defense: Silence Would Have Been The Best Answer To Jazuli A. Lawal. By Bala Sidi-Ali
Are we as Muslims expected to be more Christian than the Christians themselves, i.e. “turn the other cheek?” I think it will do people like Jazuli Lawal a world of good to read the balanced article of Brother Mohammed Haruna on “Muslims and the National conference: the case of blaming the victim”, I am sure he will learn a thing or two. Details
The recent arrest of Nigeria’s “Honourable” (in Nigeria everyone is honourable) Minister of Education provides an empirical evidence of how corruption has engulfed budget implementation in Nigeria. A question that beg for answer is, why did the NASS committee enter into a deal with the Minister of Education for the sum of N50 million to be paid so that his ministry’s budgetary allocation will be raised? Details
Open Letter To The National Confabists. By Max Gbanite
Should any amongst you continue to insist that his or her religion is and should be above the reform objectives, kindly ask them to show proof that theirs is the only religion accepted in heaven and, in the absence of that proof, religious issues must not be the basis for crisis; being humans and Nigerians at best under democracy should be considered paramount. Details
Corruption: As A Reason and an Excuse. By Paul I. Adujie
It seem to me that too many Nigerians these days, are unwilling to contemplate Nigeria’s bounteous and profound possibilities, as they are unwilling to portray Nigeria in best lights, so that everything Nigerian in frequently given a downward definition Details
The Fall of the African Sweet Mother. By Obadiah Oghoerore Alegbe
I read with
sadness and stupor the news of child trafficking in our homeland.
First it was a so called Pastor, a woman that calls in pregnant women to
sell the children. This is the extent to which
Nation Building: National Reform Conference is Not Enough. By Victor E. Dike
The President does not need to spend billions of Naira on a conference to understand that the epileptic NEPA, bad roads and bridges (the Niger Bridge for instance) and perennial scarcity of petroleum products are detrimental to the nation’s economy. Details
A Rejoinder To Abdu Isa Kofar Mata – Sunusi Lamido Sunusi, You Got It All Wrong! By Jazuli A. Lawal
In my own opinion how do you expect a man to accept and practice religion when the rulers and the preachers are stacking billion of Nairas in their respective bank accounts without fear of God? Indeed, you might have misunderstood the position of Lamido Sunusi about those Northern elite who to them religion is a business investment for profit making. Details
Sanusi Lamido’s “In Defense of Reverend Mathew Kukah”. By Nasiru Yauri
Given the political arrangement obtainable in Nigeria, that the decision of Obasanjo to appoint two Christians to head the national conference is ill-conceived, is a fact irrefutable. If it was done the other way round, I would still have said it was ill-conceived. Many countries in the world, including the US, give some consideration to diversities in their political appointments. The appointment of Condi Rice (An African American) as the US Secretary of State and Alberto Gonzalez (A Hispanic American) as Attorney General of the United States are clear examples. Details
No wonder Olusegun Obasanjo got angry when he was told the truth by members of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs. To be specific it is mischievous to appoint a biased cleric to be the Secretary of a National Dialogue, when everyone knows that clerics in religious organisations have being colluding with corrupt politicians to organise genocides in the country for their selfish interests. Details
It is a shame that with the advantages of derivation and NDDC funds, oil-producing states cannot boast of better development than the non-oil producing states. Most small communities, for instance in the North have light, better roads and water as against the oil rich communities in the Niger Delta. Details
Unemployment Among Medical Doctors. By Dr. Shehi Ali Abubakar
It used to be unthinkable to see a Medical Doctor unemployed or has failed to get a job within a few days after graduation. Infact what delays a Doctor's employment is the mandatory swearing in ceremony by the Medical and Dental Council before he takes on any employment. Details
Must Baroness Linda Chalker Also Insult Us? By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye
No doubt, Baroness Chalker, has since ceased to be of any real use to her country, and has probably been politely dumped in the camp of yesterday people, but you can trust my country, the Giant of Africa, to find her attractive for a very lucrative appointment. I am told that President Olusegun Obasanjo has appointed her the Chairperson of Nigeria’s International Investment Advisory Council. Details
The Case Of Agriculture As The Only Saviour To Nigeria’s Deing Economy. By Chigbu, Uchendu Eugene
Agriculture, as the “engine house” of world economies needs to be overhauled and serviced in order that the tears of the Nigerian masses may dry up. This can only be possible when the government starts investing substantial capital into the sector. Details
On The Abuja Circus Show And The Rest. By Seyi Oduyela
Another funny issue is the apology of the military officers and the noise over banning military men from running an election. It is absolute nonsense. What is the need to cry when the head is already off? Why do these people think that they can insult our sensibility by begging us why killing us? The issue is not whether military men should run or not. Babangida banned Yar’Adua and others categorized as old politicians, Details
Things That Make Me Think…Hmmn- Bad Followership- (II). By Chigbu, Uchendu Eugen
In Nigeria the word ‘politics’ got twisted from its normal meaning several years ago. It is now more of semantics of deception than a word associated with the guidance and guard of a State and its people, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Details
How The Egbas Gave The Alake A Befitting Passage By. By Tayo Agunbiade
That Egbaland stood still to give its recently departed monarch, Oba Oyebade Lipede a befitting burial didn’t come as a surprise. During his life time Oba Lipede reigned over his people perceptively and was an embodiment of the peace and prosperity that permeated the land. Details
Ogun And Its Civil Servants. By Tayo Agunbiade
These days a breath of fresh air pervades the newly-painted corridors of the civil service offices in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The State Government was fully aware that if any meaningful improvement in the quality of public service delivery was to be achieved, a restructuring exercise will have to be effected. Details
Sunusi Lamido Sunusi, You Got It All Wrong. By Abd Isa Kofarmata
Sir, you still cannot see anything wrong in the appointment of all christens to head our security outfit. Army, Navy, Air force, Custom, Immigration, NIA, SSS, Prison service etc. But on the contrary you have ample time and energy to defend the appointment of Kukah...how can somebody like him from the tribe that are not more than 6,000 in population be selected against Hausas that are more than 20,000,000 in that zone. Details
A big uproar is about to burst into the open at the Nigerian Consulate in New York unless something is immediately done about it. Female consuls or the diplomats, those officials at the Consulate who are sent from Nigeria, are howling about the disrespect they receive from the Acting Consul-General, Mr. Victor Bosah. Details
Hausa-Fulani Myth and Nigerian Politics. By Paul I. Adujie
Other Nigerians must now concede that the worst-run state governments, the most fractious state governments, the most crises ridden state governments where near-anarchy and near-lawlessness persists, have been outside the states and subdivisions of Nigeria managed or governed by Hausas and Fulanis, this, therefore gives a big lie to the age-old or perennial fallacies of blaming Hausa-Fulani or any particular group in the wondrous diversities of Nigeria ethnicities for the challenges that Nigeria have faced in the past. Details
Letter To The Nigerian Graduate. By Francis Kizito Obeya
In a decade or two, God would have called to judgment the architects behind the destruction of this great country and would you then be ready to take part in His great rehabilitation plans for Nigeria? The answer lies in you, brother, search within yourself. Details
Why I am Against the Importation of Farmers to Nigeria. By Engr. Obadiah Oghoerore Alegbe
I stand by my position that the governor of Kwara State was wrong to import foreign farmers to Nigeria, and I also condemn those Nigerian politicians who out of absolute ignorance or innocence declared that the black man is unable to go into mechanized farming. Details
Education is not how many distinctions, credits ‘one’ must pass from the West Africa Examinations Council or other forms before admissions is finalize and ethical calculations, 95 percent of secondary school athletes who turn as professional non-student athletes have very good grades from form 1---5 (or 6). Details
Nigeria: A Nation Without Heroes? By Mr. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
Nigeria, it seems to me, is the only country that does not revere the extraordinary men and women who lived their lives in the service of the country. In contemporary times at least, Nigerians behave as though no man or woman ever gave his or her life or sacrificed their freedom and liberty so future generations can have a better life. Details
The Dubious Seeks Absolution. By Peter Opara
Is Biafra no longer a “blunder”, a “pet project” for an individual that is “fit for dust bin of history”? Is Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s feat at Aburi no more “mere Igbo chest beating”? Details
National Constitutional Reform Conference. Memorandum Submitted by Kano State Delegation Forwarded By Dasuki Ado-Kurawa With all due respect, we wish to observe that the basis of representation used is undemocratic, inequitable, unbalanced and runs foul of all established and conventional modes of constituting a body so important and invested with authority so broad and unchecked to shape Nigerian polity, economy, the society and its constitutional form of governance. It is unjustifiable, for instance, to give one state, which, under the 1999 constitution, has 10 members at the House of Representatives, equal number of delegates with another which has 24 members. Details
Hats off for Maryam Babangida. By Okechukwu E. Asia
At about 5 pm Maryam walked in with Madam Ibrahim Gambari, the beautiful wife of the former U.N. Ambassador by her side. At first I did not believe who she is. She looks younger than I expected and very beautiful. She has a teenage body. You really have to look closer to notice that she is a woman, a mother and a grandmother. She was offered a very fluffy and smooth leather chair, she rejected it and opted for a dinning room chair. Amazing! Details
"HAIL TO THE CHIEF" George Walker Bush is Proving to be One Tough Cookie of a President. By Dr. Wunmi Akintide
I now believe he truly has what it takes to be President, and I am dropping myself from the list of critics who thought he was a light weight That was sheer blackmail This President has truly earned his wings to fly with some proud legacy into the presidential Hall of Fame in America when all is said and done. Details
It is sad to observe that in a country that is one of the world’s major oil exporters, it is difficult if not impossible to distinguish between health-care workers and health-care seekers in her poorly-equipped hospitals. Nigerian medical doctors and nurses, with the exception of few, are as drained, worried and emaciated as the patient they see. Details
Child Traffickers, Parents Should Go To Prison, Or Hell! By Nasiru Musa Yauri
I refuse to concede that poverty explains the actions or inactions of these parents. Sending your own child into slavery, sexual exploitation and prostitution goes beyond poverty; it portrays an unquantifiable amount of greed and heartlessness. Details
Issues That Make Me Think. Hmmn! Bad Followership- (I). By Chigbu, Uchendu Eugene
This writer has always maintained the ideology that the problem holding Nigeria back today is more inclined towards bad-followership than to the open bad-leadership, which has maintained regular consistencies in the history of this Nation. Details
Political Reforms Conference: Discourse On Civil Society Engagement. By John Moru
My vision for civil society in Nigeria is such that we move from the position of debates, knowledge arrogance, posturing and grandstanding, to the position of concrete actions and steps on how to move the country forward. It is in the light of this I see the conference called by PRONACO, WONACO or other groups as useful steps. Details
The Stakeholders Meeting: Between Abu And NUC. By Iro Bala Dansarki
As is well known the issue of funding is central to the Universities and to the decree establishing the NUC. It becomes obvious therefore that if the NUC cannot serve the Universities in this respect then the Commission has outlived its usefulness. By collecting recurrent funds on behalf of the Universities and locking the money up in a hitherto unknown bank, the Commission has unwittingly become part of the funding problem. Details
National Dialogue: Let's Face the Reality. By Jamilu M. A. Kudan
How do you convene a National Dialogue to discuss and seek solution to Nigeria's problems and exclude from participation the various ethnic nationalities some of which even agitate for secession. Chief Ralph Uwazuruike is agitating for independent Biafran Republic under his Movement For the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and he must not be taken for granted. Details
The Problem with African Men and African Women. By Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
It may sound nasty, archaic, regressive and even hideous. In fact it is! But collectively, men expect women to cook and clean, to raise babies and to provide sex on demand; and if the woman at home won’t “obey before complain,” the men will make a home elsewhere. Details
Nigeria: Data Retention: A Cautionary Exploration. By Femi Oyesanya
The Nigerian Cybercrime Working Group (NCWG) has not been able to provide meaningful or substantive justifications for proposing its Data Retention policy. So far, the only argument put forth by the NCWG, is that; there is a Law-Enforcement prerequisite for digital evidence. The NCWG typically argues that Cybercrime is a Nigerian problem, and that Nigeria does not have digital evidence laws, and something has to be done. Details
Nigerian Arrested! Espionage- Spying! By Paul I. Adujie The American federal government is said to have been earnestly sought and still seeking a thorough investigation of this Nigerian, as he is said to be very intelligent and adroit in his dealings with the American Intelligence Community personnel that have interacted with him. The Nigerian is said to be unwilling to reveal the contents of his treasure trove of scientific and high technology processes. He is said to have ignored threats to his life, threat of life imprisonment for industrial scientific espionage against the United States. Details
Conference Material. By Eric Ula-Lisa (GAMJI) Everyone, including the villains, has at diverse times and places agreed that the Nigerian Political space is in such a disgraceful state that proper growth of the State is not possible until the mediocrity in leadership is identified and excised like a cancerous growth: Details
There Still Is Hope For Anambra State. By Dozie Ikem Ezeife, Esq. (GAMJI) For months now, Anambra State and her weary citizens have been the butts of crude jokes in Nigeria and in diaspora. And for good reasons, I might add. I am from Anambra State and proudly so. I have, however been increasingly disillusioned by what is happening to our dear state and her citizens. We have blamed Olusegun Obasanjo, the PDP and Chris Uba for our woes. Again, for good reasons. Details
Obj: Beware Of Phoney Friends. By Charles Azubuike (GAMJI) If our President ever had any true friend when it matters most, it must be God Almighty himself, who had delivered Obasanjo from imminent brutal death in the slammer. Divine intervention had transformed our President from the sorry status of prisoner to a President. The death of Gen. Abacha in June 1998 marked the beginning of President Obasanjo’s journey from imprisonment to Presidency. No Nigerian leader in living memory had such luck. Details
Ja’iza Bank And Re-Capitalization Hurdles. By Isa Muhammad Inuwa (GAMJI) While the Central Bank governor, Professor Charles Soludo might have passed the rule of recapitalization in good faith in order to mobilize capital consolidation in the banking sector and thereby boost investment in the sector to further ginger up the general economy, yet the move has caused general panic and different interpretations as to the entire motive behind it. Details
Between the 2nd and the 4th. By Mahmud Jega (GAMJI) If Shagari and Obasanjo were some different kettles of political fish, Vice Presidents Alex Ekwueme and Atiku Abubakar are even more so. Neither man loves glamour, but the similarity ends right there. If Ekwueme had ambitions to succeed Shagari in 1979-83, he kept them well hidden in his chest, but Alhaji Atiku’s ambition to succeed Obasanjo is transparent as glass. Details
The Ramparts We Should Guard and Guide. By Professor Omo Omoruyi (GAMJI) A National Conference is a phenomenon that grew out of the French political culture. It was copied in the Francophone countries in Africa after the Fall of the Berlin Wall first in the Republic of Benin and later in 7 other Francophone African territories. (See the attached). It was used to address a crisis in the political order and used to fundamentally resolve it. Details
Understanding Nigeria’s Debt Situation. By Toochi Uchendu (GAMJI) Debt cancellation or forgiveness is pure politics and does not have any place in economics or finance. It is anti-competition as it is anti-capitalism two tenets that the West professes. There are other ways that could encourage flow of investment in key areas through the more credible and transparent private sector mechanism. Details
Death In Nigeria Political Stage: The Incorruptible Mediator. By Eugene Uzum (GAMJI) Today, the importance of death in Nigerian political arena cannot be overemphasized. I want to put on record that death, as a politician is the most patriotic element in Nigerian polity. It recognizes the fact that there is need for a change, that octogenarians should vacate political offices for young vibrant patriotic Nigerians. Details
Vocational Education: Missing link in Nigeria’s Development Policy. By Victor E. Dike (GAMJI) As mentioned earlier, graduates of vocational and technical institutions are highly skilled entrepreneurs. Many of the so-called “expatriate engineers” who are being paid huge sum of money in dollars to build the roads and bridges in Nigeria are graduates of vocational colleges, yet, Nigeria is not taking this sector seriously. Details
Shekara’u: Good Intentions Are’nt Enough. By Naseer Kura (GAMJI) I was no doubt convinced as at May 29, 2003 our governor would bring about a revolution in the educational sector going by his antecedent, as a teacher, administrator and above all an advocate of justice, fairness and moral uprightness one then dreamt of a re-launch into the good old days of Audu Bako and Alhaji Rimi era and that education will take it rightful place with the emergence of Malam as governor in Kano. Alas to the surprise of most people, the governor neither summons those he was pontificating with at Kano Forum to deliberate on the way forward in the educational sector Details
The Bridge Across the Niger. By Prof Samuel Okoye (GAMJI) The lgbos have no problems in bringing Nigeria into the Guinness book of records, not as it is today as one of the poorest countries on earth even with their crude oil; but as one of the rich countries in the world. My instincts is towards change rather than continuity. Details
Those Comments
On
(GAMJI) This is to commend Mrs. Chalker, the Baroness who visited Nigeria recently and used the occasion to chastise some Nigerians, among those chastised Nigerians are some of us in the Diaspora, who as private citizens, journalists and or public commentators, create the impression that nothing good could ever possibly transpire in Nigeria or from Nigeria Details
An Open Letter to Baroness Lynda Chalker. By Uche Nworah (GAMJI) You probably may be wondering why I am writing you this letter; well it is just to register my displeasure with a statement which was credited to you during your recent visit to Nigeria, in the statement made at the Nigeria Investment forum in February 2005, you were reported to have berated Nigerians for always picking on their government, Details
Redeeming The
Battered Image Of
(GAMJI)
The present posture of Sharia in some
states in
Reach and Puzzle of Nagarta Radio. By Mahmud Jega (GAMJI)
Nagarta Radio’s Digital 60 kilowatt
transmitter is the first of its kind to be installed in
The
(GAMJI) There comes a time in the life of many a great nation when it reaches the cross-road, when it has to look in the mirror and face the unvarnished truth, when it faces fundamental and most critical decision about its future. I believe the Federal Republic of Nigeria has reached that road. Details
Census 2005: What Makes Nigerians Wary. By Hassan S. Indabawa (GAMJI) It should however be noted that no one is implying that Obasanjo administration cannot conduct a successful headcount. Far from it. What is obvious from obasanjo’s antecedent is that his administration, whose legality is being challenged before the courts of law, cannot conduct a credible and acceptable population census. Details
Politics Of Power Shift (Delta Central, Resource Control, 2007 And Beyond). By Eugene Azuka Uzum Esq. Today, Delta State is the highest oil producing state in Nigeria, therefore, Deltalites should probe into how fund are allocated, WHEN, HOW AND WHY the funds are allocated. The problem of Niger Delta is lack of focused leadership both at the State and National level. Details
Between Ubanese Nwanganga and Peter Opara, Let Ndiigbo Judge. By Ubanese Nwanganga (GAMJI)
In my wildest
imaginations, I am yet to discovered what any Igbo man stood to gain
from the collapse of
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