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NIGERIANNEWS GUEST COLUMNS

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July 2010

The Politics of Zoning Vs The Politics of Compensation
by George Kerley
July 16, 2010
 Was political power zoned to the South-West in 1999 or was the South-West compensated for the death of MKO Abiola who had won the presidential elections of 1993? NigerianNews Guest Column

THE DAMNING VERDICT.
by Uyi Edogamhe
July 13, 2010
 Nigeria’s big time fiasco and the very early ouster from the just concluded world cup, is one big damning verdict, that demands serious, passionate analysis. The aftermath of this big  mess is still playing out, in the soul searching, and blame game that is now going on: and don’t forget of course, the presidential flip flop on the banning. NigerianNews Guest Column

The Political Zoning Debate.
by Uyi Edogamhe
July 05, 2010
 Senator John  Shagaya’s granted interview as published in “This Day of 06/27/2010”, is very telling and revealing at the same time. The American historical context on which his analogy is premised, is faulty. The Senator it is glaring, has a warped, jaundiced and embarrassingly flawed understanding of American political history, as posited in the interview. NigerianNews Guest Column

June 2010

This is Our Moment
by Dr. David Ogula
June 16, 2010
 Nigerians have yearned, hoped and prayed for a better Nigeria. However, in this quest for a better Nigeria, there have been a few missed opportunities. Murutala Mohammed, Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon’s administrations, the second and “third” coming of Olusegun Obasanjo offered opportunities for a change in direction. If you are wondering about the reference to Obasanjo’s third coming, his influence is viewed by this author as a continuum, not merely for the maneuvers behind the scene that led to the current turn of events politically, but much more significantly, for it’s implications for political transformation. NigerianNews Guest Column

April 2010

The Evil Candidate: General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida
by Naiwu Osahon
April 15, 2010
 (Apart from Obasanjo, Babangida is the greatest evil ever to befall any country in the world)-All that Babangida, (nicknamed IBB), has to show for his over eight years in power in Nigeria, is private colossal wealth, and the edification of corruption in our body politics. Yes, he is richer than many African governments and can buy who ever he wants, but he ruined our lives to reach there.   The book, The Sink, by Jeffrey Robinson, an American writer, says it all about Babangida. “Of the $120 billion siphoned out of the Nigerian treasury into offshore accounts by dishonest politicians, $20 billion is allegedly traceable to IBB directly as president from 1985 to 1993.”  The World Bank and other international sources of information put his total loot from the Nigerian treasury at over $35 billion. NigerianNews Guest Column

March 2010

Yar’Adua’s case – lessons for the nation
by Sesan Bello
March 17, 2010
 The dust raised by the state of the nation recently is now settled. As usual, it has come and gone and no one seemed to see beyond all that happened; the political elites want to subdue our constitution for their selfish end again, let alone think about what lessons there are for us to learn. NigerianNews Guest Column

February 2010

Jos Crises: An Old Problem taking a New Dimension
by Dr. Yushau Balarabe
February 08, 2010
 Any sensible person that has anything to do with Nigeria must have been disturbed with high level of animalistic barbarism, and display of total hatred among the people that were hitherto living peacefully for hundreds of years. In particular, for those of us from Jos, and Plateau state in general, it has been a depressing, frustrating and confusing time. NigerianNews Guest Column

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November  2009

The Bond Between Tinubu & Fashola
by Suage Badey
November 24, 2009
 Contrary to the rumours that were circulating in the newspapers after Barr Babatunde Fashola won the Lagos State 2007 gubernatorial elections (under the Action Congress (AC) platform) that his predecessor Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu would be a thorn in his flesh, dictating and calling the shots irrespective of the incumbent’s feelings and ideas, events have proven them wrong as Asiwaju who saw in Fashola the qualities of good leadership has remained on the sidelines watching with delightful satisfaction that he didn’t go wrong afterall. NigerianNews Guest Column

October  2009

NIGERIA MUST NOT SINK
by Adewale T. Akande
October 19, 2009
 On April 1st,1953,Chief Anthony Enahoro, a back bencher in the Central House of Representatives as it was called then introduced a private member's Bill demanding for self-government for Nigeria by 1956. His historic motion was developed and later realised on 1st of October,1960 with collected efforts and cooperation of our early nationalists and founding fathers of Nigeria which include Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. M.I. Okpara, all of the late memories. These are leaders with the values of patriotism, with uncompromising emphasis on integrity of character. NigerianNews Guest Column

NIGERIA AT 49: LEADERSHIP AS AN EPIDEMIC
by Adewale T. Akande
October 14, 2009
 Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) was the President of the United States of America from 1953 until 1961 once defined leadership as, " The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it” This simply explain that a leader is someone you put in your trust to get things done successfully.NigerianNews Guest Column

 

September  2009

GANI FOUGHT FOR NOBLE CAUSES, MADE ME A LAWYER – A TRIBUTE
by Nurudeen Ogbara.
September 14, 2009
 Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), a rare social reformer, unusual fore-sighted social scientist, the undisputed Leader of the Nigerian civil society, the human rights community and indeed the pro-democracy group in Nigeria has transformed on Saturday the 5th day of September  2009 into immortality after attaining the enviable age of seventy one (71) years after countless and ceaseless persecution, deprivations and denials, mostly by an irresponsible State and a virulent, if not myopic and inept ruling class.  NigerianNews Guest Column

 

August,  2009

Just A Thought About Praying for Nigerian Leadership and the Need for Repentance
by Prof. Ayodele o Mobolurin.
August 18, 2009
 Niger Delta / Sectarian Strife: Nigerian Leadership Needs Prayers Not Blames - Jonathan   was a headline in one of the Nigerian Dailies that got me thinking. I also read the following quote attributed to the Vice President.  NigerianNews Guest Column

May,  2009

EKITI: NOT A LAUGHING MATTER
by Dr. Wole Ameyan, Jr.
May 21, 2009
 The above statement, ‘NOT A LAUGHING MATTER’, is a typically Nigerian one, albeit with evident grammatical blotches. The average Nigerian is warm, friendly and loves a good laugh. He can go out of his way to render the sort of help that leaves the beneficiary speechless, charmed and enchanted. NigerianNews Guest Column

 

February,  2009

Epidemic Corruption in our Educational Systems and the Future of Nigeria (IV)
by Dr. Yushau Balarabe
February 06, 2009
 I have narrated in the last three articles some corrupt practices in our educational system. With these practices so rampant, it is noted that our educational system is now playing a negative role. Rather than training our children to become good citizen of this country, the training is now towards inculcating bad behaviors to them. The main message I am trying to pass on to all is that these bad behaviors that our students are learning in our schools will certainly have a very serious ramification to their behavior after school. NigerianNews Guest Column

Epidemic Corruption in our Educational Systems and the Future of Nigeria (III)
by Dr. Yushau Balarabe
February 05, 2009
 In the last two articles on this issue, I have narrated the rampant examination malpractices at the WAEC/NECO and JAMB. I noted that having the minimum requirement is no longer a guarantee that you are going to be admitted into our universities. Also, not having the minimum requirement does not mean you will not be admitted – if you know your way. NigerianNews Guest Column

Epidemic Corruption in our Educational Systems and the Future of Nigeria (II)
by Dr. Yushau Balarabe
February 04, 2009
 In the last article I narrated how rampant is exam malpractices in our secondary schools to the extent that each and every student I met have some personal experience to share on the subject. With all these happenings, one will ask where are the teachers, school principals, exams supervisors and the parents of the students. Interestingly, my preliminary findings indicated that they are all culpable. The principals are the ones organizing PR (public relation) for the supervisors so that they will see but pretend as if they did not. NigerianNews Guest Column

Epidemic Corruption in our Educational Systems and the Future of Nigeria (I)
by Dr. Yushau Balarabe
February 03, 2009
 When people talk about corruption, usually they refer to public fund siphoned or misappropriated by civil servant, contractor, politician etc. Hardly do they think of the type of corruption that destroys the minds of our children and siphons the moral values of our society. I am talking about the monumental corruption that is taking place in our educational system. This type of corruption is more dangerous and more serious threat to the future of Nigeria. NigerianNews Guest Column

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December,  2008

Kaduna State Governor offers no apology for adviser's inciting remarks
by Dauda Sulaiman
December 31, 2008
 The governor of Kaduna state Namadi Sambo has been silent and unapologetic to his state constituents in the south about the remarks made by his political adviser Hussaini Jallo on the December 9th issue of This Day paper. Jallo was quoted as saying "there is no vacancy in Kaduna State Government House come 2011 for a Southern Kaduna candidate" adding "even their ancestors know that they cannot ascend that post" NigerianNews Guest Column

ON THE PUBLISHED NATIONAL HONOUR OF OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (OFR) ON ME: MY REACTION
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
December 16, 2008
"I find it extremely difficult to accept that President Yar’ Adua’s government has the honour to dispense honour."
 .... In view of the foregoing, I reject the award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). NigerianNews Guest Column

It’s high time we plunged Mugabe out
 NigerianNews Guest Column


 

November,  2008

THE PHYSICAL REMOVAL OF NUHU RIBADU FROM THE GRADUATION CEREMONY AT NIPSS, KURU
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
November 23, 2008
 The event that took place at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru near Jos on Saturday, 22nd November, 2008 is most disheartening, absolute bizarre and unprecedentedly barbaric. NigerianNews Guest Column

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CAR SCANDAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
November 18, 2008
Festus Keyamo’s allegations against the House of Representatives of the National Assembly regarding the purchase of cars from Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited (PAN) are very serious and they demand very quick investigation by all security agencies in the country including the Police, State Security Service, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), etc, etc. NigerianNews Guest Column

Oshiomole: Able governor.
by Sesan Bello
November 15, 2008
 Once again we have cause to celebrate. Here is another landmark on a nation’s journey to the promise land. Kudos to Oshiomole who persisted, his supporters who voted, and of course, the fearless judge, whose bravery is worth celebrating, who refused to sing from the same hymn sheet from which we’ve been singing in the past, to deliver the landmark judgement that would remain historic in Edo state’s decades of party politicking. This is one giant leap for Nigeria in attaining political maturity. NigerianNews Guest Column

America re-ascertains her Equality creed.
by Sesan Bello
November 07, 2008
 It erupted like a volcano in the morning. Seconds after, it swept across the world. It was the jubilation of a defining moment - an exciting moment. ‘The moment so many have waited so long’ (Bush) – the moment a black man achieved a feat never deemed possible before, in American politics; even in another decade to come. It was when Americans showed the World that they were truly the biggest and the most matured Democracy that knows what Democracy is all about. The day American people united and spoke with their votes and changed a detested way of life forced on them by what bookers described as ‘an unprecedented failure of an imbecilic leadership’ which had ultimately grinded our world to a halt. NigerianNews Guest Column

August,  2008

Total Collapse of Health System: A time bomb waiting to go off.
by Charles Oguntade
August 20, 2008
 Every time I think about the health system in Nigeria and compare it with what operates in other parts of the world, my heart bleeds. Over the years, I have thought over why our situation is so different but I am unable to find any good reason, sometimes you will even want to think may be it’s a kind of a curse or perhaps is just our way of life. Even countries that are less privileged in both human and material resources are able to get it right to some extent. NigerianNews Guest Column

July,  2008

GOV.ROTIMI AMAECHI:IN THE DESERT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
by Chiso Obiandu
July 18, 2008
When I learnt that Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) chaired by the retired revered Justice Kayode Eso, I feigned indifference of the highest order. Though I keenly followed the events as they unfolded at the then Justice Chukwudifu Oputa panel- which bears characteristics akin to this, I also knew that setting up of the Commission was an effort geared towards bringing peace to the long troubled and scary state, I could not put things into perspective and appreciate that no matter what happens- whether the Commission will find the ‘Truth’ and bring the ‘Peace’ or not, a lot will be exposed none the less. NigerianNews Guest Column

June,  2008

What a crab?
by Sesan Bello
What an impractical way to tackle a problem when a problem isn’t identified as a problem? This is a direct response to government’s remarks about the hunger facing us in Nigeria. While the relatively more comfortable and wealthier nations astutely square up with the present global food crisis by officially acknowledging it; adopting strategic plans to mitigate its unpleasant effects on its people, poor and disadvantaged Nigeria is still denying it, with ministers and officials claiming there is no food shortage; that what we have in Nigeria is mere increase in prices.  This is totally ridiculous. NigerianNews Guest Column

Suit: Gani Fawehinmi v. President of Nigeria and Ors.
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
June 10, 2008
A DECLARATION that the appointment of Chief (Mrs) Farida Waziri as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by the 1st defendant, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May, 2008 is illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever as the Office of Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was not vacant in that at the time of the appointment, the incumbent Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has not been removed from office by the 1st defendant, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as he is required so to do by Section 3(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act No. 1 of 2004. NigerianNews Guest Column

Open Letter to the President of the Senate
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
June 01, 2008
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, has referred the name of Chief (Mrs) Farida Waziri to the Senate for confirmation as the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). NigerianNews Guest Column

May,  2008

 MORMON CHURCH KEEPING ITS RACIST PAST SECRET FROM AFRICAN MORMONS
by Darrick T. Evenson
 May 15, 2008
Today there are about 200,000 Mormons in the countries of Ghana and Nigeria. All but perhaps 2,000 of them are natives of those countries. The rest are mostly white missionaries. You can recognize them because they dress in suits, often ride bikes, and white shirts and dark ties with black name-tags saying "Elder" or "Sister" and "The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints". These are Mormon missionaries. I was one myself many years ago. NigerianNews Guest Column

March,  2008

MY DREAMS AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD
by Ogungbade Oyeyemi
 March 31, 2008
A journey of thousand miles will begin with a single step. Life is an empty dream. Dream is something having great beauty or charm. Dream means a vision of fantasy. It means a picture existing only in the mind. A focused man should, will and must definitely have a dream. The dream must not be an ordinary one, but for the future. NigerianNews Guest Column

The 'wasted generation' syndrome
by Sesan Bello
 March 08, 2008
A mere weepy-mushy statement, some will say, but the truth, it is. A very bitter pill to shove down the throat, by those concerned and of course, one that takes only the fearless to swallow. This is how I view Danjuma’s recent proclamation that the generation to which he belongs had failed and ‘should quit the stage for the younger generation.’ NigerianNews Guest Column

Can Good Governance Bestow Legitimacy on Yar’Adua’s Government?
by Onye Nnodim
 March 01, 2008
On Tuesday the 26th of February 2008, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Nigeria ruled in favor of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. It upheld the results of the 2007 presidential election in Nigeria, which brought Yar’Adua to power. The election was widely criticized by the European Union and international observers as fundamentally flawed in various respects. Today, the international observers are gone and the European Union is comfortably silent.  NigerianNews Guest Column

February,  2008

Five Years of No Pensions to Retired Teachers
by Onye Nnodim
 February 22, 2008
 This is not one of my academic scribbles, but rather a lamentation about the state of retired school teachers in Imo state and perhaps, in other parts of Nigeria. It’s a matter that requires immediate attention, what the late Martin Luther King categorized as the “urgency of now”. I will be brief. NigerianNews Guest Column

MEND asks President Bush to Mediate Dispute
by Scott A Morgan
 February 22, 2008
The Current President of the United States is a Lame Duck. This is a term that means He will be taking actions that will shore up his Legacy. Or even take steps that will change how both the World at Large and the Citizens of the United States view how he lead the last 8 years. NigerianNews Guest Column

January,  2008

CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA- THE LEADING ORGANIZATION
by Ochy Orji
 January 10, 2008
The fight for corruption is on the lips of every person in Nigeria – including the corrupt and the honest. Some in fighting the menace are even clamouring that the corrupt governors should be allowed to answer their charges from the comfort of their homes and have adequate time to intermediate and eliminate known witnesses. NigerianNews Guest Column

This bell tolls for all of us
by Patience Akpan-Obong
January 08, 2008
A chief in one of the villages in Abak, Akwa Ibom State, was murdered by hired gunmen on Nov. 28, 2007. His name was Chief Timothy Titus Akpan, aged 63. He was my father. NigerianNews Guest Column

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November,  2007

A Surpise Attack in Cameroon: New Crisis to emerge?
by Scott A Morgan
 November 21, 2007
The news over this past weekend that 21 Members of the Cameroonian Military were killed in an Ambush in the controversial Bakassi region did nothing more but to highlight the ever increasing tensions in the region. Initial Reports indicated that the Nigerian Military may have been involved due to the proximity to the border of the attack. But the Attack was carried out by a group known as the "Liberators of the Southern Cameroon People." NigerianNews Guest Column

THIS ADEDIBU MUST NOT DIE
by Odunayo Kila
 November 11, 2007
Nigeria in the immediate past decades has contended with various Adedibu-manifestations. Thuggish-Adedibu, anarchic-Adedibu, political buffoonery-Adedibu, and such others have been the presentations of the persona. NigerianNews Guest Column

KEBBI Election: Tribunal Went Beyond Its Mandate?
by Sani Onyedikachi Obi
 November 06, 2007
If the title of my piece is perceived as inappropriate or most uncharitable in certain quarters, then I must begin by tendering my most sincere regrets as it is certainly not aimed at casting aspersion on the competencies, integrity or judicial discretion of the learned counsels or distinguished members of the Kebbi State election Tribunal. I must also confess my utter ‘unlearnedness’ in comparison to the eminent jurists who delivered the rather incredible ruling of 20th October, 2007 that annuled the April 2007 Kebbi State Gubernatorial elections. NigerianNews Guest Column

AMAECHI’S CONTROVERSIAL ADOPTION OF MR. TELE IKURU AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
November 01, 2007
Another controversy has been thrown up by the decision of the Supreme Court on Thursday, 25th October, 2007 declaring Rotimi Amaechi as the Governor of Rivers State. NigerianNews Guest Column

October,  2007

WHY I DISAGREE WITH THE ORDER MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT IN AMAECHI V. OMEHIA ON THURSDAY, 25TH OCTOBER, 2007
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
October 29, 2007
The Supreme Court ordered on Thursday, 25th October, 2007 that Rotimi Amaechi should be sworn in as governor of Rivers State after the Court had voided the Governorship election of Celestine Omehia which took place on 14th April, 2007 on the ground that Rotimi Amaechi was wrongly excluded as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party after he had won the primary of that party, and that Celestine Omehia was wrongly substituted by the Peoples Democratic Party as the candidate of that party in the Governorship Election of Rivers State. NigerianNews Guest Column
 

THE MURDER OF DELE GIWA, 21 YEARS AFTER: THE URGENT NEED TO RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
 October 20, 2007
Twenty-one (21) years ago, on Sunday 19th October, 1986, Dele Giwa, a foremost Nigerian journalist was assassinated by a parcel bomb at his residence at No. 25, Talabi Street, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. He was the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of the Newswatch Magazine. Those responsible for his assassination have not been brought to book. They are still in the country with blood on their hands. NigerianNews Guest Column

September,  2007

ACCELERATING A RETROGRESSION: LEGISLATIVE IGNORANCE AT WORK
by Chiso Obiandu
 September 22, 2007
‘The average Nigerian is just managing to exist’. That was a statement as a result of a digression in a formal discussion forum which caught me agape. That statement had no connection to the subject matter in view but was provoked by the ravaging poverty in the land. NigerianNews Guest Column

ON THE FEMINIST PROFLIGACY: PATRICIA ETTEH'S BAD EXAMPLE FOR THE WOMEN'S FOLK
by Folorunso Elegbede
 September 21, 2007
The cancerous effect of the scourge of corruption on the Nigerian body polity is highly debilitating. The Nigerian second name seems to be corruption as this is what differentiates Nigerians from other nationalities the world over. The history of corruption in Nigeria transcends all regimes and administrations of every individual who has been privileged to rule Nigeria. NigerianNews Guest Column

YAR’ADUA’S 100 DAYS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
by Folorunso Elegbede
September 11, 2007
Leadership as a concept unarguably is the engine that drives all successful enterprise globally.  A right leader chosen or elected with an enabling environment is sure to pilot the affairs of an organization to achieving its set objectives.  The undoing of all undeveloped nations is that they have been unfortunate to have selfish and self serving leaders piloting their affairs. NigerianNews Guest Column

August,  2007

THE CLOCK TICKS FOR PRESIDENT UMAR MUSA YAR’ADUA
by Chiso Obiandu
 August 31, 2007
Democracy is a vital element for the development of a nation and the most appreciated system of government all-over the world. When you talk about democracy in this country, the Olusegun Obasanjo era takes the chunk of it. In the history of a nation, eight years of an era divided by forty six cannot give an insignificant result-especially for a nation with only a few positive landmarks. NigerianNews Guest Column

DOLLARISATION OF THE NAIRA
by Joseph A. Owumi, Sr., DBA
 August 20, 2007
 I read with dismay, various articles on the announcement of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, regarding his proposed policy on the “Strategic Agenda for the Naira”. The proposal as described by various newspapers across the country is a re-valuation, re-denomination, or decimalization of the Naira, by establishing a conversion rate of N1.25 to $1.00 USD come August 2008. NigerianNews Guest Column

Suffering in the midst of plenty: The dilemma of Conoil pensioners.
by  Oluwasegun Ajayi
 August 16, 2007
Colton once said that a man who will not permit his wealth to do any good to others while he is living, prevents it from doing good to himself when he is dead. Not everyone can be rich but everybody should be able to afford what he or she needs. A man is rich not because he is better than his neighbour but because God in his infinite mercy granted him the grace to be rich. Many people will disagree with Beecher that, no man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. NigerianNews Guest Column

Burden of an Unpassing Past
by Anthony A Kila
August 15, 2007
There is a consensus in the corporate world that Africa as a whole and Nigeria in particular, is the market of the future. Most researchers and investors agree that Nigerians, for example, just need to be informed about the existence and quality of certain goods and services and demands will come from individuals and private organisations. NigerianNews Guest Column

April,  2007

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ALHAJI UMARU YAR’ADUA
by Sesan Bello
May 29, 2007
Today, it gladdens my heart to see someone of your calibre assume the office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria even in the light of huge campaigns mounted against your electoral victory by both treacherous and honest democrats. Now, it is all over, our nation needs to move forward, and I say, Congratulations… Welcome on- board. NigerianNews Guest Column

MARCHING US TO THE LAND
by Sesan Bello
May 03, 2007
Increasing demands for good governance in Nigeria has, no doubt, pushed political analysis and commentaries to the limit. But a rather disappointing aspect of it is its recurrent failure in helping to shape up and refine opinions where they matter most. Rather, what people offer are so bursting with absurdities and ambiguities that the listening electorates sometimes become confused while justifying diverse opinions they’ve got to struggle with. NigerianNews Guest Column

TRANSITION ON POOLS OF BLOOD: NIGERIAN WOMEN SHOULD PROTEST MASS KILLINGS by Chinyere Ojide
 April 10, 2007
Once upon a time, Liberia became one of the bloodiest African countries from the era of Samuel Doe to that of Charles Tailor. Human life became cheaper than that of chicken and women and children were the ultimate passive victims because a family who had the father or the able bodied men butchered  out of existence was finished. Liberian political juntas were too bloody that even women had to protest. NigerianNews Guest Column

ATIKU ABUBAKAR, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND COURT JUDGMENTS
by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, LLD, SAN
 April 08, 2007
 Certainly, the 2007 General Elections are entering an unusual quagmire. Suddenly, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) appears to have become the legal adviser to Atiku Abubakar by the way the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been reacting to court judgments affecting Atiku Abubakar. NigerianNews Guest Column | Related Issue

Continuity in Government
by George O. A. Uwaifo
April 08, 2007
The general elections are just a few days away and surprisingly, the magnitude of the rancor and confusion in our political atmosphere is overwhelming.  A lot of pending court cases with a string of appeals and contra-appeals as well as strong verbal exchanges between major political candidates and the federal government. NigerianNews Guest Column

March,  2007

A Chance to Rise and Shine
by Anthony A Kila
March 01, 2007
Contrary to what many people believe and imagine in Nigeria, partly because of their need to project their hopes and aspirations for a better life outside a country that tends to only limit and disappoint them and partly due to the flamboyant life many of our fellow Diasporans led when they go back home on holiday, we all know life is very demanding in the West and I know Nigerians are very busy people abroad. I therefore wish to sincerely thank you all Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, and our Friends for taking the time to be with us here today. NigerianNews Guest Column

February,  2007

NIGERIA’S POLITICAL LEXICON; WORDS OR PHRASES YOU NEED TO KNOW TO UNDERSTAND NIGERIAN POLITICS AND POLITICIANS.
by Ibiyinka Solarin
February 01, 2007
This article assumes you wish to understand the ways of Nigerian politics. Right? The following are some of the words, concepts and phrases you need to know, so you do not become totally confused in trying to understand Nigerian politics and process NigerianNews Guest Column

January,  2007

DELAYING THE KEBBI 2007 BUDGET: A CALL FOR CONCERN
by Musa Abdullahi Mai-Gwandu
 January 10, 2007
The dilatory tactics employed by the authorities in Kebbi state in passing the 2007 Budget has been something of a serious concern to the indigenes and all lovers of the state. NigerianNews Guest Column

Daring to hope
by Pat Utomi
January 02, 2007
ON the eve of Christmas I visited the offices of ThisDay Newspapers to express my condolences following the violent demise of the Chairman of the editorial board, Godwin Agbroko, who fell to bullets of assailants yet unknown. That day I could feel despair so thick you could reach out and grab it. NigerianNews Guest Column

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African Predicament: A Problem of Bad Leadership or a Cultural Defect?
by Alh. Ibrahim M. I. Obaretin
October 31, 2006
 It is not unusual to hear African elites, home and abroad, blaming African leaders for the predicament of the African continent. This position is not absolutely wrong; it is however a parochial appraisal of the situation. NigerianNews Guest Column

Atiku's Bundle
by D. D Xavier
September 14, 2006
In developed societies where the rule of law, order and decorum prevail, the right thing for any public office holder indicted in acts of impropriety or abuse of office is to resign. Over and over again we have seen this happen in the USA and Britain. NigerianNews Guest Column

Nigerian Leaders Hark! What is the Value of a Man?
by D. D Xavier
 September 22, 2006
Airplane crashes are joltingly painful, especially to friends and relatives of the crash victims, yet, they are poignant reminders of the ephemeral nature of life. NigerianNews Guest Column

South-East, South-South and Leadership in Nigeria
by Anthony A Kila
 December 29, 2006
A recent private conversation I had just before Christmas with an informed and well-known Nigerian of Igbo origin left me stunned and challenged as an individual and as a Nigerian citizen. It also made feel me sad and embarrassed. NigerianNews Guest Column

Some Indecent Proposals for a Decent Future
by Anthony A Kila
December 12, 2006
In Nigeria, there is a small minority of people who, through their activities and fauxpas, have succeeded in completely destroying almost the whole country mentally and materially. We doubt if it is through conscious action, but it is clear that this handful of people have twisted themselves into, and have been crooked into, the stumbling blocks that stand between the large majority and a decent future. NigerianNews Guest Column

Season for Suspension of Political Apathy
by Anthony A Kila
October 19, 2006
 For most students of political science, one of the most known poems is, or should be, “Politics” by W. B. Yeats. It is a short poem of one stanza written in 1938, in which Yeats challenges and refutes Thomas Mann’s perspective about the centrality of politics in the life an individual. NigerianNews Guest Column

Utomi’s Bid Is an Asset to Be Treasured
by Anthony A Kila
August 28, 2006
 When the news came through that the Nigerian law-makers had rejected the constitutional amendment aimed at allowing President Olusegun Obasanjo and other executives to seek a third term in office, Nigerians across the world rejoiced and jubilated. NigerianNews Guest Column

When Shall African Countries be liberated from Bad Leadership?
by Okoro Monday Akinyemi
 June 30, 2006
Poor leadership in Africa has been the cause for underdevelopment. If people with good track records are elected into power, the position and situation of Africa wouldn’t have remained  "poverty, hunger and underdevelopment". NigerianNews Guest Column

ODILI’S FUTILE QUEST FOR THE PRESIDENCY
by Silva Amadi
 June 19, 2006
 With the apparent demise of OBJ’s third term agenda, the stage has been set for political gladiators and opportunists to profile themselves and their favoured candidates for the exalted office of President, since there may be a vacancy in that office after all. NigerianNews Guest Column

BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND PHONOCRACY
 by Soga Odubajo
Democracy in its original term means government of the people, for the people, by the people. This we could break down as a setting where the people choose their own representatives to do their wishes, these wishes include making life easy to live and comfortable for everyone, regardless of whatever kind of status. NigerianNews Guest Column

MONDAY QUARTERBACKING: The May Month that Shook Nigeria
 Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD.  
So Biafra was on Nowa's mind - and so I place it on mine too today, as I retrieve from my deep archives a fair-use serialization that I first provided back in October 1996 - March 1997. It was from General Alexander Madiebo's book "The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War", Fourth Dimension Publishers, Enugu (1980), 411 pages.  Madiebo was Commander Biafran Army.

MID-WEEK ESSAY: More on Resource Control - A few "Last Words"
 Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD.  
Periodically, I give over my Essays to others whose contributions I wish to highlight.  This time, I give it to two recent contributors on oil and resource control

Personal Encounters with Uncle Bola
 Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD. 
A few days ago, a young Nigerian student came to my office, and I casually asked him whether he knew about the Ikeja explosions. He had not heard.    I gave him a copy of NDM’s Red Cross advert.  “Ehn – are those dead bodies?”, he asked on looking at the picture. 

The Monday Quarterbacking.
Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD.
Monday Morning Quarter Backing

The Amazing of MKO's Name by President Clinton..
Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD.
It takes no convincing that it must have been a result of cold calculation rather than an oversight. Imagine mentioning SO MANY NAMES - including one or two dubious ones - and not mentioning MKO whose blood watered the ground of our present so-called "nascent democracy.

SUNDAY MUSINGS: Sharia - Catalyst for the Present SNC Discourse
Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD
Burtonsville, MD, USA Sunday, March 12, 2000 
Man proposes, but God disposes," as the saying typically inscribed on an Ekene-Dili-Chukwu-like bus would say. If the present national discourse about the occurrence or otherwise of a Sovereign National Conference in our country was the intention of the Sharia proponents, then they have succeeded famously in re-igniting a national consciousness.  If it was not their intention, then Sharia as presently canvassed is a God-sent "faux-pas", a mistake of biblical proportions.

Sovereign National Conference, Sovereignty and Federation: Nationalities as Federating Units. (Part II).
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi
Mr. Elekwachi is of the School of Law, Flinders University of South Australia. He is the winner of Flinders University's 1999 "Butterworths Prize in Public Law and Regulation".All responses to E-mail:a saweze@primus.com.au

Fulani Oligarchy and the death of Bola Ige
Femi Awoniyi. January 06, 2002
Bola Ige was one of a very few number of our politicians in the South who have been able to cut through to the core of our dilemma: the Fulani politics of power supremacy. He was no rabble-rouser who indiscriminately lumped more than 150 diverse peoples who inhabit the north of our country together as "these Northerners".

Ethnic Violence In Nigeria, Who To Blame?
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi.
Ethnic violence in Nigeria has flared up again, this time in Lagos. Hundreds of lives have been lost. Government has undertaken steps to purportedly proscribe legitimate nationalist movements. This article argues that the Government is in error in its approach to the problems. It identifies the root cause of ethnic violence  and points Government to the correct solution to the problems.

 World Igbo Congress 2000: The Tasks Before Ndiigbo.
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi.
It is recommended that Congress mandate OHANEZE and any relevant committees to continue to work with the Yoruba, Ijaw and other nationalities which have a common aim of  achieving self-determination and autonomy within one truly Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senator Kuta's Panels and Limits of Parliamentary Power of Inquiry
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi.
As the Senate considers the Senator Kuta Panel's report it is urged, in the interest of democracy, to uphold the separation of power provisions in the Constitution and refer these matters to the Executive and the Judiciary to be dealt with according to the law and the Constitution of Nigeria 1999.

Killing Bakassi Boys: Et Tu Ogbulafor
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi.
This article criticises the recent Federal Government decision to selectively crack down on vigilante groups. It raises several issues, political and otherwise, and  credibility questions arising from the decision.

What Use Is My Life 
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi. 
This true story is dedicated to all those who perished in rickety boats in the seas between the Cameroons, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

Does NDM have any problem directly with the executive or is it with the President? Or is it the leadership of the NDM? A Rejoinder
Timothy Olatunji Otunde. Chicago, IL
I submit that the death that occurred through Political/religious/economic violence in Nigeria during the past year is less than the highest similar murder rate or raw data in most of the US cities in the same period.

Sovereign National Conference, Sovereignty and Federation: Nationalities as Federating Units. (Part I).
Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi
Mr. Elekwachi is of the School of Law, Flinders University of South Australia. He is the winner of Flinders University's 1999 "Butterworths Prize in Public Law and Regulation".All responses to E-mail: asaweze@primus.com.au

The Social and Economic Implications of Sharia Law
Sam A. Aluko, Professor of Economics
Contribution to the Seminar Organised by the Chapel of Annunciation, Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure, Ondo State, on Sunday, 28th November, 1999


SHARIAH AND NIGERIANS: ARE WE HEADING TOWARDS COALITION OR COLLISION?
Rev. Lawrence A. Lasisi, California, USA
I have nothing against Islam and neither do I have opposition to any Muslim that may want Shari’ah. But I strongly believe that some lines must de drawn as to how to implement Shari’ah without jeopardizing the volatile and fractured unity of our nation.

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