Abia: A Time of Universal Pretense
Telling the truth is not always easy in a land that is characterized by untrustworthiness; therefore truth becomes an art of rebellion or opposition in the eyes of men and…
Refugees in their own land
“I see America through the eyes of a victim. I don’t see any American dream. I see an American nightmare” – Malcolm X As the Obafemi Awolowo University continues its…
Introducing Young Voices – Ayobami Oyalowo
Our young voice for this Friday is not that young – Ayo Oyalowo (@Ayourb on Twitter) is in his late 30s, so part of the demographic group that accounts for…
In Praise of Corruption
One of the most frightening things about the Jonathan administration is the president’s palpable lack of appreciation of the problems that confront us and “the fierce urgency of Now”. This…
Our Not-so-distinguished Senators
Distinguished Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark is a very lucky man. Indeed, he is one of the luckiest Nigerians dead or alive. In the last three decades, he has featured…
The Abduction of Nkiru Sylvanus in Owerri
It was in May, 2012, that Philip Amadi, a friend of mine, experienced his worst nightmare — being kidnapped. He was driving home from work when he was intercepted near…
Goodluck Jonathan and the potency of symbolism
“Most of us who are politicians exploit religious sentiments to divide Nigerians for our own selfish gains. We exploit north-south divide to divide Nigerians for our selfish gains” – President…
Yobe, Youth Empowerment, and Violent Insurgency
Criminologists have known for ages that economic disaffiliation is one of the most potent triggers of counter-cultural and violent tendencies. They have known, too, that the disempowering tyranny of poverty…
Why Nigeria Must Revisit Land Reforms
Though pervasive insecurity and the fear of kidnapping means that some Nigerians will be unable to travel ‘home’ for Christmas this year, the millions who are poorly accommodated in the…
Building and Equipping a Prepared Citizenry
In the first inaugural speech of President Dwight Eisenhower of the USA on January 20, 1953, as he came to the conclusion of that speech, he said those memorable and…