Perspectives
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The North, the columnist and bandits — by Lasisi Olagunju
Sometimes, a matter one thinks is pregnant with an elephant delivers only a rat. Last week, I was on my knees begging Northern Nigeria to save Nigeria from a catastrophe already visible on the horizon. The piece was a code, a shock treatment meant to reset a misbehaving social cell that has become dangerously comfortable with its afflictions. It was…
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The productive value of the naira — by Tope Fasua
In the past, I had written about our rather obsessive preoccupation with ‘the true value of the Naira’. Every talking head on our favorite TV channels waxed lyrical about this true value, with many foisting what was their sheer opinions as the pure gospel, akin to the tablets with 10 Commandments that God himself handed over to Father Moses for…
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Off-Season elections as political barometers: Why the opposition still faces credibility challenge – by Seye Oladejo
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the various off-season elections conducted since the 2023 general elections offer valuable insights into the country’s political trajectory and the preparedness of the major political parties for the next electoral cycle. From governorship elections in states such as Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo Anambra and Ekiti , to numerous bye-elections for…
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That Bianca’s dance with prisoners in Ethiopia — by Babafemi Ojudu
Did you see that video clip from Ethiopia? There was Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, dancing among Nigerian prisoners in an Ethiopian prison. I watched it several times, hoping there was some context I had missed. What message are we sending to ourselves and to the world? If the objective was to negotiate the transfer of Nigerian prisoners back home,…
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Obi of Onitsha’s birthday celebration in Lagos: A missed opportunity for culture — by Kayode Adebiyi
One of the unfortunate consequences of the political polarization that has engulfed Nigeria is that it has become increasingly difficult to make contributions to important public issues without some people immediately filtering every opinion through the prism of ethnicity, politics, or tribal sentiment. Today, even the most well-intentioned observations are often met with accusations of bias rather than engagement with…
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Osun killing: Bamidele Salam and hypocrisy of political elite — by Ismail Omipidan
For some time now, I have deliberately refrained from commenting on Osun politics. However, the attempt to politicise the death of the late Ezekiel and, by extension, drag President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into the matter has compelled me to make this brief intervention. My aim is to expose the hypocrisy of a lawmaker who presents himself as a man of…
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States of men and matriarchal interpretations — by Niyi Ibietan
In a world where it is considered more altruistic, fitting and popular for women to project feminism, where patriarchy has been accused of most crimes against women, and where patrilineal perspectives are seen as organically conferred with advantages, a young woman, Ameh Odachi, in addition to her conscious fight for women to have their fair share of the world, chose…
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Re-election and the fantasy that performance is enough — by Bamidele Johnson
There is a view that seems to be gaining quiet currency in our public discourse. Twice in and as many weeks, I have seen two real-life friends push it. I have also seen a few virtual friends push it. At first hearing, the view sounds tight and valid. To cut to the chase, it goes thus: a president, governor, senator,…
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Helen Prest-Ajayi and the social media court — by Adeola Agoro
On Helen Prest-Ajayi, the digital townsquare has been in full session over the past few days and as usual, the verdicts are being delivered with lots of wit and very little mercy. Ever since a court ruled that the late Dr. Tosin Ajayi’s first wife remains his legal spouse after a grueling five-year battle, social media has hung Helen Prest…
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Promises in concrete and asphalt: Tracking the Tinubu effect in the South-East — by Fredrick Nwabufo
Infrastructure development is evidently a desideratum for Nigeria. The country’s infrastructure gap is estimated at $2.3 trillion, with $100 billion required annually if we are to close the deficit. Years ago, infrastructure development had primarily been top-down, solely driven by the national government, but that is changing under the Renewed Hope Charter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democracy is essentially…
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