Category: OP-ED

     I met Eldred Jones personally for the first time in 1982 undera circumstance I have found delightfully unforgettable. From his base in Sierra Leone he had been invited to the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) for a professional engagement. But before leaving home, he never forgot to tuck in his travelling bag a file containing the manuscript by a rookie academic, submitted and accepted for publication… Read More

At long last, the Nigerian Government has directed all tertiary institutions in the country to work out modalities of taking their classrooms online. It is not as if this is a spectacular achievement on the part of the government, but at least, it is a positive response to the calls I have been making as regards the need for Nigerian… Read More

In the nearly two weeks of lockdown so far in most Nigerian cities, we have seen great acts of charity by individuals, groups and institutions. Many have gone the extra mile to share what little they have with friends, neighbours, and even strangers, who have little or nothing. And in one inspiring example, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, a US-based Nigerian author and… Read More

My attention has been drawn to the online report of the Nation newspaper of 7th April 2020. Indeed, several other online publications carried similar stories, alleging that the National Social Investment Programmes as supervised under the Office of the Vice President, were a ‘scam’. Given the gravity and implications of the narrative conveyed, as well as the calibre of persons… Read More

There is no better warning about the growing confusion that seems to be gradually beclouding the federal government’s response to the coronavirus challenge than the belief it betrayed last week that, perhaps, all it needs to calm the fears and apprehensions of Nigerians about its ability to halt the spread of the virus is to reel out a catalogue of… Read More

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre has been monitoring and receiving information on public compliance with the Federal Government ordered lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states, which contain measures to contain the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic. Our monitoring of the compliance with the lockdown and stay-at-home orders in Lagos, Abuja and few other states indicate that most people are… Read More

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State recently appointed Prof Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi, said to be the son of the late Justice Mustapha Akanbi, as Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University (KWASU). But Akanbi’s most crucial qualification for the job is his being from Ilorin—like the governor. Here’s why. The acting Vice Chancellor of KWASU, Prof Sakah Saidu Mahmud, who… Read More

In the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on March 29, 2020, announced a 14-day lockdown of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the federal capital territory, Abuja, as part of Physical distancing measures (there is growing consensus that this is a more appropriate term than Social distancing) aimed at containing the pandemic in Nigeria.… Read More

Coming up on the first anniversary of his swearing-in as governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde is having to contend with deep-seethed internal crises that are tearing at the fabric of his administration. Some of the issues go to the heart and head of his administration, posing as at best, significant distractions, or potential impediments to the ability of the governor to haveany meaningful achievement before… Read More

Public health and safety are an integral part of national security. The dysfunctional health system in Nigeria, my dear country, has always been a concern for everyone – medical practitioners, middle and lower class citizens, and of course the downtrodden. COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the transmogrification of this perturbing health concern as affecting not just the poor but also, members of… Read More