Tag: Opinion

The governors in the South-West zone launched the South-West Security Network otherwise called ‘Operation Amotekun’ at Ibadan, Oyo State, on January 10, 2020. The police authorities endorsed Amotekun while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), questioned its legality. Even though I had cause to join issues with Mr Malami over his legal opinion… Read More

This is Nigeria’s end time. The tyrannical regime of General Muhammadu Buhari will give way to secession. In the absence of a unifying national interest, Nigeria has become fragmented, lawless, disorderly, dangerous, and seemingly unliveable. Predictions about the breakup of Nigeria have reached its crescendo. The Fulani controlled federal government headed by General Buhari continues to thumb its nose at… Read More

It’s always a little challenge for me trying to ease back into life in the United States each time following a trip to Nigeria. I believe it has to do with leaving my happy place back to elsewhere to face the daily struggles that come with more opportunities. Although I have to admit that even that happiness doesn’t always come… Read More

Balarabe is sadly, but I hope not tragically wrong. I invoke the tragic dimension here because the making of tragedy, especially for nations, often begins when fears are mistaken, or promoted as facts, and governments either by themselves, or together with interest groups, are enticed by fears into embarking on precipitate, irrational, and irreversible acts. Such acts turn out in… Read More

The presidential family anywhere in the world are one of power, privilege and limitless opportunities. But Africa remains an exception, a ‘special’ case for reasons of power abuse and absolutism. Take just four examples from Senegal to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon to Angola. Nigeria may not be among the four but that does not mean that the presidential offsprings in our… Read More

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common with unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” –Calvin Coolidge “To choose the right moment in which to act is the… Read More

Although I have read about victimisation of journalists and repressive attacks on press freedom, last week added to my first-hand experiences of the travails of journalists, particularly some of us who have decided to ply the dreaded route of investigative journalism. It was hectic journeying to two states just to respond to invitations from two judicial institutions. One was to… Read More

Everywhere I go, they use Obafemi Awolowo as reference of and for all things. They point to his morality. They celebrate his achievements. They speak glowingly about him. They talk about him in awe. They have turned him into a god. No discussion ever takes place on any matter without him being referenced. Awo this, Awo that! Awo this, Awo… Read More

Insecurity is as old as man. Mortals from time immemorial have devised several means to secure their lives and properties from assassins and bandits who are ruthless and could be fatal if their sinister demands are not met. Some of this awareness for security could be ideologically driven and violence could be deployed to achieve its purpose. The Irish Resistance… Read More

I lived in Nairobi, Kenya, for 11 years working for the United Nations on peace for Somalia. It meant I went into Mogadishu where I had earlier lived for two years (before the UN’s evacuation), on an as-needed basis. It used to be nice to take my children and visitors to the Nairobi National Park and once or twice, drive… Read More