Opinion

turnpot@gmail.com 0705 263 1058 “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I …

Friday, July 2, 2021 This generation of youths are in danger of self-immolation. This is due to their flagrant indulgence in immoral lifestyles such as drug abuse, prostitution, cultism, financial crimes, armed robbery and Yahoo plus which is euphemism for money rituals. Many of them have become wayward, obfuscate, nonchalant, …

I know he is an academic, a Professor and former Rector of Borno State College of Agriculture. He was also Commissioner for Reconstruction under the immediate past Governor Kashim Shettima. But where did this man called Babagana Umara Zulum emerge from? How come he is doing unusual, uncommon things, and …

Penultimate week, on the 19th of June, a respected Nigerian Columnist published information he gathered from field visits, agents and officials of the government of my home State, Rivers. Let me lay down the marker from the onset that several citizens and stakeholders in the State expressed concern over what …

turnpot@gmail.com 0705 263 1058 Prophet T also tried to match-make for me at the Synagogue. One day as we were in his sitting room, he sent for a lady; the lady came and knelt down at his feet. I cannot remember what they discussed but after she left, Prophet T …

Though sounding casual, it nonetheless caught me completely off-guard, leaving this numbing sensation that reminded me of what a treacherous hammer blow did to my temple back in my amateur boxing days. Yet, his question was this simple: “What’re your plans for the future, Louis?” “Abroad”, I mumbled on regaining …

Being text of the First Memorial Lecture in Honour of late Professor Haruna Wakili of History Department, Bayero University, Kano, Mambaya House, Sunday 20th June 2021. Introduction I want to start by thanking my colleagues in Bayero University, Kano, especially, the Director of Mambaya House, Professor Ismaila M. Zango for …

Did you watch the interview granted about 10 days ago by Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, to Channels Television News Night program anchored by Ladi Akeredolu Ale? If you didn’t, then you missed something. But not to worry, you can still get to watch it online. I …

Femi Osofisan is 75, in the morning Season of Winter and midway on the journey towards the Season of the Octogenarian. But it is yet early noon of creation and creator’s day. If you look at his spell-bounding oeuvre – over sixty published and stage produced plays, undoubtedly Nigeria’s most staged …

Phillips Oduoza, founder and chairman, NOVA Merchant Bank Limited is inspired by Nigeria’s future, which he believes holds potential waiting to be harnessed. NOVA Merchant Bank offers an integrated suite of financial solutions covering Wholesale Banking, Investment Banking, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Trade Services, Transaction Banking, Cash Management and Digital …

Last week’s abduction by bandits of students of Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State is the latest chapter in the reprehensible attack on innocent children and the educational system in northern Nigeria. While UK-based Reuters News Agency and Qatar-based Al-Jazeera Television reported that 80 students and five teachers were …

A popular philanthropist and business icon was once quoted as saying that when entrepreneurs from Nigeria die, they will be ushered into heaven by God because they cannot suffer twice. The statement above, although capable of drawing some mirth, is a reflection of the challenging business climate that Nigeria represents. …

turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533 Monica (not real name) took me to the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN or Synagogue, for short). One of her daughters had demonstrated signs of Sickle Cell anaemia (SS) and, ooh, how she ran from pillar to post! She patronised hospitals to no avail, spending …

It is 28 August 2019, a Wednesday, and the rains still rage on, it is, after all, the heart of the West African rainy season. Bleak balls of clouds, gray and oppressive, hang just above the 11-storey Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation building, NNPC Towers, as anyone within Nigeria calls it. …

In early January 2018, a mega acquisition that would alter the equation in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, was about to go down. On one side and spearheading this landmark acquisition was the Zinox Group, a Nigerian-headquartered but globally renowned technology group that had overseen over three decades of sterling and …

By Muhammad Nasir Sokoto, June 17, 2021 Ahead of the upcoming congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Aminu Achida, the Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, has advised party members to shun godfatherism. Achida spoke at a meeting of the APC Caucus in support of the governorship candidature …

Which one is Iberiberism again o? What kind of English shall we not hear in this country? Well, the word is not regular English language, neither is it my creation. The copyright belongs to former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, who created something being fast accepted in English from the …

turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533 I wouldn’t know if you have read the piece below on the Twitter ban or suspension by the FG. In summary, it states conclusively that the Muhammadu Buhari administration only cut its nose to spite its face; was kobo wise but pound foolish; and that, all …

*A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A ONE-DAY EMERGENCY SECURITY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST TOWN UNIONS (ASETU) AND CONCERNED IGBO STAKEHOLDERS IN ENUGU, THIS DAY, JUNE 10, 2021.* PREAMBLE Nigeria has lately been mired in serious security challenges. Terrorists, armed bandits and killer herdsmen have continued …

With each passing day as a nation, it becomes more apparent that we have too much on our plate. The challenge of unemployment, poverty, widespread insecurity, Covid 19 induced economic recession, and ethnic agitation fuelled by feelings of marginalisation are evident. All these challenges are peculiar, correlated and cyclical. The …

turnpot@gmail.com 0705 263 1058 The Igangan massacre of hapless and harmless Yoruba citizens by suspected Fulani herdsmen and terrorists armed to the teeth has come but the vibrations may not go away for a long time to come. Although casualty figures vary from one report to another, I have it …

I wish all Nigerians a happy Democracy Day filled with true reflections on the roles each and every one of us can play to promote and abide by democratic principles. We should evolve to the highest level of patriotism and belief in the ideals of a truly democratic, united and …

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021 Fellow Nigerians, I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a …

Plaques symbolise awards, prizes and honours accorded individuals and groups in recognition. These are not mere decorations but for deeds of public good. In like manner, titles given in Igbo Land and other tribes have far reaching effects as in the first instance; they ascribe people into different social classes …

I felt like embracing Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, a couple of weeks back when he left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Was that because I work with a President elected on the platform of the APC? Not necessarily so. Yes, I’ve …