Happy new year, everyone! As 2025 was rolling in, we were escorted into the new year by cries of discrimination, attempted marginalisation and emasculation from some politicians who claim to be speaking for the ‘North’. Apparently there is a coordinated effort to ensure that the proposed tax reform bill sent to the national assembly by Read More…
If you ever ventured near the World Headquarters Shrine of the Palmwine Drinkards Club at the University of Ife of yore, you would hear the constant refrain: Things fall apart, the centre must hold;A house divided against itself shall stand;Few are called, many are chosen… In the midst of all the lightheartedness for which that Read More…
Very soon, Chinese boys and girls will be selling pure water on our highways. Many of them will out-sprint our own hawkers and there will be messy street fights. Write down that prediction and remember to acknowledge my copyright to that prophecy when it comes to pass. But, wait! What prediction are we talking about Read More…
Everything that has a beginning must have an end. For every hello, there will eventually be a goodbye which in its turn contains the seeds for another cry of welcome. There is a lesson to be learnt in the fall of any empire or kingdom or dynasty. Every dictator looks unconquerable until Father Time ticks Read More…
Much ado about a book! There will always be hawks and doves on both sides. It is at such times that I appreciate the admonition of Gordon B Hincklrey: “A small publication that came to me some years ago carried the following: ‘Once a man who had been slandered by a newspaper came to Edward Read More…
“Out of the 251 million Almajiris worldwide, 163 million are from Africa with Nigeria accounting for over 30 million. It is estimated that about 81 percent of almajiris in Nigeria are domiciled in the northern states where they have become part of the landscape. Tons of newspaper pages and countless hours of TV and radio Read More…
I am always fascinated by backstroke swimming. You can’t comprehend the incredible power of propulsion at the command of human limbs until you analyse a race in reverse gear, complete with the athlete’s natural compass which facilitates lane discipline. Having watched recent developments regarding constitutional amendments and suggestions on changing from the current presidential system Read More…
Like a pack of biscuits on the shelf beyond the expiry date, the country called Nigeria already expired in 2014 — ten years ago! It therefore ought to be baked afresh. That was the view of the convener of the Northern Elders’ Forum and a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ango Abdullahi at Read More…
The rich also cry. I have seen wealthy and successful people break down in tears and despondency. You would think that some people have everything made in their favour; the sun smiles at everything that they do. The gods are queuing to crack the rich man’s kernels lest he bites his tongue while attempting the Read More…
In popular parlance, wherever you turn, you hear: “Naija no dey carry last”. That’s the Nigerian’s way of self-consolation, even self-motivation. In whatever circumstance he finds himself, a Nigerian is supposed to come out tops, whether the playing field is level or not. It is that self-assurance that other Africans mistake for arrogance. It is Read More…
