Outlook

In a move heralded as a beacon of democracy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled the list of gubernatorial candidates for the upcoming Edo State election. With 17 contenders vying for the prestigious position of governor, the stage is set for a riveting electoral showdown. Among the myriad of aspirants, four towering figures…

In her 2018 TED Talk edition titled “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned against one-sided narratives, incomplete stories and biased delivery of events and issues. She said such breeds ignorance and makes people misconstrue isolated events as the norm just as they misconstrue individual shortcomings as negative traits of the whole.…

"Zamu Daura ma auren dole!" Hajiya Hakama Sidi Ali thundered over the phone after I answered her call. In Hausa, the translation is, "We will find and force a wife on you!". Hajiya Sidi Ali's warm demeanour has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration since I received a surprise birthday gift from her…

I was disturbed watching videos of a young man dressed in designer outfits, adorned with expensive wristwatches and shoes, displaying bags of costly perfumes, and being chauffeured around in flashy vehicles. His entourage includes a motley crew of well-armed bodyguards with sophisticated weapons, attendants, allies, and hangers-on, whether striding with him in processions or moving…

He heartily observed the fast from the first to the last day of Ramadan. Throughout the 30 days, from 10 March to 9 April 2024, as was his tradition, Justice Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore provided plenty of food and gift items to the poor and the needy and various families and groups. On the last day…

In a nation as diverse as Nigeria, fostering unity and ensuring equitable development across all regions is crucial for sustainable progress. The establishment of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) represents a significant stride towards addressing historical disparities and promoting inclusivity. Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the establishment of SEDC will embody…

Pursuant to the avowed resolve of his administration to remain open, transparent and consistently accountable to the people, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Saturday, 25 March, held a well-attended town hall meeting with citizens and residents of the state. It was, once again, a time for the governor to render an account of…

Nigerian afrobeat musician Bisade Ologunde is better known by his stage name, Lagbaja. His signature face mask denotes him as the country’s everyman—the faceless individual. Lágbájá, a Yoruba word, means a person whose name and identity are purposely concealed or an invisible person. He is somebody, anybody, and everyone. It was pretty interesting, if not…

_"Good governance should be an expectation, not an exception" – Abigail Spanberger Astute analysts of the Nigerian government’s actions since May 2023 concur that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrates a genuine commitment to enhancing Nigeria, particularly in the realms of security and economy, aligning with the provisions of Section 14 (2) of the Constitution. Regarding…

As the political climate heats up in anticipation of the September 2024 Edo gubernatorial election, the mainstream narrative revolves around the established trio of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP). However, beneath this predictable surface lies the potential for a white knight – an unexpected and…

Since January 2024 when I served as a Rapporteur at a 5-day National Security Course on Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication, I have been fascinated with open and secret efforts of Intelligence services to ensure peace and security of Nigeria. Organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the programme was well attended. The Chief of…