Opinion

By SHEDDY OZOENE In his inaugural address on May 29, 2015, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi roused the state with the promise that his tenure would be defined by the development trajectory he would diligently pursue. Of the many facets he reeled out, two stood out. The first was the promise to pay special attention to Nsukka by giving the area a face-lift befitting a university town. He also told the people that “Ninth Mile is an economic hub that we need to harness to enjoy the benefits of our newly-acquired status as a free trade zone…to create fresh economic opportunities and…

By Azu Ishiekwene Many years ago, when my son was completing paperwork for a job with the Lagos State government, he was required to fill out a form that included his State of Origin. He paused. It had been marked a compulsory field, and he wanted to know if not filling it would affect his chances. I said it would. He replied that he wouldn’t fill it, even if it meant losing the job. It didn’t make sense to him that his chances might come down solely not to his competence, merit, or the fact that he was born in…

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Though Deputy Speaker,House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Kalu, has dismissed proposals seeking the creation of additional 31 States in the country as presently not meeting relevant constitutional provisions for such, this position of the federal legislature has not deterred public debates on the possibility. One part of far Northern Nigeria where discussions on possible state creation have assumed significant hues is the southern part of Kaduna State. One of the many reasons for this is the long-held perception of marginalization by the mainly Christian populace of this section, over appointment or accession to sensitive positions in…

The South-West region was caught in frenzy situation in October 2024 when the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), in what is regarded as a devious move, jointly inaugurated the Islamic Sharia Legal System in Ado Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti State. The two Islamic bodies had also code-named the Sharia Legal System “the Independent Arbitration Panel”. The inauguration of the Sharia Panel thus berthed the Sharia Law administration in the South-West geopolitical zone. Lending support to the Sharia law operation in the entire Yorubaland, the Nasrul-lahi-li Faith Society (NASFAT) said the…

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju Great leaders are disruptive, but the good ones play by the rules. Great leaders break existing rules and set new ones. Leaders move from being good to becoming great when they depart from the norm to chart a new path. Leaders are primarily called to do one of two things; either lead their organization, state or nation out of difficulty into stability or lead it to greater prosperity in times of stability. Doing either requires the disruption of the norm. It requires breaking existing rules and setting new ones. Maintaining status quo is not the calling of…

By John Bassey,Birnin Kebbi An unforgettable incident from 2012 has continued to resonate in my memory. The negative impacts it generated and the clear mischief that unfolded left me frustrated and cast a shadow over my mood. A young sister-in-law from Gombe, known for her playful nature, made her first visit to Birnin Kebbi,the Kebbi State capital, to see her older sister. Despite the tiring journey from Gombe, she was exuberant, cheerful and in spirited mood when the commercial car arrived safely from Kano, though it was already dark. Coming thus far to see a beloved sister and arriving safely,…

Donald Trump’s return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States (U.S.), following a dramatic victory over Kamala Harris, brings new questions for Nigeria’s economic outlook. Trump’s economic policies, built around “America First,” prioritize domestic energy production, tariffs on imports, and pushing for low interest rates. These policies could have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy, particularly in the areas of exchange rates, capital flows, inflation, and immigration. Below is an analysis of how these shifts could affect Nigeria’s economic landscape. Donald Trump’s second term could have sweeping implications for Nigeria’s economy. A stronger dollar, potential…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed has concluded a two-day official visit to Nigeria. She had a series of high-level meetings, including with President Bola Tinubu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; senior government officials; President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Omar Alieu Touray; as well as the UN Country Team led by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall. The Deputy Secretary-General, accompanied by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative…