By Bennett C. Nwanguma

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka recently rolled out the the customary red carpet, the brass drums and their traditional green and white drapes to receive Dr Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, who is also a revered recipient of the Honorary Doctorate Degree of the University.

By Azu Ishiekwene

I grew up thinking that a judicious mix of crime, sex and money might not only help a publisher turn a good profit but could also be the catalyst for a better society. But my friend, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of NaijaTimes, Ehi Braimah, subscribes to a slightly different model.

By Bola Bolawole

Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, is already one-year-old in office. How time flies! It looks just like yesterday when dust was raised by the godfather, the outgoing Ekiti State Gov. John Kayode Fayemi, anointing Oyebanji as the godson to take from him the mantle of leadership of the state tagged “Land of Honour and Fountain of Knowledge” It is doubtful if Ekiti or any state for that matter in Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s south-west can still be said to be the pacesetter in education in today’s Nigeria. Other states, especially in the south-east and south-south, appear to have overtaken the region that birthed free education and set the pace for others to follow.

By Sufyan Ojeifo

I have lost count of the number of aspirants jostling to be governor of Edo State in 2024. This is understandable. It is the first time, since the inception of the current fourth republic democracy in 1999, that there has been a rash of interests seeking some collocation within the circumference of the state governorship position. To be sure, no fewer than forty governorship aspirants across the political spectrum of frontline parties – namely Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) – have indicated interest in becoming the governorship candidate of their respective parties. If and when the number of aspirants in the remaining fifteen other political parties is introduced into the mix, the overall figure of aspirants could oscillate between fifty and seventy. The commixture of the sublime and the ridiculous; the fecund and the superficial, the serious-minded and the pretentious aspirants in the race is, without a doubt, writ large.

By Edward Usoro

On its inauguration, Nigeria’s 10th Senate made a solemn but profound declaration: it's activities shall lift the masses from the dust! Nigerians had heard similar pledges before. So, following years of unfulfilled promises and dashed hopes, few took notice. It was just another political talk, some sneered.

By Emeka Obasi

He played soccer, bagged a chain of degrees, delved into administration before retiring to Sports management. Dr. Steve Olarinoye left a golden mark in the course of service to Nigeria, his son Dr. Deji Olarinoye, took after the father.

By Funke Egbemode

She made incisions on her private part, just at the entrance of the honey well. She said she was desperate to have him forever or at least for as long as she could, but he was not interested in making an honest woman of her.

By Azu Ishiekwene

This is the moment the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu always feared with great anxiety. Yet when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Southern Israeli border towns in the early hours of October 7, Bibi and Israel’s elite security forces were unprepared.

By Bola Bolawole

After a hectic day last Sunday, I was already hauling myself into bed early when my phone rang. I missed the first call but the second came quickly thereafter and Baba (Prof. Banji Akintoye) broke the news to me that the Yoruba Nation fighter, Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, has been released from what many have described as “protective custody” in the Republic of Benin. Igboho was kept first at Porto Novo and later at Cotonou. Baba mandated me to craft a news story to that effect. Igboho, he said, would be boarding a flight from Benin Republic to Germany – and not Nigeria – to reunite with his family at 11.00 pm. I said very well but counselled him to wait till 11.00 pm before releasing the press statement on Igboho’s release, which came after two years of a forced sojourn in a foreign land after he was chased out of his own country by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

By Bola Bolawole

For the umpteenth time, Labour leaders have suspended their declared strike action after an eleventh-hour meeting with the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They said the suspension is for a period of one month. If, at the expiration of one month nothing concrete comes out of the so-called “promisory note” the Labour leaders said they got from the government - as a result of which the latest threat of strike action was suspended - what happens? They will start mobilizing for another strike again! The government will wait for the new deadline to approach before calling them in again for another meeting and another “promisory note” ad infinitum, and ad nauseam!

By Bolanle Bolawole

Many of our leaders do not read. They either do not have the time to spare or they lack the inclination. Reading culture is generally on the decline, even among students – as well as teachers - whose job it is to read. These days, students generally study or read to pass their examinations, not to excel or be on top of the subject of study. Many also are the teachers who simply pour out notes that were constructed decades ago. That is why we have all manner of professionals who, at best, are only textbook gurus with no practical application of the knowledge impacted on them in the years spent at school. In those days, we formed study groups called Teach Your Teacher (TYT); we read "over syllabus", as they say, and came to class prepared to test the preparedness and brilliance of our teachers. How to make money, and make it quick with little or no hard work, is now the vogue. These are no longer the days of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who burned the midnight candle while, for others, frolicking around and enjoying the goodies of the night were the spoils of office.

By Edward Usoro

From inception, only a tiny few doubted his competence, capacity and candour! Yes, his reputation for diligence, hard work and achievements precedes him everywhere he goes. Still, on June 13, 2023, during his inauguration as President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s humane side remained a well-kept secret.