Nigeria performance at London Olympics is symptomatic of what is wrong with a country where one out of every five African is a Nigerian. Nigerians refer to their country as African giant due to the size of their country’s population when compared to other African countries. The question that needs to be asked is big …
Single Term Proposal is a Bad Idea
Now that Nigerians are preoccupied with insecurity and making ends meet, Six-year single term proposal by the president is gradually making it way back to the National Assembly for ratification and eventual inclusion in the ongoing constitutional amendments. This idea was first proposed about two years ago by president Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerians overwhelmingly opposed the …
Nigeria Oligarchs and the Justice System
The famous legal maxim “Justice delayed is justice denied” doesn’t quite apply to Nigeria oligarchs. In Nigeria, oligarchs are called “Big-Men.” Better legal maxim for Nigeria oligarchs should be, Justice delayed is Justice forgotten. Nigerian Big-men/oligarchs are the political class, wealthy and influential. Ordinary Nigerians are frustrated by a different set of rule enjoyed by the …
Development and Local Governance in Nigeria
My recent travel to Nigeria in February this year (2013) confirmed what I have always thought and believed, that local government is the missing link that will accelerate economic development in Nigeria. By local government, I mean states and Local Government Areas (LGA) and other smaller municipalities. What stands out as soon as one …
Argument Against Rotational Presidency in Nigeria.
Rotational presidency based on ethnicity, race, religion or region in Nigeria may sound inclusive and a way to mollify aggrieved members of various groups. Coming from the south eastern part of Nigeria dominated by the Igbos, the most marginalized ethnic group in Nigeria politics since the end of the civil war, I still disagree with rotation of …
Echo of Revolution in Nigeria
“Unless the government of Nigeria takes urgent steps to arrest the menace of youth unemployment and poverty, it is a certainty that Nigeria will see revolution soon” News and Reports issue of November 12, 2012 reported that this dire prediction was made by the country’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, in a speech at a …
Plight of Nigeria Pensioners
One would think that after years of service to the government, retirees should have some pension to live on. It is probably too much to ask various government agencies to pay retirees a living wage considering the low level of economic activity in Nigeria but some level of pension to retirees should be a …
Decentralization of Nigerian Police Force
Some Ex-Police chiefs have consistently oppose the establishment of State Police Force. The Northern Social Political Group, the Arewa Consultative Forum recently rejected Nigerian Governor’s Forum demand for state police. They described creation of state police force as invitation to chaos. Sunday Ehindero, former Inspector General of Police warned that the creation of state …
Nigeria Quest for World Bank President
It is nice for Nigerians to dream of one of their own being nominated and confirmed as World Bank president. Current president, Robert Zoellick announced that he is stepping down in June 2012. Consequently, African leaders are rallying around Nigeria Finance Minister and former World bank vice president, Dr. Ngozi Okonja-Iweala, Latin American countries …
Distinguished Men and Women and Their Wheels
One of the hardest working legislatures in the world is about to get a pat on the back for their magnificent effort in turning Nigeria around. They have done so well that Nigeria is now a pacesetter in the annals of world legislation, sarcastically speaking. The distinguished senators are getting ready to take delivery of …
Nigeria and Fuel Subsidy Removal
On January 1, 2012, president Goodluck Jonathan decided to remove the subsidy on petroleum called gas in the United states. It will be incorrect to say that the president did not anticipate the anger that will ensue from his decision. What surprised him is that he did not envisage the magnitude of the protest, which …
Boko Haram Actions Could Trigger Nigeria Disintegration
Nigeria saga keeps going and going and going. It appears Nigeria take one step forward and two steps backward. Insecurity in Nigeria has been there for years. Few years ago, Niger Delta region of Nigeria was engulfed in militant activities. The violence started because indigenous population of the region felt that they are not getting …
New Leadership May bring Nigeria War on Corruption Back on Track
Dismissal of Mrs Farida Waziri, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission by president Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, November 23, is a welcomed development in the prosecution of the insidious cancer called corruption. Corruption in Nigeria is an ongoing nightmare as most Nigerians know. Mrs Waziri should not take this personally, it only means …
President Jonathan’s New Tenure Deal: A Threat to Nigerian Democracy and Unity
Here we go again. Just when you thought that constitutional amendment to extend tenure of presidents and governors have been shelved by the president because of the outcry and protest by Nigerians, new information indicates that President Jonathan have repackaged and sweetened the deal so his new gambit will gain wider appeal to scale …
Nigeria War on Corruption at a Crossroad
Update: Article written before recent arrest of governors by EFCC Corruption in Nigeria is an ongoing nightmare. It is so endemic that it has permeated all sectors of Nigerian society. One cannot walk into most government offices and obtain help without offering bribe, commercial vehicle operators offer bribes to police at most check points. …
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