By Azu Ishiekwene

Mali and Burkina Faso obviously have a lot more in common than squaring off in a game of football like they just did in the Round of 16 knockout stage of the African Nations Cup (AFCON), in Cote d’Ivoire.

By Bola Bolawale

There are as many reasons as discussants as to why Nigeria is not moving forward, why it is under-performing in the views of many, and why it is not fulfilling its potential. I will discuss only three of these reasons here today and, to do this, I will draw on three recent examples. The first is that of the suspended Humanitarian Affairs minister, Betta Edu.

By Steve Osuji

A NUMBING PUZZLE: Dangote Oil Refinery has become a puzzle; indeed, a huge Rubik’s Cube. The mammoth industrial complex which purports to be Nigeria’s most iconic strategic project is fast dissolving into a searing mirage on the psyche of every citizen joe on the street. The only phenom that may be more dumbfounding is the fact of a Bola Tinubu Presidency which must have already gone down political history as the 9th wonder of the modern world.

By Ikeddy Isiguzo

Debates are needless about the importance of Dr. Henry Oladele Alake, Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. To put it more pointedly, Alake is important to President Tinubu. We have heard stories of Alake being Tinubu's lone choice if Jagaban Borgu needed only one man for any battle.

By Bolanle Bolawole

Today, I yield this space to a bosom friend of mine, Prof. Eyitope Ogunboodede, the immediate past vice-chancellor (2017 – 2022) of my alma mater, the University of Ife, GREAT IFE! (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). Titled “Requiem for Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu”, Ogunbodede’s reminiscences on the late governor of Ondo State are as moving as they contain a lot of useful information. Enjoy it!

By Jude Ogechi Eze

After his austerity ridden regime was toppled on August 27 1985, Muhammad Buhari saw his 2015 emergence as President as vendetta opportunity to revenge his adversaries and reward his cronies. This was why he balefully incarcerated the poster boy of that coupe — Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) in jail, while his right-hand men like Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) was rewarded with appointment as Director General of lucrative organizations for eight uninterrupted years without auditing. He led the most warped regime (especially in terms of appointments into government offices) ever in the history of the nation. He spitefully took a Maritime Academy of Nigeria to an arid desert region, and built infrastructures in neighbouring Niger Republic just to favour his kinsmen.

By Emeka Obasi

Of the three times Cameroon defeated Nigeria to lift the African Nations Cup trophy, two will fail today's VAR test. Only their first cup victory makes sense, the others were fraudulently assisted by the referee.

By Senator Okey Ezea (Ideke)

During my interactions with the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Senator Dave Umahi, in September 2023, he promised to intervene in the dilapidated Makurdi--Ninth Mile federal road as soon as possible.

By Funke Egbemode

Lola is 59 and getting married again. She has been single for 27 years and had, with the grace and help of God, raised four children all by herself. She made the announcement at New Year dinner with her children in Canada and all four of them dropped their cutleries. Their eyebrows simultaneously shot up. That was followed by what felt like an hour-long silence. Then, somehow, they all found their voices at the same time.

By Hassan Gimba

As reporters and analysts, we must inform, based on trends, and where possible, raise the alarm, hoping that those in authority will heed. In 2018, six years ago, that was what I did. And so, this is just a rehash of my article “Insecurity, the North under siege” written on this page on 24 December 2018.

By Bolanle Bolawole

Last Tuesday, an explosion rocked Old Bodija in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The panic and stampede that ensued were better imagined than witnessed; so also, the magnitude of destruction and loss suffered. Lives were lost; at the last count five as a direct consequence of the blast. Other deaths linked to the blast have since been recorded. Also at the last count, close to 100 persons were injured. A yet-to-be-specified number of houses and businesses were uprooted, flattened or violently shaken by the explosion. The destruction reportedly travelled as far as the Oyo State Governor’s Office kilometers away. At the end of the day, properties lost could be estimated in billions of Naira.

By Emeka Obasi

Everything must be done to move the South - East Geo Political Zone to the next level. This is an area so blessed with human and natural resources, one of the three legs meant to balance Project Nigeria which unfortunately, continues to suffer neglect.