By Bola Bolawole

I never met Prof. Akin Mabogunje; neither did I have any relationship with him other than reading news reports about him and some of his interventions on topical issues. His image, however, loomed large over our horizon. He was one of the titans of our time; an academic of no mean repute and a gentleman with sterling qualities fast becoming extinct on these shores. I recall reading of his many “firsts” in many areas of human endeavours as well as of him being a man of principles and integrity. Such accolades cannot be easily bestowed on many in today’s end-time Nigeria, if we may call it so! When I heard news of his demise days ago, I knew it was a minus for humanity – but heaven’s gain!

By Femi Babafemi

For over two decades, Mohamed Buba Marwa was the subject of heroic tales of exemplary leadership. Those who experienced him readily argued that he was one of the shining examples of good leadership when the military was in charge of the country. The story of how he turned around Lagos―breaking the stranglehold of robbers and taming the lawlessness of the Area Boys―echoes now and again. And like true legends, there were legacies to his name―too many to mention in one breath―including the famous Keke Marwa and the reinvigoration of Operation Sweep. Now and then, there were expressions of nostalgia for the days of Marwa, as a metaphor for effective leadership.

'The Mystery Of Operation London Bridge Explained'

By Sirena He

Queen Elizabeth is the longest-living, longest-reigning monarch in British history, with her reign extending over 70 years. Now, with reports that Queen Elizabeth's doctors are concerned for her health, it's unfortunately time to revisit what will happen if the monarch dies.

By Femi Adesina

Have you keenly followed updates on the security situation in the country, particularly with regards to insurgency and banditry? You should, because security is everything. At least, when the evildoers seemed to predominate, people didn’t keep quiet. The singsong was about ‘worsening insecurity,’ in the land. Now that the tables appear to be turning, we shouldn’t keep quiet. No, you shouldn’t pretend that nothing good is happening.

By Azu Ishiekwene

In six African countries the heads of government have been in power for 20 years or more. Attempts to replace them by ballot have either been stalled, frustrated or crushed.

By Godknows Igali, Ph.D

It's not a surprise that the attainment of the age of just 70 years by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah on 30th August, 2022 is a winding national headline in Nigeria. Indeed, the early show of appreciations, tellingly came from Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, who described "the contributions of the priest as teacher, scholar and writer" in his three-score and ten years as "enrichment to national discourse". Thereon, high and low, clergy and laity, have heaped encomiums from all directions.

By Bolanle Bolawole

More often than not, government business in Nigeria is akin to monkey business. "The more you look is the less you see"; like the reggae artiste, Max Romeo, once crooned. What appears legit elsewhere is patently taboo here. Governance here looks more like voodoo practice. What works elsewhere worsens our plight here. And the fault, like Cassius told Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings. Our leaders have ceaselessly been our headache. They play games with not just the destiny of the people but also with the good health and survival of the nation as a whole.

By Azu Ishiekwene

If you haven’t had a good laugh, you have not been with him. And anyone who knows him knows I’m not joking. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has the rare gift of humour.

By Mahmud Isa Yola

Recently, there has been a rapid emergence of a dangerous new psychoactive substance known as Akuskura/Kuskura, which is made of herbs laced with tobacco and cannabis.

By Bola Bolawole

Last week we featured the intervention of the immediate past vice-chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, on the lingering crisis between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government, which began on February 14 this year. As an insider, Ogunbodede, fresh from leading OAU for five years (2017 – 2022), spoke truth to power while also not sparing ASUU.

 By Bolanle Bolawole

The headline above is not originally mine. Rather, it is the title of an online publication by ng.news247.com on 30th May, 2021, the eve of Osodeke’s election as the president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

By Jude Ogechi Eze

"De mortuis nihil nisi bene" - (say nothing but good about the dead) -- ancient Latin adage

Of late, there had been an upward trajectory in the spate of social media backlash over lies being told of the dead in funeral eulogies and farewell tributes, especially among elites (VIPs and Celebrities). One of the smileys read "live a just life so that we don't have to lie in your funeral oration."