There are folk songs that entertain. There are others that educate. Then there are those rare compositions that outlive generations because they quietly preserve the philosophy of a people. One such timeless Yoruba folklore is the familiar refrain: “Ta ló ń pe Ìyá Alákàrà sẹ́rè?”Ìyá Alákàrà!”Ó ń ta sánsán, símí nímú.”Ìyá Alákàrà!”Ó ń ta dòdò, símí ló fún.”Ìyá Alákàrà!”Èmi ò ní pe Ìyá Alákàrà sẹ́rè.” For decades, children sang those lines without pausing to interrogate their profound meaning. Yet, hidden beneath their playful rhythm is one of the finest statements on the dignity of labour ever composed in Yoruba oral…
Author: Editor
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Usama Murtala, an indigene of Sokoto State who died in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, shortly after regaining his freedom from detention. In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that has plunged the deceased’s family, the people of Sokoto State, and Nigerians into mourning. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and associates of the late Usama Murtala, praying to Almighty Allah to grant…
Some men announce themselves with fanfare. Others allow the character to speak long before they do. Tunji Bello belongs to the latter. At 65, he stands as a remarkable blend of the journalist’s inquisitive mind, the lawyer’s analytical discipline, the administrator’s competence and the public servant’s uncommon humility. His career has traversed the newsroom, the corridors of government and now the national stage as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Throughout these transitions, one attribute has remained constant—his quiet professionalism. Our paths first crossed in journalism, where he distinguished himself…
The recently concluded National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists was more than an event. It was an encounter between two institutions that have historically regarded each other with caution, sometimes with suspicion, but which now find themselves confronting a common challenge: the security and stability of Nigeria. The Summit deserves commendation. At a period when insecurity has assumed multiple dimensions, terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, kidnapping, violent extremism, communal conflicts, misinformation and organised criminality – the gathering of journalists, intelligence agencies, military institutions, law enforcement bodies and policy makers was both timely and strategic. Yet beyond the speeches,…
There are moments in the life of a nation when old questions return, demanding fresh answers. The recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa constitute one of such moments. Every few years, the same disturbing scenes replay themselves. Nigerians are assaulted. Businesses are looted and destroyed. Families are displaced. Fear spreads through communities. Diplomatic protests are lodged. Assurances are given. The outrage subsides. Then the cycle returns. The tragedy is not merely that these attacks occur. The greater tragedy is that they continue to occur despite everything Nigeria once did for the liberation of Southern Africa. This is not…
Zamfara state government recently free-wedded hundreds of couples of low-income extraction (Widows and Orphans as reported) as part of their policy on social and family development. Kano state is also set to wed 3000 low-income vulnerable couples for similar reasons or assumptions: keep them away from social vices, raise responsible families and contribute to the development of their state. But these programmes, whatever their intended good intentions and welfare considerations, with Billions of naira of taxpayers’ money expenditures, have serious developmental consequences on education, health, water, sanitation, housing, food, economic productivity, job creation and of course, the elephant in the…
As the constitutional amendment process moves to its crucial next phase — where success rests heavily on State Houses of Assembly — it is necessary to speak plainly about what Nigerians have asked for and why the nation must act. Section 9 of the Constitution requires a two-stage approval for any amendment: first, a two‑thirds majority of members in each State House of Assembly where the amendment is considered; and second, approval by resolution of not fewer than two‑thirds of all State Houses of Assembly — a minimum of 24 states. Thus, the 36 State Assemblies now sit at the…
Nigeria is one of the most religious nations on earth. Mosques summon the faithful to prayer. Churches fill auditoriums, stadiums and vast prayer grounds. Religious language permeates politics, education, commerce and daily life. Faith influences public conduct and private choices alike. Yet amidst this extraordinary religiosity lies a troubling paradox: one of Africa’s most religious societies continues to grapple with insecurity, extremism, intolerance, social fragmentation and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. This contradiction demands honest reflection. The issue is not religion itself. Religion remains a source of moral guidance, charity, community support and personal transformation for millions of Nigerians. The…
Just when citizens thought they had seen every conceivable form of political expression, a new masterpiece emerged from an unlikely canvas: the human scalp. There it was, intricately woven into carefully crafted braids, a political declaration boldly announcing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s return in 2027. The image immediately went viral. Supporters hailed it as creativity. Opponents dismissed it as sycophancy. The politically neutral simply wondered how many hours were required to transform a human head into what looked remarkably like a mobile campaign billboard. Yet beyond the humour lies a deeper national conversation. For while the hairstyle speaks…
There are public officials who merely occupy offices, and there are those rare individuals whose character quietly transforms the offices they occupy. Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede belongs to the latter category. As he gradually bows out of public service after decades of distinguished contributions to academia, educational administration, interfaith engagement, and national development, it becomes necessary to reflect not merely on the offices he held, but on the values he carried into those offices—integrity, discipline, accountability, intellectual depth, humility, and an uncommon reverence for public trust. In a nation often fatigued by stories of institutional decline and public cynicism, Oloyede’s…