Talking about fostering regional cooperation and integration as catalysts for rapid growth and development, Nigeria’s South West has a template. It’s homegrown, and sustained over time by common ancestry, cultural homogeneity and enduring political heritage. You can call them coalescing factors that have bound the people of the region together amidst few accidental political gaffes. Equally noteworthy is the fact …

Since Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo passed away on 14 February at 96, many have praised his significant contributions to Nigeria as a frontline nationalist, a key role player in the politics of the first and second republics, and an uncompromising devotee of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Active in the First Republic Action Group, the Second Republic Unity Party …

After 15 years in the United States, Bolaji returned to Nigeria, alone with only what can fit into his suitcases. He returned without a wife and his two children. He was not deported. His marriage failed. His wife got custody of the children and their home. Bolaji decided to return to Nigeria to start all over. ‘I counted my teeth …

This morning, I read with great excitement that Nigeria and the Netherlands had signed an agreement for the return of 119 stolen Benin bronzes — a historic step in reclaiming our cultural heritage. According to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), this agreement marks the largest single repatriation of Benin antiquities linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition. …

Watching Nigerian politicians sing from the other side of the mouth when they lose out in power game, can be interesting. In such moments, they are humbled. They momentarily shed their toga of arrogance and appear as patriots speaking for the people. Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, is currently in that state. Of late, he has been on …

The Republic of Niger has begun enforcing restrictions on Nigerians traveling with the ECOWAS passport, barring entry for those without a valid international passport. This move follows the country’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso. Despite maintaining an open border with Nigeria, new immigration measures are being implemented at crossings …

Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, the fifth democratically elected Governor of Abia State and the proud and worthy son of Late Pastor and Shepherdess Lazarus Weze Otti of Umuru, Umuehim village in Ehi Na Uhuru Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, is 60 years old today (Tuesday). A man of honour, integrity, candour, and determination, Otti has been a marvel …

There comes a time when a people pause and re-examine their journey. There comes a time when a people sit back and take a retrospective look at their lives. For Obingwa, this is the time for self-appraisal and re-examination.For as Socrates said: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living at all’. Obingwa should reflect on this thought: After 24 years …

The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship Of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, says true men of God don’t publicly criticise elected leaders when they have the privilege to speak with them privately, away from the media. ‘It is our responsibility to speak truth to power,’ he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme on Monday. ‘If you …

There is a troubling trend: internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo boys” are on the prowl — and menacingly so. As if the crime of defrauding people of their hard-earned money under false pretense is not already too much, their greed and insatiable quest for ostentatious lifestyle have pushed them into other dangerous and violent crimes. Unsuspecting young ladies are …