Author: Editor

By Shumm-u-él Mulenga Bukata Chanda  In a world marked by complex crises, from pandemics to conflict, misinformation to inequality, few voices echo as powerfully, as clearly, and as compassionately as that of Professor Obijiofor Aginam. As the Director of the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP), Prof. Aginam is not merely speaking to the times—he is shaping them. A distinguished scholar of global health law and diplomacy, Prof. Aginam’s work embodies the spirit of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), reminding us that health is a global public good, not a national luxury. His…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A member of the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to shelve its plan to implement computer-based examinations (CBT) starting in 2026. WAEC had recently announced that beginning next year, it would phase out the traditional pen-and-paper format for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in favor of CBT, similar to the model used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). However, Hon. Ogah, representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency urged WAEC to reconsider the move, citing the challenges faced by students in rural areas who have…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A young Abakaliki FC stunned Ikorodu City FC to progress to the final of the 2025 President Federation Cup. The ‘Rice Boys,’ a club formed just 7 months ago, defeated Ikorodu City 5-4 on penalties. The match had ended goalless in regulation time in a game decided in Bwari, Abuja. Goalkeeper Elochukwu Pascal was the hero of the day as he converted the winning penalty after saving the opponent’s sixth penalty kick.  Abakaliki FC dumped Yobe Desert Stars in the Round of 64, and also overcame Katsina United, Enyimba FC and Nasarawa United in subsequent rounds. They…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri  The Imo State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill amending the State Security Organization (IMSO) Law No. 2 of 2021 to formally recognize vigilante groups as part of the official security architecture. The bill, sponsored by the House Majority Leader and member representing Owerri West Constituency, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, was passed during plenary. Onyemaechi said the amendment became necessary in light of the growing wave of insecurity in rural areas, where many communities have continued to suffer from delayed security responses and unchecked criminal activities. According to the lawmaker, the exclusion of vigilante groups…

By Promise Adiele Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities presents two cities, Paris and London, with contrasting fortunes for French physician Alexander Manette. In the novel, Paris is a city where he serves 18 years in prison and in London, he enjoys freedom, living with his daughter Lucie, whom he had never met. Thus, Paris symbolizes confinement and estrangement while London signifies emancipation and self-discovery. A juxtaposition of the two cities with their dissimilar experiences for Manette inevitably locates their affliction and importance in equal measure. It underscores the wisdom in the old saying, ‘to understand a phenomenon…

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu  Jazz is music but in some spheres jazz is juju. Jazz music with its African roots has the power of magic bordering on the occult that can turn normal human beings into jazzed up spirits.  Its the convulsive power of jazz that helps one to understand the house of power in Nigeria and its ill-assorted occupants.  Time was when Dodan Barracks in Lagos rocked with all that jazz as the seat of Nigerian power. It took one bloody abortive coup in Dodan Barracks, Lagos for the planned marathon move to Aso Rock, Abuja to turn into…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on the Federal Government to include the state in the disbursement of 13 per cent oil revenue share in line with the Derivation principles as provided for in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Mbah made the call during a visit to his office by the Indices and Disbursement Committee of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The RMAFC had in December 2022 listed Enugu as an oil producing state following the discovery of oil in Ogurugu, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state. Speaking further, the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Isi-Uzo Council Area of Enugu State in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), are partnering to curb illicit drug consumption among the youths in the area. Wife of the Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Mrs Onyinye Obeagu, disclosed this at the celebration of the 2025 International Day of The Boy Child at the council’s headquarters in Ikem. The theme of the was given “Holistic transformation and development building self-esteem in boys: Stand Up, Be Heard and Be Seen.” The event was organised by the office of the wife of the Council Chairman in collaboration with…

By Zainab Suleiman Okino At the public presentation of Sule Lamido’s autobiography “BEING TRUE TO MYSELF” penultimate week, one could mistake the gathering for the formation of a new political party. The convergence of eminent personalities from both the governing party and opposition parties mirrored the ongoing political defections to the APC, which has become a national pastime. Nigerians from diverse backgrounds united to solidarise with, identify and support Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa state, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political godson. The atmosphere blended rural sensibilities, Jigawa locals with urban sophistication and political elite, befitting…

By Nnamdi Elekwachi  ‘Growth without development,’as an economic rationale, explains why a resource-rich state like Nigeria remains poor even when, on the macroeconomic level, growth is being moderately recorded with the GDP growing by 3.84% year-on-year in 2024.  In most resource-rich nations, the economy could grow nominally (in GDP terms) without translating into real and material wealth where the lives of citizens are positively impacted. In almost all the resource-rich states where the productive forces had not been mobilised, any attempt at escaping poverty had proven an uphill battle. Nigeria is a typical example of this. Even when the country…