Author: Editor
By Promise Adiele One iconic quote that has shaped the psychology of opposition politics and the formulation of resistance creed is Wole Soyinka’s seminal submission, “the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” It is contained in his prison memoir, The Man Died, published in 1972. In all its fecund and piercing potential, the quote galvanizes people of good conscience to speak against tyranny in the corridors of power, anywhere it may exist. Although the quote catalyzes Marxist sensibilities, Soyinka has never pretended or postured to be a Marxist. As a dedicated activist whose documented…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia All four persons on board a Port Harcourt-bound plane escaped death by a whisker on Tuesday night when their aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State. The aircraft, marked 5N-ASR, was flying from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, forcing a diversion to Owerri. Reports say the aircraft crashed in the approach area of Runway 17 at about 8:00 p.m. local time. All four people on board were said to have been rescued and evacuated from the…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu The recolonization of Nigeria is a clear and present danger. In some radical quarters, there has always been the talk that Nigeria never truly freed herself from the apron-strings of colonial Britain. The argument stresses that Nigeria only won flag independence while neocolonialism, imperialism and suchlike isms continued in full force. Let it be understood here that the recolonization of Nigeria is neither here nor there from the original colonial master – Britain. The powers-that-be at the helm of Nigerian affairs in this day and age have opted for a brand new colonial master. The new…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, has announced the immediate relocation of all transport operations to the five newly established Enugu State Ultra-Modern Transport Terminals. The terminals are located at Holy Ghost Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in Enugu North Local Government Area; Garriki in Enugu South LGA; Abakpa in Enugu East LGA; and Nsukka in Nsukka LGA. In a public service announcement, the government directed all transport operators to load and offload passengers strictly within the designated terminals. It further emphasised that all access roads within and around the terminals must be kept…
Our Reporter, Abuja A Nigerian governance expert and former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Joe Abah, has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to roll over the 2024 capital budget into 2026, describing it as evidence of poor planning and unrealistic revenue projections. In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Abah said the move amounted to an admission that federal budgeting had become “farcical,” warning that years of progress in Nigeria’s budgeting system were being reversed. “After many years of consistent improvements in the budgeting system, the federal government has, quite sadly, regressed in its…
By Zainab Suleiman Okino One of the challenges facing education in Nigeria is, among other issues, policy somersaults which, in most cases, come with changes in government, depending on the political party holding power at the centre. Even divisive political issues such as regional conclaves affect national discourse on education. But to subject what ordinarily should be a uniting force, determined by professionals and stakeholders, to frequent changes is to weaken the only thing that can liberate the mind and level the haves with havenots. Without consistency, robust policy sustainability and functionality spanning decades, progress can only be in fits…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government has announced plans to launch the first batch of 20 electric buses under its Mass Transit Scheme, ahead of the Christmas season. The initiative, when launched, will make Abia the first state in Nigeria to operate a state-owned electric bus transport system. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He said the first set of 20 electric buses under the scheme arrived in the state in…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has expressed concern over the Nigeria Police Force’s plan to resume enforcement of tinted glass regulations despite pending court cases challenging the policy. In a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC warned that the move could undermine the rule of law and reopen the door to police abuse, extortion, and harassment of motorists. The group recalled that tinted glass enforcement had historically been marked by arbitrary roadblocks, profiling of young people and activists, and widespread extortion, contributing to public anger against the police. RULAAC noted that…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, is dead. He died at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former head of the judiciary, describing him as a man of integrity with a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor said Justice Muhammad was a venerable jurist whose life and career exemplified dedication to duty and integrity in public service. “Justice Tanko was a venerable jurist whose…
…Gas-related challenges responsible for reduced generation — EEDC Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Ahead of the yuletide season, residents and businesses across Nigeria’s South-East are grappling with a sharp decline in electricity supply, Ikengaonline has learnt. Findings show that areas that previously enjoyed between 20 and 24 hours of power supply now experience prolonged outages, a development that has disrupted household activities and business operations, especially for enterprises dependent on public electricity. In Abakaliki, a businesswoman, Chika Ezeora, said she has been forced to spend significantly more on fuel to power generators due to the reduced supply. “This is the yuletide season,…