On Tuesday, March 8,2016, the world marked the International Women’s Day. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. The Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to
Editorial
The prestige and respect any country enjoys at the international level is a function of how it treats its vulnerable population, especially the children. Incidentally, the majority of Nigeria’s children cannot be said to be enjoying the best of protection from the society. It is a fact that most of them exist at the […]
Recently, the United Nations (UN) lambasted Nigeria for the continued production of illicit narcotics and psychotropic drugs in the country. A report by International Narcotics Control Board, an agency of the UN, stated that three illegal laboratories manufacturing methamphetamine were dismantled in May 2015 bringing to 10 the total number of such laboratories closed in
As Nigerians are facing the daily grind of poverty and parlous economy, the country may soon find itself in the grips of another lurking danger. That danger is no other than Lassa fever. Even though the disease has not attain life threatening dimension to the population, it would be foolhardy for the authorities to dismiss […]
Recently, the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) called on the Federal Government to adequately fund small businesses in 2016 in order to achieve price stability and increase aggregate output in the Nigerian economy. According to the chamber, the Federal Government should develop policies that will enhance accessibility of funds to these enterprises in
Recently, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu lamented the importation of pencils into the country. While on an inspection tour of the Projects Development Agency (PRODA), Enugu, the minister decried a situation where the country continues to import pencils from China, 55 years after Independence. We share the minister’s pains and embarrassment […]
After a turbulent 2015 with its many apprehensions and cliffhanger moments, Nigerians finally welcomed 2016 with subdued optimism. One does not need any clairvoyance to understand the reason. Such reticence is the result of experiences in the just concluded 2015 that confronted the nation with problems of immense magnitude. Very many Nigerians would readily […]
It is not all the time that Nigerians get to hear of honest people in their midst. In fact, honesty is a world that rarely comes up in any conversation among Nigerians. There is a pervading belief that to succeed in the Nigerian society, one must embrace dishonesty as a way of life. Moreso, society […]
Recently, researchers at Welcome Trust, a British non-profit organisation raised alarm at the increasing antibiotic-resistant typhoid across Africa and Asia, which is currently posing a major global health threat. The researchers, who have been tracking the hard-to-treat infection, say it is replacing regular typhoid in many countries. Following analysed bacterial samples
It is good news that after languishing for 13 years in the National Assembly, the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition (VAPP) Bill has finally been passed by the Senate. Before the recent passage, the House of Representatives had earlier given its consent in 2014. This now gives legal teeth to a law that is billed to […]
Come May 29, the country would witness the change of leadership baton from President Goodluck Jonathan to President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari(rtd), following the latter’s victory at the last presidential election on March 28. Definitely, one of the most looked-out for indicators to the seriousness or otherwise of the new administration in confronting the country’s
For some time now, the behaviour of a growing number of the personnel of the nation’s security forces – the military, police and para- military organisations, has brought shame to the institutions and also painted them black in the eyes of the public who they exist to serve. Just last Wednesday, one of such incidents […]
All indications point to a looming fuel scarcity in the next few days if nothing is done immediately to ameliorate the situation. This observation is coming on the heels of recent threats by Major Oil Marketers Association (NOMAN) to halt all fuel importation unless the Federal Government pays the outstanding N256.2 billion being owed it. […]
The barring of the African Independent Television (AIT) from covering activities of the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) — notwithstanding the decision to reverse it by the All Progressives Congress (APC — has raised fears that the nation might return to the dark days of the military when journalists and media outfits were routinely harassed […]
Barring last minute shift or change of mind, four Nigerian drug convicts will, alongside five others from Australia, France, Brazil and the Philippines, be executed by firing squad by the Indonesian authorities anytime from now. In spite of spirited efforts to discourage Nigerians from drug trafficking, many still persist in it, thus embarrassing family, friends […]
Recently, the Nigerian Miners Association (NMA) raised alarm at the influx of unregistered Chinese companies into the mining sector. According to its President, Alhaji Sani Shehu these companies’ recruited Chinese labourers to do the jobs usually reserved for Nigeria’s lower and middle class workers. We call on the authorities to investigate this claim with a […]
Quite often in Nigeria, politicians make all manner of promises during electioneering campaigns and when elected into office and are faced with reality of governance, recant. Though this disposition may be restricted to Nigerian politicians, their notoriety in abandoning campaign promises when they get into office, has made many not only to question their integrity […]
No day passes now without the sad news of African migrants drowning in the Mediterranean while trying to cross to Europe in search of elusive fortunes. The growing number of young people risking their lives sailing on unseaworthy vessels to Europe is one of the most harrowing recent tragedies of Africa. Definitely, the scale of […]
Recently, the Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto pledged his country’s willingness to collaborate with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. Speaking in Abuja, the diplomat said that as developing countries facing similar challenges, both countries have a lot to learn from each other. Ambassador Purwanto identified terrorism as one of the major challenges
Ongoing xenophobic attacks by South Africans on nationals of other African countries are not only troubling but also condemnable. According to reports, those targeted include nationals from Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana and others whose business premises are being looted or destroyed, while many are now seeking protection with the South African police. These
