Partisan politics does not sit well with me. I prefer to prevent pathetic pettiness in the pursuit of political power. Alas, politics is our way of life. Life itself is about the politics of ideas, survival, and development. I am no stranger to Nigeria’s fourth republic. I played a part in opposing the dictatorship of … [Read more…]
By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor Ph.D Certificate or document forgery can be defined as the act of making a false document, knowing it is false, and intending that it will be accepted as genuine to harm another person. According to Section 465 of the Criminal Code (Southern Nigeria), “A person who makes a false document or … [Read more…]
-By Abdul Mahmud There is a strange affliction that festers in our land. It is the compulsive habit of adorning the ordinary with grandiose labels, of dressing the barely local in the borrowed robes of the global and international. Here, words are stardust sprinkled on names, banners, and signboards to confer false importance. The humblest … [Read more…]
By Dr. Buchi Nnaji The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tapped a familiar face to steady its ship in Enugu State. Dr. Ben Nwoye, a lawyer, former state APC chairman and political organiser was last week appointed chairman of a seven-member caretaker committee charged with rebuilding the party in the state. The national party’s decision … [Read more…]
Recently, Nigerians watched on national television, as some prominent southeast politicians visited the Aspanda Market in the former Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, over recent demolitions in that vicinity by Lagos State authorities. The visit spoke of the high-octane nature of an increasingly contentious issue, fraught with allegations of bigotry and recriminations. I watched too, … [Read more…]
After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians, I have today [yesterday] tendered my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This decision did not come lightly. Over the past week, an orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks have … [Read more…]
By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, Ph.D Few days ago, one of the human friendly gestures was exhibited by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah at Amaechara Ovoko, Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, when she gifted a fully furnished house to the family of Mr. Chisom Odoh whose wife gave birth … [Read more…]
-By Abdul Mahmud I did not know Somnachukwu Maduagwu. I never met her in the studios of Arise Television in Abuja, where I have gone many times for interviews. But her death touched me deeply. She was young. She was bright. She was a lawyer. She was a news anchor. She was her parents’ pride. … [Read more…]
That evening, after devouring a shawarma that was generously peppery, I found myself in what I can only call a kind of post-shawarma clarity, that acute awareness that settles like dust when the pleasure fades and the price reveals itself. A noble man of this bullying capitalism, I sat with a mental calculator, the one … [Read more…]
By Oseloka H. Obaze Nigeria is 65. She struggled for her independence, but never fought for it. That has made all the difference in her appreciation of her nationalism, unity and democracy. Also, Nigeria fought a civil war to stay united, but because the agonizing consequences of that war were not equally felt, the appreciation … [Read more…]
By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, Ph.D. On the first of October 1960, Nigeria became an independent state and adopted the Independence Constitution, discarding the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954, which had earlier established federalism in the country. Prior to independence, Nigeria had operated under five other constitutions: Sir Frederick Lugard’s Constitution of 1914, the Clifford Constitution of … [Read more…]
In commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, PACESETTER spoke to some people on the call to patriotism. The opinion poll forms a part of the 65th independence anniversary issues of the magazine. OPINION POLL A Call to Patriotism: What does it mean to you as Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence? RESPONSES To me, I … [Read more…]