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…]
By Johnpaul Anih, Ph.D If you ask around in Nkanu West today, one name comes up with surprising ease and warmth “Hon. John Ogbodo”. Not because he’s making noise or buying headlines, but because he’s quietly and consistently doing the work. For a local government area that had grown used to the politics of promise … [Read more…]
-By Abdul Mahmud They dress it up as negotiation and baptise it as dialogue, but it is nothing more than doublespeak. A masquerade of words. Behind the velvet of their language lies deceit. To call surrender by another name does not change its essence. To dignify capitulation with the vocabulary of peace is to mock … [Read more…]
By Nneamaka Uchendu Dr George Moghalu, Labour Party’s candidate for Anambra’s November 8, 2025 gubernatorial election, champions a “Collaboration Over Politics” philosophy, leveraging his experience as former NIWA Managing Director to unite professionals, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society and the diaspora. His non-partisan approach aims to address insecurity, economic stagnation and infrastructure decay, by … [Read more…]
Ahead of the Anambra governorship election billed for November 8, 2025, insecurity has once more returned to the front burner. The latest fatalities include promising Anambra businessman, Ifesinachi Onyekesi, popularly known as fishing magnet, killed in July and the Chairman of Nri Security, Rev. Mark Okonkwo, who was gunned down by assailants early in August. … [Read more…]