Words, surely have tastes. No wonder when someone made a statement which is considered sour or unfitting of them, people wonder if they chewed the words before spewing them. The call for full Legislative Autonomy by the Nigerian Speakers Forum, as amplified by its Chairman and Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly is ridiculous to say the least. I have my issues with the Forum in general because of their willing submission to manipulations by the state Governors. They have been docile and powerless all this while, toeing whichever path their Governors chose, even if such a path…
Author: Editor-in-chief
Last week, August 27, 2024, was the 39th anniversary of the coup that toppled Gen Muhammadu Buhari, erstwhile GOC 3rd Armored Division of the Nigerian Army. On that day, Fatima Gumsu, daughter of military despot, Gen Sani Abacha, who is also wife of Yobe State governor, Mai Mala-Buni, sparked a debate. It led to a comparative assessment of military autocracy and civilian dictatorship. Gumsu had posted a photograph of her father in full military regalia on Facebook. On the photo, Gumsu merely wrote, “Baba na” – my father – with an emoji of “Love”. In the photo, Abacha was flanked…
Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) has expressed profound gratitude to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin on his elevation to Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland alongside five others. This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Ibadan. Senator Alli, who was among six prominent individuals elevated by the revered monarch, acknowledged the honour as a significant milestone in his life. The lawmaker expressed appreciation to the Olubadan, saying the elevation further deepened his resolve to serve Ibadanland and its people diligently, while ensuring the rich…
In Ancient Rome, the noble ruling class had a strategy for taming the masses whenever they were agitated. The masses who were always common people were referred to as the mob by the ruling class who were referred to as Nobles. Any time there were agitations and discontents within the common men against the Nobles, some days of games were quickly announced, during which time, free food and drinks were given to the common men. The only popular game that served the purpose of distracting the masses of Ancient Rome was a fight to the death between gladiators ( slaves…
Former Governor of Rivers state and the present Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike did treat us to a great deal of entertainment in the build up to the 2023 general election and immediately after. Apparently mocking his Party, the PDP, on which platform he lost the Presidential ticket to former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, Wike and his entertainment Band were a sure source of laughter to many and headache to his adversaries. I will never forget how Wike danced to the ” Pepper Dem” and the ” as he dey pain Dem” lyrics. I used to…
I do not envy Pastor Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state. He surely has a very difficult job in his hands. I am certain that the gentleman must be struggling to hold a balance between his Spiritual calling and the job of bread and butter he is currently engaged to do for Governor Seyi Makinde. A couple of weeks ago, he did a story where he referred to my person as Beelzebub (Satan) if you like. This morning, I saw another piece from him where he became a bit clearer. He referred to me…
Up till today, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has not stopped beating his chest, saying that his decision to flout the directives of the Federal Government to observe a total Lockdown for two weeks so as to contain the spread of the dreaded Covid 19 virus was an act of ingenuity. The Governor pointed out that he could not lock down the state and thereby prevented citizens from fending for their daily meals. If you look at the decision and the consequences therefrom from a narrow angle, you will be tempted to agree that the Governor was right. However,…
Like the man whose palm kernel were cracked by benevolent spirits, the Governor of Oyo state has made a powerful statement about his strategies and his abilities to win at all times regardless of the opponents and the Team mates. In a News Letter I came across, the Governor dropped a riddle about how he engaged his children and their friends in a game of pickleball. He took time to describe how the game is played and how he switched sides thrice in the three sets played but ended up winning on whichever side he played. He went on to…
Have you ever read Heidi Holland’s Dinner With Mugabe? It was published in 2012 by a Zimbabwean journalist and columnist who worked with Illustrated Life Rhodesia magazine. The book is a very penetrating portraiture of Robert Mugabe. It is a psychobiography of a freedom fighter, liberal lawyer and revolutionary who later became, first Prime Minister and later, President of Zimbabwe. The book’s title was a product of a 1975 sudden call from a Holland friend. He wanted her to arrange dinner and meeting with a friend she had no idea who he was, in her home in Salisbury, now Harare,…
The unfortunate misdeeds of a former Governor of Ogun state has resulted in a National embarassment for the whole Nation. Nigeria is currently being hounded and embarrassed all over the globe by a Chinese Company, not the Chinese Government, as a result of some transactions that went sour between it and the Government of Ogun state under former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. I do not intend to go into the nitty gritty of the arrangements and the alibi of the former Governor. Both are already public knowledge. The reality that however stares us in the face today is that the Chinese…