In a nation that habitually measures its maritime ambitions by coastal horizons, an urgent and practical alternative now presses for attention: an inland river port on the River Benue at Makurdi. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has endorsed the idea and the federal government has signalled support for inland waterways,...
OPINION
On Friday, May 16, 2026, the world was jolted by news of the killing of top commander of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abour Mainok and several other fighters. Also known as Abu Bilal al-Minuki, and considered the second-in-command of ISIL (ISIS) globally, the top terrorist commander...
In politics, some victories are wins. Others are reaffirmations. Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s decisive victory in the APC senatorial primary for Imo North, winning across all 54 wards, falls in the second category. At a time when political loyalties shift quickly, the outcome sent a message beyond party mechanics: some...
[ANALYSIS] Senator Ifeanyi G. Araraume’s sweeping victory in the APC senatorial primary for Imo North is more than an internal party outcome, it is a reaffirmation of political continuity, grassroots loyalty, and the durability of long-standing political structures in the region. In a political climate often defined by shifting...
s the systematic destruction of knowledge production. A university is not a political rehabilitation centre. It is a community of scholars where ideas are refined, research is produced, critical thinking is nurtured and solutions to societal problems are developed. Once recruitment is detached from merit and tied to political...
Nigeria is often portrayed in international headlines as simply “unstable,” a sweeping, unhelpful label that conceals a far more complex and geographically specific crisis. For those seeking to understand the country’s security situation, the details matter enormously. Over the past ten years, I have conducted extensive field research across...
The senatorial primary elections conducted across Taraba State on May 19, 2026, ended on contrasting notes in the three senatorial districts. While the exercises in Central and Southern Taraba were largely peaceful despite a few complaints, the process in Northern Taraba was overshadowed by tension, unrest, and isolated acts...
Delta state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has a knack for speaking with the wisdom of a centurion, a savant of grand old age. But he’s only 62, two years younger than independent Nigeria. On Wednesday, April 29, this year, he once again demonstrated such sagely wisdom. He was guest of...
Public procurement lies at the heart of governance. It is the bridge between policy intent and public impact. When procurement fails, roads crumble before completion, hospitals remain unequipped, and classrooms stand empty despite billions spent on construction. In Nigeria, where procurement accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the...
I want to believe Allah (SWT) brought me back to read my scorecard. He does that whenever He wants. All the more reason to forgive those who transgressed against you and seek forgiveness from those you have hurt. Importantly, to continue doing the good things one has been doing...
The outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Zones A & B in Benue State, in which some incumbent lawmakers reportedly lost their return tickets, represents far more than a routine electoral reshuffle. Rather, it reflects a deeper struggle over party supremacy, grassroots legitimacy,...
The reported killing of Abu-Bilal al-Manuki, a senior commander of the Islamic State and widely described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, by joint United States and Nigerian forces may represent one of the most consequential counterterrorism successes recorded in the Lake Chad conflict in recent years. More than...
By Prof. LEONARD KARSHIMA SHILGBA – Nigeria has become a nation perpetually “fighting insecurity,” yet insecurity appears to be fighting back with greater sophistication, wider reach, and frightening resilience. Every budget cycle produces another avalanche of “security votes,” “security interventions,” “security procurements,” and “security operations.” More patrol vehicles are...
South Africa has pursued post-apartheid policies, the consequences of which we are seeing today. The country has a terrifying, soft underbelly which is now completely hopeless and uncompetitive in today’s evolution; and therefore, it has to misdirect its aggression against soft targets such as fellow Black Africans. This is...
Nigeria doesn’t lack policies. It lacks people who can make them stick. That’s where Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun comes in. Appointed Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, in November 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, Adedokun isn’t an outsider parachuted in for optics. He’s been in the BPP...
By DR (MRS) SAADAT YETUNDE YUSUF – Politics often presents moments that define not only the future of a party, but also the character of its leadership culture. For the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, the build-up to the 2027 governorship race is gradually becoming one of...
By PROF LEONARD KARSHIMA SHILGBA – Today, I join millions of Benue people and well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond in celebrating the 60th birthday of His Excellency, Hyacinth Alia — priest, leader, reformer, and Governor of Benue State. Life’s journey is often mysterious in its unfolding. For decades, Fr....
Africa’s energy journey is often portrayed as a stark choice between climate responsibility and development. In reality, the continent faces a more nuanced challenge: finding a fair, gradual energy transition that matches its unique needs and ambitions. Technology and innovation can drive this change, helping secure affordable and sustainable...
At critical moments in the life of public institutions, reform-minded leadership often attracts resistance, controversy, and organised opposition. This has been the historical pattern across government agencies, universities, regulatory bodies, and examination institutions. The ongoing tensions within the Nigerian office of the West African Examinations Council should therefore be...
At just 50, Matthew Tonlagha’s life has orbited the full cycle of human accomplishments. From general welfare, education support, healthcare provision, community development, youth empowerment, job and wealth creation, and security of lives and physical infrastructure. In case, you don’t know him, Tonlagha is the Chairman of Maton Engineering...