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BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE: For ‘2Cigar’, The Future Holds Bright

BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE: For ‘2Cigar’, The Future Holds Bright

SYDNEY EZENTA writes on the birthday of one of Enugu state's flamboyant grassroots politicians His name is Prince Chidiebere Okoh but many in Enugu, the Coal City and beyond, know him as 2Cigar. He is a well-known socialite and fitness enthusiast but most importantly, he is a grassroots politician who has made his mark in Enugu politics since 1999. He didn't just jump into politics; public service and philanthropy have been part of his upbringing and passion as a man. He was born into a modest but famous family in Okpebe, Amodu in Nkanu West Local Government Area, where he…
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Still On Sam Omatseye’s Obituary

Still On Sam Omatseye’s Obituary

Being in the crosshairs of Tinubu’s vaunting political ambition is the only excuse that Omatseye needs to assume the role of a vicious attack dog. By IKECHUKWU AMAECH When a friend of mine called on Monday afternoon to ask if I had read Sam Omatseye’s obituary in The Nation newspaper, my heart skipped a beat. I have not seen The Nation newspaper’s editorial board chairman this year and not being one of my favourite columnists because of his penchant for puerile exuberance and indecency, I hardly read him. His solecism in the guise of intellectualism puts me off. Did I…
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SAM OMATSEYE – A Matter Of Character

SAM OMATSEYE – A Matter Of Character

By VICTOR ANAZONWU I have carefully read Obi-tuary by Sam Omatseye. I must say that, once again, Sam did not disappoint as an elegant purveyor of prose. But beyond his effervescent style and intellectual sophistry, Sam came up morally short. He set out to portray Peter Obi and the emerging Obidient Movement as a narrow ethnic (Igbo) affair and as separatist militancy in disguise. He failed woefully. Linking Peter Obi with IPOB is as logical as linking Bishop Hassan Kukah with Boko Haram. Saying that OBIDIENCE is a strictly Igbo movement is an insult to the intelligence of millions of…
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(OPINION) Everyone’s Obituary Is Inevitable

(OPINION) Everyone’s Obituary Is Inevitable

By CHUKS ILOEGBUNAM Chuks Iloegbunam tells Sam Omatseye to cleanse his journalism_ Some have called you foolish, dear Sam Omatseye. Others insist that you are plain stupid. There are those who hold you to be beneath contempt. Their howls of execration upon you are in reaction to your August 1, 2022 article entitled Obi-tuary (https://thenationonlineng.net/obi-tuary/). For me, however, you are a dear friend. Our friendship started in the 1980s at Newswatch magazine where both of us practiced journalism before you travelled to the United States for further studies. It continued upon your return and strengthened to the point that, sometimes,…
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2023: Party National Chairman, Organising Secretary, In Forgery Mess

2023: Party National Chairman, Organising Secretary, In Forgery Mess

By Sydney Chux Ezenta The crisis in the National Rescue Movement (NRM), has taken a new turn as indication has emerged that the police may arraign the party's suspended National Chairman, Chief Isaac Chigozie Ude and the suspended National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Dirisu Issa Mohammed on allegations of forgery and falsification of official documents. Ude and Issa Mohammed were alleged to have forged the signature of the party's presidential flagbearer, Mazi Okwudili Nwa-Anyajike and written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), purporting that he has withdrawn from the 2023 presidential contest. In a letter to the Chairman of INEC,…
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Asking For Trouble

Asking For Trouble

By Azu Ishiekwene Nigeria’s political class has been largely irresponsible, having neither the aptitude to understand and tackle insurgency nor the honesty to admit its complicity. That is why the problem has grown from a few misguided itinerants proselytising for a theocratic state to armed terror. After BBC Africa service promoted a story on Friday of an interview with the bandit warlords of Zamfara State, a senior Nigerian journalist, Kadaria Ahmed, called out the broadcaster in a tweet. Kadaria, an ex-Beeb, said the interview would give the terrorists oxygen, stoke hysteria and bring nothing but pain and misery to hundreds…
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Osun APC Crisis Far from Over As Aregbesola ‘Boycotts’ Election

Osun APC Crisis Far from Over As Aregbesola ‘Boycotts’ Election

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior and former governor of Osun, did not vote at the state governorship election on Saturday. Residents, who spoke to journalists in Ifofin, Ilesha area, where Aregbesola was expected to cast his vote, said it is “unlike the minister” who always arrives in his hometown on the eve of an election. “By now, everywhere will be bubbling with activities because Aregbe would have entered since Friday,” a resident said. Voting has since concluded at the minister’s polling unit at Isare ward 8, Ilesha east, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning with 164 votes, while the…
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Tinubu Returns From France, Considers Shettima, El-Eufai For VP Slot

Tinubu Returns From France, Considers Shettima, El-Eufai For VP Slot

HAMISU KANKIYA After nearly two weeks in France, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, returned to Nigeria on Saturday morning. Tinubu had, on June 27, left Nigeria for France, and according to a statement by Tunde Rahman, his media aide, the trip was for “important meetings”. During his stay in France, reports say he met with political associates to consider his Campaign Organization as well as a possible candidate for the position of Vice Presidential candidate. GOV. Nasiru el-Rufai Kabir Masari, former APC welfare secretary, is currently the APC’s “placeholder” vice-presidential candidate. Now that he…
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Media Stakeholders Demand Involvement In Making of Media Regulatory Framework

Media Stakeholders Demand Involvement In Making of Media Regulatory Framework

Media stakeholders, comprising Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Newspapers Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ, International Press Institute (IPI) and other media-focused groups have recommended the need for industry-wide involvement in the setting up of the structure for a framework for the regulation of journalism practice in the country. The groups therefore recommended a timeline of six weeks for the setting up of the structure for the media regulation for review and take-off. This is contained in a communique at the end of a strategic meeting in Abuja on Thursday and signed by Malam Kabir Yusuf, President,…
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Wike, APC Governors Keep Mum On ‘Top Secret’ PH Meeting

Wike, APC Governors Keep Mum On ‘Top Secret’ PH Meeting

Details of Friday's meeting between Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike and three governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain top secret as none of the governors was prepared to speak on their mission. Reports say no journalist or observers were allowed within the venue. Those who requested information on the meeting were turned back. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State arrived in Port Harcourt, the state capital for the meeting which many believe was to woo Wike into the APC. While this has not been confirmed,…
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