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 By IKECHUKWU AMAECHI  Three weeks ago, I received a text message from someone who identified himself as Lemuel Iyalla, saying that he was directed by Dr. Christopher Kolade to invite me as his guest to an event where he will be honoured on September 7. The text came with an audio message which explained what the event is all about: “The Heritage for Life Foundation and Greenland Classics invite you to a Nonagenarian Concert and presentation of a book titled “Spirit of our Treasures” in honour of Dr. Christopher Kolade (CON), former Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and…

*Abdulsalami Abubakar, Touray, Ribadu In Attendance *African Union Suspends Niger Republic *Major announcement May Follow Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has entered a crucial meeting that could decide whether the ECOWAS confronts the coup leaders in Niger Republic militarily or continue in the ongoing efforts to resolve the removal of the country's elected government diplomatically.  The meeting which is being attended by some critical ECOWAS stakeholders will be a last minute effort to defuse the smouldering political tension in the sub-region over the crisis in Niger Republic. Tinubu is the chairman of the authority of the Heads of State and…

By SHEDDY OZOENE The meeting of governors of the five South-East states in Enugu on 10th August 2023, was not their first under the auspices of the South-East Governors Forum, SEGOF, but it is easily the most remarkable in recent years. The hundred percent attendance of members was significant on its own but it also underscored their new-found eagerness to pursue the Forum’s objectives and tackle the challenges that have become obvious in the geopolitical zone. At hand were Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Alex Otti (Abia), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) and the host, Peter Mba of…

By SHEDDY OZOENE On Monday last week, memories of the momentous life and times of Alhaji Lateef Jakande were evoked at the maiden edition of the annual lecture instituted in his honour by the Nigerian Guild of Editors. The event held at the Sheraton Hotels in Lagos, was the first of its kind for a man who has done so much for Nigerian journalism in a career that spanned several decades. And like the great Nnamdi Azikiwe, he also went ahead to write his name in the annals of public service in Nigeria. His tenure as Governor of Lagos State…

President Bola Tinubu has released portfolios of ministers while retaining the Ministry of Petroleum, like former President Buhari before him. The ministry has been broken into two, with two ministers of state, all from the South South. Yusuf Tuggar is the foreign minister while Dele Alake is the new Minister of Solid Minerals. Mohammed Idris goes to the Ministry of Information while Festus Keyamo will be in charge of aviation and aerospace development. Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike will be in charge of the FCT Ministry, his former counterpart in Ebonyi, Dave Umahi will head the Works Ministry. The…

By TUNDE OLUSUNLE Arriving in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2010 to join in the excitement of the first-ever FIFA World Cup hosted by an African country, I got my first ever baptism of entrapment in an elevator. I was on the trip with two very good friends, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo and Femi Olatunde who were journalists like me, both of whom unfortunately are no more with us. We walked across from our hotel in the highbrow Sandton district in Johannesburg to the official address of the Nigerian delegation to the tournament in the same district. We would suddenly find ourselves…

·Says military intervention an aberration .Urges Tinubu, governors to fulfill promises on economic interventions The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu - as Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) - to persuade the sub-regional body to adopt diplomatic channels in handling issues arising from the recent coup d'etat in Niger Republic. Although the professional body of editors in Nigeria noted that military intervention is now regarded as an aberration around the world, it nevertheless, urged the ECOWAS to employ ‘’strategic engagement and diplomacy’’ in ensuring that democratic structures are restored in the…

By TUNDE OLUSUNLE Worrying sociopolitical developments in the West coast of Africa have very iunderstandably elicited subregional, continental and global concerns. Within the twinkle of an eye the gradual absorption of democratic governance consistent with contemporaneous global trends by countries in the subcontinent, has gone on the reverse gear. A week ago Nigeria's Northern neighbours, the Republic of Niger, became the latest of nearly half a dozen countries in West Africa where substantive democratically elected governments has been displaced by military voyeurs. Assimi Goita a 42 year old Colonel in the Malian army most probably flagged off this disturbing routine…

Two months after she vacated her seat as Senator representing Anambra Central, Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) has been appointed the Director-General of the South-East Governors Forum (SEGOF).  The Forum is the umbrella body of governors of the five states in Nigeria's South-East geopolitical zone, comprising Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia States. The appointment was conveyed to her in a letter dated 31 July 2023, by the new Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma. As Director-General of the Forum, Senator Ekwunife will head the Secretariat in Enugu and liaise with the five governors in pursuit…

*Maiden edition to hold in Lagos The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has instituted an annual memorial lecture in honour of its pioneer President and former Governor of Lagos State, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The maiden edition of the lecture is billed to take place on Monday, August 7, 2023 in Lagos. In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, and signed by its President, Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of editors in Nigeria, said that its decision was informed by a deliberate programme to nurture a culture of appreciation. ‘’As part of…