Opinion

It has been more than 40 years since I was imprisoned in Iran for speaking out against human rights abuses and state executions, and for defending women’s rights. I spent eight years behind bars in Iran’s notorious Evin prison. I was tortured. I remember it as if it happened yesterday. Every few years, uprisings erupt across Iran – and each wave of resistance is deeper and more widespread than the one before. In 2022, it was women who led the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement after the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by the country’s “morality police”, and it revolutionised my…

By Cheta Nwanze Let's not mince words. Nigeria’s new tax regime, which landed on our heads this January, is the most ambitious attempt to reshape the state since, well, since the last time someone had a “bright idea” in Abuja. They’re calling it a “generational reset”. From where I sit, and from where millions of Nigerians actually sit – in traffic, in market stalls, in offices – wondering how to make ends meet, it feels more like a grand, high-stakes gamble. The economists and the “Africa rising” brigade are nodding sagely. The rest of us are checking our pockets and…

*We Seek End To Unfair Trials, Arbitrary Detentions, Enforced Disappearances, Persecution Of Political Opponents, Sweeping Restrictions On Free Speech, Assembly *We Seek Embrace Of Independent Investigations, Accountability By Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights The US military operation in Venezuela undermines a fundamental principle of international law, agreed after the horrors of two world wars and the Holocaust: states must not use force to pursue their territorial claims or political demands. I am deeply disturbed by these events – and by some of the reactions I have seen. A narrative is emerging that seeks to justify the US…

By SAMSON EZEA Among the prominent names in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent list of ambassadorial nominees is a man widely regarded as a diplomat by temperament and practice—the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (CON).It is an axiomatic fact that Ugwuanyi embodies diplomacy in character and conduct. Naturally gifted in peacemaking, dialogue, negotiation, and brinksmanship, he is known for his patience, humility, accessibility, humanity, and generosity. These qualities have defined his public life since he ventured into politics in 2003 and continued after he left office in 2023. To date, he remains unchanged—calm, dependable, and…

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed ₦50 billion to Seyi Makinde and that the Governor chose to stay silent while saving up the money to support his presidential ambition, are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous. Let us be clear from the outset.The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde ₦50 billion. This is why Fayose was unable to provide evidence to show the disbursement when asked to do so. In fact, the memo he shared shows what was not disbursed. What exists on record is a request…

By Rafael Behr If AI did not change your life in 2025, next year it will. That is one of few forecasts that can be made with confidence in unpredictable times. This is not an invitation to believe the hype about what the technology can do today, or may one day achieve. The hype doesn’t need your credence. It is puffed up enough on Silicon Valley finance to distort the global economy and fuel geopolitical rivalries, shaping your world regardless of whether the most fanciful claims about AI capability are ever realised. ChatGPT was launched just over three years ago…

By Pastor Yemi Olayinka I hope this letter meets you well. In recent time, I have been bothered about the situation of our dear country and I have a firm belief, the trust and confidence, while I don't have any doubt in my mind, that you mean well for Nigeria, and I have an assurance in my spirit that you will surely succeed. The current fume and body language from the North is scary, very worrisome. They can't wait for your exit to serve the South a breakfast. In Nigeria, this is the very first time, a Southerner would assume…