Back in 1995, I had the privilege of being part of a media team that interviewed late President Shehu Shagari at his residence in Shagari village. It was a period when Nigeria was in search of determination, when sociocultural groups became rallying points for the expression and assertion of sectional and ethnic interests.
Author: Editor
Like a surprise, Nigerians are beginning to see and feel the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in action. The new president has proven that it is his time to change Nigeria for the better. His swearing-in was the starting point of new activity and the fuel subsidy was removed. I like this Man’s leadership energy and enthusiasm, he is not here to waste our time I believe.
Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible fathers out there! Today is a time to honor and appreciate the significant role we play in shaping the lives of our children and the impact we have on future generations.
Today, 17th June 2023 is exactly 20 days since Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu took instrument of power from President Muhammadu Buhari as the 16th Head of State and 8th democratically elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Globally, the performance of leaders is assessed after their first 100 days, then one year in office, and so on but BAT set the ground rolling with a gigantic stride that shook the socioeconomic bone marrow of the nation immediately. From the day he took over, 29th May 2023, several things started happening in quick succession that makes waiting for 100 days to write the BAT scorecard a herculean task with the possibility of making mistakes. Nevertheless, his earth-shattering policy of petroleum subsidy removal needs a thorough discussion in this Column.
Recently, there have been people saying they regret not voting for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To them, he has performed beyond expectations. In just three weeks? This is quite unprecedented because what we used to have were people either jumping off from a rudderless boat or dropping down from a driverless bus.
Days after Distinguished Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa openly and brazenly boasted of how he influenced court judgments in favour of himself and in favour of his friends and colleague using his wife who was the president of the court of appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, the senator is yet to be invited to substantiate his claims and the retired justice is yet to be invited by the National Judicial Council to deny or support her husband’s claim.
At the valedictory session of the 9th Senate last Saturday, a ‘Most distinguished’ (as they address themselves) told his colleagues that many owe their stay in the green chambers to the ‘benevolence’ of his wife, a retired judicial officer. Despite the best efforts of the (now former) Senate President Ahmad Lawan to apply the ‘off the mic’ principle to gag the father-confessor, the damage to the reputation of the Nigerian judiciary was already done.
In his valedictory address to the Senate, “distinguished” former member, Adamu Bulkachuwa, has confessed to influencing the decisions of his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa, while she was serving as a judge and President of the Court of Appeal. Mr. Bulkachuwa, an 83-year old chieftain of the ruling APC, who represented Bauchi North senatorial district in the 9th Senate, confirmed infringing on: “My wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while (she) was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues,” he said. The former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, realised the old man was making dangerous revelations of their secret practices in public and stopped him saying: “Distinguished, I don’t think this is a good idea going this direction. It is not a good idea, please.” It would have been great to hear examples he might have given on how they perverted the course of justice.
Two things will define Tinubu’s Presidency as a success or failure: What he does to insecurity and what he does to corruption. Why? Because these maladies are the two burning issues in the country today which if not taken down will take down the country or perhaps better put, will burn down the nation. I see Ribadu as the fire-fighter that will put out the fire of these burning issues. I am moved to do this write up by an article I saw online written by one Ismail Abdullahi from Kano.
One of the most difficult challenges I have had to endure is balancing my professional responsibilities with the needs of my baby, particularly when it comes to breastfeeding.