Browsing: Viewpoint

Let me begin by asking you to forgive me for communicating with you through this rather unorthodox medium but I have no other way of reaching you and I fear that a formal, private letter and communication to your office in Tel Aviv may never make it past your Chief of Staff or to your desk.

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, encompassing emotional stability, resilience, and the ability to effectively navigate life’s challenges. Unfortunately, mental health conditions are prevalent worldwide, affecting approximately one in eight individuals, with depression being a leading cause of disability, particularly among adolescents. Despite the widespread impact of mental health issues, many individuals still do not receive adequate support and services.

As he marks his 81st birthday on Sunday December 17th, roughly six months after the completion of his two terms as President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari’s story continues to resonate with a nation that values honesty, accountability and compassion.

The Nigerian Civil War had a profound impact on the country’s socio-economic landscape. One notable change was the transformation of the itinerant tailor profession, which shifted from being primarily located in Eastern Nigeria to predominantly Northern Nigeria. This shift serves as a metaphor for the divergent paths taken by these two regions in terms of social and economic development.

The story of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) just like many other agencies of the Nigerian government, is that of a beautiful concept that was poorly implemented over time, resulting to loss of public confidence and damage to the economy.

My first encounter with a critique of charity was Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah. I was maybe 15 or 16 then, but his take—speaking through his character—was indelibly etched in my mind. In the light of a fresh national development, I cannot but recall his denunciation of charity as the “opium…of the privileged.” Now, you must have read the horrifying report that Nigerian security forces “accidentally” bombed—again! — some civilians in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State. Following the airstrikes, about 120 people reportedly died, while another 60 sustained injuries. You must have also read that the senators, all 109 of them, are contributing N1m each from their respective December salaries for the victims.