Public Affairs Analyst

April 2011 polls in Nigeria looms. Preparations are at fever pitch by the various actors and stakeholders in the electoral process. Independent National Electoral Commission had blown the whistle for the official commencement of preparations for the general elections with the release of timetable for the polls on 23 November 2010. One of the key institutions in the electoral process is the political party who fields candidates to contest the elections. Up from three in 1999, 30 in 2003, 50 in 2007, now 63 political parties have been registered to participate in the 2011 polls. In accordance with INEC’s timetable, and also in consonance with section 87 of Electoral Act 2010 which stipulates the candidates’ nomination process, political parties have between 26 November 2010 and 15 January 2011 for the conduct of their primaries. With the commencement of active politicking, incidences of electoral violence have soared. It is noteworthy that electoral violence refers to all forms of organi...

It is the dawn of a new year and a new decade. 2011 was ushered in with a bang in Abuja, nay Nigeria as terrorists blew up the mammy market inside Mogadishu Barrack. It is commonplace for individuals, corporate organisations and indeed a country to observe a ritual called New Year resolutions. Nigeria‘s budget, presented by President Goodluck Jonathan on December15, 2010 to the joint sitting of the National Assembly could be taken to be our dear country‘s New Year resolutions, our economic wish list. What I have set out to do in this piece is to add my own personal wishes for Nigeria in 2011. Why, in spite of the billions of Naira budgeted annually for the construction and repairs of Nigerian roads, do many of these roads be it Trunk A, B or C still remain death-traps? Are we not deserving of good roads or is it because our leaders fly around the country and hardly ever drive on the same road as the populace? This last Christmas, I travelled with my family from Abuja to Ibadan and I co...

I return all glory to God Almighty for giving me and my family the grace to witness this year of unlimited breakthrough, 2011. The out gone year 2010 was a very productive year for me. I changed jobs, went on a very important foreign trip and was able to maintain my vigorous media advocacy for better Nigeria. To crown the year and as a fitting tribute to celebrate my 20 years of media advocacy, I was able to publish a book titled: Nigeria, My Nigeria: Perspectives from 1990 – 2010. The book with about 85 commentaries earlier published in 18 national newspapers was launched in Abuja on 25 November 2010. The feedback from those who have purchased and read the book showed that its publication on the heel of Nigeria’s golden jubilee celebration was quite instructive and helpful to enable compatriots and foreigners alike understand this great nation of good people. In terms of media profiling, my tentacles spread to other national newspapers like Daily Trust and the National Compass while c...