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Nigerians, you’re on your own!

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  Compatriots, I don’t mean to scare you. I just thought we should do some cross-fertilisation of ideas and intellectual cobwebbing. What do you think can solve this rising cost of living crisis? Can you rely on the government for your daily survival? Do you believe things will get better with time? Are you hopeful of improved service delivery by government ministries, departments and agencies? Don’t you think it’s time to take responsibility? I mean, shouldn’t you and I take our destinies in our hands? Last Thursday was June 12, our Democracy Day, and we commemorated 26 unbroken years of civil rule in this Fourth Republic, which started in 1999. The President addressed the nation at the joint session of the National Assembly. He gave an update on his achievements in two years in office, particularly in the economy and used the occasion to recognise the heroes and heroines of democracy, dead and alive, as he gave them national honours. In about three months from now, it will be O...
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Can INEC deliver credible 2027 General Elections?

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  Introduction The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is one of the 14 Federal Executive Bodies listed in Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered. It is tasked to among other things organise elections into various political offices in the country. The Commission is made up of a Chairman, and 12 National Commissioners.   The functions of INEC as contained in Section 15, Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and Section 2 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) include the following: Organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a State, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation; Register political parties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and Act of the National Assembly; Monitor the organisation and ...
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Call to action on maiden National Police Day

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“ As President, I reaffirm this administration’s steadfast dedication to the welfare and empowerment of the Nigeria Police Force. A secure Nigeria is vital for our collective prosperity, and this vision begins with ensuring that our police force is well-equipped, well-trained, and well-motivated.  We are resolute in our commitment to police welfare and comprehensive reform.” – President Bola Tinubu at the maiden National Police Day celebration in Abuja on April 7, 2025 An April 2, 2025, press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated, “The Nigeria Police Force is set to host the maiden edition of National Police Day on April 7, 2025, at Eagle Square, Abuja. This historic event, which will run from April 2 to April 7, 2025, will feature a series of impactful humanitarian and community-based activities, including medical outreaches, community engagements, exhibitions by security companies and p...
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How relevant are monarchies in contemporary governance system?

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  The earliest form of governance system is the monarchy. Even the Holy Books confirms this. That’s why in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and many countries in the Middle East they are still ruled by kings. England, Spain, Morocco are still ruled by kings. In the traditional and pre-colonial Nigeria all the communities, towns and villages were governed by traditional rulers -   kings and queens. There was Queen Amina of Zauzau, King Jaja of Opobo, Oba of Benin, Alaafin of Oyo and Ooni of Ife, to mention but a few. These kings perform the executive, legislative and judicial functions with the support of their kingmakers and palace chiefs. For instance, the Alaafin of Oyo heads the old Oyo Empire that covers most part of the South West Nigeria down to Dahomey in the present Benin Republic.   The empire’s military is under the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo (Generalissimo) who is answerable to the Alaafin. The Oyomesi and Ogboni assisted the Alaafin in the performance of the legislative and judic...
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Commendations and concerns over Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle

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  Last week’s cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu has generated a lot of mixed reactions. While many saw it as a masterstroke, others are either indifferent or knock the move as being underwhelming. I have had the privilege of discussing the shuffle on about 20 media platforms 13 of which were on the day after the announcement. All the major broadcast media (radio and television) and print wanted to know my position on the president’s decision, so I graciously obliged. This piece chronicles my thoughts on the president’s decision to overhaul his cabinet. The takeoff point is the announcement of the decision which was on the evening of Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy for the President announced on his X-handle that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate implementation of eight far-reaching actions to reinvigorate the administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency pursuant to his commitment to deliver on ...
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How impunity fuels Nigeria’s underdevelopment

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  “Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.”   - Jonathan Swift. Cambridge online dictionary defines the word impunity as “freedom from punishment or from the unpleasant results of something that has been done”.   Over time, I have been reflecting about Nigeria’s underdevelopment status despite our great potentials. Many say our problem is leadership, others think it is followership. Not a few have also identified corruption, nepotism, lack of rule of law, tribalism, incompetence, self-aggrandisement, religious bigotry, indolence and the likes as our bane. While I agree with this school of thought, I am of the considered view that impunity trumps all the other aforementioned factors or variables. There is a cliché from George Orwell’s classic, “Animal Farm” which says all animals are equal but some are more equal than the others. Crimes and criminality are global phenomenon. They are two evils that defy clime and cre...
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Jide Ojo’s Record Breaking Media Interviews on October 24, 2024

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  Despite not holding a press conference, I may have set a record of highest number of interviews in one day, perhaps in Nigeria. Most of the interviews were on President Tinubu’s Cabinet Reshuffle of yesterday.   Wow! It feels good. Asorogbayi, gentleman of the press! Check this out! 1.      Radio Now 95.3 Lagos 2.      Raypower 100.5 FM Network 3.      Law FM 103.9 Lagos 4.      Nigerian Television Authority   5.      Daily Trust 6.      Arise News TV 7.      True Vision TV 8.      TV 360 9.      Blueprint 10. The Guardian 11. Voice of the People TV (VOP) 12. Global TV 13. Citizen 93.7 FM Abuja
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