Good afternoon, everybody. It is a great honor for me to be in Accra and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am deeply grateful for the welcome that I’ve received, as are Michelle and Malia and Sasha Obama. Ghana’s history is rich, the ties between our two countries are strong, and I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as president of the United States of America.
Some convicted prisoners have died in prison before their scheduled executions. In light of this reality, there is no doubt that innocent convicts must have been executed in Nigeria.
The urgency of revisiting the implementation of capital punishment in a developing country like Nigeria therefore cannot be overemphasized.
Continue reading about Time to abolish the death penalty in Nigeria
Nigerians are also starting to see an invidious pattern; a pattern whereby a section of the country garners all the juicy federal appointments to the near total exclusion of other sections in a country of 150 million, 250 ethnic groups, and at least 5 viable nationalities. The issue now transcends party affiliation, and creates an unprecedented scenario whereby cries of marginalization are coming from within the ruling party.
History has shown that democracy can only be sustained when there is a viable opposition. In fact it should be in the interest of the ruling party for the opposition to be robust and viable. Opposition gives vibrancy to the political process and offer alternative voice to dissent. Even some PDP chieftains understand the need for dissention in building a sustainable democratic culture, and lamented the open rigging that marked the Ekiti elections.
Continue reading about Nigerian Quagmire, the Only Way Forward
Greg Okechukwu
okechukwugregory@yahoo.com
“We have been saying it; Nigeria is not one country. Well, yes, I know that, but I have been trying to say, since Lord Lugard in 1914 amalgamated us, and we have gone thus far, let us try to make it work, so that we can continue together. But with what happened in Jos [...]
Continue reading about How sectionalism threatens Nigeria’s future
Defusing the diesel time-bomb in Lagos Nigeria
By Henry Okeke
There can be no better time for the Nigerian and Lagos State governments to conduct a study on the cumulative environmental impact of diesel consumption in Lagos. Fortunately, the required study is not expensive and can be quite expository as Nigeria designs the socio-economic infrastructure of the [...]
Continue reading about Defusing the diesel time-bomb in Lagos Nigeria
Just last week, the Federal Government decided to adopt some of the provisions of the electoral reforms package doctored by the Justice Muhammadu Uwais committee. For reasons best known to him, the President decided to retain the power to appoint the Chairman of INEC. Leading newspapers and opposition parties have all voiced concerns to [...]
Continue reading about Finding Our Giant Steps Demands Sacrifice