Yearly Archives: 2018

Fulani Herdsmen & The British Legacy of Guilt

Fulani Herdsmen & The British Legacy of Guilt

Fulani Herdsmen & the British Legacy of Guilt

“Guilt by community association” (GBCA) is back in Nigeria in fresh form in 2018. Not by the actions of a foreign colonialist. But those of the local Nigerian auto-colonialists courtesy Fulani herdsmen affairs. In the colonial state of Nigeria, under British rule, was the chief means by which the Nigerian staffed police force secured conformity and order. The method of choice was community arrest and faux crime taxation. (more…)

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Restructuring: Derivation or Ownership? 2
An Illusion or Reality of Unity?

Restructuring: Derivation or Ownership 2

Restructuring: Derivation or Ownership 2: Questions & Answers.

“Federalism” and “restructuring” and related terms are all political jargon. It means they are not so easy to understand by non-specialists and are widely appreciated by assumption, not fact. Nigeria is a federal republic that practices federalism on paper. But is a unitary state in reality because it lacks the provision of autonomy for subnational or federating units. All advanced nations have undergone several phases of restructuring for political, economic or social reasons at different stages in their existence.

Many Nigerians are oblivious to the fact that the creation of Lower Niger protectorate by the British, the amalgamation of North and South Nigeria, the institution of the four colonial constitutions for Nigeria and ultimately Independence in 1960, where all cases of restructuring. Oil appears to be the only reason restructuring, or federalism looks strange to some in Nigeria. I shall now answer the questions raised in response to restructuring (non-technically): Derivation or Ownership?

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Restructuring: Derivation or Ownership? 2
An Illusion or Reality of Unity?

Restructuring: Derivation or Ownership

Restructuring: Derivation or Ownership

“Restructuring”; its meaning is debatable, and for many, it is about oil, resource control. Surprisingly, many see resource control as the receipt of an increased top-up percentage of “derivation” by oil-producing states from oil revenues issued by the federal government (FG) as fiscal allocations. Where is the control in receiving a token part of the revenues from resources mined under your jurisdiction? The practice of derivation, no matter the percentage, is not reducible to restructuring. (more…)

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Pirate-Captain Entities and Democracy

Pirate-Captain Entities and Democracy

Pirate-Captain Entities and Democracy

There is a keen fascination among young men, most at leading schools and universities around the world, with the “captain-pirate” mode. Its germ is of rebellion or disobedience against the injustices and excesses of the status quo in society. It is not surprising. The literal meaning of a pirate and the piratical life is one of thieves and the means of thieving, respectively. Its contextual significance is in fraternal orders of young men and is consanguineous with the metaphor of Robin Hood. Stealing from the rich or powerful to give to the poor. The young or seasoned pirate, as he swears a solemn oath at his initiation, under the guidance of his captain, thus becomes an agent of social justice in society. Political means not excluded. (more…)

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Ayittey Benchmark: Performance of Presidents

Ayittey Benchmark: Performance of Presidents

Ayittey Benchmark: Performance of Presidents. How else do you measure it?

There are many able Nigerian analysts, commentators, pundits, academics and journalists who have rightfully earned a say in the Nigerian political arena. Most are insincere. Some swing. But a few are truthful in their evaluations of the state of political realities and performances of governments and their principals. All performances of governance do need to have standardised or unique benchmarks for their measurements to be valid. (more…)

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Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art and Sport?

Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?

Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?

Urhobo Blow (UB), Ubi ejeh [service of punches] or Ohonre r’ubi [battle of punches], is a traditional martial art developed by the Urhobos for military action, but in recent times, it became a contest of strength by young males at annual or seasonal festivals. UB has its similarities with mainstream boxing, but the differences are steep. Many ethnic groups in Africa have their own boxing and wrestling arts. Still, the distinct feature of UB is that fighters place their knock-out punch hand on their backs just above the buttocks during fights. UB is over the years is becoming extinct due to lack of interest and exposure But it may make a big comeback as a mixed martial art of international status. UB was once a source of great community pride and made heroes. So, what makes UB worthy of attention? (more…)

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“Blame or Claim” Governance: Buhari's Only Hope

“Blame or Claim” Governance: Buhari’s Only Hope

There is an insightful article for those interested in governance by Taiwo Makinde titled Problems of Policy Implementation in Developing Nations: The Nigerian Experience. In the paper, the Makinde explains quite persuasively why policy implementation in Nigeria routinely fails with successive governments. He implicates, among other factors, a lack of continuity of policy implementation from a previous government to a succeeding, e.g. from Presidents Babangida to Abacha [or Jonathan to Buhari]. Ego [of the leader] is the reason he provides for this. The logic is simple; it is better for the current president to sabotage the good works of a predecessor and initiate his own that will place his mention high on the lips of posterity. It holds for all forms of organisation in Nigeria. The significant exception is President Muhammad Buhari and for strange reasons; blamocracy [and claimocracy].

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