Author: Abiodun KOMOLAFE

My first encounter with Adegboyega Oyetola, then Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, occurred in 2014 during the buildup to the Osun governorship election, where Aregbesola sought reelection on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket. Today, Oyetola serves as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. “And reckon (people) by the number of years, so that they may understand.” (Quran 18:19). My second and most enduring encounter with Oyetola commenced in October 2016, when I was appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media by Aregbesola. I later continued to serve under Governor Oyetola in the same capacity from December…

Governance requires effective time management to thrive. Unfortunately, political systems often waste this precious resource, compromising citizens’ well-being and national prosperity. As a universal currency, time is equally distributed but unequally valued, with marginalized communities frequently bearing the brunt of temporal inefficiencies. At the politics-time intersection, power dynamics emerge, shaping lives through prioritization, policy and resource allocation. To maximize productivity, strategies like prioritization and goal-setting are crucial, lest poor management leads to missed deadlines and lost opportunities. Historically, societies aligned tasks with natural rhythms, highlighting the tension between short-term gains and long-term benefits, thus underscoring the need for intentional time…

According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism generates over $1 trillion in exports annually, creating millions of jobs and stimulating local economies. Be that as it may, it is important to note that Nigeria’s vast growth and development opportunities are being overlooked due to a lack of vision and self-centeredness on the part of its successive leaders, ultimately hindering the greater good and benefiting only a privileged few. This issue pervades all levels of government, from state to local, with authorities neglecting their duties to harness the potential of natural attractions for promotion and development. The plight of Erin Ijesa…

Nigeria is at the moment in a precarious position, teetering like a heavy toddler due to the instability of its monocrop economy. The country’s heavy dependence on crude (not even refined) petroleum exports exposes a cumulative effect of defective political economies and the complacency of the ruling elite “who have been trained as to how not to think”. It also reminds one of the stage-like observations of Robert Nester Marley, that “amid water, the fool goes thirsty”. Nigeria’s reliance on oil can be diversified, but the elite’s mindset stands in the way. A notable example is Mexico’s Acapulco, which transformed…

Assuming no unforeseen circumstances, Dangote Refinery is expected to make its first delivery of refined premium motor spirit, PMS, to the Nigerian market by September 2024. The Federal Government has also announced that sales of crude oil to Dangote and other local refineries will begin on October 1, 2024. To address concerns about pump prices and dollar-naira exchange rates, the Federal Executive Council approved a plan. The plan offers 450,000 barrels for domestic consumption in naira to Nigerian refineries, with Dangote Refinery as the pilot. To begin with, this directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) marks a…

“Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.” – Cicero, 46 B.C. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC), renowned statesman, lawyer, philosopher, poet and ‘the greatest forensic orator Rome ever produced’, was right! We have to go into the past to understand today! The present conundrum in the National Assembly highlights just how far we have departed from many rational definitions of public service. It wasn’t always like this! From the early 1950s, with the commencement of self-rule in the regions and at the centre, parliamentarians were on allowances. This is because there…

“I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens”. These were the words of President Bola Tinubu in a broadcast to the nation on the now-suspended #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Among other things, the protests have highlighted the plight of Nigeria’s forgotten poor, who are not just passive bystanders but active voices demanding change. The brief nature of this outcry finds its flow in the poor’s ability to sustain their demands and hold their…

Last Sunday, President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation amid #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests, expressing sorrow over lost lives and urging peace. He defended his economic reforms, highlighted progress and unveiled initiatives for youth empowerment, housing and food security. Nevertheless, his address sparked a range of responses, and indeed, it received mixed reactions, with critics saying he didn’t address root causes and others commending his efforts to tackle challenges. The government’s subsidy removal and allied policies have had a mixed impact. They’ve increased government revenue, attracted private investment, and reduced fiscal burden. However, these policies have also led to higher fuel prices, increased…

On Saturday, August 3, 2024, the funeral service for the late Mrs. Aderoju Janet Akinyemi will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. James the Great, Oke Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State. The ceremony will be followed by the committal of her mortal remains to Mother Earth. We invite friends, family and loved ones to join us as we bid farewell to an inspirational figure. Aderoju, wife of The Most Reverend Michael Olukayode Akinyemi, the Retired Archbishop of Kwara Province and Bishop of Igbomina Diocese (Anglican Communion), passed away in the United States of America on May 15, 2024. A…

The trend of endorsing governors for a second term has gained significant momentum. This trend is particularly noteworthy in the context of Nigeria’s political landscape, where endorsements can make or break a candidate’s chances of winning. In various states, governors have received endorsements from diverse groups and individuals. For instance, Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State secured the backing of the Northern Community in Enugu, while Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has earned the endorsement of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, barely a year into his tenure. On October 22, 2023, former Governors Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayo…