Author: Obayomi Abiola Benjamin

There were fears yesterday that the simmering cold relationship between Nigeria and South Africa leading to the closure of some South African-owned businesses in Lagos State and other parts of the country could worsen with the resurgence of xenophobic protests in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday. Two persons were stabbed on Sunday, president of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, confirmed to newsmen. He, however, could not speak on the nationalities of the victims or the severity of the injuries as the police had yet to reveal the identities of the victims. In Lagos, despite assurances from the security…

Robert Mugabe is dead. Whether he will ever be missed by Zimbabweans and Africa is one thing we may never come to ascertain quickly. I know that many Africans, including those that are not of South African descent don’t ever feel ashamed to talk about Nelson Mandela anywhere they find themselves in the world. The reason is because Nelson Mandela lived a life worthy of emulation when it comes to leadership, and left behind memorable legacies that each and every African don’t feel ashamed to talk about. Mandela was a freedom fighter, a true hero of democracy, and one who…

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a  time as this?” Esther 4:14 Whether you are a political leader, or a leader in an organization; there is a time which has been allotted to you to execute your leadership assignment and what you do in those time  would determine your legacies, whether you will be remembered for good or for bad. So, one of the questions…

The world must work together to extinguish the fires ravaging Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, Pope Francis said in his weekly address to thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. Francis said: ”Let us pray that they may be tamed as soon as possible with the efforts of all. “These forest lungs are vital for our planet.” Swathes of the Amazon are burning at a rapid rate, sparking fears about the potential impact it could have on the battle against climate change. As global condemnation over its response grew, the Brazilian government said on Saturday that it was deploying…

Nigerians have been known with failed political leadership for many years. There is no doubt that part of our country’s numerous challenges has been lack of effective leadership at every level of government — Federal, State and Local. Politics in Nigeria has not delivered so much in terms of democratic dividends to the people, and no thanks to the kind of politicians that the nation parades. Apart from making promises whenever elections are approaching, a typical politician in Nigeria simply disappears once he or she has won the election, until the next election cycle when they come to solicit…

“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” Hebrews 13:7 There are certain people whose responsibility it is that we are straightened in life, attain spiritual maturity, fulfill destiny and ultimately attain the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ as documented in Ephesians 4:13. These people, we can rightly qualify them to be our spiritual leaders. It is not everybody that can rightly qualify to be a spiritual leader over your life. There are certain characteristics or qualities that can…

There is a saying that readily comes to mind anytime one sees or experiences an anomaly. I have heard people say it over and over again in expressing perhaps something that is a bizarre, and which shouldn’t have been or heard in any sane parlance. The saying goes does: “wonder shall never end.” The serious exchange that had taken place in the past few hours between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force is nothing short of wonder. I believe you know the gist already, but in case you are yet to come across it, here is just the…

The take off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) got a notch better yesterday, when the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, signed a $4.8 million institutional support grant to the African Union (AU) for its implementation. The grant, earlier approved by the Group’s on April 1, 2019, forms part of a series of interventions by the region’s biggest development lender in its role to accelerate implementation of the free trade agreement, seen as a major force for integrating the 55-nation continent and transforming its economy. AU’s Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Albert Muchanga and Andoh O. Mensah, who…

Sex has been one of the reasons many marriages hit the rock today. I did a reading research sometimes ago about the reasons many marriages ended in divorce. Out of ten different articles that I read, four of them were issues ranging from sexual dissatisfaction by either of the partners, which led to the problem of infidelity and lack of trust and eventually, to the dissolution of the marriage proper. There was one that I read that was even a bit funny. The man is seeking to dissolve his marriage of sixteen years simply because his wife always demands for…

Simon Kolawole Anybody who is interested in studying the quality of leadership in Nigeria and why our country is perpetually stuck in underdevelopment would have learnt a great deal from the screening of ministerial nominees by the senate. I don’t know where to start from. After the reign of speculation and anxiety, President Muhammadu Buhari finally sent a list of 43 nominees to the senate without attaching their portfolios — as usual. The PDP governments did that in their four terms over 16 years and we criticised them. Buhari and APC promised us “change” but they have continued with that…