Certain things make a government a government. Trust, sensitivity and timing are three attributes any worthy government should possess. Even an unworthy government must strife and probably endure the pain - of possessing TST. A government without TST is like committing a sin of rebellion. - Notice that I do not mention being nice as a characteristic of a government. This is simply because leadership is not about being nice but doing the right thing. Most often governments do things right without necessarily doing the right thing. And this invariably brings collapse – of distrust. If the governed mistrust their leaders, there’s problem. If the governed sense a certain degree o…

It is not the question of whether racism exists or not rather the question of our perspective as well as our politically correct approach - in dealing with it. The first step is to admit that we are in dilemma in our quest to stop and, or curb racial prejudice. Our approach has been counterproductive probably due to our parochial view on the matter. - In our quest to stop racism and in our haste to promote diversity, we often inclined to suppressing hatred speech – the dissenting voice. We have full faith in political correctness and, indeed always end up in doing things right rather than doing the right thing. In the process we are guilty of the same unfair treatment melted to us …

Libya's destruction, a victory for the west; a defeat for ordinary Libyans. The suffering of Libyans has just begun. For there can never be true liberation when your oppressor is the one who defines what your freedom should be. The ousting of Colonel Gaddafi, Libyan leader for 42 years, by the rebels backed western forces especially NATO is indeed a victory for the west whose fixation on Gaddafi's Libya has become worrisome. - It’s definitely not a victory for ordinary Libyans who would continue to suffer a lot of nervous strain and shock after the destruction. Neither is it a victory for the rebels who have been in excess jubilation since capturing Gaddafi’s official …

Brother Leader Gaddafi. That is how I heard Libyans calling him - throughout my three days in Tripoli for a Historical African Migrants Conference in Europe which took place in Tripoli on January 15. I was impressed to see an African leader being genuinely loved by his people despite the fact that I was detained for 9 hours at the airport even though I was officially invited. - But the first shock of my admiration came barely a month after my visit, as protests rock Gaddafi’s administration calling for his resignation. Gaddafi came to power on September 1, 1969 through a revolution by overthrowing King Idris 1, a pro-Western monarch, in a bloodless coup d’état. Since then th…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have suspended Togo national team from participating in the next two Nations Cup. In addition, CAF also fined the Hawks $50,000 for quitting the competition. - The decision by CAF to suspend Togo is due to the latter's withdrawal from 2010 Angola Orange Cup after rebels attack their team bus in the Cabinda enclave of Angola. CAF president Issa Hayatou told AFP the decision was based on "governmental interference", which led to the team's decision to pull out of this year's edition. Meanwhile, the Togo government has protested the decision, threatening court action. It could be recalled that three members of the tea…

- The Golden Eaglets has emerged the winner of the group of death in the on-going U-17 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria. The boys who started the tournament with a come back 3-3 draw with Germany, defeated the tournament favourite, Argentina by 2-1. The South American side led in the early minutes although the African boys quickly equalised with a flicker volley by Omoh Ojabu in the fifth minute from a corner kick. Played at the Tafa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, the defending champion looked strong as they tackled the Argentines who had already assured of going to the second phase of the competition having won their first two matches. Nigerians, who had drawn one match and won one, must beat Arg…

- I was a guest on Al Jazeera's Inside Story TV programme recently. The topic of discussion centred on Niger Delta; particularly on the amnesty granted to the militants by the Nigerian Federal Government. In my humble contribution I submitted or argued that the so-called amnesty would fail if the Federal Government's intention was to play game with the process. I said that money inducement will not solve the Niger-Delta problem. I also reasoned that the only thing that can get us started is by seriously addressing the root cause of the agitation in the region which of course is simple: INJUSTICES AND ABJECT UNDERDEVELOPMENT. Barely 12 hours after the programme two high-ranking…

Ghana's under 20 national team, the Black Satellites, has made history by becoming the first ever African nation to win the U-20 Youth Soccer Championships when it defeated Brazil 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out on Friday night in a thrilling match the black Satellites played with ten men. - Of course, the credit goes to the Ghanaian boys whose determination and skills have broken the jinx of African teams losing in the finals of this glamorous youth tournament. It could be recalled that Ghana and Nigeria have reached the finals two times each in the previous tournaments only to lose to either European or South American teams, most especially Brazil, four-time winners. Nigeria l…

- Nigerian Flying Eagles played Germany in one of the second rounds in the ongoing U-20 World Cup tagged Egypt 2009. It was a good match by every standard and the EUROSPORT commentators attested to this fact. The match was full of dramatic moments and the Flying Eagles were the better side in terms of possessing the ball, especially in the first half. They controlled the ball as if it was not the same team that had struggled during the group stage. Our boys came with one mission: to win and then move on to face Brazil in the quarter finals. And they would have achieved that feat but for carelessness or complacency or lack of concentration, they threw away such unusual opportunity. Th…

- In normal circumstances the Flying Eagles representing Nigeria in the on-going FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt, would have been eliminated having come third in their group B matches. But, because four best third placed teams will progress to the knock-out phase, the flying Eagles still have hope and they have been waiting in agony to realise that faint hope. Yes, they have to wait until all matches have been played to see if they are among the four best losers. At 22.45 (Nigerian time), Nigerians all over the world will have known the outcome. Their hope of going to the next stage boomed yesterday after the result of four other matches in group C and D respectively. Germany defeated Camer…

- A Nigerian is to regain his freedom after nine months incarceration in Hungarian prison. He was set free after the judge acquitted him on one count of passport forgery. Although he was indicted for possessing fake Italian documents, Dr.Jávori Tünde, ordered his release because according to her, the accused had spent enough time in prison. Sitting at XVIII-XIX District Court on Wednesday September 23, Dr. Jávori cautioned the accused before the proceeding saying, "You may or may not make any statement but whatever you say here can be used as evidence in your favour or against you". Chris (surname withheld) was arrested at Ferihegy Airport Terminal 2 during a random check s…

I have been tacitly following the troubles in the Nigerian banking industry. But before I go in perspective, I would like to make a confession: banking and other financial jargons often bore me to the marrow. The fact is not because I am not aver in this direction, but because I have always considered banking industry a cheat. - It is all about business but those who run banks and, or other financial institutions usually portray their trade as lending hands. And the governments have never made things easy for the people by approving these institutions which to me can be simply described as officially backed fraud sector. For instance, how they make you sign a very ambiguous contract. Mea…

- African scholarship students must return to Africa after their studies abroad Winning a scholarship for further studies is for the privileged few. It is obvious that, not every kofi and Adio can get money from government to help pay for their education. Securing a scholarship to study – especially abroad – is meant for exceptionally brilliant chaps. An educational organization or government in recognition of such aptitude is always ready to flame their scholastic skills, and in the hope that such chaps would pay their debts later in life – at least to better their immediate society. These eggheads become government pikin straightaway (not that kind one o) to the je…

I quite understand that no government will ever tolerate any deliberate act of destruction or disruption in which lives and properties are being damaged. The primary duty of any government is to protect its citizens and their properties. And any government unable to perform this mathematical function must be rejected with contempt. - A government that folds its arms when some people declare warfare against the state will only find itself to blame. In fact, law abiding citizens should freeze off such government. Well, it is another story if Nigerians find this an impossible task. A good government should not take decision for popularity sake, or do things right instead of doing the right thin…

The title is an assignment being researched by the students of Kaduna Polytechnic HND1 (Higher National Diploma) Mass Communication Department. The curious students had sent "mails of this nature to national commentators" like me to respond, trusting that I would reply to the topic accordingly. The deadline is less than two weeks, for they must submit their findings within that time range. - In this essay, I intend to use anecdotes and retrospect to drive home my point. I am going to argue that, since the Nigerian government is unable to manage or control economic, religious, political and social crises before the advent of the global one, then it is impossible for such government …

- He expresses strong believe about it. Occasionally, he shows sorrow in order to explain what he calls lack of integrity in the profession he once served as the President. Lanre Ogundipe, former NUJ president from 1997 to 1999, speaks his mind without mincing words. He simply detests the situation whereby anyone can call herself a journalist without the necessary qualification. “Journalism is not a vocation but a profession,” he insists. Applying anecdotes and retrospect, Ogundipe, former Pastor New Covenant Church Budapest, talks about the roles of the press and what it must do to restore the glory of yesteryears. He predicts danger in a situation where indicted politicians a…

The transportation of Africans to America and the Caribbean from the 16th to the 19th centuries known as slave trade was eventually abolished at the very time no one expected. It was like yesterday when minds of slave merchants were rendered unwholesome by contaminants pollution. - Their complex mental state brought seemingly endless tears to a people of the same genetic stock. But one day the tears stopped. The "new" minds started viewing the fad as crude and uncivilized. The slave owners then broke down in tears, admitting extreme cruelty. Have we forgotten so soon? At the peak of that period, had someone stood at the market, foretold by divine inspiration that such barbarous…

Was it our own Chinua Achebe or one of the WS (William Shakespeare and our own Wole Soyinka) who coined that famous phrase about greatness? "Some men [or women] are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." - For a man or woman to be born great, his or her story must reflect that of an archetype. It must have a powerful and ever growing resonance that embodies among other themes: political wisdom, metaphysical and artistic insights. The story of a legend won’t complete without gangland warfare and periods in a mystical wilderness. To be born great means to enjoy an icon-like status more akin to that of the rebel myth of Che Guevara than to…

Members of the Afrique Internationale Club de Football were presented with medals from the Hungarian Football Federation for topping Budapest 3rd Division League tournament in the last season. The presentation was held at the annual dinner party which took place at the popular TROFEA RESTAURANT in Budapest on December 28. - The success has accelerated the club to a higher division in which it now leads with just one draw and two loses as at the end of first session. The medals were given only to players who played in the last season The Club Secretary, Emmanuel Chimezie Dike, explained that the immediate aim of the Club is to win Budapest 2nd Division and then proceed to first division, a…

I have made it a ritual to keep in touch with our embassy ever since it got its website, and most especially when the website was recently given a fine face, something quite unusual in the history of Embassy of Nigeria Budapest, Hungary. Although there's need for improvement, I must confess that I find the new website accessible and friendly. - I should probably state why I find the new website approachable before anyone accuses me of this: "how much have they given you?" Many Nigerians, including those yeye pastors and imams I suppose, think too much in terms of material wealth instead of spiritual aesthetics. Let them fool you further if you like. Pardon my digression int…

To the invited guests, the place may be about partying, eating and drinking. But to her, it's much more than that. It is her dream; something she had been searching for - all her life. The place has become part of her root she had missed all along saying, "I've found what I had been searching for". - Mariam, who is in partnership with her Nigerian husband, could not hide her joy as Savannah African Restaurant, Café and Club was re-opened on Friday December 12 at Teréz Krt 36 in down town Budapest where African cuisine will be served to Africans and Hungarians, even tourists. Although the restaurant is not new to most guests, the present location is bigger, accessible,…

- Ambulance buses were the hallmark of a Charity March concert recently held at BM Dunapalota in Budapest where four of the eighteen buses were stationed and expected to be driven to five West African countries on 23rd March 2009 in a joint project being undertaking by more than twenty Hungarian businessmen who are currently working and residing in Africa. Although the vehicles are second hand Mercedes from 1997, they are said to be in good condition and well equipped for the long trip to the sub-Sahara countries in an effort to improve medical treatment in the region. "The buses may be old but well equipped and in good condition," said Welsz Tamás, the brain behind the project,…

A quite number of Nigerians in Hungary are not happy that the 48th National Day celebration of their country was marked strictly by invitation at a top hotel in Budapest. This group of Nigerians has questioned the rationale behind such closed door initiative which they simply called discriminatory gesture. - The embassy which seemed taken aback that some Nigerians could be furious for not being invited has since reacted. Minister Plenipotentiary/Head of Chancery, Olutola John Onijala in a telephone chat, advised them to write a letter of complaint and send it to the ambassador. "They can write a letter and inform us of their complaint that they were left out,” said Onijala. He …

Oroburuku t'oun t'erin. One should better laugh off these things unless one is ready for early grave. The title says it all. But I must have been living a deceitful life if I had thought something of this nature was not going on in the Nigeria Police Force. - Whilst I welcome and support Inspector General Mike Okiro's prompt "full scale" investigation into the allegations that policemen impregnated some female prisoners in detention, I am skeptical about the outcome. This is largely due to the fact that similar past investigations had yielded no result. Dr. Okiro tries to find loophole in the Vanguard story saying, "the newspapers publication was unsubstanti…

Thank God Nigeria is not a jungle. If it were to be a wild primitive state untouched by civilization, the likes of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade would commit murders with a pride of locust. - This naval officer on Monday November 3 replaced his noble uniform with a contemptible arrogance and mean-spirited deportment. By allowing six armed naval ratings attached to him to go wild, beat and strip a woman naked, Arogundade has further belittled and tarnished the entire navy. The incident happened on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to eye-witnesses and the video posted on the Internet, the naval ratings hit the woman with their gun butts and beat her with horsewhips. By…

Notice that I do not say Nigeria. This is because "Own Nation" simply means a place where we can be proud of; a great place greater than Barack Obama's America. Another reason for not using Nigeria in this context is because of my firm believe that Nigerians, especially those who call themselves patriots, do not actually love, or even believe in Nigeria. I have proved this in my previous comments and analysis. - I must as well confess that I am neither a fanatic believer in One Nigeria nor a fanatic believer in its dissolution. This is an excruciating personal problem I live with everyday. I simply detest the fraud and dishonesty that herald Nigeria. But at the moment I have n…

- By Hakeem Babalola If your skin is dark or is not white enough and your nose is slightly flat than theirs and you live in their land, and you have not met people who treat you as inferior, then consider yourself poor. Yes, and I mean consider yourself unlucky. But if you like consider yourself on top of the world.

- My attention has been drawn to the SSS arrest of Jonathan Elendu, the publisher of the online media outfit Elendureports.com. I am also aware the SSS is conducting an investigation into the affair of both pointblanknews.com and saharareporters.com - two online publications being managed by Nigerians in the Diaspora. According to reports, the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) picked up Jonathan Elendu at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from the United States of America. He was immediately driven to the headquarters of the SSS in Aso Drive within the precinct of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Another reports also have it that shortly a…

Hungary`s one and only Afrika Múzeum (Africa Museum) is receiving a very good patronage from the public. On the average, over 2000 people usually visit the museum during the peak days. - Run from April to November, the museum has collections of rare African art works - authentic carvings, elephant tucks, furniture, trophies, embalmed animals, books, and maps dating back from 1790. Established in 1988 by Hungarian Game Hunter, Dr. Nagy Endre, the museum seems to be the first of its kind in the East and Central Europe. The museum, which was formerly known as Tanzania House and Safari Club for Hungarian Hunting lovers, is now being managed by Katalin Endre, the 70 year-old widow, who took up…