Emmanuel Macron, President-elect of France had his first degree in the year 2001 at the age of 24. That is a pointer to his age (39 years) and the year he was born, 1977. Before 40 years, the young Macron is the president of France. When the card of youthfulness is played up in civilized world, life really begins at 40. In Nigeria, the concept of who is classified as a youth is changing when it comes to leadership consideration. At the age of 65 to 75, a politician is still regarded as a youth. Sadly, it is the youths…

In the last few weeks a creeping uneasiness has been gripping the nation. Our nerves are at full stretch as we grapple with the terrifying prospect of a nation in drift due to the ill-health of the nation’s Chief Executive Officer, Muhammadu Buhari. For three weeks in a row the President has been absent from the Federal Executive Council meeting which he normally chairs except he is out of the country or on vacation, medical or non-medical. A couple of months ago, the President spent 49 days with doctors in England who were treating him for an undisclosed ailment. On…

“E ku amojuba awon 82 Chibok girls, o” “What is that supposed to mean in plain English? You better watch your tongue. It will be politically incorrect and suicidal to start making a joke out of something that serious.” “Where is the joke?” “In your tone. I know you when you want to start your mischief.” “I am a born-again Christian” “I know. Like Stephanie Otobo telling Apostle Suleiman that she is born-again after maligning the man’s reputation. Don’t just say anything until you have confessed your sins. Confess. Confess, now.” “I am not a politician. I am neutral. And…

I was wet behind the ears. I was a Jambite. It was matriculation day at the University of Ilorin. After matriculation on the main campus of the University, I returned to the mini-campus in the company of new friends – fellow Jambites. At the entrance gate to campus, we ran to a chaotic mass of policemen, soldiers, tanks, guns, tear gas. Students, advanced, retreated, advanced, retreated, screaming, chanting, rallying. In all the chaos, the protesting students (Nigerian authorities always demean their struggles by calling them rioting or rampaging students) had one rallying call which fascinated us as Jambites: A luta…