Editorial
OLUDOTUN BAIYEWU JACOBS (1942 – 2026)
Olu Jacobs, iconic actor and film executive, dies at 84 After nearly two decades of acting in Britain, the late Olu Jacobs returned to Nigeria in 1990 to an emerging
INEC’s threats against campaign misconduct
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s warning that abusive, inflammatory and threatening campaign language will attract severe sanctions under the Electoral Act 2026 is timely, but hardly novel. At the
THE SPREAD OF DIPHTHERIA
Health authorities should embark on mass vaccination against the disease Following a recent outbreak of diphtheria in Kano State which killed scores of children in Rano Local Government Area, we warned health
Need for speedy reconstruction of police barracks
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu’s recent inspection of police barracks under reconstruction in Lagos has exposed a painful reality: decades of neglect have turned many police quarters into slums unfit
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE VIOLENT MOB
The authorities in South Africa must be held to account Like previous xenophobic attacks that now define South Africa, Nigerians are among the nationals of countries that are always targeted by their
Nigeria must protect the classroom
“Can Education Survive Attack: The Resilience of Human Communities” is the theme of this year’s International Day to Protect Education from Attack, marked on 9 September. This is very apt
THE CRISIS OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS Offenders should be severely punished
There is a surge in counterfeit and substandard products across the country, putting many at risk, stifling legitimate businesses, and discouraging investment. From food items to water to medicines, and
Benue blockade of Peter Obi unacceptable
The September 8, 2026 blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, as he travelled to Yelwata to commiserate with families devastated by the June 2025 massacre, is a disturbing
STATES AND UNVIABLE AIRPORTS
States should be prudent in spending their scarce resources Despite repeated warnings by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), many state governments are still embarking on airport projects without
CRIPPLING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Local governments must be sufficiently empowered to perform their duties Based on the 1999 Constitution, the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) are established by the respective State Houses of Assembly
