Category: Features

Reverend Uma Ukpai: A General of God Has Gone Home

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Photo: Late Rev Uma Ukpai By Daniel Kanu On Thursday, March 25, 2026, the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, was wrapped in an atmosphere of deep sorrow and sacred reflection as Nigerians from all walks of life converged to bid a final farewell to Reverend (Dr.) Uma Ukpai. I had the opportunity to attend his crusade at least twice, and on each occasion, one could perceive the deep conviction of a man whose life radiated unwavering faith in God. On that Thursday, we did not merely mourn a man…

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Sowore’s Contradictions And Political Stupidity

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Photo: Omoyele Sowore By: Daniel Kanu “If Sowore is to remain relevant in this evolving political landscape, he must move beyond the politics of perpetual criticism and embrace the realities of collective action” Omoyele Sowore is beggining to suffer from the burden of contradiction as his activism collides with political reality. In today Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape, few figures have generated as much controversy, admiration, and frustration as Omoyele Sowore. Once widely celebrated as a fearless activist and the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Sowore was believed to have built…

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Two Revolutionary Hinges: Obi and Sowore

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Photo: Valentine Obienyem By: Valentine Obienyem I first became aware of the exploits of Mr. Omoyele Sowore during his days as a student activist. At 54, I believe we belong to roughly the same generational cohort. Over the years, I have followed his trajectory with mixed feelings – at times with admiration, at others with a measure of unease – particularly through Sahara Reporters. The platform, in my observation, has often been sharply critical of Mr. Peter Obi. My first personal encounter with Sowore was in Rhode Island, at a…

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Opinion: Unregulated Food Environment: Nigeria is Eating Itself to Death

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Photo: Humphrey Ukeaja By Humphrey Ukeaja There is a quiet epidemic running alongside Nigeria’s more publicised health crises. It does not arrive in sudden outbreaks or make international emergency headlines. It builds slowly, meal by meal, sip by sip, until it arrives as a stroke at the age of 45, a diabetes diagnosis at 38 years, a hypertension prescription that a household cannot reasonably afford. Non-communicable diseases now account for 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria. Cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and diet-related cancers are rising rapidly among…

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Gowon’s Distance from Reality in the Face of Suffering a Disservice to Nigeria

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Photo: General Yakubu Gowon By: Daniel Kanu When, recently, former military leader, General Yakubu Gowon emerged from a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa and declared that the government was “doing the best it can all round,” many Nigerians were left stunned—not because of political disagreement, but because of the sheer disconnect between those words and the lived reality across the country. This was not just another comment from a retired leader. Gowon is no ordinary elder; he is a man whose voice carries historical weight,…

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Opinion What Empty Polling Units Say About Nigeria’s Democracy

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Photo: Chidinma Eferebo By Chidinma Eferebo On the morning of February 21, 2026, officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Polling Unit 115 in Garki, Abuja, arrived early, organised their materials, and waited. By midday, fewer than five voters had appeared. This polling unit was not located in a remote village but in the center of Nigeria’s capital, only three kilometres from Aso Rock, the nation’s political seat of power. This scenario, in which democracy appears to be addressing itself, accurately reflects the situation during the Federal Capital…

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Opinion: Makoko and the Politics of Displacement in Lagos

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Photo: Zikora Ibeh By Zikora Ibeh One fact is now unmistakable. The Lagos State Government appears determined to empty Makoko of its inhabitants. But for the mass protest organised by the Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Evictions, Land Grabbing and Displacement on January 28, 2026, the historic riverine community might well have been erased with little public scrutiny and even fewer qualms. That demonstration laid bare the depth of grievance simmering across Lagos. Nearly five thousand residents gathered in collective resistance, many of them survivors of forced evictions and illegal demolitions…

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Ndoma-Egba at 70: Milestone celebration for a quintessential leader

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Photo: Sen. Ndoma-Egba cutting the birthday cake By Michael Jegede On March 8, 2026, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), quintessential leader, and esteemed statesman, marked a significant milestone in his life as he celebrated his 70th birthday. The occasion was a testament to his dedication to public service and leadership. A prominent figure in Nigerian politics and former Senate Leader, Ndoma-Egba, who belongs to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has served in various positions…

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Tracy Ohiri’s Retraction And The Price of Reckless Allegations

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Photo: Tracy Ohiri and Dave Umahi By: Daniel Kanu Editor Public allegations—especially those involving sexual harassment and financial impropriety—carry enormous weight. They can shape reputations, trigger public outrage, mobilize activism, and influence political discourse. When such accusations are later withdrawn without a clear and convincing explanation, the consequences extend far beyond the individuals directly involved. The recent retraction by Tracy Ohiri of her allegations against Nigeria’s Minister of Works, and former governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi, raises serious questions about responsibility, credibility, and the ethics of public advocacy.…

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OPINION : Int’l Women’s Month: How Food Environments Shape Nigerian Women, Girls’ Lives

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Photo: Bukola Olukemi-Odele By Bukola Olukemi-Odele Healthy eating is often portrayed as a matter of willpower or personal choice. Yet, for millions of women and girls, the concept of choice is an illusion. Their health is significantly influenced by their food environment—the physical, economic, and social factors that determine what food is accessible, affordable, and promoted. A poor food environment is not just about a lack of food. More often, it is about limited access to nutritious options. This can manifest as food deserts, which are urban or rural areas…

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