Category: Features

By Otitoju Femi and Osesusi Bukola The Vice-Chancellor’s Valedictory and Convocation Thanksgiving Service of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) was held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba 1000 Capacity Hall. The service, organized by the University’s Chapel of Transformation (COT), formed part of activities marking exit of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina. Delivering the sermon, the Guest Minister, Rev. (Dr.) K. Ayinde, took his scriptural reading from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, verses 1–5. He celebrated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Fasina, and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Bosede Fasina,…

  By Robert Egbe Nigeria’s shift toward a pro-health review of the tax payable by manufacturers of non-alcoholic, sweetened, and carbonated drinks, commonly known as Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), has reached a critical moment. Last November, the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Customs and Excise convened a public hearing in Abuja to consider a bill seeking to amend the existing excise duty framework for SSBs. The bill before the National Assembly, formally titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend Section 21(3) of the Customs, Excise Tariffs, Etc. (Consolidation) Act to…

Photo: Carnival Calabar By Michael Jegede Carnival Calabar, an annual colourful event in Cross River State, said to have been initiated in 2004 as a float when Donald Duke was the governor of Cross State, has obviously grown over the years to become Nigeria’s biggest tourism brand, the largest cultural festival and street party in Africa. It was said to have been designed as part of the vision to make Cross River State, known as “The People’s Paradise”, the number one tourist destination for Nigerian citizens and visitors from across…

Photo: Ambassador Onoh By Ambassador Lilian Onoh On Boxing Day, I was alarmed to see two different reports about the U.S. Missile strikes in Nigeria which contained such egregious factual errors about Nigeria’s statistics that I abandoned my laid back plans for the last week of the year to respond. The first was from the BBC – “US launches strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria”, 25th December 2025, in which it stated that, “Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and IS-linked offshoots have wrought havoc in north-eastern Nigeria for more…

Photo: Bukola Olukemi-Odele By Bukola Olukemi-Odele Nigeria is grappling with a rising tide of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. These illnesses are often closely tied to unhealthy diets, particularly the excessive consumption of processed and packaged foods high in sugar, sodium (salt), and saturated fats. The widespread availability, affordability, and aggressive marketing of these ultra-processed products continue to push more people toward obesity, metabolic complications, and other diet-related conditions, contributing to the 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria now linked to NCDs. In this…

Photo: Hon. Makinde By: Hon Rotimi Makinde When a man attributes too much influence to himself in politics, it can lead to a distorted view of reality and potentially damaging consequences. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “illusion of influence” or “megalomania.” It’s a mindset that can cause individuals to overestimate their abilities and impact, leading to poor decision-making and a lack of consideration for alternative perspectives. The psychology behind this phenomenon is complex, but research suggests that individuals who overestimate their influence in politics often exhibit certain…

Photo: Hon Makinde By Hon. Rotimi Makinde   As Osun State gears up for the 2026 governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces the critical challenge of regaining power from the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while projecting a united front to voters. A proven strategy in similar contexts, such as Ekiti State, is the selection of a consensus candidate. This method has fostered party cohesion and boosted electoral outcomes elsewhere, making it a viable option for Osun APC to explore. The Ekiti example offers valuable lessons. In the…