Nzinga Mbande: Power Performed, Power Defended Entering a Trap WHEN Nzinga Mbande walked into the Portuguese governor’s hall in Luanda, she walked into a trap built from protocol. The missing chair was intentional. It was an invitation to accept inferiority, to acknowledge Portugal’s authority over Ndongo without negotiation. Nzinga recognised the trap—and refused it. Reclaiming […]
By NINI NDUONOFIT-AKOH & ESTHER McWILLIS-IKHIDE Africa’s Refining Paradox Africa’s Fuel Trap in a Changing World AFRICA sits on vast crude oil reserves, yet its economies remain dangerously exposed to fuel import shocks. The paradox is stark: the continent produces more than five million barrels of crude daily, but still imports over 70 per cent of […]
The Myth of Instant Victory at the Police Station ACROSS Nigeria, a persistent misconception fuels needless conflict: the belief that reporting a case to the police equals winning it. Many complainants walk out of police stations convinced that justice has already been secured simply because a statement was taken or an arrest made. In reality, […]
How Ordinary Signatures Become Legal Nightmares THE modern legal system does not require force or fraud to bind a person. A simple signature is enough. Every day, employees, professionals and business owners commit themselves to obligations they barely understand, often under social pressure or misplaced trust. These documents may appear routine, but once signed, they […]
Why People Expect Money from Court FOR many litigants, the courtroom is seen as a place of financial settlement rather than legal resolution. This belief often leads to frustration when judgments deliver punishment or clarification of rights instead of money. Fines Are for the State In criminal law, fines serve as punishment. They are payments […]
Beyond Tolerance: Southern Africa’s Approach to Religious Diversity A Peaceful Coexistence LIVING in Southern Africa reveals an unexpected reality about religion in the region. Unlike much of Europe, where religious identity often divides and politicizes societies, Southern Africa presents a model of religious coexistence that is both natural and profound. Countries such as Zambia, Malawi, […]
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI Morocco’s Home Advantage Under Siege Hosts With History on Their Shoulders WHEN Morocco hosts the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Atlas Lions will do so under the heaviest expectations they have faced in decades. Their rise to global prominence—capped by a historic World Cup semi-final appearance—has transformed Morocco from […]
By GREY AKANS Indigenous Languages and the Historical Fabric of Nasarawa A Linguistic History Older Than the State NASARAWA State’s linguistic diversity predates the state itself. Long before colonial and postcolonial boundaries were drawn, numerous ethnic communities occupied the region, each developing languages shaped by geography, trade, and intergroup relations. These languages form a living […]
When Onitsha Said No IN 1991, a proposal linked to Nigeria’s military administration under General Ibrahim Babangida triggered one of the most decisive civic resistances in South-East history. The plan sought to excise Onitsha from Anambra State and merge it with Delta North to form an Anioma State. For the Igbo of Onitsha and surrounding […]
By OBIOMA TORI THE end of the year brings prosperity for commerce—and peril for banks. Nigeria’s financial institutions are once again bracing for a familiar pattern: a spike in digital fraud driven by the surge in electronic payments that accompanies festive spending. Criminal networks exploit this predictable cycle, timing attacks for moments of peak activity […]