Azu Ishiekwene

AI generated illustration of a man and woman standing at a Nigerian newspaper stand with varying headlines.

What Encounter with a South African Editor Taught Me About Nigeria

Human Interest, politics /

“I’m not sure Minister Mohammed or the DG SS still remembers that the same mainstream press they’re calling on for restraint (including this writer), also called President Goodluck Jonathan’s government clueless and incompetent, mainly because of that government’s ability to tackle insecurity. And that Jonathan’s successor, Muhammadu Buhari, an army general and patron saint of the APC, didn’t do much about insecurity either. Now, the shoe is pinching where it hurts.”

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an image of a man in silhouette approaching the US Border

They’re Coming to America

International Affairs, Lifestyle /

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially given my very strong views on some of Trump’s actions for which I have no apologies. Will it still be the same America that was warm towards visitors, friendly to strangers and generous in spirit? Or is the country now overcome by ferocious meanness, fear of otherness and narrow-minded insularity?…I walked off the Lufthansa plane at Houston International Airport on the morning of June 10, towards border security, unsure what to expect; that feeling you get approaching the yard of a once-dependable friend who has lately become the neighbourhood bully”

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kidnapped girls and apc primaries crowd

A Party for Nigeria’s Latest Abductors

Human Interest, politics /

“That politicians can still manage to hold primaries in the midst of a worsening wave of horrendous attacks on communities and kidnappings in parts of the country, not to mention the economic hardship, suggests we must be living in different worlds…winning the party’s ticket is one thing, but more important, having a country in which to contest the election and govern is quite another”

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the arsenal squad after winning the trophy

Arsenal, at Last

Sports /

“The relief and joy that erupted amongst Arsenal supporters was beyond belief – the pure, unbounded ecstasy of “Arsenalotary” was in full display after more than two decades of shattered dreams! And who knows what might happen if Arsenal were to defeat PSG on May 30, and also win the UEFA Champions League? The world has changed since Arsenal last won the English Premier League (EPL) trophy in the 2003/2004 season…
iPhone was launched, and Facebook became a global giant. Twitter did not even exist, nor did Instagram, TikTok or ChatGPT”

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an image of tinubu and ruto

Tinubu-Ruto Banter as Food for Thought

Africa, Economy /

“Kenyans may speak the best English (which I doubt), but the economic challenges they face, which Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alluded to and drew the clap back, are real. The problems won’t be solved just because Kenyans speak in or mimic the late Queen Elizabeth’s mellifluous tone and accent. Ruto and Tinubu must brace for the messy, difficult task of fixing their countries’ economies, a task that is not a respecter of fine language”

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An image of ADC protesters with logos of ADC, PDP, NNPP and Labour Party

INEC, ADC and the Latin Phrase: Another View

politics /

Delisting the ADC’s leaders was hasty and prone to needless controversy. Whatever its legal department may be telling the commission, Amupitan, a professor of law and senior advocate, should know that INEC’s action gives the impression that the commission is an interested party in the dispute, and calls his judgment and independence into question…I offer a comfort phrase to the ADC’s distressed leadership from the diminishing repertoire of street Latin: Potestas non est ad libitum – power is not given at one’s pleasure. It’s not served a la carte

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