The Troubled House of Oodua I: Herbert Macaulay, The Father of Nigerian Nationalism

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 26, 2011

Undoubtedly, Macaulay was one of the first Nigerian nationalists and for most of his life a tough challenger of British rule in Nigeria. He consistently championed the cause of the king and people of Lagos against oppression by the British government in the early years of the century. In 1908 he exposed European corruption in the handling of railway finances and in 1919 he argued successfully for the Chiefs whose land had been taken by the British in front of the Privy Council in London. As a result, the colonial government was forced to pay compensation to the chiefs. His role in the famous Apapa land case of 1921; his leading part in the “Eleko versus Government of Nigeria” case of 1928; his leadership of the many protect movements over water rate, taxation and land acquisition by Government are also some of the highlights of his brilliant career in rousing early nationalist sentiments in Nigeria.

The Troubled House of Oodua

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 19, 2011

In the light of the above, it is my desire to run a series on the chronicles of leadership in the Oodua Republic. In retrospect, how did the Oodua children suddenly become sheep without a shepherd? My Series will discuss individuals that have appeared in the history of Yoruba from the pre-independence Nigeria to date. How have they fared? Who is a leader and who is not.

I will touch on the crisis that erupted in the Awolowo camp after the demise of the Sage. Why and how did it affect us? The Roles of Late Chief Bola Ige, Lateef Jakande, Baba Ajasin, Archdeacon Alayande, Baba Abraham Adesanya. The personality clashes between Chief Ige and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the rivalry between Pa Ajayi Laniwun and Late Bisi Onabanjo.

I will talk about the emergence of “rookie leaders”- The roles of Chief MKO Abiola, General Olusegun Obasanjo, the failure of Ladoja to successfully prosecute Omisore, the assassination of Chief Ige and many more.

Fighting Continues in Sudan Ahead of Split

By Shamsydeen Badmus

Published: June 18, 2011

The situation in Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan state, deteriorated further this week after intense fighting started two weeks ago. The North Sudan Army on June 16 vowed to continue fighting against the “armed rebellion” of the South Kordofan fighters.

Senior al-Qaeda Operative Killed in Somalia

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 18, 2011

U.S. and Somali officials confirmed on June 11 that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed was killed in an exchange of fire with the Somali police in Mogadishu on June 8.

Who Will Protect Central Africa Against LRA( Lord’s Resistance Army )

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 18, 2011

The LRA, notorious for atrocities on civilians, emerged in 1998 in northern Uganda as a rebel movement dedicated to overthrowing its government and establishing a regime to uphold the Biblical Ten Commandments.

Foundation Launches New Website on First Anniversary

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 18, 2011

To celebrate the first anniversary since its incorporation on June 14, 2010, the Foundation for Global Collaboration and Peace launched its official website: http://www.fgcnp.org.

African Environmental Journalists Form New Federation

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 18, 2011

The African Federation of Environmental Journalists (AFEJ) comes after online consultations among the African environmental journalists particularly for those who are the members of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists (IFEJ). It aims to unite African affiliates of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists to better meet challenges faced by the people of Africa across the continent.

Cyber Crime in Africa, a Stalemate to Economic Development

By Tayo Adelaja

Published: June 18, 2011

Nigeria, by far, leads the African group with eight per cent rate of the crime, followed by Ghana and Cameroun with 0.7 and 0.6 per cent, respectively, Ghana’s Daily Graphic reported.

The United States tops the world with 65 per cent, followed by the United Kingdom, 9.9 per cent, and Nigeria’s eight per cent.

IJNet Journalist of the Month: P. Wanja Njuguna

By Seyi Oduyela

Published: June 10, 2011

Each month, IJNet features an international journalist who exemplifies the profession and has used the site to further his or her career. This month’s journalist is P. Wanja Njuguna, a Kenyan lecturer and editor working in Botswana.