OWOLOWO

Hijab and The Bar  A law student in Nigeria, Firdaus Amasa Abdulsalam fulfilled all academic requirements to practice the legal profession but was barred from the call to bar ceremony by the Law School Body of Benchers in Abuja on December 12, 2017. The reason for her being barred was because she wore along with her professional habiliments, her Hijab neatly tucked under the barristers’ wig. Apparently, there’s another case that is not yet as publicised as that of Firdaus. Another graduating law student, Aisha Zubair was harassed at the same call to bar ceremony – she was not only forced to remove her Hijab but had it trampled on, and had her certificate seized by obviously uncouth Law School personnel. Since the show of shame occurred, there have been arguments for and against the matter. The matter has taken a polemical life of its own and sides have been taken – some disappointingly extreme ones at that! Personally, I find it appalling the wearing of Hijab by a ...

Nigeria's War Against 'Fantastic Corruption' By M.B.O Owolowo Well before David Cameron's “ fantastically corrupt ” comment on Nigeria, corruption is a term that has been synonymous with Nigeria, and probably the most used word in the country’s socio-political lexicon. Cameron's comment was censured because Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari had been invited to the just concluded  anti-corruption summit  held at Lancaster House London, and was scheduled to give a keynote address titled “ Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together” . Though President Buhari was initially ' shocked '  by Cameron’s comment, he would prefer  ‘ Nigeria’s assets’  were returned, than demand an apology. Since becoming Nigeria’s president, Buhari has been consistent with his funds repatriation request. During his 2015  United Nations address , he emphasized the need for “ dismantling safe havens”  of corruption proceeds and the “ return of stolen funds and a...

Of Appointments & The 100 Days Electoral Rhetoric by M.B.O Owolowo Some people wondered why I chose to be mum on certain matters affecting our polity lately, particularly the latest appointments by President Buhari and the purported 100 days promise to the electorate.  I have discovered there are two categories of people; people that speak because they have to say something, and those that speak because they have something to say! I am sure you have already figured out which category I belong because I now have something to say on these issues!  Personally, I had initially considered the brouhaha ‎on these particular issues as what the Yorubas would call 'Ariwo Oja', that's “Market Noise” for those who don't know the meaning of the phrase. I will employ the same quote I used to start one of my articles (Certifying a Distraction: http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/23/certifying-distraction-mbo-owolowo ), during the pre-election certificate saga: "You wil...

Poverty During Prosperity  By M.B.O Owolowo A dedicated, purpose driven and result-oriented government should have pragmatic solutions to a nation's compounding problems. Especial priority ought to be given to the amelioration, if not total rectification of the pivotal socio-economic problems. A critical role of the ruling party is to act as a guide to the executive, with the party manifesto being a standard reference point. Such control measures would assist the administration with goal-setting and prioritization. On what basis is the continuity of the current administration being sought? What Nigerians have witnessed and endured over a protracted period, is the perpetuation of politically induced opportunism - duly conveyed by crass incompetence. As peculiar as Nigeria's situation may seem, our problems are similar to problems that confronts any developing nation. To put things in perspective, Nigeria's current set of problems were clear and explicit before th...

Beasts Of Our Nation By M.B.O Owolowo “A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.” - Albert Camus A beast can be described as a contemptible or crude person, a brute, a savage or an animal. How do you identify a beast? The easiest method of identification is by their actions. Through empirical evidence, some beasts exhibit traits of plotting ill-conceived schemes, and non-existent considerations for the consequences of criminal activity. Such characters posses a general lack for a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience. Some of their other characteristics include: A negligence for laws and social mores A total disregard for the rights and privileges of others A failure to feel remorse for lawlessness or corruption A peculiar selfishness with narcissistic undertones A tendency to react harshly to criticism. A good example of reacting harshly to criticism is the “ I don't give a damn ” outburst by the pres...