Kayode Oladele

THE FUTURE OF POVERTY IN AFRICA

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) were declared and made “compulsory” social policy option for third world countries. About the same time the United Nations adopted these goals as a palliative “arrest” option for the third world, the World Bank came up with a huge document on African, entitled “Can Africa Reclaim the Twenty first Century?” Without anybody saying so, both the UN and the World Bank held very pessimistic view about Africa’s capacity to meet up to its social challenges, to reach or accomplish the limited and tentative targets set for it, but they did say so in too many words.

THE LEADERSHIP QUESTION IN AFRICA

Africa is unique in our principal respect, of the five continents of the world, it is the only continent where poverty is soaring instead of reducing. There is Mal-governance, failed projects, social strife and a beggar-thy-neighbor attitude to the countries of the North. What is the problem with Africa ? Many said that Africa ’s problem is not lack of manpower, ideology or policy. Most people have blamed the African crisis on poor leadership. The leadership question has five dimensions. First, there is authoritarian leadership in Africa , whether it is of military or civilian type. Second, the leadership is corrupt, third, leadership in Africa is not accountable neither is it called to account and fourth leadership has no vision, and lastly the leadership in Africa does not believe in the youth and women. Let me elaborate my propositions.

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE VOICE OF GOD

I want to thank the Nigerian Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF) for organizing this rally in New York to express solidarity with our oppressed and marginalized toiling people who have answered the clarion call to stand up for justice and oppose the removal of oil subsidy with its untold consequences on the socio-economic fabrics of the nation and in order not to worsen their long years of debilitating poverty, long years of suffering and long years of neglect in the midst of plenty.

DNA OF LEADERSHIP IN AFRICA

The caption of my article derives from the influential book of Judith. E. Glaser titled: The DNA of Leadership. There is little contention that leadership crisis is key to understanding the African crises. Why is leadership at the heart of the crises and what are the condition sine qua non and credentials necessary for defining and nurturing a new leadership in Africa?

Being a leader is like being a driver or a medical doctor. Those professions, like any other, require special skills and credentials. Nobody can plunge into either of them; else it will spell disaster for the country. The same applies to leadership.
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America’s Statement On Nigeria’s Proposed Prohibition And Criminalisation Of Same Sex Marriage Is Mischievous

I have been following the controversy and the looming diplomatic crisis between the US and Nigeria over the proposed prohibition and criminalization of same sex marriage by Nigeria with keen interest and it is my sincere opinion as a human rights lawyer that the issue is being over emphasized by either side to the extent that both countries are losing sight of more important areas that promote mutually beneficial relationship between them. For instance, the past one and a half years have witnessed positive developments in the relationship between the US and Nigeria. Both countries have agreed among others, to set up a Bi-National Commission for management of bilateral relations and to develop stronger ties, friendship and partnership with each other.
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Political Parties and Discipline: Finding the Missing Conundrum

In classical terms, political parties are ideological and mobilisation electoral platforms for individuals, groups and interests with similar aspirations, objectives and goals. It is a truism that political parties are one key fulcrum of democracy. They are the factory where active members are manufactured and where the engine of politicking resides. They enable society to measure the nature, character and tempo of democracy.
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Internet Libel And The Law Of Defamation: Justice Without Borders?

The contemporary torts of libel and slander, collectively known as defamation laws which are common features in the legal system of several Commonwealth countries today including the United States of America originated primarily from the English defamation law which permits an aggrieved party to initiate an action for libel for any printed, broadcast or published false statements that harm reputation, diminish respect, defame character, or cause a reasonable person to have a low esteem of that individual or entity. However, Governmental entities cannot institute or maintain actions for defamation although an offended government official can sue for libel for statements or allegations made against the official in his individual capacity.
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