On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the U.S., on January 19, 2017, I wrote an article I could easily write now. It was entitled “A Memory of America on Obama’s Last Day.” With minor edits, it’s worth repeating as Trump happens again as the 47th President of the U.S. … Read more
“Arsenal fans are currently over the moon, testosterone pumping – and why not? The story will not change in 2024… the odds are not in Arsenal’s favour… My forecast is that despite setting his ducks in a row, (Godwin) Obaseki’s candidate would lose in September. His biggest undoing would be the large army of political … Read more
Perhaps three will be the lucky number. After at least two previous failed attempts, a peace deal between Israel and Hamas might be reached by January 20 or in the early days of Donald Trump’s second term. Or… It’s a matter of perhaps, with a big P. Optimism is a rare commodity in … Read more
Veteran Nigerian journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Azu Ishiekwene, has gone down memory lane, recounting a near-physical confrontation he had with former President Olusegun Obasanjo during an interview. Ishiekwene in his latest column, “Back Story of Tinubu Interview,” reflected on his experience anchoring President Bola Tinubu’s maiden Presidential Media Chat on Monday. Ishiekwene was … Read more
Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Azu Ishiekwene, has revealed a near-physical confrontation he had with former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a past encounter. Ishiekwene shared this anecdote in his latest column, “Back Story of Tinubu Interview,” where he reflected on his experience anchoring President Bola Tinubu’s maiden Presidential Media Chat on Monday. Ishiekwene was one of … Read more
Apart from General Sani Abacha, I have met one-on-one with every Nigerian leader since 1992, from General Ibrahim Babangida. However, I have only participated in one televised live group media chat with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. If you have met Obasanjo before – whether for an interview or anything else – you might agree that … Read more
If I’ve learned anything these past 35 years of journalism, it’s looking for a story in every situation. It wasn’t different when I left home for the airport on December 14, except that this time, the story found me. My Uber driver started the conversation: “Are you Mr. Azu of LEADERSHIP?” he asked. I confirmed … Read more
The news from Ghana was not how John Dramani Mahama’s opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated Nana Akufo-Addo’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The news was how Akufo-Addo managed to survive a full second term. Towards the end of his first and for much of his second term in office, he … Read more
I was watching the evening news on Monday night when two presenters used a word at different times that jolted me. I’ve heard and seen that word used often, especially by millennials and Gen Z, but I didn’t entirely pay heed because they were mostly in informal settings. Anyways – I meant to … Read more