Columnist

THE SEA CHANGE SWEEPING ACROSS the Sahel has just reached the northern tip of the Western coast of West Africa. This time, it didn’t happen by coup d’état but it took the form of a democratic process. The change in leadership occurred despite spirited attempts by the incumbent to retain power against the dictates of […]

  EMERGING PRACTICAL evidence in both historical and contemporary contexts in Africa are now providing a strong basis to contradict or disprove some widely-held assertions in political theories and practice. The idea of democracy in practice with particular reference to Africa is hereby under a critical searchlight. If democracy is indeed about “the people” or […]

________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Note: After taking some time out, Dr Oyeleye returns to continue the series, now in its fifth part, on the subject of ECOWAS, its internal dynamics and politics, and its relationships with the West.  ________________________________________________________________   SURPRISES PROMISED by Captain Ibrahim Traore are unfolding in rather rapid successions. About a fortnight ago, the […]

PENULTIMATE WEEKEND, the West African regional economic bloc, ECOWAS,  made a spirited attempt to draw the countries that earlier announced their voluntary exit back into the fold. That announcement came with carrots and candies: that all the sanctions imposed on the countries concerned were unconditionally and unilaterally lifted. The announcement, which was more of a […]

TIME FOR SCORECARD. It is now 2034. The epitaph in front of the edifice that once served as the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja has this message: “Here stands this monument as a reminder and testament of a grandiose dream and an aspiration of some past leaders and […]

The purported approval by the House of Representatives of the release of food from the national strategic reserves in response to food price increases is an interesting decision with far-reaching implications, from the legislative chamber as well as the executive branch of the government. It begs the questions bordering on circumspection and insight in public […]

  IMPACTS OF RECENT disengagement from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger may not seem apparent immediately, within and outside the sub-region. The long term impact, however, promises to be far-reaching and profound in magnitude. Beyond Africa, there will be clear and unmistakable effects, mostly negative. For […]

Sports can indeed serve as an economic multiplier beyond their health benefits. Here are several ways in which sports can have a positive economic impact: Revenue Generation: Sporting events, such as professional leagues, tournaments, and championships, generate significant revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights. This revenue contributes to local economies by supporting jobs […]

CULMINATION OF EVENTS since the nearly past four years in West Africa are now crystallising. The latest was the announcement made on Sunday in Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey in the joint statement to formally signify the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Whether or not […]

Nestory Fedeliko (FEDE) produced this cartoon for the LSE Africa Summit 2015   PERSPECTIVE, DIRECTION AND FOCUS, these three major areas of consideration require African nations’ undivided attention if the continent is to make any remarkable progress in the future. Till now, African perspectives in areas of existential importance are at best tied to the […]