Insight by Oppy

   AKOGUN IYIOLA OYEDEPO It was that iconic Nigerian literary giant, Chinua Achebe, that once wrote a book, THERE WAS A COUNTRY. Like all his books, it remains evergreen as it is relevant for all times, especially this time. I borrow this topic from the title of that book. There is the need for this article for some reasons. Firstly, many Kwarans like many other humans, are short of memory, we are too forgetful. The things that happened in the immediate past are often cast out of mind in preference for the now. This creates a situation of unappreciated past. This even becomes more acute as the teaching of history for some years now in this country, are erased from our school curriculum. So, this message is crafted so as to take the people of this state to our past that was glorious, more purposeful and grounded in a focus on the developmental agenda that set the foundation for a prosperous Kwara State. Lack of knowledge of the past commits many of us to celebrate m...

A concerned Academician from Kwara State, Prince Adelodun has written an open letter to the National Security Adviser (NSA,) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, seeking his urgent attention and intervention in the ravaging insecurity presently consuming the south and norther senatorial districts of the state. In his letter titled: Request for urgent security intervention in Kwara State, Adelodun said: "in recent days, we have been thrown into mourning over the tragic killing of 15 people in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government. "Barely two days after this incident, a police officer was abducted at Lade town in Patigi Local Government Area. These heartbreaking developments are part of a recurring pattern of bandit attacks, kidnappings, and violence that have rendered Kwara South and parts of Kwara North unsafe for residents. "These killings and kidnappings have been going on in Kwara South especially for more than a year now, but they have hardly been reported. Sadly, the silen...

Fellow Nigerians, Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation's Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world. 2. Our founding heroes and heroines, Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists, believed it was Nigeria's manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth. 3. For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived.  Whil...