Essays / The Pontifical Papers

HELLO PRESIDENT BUHARI, LISTEN TO THE JUDICIARY | by Ayo Sogunro

Last week, in his Independence anniversary speech, President Muhammadu Buhari threw a jab at the Nigerian judiciary. The president said: “In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the fight against corruption”. These words not only … Continue reading

Essays / The Pontifical Papers

A NOTE ON THE NIGERIAN LEGAL ORDER | by Ayo Sogunro

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first Prime Minister of Nigeria, was not always a believer in the necessity of Nigeria’s continued union after independence was achieved. Somehow, however, he became a convert to the need for a “Nigerian” state. Why he changed his mind may not be clear, but what he said about British cooperation in his … Continue reading

Essays / The Pontifical Papers

ON FAITH AND THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE | by Ayo Sogunro

Chinua Achebe, in his classic analysis of Nigerian socio-politics, The Trouble With Nigeria, describes the Nigerians of the 1970s as having cargo cult mentality. This mentality, Achebe explains, is “a belief by backward people that someday, without any exertion whatsoever on their own part, a fairy ship will dock in their harbour laden with every … Continue reading