Editorials (Nigeria) Friday, July 18, 2008

Nelson Mandela at 90

TODAY, Mr. Nelson Mandela, the first black African President of a democratic South Africa and Nobel Laureate, attains the age of 90 years. Born on Thursday, July 18, 1918, at Mvezo, a tiny village on the banks of the Mbashe River in the district of Umtata, the capital of the Transkei, Nelson Rolihlahla ('troublemaker') Mandela was the son of a Xhosa-speaking Thembu chief, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa. [GUARDIAN]

Nigeria As Private Estate

ONE of the growing nuisances of our politics is the tendency for people in authority to personalise their offices. The dangers in these moves include the collapse of all activities related to that office if the individual so dictates. The commonest rights are awarded at the pleasure of the superintending officials who make a song of their least efforts - they are doing the people a favour. [VANGUARD]

Development in Anambra

Sometimes when I sit in the secrecy of my bedroom, I think about so many things. As an indigene of Anambra State, I think also about my state. It is painful to imagine what Anambra State degenerated into due to bad leadership. It is most painful when the cause of the degeneracy is just a clique that has allowed itself to be used by outsiders. [DAILY SUN]