The issue before us is economic bliss and good governance. I have changed it to good governance and economic bliss because it is good governance that makes economic bliss possible. Contrary to the thinking of many intellectuals and policy makers, just as we all know the difference between good health and illness, ordinary people know the difference between development and underdevelopment. Today, some nations like to make themselves feel good by saying they are developing nations: we shall not argue with that.
By
Prof. Julius O. Ihonvbere, OGI, OON
Text of Lecture delivered to mark the Inauguration of the Edo State Chapter of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan Solidarity Forum, at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, June 27, 2009.
PROTOCOL
I thank the organizers for inviting me to deliver this lecture. I heartily congratulate all those being [...]
Continue reading about Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria
Constitutionalism and the National Question in Nigeria
Julius O. Ihonvbere
The number one political contradiction or challenge in Africa today is how to deal with the national question. The continent’s history and the contradictions and engagements of the post-colonial era have precipitated deep political fault lines and congealed interests on both side of the political divide. Put [...]
Continue reading about Constitutionalism and the National Question in Nigeria
The Nigerian State as Obstacle to Federalism: Towards a New Constitutional Compact for Democratic Politics
“Under a true federal constitution, each group, however small, is entitled to the same treatment as any other group, however large. Opportunity must be afforded to each to evolve its own peculiar political institution. The present structure reinforces indigenous colonialism- a [...]
Continue reading about The Nigerian State as Obstacle to Federalism
Political Violence in a fledgling democracy
Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere
Text of public lecture delivered under the auspices of THE BREEZE MAGAZINE, Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos March 14, 2003
Mr. Chairman, it is not my intention to speak for too long today. I would prefer to be brief and to leave enough time for discussions and questions. [...]
Continue reading about Political violence in a fledgling democracy
It is difficult to ascertain when legislatures came into being. I suppose that the difficulty lies in defining what is meant by legislature. In ancient Greece, the people of Athens gathered at the Acropolis, discussed matters affecting Athens and voted on them. Was such behavior legislative? In Igbo land, the entire male citizens above age [...]
Recent Comments