ColumnsNational SecurityNigeriaOpinionThe Devastation of Insurgency: Nigeria Cannot Kill Its Way Out of Insecurity
PilotnewsMay 23, 2026
“Insecurity persists not only because armed groups are present but also because the state is often absent” —Dr. Declan Onwudiwe Nigeria cannot kill its way out of insecurity. While military victories may win battles, only legitimacy, governance, and economic opportunity can secure lasting peace. Across the country, persistent violence, characterized by impunity and a tragic disregard for human life, has exposed the limits of a force-only approach. The time has come for a more sweeping...
“China has become an indispensable partner in addressing shared challenges and pursuing regional and national interests.” —Olalekan A. Babatunde Each time I am in China, while watching CCTV English channels, I used to see the arrival of presidents, leaders, and captains of industry. There are reports of the arrival of leaders from across the world: Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas for state visits, bilateral talks, and to sign one contract...
AfricaAnthony Obi OgboColumnsOpinionGowon’s Book and the Dangerous Politics of Selective Memory
PilotnewsMay 22, 2026
No nation survives by suppressing uncomfortable truths—Dr. Anthony Obi Ogbo More than five decades after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon has finally offered his own detailed account of the conflict that permanently reshaped Nigeria. Gowon, who became Nigeria’s leader in 1966 after the counter-coup that followed the assassination of General Aguiyi-Ironsi, presided over the most tragic chapter in the nation’s history—the Biafran War that claimed millions of...
Chris Chinwe UlasiColumnsOpinionFrom Noise to Votes: Nigerian Youth Must Turn Online Fire into Electoral Power
Young Nigerians have shown a remarkable ability to create waves in the digital space. With a single click, they can expose a politician’s corruption, rally tens of thousands of supporters behind a single hashtag, and keep every political actor on edge from dawn until dusk. However, as the 2027 general elections draw closer, it is time to face an uncomfortable truth: loud online noise isn’t the same as real power in the political sphere. If...
ColumnsNational SecurityNigeriaOpinionIgbo Progressivism: Reality of Nigeria’s Untapped Security Advantage
PilotnewsMay 18, 2026
“Calling Igbo dynamism destabilizing weakens its strategic value,” —Dr. Declan Onwudiwe Nigeria’s greatest security vulnerability is internal: the persistent underutilization of the innovative and resilient Igbo ethnic group in the southeastern region, whose progressivism holds untapped strategic potential. Nigeria has not fully recognized the strategic value of Igbo progressivism. This can advance national development and security. Progressivism here means innovation, adaptability, merit-based advancement, and decentralized problem-solving. These traits have shaped Igbo socio-economic organization. If added...
AfricaAnthony Obi OgboColumnsOpinionIgbo Dynamism and The Politics of Misalignment
PilotnewsMay 18, 2026
The cost of this misalignment extends beyond politics and erodes the strength and perception of the Igbo brand itself — Dr. Anthony Ogbo Few ethnic groups in the modern world embody resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial drive like the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria. Forged by history, particularly the trauma and aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, the Igbo spirit has evolved into a global force defined by education, commerce, and labor. Across Africa, Europe, Asia, and...
Nigeria’s Forgotten Sacrifice and the Tragedy of Xenophobia in South Africa As George Santayana famously warned, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The unfolding xenophobic tensions in South Africa reflect more than economic strain; they reveal a deeper crisis of memory and meaning. When history fades, gratitude dissolves, and fear replaces solidarity. The violence directed at fellow Africans is not merely social unrest; it is a philosophical failure to reconcile...
Chris Chinwe UlasiColumnsOpinionSoutheastThe Great Divide – How City Boys & Village Boys Mirror Nigeria’s Deepest Political Fractures
PilotnewsFebruary 25, 2026
Nigerian social media politics is often a loud, sometimes flashy environment where the rivalry between “City Boys” and “Village Boys” is typically seen as a struggle of style: designer clothing vs. simple, swagger vs. sincerity. However, to view this simply as an aesthetic difference or as online bragging is to misunderstand the true nature of this divide. As a group, both the “City Boys,” who are strong supporters of President Bola Tinubu and who support...
“Chinese New Year has become a season of shared joy.” —Olalekan A. Babatunde As the lunar calendar ushered in the Year of the Horse, the world witnessed a spectacular display of Chinese culture as the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, was celebrated with unprecedented enthusiasm across every continent. Far beyond a traditional family reunion and artistic expression, the 2026 festivities have become a global phenomenon, with the distinctive “China Red” illuminating iconic landmarks and...