The Third Arm of the Slave Trade — Then and Now By Lawson Akhigbe

History has a mischievous habit: it doesn’t die; it merely changes costume. The transatlantic slave trade, we are told, was a wicked two-man show — the European buyer and the African victim. But there was always a third actor lurking backstage: the African collaborator, the merchant-king who sold his neighbours for beads, gin, and a …

Narratives On Nigerian Religious Violence by The Leadership Newspaper

The recent surge of condemnations from the United States Congress concerning violence perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria has revived a heated debate about whether the country is witnessing a deliberate "Christian genocide". Senator Ted Cruz, in a statement on October 8, 2025, accused Nigeria of permitting a "massacre" against Christians, referencing over 100,000 deaths …

Simon Ekpa: A Lesson In Justice Delivery by Leadership Newspaper

Kanu in Court with his lawyers The recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Norway is a major lesson for Nigeria’s sluggish judicial system and renews the call for the expeditious investigation and prosecution of suspects. Ekpa, a self-styled Biafra separatist agitator based in Finland, was engaged in broadcasting incendiary messages that incited violence in SouthEast …

The Great Louvre Caper: When Inspector Clouseau Struck Again by Lawson Akhigbe

In the annals of French history, few events have shaken the nation quite like the disappearance of a priceless artwork from the Louvre. Not since Napoleon decided Egypt’s treasures would look better in Paris has the City of Light been so… dimmed. But fear not, for France’s most “brilliant” detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau, was on …

Personality Worship Is Neither Republican Nor Democratic by Leadership Newspapers

A troubling trend is creeping into Nigeria’s political culture — one that exalts sycophancy and personality cults over patriotism, public service, and the principles of constitutional democracy, especially in a republic, such as we have.Three recent incidents illustrate this growing tendency to elevate individuals above institutions and personal loyalty above national duty. The most recent …