Human Rights

Reinventing Africa for the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century

Reinventing Africa for the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century By Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere, OON, OGI Being Text of the 2010 Annual Public Lecture of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Lagos, 22nd July, 2010 It is a great pleasure to be here with you all today and I thank CBAAC […]

Reinventing Africa for the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century Read More »

Good Governance and Economic Bliss

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.

Good Governance and Economic Bliss Read More »

Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria

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

Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria Read More »

Report of the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta

In an attempt to tackle the crisis in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the government set up a technical committee with the following terms of reference: To collate, review and distill the various reports, suggestions and recommendations on the Niger Delta from the Willinks Commission Report (1958) to the present, and give a summary

Report of the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta Read More »

Ethnic Reconciliation

Ethnic Reconciliation by Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere, OON Paper delivered at the Policy and Programme Retreat 2007, Organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State Chapter, Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State, February 2007. I thank the Delta State Chapter of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for inviting me to deliver this

Ethnic Reconciliation Read More »

The Nigerian State as Obstacle to Federalism

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-

The Nigerian State as Obstacle to Federalism Read More »

Legislative Duties and Responsibilities in a Democracy

Legislative Duties and Responsibilities in a Democracy Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere, OON Text of Lecture Delivered at the Workshop for Local Government Councilors in Edo State, Benin City, Nigeria, June 19, 2008. Protocol Allow me to begin this discussion by congratulating you all on your election as councilors and chairmen in your respective local governments. 

Legislative Duties and Responsibilities in a Democracy Read More »

Governance, Economics, and Interdependence in Africa

Governance, Economics, and Interdependence: Constraints and Possibilities in Sub-Saharan Africa Paper presented at the Summer Institute on “Governance, Equity, and the Global Poor: A Curriculum Development Institute,” Sponsored by Spelman College and Interfaith Hunger Appeal, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, June 9-12, 1994. The breathtaking pace of political change in Africa has surpassed any predictions or

Governance, Economics, and Interdependence in Africa Read More »

Between Policy and Politics

Between Policy and Politics: Strategies for Moving Nigeria Forward. Text of Convocation Lecture Delivered at the 13th and 14th Convocation Ceremony of The Federal University of Technology, Akure, October 30, 2002. *Professor Ihonvbere is also Project Director, Constitutionalism in Post-Conflict Societies” Project with the International League for Human Rights in New York; Visiting Professor of

Between Policy and Politics Read More »

Constitutionalism and Democratization in Africa

Our discussion today would focus on the new politics of constitutionalism and democratization in Africa and Nigeria. While my focus would be on Nigeria, I would draw lessons from other African states. Critical aspects of our discussion would focus on the nature, character and politics of the Nigerian ruling class though one could legitimately ask: Is the so-called ruling class actually ruling? Or is it just governing? We would focus also on the nature and composition and character of the Nigerian state.

Constitutionalism and Democratization in Africa Read More »

Scroll to Top