On this Democracy Day, I had intended to rest my pen. I wanted to leave the fate written on the walls of history to speak for itself. I thought perhaps the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy were enough testimony. Yet, in the final hour, a thought stirred within me, compelling me to write a message to all of us who have come together to form this sovereign nation called Nigeria. My message is particularly for those who believe that the business of Nigeria lies in the hands of a powerful few. Perhaps they are influenced by what the German sociologist Robert Michels described as the "Iron Law of Oligarchy" ,the tendency for power to concentrate in the hands of a small elite. Looking at our politics, our institutions, and our economy, one may be tempted to believe that the destiny of Nigeria is determined only by those who occupy powerful offices and influential positions. But history tells a different story. Nigeria does not belong to any president, governor, politi...
civilians on both sides are left to assess the damage
A tenuous ceasefire between Iran and Israel went into effect this week, bringing a halt—at least temporarily—to weeks of escalating hostilities that had threatened to spiral into a wider regional conflict. Despite the uneasy calm, both nations have emerged from the negotiations declaring victory, underscoring the deep mistrust and ongoing tension beneath the surface.
Iranian officials hailed the truce as a validation of their military deterrence, pointing to the resilience of their allied militias and the survival of key infrastructure despite Israeli airstrikes. “Our enemies have seen our strength and backed down,” an Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, Israeli leadership portrayed the ceasefire as a strategic win that curtailed Iranian aggression and safeguarded Israeli civilians. “We have sent a clear message: any threat to Israel will be met with decisive action,” said a senior Israeli defense official. “Our goals were met, and our deterrence remains intact.”
The international community, particularly the United Nations and regional powers like Turkey and Qatar, played a behind-the-scenes role in brokering the agreement. While the exact terms of the truce have not been publicly disclosed, both sides have reportedly agreed to halt direct attacks and scale back certain military operations.
Despite the relative calm, analysts warn that the underlying tensions remain unresolved. "This is not peace—it's a pause," said Rana Al-Khatib, a regional security analyst. "Both sides are regrouping, and unless serious diplomacy follows, it's only a matter of time before this cycle repeats."
As the truce holds for now, civilians on both sides are left to assess the damage, mourn the dead, and hope the silence lasts longer than in the past.
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