Emeka Chiakwelu

ideas have consequences

Emeka Chiakwelu

The founder and principal policy strategist is Mr. Emeka Chiakwelu

He can be contacted: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Republic Of The Mind And Thralldom Of Fear

I have a cloud of sadness within me as I speak. It has to do with an absence, a non-event which, both as a product in itself and as the product’s fate, could easily stand – among similar testimonies – as symbolic of the mission of this gathering, and a number of others like it, at least in all societies which value the exertion of the mind and products of the imagination. Before I state what that non-event is, I wish to emphasize very strongly that this is not meant as an indictment of this Book Fair of which…

World Economic Forum: Delivering on the Hopeful African Promise

“Keep hope alive,” a mantra propagated by United States Civil Right leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson, when he was campaigning to become the first Black President of America. Although he failed short of his ambition, yet his hopeful dream was kept alive and eventually Barack Obama became the first Black President of United States. This scenario can be liken to a hopeful Africa which at this point time is in transition, and arguably with Africa ascending economic buoyancy the future of the continent is hopeful and promising. As World Economic Forum gathering in South Africa took off, the focus…

George W. Bush: A True and Best Friend of Africa

It does not happen often, but five living American presidents recently gathered in Dallas, Texas to dedicate George W. Bush presidential Library. Political and ideological differences notwithstanding, there was a resounding conclusion that George W. Bush policy on Africa was most effective and generous especially his endeavor to combat HIV/AIDS crisis and signing peace treaty in Sudan. When most people do contemplate on which American president is the best and true friend of Africa. I bet you, Obama and Clinton will probably come to their mind; the last person they that might think of is George W. Bush,…

Nigeria: Strong Foreign Reserve for Currency Stabilization

“Nigeria’s Foreign Reserve at $47 Billion. A Strong foreign reserve is good economics.” - AFRIPOL Beyond its cosmetics largess and intimidating attribute, strong foreign reserve plays a fundamental role in the stabilization of a nation’s currency. In case of Nigeria, the country’s currency which is naira must be stabilized for a healthy and thriving economy to be sustainable. Naira’s stabilization can be functionally achieved when a reasonable accumulation of foreign reserve is met and sustain. At the interim, Nigeria foreign reserve stood at $47 billion; with naira increasingly stability and rising oil price, the erstwhile depleting external reserve fund…

Oscar Awards: Nollywood is Standing Tall without Nominations

A Nollywood without Oscar nominations in 2013 "Whether Nollywood wins Oscars or not , we will keep watching their movies . We have our AMAA to rate our movies by . Hollywood cannot be best friends with Nollywood because the later snatched away millions of their viewers around the world . The two movie giant houses are worlds apart . Nollywood deals with our everyday situations we face in life while Hollywood is too abstract and theoretical." - T. Thomas, January 17, 2013 When Hollywood announced its 2013 Oscar Award nominations earlier this month, it was said that many…

Nigeria Economic Maturity by 2030: NIC Economic Postulation and Reality

The United States based global economic and political intelligent agency, National Intelligence Council (NIC) recently had a radiant prediction on Nigeria’s economic prospects by 2030. According to NIC report, Nigeria and many other developing economies including Colombia, Indonesia, South Africa and Turkey will play a vital role in the global economy by the 2030 and beyond. The report also made an already unfolding reality that China will overtake United States economy while Asia will become powerhouse of the global economy. In case of China and Asia, all the economic indicators are pointing to the inevitability of their economic supremacy.…

Ifeanyi Ubah’s Capital Oil and AMCON: Renegotiate and Restructure Debt

Oil business be it distribution, trading or exploration is capital intensive that requires enhanced technical know -how and optimal efficiency in management. Without tactical and strategic planning and implementation, it becomes quite easy to go into debts. The problem of debts that was accumulated by Ifeanyi Ubah and its Capital Oil is an indicative of a management lapses that can be corrected when the parties involved sit down, sort things out and work together. With company’s reform, pragmatic orientation and sound management the financial climate will improve. But before that debt re-negotiation and restructure are the ways forward for Capital…

Nigeria: The Best and Worst living Side by Side

Less than a week after Forbes Magazine chronicled the list of 40 richest Africans in which 11 of them were Nigerians; another different list emerged that was unfavorable to Nigeria. The quantification and tabulation by Forbes, maintained that Aliko Dangote was still the richest person in Africa for two consecutive years, 2011 and 2012 respectively. Many Nigerians were probably proud to have one of their own at the top of the list. Of course, Dangote works for his money and has been providing jobs to Nigerians. He is part of the solution by heavily investing in Nigeria and Africa, unlike those…

Fareed Zakaria: Messenger of political economy speaks to Nigeria’s future

Fareed Zakaria, a world acclaimed journalist and messenger of political economy speaks to Nigeria’s future. But is there anybody listening? Fareed Zakaria belongs to a class of public figures that needs no introduction in this increasingly smaller global village. But for those who are hiding under a rock and in caves, Fareed Zakaria is the United States television personality and newspaper columnist. Zakaria is the host of CNN worldwide programme, Fareed Zakaria GPS. Zakaria is an Indian immigrant to United States with a PH.D from Harvard University. He is astute and intelligent commentator on political economy. Zakaria…

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is Nigeria's greatest link not weakest

It was an interesting and engaging article - Ngozi Iweala: Nigeria's weakest link- written by one Sonala Olumhense. It was not that the piece was illuminating the encumbrances in the affairs of Nigeria’s contemporary democratic dispensation that made it compelling but for the acute misunderstanding on the role and achievements of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in her capacity as the minister of finance for both Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations. Just like the writer of the above aforementioned article, before I proceed any further, I would like to congratulate the Honorable minister of finance, Lady Dr. Okonjo-Iweala on making the…