Opinion
Ivory Tower Or Tower Of Babel?
The history of the ivory tower is a unique and
interesting one. What makes university institutions to be referred to as the ivory tower includes the culture of pursuit of truth or knowledge with deep conviction and not solely for bread.
Devotees of that culture, which may also be called the cult of convinced knowledge, rarely fear the sword and can lay down their lives to uphold what ideals they consider sacred. Such devotees are not always found in university institutions but, like Socrates, Aristotle, Martin Luther and several others, they can be mobile teachers with large followers.
In corrupt societies, ivory tower radicals are rarely “friends of government” or those who wield or pursue political power. Often, they are considered as security risk.
When Martin Luther (1483-1548) challenged what was going on in the Church during his time, he became a security risk and a heretic who must either recant his ideas or face the inquisition. In those days, “heretics” were burnt alive at the stake, but Luther had many supporters who secretly provided protection and security for him. Now, we know what resulted from Luther’s Reformation Movement. Personal conviction backed by truth usually triumphs even amidst threats of lynching.
Social transformation movements usually start from the activities of radical devotees of the ivory tower principle of personal conviction. However, along the line, there can emerge fifth columnists as internal subverts, as well as external strong opponents. Thus such movements can be destroyed before they grow strong or they become mere doctrinaire radicalism.
Social transformation movements which survive and grow strong face other problems such as infiltration and eventual take-over by later day heroes, creating schism and the scramble for positions which can split the movement.
It is usually in the process of scrambles for power and positions that commitment to the ideal of truth suffers and the ivory tower becomes “tower of babel”.
When devotees of the cult of convinced knowledge scramble for material lures, they soon become like “salt” which has lost its value. They stray from their ideals and things rarely remain the same thereafter. The reason behind such failure arises from a schism in the human brain as a result of a change in the line of devotion of attention. It remains true that no one can serve two masters with equal zeal.
Not many people know the operational mechanism of the human brain. As the seat of the intellect or objective, sensory perception, the brain also provides a gate-way to intuitive perception. Thus, there are two zones, spheres or lobes in the brain, namely: cerebrum and cerebellum, frontal brain and back brain, or left and right hemispheres. Each of the two sections deals with different but specific human needs, but both are meant to work in synergy and harmony. When one section becomes over-dominant there is a problem arising from one-sidedness or lop-sidedness.
Currently, there is the “Brain Dominance Theory” which says, in summary, that “people who are scripted deeply in the logical, verbal, left-brain thinking will discover how totally inadequate that thinking is solving problems which require a great deal of creativity. They become aware and begin to open-up a new script inside their right-brain. It is not that the right-brain wasn’t there; it just lay dormant. The muscles had not been developed, or perhaps they had atrophied after early childhood because of the heavy left-brain emphasis of formal education or social scripting. When a person has access to both the intuitive, creative and visual right-brain, and the analytical, logical, verbal, left-brain, then the whole brain is working”.
There are some people who can be described as having crippled brain; among them are fanatical dogmatic and conceited people. They engage in activities that demand the sagacity and cleverness of the intellectual, frontal brain, with little resort to the rich resources of the right or back brain which adds ethical values to human, thinking.
In politics, as a game of wits, numbers and intellect, ethical values count little. We know the link between politics and economic, and so, die-hard adherents of ivory-tower principles rarely fit into politics in its “dirty” version; no patronage!
Devotees of the cult of truth and conviction who cannot stand faithful to the ideals of integrity often visit political lords at night to pledge loyalty and beg for favours which include the post of vice-chancellorship. Thus the ivory tower becomes a political tower of babel where you can find quota and political professors with no books to their names or any worthy ideals to profess with conviction. You can find over five dozens in one single institution, especially with the lure and juice of retiring at 70 with full salary, fringe benefits and prospect of buying over official house for peanuts. Scrambles and quality rarely go together.
Dr. Amirize, a retired lecturer, writes from Port Harcourt.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
-
Politics1 day ago
Obey Order On AA In Six Days, Court Directs INEC, Yakubu
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
Cancer Risk: HYPREP, IARC Launch Human Biometric Study in Ogoniland
-
Sports1 day ago
Coach Eager To Transform El Kanemi Warriors
-
News1 day ago
Presidency Faults US Visa Restrictions On Nigerians, Demands Fair Treatment
-
Politics1 day ago
PDP Still Formidable Ahead 2027 – Nat’l Youth Leader
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
Commissioner Explains Oborevwori’s Retirement Age Extentoon For Associate Profs
-
Politics1 day ago
Civic Duty, Not Politics Necessitated My Engagement With Abacha – Obi
-
Sports1 day ago
Oyibu predicts success for Team Nigeria at Athletics Championships