Welcome, tiny percentage of MotorTrend readers who actually read the editor’s monthly musings! Man, are you in for a treat. You’ve probably already noticed something’s different, not quite right. Or … is it so wrong that it couldn’t be more right? What tipped you off? My warm, gentlemanly greeting? Or was it my devil-may-care style of prose, tumbling gracefully like a figure skater who just broke a shin bone or two. Was that it? Most likely, you looked at the photo above—or the cover of the July issue—saw my face, then screamed victoriously, like a bald eagle after gobbling up a delicious puppy. Then, in a high-pitched register, you called out to anyone within earshot: “The sportscaster dude from Anchorman is the guest editor of MotorTrend this month?! F yeah!...
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday described calls for the disintegration of Nigeria as unmindful and insensitive to the plight of the minority groups in the country. Obasanjo made the observation when he received the Tiv Professional Group (TPG) from Benue State, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta. The former president recalled a discussion between him and “a military friend” who, according to him, has described major tribes in the country as selfish and not sufficiently caring for the minority groups. Obasanjo, who aligned with his friend’s opinion, expressed worry over what would become of the minority groups if the major tribes decided to secede and begin to operate as separate countries. “If the Yoruba can stand as a country, if the Igbos and the Hausa/Fulani can s...
Nigerian Monitor The chairman of THISDAY editorial board, Olusegun Adeniyi, says devolution of power is not the only solution to Nigeria’s problems. Adeniyi said for it to be effective, devolution of power must come with accountability at all levels especially at the local government where administration “has been castrated”. He was speaking at ‘The Platform’, an annual programme organised by Covenant Christian Centre, which was held in Lagos on Saturday. The seasoned journalist added that from past experience, closer government does not necessarily translate to better governance. “Today, there is hardly anybody in our country who is not angry about the situation in which we find ourselves. But nobody is accepting responsibility because the other person or the other ethnic group is to blam...
Traditional rulers in Imo State yesterday condemned the recent attack on the country home of the state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, at Omuma, calling on security agencies to carry out thorough investigations into what transpired and ensure that the culprits and their sponsors are brought to book. Rising from a critical meeting that lasted for few hours at their office in Owerri, the traditional rulers also threatened to invoke curses on those behind the insecurity ravaging the state should they refuse to change. In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, the Chairman of the traditional institution and Chairman of the Imo State Community Policing, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, said the royal fathers are of the opinion that the attack was politically motivated, and therefore warned politicians in...
Thanks to Spotify, there’s a playlist for everything—even your COVID-19 vaccination. According to a recent blog post published by the streaming giant, Spotify listeners have created more than 7,700 vaccine-related playlists globally in 2021. In the 90 days leading up to the post they noted a 350% increase in fan-generated Spotify playlists specific to COVID-19 inoculation, with many even naming their selections after the manufacturers responsible for the vaccine flowing through their veins. So Spotify launched “Vaccine Songs,” a whimsical playlist “to help soundtrack your own vaccine journey.” With tracks ranging from clever puns (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar) to low-hanging fruit (“The Cure” by Lady...
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed that both Dortmund and Bayern Munich are against the formation of a Super League. Plans to launch a Super League were announced by 12 of Europe’s leading clubs late on Sunday night. However, they do not have the support of either of Germany’s two biggest clubs. “The members of the European Club Association (ECA) gathered for a virtual conference on Sunday evening and confirmed the board decision of last Friday remains valid,” Watzke said in a statement released on Dortmund’s website. “This decision means the clubs wanted to implement the planned reform of the Champions League. It was the clear opinion of the members of the ECA board to reject the plans to form a Super League. “Both German clubs who are represented on the ECA board, Ba...
If you’re in the market for a performance-oriented three-row SUV with mainstream badge on its rump, your options are disappointingly limited—there’s the Dodge Durango SRT and the Ford Explorer ST. That’s it. But making choices is hard, and you make enough of them every day, anyway: What’s for dinner? What time should I get up tomorrow? Do I really need that third drink? But some choices are easy. When it comes to Durango or Explorer, we already saved you the trouble. However, for 2021, the Durango SRT lineup expands. The 475-horsepower Durango SRT 392 has been joined in the lineup by the one-year-only 710-hp 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. Yes, another decision to make. Thankfully, we’re here to help—Which Durango SRT should you buy, the Durango SRT 392 or the...
Understanding the strength of small businesses
The number of small businesses keeps growing in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigerian economy, due to the role of small businesses as the live-wire of any economy and the backbone of major developed economies the world over. Though Nigeria rely majorly on oil and revenues derived from it, from context observation the economy is largely supported by small businesses covering almost all spheres of activities within the country, ranging from Nano, kiosk, and Micro businesses most importantly. A visible reference usually includes the vulcanizers, corner shop owners, single retail marketers, repairers, painters, business center operators, restaurants, market women, and men in the various open markets, among others. and the formal operations such as the law firms, accounting firms, con...