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Nigerian Politicians

Idoma Colours

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The Relevance of the Idoma Traditional Colours By Ogiri John Ogiri Introduction Photo credit: crwflags.com Nigeria currently boasts of over 250 ethnic groups speaking over 400 languages. Everyone of ethnic/cultural group possesses certain symbols of identity unique to such group. These include music and dance, food, dress, architectural designs et cetera Through these symbols, people in a socio-cultural group become easily identifiable. One of such a group with a highly-defined cultural identity is the Idoma nation. Idoma is the name by which the people of Idoma ethnic group designate themselves, and are addressed as such by their neighbours. Idoma is also the name of the language of the group as well as their land.(Armstrong,1983) The Idoma as a people are currently inhabiting the southern end of the Benue valley or the River Benue. Others can be identified in Cross River(Yala and Ogoja), Nasarawa (Doma and Keana), Kogi and Enugu State. In Benue state where they a...
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The Theology of Idleness: A Wake-Up Call to the Modern Youth.

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  By Ogiri John Ogiri There is a quiet, spiritual erosion occurring within many of our churches today—a deliberate shaping of the youth psyche that is both disturbing and damaging. Under the guise of "end-time" preparation, a generation is being systematically tutored into professional laziness and intellectual stagnation. It is time for a radical belief system reset. Let me be straight with you: the man or woman who tells you that Jesus is coming soon; that the world is ending but still goes ahead to build mansions, auditoria, investing in multi-billion dollar real estate, while he or she urges you to sit back to pray and fast everyday, is not being fair to you. We are often led by men and women who preach that "Jesus is coming soon" and the "world is ending," yet their actions tell a different story. While they urge you to retreat into a life of perpetual fasting and 24/7 prayer, they are busy expanding multi-billion dollar real estate portfolios, buildi...
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The Architect of Marginalization: Re-evaluating the Idoma Quest for the Benue Governorship

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  By Ogiri John Ogiri In recent political discourse, a prevailing narrative, which supports a kind of a consensus in some quarters, has emerged among patriots and leaders within Zone C—most notably championed by figures such as our dear Senator Comrade Abba Moro suggesting that the current administration under Governor Hyacinth Alia harbours a specific prejudice against the Idoma people. While such assertions find traction in the court of public opinion, a more nuanced analysis suggests that this perspective may be misplaced. Therefore, I would like to respectfully differ from this position. I would like to make the point that the Tiv man is not the problem of the Idoma man. To achieve political maturity, we must move beyond the convenience of externalizing blame. The fundamental obstacle to an Idoma governorship is not the Tiv ethnic group, nor any external political actor; rather, it is a crisis of internal cohesion within the Idoma nation itself. We are, in a very real sense,...
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Benue @50: Fundamental Questions to Ask

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By Ogiri John Ogiri  As Benue State marks 50 years in Nigeria’s federation, it is a fundamental moment for deep reflection—not just celebration. As we undertake this reflection, Let us interrogate our achievements and failures. We can begin by asking certain fundamental questions that can guide honest assessment, public dialogue, and future planning: 1. Identity & Vision Why was Benue created in 1976? What was the original vision for the State at its creation in 1976? How has our identity as the “Food Basket of the Nation” evolved in practice? Do we have a shared vision for our dear State in the next 25–50 years? As Benue citizens, what values should define us today—industry, unity, innovation, integrity? 2. Governance & Leadership How effective have successive governments been in delivering good governance in the State? To what extent have our leaders been accountable and transparent to us? Has governance promoted inclusion across ethnic, religious, and local lines? Or hav...
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What kerosene taught Nigeria, CNG may teach again

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What kerosene taught Nigeria, CNG may teach again : Nigeria’s compressed natural gas (CNG) price has risen to N380, raising fears that the “alternative” fuel may repeat the bitter lessons of kerosene and gas subsidy removals unless affordability and regulation are prioritised.
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Popularity and Capacity Not the Same.

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By Ogiri John Ogiri  Quite often, in our quest for credible leadership, we mistake popularity for capacity. Sometimes, our emotional attachment to an intending leader who is relatively popular, usually denies us the golden opportunity to scrutinise the individual and what he or she claims to represent. What are his intentions and interests? What are his credentials? What has he done before? What can he do? These are obvious questions we need to ask. However, we often do not interrogate these variables in the individual. We think his popularity is enough to help him or her win but forget to also think and remember that only capacity can keep him in power for long. When it comes to the issue of leadership, there is a huge difference between popularity and capacity. A leader can be popular without being capable. If he has the capacity, popularity will follow but capacity won't follow popularity. Our leadership predicament both as a people and as a country stems from our inability to c...
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You are Right

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By Ogiri John Ogiri. If you believe that you can die an untimely death, you are right because you will.  But, if you believe that you will live longer, you are equally right because you will. If you believe you will fail, you are right because you will.  But, if you believe you can succeed, you are equally right because you can. If you believe that someone is controlling or can control your destiny, you are right because they are.  But If you believe that your destiny is in your hands, you are right too because it is in your hands. If you believe that someone can kill you because of your success, you are right because he/she can. But, if you believe that no one can hurt you, you are right too because no one can do that. If you believe that you will never make it out of poverty, you are right because you will remain poor. But, if you believe that you will prosper, you are right too because you will. If you believe that your village people are responsible for all your pre...
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A Letter to Mr. President

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Dear Mr. President, I commend your leadership dexterity and wisdom for signing into law, yesterday and very speedily so, the bill seeking to make us revert to the old national anthem "Nigeria, We Hail Thee"  However, it is important that the following few points are urgently brought to your attention so that we do not end up taking residence in self-deception as a country. Mr President Sir,  In our churches today, hungry people no longer have the strength to answer "Hallelujah" to the shout of "praise the Lord!" In our mosques, shouting"Allahu Akbar" takes great effort because we are not sure if the imam calling people to pray has eaten well. Because they are hungry, it is difficult for them to keep praying for the same Nigeria others keep destroying.  In the same way, a hungry man cannot hail Nigeria. A man who can no longer afford the three square meals, thanks to your unfriendly economic policies, may never be proud to hail Nigeria...
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