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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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A Perspective on True Christianity

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By Ogiri John Ogiri Over the years, people have defined a serious Christian to mean the one who doesn't miss the Mass or Service, who prays everyday and who speaks in strange tongues or who pays tithe in church. But are these enough to qualify someone as a Christian? Can we align this display of piety in pari passu with those of the early Christians in Antioch in Pisidia- a way of life that made the people call them "Christians" because they behaved like Christ? The truth is that being a Christian goes beyond being a churchman or woman; it is more than trying to pray better and longer than Jesus taught and did. It is more than the superficial display of piety that characterizes our Christian life today. It requires sacrifice without counting the cost. It involves the cross as the lot of all of us. St Paul challenges us: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophe...
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A Call for Strategic Leadership and National Balance in ADC’s Presidential Choice

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  By Ogiri John Ogiri As Nigeria approaches another critical electoral cycle, political parties are once again confronted with decisions that will shape their future and influence the direction of the nation. For the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the moment calls for careful reflection, strategic thinking, and alignment with the prevailing mood of the electorate. Issues of zoning, fairness, and national cohesion remain central to political calculations, and any misstep could prove costly. It is within this context that the party must weigh its options and act in a manner that prioritizes collective success over individual ambition. Several candidates are jostling to fly the flag of the party by 2027. One of those strong contenders is our father, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is an elder statesman. Yes, he is widely regarded as an elder statesman whose experience in national politics commands respect. But I understand he won't contest. He shouldn't contest. ...
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On the Recent Endorsement of Senator Ahmed Wadada by Governor A.A Sule: implications for the APC Unity in the State.

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  By Ogiri John Ogiri It is no longer news that senator Ahmed Wadada has been formally endorsed annointed and presented to the president by the governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Engr A.A Sule. Senator Wadada is now the new bride and heir apparent to the governor's throne. However, what many may not know is that the ripples generated by that action may take time before finally settling into quietude. One thing is clear: a winner has been projected even before we go into elections. The implications of the governor's action can be troubling. By that singular premature endorsement, Governor A.A Sule has punctured and ruptured the sac of unity in the APC in Nasarawa State. Now, the initial quietude in the party has been unsettled by disquietude .Now party loyalists and their initial permutations are in disarray. New alignments and realignment have intensified. The governor has taken side too early. That open endorsement was ill-advised and premature. That was a tacit appr...
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A Smarter Way of Winning the War on Terrorism: How Drone Technology Can Transform Nigeria’s Fight Against Terrorism in Modern Time.

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  By Ogiri John Ogiri Terrorism, insurgency, and banditry have become major security issues in Nigeria over the past decade, affecting lives, property, and national development. These threats are largely driven by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province, which operate mainly in the northeastern region of the country. Their activities include attacks on civilians, destruction of communities, kidnappings, and disruption of economic activities. In addition to insurgency, banditry has emerged as a serious problem, particularly in the northwestern region ( namely Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna States etc) and north-central region (Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kwara States and some remote parts of the FCT Abuja). Armed groups, often referred to as bandits, carry out mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, village raids, and attacks on highways. Unlike insurgent groups with ideological motives, bandits are largely driven by financial...
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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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