Ogiri John Ogiri

  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...

  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...

  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,...

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...

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.

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...

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...