LAURETTA ONOCHIE

  Nigerians are in pain. Hunger walks freely in the land. Inflation is out of control. Insecurity is a daily nightmare. Public infrastructure is crumbling, and millions now live on the edge of survival. With such unrelenting economic hardship, people are asking tough questions: Where is all the money going? Why has life become this unbearable, especially after the removal of fuel subsidy that was meant to save Nigeria billions? A timely and thought-provoking discussion recently aired on Channels TV’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, featuring Alwan Hassan, a chieftain of the ruling APC. The topic, “Nigeria Under Tinubu’s Watch,” couldn’t be more apt. The conversation explored the dire state of the economy and the deepening frustration of Nigerians. One critical question emerged from that discourse: Why are State Governors not being held accountable despite receiving massive monthly allocations post-subsidy removal? That question hit a nerve, and rightly so. Since the remo...

Nigeria's (FG only) domestic debt as at June 30, 2015 was 8.4 trillion Naira (N8.4trn). Nigeria's (FG only) domestic debt as at June 30, 2023 was 48. 31 trillion Naira (N48.31trn). This amount included N22.7 trillion Ways and Means the Federal Government of Nigeria borrowed from Central Bank of Nigeria largely to subsidize electricity cost. So in essence, the Federal Government domestically borrowed 39.91trillion Naira (N39.91) in eight years, i.e. from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2023. This translated to an average yearly domestic borrowing of 4.99 trillion Naira (N4.99trn) in the eight years period (July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2023). Nigeria's (FG only) domestic debt as at December 31, 2024 was 70.41 trillion Naira (N70.41trn). This meant that in eighteen months (July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024), the Federal Government of Nigeria domestically borrowed 22.11 trillion Naira (N22.11trn). This is more than half of the N39.91 trillion Naira (N39.11trn) that the immediate past adm...

Dr. Uche Diala is a Progressive Democrat. Last year, after supervising the degeneration of our power supply to worse than pre-2015 levels, the Minister of Power delivered the most uncharitable and worst form of revisionism and manipulation of facts, probably in Nigeria's history. He said interalia then: "Unfortunately, the late Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, the foremost champion of the project (Siemens Power Project), passed away. After that, an election occurred, and a new government took over. Between 2018 and 2023, there were no significant developments concerning the agreements". That mischievous and deceptive submission by the Minister made me write a piece on 8th April 2024 titled: 'AN UNFORTUNATE ATTEMPT AT HALF BAKED REVISIONISM BY THE HONORABLE MINISTER FOR POWER' where I addressed the Minister's mischief. Unfortunately, the Minister, obviously determined to deceive Nigeria and to distract attention from his woeful outing as Minis...

We are very quick to condemn people without knowing their backgrounds. Childhood experiences, shape what we later become in life, affecting us positively or negatively.  Most of the leaders we have today, are products of child abuse, being made to feel inadequate in primary schools and beyond. They watched as their classmates were praised for coming top of their class as they come in the bottom.  Then they develop LOW SELF-ESTEEM and become playground bullies because they have to "count for something". They wanted to show the "Smart Ones", that they have raw strength.  Another point is childhood poverty. This is not about not having fat bank balances, big houses and cars. It's a mindset of not being contented with the little your parents were able to provide. In reality, this traumatic experience can lead to social isolation due to lack of resources, such as toys, books, or opportunities for extracurricular activities. They are at a higher risk of psychological ...

Dr. Ugo Egbujo I had a dream yesterday In the dream  Tinubu called a meeting of his economic kitchen cabinet He was the first to arrive He wore a hat on which was written Oil Minister  You know how dreams are He stood at the door welcoming his team  Yemi Cardoso CBN Gov came first Then Wale Edun, Finance Minister arrived Then Zach Adedeji, the FIRS chairman arrived Then Gboyega Oyetola, Blue Economy minister came Then Jumoke Oduwole Minister of Trade and Industry arrived  Next was Bosun Tijani, Minister of Digital economy Then Bashir Adeniyi, the boss of Customs  Then Gbajabiamila arrived, apologizing  As the meeting was about starting Tinubu said he didn't want to rebuild economy without fighting corruption So he whispered to Gbajabiamila  Soon Egbetokun, the IGP arrived Then Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC chairman arrived Then Adeola Ajayi, the DSS DG arrived Then Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General arrived Gbajabiamia asked Tinubu if he could invite Kudir...

All along, it has been a war between the federal government and the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara.  But what is a State of emergency?  According to our constitution, the three tiers of government, Federal, States and LGAs are INDEPENDENT.  This means that the Federal government has no right to take charge of Security matters or any other matters in a state because the Governors are the Chief Security Officers of their states.  However, when there are Security breaches or threats, the Governor can ask the Federal to declare a state of emergency in his state. In so doing, the Federal government can now send the whole gamut of its Security apparatus to that state to support the Governor to keep the peace in his state.  The Federal Government too, can of its own accord, with the backing of the National Assembly, declare a state of emergency in a troubled state or local government.  A STATE OF EMERGENCY, DOES N...

No, you should not use "allegedly" when there is evidence to support a claim, as it implies that the claim is unproven or doubtful. The word "allegedly" is used to indicate that something has been claimed, but not proven.  Here's why: "Allegedly" implies doubt: The word "allegedly" suggests that the claim being made is not yet confirmed or proven, even if evidence exists. Is there evidence that the young Youth Corper was threatened by a female management staff of the NYSC on the phone? Yes. We heard it. So it's not an allegation, but a fact.   "Allegedly" is used in legal contexts:  In legal contexts, "allegedly" is used to indicate that a person has been accused of something, but has not yet been proven guilty.  Is there evidence that the Lawmakers in Rivers State defected to my Party? Yes, we all saw it and celebrated it. So, its not "Allegedly". Its a fact.  Use "claimed" or "stated" in...