LAURETTA ONOCHIE

There was no doubt that the much touted breath of fresh air under the immediate past government of former Pres. Jonathan was a farce. Very few people around the globe were therefore, not surprised at the passion and commitment with which Nigerians mobilized to get rid of a government that was mostly useless in its dealing with those they were elected to serve. Impunity and corruption sat side by side as co-heirs of the kingdom of Nigeria, battling for the souls and minds of Nigeria and Nigerians.  Still, some expressed pessimism, concern and even doubt that Nigeria would ever see the sun rise ever again. The thought of "change" from what has set Nigeria decades back, propelled many Nigerians to join the party, "Anything But Jonathan" ABJ. These joined forces with the then opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC to wrestle political power and for many, freedom, from a government and a political cult that has punished Nigerians for sixteen years and

How could we forget how millions of jobless Nigerians were lured with promises of jobs with the immigration authorities in Nigeria? How stadia across the nation were used as death traps for some unsuspecting young job seekers who had paid to be killed in their quest for an opportunity to earn a living. Till date, no one has been brought to books. But they were Nigerians and those of us who survived that ordeal must not forget it. We must remember it on the 14 of February 2015. We must get our pound of flesh by voting for those who can bring justice and closure to Nigerians. How could we forget how we woke up one morning to find, floating on Ezu River, decomposing bodies of nearly 60 Igbo youths! And what was their crime? They, as members of MASSOB, had staged a peaceful protest, rights enshrined in our constitution. The massive cover up and deliberately bungled investigations must always come to mind. The inability of the Nigerian police under the irresponsible leadership of

The Buhari Support Organizations (BSO) were at New Karo to support the campaign for Change. Although just a Coaster bus and a Van left the campaign headquarters in Abuja, the convoy soon grew out of sight with many cars and motorcycles leading the way and many more trailing. A courtesy call was paid on the Palace of Etsu Karo where prayers were offered for Nigeria and General Buhari. The campaign train then continued its journey to New Karo where a massive crowd that showcased Nigeria's diversity was on hand to receive BSO. Prayers were again offered by both Muslim and Christian leaders. The HIGHLIGHT of the occasion was the tearing of a PDP membership card by a popular youth leader in the area, Yunusa Halidu. He said he was happy to be turning a new leaf by joining the change movement. Members of the the Market Women's Association, Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, etc, took part in the campaign.

How can we forget how millions of jobless Nigerians were lured with promises of jobs with the immigration authorities in Nigeria? How stadia across the nation were used as death traps for some unsuspecting young job seekers who had paid to be killed in their quest for an opportunity to earn a living. Till date, no one has been brought to books. But they were Nigerians and those of us who survived that ordeal must not forget it. We must remember it on the 14 of February 2015. We must get our pound of flesh by voting for those who can bring justice and closure to Nigerians. How could we forget how we woke up one morning to find, floating on Ezu River, decomposing bodies of nearly 60 Igbo youths! And what was their crime? They, as members of MASSOB, had staged a peaceful protest, rights enshrined in our constitution. The massive cover up and deliberately bungled investigations must always come to mind. The inability of the Nigerian police under the irresponsible leadership of Pr

It has bothered me in recent years why Nigeria, a nation of intelligent people is now saddled with many young people who cannot reason rationally with no articulacy skills.  You only have to watch your TV on Father's or Mother's day to see the extent of this problem. On these days, children in participating nations are interviewed about their parents. While four year olds elsewhere, are able to maturely articulate their points, nine year olds in Nigeria would only give mono-syllabled answers to leading questions, and then silence. Until another leading question comes then they answer "Yes" or "No" as the case may be. I was a National Youth Service Corp teacher in Nigeria when the 6-3-3-4 system was still at its trial stage. At the time, I thought it was an effective education formula that would bring about the much needed positive revolution in our educational system if well-implemented. And because proper and sound education is the bedrock of de

President Goodluck Jonathan Like failed manifestos and vague promises erected on empty platform of inconsequential annexation of helpless Nigerians, the attacks and blood-letting have remained incessantly unstoppable. We now live in the wake of dawn of more promises heralded by the President and his spokespersons whenever such attacks are launched on innocent Nigerians. The question therefore is, "When will the occupants of Aso Rock run out of consolidation messages which they send out to the people whenever such a dastardly incident occurs without conscientious actions to arrest same. One would have wished we fought a civil war three years ago, at least, it would have probably  abated by now and freedom and safety won't be locked up in political cellular by now unlike the unpredictable recipe which we now face with our steps being calculated and counted like those walking on a field littered with fragmentation of bombs set to explode. Without mincing words,

Nigerians deserve better. We have just been unfortunate because we have not been given a fair chance at choosing our leaders. Corrupt and irresponsible state 'politrickcians', who are the local leprous fingers of the cabal are used to choose and impose their surrogates on Nigerians. These surrogates were used to suffocate Nigerians in a one-party-state that had a choking grip on a cluster of regional political parties. But Nigerians deserved better!  And then there was light! At the end of the tunnel, there was light! APC is the All Progressive Congress, the newest formed political party in Nigeria. It was the coming together of some of the smaller political parties in opposition. It was a MERGER which came as a result of the realisation that our nation was drifting to the edge of the precipice, in all aspects of our nationhood. Patriots, who wanted to serve our nation more profitably came together. Even progressives who were choking within the PDP, made a dash for