LAURETTA ONOCHIE

A member of the Senate, Shehu Sani, who represents the central Kaduna constituency in northern Nigeria in the Senate, said he was worth 22 million naira and has several houses and cars. Sani on Monday became the first sitting member of the legislature to declare his assets publicly, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s example for greater transparency and accountability in the graft-riddled nation. Sani, a human rights activist who heads the Civil Rights Congress lobby group, said his decision was prompted by Buhari’s “moral standard” for more openness in public life. Buhari last week declared he had no foreign bank accounts or oil concessions, owned five houses but only $151,000 (135,000 euros) at a local bank.  Aides said it was an indication of the 72-year-old’s “spartan lifestyle”. His deputy, former lawyer Yemi Osinbajo, said he had about 94 million naira ($466,000, 418,000 euros) in his local bank accounts, $900,000 and 19,000 pounds in other bank accounts, four

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,