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By  Reno  Omokri A most disturbing thing happened in  Nigeria . Over a period of 3 days last week, the allegedly  ‘technically defeated’  Boko Haram managed to overrun multiple military bases and reportedly killed close to a hundred Nigerian troops and carried away heavy military hardware. *President Buhari with COAS Gen Burutai  But that is not the disturbing thing that occurred. The killings were shocking, but something much more disturbing happened. The Nigerian President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the military and who is supposed to be the most pained over these avoidable deaths had time to: *attack former President Jonathan for agreeing with Transparency International that corruption had increased in  Nigeria *attack Priti Patel for saying that Mr. Buhari’s anti-corruption war is a sham. But the President could not find time to speak on the killing of over 70 troops by Boko Haram. As I write these words, almost a week after these gruesome k...

By   Paul Onomuakpokpo With the murder of Hauwa Liman, we have once again been starkly reminded of our lack of governmental bulwark against the savagery of those who are unmoored from all legal and moral boundaries in our midst. *Leah Sharibu Yes, it is only a reminder. Successive governments have abandoned the citizens in a gruelling struggle with their challenges. But the battle for daily survival only becomes more tormenting with the lurking reminder that these challenges are not just existential; they are unconscionably inflicted by a pestilential leadership deficit. Now, consider this: Despite the billions of dollars that are yearly voted by the government for electricity, security and other forms of infrastructural development, the citizens are saddled with the responsibility of providing these for themselves.  It is this state of government-spawned stasis that renders the citizens vulnerable to marauders and terrorists like Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram. And the grisly...

By   Sam Ohuabunwa Nigeria is an intriguing nation.  A 58- year adult nation that is still crawling like a toddler, while most of its mates are running on sure feet.  Many people including political, traditional and religious leaders have expressed their bewilderment with Nigeria ’s chronic inability to truly rise.    Never mind that a tiny minority including some who earn 12 billion Naira as annual dividend will argue differently that Nigeria is rising.  *Nigerian President Buhari  Many ordinary folks in Nigeria have raised their hands in desperation as they find themselves daily pushed into poverty despite their best efforts.  This is evidenced by the fact that Nigeria the seventh most populous nation with a ‘tiny’ population of about 198 million People has become the global poverty headquarters, beating India (with a population of over 1.2 billion) according to the Brookings Institution.  Nigeria is said to have 87 million of its citize...

By  Sam Ohuabunwa I believe that I am not alone in feeling distressed about the situation of healthcare in Nigeria . Everywhere you look, the problems stare you on the face. In the public health care space, you face poor infrastructure, old or inoperative equipment and generally, poor attitude.  *Buhari  Even skill and competency levels are often suspect. If you have taken a seriously ill patient to our public health facilities – primary, secondary or tertiary institutions, you will know that many more people are healed by faith in Nigeria than by medical care.  If you go to the private healthcare institutions, may be infrastructure and equipment may be better, attitude and skills are subject to national averages. Additionally, in all cases, affordability remains a key limiting factor.  Since managed care and health insurance are still in their infancy or rather has remained in a state of stultified growth, most Nigerians have to deposit cash before they c...