credit- Daily Post I remember when it all started. It was in 2013. Vulnerable farmers were attacked and brutally murdered by armed herdsmen who took laws into their hands. It was an eye for an eye and many souls were lost in that crisis. Many more died from neglect at the IDP camps. Nigerians wondered how herdsmen could acquire sophisticated weapons. Nigerians mourned. Peace was brokered, agreements were signed. The Benue people promised to forgive the massacre of their beloved kinsmen by the Fulani herdsmen wielding weapons instead of poles. We thought the peace would be everlasting but we were but deceived. The news of more crisis, more massacre and more IDP camps for the displaced villagers and families greeted us last year and the year before. More villages were sacked; families and generations were lost to these mercenaries who wanted heads for each dead cattle. Cattle the poor Farmers claimed were destroying their days of toil in the hot sun. Nigerians witnessed more

If you were paid N421Million for being a good citizen of Nigeria what would you do? I have been pondering over that question ever since it was confirmed that the REAL Ikoyi whistle blower who assisted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover $43.5 million, £27,800 and N23.2 million at No. 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday received N421Million commission by the ministry of Finance. The FGN also promised to pay the balance next year.

Call me the lady who saw tomorrow, but I saw this coming. I remember mentioning (private gossip group) that Imolites must be in love with their governor as the only "we no go gree" we hear are on social media. We can't blame them, wars are now being fought on Twitter. Some nation's are being ruled from there too... I didn't say anything .

On the eve of October 1 1960, Nigerians were eager to usher in our Independence and take the mantle of leadership from our masters. The streets were alive with joy and hearts were filled with expectations. We had reasons to celebrate and the country was agog with the fanfare "Are you ready?" His voice drowned out the volume of the radio documentary. I turned to see my husband wrestling with the lid of a bloated traveling box.  I frowned down at him and the pile of neatly arranged luggages and used cartons filled with household equipments. We had packed all night. Almost everything we owned was tied up and placed next to our bedroom door. Well, everything but our son who was asleep in his room. "Honey, must we go?" My voice could not conceal my exhaustion. He paused, slowly  pulled away from the closed box,  stood up and turned towards me. His eyes mirrored his surprise and displeasure at my question;

I can still remember my first night at the NYSC Camp...hmm. I arrived late and like other late comers, I had to sleep outside without a mattress, on the chilly fine sand of Adamawa with my bag for a pillow. That night was a nightmare.  I was depressed, disillusioned, heartbroken, alone and lost. Even the glittering stars dancing in the night sky could not obliterate the discomfort I felt from the stones piercing my skin, the soundtrack of the mosquitoes and the cold that seeped into my bones all night. I don't even know how I managed to sleep. I just know that I woke up with sand in my mouth and hair. Those were the days. Anyway, this is not a story about my NYSC camp experience, so I will try not to derail again. After exiting camp and landing a POA (Place of Assignment), I met and bonded with youths from different parts of the country. I was more at home with some Muslim young men and women from the Northern part of our country.  Their optimism and gregarious nature endeared

Pic credit: www.nybooks.com I heard that the war lasted two and a half years. I also heard that many souls were lost. To be specific, we had One Hundred Thousand military casualties and between Five Hundred Thousand and One million Biafran civilians died from starvation. Those are statistics I got from the net. I was not there at the time. The truth is; most of us chanting war songs and heating up the nation were not there during the civil war. Another truth is that most of us are so used to living the good life that it would be impossible for us to survive the throes of a civil war.

Okay, I think its time for me to talk about the popular death trap on our roads. Before I start, I must state categorically that I have nothing against anyone who owns, drives or boards a tricycle popularly referred to as Keke Napep. It is actually a great youth empowerment program, and should be applauded. However I have witnessed several road accidents and heard of numerous deaths occasioned by the reckless operators of the Keke. A friend got a broken hand and I just witnessed a lady being lifted from underneath a keke that rammed into a vehicle! What happened to the Law restricting Keke from plying major roads in the FCT? What happened to the mechanisms that were put in place to regulate Keke and Okada operations in the Territory? Is there no age limit to driving a keke that any kid can now wake up and jump into the road with one? They are worse than Okada riders! They lack the basic training needed for maneuvering or driving a vehicle on the road. Most of them drink concoc

Happy Democracy Day Nigeria!

When will extrajudicial killings end in Nigeria? In October 2012, four young undergraduates were falsely accused and lynched in Aluu , a community in Port Harcourt. In 2013,  Samuel   a twelve year old boy who was accused of attempting to kidnap a boy with a fifty Naira note was their victim. He was lynched while the world watched helplessly. We spoke out against injustice on our streets, fought for our children and thought the battle was won but alas, the recent horrific murder of a seven year old boy on the streets of Lagos for stealing a cup of Garri has left Nigerians devastated and angry.

On 1st October 1960, Nigeria became an Independent nation through the selfless, courageous, zealous and dedicated service of young representatives of the Nigerian people. These men were more concerned with nation building and the development of a nation they worked so hard to set free from the shackles of colonialism. They were more concerned with the unification and growth of the Nigerian people than with self enrichment. Sadly, many years after this victory the new breed of leaders derailed from this patriotic part. Nigerians have witnessed a plethora of selfish leaders and representatives who have not only shown that they lack the ability to manage our affairs as a nation, but have slowly and ignorantly destroyed the firm foundations of this nation. However, all hope is not lost. Today is another opportunity for our leaders to retrace their steps and for Nigerians to rise above all the prejudices restraining us from advancing as a nation.

Unemployment, Under–employment, Population Explosion, Inadequate Health Care , Terrorism, Religious and Ethnic conflicts, Environmental Degradation and a bleak future are some of the broadening complications plaguing my dear country. Naive Nigerians fell for their flagrant campaign promises to finally lay to rest our lingering woes. I nearly got caught up in the web, nearly danced to the chant. The initial gragra got me testifying that our sleeping giant has finally woken up. I was about singing "things are getting better" only for us to topple into the worst Economic Recession we have ever witnessed as a democratic nation.

MY DEMOCRACY DAY THOUGHTS Happy Democracy Day to you All! May 29, 2016 and I did not hear the usual chant of "June 12 should be our democracy day!" Got me wondering if it's because our brother is now the VP. Nigerians and brotherly love... Mscheew! Pro-Buhari Crusaders? I admired their resilience. They found their way into all the media houses and were so passionate. For them PMB must be seen to have achieved something. One Chibok girl walking back was not enough. By mid afternoon, I got tired of listening to rehearsed, heated arguements of what Baba did and did not do. Did all Nigerians travel to the moon for 365 days? It so reminded me of the PDP era... but hey, guess the cross-carpeting and new name didn't change APC much. Besides, who does not know that One out of Four years is too early for blame games.

I was taught never to look down on people no matter their status. Back in the days, Nigerians were kind and peaceful people, but now old things have indeed passed away. Some people now feel that being the Leader of any group or community gives them the right to disrespect or maltreat their subordinates or the people who elected them to that position. Treating people with disdain simply because of your current status, their present predicament or position in life will never add more years to your life.  The fact that you are smarter, richer, or that you got a political appointment does not make you better than the next person or even more appealing. The fact that you ride in one of the most expensive cars in the world or that you have been swimming in milk and honey all your life does not justify your demeaning attitude neither does it give you the right to look down on another person’s meager hussle or humble lifestyle.

Some Nigerians can form eh I was in a fine and expensive restaurant when two young men walked in with two ladies. It turned out I grew up with one of the men. The other young man, a full blooded Nigerian had this American accent and kept on saying "whor" meaning "what" I guess, to everything we said. He claimed that he could not understand our grammar. Our mutual friend became the translator. I didn't mind oh. Besides it could be his first time in Naija, wetin concern me.  They joined my table, placed their orders and half way through their meal, they encouraged the girls to order for some more. The girls did not waste a second. Trust Naija girls. Besides, who no like awoof?

I don’t know about you, but sleeping without electricity almost every other night and having to device strategies for coping with the heat wave is nearly driving me up the wall.  Most of us accepted the reality that we cannot obtain redress from the courts for being denied our political, economic, social, cultural and developmental rights and decided to be  mini Local Governments. We started taking care of our power, water and security issues. We swallowed the bitter pill and were managing our localities until recently. 

Hmmm things happen in Naija sha. On the other News, our beloved and renowned Senator who recently acquired a 2015 beautiful red car estimated to cost $24,000 (about N4.78 million) was involved in a mudslinging session at the floor of the Nigerian Senate where he allegedly accused our very own Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole, of preferring 'imported' ladies to 'made in Nigeria' (home grown) women. I no fit shout ooo!!! If you ask me, I think this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. History will prove that most of our Senators, Governors and top government officials have been and are still in love with imported and foreign products. If it is not a car, na house or apparels. Going for Medical checkup abroad is now like going to the bank or better still going to your backyard. If you can import luxury cars because you love them, why badmouth me for importing a beautiful wife because I love her? All na imported things na (clearing my throat) . 

The news of the 53 year old man who slaughtered four of his children after quarreling with his wife the previous night gave me chills for days. As I read through similar stories of senseless spousal murders and family violence by jealous husbands, bitter wives, angry in-laws as in the case of Mrs. Nkechi Onyejegbu who was brutally murdered by her husband’s brothers, many questions ran through my brain already bemused by scary and extremely graphic images. Are these stories and images real? Why are Nigerian couples killing themselves? These people no de fear God? If person no wan marry again na by force? 

 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION TO MY COUNTRY!!! GOD BLESS NIGERIA!!!

As we say welcome to our new President ; Muhammadu Buhari, we pray that the change will not be a mirage like the breath of Fresh air. Long Live our New President! Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

“I was in the room, sleeping when my father called me to warm soup in the kitchen. Few minutes later, he called me to meet him in the bed room. I thought he wanted to punish me when he called me, because I’m always scared of him and my step-mother. “They treat me bad. Before I knew what was happening, my father had pushed me on the bed and pounced me. He tore off my pants and penetrated me. “I wanted to shout, but his weight was too much for me. My father is fat and I was struggling not to stop breathing. I was struggling to push him off! “When he finally got up and left, I was bleeding from my private part seriously. I could not walk. But I managed to call the attention of an elderly woman in our street.” The woman cautioned her and told her not to let anyone hear about the incident since it is an abomination. nikkyivyblog.blogspot.com