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ROAD AND VEHICLE SAFETY IN NIGERIA: WHICH SHOULD COME FIRST?

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Picture Credit: Oriental Times  When traveling across Nigeria’s major highways, one cannot help but notice government officials stopping vehicles to check their roadworthiness. Yet, a pressing question arises: which should be prioritized—safe roads or safe vehicles? Sadly, both remain in deplorable condition. Vehicle Safety Ideally, vehicles should be in proper working condition before being allowed on the road, whether for private or commercial use. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Many passengers have been stranded because vehicles lacked spare tyres, or carried ones that were unusable. Road Safety Officers and Vehicle Inspection Officers, tasked with enforcing these standards, often neglect their duty—choosing instead to collect bribes and allow unsafe vehicles to continue operating.   Equally troubling is the issue of missing or fake vehicle documents. Officials routinely stop cars to check particulars, yet passengers frequently witness them accep...

ARE POLITICAL SINS EVER FORGIVEN?

In many religions and other spheres of human endeavor, sins are believed to be forgivable through intermediaries of God—priests, prophets, or spiritual leaders. The process of forgiveness is rooted in faith, belief, and sometimes conjecture. Within religious circles, sin is clearly defined as “an immoral act considered a transgression against divine law.” In the secular world, forgiveness takes on a different meaning. Some argue that humans often lack the capacity to forgive certain betrayals or dishonest acts. Instead of pardon, retaliation becomes the instinctive response to wrongdoing. Politics mirrors this unforgiving nature. Whether in democratic systems or military regimes, in advanced nations or developing states, the concept of political sin emerges. A political sin is any offence—committed knowingly or unknowingly—against a party, its members, or its power structures. Unlike religious sins, these are rarely, if ever, pardoned. The nature of politicians is often described as ...

MARRIAGE: A UNION BEYOND MERE ENJOYMENT

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It is often said that marriage is to be enjoyed, not endured. This sentiment, however, is frequently echoed by young women who appear unaware of the deeper purpose of marital commitment. Many who hold this view tend to abandon their unions at the first sign of conflict, treating marriage as something temporary rather than a lifelong covenant.   A major factor behind this unfortunate trend is immaturity. Had these individuals attained a reasonable level of emotional and mental maturity before saying “I do”, they might have been better prepared for the responsibilities, sacrifices, and boundaries that sustain a marriage. Without such grounding, they quickly fall into pitfalls that tear their relationships apart.   In this discussion, we will examine why some women enter marriage only to exit within a short time, almost as though it were a casual game. In later articles, we shall turn our attention to the shortcomings of men and explore ways to address those deficiencie...

ÃFIÃ ÓGBÉ MÁÍ AND NOT ÁFIÁ OGBOMÃ

This video explains the true name, origin and meaning of the market situated at Ogbenmudein, Agbor Obi in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.  Before now, there has been misconceptions about the existence of that popular market, which draws sellers and buyers not only from within the community, but also from the neighbouring communities. The major misconception is centered around the name of the market. Some say ÁFIÃ OGBOMÃ is the real name of the market because it derives the name from the fact that witches and wizards used to meet where the market is presently located, hence it is called by the name ÃFIÃ OGBOMÃ. However, after careful and diligent enquiry, we have discovered that the real name of the market is ÃFUÃ OGBÈ MÃI. The video here explains it all

WHEN DOES LIFE TRULY BEGIN? A REFLECTION ON HUMAN EXISTENCE

Ordinarily, life for humans begins at conception; similarly, for animals, life also starts at conception. In contrast, for inorganic matter, life begins at the moment of creation. In this discussion, however, our focus will be on human life. To explore this topic clearly, let us first consider the meaning of the word "life." According to Google, life is defined as "the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death." If we accept this definition, why then do we often argue that life begins at a specific age different from the day a person is born? To deepen this perspective, let us examine the purpose of an individual’s existence. Does the Creator send humans into the world without a purpose? Or do humans come into the world randomly, without any plan? The answer is likely no. We believe that every living person has a purpose for existin...

Nigeria’s Political Landscape and the #EndSARS Movement

Since gaining independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, Nigeria’s leadership has largely been dominated by the capitalist elite. These individuals have accumulated immense wealth, with some possessing assets that rival the nation’s own. In this system, educational achievement alone rarely secures political leadership—whether at the presidential, legislative, or even local government level—without strong connections to the ruling class. Political “godfathers” wield enormous influence, determining who rises or falls within the political hierarchy. Even promises of support can be withdrawn at the last moment if loyalty is questioned. This entrenched arrangement has widened the gap between rich and poor, creating a deeply unbalanced society. Efforts by citizens, particularly the youth, to challenge the status quo through elections have often failed, as the ruling elite manipulate outcomes through vote-buying or collusion with corrupt officials. Nigeria’s youth, who make up the majority...

WHEN DUTY FALTERS: NSCDC OFFICER JOINS LOOTING AMID CRISIS IN ABUJA

Under normal circumstances, law enforcement officers—whether military or paramilitary—are expected to uphold law and order and maintain strict discipline at all times. However, a recent video reveals a disturbing deviation from this norm. An officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) was caught participating in the looting of a palliatives warehouse in Gwagwalada, within the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, Nigeria, alongside angry and hungry citizens. This incident raises a critical question: why would an officer, entrusted with safeguarding vital assets such as oil pipelines and government facilities, abandon their duty to join in looting? Is this behavior driven by desperation from hunger, frustration from anger, or a combination of both? The situation underscores a troubling breach of trust and highlights deeper socio-economic issues that may be influencing such actions.