Straight Talk with Chukwudi Obi

Never in my entire stay in Umuahia, not even when the Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo paid a visit to Umuahia, the Abia State capital have I seen and witnessed the show of force as exhibited by the Nigerian Police Force,  The Army,  even the Nigerian Prisons service and the FRSC! Like in the movies as if the FBI was hunting a terrorist, the surveillance helicopter hovered around the Isi gate axis first, at about 11.30 am. The distance from the helicopter to the ground was quite close, enough not only for one to read the large inscription of "Police" in blue paint,  but also the terrifying breeze that came with it scared street traders who took their heels. Their wares well balanced on their head, they took to their heels in fear that the large bird was about to crash.  But I got the hint when not quite far off I could hear a siren blaring.  I knew quite well that the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu did not go around with sirens. That was part of his routine a...

MEDIA: The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, has expressed serious concern over the renewed wave of attacks on journalists in different parts of the country.   This is even as the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade has advised all the affected journalists and their organizations to seek redress in the law court should the police authorities fail to apprehend the culprits and charge them to court within the next 48 hours. In a statement signed by IPC program Officer, Stella Nwofia, and made available to journalists, Mr. Lanre Arogundade condemned attacks on journalists in Nigeria observing that not less than three journalists had been assaulted in the course of their legitimate duties recently.  “The assault on the three journalists was so violent that they had to be hospitalized following the injuries they suffered”, Mr Arogundade said adding that the incidents should be condemned by all lovers of freedom of expression and democracy. ...