Izuu's Turn

As I watched Pope Benedict XVI honourably bow out of one of the most lucrative jobs (nay ministries) on planet earth, my mind reeled with images of people who could have done so but failed to. Pardon my French, I am one of those doubting Thomases who also look for underlining unsaid motives behind every public statement. In other words, I am one of those who believe that there is more than meets the eye on this resignation. But whatever it is, the Pope has shown exemplary leadership quality by taking the bull by the horns and confronting whatever monster he is facing. Having said this, alongside all that love him, I wish the Pope a very rewarding retirement. It is only a God-fearing person that can see that he or she can serve his people better in private than sitting interminably on the throne even when lying in coma. Take Taraba for instance. What kind of government do they have now? A governor that none of the people who elected him no nothing about his present condition? Than...

It's no longer news that toll gates in Nigeria have been removed a couple of years back by OBJ's government, ostensibly to alleviate the financial hardship being imposed on the general public by the tolls. At the time, government rationalised that the removal of tolls on Federal roads will help reduce transportation cost in the country. As usual, it is one of those short-sighted Greek gifts that successive governments in the country are wont to force down the throats of ordinary folks who are not fortunate enough to be in government. Two days ago, I was forced to wonder again whether toll gates have actually been removed in Nigeria or whether the duty of toll collection has been transferred to the police. Picture taken at a Police checkpoint along Otukpa-Obollo road; a few poles to the Enugu State border The picture here is that of a Mobile police man blocking the way of a heavy duty trailer because the driver refused to pay the mandatory one thousand naira that...