Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bcm/src/dev/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 Citizen | Page 164 of 164 | Zikoko!
In case you have been under a rock (or climbing a mountain), please be informed that Diezani Alison Maduekwe, the first female minister of petroleum and first female president of OPEC, has been arrested in London on charges of corruption and theft and sturves.
Reactions below:
1. When you get arrested in the UK for corruption
2. When you consider what would have happened if you’d been arrested in Nigeria
3. When you see one piece of Hyde Park you coulda, shoulda, woulda bought…
4. When you remember your Birkin collection
5. When you remember they don’t carry Birkins in jail
6. When people say you stole £13 billion
7. When people ask you if you’re richer than Goodluck Jonathan
8. When people say that women are more corrupt than men and should not be allowed near power
9. When you hear Buhari will be the next Minister of Petroleum
10. When you decide to tell the whole world how you did it
One of the most active Nigerian politicians on Twitter is Ben Murray Bruce. The founder of Silverbird group, business magnate and politician is no doubt brimming with passion for a better Nigeria. His tweets reflect that.
And he has, err, rather unorthodox, eyebrow raising ideas through which we can achieve this better Nigeria. His tweets also reflect that.
We have enlarged his tweets into posters, because everything looks better that way. Here are the tweets arranged in order of ‘okay’ to ‘WHAT?!’:
1. This inspired tweet about helping the less privileged
2. And this really smart one about continuity
3. This brilliant tweet about the Jonathan/Buhari segregation
Then…
4. This confusing one about Champagne and school fees
5. This one that I totally agree with. But is really impracticable.
6. The tweet where he said he introduced the electric car. But I still don’t have one
7. Probably because it costs an arm and a leg. That didn’t stop him from saying this…DURING FUEL SCARCITY!
8. This utterly bemusing one about attacks and Ramadan
9. The tweet about proving to us that he doesn’t fly first class. Don’t know how many people that convinced.
10. I’m pretty sure both of the actions in this tweet are crimes.
11. Here, he suggested that the Federal Government know our account numbers
12. This tweet that really emphasizes his disdain for people who drink Champagne…and completely eliminates us that are claiming middle class
He’s equal parts passionate and hilarious. Best mix, tbh. Bottomline, we are rooting for him. He’s one of those that can maybe restore the glory of our country.
Images by Zikoko contributor, Kolapo Oladapo (@kpmy_).
The former minister and tireless campaigner for the abducted Chibok girls, Obiageli Ezekwesili, is a fountain of insight and wisdom, so it’s only right that we turned some of our favorite tweets from her into motivational posters.
Why? Well, because everything looks better (and more insightful) that way.
1. The tweet about dignity.
2. The tweet about learning.
3. The tweet about the path to greatness.
4. The tweet about arrogant ignorance.
5. The tweet about the path to mediocrity.
6. The tweet about sacrifice.
7. The tweet about children.
8. The tweet about wisdom.
9. The tweet about mischievous ignorance.
Are you not motivated? For more gems go follow her on Twitter @ObyEzekwesili.
Images by Zikoko contributor, Kolapo Oladapo (@kpmy_).
We are sure Bayo Omoboriowo would agree. He has one of the best jobs in Nigeria – the president’s official photographer. To see more photos, go to Bayo’s Instagram page.
Now share this with your friends and followers. Don’t keep PMB’s swag to yourself.
Rhoda Jatau, a health worker in Bauchi State, has been in prison since May 2022 for “exciting contempt of religious creed,” and cyberstalking under Sections 114, 210 of the Penal Code Law and Section 24 subsection 1b(i) of Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act 2015 Laws. But all she did was forward a video on WhatsApp criticising the murder of a student in Sokoto state.
On May 12, 2022, Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was unjustly lynched and burned to death by a mob. She knew some of them — they were her classmates, and they turned against her, claiming she’d blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad. Deborah was 19.
This event would also change Rhoda Jatau’s life forever.
What happened?
A few days after Deborah’s murder, Department of State Services (DSS) agents arrested the 45-year-old mother of five. Her crime? She’d shared a video on WhatsApp, criticising the mob action that led to Deborah Samuel’s death. Her co-workers, who saw the video, allegedly brought a mob to her door and, subsequently, the DSS. Rhoda was also accused of blasphemy.
She has been repeatedly denied bail and incarcerated since May 2022. She also faces years in prison capital punishment under the North’s sharia laws if she’s convicted.
How’s the case going?
The court has adjourned scheduled hearings for the case at least five times since 2022, impeding her defence’s effort to apply for a “no-case submission”. On November 27, 2023, the High Court in Bauchi State rejected the no-case submission. Rhoda’s lawyers will now have to present her case to the court in the hopes of getting an acquittal.
What happens now?
Rhoda Jatau is scheduled to appear in court again on December 19, 2023. It remains to be seen if the hearing will take place.
Meanwhile, the court decision has sparked outrage and criticism on social media. The overall sentiment is that it’s unfair that while Deborah’s murderers are free, religious extremists are bent on claiming another victim, denying them their freedom.
What can you do?
You can lend a voice and spread the word on social media with the hashtags #FreeRhodaJatau and #FreeRhodaJatauNow. You can also sign this ongoing petition on change.org
Rhoda Jatau deserves to be free and reunited with her family.
