John Iduh Blog

 Binge drinking—defined as consuming large amounts of alcohol in short intervals—has long been viewed as a personal vice or youthful excess. However, an innovative perspective sees it as a societal signal—a reflection of cultural norms, mental health pressures, and unaddressed collective anxieties. Historically, periods of economic uncertainty and social unrest have often coincided with spikes in substance abuse, from 19th-century gin epidemics in Britain to modern campus parties in the United States and Nigeria. What if solutions went beyond bans and punishments? Reimagining social environments—through alcohol-free communal spaces, digital wellness apps, peer-led “sober clubs,” and redesigning nightlife around creativity rather than consumption—can transform how people relate to leisure and stress. Universities and city planners could embed behavioral nudges, gamified education, and mentorship into youth culture. By shifting the lens from control to innovation, binge drinking beco...

 Binge drinking is the excessive consumption of alcohol in a short period, typically defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more for women within two hours. It is a widespread phenomenon, particularly among young adults in college environments and urban centers across countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and increasingly, Nigeria. Historically, alcohol has played a social role, but modern patterns of overconsumption reflect deeper issues of stress, peer pressure, and cultural normalization of intoxication. For instance, university campuses often witness alcohol-fueled parties where binge drinking is seen as a rite of passage. This behavior contributes to accidents, violence, academic failure, and long-term health risks, including liver disease and addiction. Addressing binge drinking requires multi-level strategies—public health campaigns, campus education programs, stricter alcohol regulations, and community-based interventions. Framing it not merely a...

 The Chicano Movement was a civil rights campaign that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily among Mexican-Americans seeking social, political, and educational equality in the United States. Rooted in centuries of marginalization, this movement challenged systemic discrimination, land dispossession, and cultural erasure. It gained momentum in places like California, Texas, and New Mexico, where large Latino populations faced institutional neglect. One emblematic case was the East Los Angeles Walkouts of 1968, where thousands of Chicano students protested against inferior schools and demanded bilingual education and Chicano studies. Activists like César Chávez and Dolores Huerta also fought for farmworkers’ rights, linking labor justice to ethnic empowerment. While the movement fostered pride in Chicano identity and history, it also revealed deep tensions around race, class, and national belonging. Today, its legacy continues in contemporary struggles for immigrant rights and ed...

Ability grouping is an educational practice where students are divided into groups based on perceived intellectual or academic capabilities. This method, common in primary and secondary schools across countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria, is intended to tailor instruction to learners' proficiency levels. For instance, high-performing students may be placed in "advanced" groups, while others are assigned to "remedial" classes. While it aims to enhance learning efficiency, critics argue that it reinforces social inequalities, particularly where group placement reflects socio-economic or racial biases. In Nigeria, some elite schools group students into "A", "B", or "C" arms, often stigmatizing those in lower-ranked classes. To address this, educators and policymakers must adopt inclusive teaching models that emphasize differentiated instruction within mixed-ability classrooms. Research-backed alternative...

Clientelist democracy is a political system in which electoral support and political loyalty are exchanged for material benefits, state patronage, or personal favors. Unlike programmatic or issue-based democracies, where political competition is centered on ideology or policy platforms, clientelist systems thrive on informal networks of obligation between patrons (politicians or elites) and clients (voters or supporters). These reciprocal arrangements are sustained not by institutions of accountability or governance, but by personal loyalty and the promise of selective rewards. In the Nigerian context, clientelist democracy has deep historical roots, tracing back to the late colonial period and consolidating during the First Republic (1960–1966). The colonial policy of indirect rule, which empowered local traditional rulers as intermediaries, laid the groundwork for personalized political relations. Following independence, these patronage networks evolved into more complex systems of ...

The intellectual turn towards The Postmodern Marx , most notably advanced by political theorist and historian of political thought, Terrell Carver, represents a significant shift in the study of Marxist thought. Rather than viewing Marx as a deterministic thinker concerned solely with economic laws and historical inevitability, Carver emphasizes the interpretive, textual, and discursive nature of Marx’s writings. This approach aligns with postmodern theory, which challenges fixed meanings, essential categories, and universal explanations. Instead, it foregrounds ambiguity, context, and the constructed nature of political and social identities. In the Nigerian context, this re-reading of Marx is not only timely but essential. Traditional Marxist models—rooted in binaries such as bourgeoisie and proletariat—struggle to account for the country’s complex socio-political fabric. Since independence, Nigerian society has been shaped by colonial legacies, ethnic federalism, military ...

The concept of Postmodern Marx , as articulated by political theorist Terrell Carver, represents a significant departure from traditional, rigid interpretations of Karl Marx’s thought. Rather than reading Marx as a scientific economist or deterministic prophet of class struggle, postmodern scholars view his writings as open, interpretive texts shaped by language, ambiguity, and historical context. In this framework, Marx is not a singular authority but a thinker whose ideas must be continually re-read in light of changing cultural and political realities. This postmodern approach is particularly valuable when applied to Nigeria, a country whose complex postcolonial condition defies simplistic class models. Traditional Marxism often posits a binary between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Yet, Nigeria’s political economy is characterized not just by capitalist exploitation, but by a hybrid system involving ethnic patronage, informal markets, religious networks, and state-dependent ...

 Affirmative action is a policy or set of measures designed to address historical and systemic inequalities by promoting the inclusion and representation of marginalized or disadvantaged groups—such as women, ethnic minorities, or people with disabilities—in areas like education, employment, and political participation. Its primary aim is to level the playing field by providing opportunities that help correct imbalances caused by past discrimination or structural barriers. In political contexts, affirmative action can involve mechanisms such as quotas, reserved seats, or targeted appointments to ensure fair representation and foster social equity in governance and decision-making processes.  Affirmative action in Nigerian politics is both a product of historical necessity and a reflection of the country’s complex ethnic, regional, and gender dynamics. Emerging from a colonial legacy that entrenched disparities among the North, West, and East, Nigeria’s post-independence politi...

Since the advent of civilian rule in 1979, the Tiv ethnic group has maintained an unbroken dominance over the most significant political offices in Benue State. This enduring control reflects a deliberate political culture in which the Tiv assert themselves not merely as a majority, but as custodians of the state’s leadership. While ethnic majoritarianism is not unique to Benue, the Tiv posture has often manifested as an implicit belief that no other ethnic group is entitled to the governorship or similarly influential offices. However, what complicates this political history is the conspicuous absence of transformative development tied to this long-standing rule. Despite decades of control, key socio-economic indicators remain stagnant or regressive. This has raised difficult questions about the utility of ethnic dominance when it is not matched by institutional progress or inclusive governance. Historians and political observers alike continue to interrogate this legacy of power wit...

 The eagle has descended from the northern firmament, and silence, profound and ancient, now lingers where once the voice of command resounded. Muhammadu Buhari—soldier, statesman, enigma—has taken his final bow from the grand stage of Nigeria’s turbulent history. His journey traced the arc of a man both cast in iron and carved by paradox: at once the stoic guardian of order and the inscrutable architect of silence. From khaki to civilian garb, his presence loomed like the harmattan—unyielding, austere, purifying to some, wounding to others. He returned to power not on the back of tanks but on the fragile wings of democracy, bearing promises of change and restoration. Yet with time, the broom that once swept through the hopes of millions seemed to falter, as dust gathered in corners untouched. His war against corruption became a riddle; his silence, louder than his proclamations. Legacy now stands, a two-faced Janus: one gazing toward discipline, the other toward disillusion. Still...

 The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari would carry deep symbolic and political weight, especially for northern Nigeria. As a key figure representing northern interests and conservative values, his passing could create a leadership vacuum and spark internal realignments within the northern elite. It may weaken northern political influence temporarily, embolden southern blocs to assert more power, and intensify regional rivalry. While some northerners may use his legacy to rally for continued dominance, southerners may criticize his tenure to push for southern leadership. Ultimately, his death could reshape alliances and deepen North-South tensions in the contest for national political power.

 When someone says, “If you drink dirty water, it changes your health and it changes your economic,” they are making an important point about how poor water quality affects both personal well-being and economic stability . Let’s break this down: 1. It changes your health: Dirty water often contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid , and diarrhea . Frequent illness reduces physical strength, mental alertness , and overall quality of life . Poor health can also lead to malnutrition , especially in children. 2. It changes your economic (situation): Medical bills increase when you're sick more often. People lose working days or even jobs due to illness. Parents may spend money and time caring for sick children instead of working. Sick children may miss school , affecting their future earning potential . Communities with poor water often struggle to attract investment or development . In summa...