Articles

Randoms

Kemi Olunloyo and the Burden of Responsibility

Jilomes

Before you go further in reading this article, let me clearly state that there’s a chance the title would turn out to be inappropriate. Maybe if this were an English exam, after reading the passage and suggesting this title, I would be entitled to a crude ‘X’. That being said, this article touches on the controversy around Kemi Olunloyo, who until recently was known only by internet-savvy Nigerians. I may not write what you’re expecting, so please suspend any existing assumptions and read on. Continue reading “Kemi Olunloyo and the Burden of Responsibility” →

Change, Randoms

Murdered Jumia Agent: Matters Arising

Jilomes

Optimistic humanists may disagree but I think humans would never be able to end evil. Even setting aside religious explanations, there is something about humans that makes us seem capable of unimaginable evils, no matter how hard we try to brand humanity as a good species. The best strategy is not unwise whitewashing of evil, but implementing plans that aim to mitigate the possibility of an evil person being successful at evil. We need to raise the entry requirements for evil. Continue reading “Murdered Jumia Agent: Matters Arising” →

Inspiration, Randoms

Thankful, Now and Always

Jilomes

International Women’s Day, Mothering Sunday, Mothers’ Sunday, Mothers’ Day…different names, some with different dates, yet having the same central theme. There may be a myriad of days devoted in different countries around the world to celebrate women, especially mothers, but no matter how many days we set aside, they would never be enough to say thanks. Continue reading “Thankful, Now and Always” →

Change, Randoms

When Humaneness Goes Missing

Jilomes

Charles Darwin’s evolution theory and its upliftment of the doctrine of “survival of the fittest” may have painted a picture of a human race primarily consisting of selfish humans only interested in themselves. However, people have repeatedly showed that humans are not some overtly self-centred species lacking the capacity for compassion, but that in the midst of a fight for survival, many humans would stick out their necks to save others, even if those needing salvation were random strangers. It then becomes sad when we see humans acting like a herd of giraffes that leave the weakest for the stomachs of approaching lions. Continue reading “When Humaneness Goes Missing” →

Change, Politics

The South African Dance of Shame

Jilomes

A quote attributed to South African-born Mokokoma Mokhonoana says that “You cannot really shame a man who sincerely does not care what others think of him”. To feel shame, a person must have the capacity to not just understand what shame is, but also recognize that an action or a spoken word is beneath dignity standards. This is where the South Africans and their Nigerian comrades have shown unrepentant deficiency. Continue reading “The South African Dance of Shame” →

Change, Randoms

Redeeming a Battered Image

Jilomes

Growing up in Nigeria, one phrase continuously heard was “African time”. It appears the world had a meeting and assigned a special time-keeping system to Africans, with Nigerians as the guardians of this time standard. With such a reputation at odds with the famous timekeeping Swiss, stereotypical expectations assume that Nigerians would never be early at anything, even if their lives were to depend on being early. Unfortunately, while some Nigerians try to defeat this stereotype, some others go extra lengths to ensure Nigeria’s battered image remains unredeemed. Continue reading “Redeeming a Battered Image” →

Change, Politics

Treating a Healthy President

Jilomes

I understand that the world is going through a lot right now with Trump fencing with his American comrades, Britain uncertain over Brexit, and the continued carnage in the Middle East. That is so much for the world to digest, but I would beg the world’s indulgence to allow me add more to its plate. You see, a president is missing. Well, not exactly missing, but missing all the same. Out of the abundance of my selfishness, I think we need to temporarily ignore the world’s problems and talk about this president. Continue reading “Treating a Healthy President” →

Politics

America: Land of the Left and Home of the Right

Jilomes

Want to read this article? Let me first warn you that it is more of a rambling, much of which may or may not be exactly valid. In most of my articles, I try to really understand the concerned issue, but in this one, I seem content with writing from limited knowledge. So, I must warn you that this is a criticism of the US judicial system written by an ignorant non-American engineering grad.  Continue reading “America: Land of the Left and Home of the Right” →

Politics

DSS and Johnson Suleman: Emotions meet Negligence

Jilomes

Former US President Ronald Reagan once said that a government’s first duty is to protect its citizens. All around the world, citizens of different countries look up to their governments to ensure their security. In return, citizens obey societal norms and generally try to be good citizens, whatever that means in their country’s context. When the government fails to provide protection, the contract breaks down, and citizens resort to self-help, setting the stage for a descent into anarchy. That’s the road the Nigerian government seems resolute to take Nigerians through. Continue reading “DSS and Johnson Suleman: Emotions meet Negligence” →

Politics

American Democracy: Are the Mighty Fallen?

Jilomes

This is one of those times when you feel something does not concern you, but closer look discredits that feeling, as you realise you are very much concerned. If America were to be a project, it would be right to say that everyone on earth, American or non-American, is a stakeholder in Project America. As stakeholders, even if we may not have the high impact of American citizens, our interest makes it allowable to speak on issues affecting what is inarguably the greatest nation on earth. Continue reading “American Democracy: Are the Mighty Fallen?” →