Articles

Randoms

Touring the World of Recyclers

Jilomes

That the earth’s resources are finite is not in question. Depending on the selected timescale, even the sun would someday run out of nuclear material for its light and heat production process. What has been the issue for many persons and organisations, especially, those with pro-earth views, is how best to use the earth’s resources in a sustainable manner. One of such means is the use of recycling. This article recounts a tour of a recycling facility in England. Continue reading “Touring the World of Recyclers” →

Randoms

MMM for Life: An Outsider’s View of Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Fad

Jilomes

This article is one result of not having lectures throughout an entire week. Maybe if my university’s authorities had fixed classes every single day, I would be worried about not collapsing, and won’t have time to dabble into popular issues in Nigeria. Now that you know what led to this article, let me say that I would try to be as objective as practicable in the adjoining lines. Unlike the biased Central Bank of Nigeria, and the extremists at the other end of the spectrum, here’s a projection of MMM’s viability by a not-too-biased sceptic. Read on and decide for yourself. Continue reading “MMM for Life: An Outsider’s View of Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Fad” →

Politics, Randoms

Voting for the World’s Next President

Jilomes

“You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else”. This quote by the UK’s Winston Churchill kicks off what is my first, and hopefully, only, article dedicated to the election of the United States’ 45th president. If you’re reading this article, and you don’t know that today, 8 November 2016, is the grand finale of the US presidential election season, on behalf of fellow earthlings, I accept your renouncement of your membership of the earth. In essence, even the virgin snow in Antarctica knows that today is all about America. Continue reading “Voting for the World’s Next President” →

Change, Politics

Future for Sale

Jilomes

In Proverbs 13:22, where it was written that “a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children”, a good heart and a thinking mind that looks at the future must have been the focus of that verse. Creating the kind of wealth that transcends generations is not in the purview of those the King James translation would tag “simple”. Extending this verse to the realm of countries and leadership, we can say that “a good leader creates a buoyant future for coming generations”. Unfortunately for Nigeria, its leaders have expertise in selling the future, doing what Niyi Osundare would describe as “eating tomorrow’s yam today”. Continue reading “Future for Sale” →

Randoms

Watching Out for Customers

Jilomes

When you come from a place where things are generally messed up, there are strong odds that even a whiff of sanity would piqué your interest, making you think you’ve just encountered the best life has on offer. This tallies with the common maxim that “in the land of the blind, the person with one eye is king”. However even accounting for this maybe overexcited feeling, there are things you come across that would surely stand out, regardless of whether they are one-off occurrences, or common to those you encounter. This is a narration of an encounter with caring customer service. Continue reading “Watching Out for Customers” →

Change, Inspiration, Politics

Taking Nigeria Back

Jilomes

Newton’s first law of motion states that “a body at rest would remain at rest unless a force acts on it”. If this sentence does not seem simple enough, here’s a street person’s rephrasing: “a football would not move until someone or something (e.g. wind) pushes it”. Something must make a move. This is a simple rule that Nigerians have not learned. Nigerians can pray and hope for ten million years, but don’t forget that even David had to pick stones and face Goliath. Without some action, most prayers are useless. Yes, I said that, and I’m a Christian. Continue reading “Taking Nigeria Back” →

Change, Politics

Shackles of Independence

Jilomes

Two centuries ago, Brigham Young said that “True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what’s right.” Those words are as true as the knowledge that the earth is spherical. Whereas some persons view independence as being free to do whatever they like however they like, such persons have a myopic view that points to immaturity. When one is truly independent is when one comes to appreciate that independence implies a responsibility to do the right thing. It is the Nigerian state’s inability to understand this logic that has kept it in shackles for fifty-six years. Continue reading “Shackles of Independence” →

Change, Politics

​The Murder of My Alma Mater

Jilomes

“Beware of Greeks bearing gifts”. This admonition by Virgil was inspired by one of humanity’s most famous acts of treachery—the Trojan horse left at the gates of Troy. What was thought to be a gift was in fact the beginning of the end for Troy. The Trojan horse tactic has been reproduced severally throughout history, although not exactly with a wooden horse. Sometimes, the famous horse may be in the form of government policy, one of such potential policies being the new fee structure for Nigeria’s unity colleges.  Continue reading “​The Murder of My Alma Mater” →

Change, Randoms

​Undeserved Hoops

Jilomes

One of Nigeria’s contemporary bright minds, Ayo Sogunro, once wrote that “everything in Nigeria will kill you”. While one tries to take in the import of his statement, one hears something like “life is already hard; why make it simple”. The two quotes combined, paint a gloomy picture of a Nigeria that is designed to make things as difficult as possible for Nigerians. Sadly, this is a daily reality for many Nigerians.  Continue reading “​Undeserved Hoops” →