Articles

NYSC, Travelling

Memories from Kaduna

Jilomes

“You have to redeploy. Find your way back home”. This aptly sums up the reactions of several friends and family members when they heard I was posted to the north. With Boko Haram making the news regularly, only a “fewish” few spoke nicely of Kaduna, and encouraged me to make the best of the service year. Today, certificate in hand, I can look back at one year of my life, and say it was a worthwhile experience. Here are my memoirs from the “Centre of Learning”. Continue reading “Memories from Kaduna” →

Change, Politics

Nigeria’s Best Budget Ever

Jilomes

In the United States, for the last couple of years, the executive and congress have enjoyed recurrent squabbles over the national budget. With a large deficit, and a worrying debt ceiling, the gladiators provide the media with enough drama for public discourse. Here in Nigeria, as fast copiers of the US system, we have just copied the drama, and raised its intensity. With its many twists and tragicomedies, the 2016 budget is obviously the best in Nigeria’s short history. Continue reading “Nigeria’s Best Budget Ever” →

Change, Politics

Evil in the Towers

Jilomes

Developed countries attained their present status by making the best of their human resources, and training them to become productive members of their respective societies. In Nigeria, despite the hubbub about moving from third world to first world status, our human capital development strategy is abysmal. Why else would our ivory towers be bastions of neglect and reprehensible evil? Continue reading “Evil in the Towers” →

Change, Politics

The 7th April Delusion

Jilomes

It is usually said that we are prone to making mistakes or saying the wrong things when we are pressured and feel our backs against hard concrete. When a boss forces one to alter an honest opinion, one can either decide to stand one’s ground, or succumb to the pressure. Whatever choice is made; one thing is clear—times of intense pressure are times when reputations are either made or marred. Continue reading “The 7th April Delusion” →

Politics

F9 in Public Speaking

Jilomes

Nigerian politicians and political office holders are reputed for glaring deficiencies in several basic indices that affect performance, efficiency and emotional intelligence. Whereas some deficiencies can be easily forgiven and remedied, one area of competency (or incompetency) stands out sorely—most politicians lack manners, the ability to know what to say, and how to say it without taking Nigerians for granted. Continue reading “F9 in Public Speaking” →

Inspiration, Randoms

Easter Reflections

Jilomes

It’s another Easter Day, a day primarily recognized by Christians, but like Christmas, now kind of widespread. For some, Easter is synonymous with eggs and the Easter Bunny (quite a link!) For some others, it is a celebration of the cornerstone of Christianity. On this Easter Day, I want to talk about something not necessarily linked to Easter, but affecting a good number of professed Christians. Continue reading “Easter Reflections” →

Change, Politics

The New Face of Sycophancy

Jilomes

When Tomichan Matheikal said, “History is replete with blunders written by sycophants”, he must have had Nigeria in mind. A school of thought argues that history always repeats itself. Truly, the Nigerian political sphere is a prime example of efficient recycling—there is nothing new under the sun. Continue reading “The New Face of Sycophancy” →

Politics

Rivers of Blood: A Clash of Egos

Jilomes

Somewhere, right now, a mother is weeping for her slain child, siblings are crying for their brother, a father is feigning composure over the headless corpse of his son. The mourners’ crime is very grievous. They had the effrontery to be either present, or have a relative present in Rivers State in an election season. Accordingly, the megalomaniac politicians have executed their punishment—the rivers flow with blood, not water. Continue reading “Rivers of Blood: A Clash of Egos” →

NYSC

Education’s Relative Value

Jilomes

At face value, education is “hyped” as being very important. Civil society organisations and other groups routinely buttress the value of education, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where millions are related to poverty. Even the usually detached government has decreed compulsory basic education. Despite all the uproar about education, some persons still see it as valueless. For them, formal education is an albatross best avoided if one has the means. Continue reading “Education’s Relative Value” →