Nigerians started the year 2012 with a rude gift from the federal government. The President Jonathan-led administration had abolished the regime of petroleum subsidies, triggering a huge leap in pump prices. What followed was a series of protests that finally forced the government to backtrack, howbeit, not completely. The events of Jonathan’s final week in government show that despite the arguments and reservations about the subsidy policy, one thing is certain—it is not helping Nigerians. Continue reading “May We Finally See”
Articles
Season of Kegs, Drums and Queues
It is no longer news that petroleum products are currently scarce in Nigeria—an OPEC member and eighth largest producer of crude oil in this planet. The word “scarce” does not tell the full story. “Acute scarcity” portrays a better picture of the situation being faced by the giant of Africa.
A Time for Nigerians
The wedding invitation says the service would start at 10:00am prompt. You get there by 09:50; the church doors are locked. You wonder if you have missed the directions. The church doors are opened at 10:01. People start trickling in by 11:05, the service starts by 11:20, and the bride waltzes in at 11:40. Don’t look surprised. Welcome to Nigeria! Continue reading “A Time for Nigerians”
The Next Big Furniture Maker
Dreams come in various shapes and sizes. They range from the good, the bad, the bizarre, and the incredulous. Dreams constitute an important factor that has propelled many “ordinary” individuals into the realm of achievers. However, a dream is meaningless without direction and a zeal to work towards it. That is why many persons never transcend from mere dreamers to achievers.
Clash of the Titans
“Children are a heritage of the Lord”. So says a verse in the Bible. Every day, countless babies are born in various places around the world. The little baby’s tiny cries after exiting the womb bring joy to all around. The baby is the cynosure of its parents’ eyes. Who would even consider that some years down the line, there would be no love lost between them? Continue reading “Clash of the Titans”
So We Become Otondos
At some important events, the National anthem is sung, with the pledge usually following soon after. The third line of the national pledge is a promise to serve Nigeria diligently. Over the course of a Nigerian’s lifetime, many opportunities would arise where national service is required. None is as organised nor as glamorous as the National Youth Service Corps.
Workers or Slaves?
Today is being celebrated in many countries as a day to remember workers, the proletariat, that drive the economy of any country. In Nigeria, it’s “Workers’ Day”. In some other countries, it’s “Labour Day”. The devotion of a day to workers seems to suggest that workers are highly considered. Is this really the case? Continue reading “Workers or Slaves?”
Hondred and Tweenty
One, two, three, …, nineteen, tweenty, …, hondred.
In case you’re wondering, there’s no typographical error (by me) above. This is not an example of my fallibility. A serving national youth corps member actually used those spellings while entering results in the results’ sheet of a recent election. Continue reading “Hondred and Tweenty”
South Africa’s Sad Export
The past week has added more entries to the infamous gallery of human injustices resulting from perceived grievances. In what appears to be a spontaneous reaction, irate mobs in South Africa turned their ill-advised fury to foreigners in that country. This is similar to the time when Jews were blamed for the bubonic plague, illustrating a common human trait of blaming others for problems. Continue reading “South Africa’s Sad Export”
Contest of Best Riggers
If the 2015 Elections have shown us anything, it is that although we are closer to free and fair elections, we are still a long way from a democracy where votes are guaranteed to count. Forget all the hype about the free-ness of the elections. In many places, it was essentially a contest between opposing rigging strategies. Continue reading “Contest of Best Riggers”
Jilomes 