Author: Jilomes

Politics

​Rivers State: The Enemy Within

Jilomes

Caitlin Moran once wrote: “…the world will come at you with knives anyway. You don’t need to beat them to it”. Whereas it would seem counterintuitive that a people would choose to harm themselves, each day people in Rivers State make the foolish choice of harming themselves and the state they call their own. Rivers people keep complaining about marginalization by the federal government and the Hausa-Fulani hegemony. While some of the complaints are valid, a closer look would reveal that the real enemy lies within, not outside. 

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Travelling

More Than a Road Misadventure 

Jilomes

This is supposed to be a diatribe about a journey that went awry. It may as well stay true to my intention, or it may branch out into areas that I don’t know yet. I am composing this article on my phone, tapping gently on a screen, while my mind tries to avoid the nearby borders of grievous anger. Let me begin.   Continue reading “More Than a Road Misadventure “ →

Politics

Of Naming Dogs and Unfree Speech

Jilomes

“You have freedom of speech before the speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after the speech”. This sentence and different variants has been attributed to Uganda’s Idi Amin. Although one may not be certain if he actually said that, the sentence captures the attitude of many persons in a world that continues preaching the existence of free speech. Maybe free speech is real, or maybe it is a fantasy, and some speeches may just come with expensive price tags.

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Change

​From Rio with Shame

Jilomes

Most sane persons subscribe to the view that proper planning is an essential ingredient in the successful execution of any task. Hence, such persons ensure the existence of a functional “drawing board” where plans are made and refined. The antithesis of this view is the theory that says one does not need to plan in order to succeed. Unfortunately, this view underpins the actions of much of Nigeria’s bureaucracy, and has fittingly rewarded Nigeria with shame, mined in Nigeria, refined in Rio.  Continue reading “​From Rio with Shame” →

Randoms

​Losers and Fraudulent Nairas

Jilomes

With the exception of societies that thrive on depravity, many “normal” societies try to enforce some form of ethical codes. These societies do not only put behavioural rules for their people; they put in place environments that engender such desired behaviour. Coming to the Nigerian society, we mouth mantras about good behaviour, but then go to great lengths to create an environment where defrauding one another seems best for business.  Continue reading “​Losers and Fraudulent Nairas” →

Politics, Randoms

Adeboye and the Fire Breathers

Jilomes

This is arguably the hottest topic in Nigeria right now. The only story that may compete with this, is the discovery that America is actually the “United States of Nigeria”. Although we would later get around to this discovery, for now, let’s leave Hillary Trump’s land, and focus on the meeting between Pastor Adeboye and the keypads of a Nigerian generation. 

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Politics

All Eyes on Paddington

Jilomes

Contemporary dictionaries list “Paddington” as “a surname”, “a district of London”, and “a railway station” in London”. However, seeing that some dictionaries have given special privilege to Nigeria, by providing another definition for “bunkering”, consistent with the Nigerian reality, it is time to extend such special status to “Paddington” to reflect its Nigerianness. 

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Politics

​Farmers’ Protection Force

Jilomes

Despite not being the largest mammals, humans are reputed for having the largest cerebral cortex to brain size ratio, and the least ratio of brain mass to body mass. The slushy mass of fluid and nerves provides humans with our greatest asset—the ability to outthink other living creatures. While some persons use this innate ability to “think out of the box” and creatively push the frontiers of thought, for some persons, even a one-inch-square box is too big a thinking space.  Continue reading “​Farmers’ Protection Force” →

Inspiration, Politics

​The Heaven Called Immunity

Jilomes

Intro: This piece is about the drive by federal lawmakers to grant themselves immunity from prosecution. Although this form of writing isn’t my forte, I felt like doing something different from my usual direct articles.

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My name is Peter Mohammed Ifa. I am a full-blooded Nigerian representing my people, Nigeria Constituency I at the Senatorial Council of Representatives. On March 28, 2015, I made my people think they willingly chose me as their sole ambassador at the distinguished council. Since then, I and fellow council members have been on a journey to get heaven’s key.

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Change, Politics

#BlackLivesMatter: Ending the Loop

Jilomes

In the 1960s, Martin Luther King and other civil rights activists led the charge for the right of black Americans to be treated as human beings. Their efforts would later pave the way for the erudite Barack Obama to ascend the US presidency. Fifty years after MLK, “Americans of colour” are still fighting to stay alive. Maybe this is a clear case of discrimination, or maybe the issues are more intertwined than is being accepted.  Continue reading “#BlackLivesMatter: Ending the Loop” →