Author: Jilomes

Change, Politics

From Kano with Blood

Jilomes

In Sarah Vowell’s “The Wordy Shipmates”, she said, “The only thing more dangerous than an idea is a belief. And by dangerous, I don’t mean thought-provoking. I mean: might get people killed”. When a belief is so immanent that even if an illogicality is pointed out, the believer allows no room for tolerant discourse, chaos can result. This is true whether the belief concerns Christianity, Islam, atheism, agnosticism, science or any other religion. Thanks to a reprehensible belief, a life has been gruesomely ended in Kano. Continue reading “From Kano with Blood” →

Change, Politics

Celebrating an Elusive Change

Jilomes

“Gbam, gbam, gbam, gbam, gbam, gbam!” May 29, 2015, the military’s parade drums heralded the entry of Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state, now executive President of the Unitarily Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the course of the election campaigns, he and the APC had offered Nigerians a new era. That promise of “change” was reinforced in his inspiring inauguration speech. 366 days after Buhari’s triumphant entry, Nigerians wait for a change that still eludes them. Continue reading “Celebrating an Elusive Change” →

Change

In Memory of Eleven Million Missing Nigerians

Jilomes

In the Bible, Jesus gave a parable about a person who lost one sheep out of a hundred. This person could not accept the loss of even one sheep—one percent of his sheep. He went out to find it, and rejoiced at its discovery. This parable tallies with the “no one left behind” policy of many armies, and countries that do anything possible to locate and rescue their citizens. Coming to Nigeria, eleven million Nigerians are missing, and no one is concerned. Continue reading “In Memory of Eleven Million Missing Nigerians” →

Change, Politics

Changing the Change that Changed the Change

Jilomes

When political parties choose slogans, it is expected that some form of intellectual energy is expended in the search for a worthy slogan. A party’s slogan captures its essence (real or make-believe). For years, the People’s Democratic Party blasted the airwaves with “Power to the People”. Now, a year after being knocked off its pedestal, the PDP wants to “Change the Change”. Continue reading “Changing the Change that Changed the Change” →

Change

For The Love of Greed

Jilomes

“There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed”.

The revered Mahatma Gandhi through this quote addressed one of the seven deadly sins shamed by the Bible. If God dislikes greed, then he should reserve a special sector in hell for Nigerians living on greed. In an essay, Ayo Sogunro asserted that “everything in Nigeria will kill you”. He is right! The greed in Nigeria, alone, is already killing multitudes. When swindled, anger is needless, as the con is nothing personal—just plain greed. Continue reading “For The Love of Greed” →

Politics

Petrol Subsidy: Before We Strike

Jilomes

For decades, organized labour has served as a bulwark for the common person. Labour unions via friendly negotiations and unfriendly negotiations forced by strike threats and actual strikes have changed government position one time too many. However, that an entity is called a labour union does not mean that every decision would ultimately benefit the masses. Here is a situation where I think Nigeria’s organized labour is making a mistake. Continue reading “Petrol Subsidy: Before We Strike” →

Change, Politics

There Was a Subsidy

Jilomes

The Nigerian political sphere is characterized by intrigues and bizarre plots. In most of these political plots, the plight of the common Nigerian is hardly considered. It’s all about politics. One man removed petroleum subsidy, and fled back after intense opposition. Another claimed subsidy did not exist, yet paid huge sums as subsidy. Mr. Thomas has now seen the light. He now agrees that there was a subsidy. Continue reading “There Was a Subsidy” →

Politics

NDA: Double Wahala for Dead Body

Jilomes

When afrobeat legend Fela used the phrase “double wahala for dead body”, he must have thought of suffering that continues after death. That is akin to the Game of Thrones’ Wights who are dead people facing the prospect of another death. We can also think of buried bodies that are dug up and body parts stolen for creepy purposes. That’s truly double wahala—rest eluding the dead. Continue reading “NDA: Double Wahala for Dead Body” →

Change, Politics

Now That We Have a Budget

Jilomes

Never in the history of Nigeria have Nigerians witnessed the kind of drama that surrounded the 2016 budgeting process. The budget was in the news even before the first word was typed, and continued to stay in the limelight after its presentation, thanks to fluffy unsanitary pads and bickering by the presidency and the legislature. Like Paul Cezanne wrote, “we [truly] live in a rainbow of chaos”. Some say that chaos produces order. The validity of this statement regarding this budget remains to be seen in its implementation. Continue reading “Now That We Have a Budget” →

Randoms

Fadan Karshi and Friendly Fulanis

Jilomes

When a mosquito falls in love with you, you reciprocate the love by doing your best to kill it. While this approach works sometimes, some other times, trying to kill it only results in near-misses and self-inflicted slaps. Imagine that mosquito becoming genetically modified to have an armoured exoskeleton, and showing its love by biting and chewing (not piercing!). You now have an exaggerated view of the violent relationship between Fadan Karshi and the notorious Fulani herdsmen, a marriage made in hell. Continue reading “Fadan Karshi and Friendly Fulanis” →