“How una dey na? Una hear about the katakata for Zaria?”
“O boy! I hear am oh. Heard that the Army went up against a Shia group”
“What are you guys talking about?
“See this bros oh! U no hear say some people get mind attack Chief of Army Staff. Now Army wan use them act Odi and Zaki-Biam. Wetin dey vex me na say some people say na the West cause this wahala, say them dey back the Shiites to fight Islam.” Continue reading “The Bad Bad West”
Author: Jilomes
Nigeria’s Information Age
In a country where access to government data was once the exclusive preserve of a connected few, the tides have started to change. In recent years, new government policies and agitations by civil society groups have expanded the range of data available to the public. The issue right now is whether Nigerians are willing and ready to use the available tools to hold their government accountable. Continue reading “Nigeria’s Information Age”
Yet another Road Trip – Part 2
From Abuja, I headed to Keffi in Nasarawa State, hoping to reach Kaduna State via that route. Reaching Keffi just before 9pm, I considered staying there for the night, but decided to move on. Locating an Akwanga-bound vehicle, I sat in harmattan breeze-tempered amazement for the approximately one-hour journey to Nasarawa’s northern border. Continue reading “Yet another Road Trip – Part 2”
Yet another Road Trip – Part 1
A traveller leaves his home early for a cross-country trip. He has his day well planned out—be here by this time, and there by that time. Little does he know that this trip would be different from any of his previous trips. Continue reading “Yet another Road Trip – Part 1”
Parliamentary Gag
Were Wilson Tagbo of the “One Week, One Trouble” fame to be a living person, he would be amazed at the pitiful attempt of Nigeria’s political actors to imitate his exploits. Theirs however, is more like “One Week, One Affront”. This week’s affront is a plan to gag Nigerians. Continue reading “Parliamentary Gag”
Ministry of Death: Fake Drugs Division
With the crash in the value of societal morals, people are prepared to reach alarming extents in a bid to acquire wealth. If you think that there is any limit to the Ministry of Death’s terms of reference, forget it! The Fake Drugs Division proudly trumpets its achievements, and it is rapidly recruiting new staff members. Continue reading “Ministry of Death: Fake Drugs Division”
#ParisAttacks: Lessons for Nigeria
The Paris attacks have come and gone, leaving in their wake a trail of blood—hundreds dead, hundreds more injured, and many more traumatized by the sad incident. Days after the attacks in Paris, bombs went off in the Nigerian cities of Kano and Yola. This time, the murderous Boko Haram group, in line with their oath of allegiance to the demonic ISIL, chose to continue their reign of terror with attacks on “soft targets” in public places. Continue reading “#ParisAttacks: Lessons for Nigeria”
#ParisAttacks: Matters Arising
Parisians were welcomed into this year with a deadly attack on popular satirist, Charlie Hebdo’s offices. This attack was followed by attacks on a Jewish shop and some public spaces. As the year ends, they have received an early wicked present—a horrendous mass attack. Continue reading “#ParisAttacks: Matters Arising”
The 5K Conundrum
During electioneering campaigns, politicians are known for one thing—making lots of promises. These promises range from the conservative to the quixotic spectrum. One promise apparently attributed to the new administration is now causing some headache—or should I say, “Twitter ache”. Continue reading “The 5K Conundrum”
A Case for Gratitude
When was the last time you showed gratitude to anyone? Thanks to many of us in this generation thinking that the world revolves around us, aided by a sense of entitlement, gratefulness is hardly on the agenda any more. It’s as if everyone around us is an indentured servant. Continue reading “A Case for Gratitude”
Jilomes 