The World As I See It
Many persons who see the title of this article would quickly assume that the article is about the two main contending parties in Nigeria—the PDP and the APC. I am too happy to burst many persons’ bubbles. This article is not about the campaign slogan of any political party. Rather, it is about the glaring culture of the Nigerian people. Continue reading “Change or Continuity?”
Today, in Nigeria and in several other countries, Mothering Sunday 2015 is being marked. It’s a day when mothers appear in the limelight as stars in their respective churches.
I hear there’s also a Father’s Day, but it ain’t got no swag like Mothering Sunday.
Here’s a poem in honour of all mothers on Earth, with my own mom marching as the vanguard. Continue reading “To My Mom and Every Other Mother”
In less than three weeks, Nigerians would troop out to various polling units to cast their votes for the presidential and national assembly candidates. Two weeks after that, they will troop out once more. This time, to choose among a diverse crop of governorship and state assemblies’ candidates. As the Election Day approaches, all stakeholders are involved in a beehive of activities. Campaigns have taken every possible form, with various candidates making fantastic promises. With the perceived gullibility of many voters, some would wonder whether Nigerians are wired with an intrinsic ability to deceive themselves. Continue reading “When Voters Deceive Themselves”
The animated movie “Free Birds” is an eponym for the title of this article. However, whereas the movie covers the liberation of turkeys from Thanksgiving meals, this article highlights a form of pseudo-liberation that is in effect a form of bondage. Continue reading “Free Kids”
The first set of elections is about three weeks away. There is so much apprehension among Nigerians. The PDP has held the reins of power for 16 years. Within that time, they claim to have improved the lot of Nigerians. However, quite a number of Nigerians say the PDP has worsened the lot of the average Nigerian, largely benefiting the elites.
The APC have presented themselves as saviours of Nigeria. They have smoothly packaged themselves as the long wished-for knights in shining armour, asking Nigerians to ignore the fact that a large number of their members are former PDP cronies. Many Nigerians, desperately seeking a breath of fresh air are looking at the APC for a wind of change. However, can there be real change without the enabling structures for change? Continue reading “Structures for Real Change”
This week, in a peaceful community in Cross River State, an anomaly occurred. A vivacious young man committed suicide. It’s an anomaly because Nigerians are not known for suicides. Our propensity to hope is matchless. A recent poll ranked Nigeria as the “most positive country”. How then do we now have a suicide on our hands? Continue reading “A Silent Killer”
This morning I picked my notebook, waiting for inspiration that would move the pen in my hand along the lines of the blank page staring at me. Inspiration did come, but from a different source. It came from the recesses of my stomach—a growling that dared me to disobey. Continue reading “In Contempt of Stomach Infrastructure”
This article’s caption may appear at first sight to be a misnomer. However, a deeper look shows its validity in today’s world. Intolerance is not just accepted by many individuals. It has gone beyond mere acceptance to the point where it is celebrated. Taking a cue from the TV show, “Orange is the new black”, intolerance is the new political virtue. Continue reading “Celebration of Intolerance”
Politics has been repeatedly described as a game of numbers. The person with the most supporters (or the least haters) carries the day. This explains the constant drive by politicians and their cronies to build broad support from stakeholders in order to actualize their ambitions.
Campaign seasons are like a huge gambling carnival. While a few remain neutral, the vast majority place their bet on one candidate or the other. Some make their bets hidden, going to sneaky lengths to ensure that the pot containing their bet never becomes public knowledge. Others, however, latch on to the campaign spirit, and publicise their bets via endorsements, advertisements, and any other means available to them. While some of these persons may have a genuine interest in their preferred candidate, others are pure sycophants, who like businesspersons, are attracted by the scent of profit.
Last weekend I visited one of my uncles. Ask any Nigerian, our filial culture provides us with an infinitesimal number of uncles. Among my uncles, this one stands out as my role model, and as one person instrumental to the vast computer knowledge, I have. Continue reading “Oliver Twist Loves Computers”
Jilomes 