Category: Politics

Politics

Unidentified Monetary Objects

Jilomes

The story of this world is one of several mysteries with varying degrees of mysteriousness. Whether one subscribes to the creation story or the big bang hypothesis, a prevalent cloud of mystery cannot be avoided. In fact, to be human is to accept the mysterious, to accept that for some things, the more you look, the more confused you become. Being human, we accept the complexity of some unfathomable mysteries. However, when some persons decide to present clean water as opaque charcoal, our collective intelligence is affronted. Here begins a look at Nigeria’s newest mystery, crafted in the opulence of Ikoyi. Continue reading “Unidentified Monetary Objects” →

Change, Politics

The Nigerian Dream

Jilomes

When I decided to write this article, I first checked out some views about national dreams. A quote attributed to Miguel Zenon struck me, as I saw it as a fitting introduction. He described “national identity” as “something that’s directly connected to our personal experiences and the decisions we make, the roads we decide to take at certain points in our life.” I see “national dream” and “national identity” as interchangeable phrases, and so, ignoring the screaming opposition, Miguel’s description provides a launchpad for this monologue. Continue reading “The Nigerian Dream” →

Change, Politics

The South African Dance of Shame

Jilomes

A quote attributed to South African-born Mokokoma Mokhonoana says that “You cannot really shame a man who sincerely does not care what others think of him”. To feel shame, a person must have the capacity to not just understand what shame is, but also recognize that an action or a spoken word is beneath dignity standards. This is where the South Africans and their Nigerian comrades have shown unrepentant deficiency. Continue reading “The South African Dance of Shame” →

Change, Politics

Treating a Healthy President

Jilomes

I understand that the world is going through a lot right now with Trump fencing with his American comrades, Britain uncertain over Brexit, and the continued carnage in the Middle East. That is so much for the world to digest, but I would beg the world’s indulgence to allow me add more to its plate. You see, a president is missing. Well, not exactly missing, but missing all the same. Out of the abundance of my selfishness, I think we need to temporarily ignore the world’s problems and talk about this president. Continue reading “Treating a Healthy President” →

Politics

America: Land of the Left and Home of the Right

Jilomes

Want to read this article? Let me first warn you that it is more of a rambling, much of which may or may not be exactly valid. In most of my articles, I try to really understand the concerned issue, but in this one, I seem content with writing from limited knowledge. So, I must warn you that this is a criticism of the US judicial system written by an ignorant non-American engineering grad.  Continue reading “America: Land of the Left and Home of the Right” →

Politics

DSS and Johnson Suleman: Emotions meet Negligence

Jilomes

Former US President Ronald Reagan once said that a government’s first duty is to protect its citizens. All around the world, citizens of different countries look up to their governments to ensure their security. In return, citizens obey societal norms and generally try to be good citizens, whatever that means in their country’s context. When the government fails to provide protection, the contract breaks down, and citizens resort to self-help, setting the stage for a descent into anarchy. That’s the road the Nigerian government seems resolute to take Nigerians through. Continue reading “DSS and Johnson Suleman: Emotions meet Negligence” →

Politics

American Democracy: Are the Mighty Fallen?

Jilomes

This is one of those times when you feel something does not concern you, but closer look discredits that feeling, as you realise you are very much concerned. If America were to be a project, it would be right to say that everyone on earth, American or non-American, is a stakeholder in Project America. As stakeholders, even if we may not have the high impact of American citizens, our interest makes it allowable to speak on issues affecting what is inarguably the greatest nation on earth. Continue reading “American Democracy: Are the Mighty Fallen?” →

Change, Politics

When Constituted Authority Demands Respect

Jilomes

Let me start with a quote by Louis Brandeis: “If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable”. This is like a repackaging of the popular statement that the way one is dressed determines how one is addressed. While western societies may be somewhat lax about showing respect, especially to older persons, in Africa, respect is king. In some settings, an older person can never be wrong, and would talk down any unfortunate younger person who dares point out flaws in actions or words. This addiction to respect, is in my view, one of the reasons why Nigeria is underdeveloped.

Continue reading “When Constituted Authority Demands Respect” →

Politics

Righteous Corruption

Jilomes

A 19th century English clergyman, Frederick Robertson, once said that “There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy: hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny”. It is surprising that a Christian cleric would say something like that. However, we may never know what went on in his mind before he concluded that some persons were undeserving of even a tiny drop of mercy. Nigeria is in the midst of another budgeting process, and at least two of Frederick’s unpardonable sins are being blatantly committed. If Frederick the Annoyed were alive today, what would he say about the 2017 Federal Budget? Continue reading “Righteous Corruption” →

Politics, Randoms

A Look at 2016

Jilomes

It’s already the first of January. Another 365 days has passed; 366 if we consider that 2016 was a leap year. Like every other year, 2016 had its highs and lows, times of rejoicing, and times when we wondered if things could ever get worse. Despite all that happened, the important thing is that we pulled through the bad times and immersed ourselves in the joys of the good times. As the usual annual greetings continue around the world, here’s 2016 summarized from my viewpoint. First, let me say, “Happy New Year”. Continue reading “A Look at 2016” →