Category: Politics

Politics

Ecclesiastical Foolishness

Jilomes

Confucius is credited with saying that “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” The message in there encodes wisdom that is ever important. In trying to carry out revenge, or right a perceived wrong, we sometimes harm ourselves in the process. Before thinking of copying an action as a form of revenge or equilibrant, we should spare some thoughts whether our intended action is a manifestation of foolishness. It becomes double tragedy when we bring God into the fray, and exhibit foolishness in the name of the Lord. Continue reading “Ecclesiastical Foolishness” →

Politics, Randoms

Voting for the World’s Next President

Jilomes

“You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else”. This quote by the UK’s Winston Churchill kicks off what is my first, and hopefully, only, article dedicated to the election of the United States’ 45th president. If you’re reading this article, and you don’t know that today, 8 November 2016, is the grand finale of the US presidential election season, on behalf of fellow earthlings, I accept your renouncement of your membership of the earth. In essence, even the virgin snow in Antarctica knows that today is all about America. Continue reading “Voting for the World’s Next President” →

Change, Politics

Future for Sale

Jilomes

In Proverbs 13:22, where it was written that “a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children”, a good heart and a thinking mind that looks at the future must have been the focus of that verse. Creating the kind of wealth that transcends generations is not in the purview of those the King James translation would tag “simple”. Extending this verse to the realm of countries and leadership, we can say that “a good leader creates a buoyant future for coming generations”. Unfortunately for Nigeria, its leaders have expertise in selling the future, doing what Niyi Osundare would describe as “eating tomorrow’s yam today”. Continue reading “Future for Sale” →

Change, Inspiration, Politics

Taking Nigeria Back

Jilomes

Newton’s first law of motion states that “a body at rest would remain at rest unless a force acts on it”. If this sentence does not seem simple enough, here’s a street person’s rephrasing: “a football would not move until someone or something (e.g. wind) pushes it”. Something must make a move. This is a simple rule that Nigerians have not learned. Nigerians can pray and hope for ten million years, but don’t forget that even David had to pick stones and face Goliath. Without some action, most prayers are useless. Yes, I said that, and I’m a Christian. Continue reading “Taking Nigeria Back” →

Change, Politics

Shackles of Independence

Jilomes

Two centuries ago, Brigham Young said that “True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what’s right.” Those words are as true as the knowledge that the earth is spherical. Whereas some persons view independence as being free to do whatever they like however they like, such persons have a myopic view that points to immaturity. When one is truly independent is when one comes to appreciate that independence implies a responsibility to do the right thing. It is the Nigerian state’s inability to understand this logic that has kept it in shackles for fifty-six years. Continue reading “Shackles of Independence” →

Change, Politics

​The Murder of My Alma Mater

Jilomes

“Beware of Greeks bearing gifts”. This admonition by Virgil was inspired by one of humanity’s most famous acts of treachery—the Trojan horse left at the gates of Troy. What was thought to be a gift was in fact the beginning of the end for Troy. The Trojan horse tactic has been reproduced severally throughout history, although not exactly with a wooden horse. Sometimes, the famous horse may be in the form of government policy, one of such potential policies being the new fee structure for Nigeria’s unity colleges.  Continue reading “​The Murder of My Alma Mater” →

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. 

Continue reading “​Rivers State: The Enemy Within” →

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.

Continue reading “Of Naming Dogs and Unfree Speech” →

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. 

Continue reading “Adeboye and the Fire Breathers” →