The World As I See It
A quote attributed to Shakespeare says “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” If Shakespeare had lived in contemporary times, I may have been inclined to believe this quote may have been inspired by an encounter with chronic latecomers. Google “African time” and the results would show a shameful habit that has become accepted by many Africans, especially those from the country called Nigeria.
It’s been about two weeks since I wrote anything for this blog, and I realise that two weeks is a really long time. My excuse is that I’ve been very busy handling some essentials, but someone once told me that if you value something or someone, you would always make out time for that thing or person. So, I’m going to force myself to sit and pen a few words, and hope those words manage to stay on course. Continue reading “Random Thoughts on STDs”
Today, 18 June 2017 is recognised in several countries as “Father’s Day”. In a world where a substantial number of children now grow up with their mothers as single parents, the role of fathers has never been more critical. There are people with the natural ability to deliver semen and whose semen have found a way to fertilise a female’s egg, and there are others who have not just delivered semen but have helped to nurture the resulting new life. However, while demonising the former, society has failed to recognise the sacrifices of the latter group. Continue reading “To My Dad, For the Thanks I Fail to Say”
Lucius Seneca’s assertion that “All cruelty springs from weakness” may seem true and untrue at the same time. On one hand, we may be inclined to accept the quote if the “weakness” is physical or intellectual, and so leads to overcompensation. “Weakness” in terms of “weak morality” may also count. However, how would Seneca’s quote hold water if the oppressor is neither physically nor intellectually weak, and even moves with an air of moral superiority? This is the state in which a good number of Nigerians find themselves. Continue reading “Nigeria and the Culture of Domestic Servitude”
Before you go further in reading this article, let me clearly state that there’s a chance the title would turn out to be inappropriate. Maybe if this were an English exam, after reading the passage and suggesting this title, I would be entitled to a crude ‘X’. That being said, this article touches on the controversy around Kemi Olunloyo, who until recently was known only by internet-savvy Nigerians. I may not write what you’re expecting, so please suspend any existing assumptions and read on. Continue reading “Kemi Olunloyo and the Burden of Responsibility”
Optimistic humanists may disagree but I think humans would never be able to end evil. Even setting aside religious explanations, there is something about humans that makes us seem capable of unimaginable evils, no matter how hard we try to brand humanity as a good species. The best strategy is not unwise whitewashing of evil, but implementing plans that aim to mitigate the possibility of an evil person being successful at evil. We need to raise the entry requirements for evil. Continue reading “Murdered Jumia Agent: Matters Arising”
International Women’s Day, Mothering Sunday, Mothers’ Sunday, Mothers’ Day…different names, some with different dates, yet having the same central theme. There may be a myriad of days devoted in different countries around the world to celebrate women, especially mothers, but no matter how many days we set aside, they would never be enough to say thanks. Continue reading “Thankful, Now and Always”
Charles Darwin’s evolution theory and its upliftment of the doctrine of “survival of the fittest” may have painted a picture of a human race primarily consisting of selfish humans only interested in themselves. However, people have repeatedly showed that humans are not some overtly self-centred species lacking the capacity for compassion, but that in the midst of a fight for survival, many humans would stick out their necks to save others, even if those needing salvation were random strangers. It then becomes sad when we see humans acting like a herd of giraffes that leave the weakest for the stomachs of approaching lions. Continue reading “When Humaneness Goes Missing”
Growing up in Nigeria, one phrase continuously heard was “African time”. It appears the world had a meeting and assigned a special time-keeping system to Africans, with Nigerians as the guardians of this time standard. With such a reputation at odds with the famous timekeeping Swiss, stereotypical expectations assume that Nigerians would never be early at anything, even if their lives were to depend on being early. Unfortunately, while some Nigerians try to defeat this stereotype, some others go extra lengths to ensure Nigeria’s battered image remains unredeemed. Continue reading “Redeeming a Battered Image”
When I decided to spend the Christmas holidays at the Netherlands, I did that knowing full well that I would have due assignments and an exam on my return. I’ve got an exam in three days, and the distinction grade that awaits me in that module would top up what has been an amazing holiday. After enjoying the awesomeness of the Dutch cities, we decided to stroll across the border into the famous city of Antwerp in Belgium. Continue reading “Belgium for the Finale”
Jilomes 