Tag: corruption

Change, Politics

SARS: When Lawlessness is the Law

Jilomes

“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster… for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

There is this crude joke by some Nigerians that should they find themselves being sentenced to hell, they would argue that God should not cause double jeopardy since their lifetime in Nigeria was spent in hell. While this joke may seem out of place, it highlights what some (maybe many) Nigerians think about living in a country where illegality is legal.  Continue reading “SARS: When Lawlessness is the Law” →

Politics

A Tale of a Corrupt Saint

Jilomes

What better quote to start this article than one by Vladimir Putin: “Those who fight corruption should be clean themselves.” In case you’re wondering if this was said by the famous (or infamous) Russian president, allow me to calm your nerves. Even I hoped this Putin is the Putin we love to hate, and alas he is the author of this starter quote. I think Putin preaching against corruption is like a beautiful oxymoron. That’s why this quote launches today’s article about Nigeria’s corrupt saint.  Continue reading “A Tale of a Corrupt Saint” →

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

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, Politics

Now That We Have a Budget

Jilomes

Never in the history of Nigeria have Nigerians witnessed the kind of drama that surrounded the 2016 budgeting process. The budget was in the news even before the first word was typed, and continued to stay in the limelight after its presentation, thanks to fluffy unsanitary pads and bickering by the presidency and the legislature. Like Paul Cezanne wrote, “we [truly] live in a rainbow of chaos”. Some say that chaos produces order. The validity of this statement regarding this budget remains to be seen in its implementation. Continue reading “Now That We Have a Budget” →

Change, Politics

Evil in the Towers

Jilomes

Developed countries attained their present status by making the best of their human resources, and training them to become productive members of their respective societies. In Nigeria, despite the hubbub about moving from third world to first world status, our human capital development strategy is abysmal. Why else would our ivory towers be bastions of neglect and reprehensible evil? Continue reading “Evil in the Towers” →

Change, Politics

Much Ado about Cars

Jilomes

Someone once said that leadership involves leaders making sacrifices for the greater good of the organization, just as many parents deny themselves of certain rights and privileges in order to make a better life for their families. That someone obviously had no inkling of Nigerian leadership. In Nigeria, sacrifices are the exclusive preserve of the followers. Continue reading “Much Ado about Cars” →

Change, Politics

Season of Kegs, Drums and Queues

Jilomes

It is no longer news that petroleum products are currently scarce in Nigeria—an OPEC member and eighth largest producer of crude oil in this planet. The word “scarce” does not tell the full story. “Acute scarcity” portrays a better picture of the situation being faced by the giant of Africa.

Continue reading “Season of Kegs, Drums and Queues” →