Tag: Nigeria

Inspiration, Politics

​The Heaven Called Immunity

Jilomes

Intro: This piece is about the drive by federal lawmakers to grant themselves immunity from prosecution. Although this form of writing isn’t my forte, I felt like doing something different from my usual direct articles.

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My name is Peter Mohammed Ifa. I am a full-blooded Nigerian representing my people, Nigeria Constituency I at the Senatorial Council of Representatives. On March 28, 2015, I made my people think they willingly chose me as their sole ambassador at the distinguished council. Since then, I and fellow council members have been on a journey to get heaven’s key.

Continue reading “​The Heaven Called Immunity” →

Politics

The Fulani Question: A Tale of the “Left Behinds”

Jilomes

If anyone ventured here to read the rantings of a “tribalist”, I am happy to disappoint such a person. It behoves me first, to state clearly that I do not believe in the superiority of one tribe over another, nor do I ascribe to the fallacy that a tribe can be so inherently evil that no good person can be found in it. Nevertheless, for some time now, the Fulanis have made the news headlines their virtual home, effectively becoming inglorious pains in the longsuffering asses of other Nigerians. Continue reading “The Fulani Question: A Tale of the “Left Behinds”” →

Change, Randoms

Nigeria’s Many McCulloughs

Jilomes

The role of justice is to not only ensure that the guilty pay for their crimes, but to also ensure that the innocent is not wrongly punished. The scales are supposedly perfectly balanced, and manned by impartiality personified. In Nigeria, however, the judicial scales are obviously crooked, and manned by doyens of crookery. An American, Jack McCullough is presently celebrating his freedom, while many Nigerian McCulloughs continue to languish in decrepit jails for crimes they did not commit. Continue reading “Nigeria’s Many McCulloughs” →

Politics

The Exchange Rate Debacle

Jilomes

The only Nigerian who doesn’t know that the naira is falling (“rising”) is the Nigerian who has no business whatsoever with anything imported with dollars, nor derived from something imported with dollars, nor used by other Nigerians who provide goods or services used by this person. Such a person surely lives in a cave, ostracized from human contact. Everyone knows that the naira is in a mess—even the yam tubers in Benue are aware. Continue reading “The Exchange Rate Debacle” →

Politics

The Rightness of Name Calling

Jilomes

Last week, while many Nigerians continued in the struggles of this economic era, the Nigerian internet alley went agog with reactions to an article by The Economist. The reputable magazine had referred to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, as “an ineffectual buffoon”. This name-calling set the stage for the week’s fireworks.
Continue reading “The Rightness of Name Calling” →

Change, Politics

Troublers of Nigeria: A Different View

Jilomes

In the first article, I said the Association of Nigerian Troublers has many “unusual” members in its fold. A certain reader did not like my expanded list, which included most Nigerians. This person engaged me in a debate about the “real troublers”, and made me pledge to write another article addressing his views. This is it! Continue reading “Troublers of Nigeria: A Different View” →

Randoms

Troublers of Nigeria

Jilomes

Nigeria is troubled on every side, and very distressed. Events have severely perplexed Africa’s Giant, yet it tries not to despair. The numerous troubles and the troublers behind them continue to hold back Nigeria’s potential. When we hear “troublers of Nigeria”, our minds usually head towards the usual suspects, a “cabal”, or towards some violent groups. Unfortunately, the Association of Nigerian Troublers has many “unusual” members in its fold. Continue reading “Troublers of Nigeria” →

NYSC, Randoms

October 1 is Christmas Day

Jilomes

When it’s Christmas season, one doesn’t need to be told. The decorations, the excitement that chokes the air, the giving of gifts, visits and lots more proclaim the Christmas season. Christmas is in December, right? What if you were told that for a community in northern Nigeria, October 1 has more “swag” than December 25? You would say it’s a Muslim community. Wrong! This community is more than 90% Christian. Yet for them, October 1 is “Christmas”. Continue reading “October 1 is Christmas Day” →

Uncategorized

55 Reasons for Unity

Jilomes

On Saturday, 1st October 1960, thousands of happy Nigerians gathered at the Race Course Square (Tafawa Balewa Square) Lagos, to witness their young country’s independence ceremony. For many persons who shared greetings and basked in the ambient excitement, the full import of “independence” was not known. The knowledge that “the white man will go, and we will lead ourselves”, was enough reason to celebrate. Today, fifty-five years later, Nigeria is sorely in need of that common drive that fuelled the campaign for independence.

Continue reading “55 Reasons for Unity” →