Tag: Problem Solving

Randoms, Travelling

Dangote Did Not Cause Deadly Trailer Accidents

Jilomes

“Aye, fight! But not your neighbor. Fight rather all the things that cause you and your neighbor to fight.” ~ Mikhail Naimy

While the title of this article may trigger some persons to ask if I have Dangote cement or petrol in my pockets, if I can be given just some time to explain, maybe my integrity would be unquestioned. Yes, it is true that trailers either belonging to or affiliated to the Dangote Group have wreaked havoc on the Nigerian public, including the recent killing of Ruth Otabor, but while it is easy to request for Uncle Dangote’s head on a spike, the accidents are not of his making. Rather, they are simply a symptom of a more complex problem to be solved.

Continue reading “Dangote Did Not Cause Deadly Trailer Accidents” →
Change, Energy

A Different Kind of Petrol Subsidy for Nigeria

Jilomes

Recently, in a think-tank of sorts ensconced within a WhatsApp group, the issue of petrol subsidies came into play. Clearly, in Nigeria today, the issue of petrol subsidies, whether they are needed or not, whether they exist or not, is a serious discourse set within the context of a struggling economy. When someone suggested addressing the subsidy issue by digitising purchases tied to NIN, I had an eureka moment with an idea that could be seen as silly and unimplementable or provide a solution to a serious socioeconomic challenge.

Continue reading “A Different Kind of Petrol Subsidy for Nigeria” →
Change

An Anthem Better Than a Silver Bullet

Jilomes

Very few persons will ever have the privilege of witnessing surreal ingenuity as magnificent as the silver bullet to national malformation. Jodi Picoult, the American wannabe pessimist once claimed that “…There are no silver bullets in life, there’s just the long, messy climb out of the pit you’ve dug yourself.” But even Auntie Jodi would be enthralled to live in the same era as the wise men in two chambers who have discovered Nigeria’s short walk to freedom.

Continue reading “An Anthem Better Than a Silver Bullet” →
Politics, Travelling

For the Love of Bans

Jilomes

In January 2020, the Lagos State Government announced a state-wide ban on commercial motorcycles for a range of offences, including causing many road users to lose limbs and other body parts. Whereas the ban was on all motorcycles, it was perceived as a move against Gokada, Max, and similar startups, especially as conventional bikes were soon back on the roads complying with the daily extortionary and ultra-official cash fees paid to enforcers (“agberos”) on the roads. Effective 1st September 2022, there is now another ban covering many parts of the state, which extends an earlier ban that had fewer areas included.

Continue reading “For the Love of Bans” →
Change, Politics

Of Easy Wins and Persistent Troubles

Jilomes

Behold an article that has been on my mind for some time, morphing as I consider one scenario after another. A quote by the American Chuck Norris might dare to succinctly capture my thoughts as I type this article.

“I’ve always found that anything worth achieving will always have obstacles in the way and you’ve got to have that drive and determination to overcome those obstacles en route to whatever it is that you want to accomplish.”

Chuck Norris
Continue reading “Of Easy Wins and Persistent Troubles” →
Change, Politics

Saving Nigeria Through Resource Control

Jilomes

Of all the myriad issues that have plagued Nigeria since its independence in 1960, resource control is one of the biggest, arguably resent-laced issues that straddles everything from equity, political control, to plain expropriation. Nigeria is currently in the process of another piecemeal constitutional amendment, with resource control being a recurring demand from the oil producing region, while an affiliated demand seems to have contributed to delaying the Petroleum Industry Bill. Is there a way to redefine the pie and allow all stakeholders to go home happy?

Continue reading “Saving Nigeria Through Resource Control” →